The Underground of Happiness

And speaking of Front & Follow ... Another one of their collaborative projects is ongoing, under the Long Division with Remainders (LDWR) moniker. It's called Collision/Detection and consists of invited artists throwing audio clips into a central pot. This resource is then shared around the group for each one to manipulate in their own way. Already this year, we've had EPs in the series from Psychological Strategy Board, West Norwood Cassette Library and The Lord . These three would qualify comfortably under sound art or sound design, occupying experimental, challenging and often intriguing terrain. However, the fourth in the series, from London/Cambridge band Hong Kong in the 60s , is a slightly different kettle of (pop) fish. Although most of the EP features an undercurrent of electronic static, there are also a couple of beautiful pop songs, vindicating the band's aim "to adapt the more abstract samples to melodic songform, whilst retaining their essenti...

It was 2010 that I first came across Sone Institute , which is largely one man, Roman Bezdyk . His album that year, Curious memories , was a masterful set of Burt Bacharach leaning tunes (in terms of their laid back atmosphere only), put together using samples and cut and paste wizardry. (In fact, I featured a tune from it in the recent Trumpets special, 'On tree hill' which samples the iconic trumpet part from the Bacharach-produced, Gene Pitney classic '24 hours from Tulsa', alongside a frantic Bollywood sample) This follow up shares the beauty and enigmatic qualities of the previous album, but adds a more organic feel, possibly due to the host of collaborators on show - among them Nils Frahm , Katie English of Isnaj Dui and Dale Grundle of The Sleeping Years. 'Frozen leaves/Falling from trees' superbly maps the space between an Eden Ahbez-style cosmic lounge (bongo and flute are prominent) and studied post-jazz instrumentals. 'Back at yesterday...

Well, I've been away for a few weeks but what a lovely pile of music there was waiting for me when I returned. Let's start with the wonderful Laetitia Sadier , back with her 2nd solo album. The Trip was great and so is this. She's probably forever destined to be referred to as the "ex-Stereolab frontwoman" but she's rapidly carving her own identity post 'Lab. The first song, 'The rule of the game', takes issue with the rise of fascism, taking inspiration from Jean Renoir's film La Regle du Jeu . That might sound like a dry topic but don't worry, there's room for a breezy, Brasil-pop playout which would get anyone up marching in protest. The video (below) also features Laetitia in an intriguing synchronised swimming set-up. 'Auscultation to the nation' takes similar aim at the anti-democratic activities of ratings agencies, but within the parameters of a glorious post-Morricone bop. In between, 'Find me the pulse of the...

The Underground of Happiness uplifting pop music of every creed www.theundergroundofhappiness.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/theundergroundofhappiness Playlist 232 Tues July 31 2012 11.00am-12.00pm (repeated on Tuesdays 8.30pm) UCC 98.3FM listen live on the web at www.ucc.ie/983fm *listen back to this show here http://i.mixcloud.com/CBcG4Z Playlist - Trumpets Edward Williams - Life on Earth begins in the sun's energy (from the tv show Life on Earth , 1979) Esquivel - Softly, as in a morning sunrise (1960) Calexico - Minas de Cobre (for better metal) (1998) Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I put a spell on you (1956) The Crystals - Da doo ron ron (1963) Curtis Mayfield - Miss Black America (1970) Robert Preston & Ensemble - Ya got trouble/76 Trombones (from the soundtrack of the film The Music Man , 1962) Gene Pitney - 24 hours from Tulsa (1963) Sone Institute - On tree hill Kalyandji & Anandji - Sad theme from Dharmatma (from the soundtrack of the film Dh...