Episodes
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Compiled and blended by AmAr Patel
@amarofpatel
ANJA NGOZI – Sunnyside
LLOYD MILLER – Mello Cello [FountainAVM]
RAJI RAGS – Enchanté (featuring Raven Rush)
PREFUSE 73 – Onboard, Overboard [Lex]
SESSA – Gostar do Mundo (Demo) [Mexican Summer]
NX WORRIES – MoveOn [Stones Throw]
OHIO PLAYERS – Summertime [Charly]
LARHONDA LEGETTE – Thou Art With Me [Numero]
ANKANUM – Song of The Motherland [Native Rebel]
KEITH HUDSON – Be Good Dub [Week-End]
HOLY TONGUE MEETS SHACKLETON – The Merciful Lake [AD93]
SAM MORTON – Let’s Walk In The Night (featuring Alabaster DePlume) [Flesh N Blood]
BETH GIBBONS – Whispering Love [Domino] (Beth live @ Barbican)
COCTEAU TWINS – Seekers Who Are Lovers (EP Version) [Fontana]
FABIANA PALLADINO – In The Fire [Paul Institute]
QENDRESA – 2 Much
HEAVY – Do For You [Kindred Spirits]
YAYA BEY – Career Day [Big Dada]
SAMARA CYN – Green Eyes Freestyle
MATTHEWDAVID – Daydreamin
WU-LU – Blunted Strings [Warp]
GOAT GIRL – Ride Around [Rough Trade]
KIM GORDON – BYE BYE [Matador]
FUMIO KARASHIMA – American Tango [180G]
VOICES OF BISHARA – The Journey (Live) [International Anthem]
SML – Search Bar Hi Hat [International Anthem]
FINN REES – Crossing [Mr Bongo]
QWALIA – Omega [Albert’s Favourites]
VEGYN – Mushroom Abolitionist [PLZ Make It Ruins]
LEON WARE AND MARCOS VALLE – Feels So Good [Far Out] (Leon and Marcos playlist)
KAYTRANADA – Spit It Out (featuring Rochelle Jordan) [RCA]
GHOST PHONE – Hotline
NAHI MITTI – Ayesha [Banoffees Pies]
2000 BLACK – London Boogie 7 [2000 Black]
ZG –Believe If You Can See [Pacific Rhythm]
SPECTER –The Birth [Sound Signature]
BEDOUIN ASCENT – Waves of What [Rising High]
ELKKA – Passionfruit (featuring John Carol Kirby [Ninja Tune]
MALIK HENDRICKS – Heavy [Eglo]
PRINCE – The Future (Remix) [Warner Bros]
NIKLAS WANDT – Uncorked [Púca]
SURYA SEN – In My Head (featuring Di-Vincent) [Loaded]
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amarofpatel.substack.com -
Eh up, people!
An expanded edition from London Town on a style and period of music that’s very close to my body and soul.
When most people think of 80’s music with synths and drum machines, the usual electro-pop suspects come to mind: Kraftwerk, Moroder, Depeche Mode, Human League, Gary Numan, maybe Patrick Cowley.
What we should be talking about is how black musicians quietly – ok, maybe not so quietly – revolutionised popular culture through their adventures in R&B from the 70s into the 80s. They could be smooth and sophisticated, but the tracks made you move.
Glasgow-based journalist Steven Vass has achieved something significant with his book Let The Music Play, plotting a course through those decades and tracing the evolution of these sounds through the constellation of artists who invented them.
The level of research is encyclopaedic yet he’s managed to keep it breezy, capturing the thrill of hearing these records for the first time – minds being blown, often on a weekly basis – as underground club culture broke into the mainstream.
I caught up with Steve a couple of months after this launch in Brixton to talk about: how he got into writing; reasons and reservations in doing the book; being inspired by Coming To America; giving flowers to Kashif and Paul Lawrence, Patrice Rushen, Cameo, Kleeer, Gwen Guthrie, Jam & Lewis and many more.
He also offers theories on what drew listeners and dancers to these synthesised sounds, why black artists weren’t given more credit as pioneers and the differences between the UK and US markets.
Expect a Questlove Supreme level of discourse, along with a big bag of that boogie-street-soul type of thing. A bit of house too, of course. You’ll feel it all.
