Karen Harding - Say Something

I am not someone who watches The X-Factor. But it seems that this is where Karen Harding first came to prominence. When you listen to her track "Say Something" you think to yourself that they must of had some amazing singers if she didn't win. Of course shows like that are never about the singing! The track itself is co-produced by MNEK and will be released on Method Records. It has a early 90's house vibe to it, but what makes it particularly interesting are the vocals provided by Harding. She has a really powerful voice, which is centered around the middle of the female vocal range. She sounds like a classic female house singer, and will invariably draw comparisons to Whitney Houston as she had a similar vocal delivery. There also seems to feel as if there is an interesting tale to tell behind the song, which gives it a strength behind the retro vibe on the track. It is another addition to MNEK's growing catalogue of hits and will be released on October 19.

Julio Bashmore feat. J.Danna - Simple Love

Julio Bashmore has released a new tune called "Simple Love". It is a very classy sounding house track, something of which he has become somewhat of a specialist in. The idea of something doing exactly what it is says in the title is bought to the fore here. There is a cool female vocal, repeating a direct and simple refrain. Accompanying this is a classic house beat. What I particularly like about this is the way it feels as if it rides on the crest of a wave. There's the intro section, where it feels like the beat is slowly building, with a really prominent 808 clap from the start, followed by the first repeat of the vocal refrain with the beat dropping out. The way it comes back in is brilliantly subtle, just like the rest of this track. It feels simplistic, as if nothing is rushed, but it is still so danceable, lasting just over 5 minutes. Apparently this track is a taste from Bashmore's forthcoming album, which is due for release early next year, which will serve as his first full-length album. Definitely something to look forward to. But in the meantime there is his production work on Jessie Ware's second album, "Tough Love", which will be released on October 6th.

Basement Jaxx - "Galatical"

If you have ever checked out my blog before, you will know that I am a huge fan of Basement Jaxx. Their seventh album "Junto" was released on August 25th in the UK and is another entry into their amazing back catalogue! It will be live when they tour later in the autumn where I and thousands of others will feel the true power of the Jaxx as it is in that environment that they thrive! The track "Galactical" is a bonus track that features on special editions of the album. An aspect of Basement Jaxx that maybe isn't talked about often enough is the amazing set of visuals they have consistently bought to the table. The video for "Galactical" features a Japanese dance troupe called Wrecking Crew Orchestra. It is one of those things that you can imagine will be amazing when it is featured in the live element, because of the illuminating lights that the dance troupe feature in this performance. The song is obviously great, but this is the type of video that makes me super-excited for when I will catch them at the O2 later in the year!

Tricky - Adrian Thaws Album Stream (Keep Me In Your Shake)

On September 8th Bristol hip-hop legend Tricky will release his 11th studio album, which is called Adrian Thaws, which is actually his real name.In the press release on his website the album is described as “Consistent throughout Adrian Thaws is a brooding, searching spirit and a cinematic sense of atmosphere. Tricky’s cinema, to be sure, is noir and then some, but he also knows how to pan back every now and then for a widescreen fantasia.” Having listened to the album all the way through I would definitely say that this is the modus operandi of the album. The track "Keep Me In Your Shake", which features the vocals of German-Nigerian female singer Nneka, is my favourite track on the album. It's that track 4, and I must confess it's an album stopper! By that I mean you mean to listen to the whole album, then you get stuck on the one track! There is a great countryish sounding guitar sample that features through the track. It is taken from the beginning of Alice In Chains "Heaven Beside You". The riff features a cool string bend which sounds awesome here. Underneath the track are the dense atmospheric layers that Tricky's music has become synonymous with. It also features a brooding vocal accompanied by some gentle, but deep felt female vocals provided by Nneka. The title Adrian Thaws is really interesting. Tricky is one of those artists who you always feel like you know very little about, yet here he is giving an album the title of his real name. Anyway, I strongly encourage you to NPR and listen to the album throughly. Make a note of 10:24, as that is where "Keep Me In Your Shake Begins", but the whole album is sounding like the type of album you need to go back and keep discovering new layers to.http://www.npr.org/2014/08/31/343147121/first-listen-tricky-adrian-thaws?autoplay=trueTricky "Adrian Thaws" album stream by NPR

