Press Play with Greg Fenton 006
The Past, Present and Future of Music
It’s Press Play 006 with our resident contributor, Greg Fenton. Once again we bring you a handpicked mix of tracks, albums and performances that capture the pulse of music at its most vibrant.
Always blending iconic classics with bold new discoveries, Greg’s selections speak to everyone – from casual listeners to devoted music heads. Linking past, present and future sounds, he delivers a perspective that’s both insightful and inspiring.
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Welcome to the sixth edition of everything vital in the world of electronic music from past to present and future according to the word of Magazine Sixty. As always, life is full of excellent music to enjoy one way or another. This month we present a greater diversity of sounds, so we hope you enjoy what’s on offer. Let’s go!
Table of Contents
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Past – LKJ IN DUB – Island Records (1980)
Last month’s album from Tim Buckley is a hard act to follow, but this month’s album occupies the position of one of my all-time favourites, something I consistently return to.
Built around dub versions of tracks from the two previous Linton Kwesi Johnson albums, Forces of Victory and Bass Culture, both seminal in their own right, the music charts an account of life in Britain at the time. It has an everlasting importance, as well as an emotional fortitude that has never diminished in my mind, testament to the strength of Dennis Bovell’s musical and production prowess.
Past – A Rich Diversity of Music
I once saw LKJ perform poetry in Belfast around 1985 at the Queen’s Film Theatre, and it was an inspiring experience, potent in its raw, spoken form. I would love to have heard Dennis Bovell too, but that wasn’t an option at the time, unfortunately. So this album also captures a moment in time for me, resonating with such a rich diversity of music that it feels like history in ever-shifting motion.
Past – Unique Inventiveness of the Music
Part of the reason I love this album so much is the unique inventiveness of the music and the way it weaves together to form a narration of its own. LKJ’s voice may not always be present, but his intention certainly is loud and clear.
It’s not the description of individual pieces of music that counts here, as the album demands to be listened to as a whole. Although the slow burn of Peach and the tumbling drums of Burn remain seared in memory as brutal, brilliant musical punctuation. Likewise, the ironic, joyful tones of Bitch contrast intensely with the original poems subject matter. Also, try Cultural, whose celebratory strut belies the robust stream of language filling the track Bass Culture. Either way, brilliance.
Past – A Specific Historical Document
If you take the album out of LKJ’s targeted context, it could be said that the album’s story reflects the nature and sprawl of any large urban geography, comprising a series of different events and locations, some light, some heavy, loaded with dangerous potential at an unsuspecting moment. However in this case, it’s a specific historical document and a proud musical one too.
Full credit, of course, to the illustrious collection of musicians who played the music with such passion, as the producer captured and sculpted it all perfectly, transmitting the message to eternity.
*Visit Linton Kwesi Johnson Online
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
Bob Marley
Present – Abel – Can’t Let You Go (feat. Rona Ray) – (Atjazz Galaxy Aart Remix)
Let’s start with this brilliant reworking from Atjazz’s Galaxy Aart version of Abel – Can’t Let You Go, featuring the incredible voice of Rona Ray, released on Atjazz Records. Sunshine shines throughout this life-enhancing piece of soulfully charged music, which never feels overly nostalgic or like it’s feeding you music in reverse, and I guarantee your day will feel that much better after listening to it.
Present – Autistici – Familiarity Enfolded – Audiobilb Records
Familiarity Enfolded on Audiobilb Records. Another transformative collection of sounds this month comes from Autistici, whose drum-free flow of ambient sequences charges both mind and body with the power of energy and the joy of emotion. More often than not, these days, a lot of ambience drifts by without saying much, musically a bit too safe and samey, but these productions grab you, highlighting the gifts of each of the artists while they collaborate together.
Present – Captain Mustache & Third Culture – Vertigo – Mobilee Records
By way of a complete contrast is Captain Mustache & Third Culture – Vertigo from Berlin’s Mobilee Records. Sounds like something emanating from a darkly lit 1980s discotheque. Hi-NRG sequences unfold over electronic drums, accompanied by a playful twist of instrumental melody that thankfully remains rooted in contemporary discourse.