Questions, comments or abuse to @amarofpatel
* HERBIE HANCOCK – Quasar (featuring Patrick Gleeson) [Warner]
* STEVIE WONDER – Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) [Tamla Motown]
* THE SPECIALS – Ghost Town (Extended Version) [Two-Tone]
* TOMORROW’S WORLD THEME TUNE (1982)
* DESMOND DEKKER – Reggae Recipe [Music For Pleasure]
* IMAGINATION – Just An Illusion (original 12” mix) [Unidisc]
* PRINCE – Raspberry Beret (New Mix) [NPG]
* GWEN GUTHRIE – Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (Larry Levan 12” Club Mix) [Polydor]
* JOYCE SIMS – Come Into My Life (Extended Version) [London]
* FATBACK BAND – Is This The Future? [Spring]
* PATRICE RUSHEN – Kickin’ Back [Prestige]
* PATRICE RUSHEN – Forget Me Nots (12” version) [Elektra]
* NONA HENDRYX – Transformation [RCA]
* MELBA MOORE – Love’s Comin’ At Ya [EMI]
* KASHIF – The Mood [Arista]
* HANSON & DAVIS – I’ll Take You On (Dub Version) [Fresh]
* KLEEER – She Said She Loves Me [Atlantic]
* CAMEO – Single Life (Extended Version) [Casablanca]
* JUNIOR – Is This Love [Mercury]
* PRINCESS – Say I’m Your Number One [TELDEC]
* SHANNON – Let The Music Play [Emergency]
* JANET JACKSON – Nasty (Cool Summer Mix Part 1) [A&M]
* STEVE ‘SILK’ HURLEY – Jack Your Body (1986 Home Made Mix) [Underground]
PS Catch me broadcasting live at Horniman Museum in SE London on 15 June. A rare appearance in public as part of the Sister Midnight x Daytimers takeover.
Come through.
There may be guests. There will be 🔥
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Missing episodes?
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– click on each track to purchase –
IASOS – The Angels of Comfort [Numero]
LAUREL HALO – Belleville [Awe](Laurel Halo live at Jazz Cafe, London – 5 June)
SUN RA – Love in Outer Space (solo live @Haverford College, 1980)
BOJAN DROBEŽ – Krog Na Vodi [NTS]
GANAVYA – I walk again, eyes towards the Sky [Native Rebel Recordings]
ROLAND P YOUNG – Estimationism [EM Records]
SC SHARMA – Dance Music 1 [State 51 Conspiracy](Full story here)
MK.GEE – How Many Miles [R&R]
RAINY MILLER X SPACE AFRIKA – Maybe It’s Time to Tay Down the Arms [Fixed Abode]
JOHN GLACIER – Tripsteady [Young]
CORINNE BAILEY RAE – Earthlings [Black Rainbows Music](Corinne on the making of Black Rainbows and being inspired by Chicago’s Stony Island Arts Bank)
TRACY KERR – If U Need My Lovin (Instrumental Dub) [Isle of Jura]
DELASI – Learn From Adversity (featuring Lollise) [Brownswood]
X-CERTS – Untogether [Emotional Rescue]
HOLY TONGUE – Threshing Floor [Amidah Records](Valentina Magaletti with 99Chants live at ICA, London – 9 May)
GARY NUMAN – A Dream of Siam (featuring Pino Palladino) [Beggars Banquet](Pino Palladino on Questlove Supreme)
V/Z – Candles (Version) [AD 93]
BULLION – Rare (featuring Carly Rae Jepsen) [Ghostly]
MARIA RITA – Brasileira [Mr Bongo]
JAHARI MASSAMBA UNIT – Otis’ Tambourine [Law of Rhythm]
GRUPO IRAKERE – Juana 1600 [Mr Bongo]
AMARO FREITAS – Encantados (Psychic Hotline)
AMANDA WHITING – Liminal [First Word]
MARVIN GAYE – T Plays It Cool (Unedited Version) [Motown](Harmony Holiday’s meditation on another Trouble Man track, ‘Cleo’s Apartment’, is a must-read)
CAN – Oh Yeah [Spoon](One-time lead singer Damo Suzuki on being Damo Suzuki)
DAVID WERTMAN – Sunshine – [Finders Keepers]
AMY GADIAGA – Full Sun (해찬) [Jazz Re:freshed](Amy Gadiaga live on Jazz re:freshed weekly, 2022)
YOSHIKO SAI – Aoi Galasu Dama (Blue Glass Ball) [Time Capsule]
MARLENA SHAW – I’m Back For More [Columbia]
*Shockout Business interlude [Death Is Not the End]
KARIN JONES – Here I Go Again [Tidal Waves]
HAMID AL SHAERI – Dari Demou’ak [Habibi Funk]
MATERIAL – I’m The One (dance version) [Elektra](Plucked from Steven Vass’ Let The Music Play, which explores the impact of synths and drum machines on 70’s/80’s r&b. Special coming soon.)
