S.o.t.D. - So Good To Me – Chris Malinchak

So Good To Me – Chris Malinchak

S.o.t.D. - Solid Air – John Martyn

Solid Air – John Martyn

I always like reading about artists that influenced artists I like. John Martyn was someone that EBTG’s Ben Watt grew up listening to.

S.o.t.D. - Holding On – Classixx

Holding On – Classixx

Classixx is sexxy.

S.o.t.D. - Warm Waves – Observer Drift

Warm Waves – Observer Drift

Reminds me a little bit of Durutti Column.

S.o.t.D. - Telegraph – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Telegraph (extended) – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

I think Dazzleships was about the last album that I really cared about from these guys. This track foreshadowed the Simple Minds and Human League route they were about to take, forsaking their experimental side and going for mass market pop appeal.

S.o.t.D. - Kick To Kill – Test Dept.

Kick To Kill – Test Dept.

I was totally blown away by the massed percussion assault of this track. Still impresses the hell out of me.

S.o.t.D. - Woman – Wolfmother

Woman – Wolfmother

These guys came up in conversation, and I could have sworn I stuck this up years ago. I know they mine that 70’s rock sound for all it’s worth, but I really dug this album.

S.o.t.D. - It Rains In Heaven – Paul Adams

It Rains In Heaven – Paul Adams

Chillout, new agey.

S.o.t.D. - Blinded By You – Tenek

Blinded By You – Tenek

Bit of a retro, 80s synthpop feel. But non-cheesy.

S.o.t.D. - Сирень #1 – Etrill

Сирень #1 – Etrill

Chill.

S.o.t.D. - Poetic Symphony – Karamel Kel

Poetic Symphony – Karamel Kel

Has a bit of a Gramatik, or Nujabes feel to it. Which I wholeheartedly approve of.

S.o.t.D. - Never Lost Control – Nomak

Never Lost Control – Nomak

Nomak is a Japanese producer of jazzy hip-hop.

S.o.t.D. - Slow Me Down – Hijidoo

Slow Me Down – Hijidoo

Local musician. Who apparently gets tattooed here at the shop, but I don’t think I’ve ever met him. When I do, I’ll have to tell him that I really like this track.

Signage: 5th Scouts

S.o.t.D. - Angels Calling – Ryo

Angels Calling – Ryo

Slow D&B.

S.o.t.D. - Know What (I Still Love You) – Handbook

Know What (I Still Love You) – Handbook

“The thrill is gone”? Hell, it’s just starting. This goes really well with Gramatik. Love that languid beat.

Signage: Friday Night Euchre

S.o.t.D. - Last Train Home – Pat Metheny

Last Train Home – Pat Metheny

Really evocative, cinematic tune. And lots of great footage of of steam trains.

S.o.t.D. - A Little Soul – Pete Rock

A Little Soul – Pete Rock

I think most music is better when it lacks vocals, and hip-hop especially so. This is why I really love Pete Rock’s 2001 “PeteStrumentals.” That blend of hip-hop beats with jazz and soul elements is golden.

S.o.t.D. - Break It Up – Lemon D.

Break It Up – Lemon D.

The whole track is good, but sweet jeebus, does it get really good about halfway through. A complex chugger.

Views of Hamilton

Bit of a hazy day, but snapped a few photos rom the brow at Sam Lawrence Park and a few points west.

Signage: Mohawk Gardens

Torx 6 Bit

I’ve been on the hunt for a Torx 6 bit for a while now. Most sets max out at Torx 8. While I have a screwdriver that size, I also wanted just the bit so I could customize a set of bits. All I really use it for is to make adjustments on my Spyderco Tenacious and a few other other knives. Tighten the pocket clip, remove the scales to clean it, etc. But something I do on a semi regular basis, so I wanted to include it in a personalized bit set. Was in Tegs Tools on saturday, asked, and sure enough, they had one.

S.o.t.D. - Barbarella (The Irresistible Force Mix) – Barbarella

Barbarella (The Irresistible Force Mix) – Barbarella

S.o.t.D. - The Essence – Mark Pritchard

The Essence – Mark Pritchard

I’m an unabashed fan of Tom Middleton, but his former co-conspirator in acts like Global Communication, and Reload, and Jedi Knights, and Secret Ingredients is no slouch either.

S.o.t.D. - Confusion (Instrumental) – New Order

Confusion (Instrumental) – New Order

Interesting to look back on a piece of music 30 years later to grasp just how much of an impact it had on you.

S.o.t.D. - Save The Whale – Solar Quest

Save The Whale – Solar Quest

Could listen to this on repeat for hours.

S.o.t.D. - Sky High – S.T. Files

Sky High – S.T. Files

“I use my mind’s eye to teach my soul to fly high.”

Love that choppy rhythm.

S.o.t.D. - The Best Of My Love – The Eagles

The Best Of My Love – The Eagles

Every time I read about these guys I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth, but this is an undeniably sweet song.

S.o.t.D. - To Follow – Gramatik

To Follow – Gramatik

I included some trip hoppy funkiness by Slovenia’s Gramatik a month ago. This is another equally groovy jam. This one samples Rose Royce’s “Wishing on a Star”.

S.o.t.D. - Earth (Ben Watt Lazy Dog Remix) – Meshell Ndegeocello

Earth (Ben Watt Lazy Dog Remix) – Meshell Ndegeocello

And an example of the sort of stuff Ben Watt was doing 10, 15 years ago. He certainly can’t be accused of mining a rut.

S.o.t.D. - Golden Ratio – Ben Watt

Golden Ratio – Ben Watt

And since I played his wife’s first efforts at music yesterday, I though I would play her husband’s more recent efforts at music today.

S.o.t.D. - A Place In The Sun – Marine Girls

A Place In The Sun – Marine Girls

I’m reading Bedsit Disco Queen by Tracey Thorn at the moment, and I’ve gotten as far as her sophomore effort, The Marine Girls. I’ve always been a fan of the band that followed this effort, Everything But The Girl, but other than being aware of M.G., and that it was her first band, have never actually heard them. They sound like they taught Lush how to create the perfect female vocalist fronted jangly guitar pop. 

S.o.t.D. - I Want You – Jonny L

I Want You – Jonny L

Completely gonzo, but oh that production. 

Signage: Watch For Steps

Located in the Olivet United Church up on the mountain in Hamilton.

Lister Block Lit Up for Juno Fest

S.o.t.D. - Somewhere In Russia – Carbon Based Lifeforms

Somewhere In Russia – Carbon Based Lifeforms

This could be the soundtrack to doing a spacewalk outside the ISS. Vast, emotive, beautiful.