On The Record »

• Now Playing – what was on the OTR jukebox this week

  May 11, 2012 @ 8:46 am | by Jim Carroll

  Beastie Boys “Paul’s Boutique” (Capitol)

  Playing loud all week in tribute to the late, great Adam “MCA” Yauch.

  

  Ryat “Totem” (Brainfeeder)

  New Jersey-raised, Philadelphia-schooled addition to the Flying Lotus cabal comes on strong with woozy, ethereal multi-dimensional sounds.

  Last Days of 1984 “Wake Up to the Waves” (Osaka)

  One of OTR’s favourite Irish acts deliver an impressive debut brimming with beautifully euphoric melodies and darling tunes.

  Laurel Halo “Quarantine” (Hyperdub)

  Captivating sounds and riffs as Ina Cube excercises her inner Laurie Anderson on debut full-length album.

  Nina Simone “Baltimore” (CTI)

  Recorded in Brussels in 1978, the diva takes on Randy Newman’s tune and produces one hell of a standout moment.

  

• Now Playing – the sounds of the week at OTR

  May 4, 2012 @ 8:24 am | by Jim Carroll

  Cold Specks “I Predict A Graceful Expulsion” (Mute)

  Prepare to be thrilled and awed by Al Spx’s debut album, full of dark gospel lamentations and spooky folk contours delivered by that magnificent voice.

  

  Actress “R.I.P.” (Honest Jons)

  Space-age electronic symphonies and post-techno sounds from Darren Cunningham.

  Seye Adelekan “White Noise” (Stranger)

  Glorious fizzy, sunny electropop tune with a large dollop of sugar on top.

  

  Not Squares “Fall Far” (Self release)

  New tune signaling an intriguing change of direction and pace for the Belfast band.

  Shlohmo “Rained the Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar remix)” (Friends Of Friends)

  The weather forecast from Shlohmo now comes with a sparkling, audacious Jaar rejig.

• Now Playing: what’s on the OTR music player this week

  April 27, 2012 @ 8:25 am | by Jim Carroll

  Los Miticos del Ritmo “Otro Muerde El Polvo” (Soundway)

  Will “Quantic” Holland and his Colombian cats give Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” a funky makeover.

  AlunaGeorge “Just A Touch” (TriAngle)

  Beautiful sample of 23rd century r’n’b pop from the duo behind last year’s stonking “You Know You Like It”

  Homeboy Sandman “Cops Get Scared of Me” (Stones Throw)

  The Queens rapper who’s getting better and tougher with every release scores with this sparse, moody, Exile-produced beaut.

  

  Twerps “Twerps” (Chapter Music)

  Breezy melodies and lovely hooks galore from the Melbourne band.

  NO “Don’t Worry, You’ll Be Here Forever” (Origami)

  Debut EP from one of our favourite acts from this year’s SXSW festival make their case with songs like “Another Life” and “Stay With Me”.

  

• Now Playing – the tunes of the week at OTR HQ

  April 20, 2012 @ 8:55 am | by Jim Carroll

  The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock “The Brutal Here & Now” (Transduction)

  Thumping second album from the Dublin band sees them adding more layers to their winning rocktradonica.

  Bahamas “Barchords” (Brushfire)

  Canadian singer-songwriter and Feist accomplice Afie Jurvanen plays it cool, breezy and tropical with his second album of laidback, melancholic pop.

  

  3:33 “Live from the Grove” (Parallel Thought)

  Deep, dark and dastardly Shadow beats from the act or artists known as 3:33. One for the hip-hop heads in the audience.

  

  Haim “Forever” (Self release)

  One of the most darling pop tunes of 2012 so far from the Los Angeles women who wowed all and sundry at SXSW.

  

  UV Pop “No Songs Tomorrow” (Sacred Bones)

  Welcome reissue of John White’s 1982 debut album, one of the most exciting documents from that era’s post-punk Sheffield sound protaganists.

• Now Playing – the tunes of the week at OTR HQ

  March 9, 2012 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  Autumn Owls “Acrobatics of A Patchwork Heart” (Self release)

  A tune unlike anything the Dublin-based band have put their name to before. Its electronic buzz and fascinating dynamics bodes well for new material.