*Pure Wicked Tune interlude [Death Is Not the End]
OJERIME – In The Know [Never Seven]
JAWNINO – 2trains
KELELA & LORAINE JAMES – Divorce (Loraine James Remix) [Warp]
KOKOROKO – We Give Thanks (KeiyaA mix) [Brownswood](KeiyaA live at The Lower Third – 8 May)
MILLSART – Transistor Love [Axis Records]
JULIAN D’ANGELO & SPECTER – Drunken Noodles [Visions Recordings]
LOST SOULS OF SATURN – LOST SOULS OF SATURN [R&S]
FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON – Across The Rivers [FSOLDigital]
NEW SECTOR MOVEMENTS – Stand (New Sector Bruk Flex featuring Mike City) [First Word]
HARUOMI HOSONO & YASUHIKO TERADA – Turquois [Rush Hour]
LORD OF THE ISLES – Ultraviolet [Adult Contemporary]
B-EDIT – Hold tight
BAS NOIR – My Love Is Magic [Nu Groove]
KERRI CHANDLER – Joykerri
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amarofpatel.substack.com -
Amp Fiddler – Grandma’s Radio (featuring Soundboy) [Ampliphonic] https://ampfiddler.bandcamp.com/album/amp-dog-knights?from=embedAmp Fiddler – Too High (live on the Ralph Armstrong Show 2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwwPx0usQKY
Amp Fiddler – Superficial (Amp’s Soul Special) [Camp Amp Studios]https://www.discogs.com/master/1173843-Amp-Fiddler-Rare-And-Unreleased
Amp Fiddler – Heaven [Strut]https://bleep.com/release/306801-amp-fiddler-afro-strut
Amp Fiddler – Eye to Eye [PIAS]https://www.discogs.com/release/226033-Amp-Fiddler-Waltz-Of-A-Ghetto-Fly
Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue – If I Don’t (featuring Amp Fiddler, Wendell Harrison, Bubz Fiddler live in Detroit, 2014)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUtCckTV5zc
The Detroit Experiment – Midnight At The Twenty Grand (featuring Amp Fiddler) [Planet E]https://www.discogs.com/master/133279-The-Detroit-Experiment-The-Detroit-Experiment
Amp Fiddler – (Your Love Is Like) Dope [Genuine]https://www.discogs.com/release/688060-Amp-Fiddler-Hope-Dope
Amp Fiddler – Through Your Soul (featuring Bubz Fiddler & J Dilla) [Ampliphonic]https://ampfiddler.bandcamp.com/track/through-your-soul-feat-bubz-fiddler-j-dilla?from=embed
Amp Fiddler – I Believe in You (Jaylib Remix) [Genuine] https://www.discogs.com/release/261990-Amp-Fiddler-I-Believe-In-You
Amp Fiddler with Sly & Robbie – Black House (Paint The White House Black) [Strut]https://ampfiddler.bandcamp.com/album/inspiration-information?from=embed
Will Sessions & Amp Fiddler with Dames Brown – Reconcile [Sessions Sounds]https://willsessions.bandcamp.com/album/the-one?from=embed
Meshell Ndegeocello – ASR (co-written with Amp Fiddler) [Blue Note]https://store.bluenote.com/products/meshell-ndegeocello-the-omnichord-real-book
Amp Fiddler – Afro Butt (featuring Tony Allen) [Camp Amp Studios]https://www.discogs.com/master/1173843-Amp-Fiddler-Rare-And-Unreleased
Amp Fiddler – Love & War (Version) [Genuine]https://www.discogs.com/release/145601-Amp-Fiddler-Love-And-War-EP
Moodyman with Amp Dog Knight – I’m Doing Fine (Main Mix) [Mahogani Music]https://ampfiddler.bandcamp.com/album/im-doing-fine?from=embed
Moodyman – People (featuring Amp Fiddler) [Peacefrog]https://peacefrog.bandcamp.com/album/silence-in-the-secret-garden-album?from=embed