Download/Stream Captain Mustache & Third Culture on Beatport
Present – KlangKollektor – Dubtapes Volume Two – Before I Die
Further sounds for those with horizontal inclinations to relax into are from KlangKollektor’s brilliant – Dubtapes Volume Two on Before I Die. Music to lose yourself in and possibly find yourself somewhere else, these concoctions of heart-warming piano and gentle rhythms really hit the spot.
Download KlangKollektor – Dubtapes Volume Two on Bandcamp
“Music is the universal language of mankind.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Present – Pig&Dan – Journey Within – Café del Mar Music
If you’re after a longer listen, then here is an excellent compilation of music from DJ/ Producers Pig&Dan – Journey Within, released on the infamous Café del Mar Music. The label’s first trip into artists’ only albums, and this is a finely tuned variation of the Balearic theme, full of a crisscross of inspiring music.
Present – Herbert and Momoko – Clay – Strut / Accidental
So to Momoko & Herbert – Clay released via Strut Records / Accidental. A sublime, exceptional collection of songs breathing in the air of life, exhaling its musical consequences. DJ/producer Matthew Herbert and producer, drummer, and vocalist Momoko Gill have created a delicately balanced series of music that reaches deep into the soul, while exciting electricity as rhythms and sounds effortlessly glide across the stereo field. And it is a beautiful listen.
Present – Zé Ibarra – AFIM – Mr Bongo
And finally on Press Play, Zé Ibarra – AFIM is released on Mr Bongo, which perfectly fills the season with a summer of warm Brazilian sounds and intentions. This is the second solo album by the artist and features a combination of cover versions and original compositions. There is a timeless quality to the album’s production, evoking a classic feel, to the point where it almost glows with nostalgia. Yet, the emotional delivery of the songs remains consistently on point. On every other level, the music is a joy to behold, across a series of rhythms and moods.
Download Zé Ibarra – AFIM on Bandcamp
Future – Press Play Recommendations
Recommended releases this month come from Yard One (Tact Recordings). The explosive Tripmastaz – Tortured Soul EP, plus Rumorous’s sumptuously jazzy – Because of You on Easier Said.
Listen to Sean Holland and Lily Lapalace later
This Month on Magazine Sixty
You can catch up with all of the latest releases reviewed by Greg Fenton at Magazine Sixty and interviews featuring the new edition of Magazine Sixty Radio and Sean Holland’s fascinating interview with Lapalace, having just released a beautiful long player on Ransom Note offshoot Music To Watch Seeds Grow By.
See you there and Press Play here next month!!
When you’ve soaked it all in, be sure to visit his site, MagazineSixty, for even more deep dives and discoveries!
About MagazineSixty
At the heart of Greg Fenton’s work lies MagazineSixty, an online platform he created to showcase the best in contemporary music. The website is a treasure trove for fans of electronic and alternative sounds, offering a blend of album reviews, artist interviews, and features that delve into the creative processes behind some of the most compelling music being produced today. The site’s mission is to explore the intersection of artistry and innovation, highlighting the transformative power of music in a constantly evolving cultural landscape.
What sets MagazineSixty apart is its focus on quality over quantity. Fenton takes a discerning approach to curation, ensuring that every piece of content aligns with the site’s ethos of authenticity and depth. His reviews are not only detailed but also reflective, often connecting the music to broader cultural and historical contexts. This level of thoughtfulness has earned the website a loyal following, with readers appreciating its commitment to celebrating creativity without succumbing to the pressures of mainstream trends.
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Listen to the Live Stream of OpenLab
Noticed the black bar at the bottom of the screen? Listen now to OpenLab who are broadcasting worldwide via www.openlab.fm and on 106.4 FM in Ibiza and Formentera, OpenLab champions the worlds most exciting producers, artists, DJ’s and visual artists, offering their community a glimpse of ‘Tomorrows World.. Today’.
Want More Music? Click through to re-OpenLab
At Pen vs Sword, we are Partners in Sound with Openlab.fm in our re-OpenLab section, we re-introduce you to previously broadcast Openlab.fm shows delivering captivating audio experiences immerse yourself into – re-OpenLab is more than just a collection of past shows; it’s a curated journey through the eclectic and inspiring world of Openlab.fm’s programming.
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