  

  Jonathan Wilson “Gentle Spirit” (Bella Union)

  Last year’s beautiful album from the Electric Picnic-bound dude is perfect for late-night drives from Dublin to Tipperary.

  

  Chilly Gonzales “You Can Dance (Edwin Van Cleef remix)” (Arts & Crafts)

  Hat-tip to Cillian McDonnell from the Glider club in Dublin for introducing us to this sublime sizzler.

  

  Twin Terrace “Plural” (Self release)

  Excellent album of melancholic, slow-motion indie-pop gems from Dublin musician – and recent OTR New Music pick – Gavin Redmond

  Joe Goddard “Gabriel (Soulwax remix)” (Greco-Roman)

  One of the finest tunes of 2011 gets upgraded and reupholstered by those dastardly Belgians.

  

• Now Playing – that was the week that was at OTR HQ

  March 2, 2012 @ 9:17 am | by Jim Carroll

  Julia Holter “Ekstasis” (RVNG Intl)

  Pop reinvented for the 22nd century by Holter on her broad, ambitious, infectious new album for free spirits and space cadets. Album streaming in full here.

  

  Django Django “Django Django” (Because)

  Reserve a berth in your best-of-2012 list for this delightful debut and its inventive, imaginative tunes and wild leftfield turns.

  

  Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (Columbia)

  A reminder of when the former Fugee was in her element and had the world at her feet.

  

  Alabama Shakes “Boys & Girls” (Rough Trade)

  Classic soulful rock and blues-pop from the magnificent foursome heading to Ireland for a date at the Kilkenny Roots festival on May 6.

  

  NZCA/Lines “NZCA Lines” (Loaf)

  Arty, colourful, ear-catching r’n’b-electro from London producer and falsetto crooner Michael Lovett

  

• Now Playing – the top tunes of the last week at OTR HQ

  February 24, 2012 @ 8:33 am | by Jim Carroll

  Sharon Van Etten “Tramp” (Jagjaguwar)

  Time for a best kept secret to become everyone’s favourite as the Brooklyn singer delivers bittersweet odes with panache and aplomb. Playing Dublin’s Whelan’s on May 18.

  

  Hackney Colliery Band “Money” (Wah Wah)

  London brass band blow up Kelis and Ol Dirty Bastard’s old-school classic.

  

  Speech Debelle “Freedom of Speech” (Big Dada)

  Forget the Mercury kerfuffle and revel instead in the rounded majesty of Debelle’s new album. Here’s the opening track “Studio Backpack Rap”

  

  Nikkiya “When I Was High” (White)

  New Atlanta soul sister coming your way with an infectious groove and megawatt voice.

  Professor Longhair “Big Chief” (Watch)

  We’ve been playing this 1964 classic loudly all week to make up for the fact that we’re not in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

  

• Now Playing – the tunes of the week at OTR

  February 17, 2012 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  Jagwar Ma “Come Save Me” (The Blue Rider)

  Mesmerising, mighty electro-pop from the Sydney newie which should be blasting out from every radio station in the land.

  Breton “Other People’s Problems” (Fat Cat)

  Chalk this down as one of the albums of 2012. Full of wayward electronic grooves and accidental pop hits.

  

  Various “Feel the Spirit” (Optimum)

  Ethereal folk tunes, alien fairy tales and psychedelic reels from Fairport Convention, Vashti Bunyan, The Free Design and many more compiled by Mark Pritchard.

  

  Chase N Cashe “The Heir Up There” (Cherry Co)

  Compelling new mixtape from the so-hot-right-now New Orleans and Surf Club producer about to go on tour with Drake. Free download here.

  

  Whitney Houston “My Love Is Your Love” (Arista)

  It will be gems like this we will remember in years to come over Liveline-generated fuming about those 2010 shows.

  

• Now Playing – what’s rocking OTR’s world this week

  February 10, 2012 @ 9:36 am | by Jim Carroll

  Krystal Klear “We’re Wrong” (All City)

  New cut from Declan Lennon sees him heading for the dancefloor with an old-school piano-house head on him.