Amp Fiddler – Superficial (JAN mix) [Genuine]https://www.discogs.com/release/48172-Amp-Fiddler-Basementality
Amp Dog Knights – Over U [Mahogani]https://ampfiddler.bandcamp.com/track/over-u?from=embed
Moody – It’s 2 Late 4 U And Me (featuring Amp Fiddler) [KDJ]https://www.discogs.com/master/256766-Moody-Ol-Dirty-Vinyl
Three Chairs – Midday Blues at Midnight [Three Chairs]https://rickwilhite.bandcamp.com/track/midday-blues-at-midnight?from=embed
Theo Parrish – Gentrified Love Part 1 (instrumental featuring Amp Fiddler and Alena Waters) [Sound Signature]https://boomkat.com/products/gentrified-love-part-1
Theo Parrish – Trust (with Amp Fiddler and Ideeyah) [Sound Signature]https://www.discogs.com/release/10047978-Theo-Parrish-Amp-Fiddler-Gentrified-Love-Part-3
Amp Fiddler – Energy (Waajeed’s Doughboy Mix) [Ampliphonic] https://ampfiddler.bandcamp.com/album/basementality-3?from=embed
Ski Oakenfull – Let Me Be (featuring Amp Fiddler) [BBE]https://bbemusic.com/product/rising-son
Glenn Underground – Mornin (GU Nostalgia Forever Mix) https://www.discogs.com/release/6079787-Glenn-Underground-GU-Edits-1
Only Child – U Bring Me Vibes (featuring Amp Fiddler) [Grand Central]https://www.discogs.com/release/165690-Only-Child-U-Bring-Me-Vibes
Funkadelic – Let’s Take It To The Stage (Amp Fiddler Laughin @Ya Mix) [Westbound] https://www.juno.co.uk/products/funkadelic-reworked-by-detroiters-vinyl/663433-01/
George Clinton – Do Fries Go With That Shake (12” featuring Amp Fiddler) [Stateside]https://www.discogs.com/release/1357779-George-Clinton-Extended-Pleasure-12-Extended-Versions-And-Mixes
Was Not Was – Out Come The Freaks (featuring Amp Fiddler) https://www.discogs.com/release/1616346-Was-Not-Was-What-Up-Dog
George Clinton – There I Go Again (co-written by Joseph Fiddler) [Paisley Park]https://www.discogs.com/release/170148-George-Clinton-The-Cinderella-Theory
Maxwell – Sumthin’ Sumthin’ (Mantra Uncut) [Columbia]https://www.discogs.com/release/541600-Maxwell-Sumthin-Sumthin-The-Mantra
Mr Fiddler – Cool About It [Elektra]https://www.discogs.com/master/804072-Mr-Fiddler-With-Respect
Sundown – Spaced Outta Place Pt 2 [Sound Signature]https://bleep.com/release/391341-sundown-spaced-outta-place
The Unit – Ain’t No Need (Edit) (featuring Amp Fiddler) [Sound Signature]https://www.discogs.com/release/18998623-Theo-Parrish-Special-Versions
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amarofpatel.substack.com -
Moonbeam Levels 012 – November 2023Compiled and blended by AmAr Patel
@amarofpatelwww.imakesense.org
ANDRÉ 3000 – I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time [Epic]
https://shop.amyriadofpyramids.com/https://tinyurl.com/andre3000-finds-himself
CARLOS NINO & FRIENDS – Boom Bap Spiritual (featuring Surya Botofasina) [International Anthem]https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/im-just-chillin-on-fire
ROSIE TURTON – Wandering Wonderinghttps://rosieturton.bandcamp.com/album/wandering-wondering
DANIEL VILLARREAL – Things Can Be Calm (featuring Jeff Parker & Anna Butterss) [International Anthem]https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/lados-b
DURUTTI COLUMN – Twenty Trees [London Music Stream]https://tinyurl.com/3bx2wbsfhttps://tinyurl.com/vini-reilly-guardian-interview
