Artist: Various
Album: Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller

This has pretty much been my record of the summer. Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist from Radiohead, spent months picking some of his favourite tracks from the Trojan Records’ archive. The end result of his efforts was an outstanding compilation. The disc pulls together bits of ska, rocksteady, dub, and roots into seventy minutes worth of pure enjoyment. It has been the soundtrack for many drives around town, brunch on Sunday morning and early evening social gatherings.

Recommended for those who are interested in reggae and are looking to expand beyond the great works of Bob Marley.

Highlight tracks:
Let Me Down Easy by Derrick Harriott
I’m Still in Love by Marcia Aitken
Cool Rasta by The Heptones
Black Panta by Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters

Listen to Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Artist: Crowded House
Album: Time On Earth

I’ve been listening to Time On Earth for a couple of weeks now. The record, which is the first new recording from Crowded House in a long time, takes a couple of listens from start to finish for the listener to appreciate the lyrical and musical quality of the songs. The songwriting is reflective and bittersweet – Neil Finn in top form.

If you’ve only got time to check out one track, then go with Silent House.

Listen to Time On Earth on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Artist: Various
Album: Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk and Reggae 1967-1974

For those of you who like your music full of energy, sweet licks and all out funkiness. More Motown (soul) then Kingston (reggae), this collection of songs recorded in Toronto is great for a warm Saturday afternoon barbeque with friends and a cooler full of cold ones.

Highlight tracks:
If This Is Love (I’d Rather Be Lonely) by Eddie Spencer
I Wish It Would Rain by Cougars
Chips – Chicken – Banana Split by Jo-Jo & The Fugitives
African Wake by Johnnie Osbourne

The CD has great packaging with a detailed booklet describing the artists, songs and the Jamaica – Toronto connection that made it all happen.

Listen to Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk and Reggae 1967-1974 on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

This collection of songs was pulled together for an evening of washing dishes and cleaning a very messy kitchen. While our kitchen does have a dishwasher in it, there is something about cleaning dishes by hand. It can be a great time for solitary reflection and allowing the mind to wander. Great music can take you places and when better than when you’re elbow deep in lukewarm, grimy water. Convincing a family member or friend to join in the workload, gives time to chat about life, work, friends, art, politics and so many things that an hour in front of the television does not.

The tracklisting for Volume 8 is:

1. Grey in L.A. – Loudon Wainwright III
   From the album: Strange Weirdos: Music From And Inspired By The Film Knocked Up
2. Gotta Get Away – The Rolling Stones
   From the album: Singles 1965-1967
3. Well…All Right – Albert Hammond Jr
   From the album: Yours To Keep
4. If I Should Die Tonight – Brakes
   From the album: The Beatific Visions
5. Baby I – Amy Millan
   From the album: Honey From The Tombs
6. Sleep Tonight – Stars
   From the album: Do You Trust Your Friends?
7. Way You Walk – Papas Fritas
   From the album: Pop Has Freed Us
8. It’s A Shame – The Spinners
   From the album: A One Of A Kind Love Affair
9. Tengo Frio – Ely Guerra
   From the album: Petrol Presents: Departure Lounge, Love
10. The Bed’s Too Big Without You – The Police
    From the album: Reggatta De Blanc
11. When The Sun Comes Up – Bert Jansch
    From the album: The Black Swan
12. Where Is Love? – Lily Frost
    From the album: Petrol Presents: Departure Lounge, Love
13. My Dreams Are Getting Better Every Day – Vera Lynn
    From the album: Vera Lynn Yours
14. One Life Away – M. Ward
    From the album: Transistor Radio
15. In The Morning – Nina Simone
    From the album: Just Like A Woman: Nina Simone Sings Classic Songs Of The 60’s
16. Here Comes The Sun – Peter Tosh
    From the album: The Best of Peter Tosh
17. Reversed – Elizabeth Sheppard
    From the album: Start To Move
18. Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
    From the album: Strange Weirdos: Music From And Inspired By The Film Knocked Up

Yahoo! Music Unlimited subscribers can listen to this mixtape here.

Artist: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Album: Once: Music From the Motion Picture

For fans of The Frames, Damien Rice, and those who like their music with emotion & passion exposed bare. A solid record from top to bottom. While the songs may have been pulled from various discs (The Cost, The Swell Season, etc), I believe the versions have been captured especially for the film.

This is one of those records that I hope gets strong word of mouth. It is something special. Songs to check out include Falling Slowly, When Your Mind’s Made, Gold, and Fallen From The Sky.

Listen to Once on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Here is video of Glen performing Falling Slowly in Toronto.

Artist: Feist
Album: The Reminder

The new record from Feist drops in a week. First few listens reveal lots of jazz, blues and folk influences. The songs are engaging and captivating, much like those on Let It Die. Standout tracks include Sea Lion Woman and My Man, My Moon.

If you’re looking for a great album to give Mom or the mother of your children, you might want to consider this one. It’s got the right blend of confidence, sass, beauty and warmth.

Here are a couple of the tracks from the disc. Also worth checking out are 1 2 3 4 and I Feel It All.

Sea Lion Woman (Webisode)

YouTube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u0iQj2j5mE)

My Man, My Moon (Video)

YouTube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp6_mt7XRtg)

Listen to Feist on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Artist: Leonard Cohen
Album: Songs of Leonard Cohen

I spent some time yesterday with this classic Leonard Cohen record. Spent some time with is the best way to describe this record. This is a collection of songs that you need to allow yourself to get lost in. The mixture of melody, lyrics and a voice create images and characters with a depth that few artists achieve. It’s incredible to think that this was a debut record.

Tracks to listen to:
So Long, Marianne
The Stranger Song
Suzanne

Songs of Leonard Cohen is available on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Artist: Travis
Album: The Boy with No Name

A return to the days of The Man Who form by Fran Healy and the lads in Travis. The Man Who was one of my favourite records back in 1999. Songs like Driftwood, Writing To Reach You, Why Does It Always Rain on Me? and Turn received countless spins in the CD player.

The first single is called Closer. It’s good but there are better tracks on the disc. When I played Big Chair on the drive home it was the first time in a long time that the better half has interrupted me to ask “who’s this playing”. A good sign for the appeal of the record.

Here’s the video for Closer:

The disc comes out in early May. When it does, we be sure to check out:
The Big Chair
Selfish Jean
Battleships

Listen to Travis on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

I’ll leave you with an old favourite. It’s Travis covering Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby (One More Time)” at Glastonbury in 2000.

It was filmed just days ago in Paris, The Shins performing on a beautiful day in front of a cafe, in a courtyard, in a sun soaked apartment and walking around. The concept for the whole thing is brilliant. The recording captures the beauty of the songs and the essence of the band. I’ve posted the video clips here but be sure to visit Blogotheque to download high quality versions of the videos and to read the full story.

Part 1 featuring:
Gone for Good from the album Chutes Too Narrow
Turn on me from the album Wincing The Night Away

Part 2 featuring:
Turn A Square from Chutes Too Narrow
The Past and Pending from the album Oh, Inverted World
Australia from the album Wincing The Night Away