  THEEsatisfaction “Queens” (Sub Pop)

  Dastardly r’n’b and dark funk tinges from Shabazz Palaces’ cohorts THEEsatisfaction’s forthcoming album. Playing Dublin’s Twisted Pepper on April 19.

  

  Quakers “Fitta Happer” (Stones Throw)

  Brassy, booming cut from the forthcoming album helmed by Portishead’s Geoff Barrows featuring 35 MCs (Guilty Simpson and MED feature here).

  Leonard Cohen “Old Ideas” (Columbia)

  Lenny’s back! More seasoned, wise, darkly funny musings on life, death, love and loss.

  

  Moodymann “I Can’t Kick This Feeling When It Hits” (KDJ)

  Classic Detroit house cut from Kenny Dixon Jr which still sounds as lush as ever.

  

• Now Playing – the tunes of the week at OTR HQ

  February 3, 2012 @ 8:44 am | by Jim Carroll

  Lana Del Rey “Born to Die” (Polydor)

  Ignore the hysterical debate about authenticity and revel in the dreamiest pop album of the year from the wild at heart Ms Grant.

  

  Young Magic “Melt” (Carpark)

  Aussies residing in Brooklyn come up trumps with a rich, broad and deep slew of majestic electronic pop.

  

  A Guy Called Gerald “Voodoo Ray” (Rham)

  Some tunes never go out of fashion: classic acid house freakout from the good old days.

  

  John Talabot “Fin” (Permanent Vacation)

  Barcelona electronic producer’s breathtaking debut album is one which deserves cheers and applause from the gallery. Album is streaming here.

  Iceage “New Brigade” (Escho)

  2011 debut album from our favourite Danish punk rock hooligans still resounds with menace and fantastic, furious energy.

• Now Playing – the sounds on OTR’s stereo this week

  January 27, 2012 @ 8:33 am | by Jim Carroll

  Francois & The Atlas Mountains “E Velo Love” (Domino France)

  Fourth album from Francois Marry and friends comes loaded with charming Afropop guitar lines, superbly pitched melodies and cracking tunes.

  

  Santigold “Big Mouth” (Atlantic)

  Gleeful congatastic taster from Santigold’s forthcoming second album. We’re also hoping for another live show too, to go with last summer’s Electric Picnic sizzler. Download track for free from her website.

  

  Lee Fields “Faithful Man” (Truth & Soul)

  The return of the soulman: Lee Fields’ follow-up to “My World” is chockablock with raw soul, vintage funk and songs of love, heartbreak and the blues like this one, “You’re the Kind Of Girl”

  

  Jonathan Wilson “Gentle Spirit” (Bella Union)

  Hypnotic, slow-motion, hazy, folky pop from the man seeking to recreate the halycon days of Laurel Canyon.

  Toy “Left Myself Behind” (Heavenly)

  Dastardly garage-rock wig-out with Krautrock fringing from east London mob in cahoots with The Horrors.

  

• Now Playing – what’s on the OTR stereo this week

  January 20, 2012 @ 8:49 am | by Jim Carroll

  The 2 Bears “Be Strong” (Southern Fried)

  Top-ranking old-fashioned house buzz from Joe Goddard and Raf Rundell. Playing Dublin’s Button Factory on February 17.

  

  Marsha Ambrosius “Sour Times” (J)

  The US r’n’b diva puts a new, sultry, bittersweet twist on Portishead’s classic. From her “Late Nights & Early Mornings” album.

  

  Tim Hardin “Don’t Make Promises” (Polydor)

  From 1966, the sound of the ex-Marine turned Greenwich Village troubadour mixing blues, soul and folk.

  

  Schoolboy Q “Habits & Contradictions” (Top Dawg)

  Second album from the Black Hippy rep featuring turns and collabs from Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Lex Luger, The Alchemist and many more.

  Various “Voguing” (Soul Jazz)

  Compilation to accompany photographer Chantal Regnault’s book on New York’s late Eighties’ voguing scene with tracks from MFSB, Malcom MacLaren, Junior Vasquez, Armand Van Helden and many more.