APPENDIX – Autumn Song [Mad About]https://tinyurl.com/mthpmpw2
GO: ORGANIC ORCHESTRA & BROOKLYN RAGA MASSIVE – Turiya [Meta]https://tinyurl.com/yc7vu738
MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON –Tzedakah [Brainfeeder]https://tinyurl.com/du529updhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001s2pv
KOFI FLEXXX – Increase Awareness (featuring ganavya) [Native Rebel]https://kofiflexxx.bandcamp.com/album/flowers-in-the-dark
MO KOLOURS – Tatamaka Pt 2https://mokolours.bandcamp.com/track/tatamaka-pt-2
LONNIE HOLLEY – Better Get That Crop in Soon [Jagjaguar]
https://lonnieholley.bandcamp.com/album/oh-me-oh-my
MONZANTO SOUND – Eja (Dave Okumu remix) [None More]https://monzantosound.bandcamp.com/album/tt-t-remixed
ELIZA – A Tear for the Dreadful (Live at RAK) [Different Recordings]https://eliza.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-rak
JAYE P MORGAN – Can’t Hide Love [Wewantsounds]https://jayepmorgan.bandcamp.com/album/jaye-p-morgan
ACTRESS – Its Me (g 8) [Ninja Tune]https://actress.bandcamp.com/album/lxxxviii
KNXWLEDGE – itstartshttps://knxwledge.bandcamp.com/album/vgm-29
SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – Remember Who You Are [Warner Bros]https://tinyurl.com/sadynj8dhttps://tinyurl.com/sly-interview
YUSSEF DAYES – Rust (featuring Tom Misch) [Brownswood]https://yussefdayes.bandcamp.com/album/black-classical-music
CASISDEAD – Marilyn (featuring Connie Constance) [XL]https://casisdead.bandcamp.com/album/famous-last-wordshttps://tinyurl.com/casisdead-the-face
PAYFONE & KYD NEREIDA – I Feel You (Mudd Remix) [Leng]https://tinyurl.com/5yrhmku6
APHEX TWIN – Acrid Avid Jam Shred [Warp]https://aphextwin.bandcamp.com/album/i-care-because-you-do
RAINY MILLER X SPACE AFRIKA – It’s Time To Lay Down The Arms (featuring Mica Levi) [Fixed Abode]https://rainymiller.bandcamp.com/album/a-grisaille-wedding-2
TIRZAH – No Limit [Domino]https://tirzah.bandcamp.com/album/trip9love
HOLE IN ONE – Spiritual Ideas For Virtual Reality [Amazing]https://amazing-ams.bandcamp.com/track/spiritual-ideas-for-virtual-reality
MK/MM – Zu zweit durch die Alleen [Trilogy Tapes]https://thetrilogytapes.bandcamp.com/album/ich-sehe-vasen
THEO PARRISH & MAURISSA ROSE – I’m Done [Sound Signature]https://boomkat.com/products/free-myself-39076485-c6da-4040-8065-1dd9a3177993https://tinyurl.com/theo-on-nts-maurissa
LASEECH FEATURING DESNAY BAILEY – Hey Love (Patrice Scott Remix) [Forbidden Dance]https://tinyurl.com/mr3rbza2
PEVEN EVERETT & DEETRON – Evermore [Character]https://www.traxsource.com/title/2106613/evermore
DIGITAL JUSTICE – Theme From ‘It’s All Gone Pearshaped’ [Melodies International]https://boomkat.com/products/melodies-record-club-003-hunee-selects
DREXCIYA – Hightech Nomads [Clone]https://cloneaqualungseries.bandcamp.com/album/grava-4
HOLLIS P MONROE – I’m Lonely (DJ Decent Acid Mix) [Groovin]https://tinyurl.com/bdz2yac7
DJ RASHAD – Let U No (featuring DJ Spinn) [Partisan]https://partisanrecords.com/moment/dj-rashadhttps://bleep.com/dj-rashad--double-cup-partisan-records
L’RAIN – New Year’s UnResolution [Mexican Summer]https://lrain.bandcamp.com/album/i-killed-your-doghttps://tinyurl.com/lrain-pitchfork
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amarofpatel.substack.com
