Groove On 29

… and we’re back with Groove On Episode 29, after an rather long and unintentional pause. This episode was made without notes and may contain a more aimless blethering than usual. It begins with a timely tune, Björk’s ’There’s More To Life Than This’ from her 1993 album Debut, which is followed by a soulful triple header.
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‘Fight!’ is a new track by Chicago artist Wyatt Waddell and is a reflection on the current riots and racism of the US. All the proceeds from the song will go to help several related Chicago organisations. From new to classic, with Aretha Franklin’s stunning 1967 single ‘Save Me’, then back to new and the very timely ‘The Only Way Out Is Through’ by Hannah Williams & The Affirmations from their 2019 album 50 Foot Woman.
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After that soulful intensity, we head to rock. First up is the greasy miasma of ’Swamp Gas’ by Revbjelde from their new album Hooha Hubbub. Then it’s ‘Death Row’, an outrageous blast of horror show punk by New Zealand’s The Cavemen. A little older is ‘Help These Blues’ from The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s 2004 album Damage. Older still is ‘Ten Little Girls’ by Curve, from their debut Blindfold EP. Then it’s back to the present with ‘Dispossession’ by Algiers, a tour de force that finds a glimmer of hope in the broken streets of the US, which can found it on their 2019 album There Is No Year.
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Next is a trio of multipart songs. First is ‘Inertia’ by Canadian band Duchess Says, from their 2016 album Science Nouvelles. Then it’s into electronica and ‘Beelzedub’, a recent-ish piece by Orbital from Wonky, that ever so slightly revisits their classic track ‘Satan’, while also finding time for a wee bit o the Amen break. Nice one. The electronic moment continues with ’Weather Experience’ by The Prodigy, an epic number from their debut album that swings from lush synth textures to out-and-out acid. Sorted.
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The next trio of songs offers something of a contrast by way of more organic sounds, beginning with ‘Scene Of The Crime’ by Dinah Shore, the top charting female vocalist of the forties in the US. Then comes a fairly recent reggae cover of the Martha Reeves and the Vandellas hit ‘Heatwave’ by Pama International. Lastly is a classic rocksteady number, ‘Dreader Than Dread’ by Honey Boy Martin from 1967.
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We head to Glasgow next, for ‘Peace, Love & Mustard’, a joyous number by the effervescent Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 from 2018.
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There’s three beautiful yet disparate songs in a row next. First is the gorgeous soul of ‘Azad’ by Frazey Ford, taken from her new album U kin B the Sun. Then there’s equally gorgeous folk of ‘The Lothian Hairst’, the opening track on Claire Hastings’ 2019 album Those Who Roam. That’s followed by the unmistakable sound of Sonic Youth with ‘I Love You Golden Blue’ from their 2004 album Sonic Nurse.
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The episode closes with a meeting of gopsel, funk and jazz in ‘Bring Back Peace To The World’ by Spencer Jackson Family & The Pharaohs and then one of the quietest and most effective Civil Rights Movement songs, the 1967 track ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free’ recorded by Nina Simone.
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That’s all for this episode of Groove On. Take care and stay safe until the next one.
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Bella Caledonia · Groove On – Episode 29

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  1. The Barrastinian says:

    fantastic stuff Stewart, great to have you back

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