  

• Now Playing – what’s on the OTR jukebox this week

  January 13, 2012 @ 8:37 am | by Jim Carroll

  Julia Holter “Tragedy” (Leaving)

  An album released with little fanfare in 2011, the Los Angeles composer and conceptual artist’s “Tragedy” is hypnotic, beautiful, euphoric and inspirational.

  Chase N. Cashe “Trill Living 2.0” (White)

  Beats and rhymes to get you rocking and head-nodding from the rising New Orleans’ rapper and producer who has worked with Lil Wayne, Drake and others.

  

  Prinzhorn Dance School “Clay to Class” (DFA)

  The return of Tobin Prinz and Suzi Horn with another set of superbly stark, minimal, edgy tunes.

  

  The Roots “Undun” (Def Jam)

  The 13th album from the Philly crew is one of their best releases in years. Forward-thinking, majestic, powerful hip-hop.

  

  Little Anthony & The Imperials “Goin’ Out Of My Head” (DCP)

  From 1964, fantastic, sweeping orchestral melodrama with Jerome Anthony Gourdine and pals going for gold.

  

• Now Playing – what’s on the OTR stereo this week

  January 6, 2012 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  Delorentos “Little Sparks” (Delorecords)

  Third album from Delerontos comes with strong songs and ace musical chops.

  

  Emeli Sande “Our Version Of Events” (EMI)

  The Scot who swapped neuroscience for singing delivers an album with considerable heft and mighty hooks.

  

  Oliver Tank “Up All Night” (Yes Please)

  Beautiful helping of minimalist pop heaven from the Australian producer to be found on his “Dreams EP”

  Frank Ocean “4 Tears” (White)

  New track from the man with the soulful croon to whet appetites for an album in 2012.

  

  Robert Plant “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” (Decca)

  A new lease of life for Plant and the Band of Joy’s take on the folk classic as the theme tune to the excellent Boss TV series.

  

• What’s on OTR’s festive jukebox

  December 23, 2011 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  Musicians Of New Orleans “O Holy Night” (YouTube)

  As featured on the Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip TV series, New Orleans musicians led by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews put a soulful shine on the classic.

  

  Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians Of The British Empire “Santa Claus” (Damaged Goods)

  Lyrically adjusted version of The Sonics’ garage-rock blaster.

  

  Tieranniesaur “Christmas Song” (Popical Island)

  The Irish band of the year get into the Yuletide swing.

  The Harlem Children’s Chorus “Black Christmas” (Strut)

  Some poignant festive observations from the “In the Christmas Groove” compilation of soul, blues and funk seasonal tunes.

  

  Simon & Garfunkel “Silent Night/7 O’Clock News” (CBS)

  The duo croon “Silent Night” over evening news headlines about events in Vietnam.

  

• Now Playing – the soundtrack to the last seven days at OTR HQ

  December 16, 2011 @ 8:51 am | by Jim Carroll

  Jim-E Stack “Come Between” (Good Years)

  New Orleans’ producer comes up trumps with this golden, exuberent new-school house nugget.

  

  Django Django “Default” (Because)

  Longtime OTR faves prepare for the release of their debut album in late January with another off-kilter winner.

  Frank Ocean “Nostalgia, Ultra” (Self release)

  One of the best releases of 2011, with the Odd Future-alligned r’n’b crooner hitting all the right notes with an album of deep, soulful hits.

  

  Kassem Mosse “Workshop 12” (Workshop)

  Dramatic, abstract, moody, weirdbeard techno from the new German kingpin of these wild frontiers.

  

  Kate Rusby “While Mortals Sleep” (Pure)

  Bells, snow, angels and mince pies: the festive sounds of South Yorkshire.

• Now Playing – the sounds of Trans Musicales at OTR HQ

  December 9, 2011 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  This week’s Now Playing tunes courtesy of last weekend’s shenanigans in Rennes at Trans Musicales. Feel free to drop your own selections in the comments below.

