The Underground of Happiness

I know, I know, it's February, leave 2015 alone. But some things are too good to let lie. So another mini list, four great albums from last year. Get them into your life. ******************************************************************************** Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood & The Rajasthan Express – Junun (Nonesuch) A thrilling cross cultural project involving the Israeli singer and composer Shye Ben Tzur, Radioheader and composer in his own right Jonny Greenwood and a bunch of fantastic musicians from Rajasthan in India (the making of the album was also documented by Paul Thomas Anderson in the film of the same name released last year). Who contributes what can get a bit fuzzy at times (the sign of a true collaboration, perhaps) but the guttural, percussive vocals of Ben Tzur in Hebrew are a joy, Greenwood’s electronic interventions intrigue and the brass and string and mass vocals of the Express uplift and entrance. Fantastic and playing at the Barbic...

The Convergence Festival runs in London in March and there's another fine line up this year, including the wonderful "supergroup" of The Rajasthan Express with Israeli composer/singer Shye Ben Tzur and Jonny Greenwood . Anna von Hausswolff is also on the festival bill, hopefully they find a church organ for her to achieve maximum epic. Closer to home, Rozi Plain is at Quarter Block Party in Cork this w'end, finding a great niche between folk and kosmische; Morning Veils from Cork, spinning great freaked folk. Tortoise with Georgia Hubley from Yo La Tengo on sumptuous vocals; Joanna Newsom with more great baroque flourishes; The Drink making tremendous progressive math pop. And The Apartments , making heartbreak sound so luscious and inviting. More on these pages. Feb 2 2016 w/ Rozi Plain, Morning Veils, Junun, Tortoise, Anna von Hausswolff, The Apartments ++ by The Underground Of Happiness on Mixcloud The Underground of Happiness uplifting...

A lot of new music on the show this week, in keeping with normal January service. TEEN , a lovely mid 80s Prince type electro pop bounce Ty Segall , pumping out the heartwarming glam jams Nadia Reid , swoonsome dreamy folk rock Morning Veils , spectral folk atmospherics from their debut album Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood & The Rajasthan Express , showing everyone how to make dance music. And Tortoise , more masterful minimalist grooves from their upcoming new album. More on these pages. Jan 19 2016 w/ TEEN, Ty Segall, The Drink, Morning Veils, Tortoise, Yorkston Thorne Khan, Damsel++ by The Underground Of Happiness on Mixcloud The Underground of Happiness uplifting pop music of every creed www.theundergroundofhappiness.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/theundergroundofhappiness Twitter: UndergroundOfHappy Playlist 385 Tues Jan 19 2016 11.00am-12.00pm (repeated on Tuesdays 8.30pm) UCC 98.3FM listen live on the web at www.ucc.ie/983fm *listen ba...