SBTRKT - War & Drums (Live at Reading Festival)

I am definitely excited for the new SBTRKT album, "Wonder Where We Land", which is due for release in the UK on 22 September. If I could pinpoint what I found so exciting about SBTRKT in the first place it was the live show. When I saw it a few years ago it was him and Sampha, which really worked. On SBTRKT's first album Sampha provided a good deal of the vocals and in the live environment even in the tracks where other vocalists were featured, such as the Jessie Ware track "Right Thing To Do", Sampha's beautiful vocals added another layer to the live performance. It will be interesting to see what the live show will be like this time around as the second album features a much wider array of vocalists and Sampha is now a much more established artist in his own right, but it is great to note that they did appear together at Reading, but with what looks like additional members adding to the sound. SBTRKT performed at the Reading & Leeds festival this weekend, and this track particularly caught my attention! It features the vocals of Warpaint. The track itself has a beautiful soundscape quality to it. The actual words are pretty hard to make out. It kind of reminds me of something I'd expect to hear from Bat For Lashes in that it has quite a psychedelic/worldbeat type of feel to it, mixed with some other worldly-type synth sounds. The thing about SBTRKT that makes him stand out in live performances is the frenetic energy on stage, whether that is his accomplished drum playing or what looks like a mad-rush as people try to work the electronics! Both elements can be seen quite clearly in this wonderful performance. I will catch the live show on October 2nd at Brixton Academy and I can't wait!

The British Class Club Night - 28th August, The Amersham Arms

http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/London/Amersham-Arms/The-British-Class/12239444/ Only 8 days to go until the launch of The British Class club night! I have been creating some new tunes that I will be playing on the night. I think that is one of the ways I will be paying tribute to the artists that have inspired me. It's a great coincidence that the new album "Junto", from my favourite British act of all-time Basement Jaxx will be released on Monday 25th August. Expect to hear quite a few tracks from that! Another album I have been streaming this week is Royal Blood's debut album. They are definitely an act who I am rather excited about. I can't wait to see how the power and force from the album will translate in the live setting, with only 2 people! Surely they must have that unknown person who hangs in the shadows as a "touring member". British music: A seminal dance act and a new exciting rock acts have new albums released on the same day. That is The British Class!

Kele - "Doubt"

Kele Okereke, lead singer of Bloc Party, who is one of my musical heroes will return on 13 October 2014 with his second full-length solo album, which is called "Trick". The first offering heard of the new album was premiered on Steve Lamacq's 6 Music show. The track is called "Doubt". If you have heard any of Kele's solo work, you'll find something reassuringly familiar about "Doubt". The first thing that drew me into Bloc Party's music was Kele's voice, which always sounded best on songs of longing and regret. There is an intimate quality to it, yet I have seen Bloc Party play such venues as the cavernous Alexander Palace with over 10,000 people and there is no doubt that Bloc Party were festival/big-crowd pleasers. From there Kele's solo stuff has (obviously) maintained his voice, but accompanied with some great dance beats. Often the best tracks of Kele's have a UK garage skittering type feel to them and Doubt is a good example of this. As well as the UK garage element, there's a cool deep house bassline underneath. But it once again is the voice that is the most important element, retaining that beautiful quality. Steve Lamacq talks about Kele's songwriting ability having a wonderful balance between an almost raw honesty, in combination with sounding ambiguous at the same time. It leaves a listener to draw their own meaning and poignancy to the lyrics, which is not always something that you can say with dance and electronic music on a regular basis. Anyway, "Doubt" is another great piece of work from an artist who has been so important to British music in the last decade in my opinion.