  Breton “Edward the Confessor” (Fat Cat)

  We’re expecting great things from Breton’s debut album in 2012, especially on the back of this electronic thriller.

  

  Hollie Cook “Hollie Cook” (Mr Bongo)

  Sunnyside tropical pop and riddims from the London lass with a Sex Pistol and a Belle Star for parents and who ditched school to tour with The Slits.

  

  Janice Graham Band “Murder” (Acid Jazz)

  Four Manchester lads with old musical heads on young shoulders shout to the top.

  

  Colin Stetson “New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges” (Constellation)

  Far-out woodwind adventures from the session player who has worked with Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Tom Waits, TV On the Radio and many more.

  Hanni El Khatib “Will the Guns Come Out” (Innovative Leisure)

  Snappy, snarly and sharp garage rock with attitude from the Los Angeles-based greaseball.

  

• Now Playing – the soundtrack to the last seven days at OTR HQ

  December 2, 2011 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  Shabazz Palaces “Black Up” (Sub Pop)

  One of the albums of 2012 with Ishmael Butler and his hip-hop space cadets heading to the far side.

  King Charles “Bam Bam” (Universal Republic)

  Expect this glam-rock dandy to be one of the hits of this weekend’s Other Voices’ festival in Dingle, Co Kerry.

  

  Boo Williams “Home Town Chicago” (Antherday)

  The Chi Town house producer’s 1996 album get a welcome reissue and we get to wow once again at the grooves he was minting back then.

  A$AP Ferg “A Hundred Million Roses” (ASAP)

  The A$AP Mob get ready to rumble with Ferg following Rocky to the front of the stage to channel his inner Dr Octagon.

  Neneh Cherry “Buffalo Stance” (Circa)

  We knew that Azealia Banks reminded us of someone. From 1988 and still sounding so damn sassy.

  

• Now Playing – the sounds of the week at OTR HQ

  November 25, 2011 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  The essential tunes on the OTR stereo this week. Let us know what tunes are giving you a thrill at the moment in the comments below.

  Keith Jarrett “Rio” (ECM)

  Music of intricate, delicate beauty and dashing, spellbinding colour from the pianist live show’s earlier this year in Brazil. Tracks from the album here – and here are some thoughts on coughing and other audience distractions at a Jarrett show.

  Korallreven “An Album By Korallreven” (Acephale)

  Lucious, sparkling dream-pop from Swedes Marcus Joons and Daniel Tjader, who play Dublin’s Twisted Pepper on December 8.

  Robert Glasper Experience “Black Radio” (Blue Note)

  One of the albums of 2012? Glasper and band are joined by Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, King and many more for a barnstorming new-school jazz-hop masterpiece.

  Walls “Coracle” (Kompakt)

  Adventurous electronica for mind, body and soul from Alessio Natalizia and Sam Willis, who played an excellent gig in the capital last weekend.

  Drake “Take Care” (Young Money/Universal)

  The Canuck Romeo from Degrassi High’s rhymes about lost love and heartbreak over some thrilling productions.

• Now Playing – our tunes for the week that was

  November 18, 2011 @ 9:00 am | by Jim Carroll

  The essential tunes on the OTR stereo this week. Let us know what tunes are making you smile this weather in the comments below.

  Kate Jackson “Wonder Feeling” (Vinyl Factory)

  Former Long Blondes’ front-lady sashays back into action with a delightful indie-pop nugget for her debut solo single.

  The Dying Seconds “Glimmerers” (Self release)

  Second album from the Dublin band will satisfy all your widescreen, dramatic arthouse musical needs this winter.

  Teebs “Verbena Tea With Rebekah Raff” (Brainfeeder)

  Choice cut from ex-skateboarder Mtendere Mandowa’s new album for FlyLo’s label with Rebekah Raff’s shimmering harp line leading the way

  Tom Waits “Hell Broke Luce” (Anti)

  Angry ball of fire and brimstone from the venerable contrarian’s 17th studio album

  

  WooWoos “Fizzy Lettuce” (Moshi Moshi)

  New girl band for 2012 step out into the limelight with this neat slice of downbeat noir-ish trip-pop.

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