I was wondering what would be the perfect song to play on the hottest day we’ve ever had when I remembered this… a song that immediately conjures up a sweltering summer’s day in New York. (more…)

This really is a spectacular find for fans of funk and soul. An obscure deep soul nugget, it lures you in with its slow-burning groove. Then, about 30 seconds in, the horns catch fire and the bass player lets loose with the musical equivalent of St Vitus Dance.

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I stumbled upon this today and remembered how much I loved it when it came out. So much so that I bought the album.

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Tribal House. Progressive House. Tropical House. Call it what you want – De Gama gets you grooving the moment those drums start to pound. Then the bassline hits you in the gut and you’re lost to the rhythm.  (more…)

I didn’t immediately jump on board the Madchester bandwagon. But I once spent an interesting three days in Barcelona trying to talk to Shaun Ryder. (more…)

With its smooth groove and sweet vocal, sinuous sax and bubbling bassline, this is just the job for a hot summer day. (more…)

Chuck Norris didn’t do karate but he earned his chops playing session guitar in California in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He also cut a handful of solo singles like this. (more…)

There are many contenders for the ultimate driving song – Born To Be Wild, Highway Star, The Chain, Road To Nowhere. But for me there’s only one – Radar Love. (more…)

The inspiration for one of the more regrettable dance crazes, Rock The Boat was also the inspiration for Rock Your Baby, regarded by many as the first disco hit. (more…)

The great Senegalese singer Baaba Maal plays a key part in the birth of my daughter Lily. No, not like that… (more…)