What We Listened To - May 2025
I opened this blockbuster session with some selections from Wrong Way Up, the collaborative album between Brian Eno and John Cale from 1990. I’ve always loved the contrarianism of these two titans of experimental art producing a plasticky synthpop album - but have a look at Pitchfork’s deep dive to see how demented the creation of this smooth, airy record actually was.
Rich followed with the Pan Machine album by the Ebony Steel Band, Kraftwerk classics reimagined by a full steel drum band; a reminder that you can recontextualise the Kraftwerk back catalogue in an almost infinite number of ways and those melodies still shine through.
Ben brought us Norther by Ex Easter Island Head - a euphoric blast of widescreen guitar and electronics minimalism - and followed up with Q. Weirdo’s The Weird Way to Start the Day!.
Nick brought us two gems: the dreamlike 11000 Dreams by Jan Van Den Broeke, and Whale by White Light.
Josh threw us one of his customary curveballs with a selection of top-shelf smut records, kicking off with FOR ADULTS ONLY! by Snatch and the Poontangs, followed by Tony Hess’s Don’t Go Topless Mother, and finishing with My Pussy Belongs To Daddy. Feel free to trust your instincts on whether these records might be for you.
Kate brought us an incredible field-recording treat - the Sea Organ release on Wonderfulsound, featuring the Adriatic waves playing their own vast, strange instrument.
Ben P. took us into a classic Detroit techno zone with a couple of remixes from Model 500’s The Flow 12”, then followed with Class A’s double header Same As It Ever Was / U Bring Me Up.
Will gave us a blast of outsider soul with Shira Small’s Line of Time and Plane of Now.
Paul brought a selection around the theme of ritual and sacrifice, in honour of Mayday: Kali Malone’s austere masterpiece The Sacrificial Code; Stravinky’s Rite of Spring; the A Distant Invitation compilation; selections from Spectra Ex Machina; the ecstatic intensity of the Master Musicians of Jajouka; the earth-shaking Vodou Drums of Haiti compilation on Soul Jazz; and finally Broadcast & The Focus Group’s peerless Witch Cults of the Radio Age.
Erin pulled us back into the electro zone with 808 State’s rattling proto-acid banger Prebuild.
Tom mirrored the earlier Kraftwerk covers with selections from Mexrrissey - Morrissey en español.
And finally Chris closed things out with a hip-hop double header: Justice (To the Boss) Skatemaster Tate; Early Whitney by Why?.
[NB I also have photos of Venom - While Furi and The Residents - Eskimo but neglected to write down who brought them along - apols, will update this post if the owner wants to make themselves known!]