Jamie Lidell - Jim

Hot off the press comes the third album from Jamie Lidell, electronic soul crooner extraordinaire. Or at least that’s how many of us remember him from 2005’s Multiply.

Jim is a more traditional soul record, despite the inclusion of bird song on album opener ‘Another day’. Lidell has swapped his laptop beats for a full on soul extravaganza. There are plenty references to Sly, Al Green and the Jackson Five here, and if that’s your bag then ‘Jim’ is your Johnny on the spot. (Baby)

35 year old Lidell has softened a little here, and has shown that you can release an album firmly directed at the bedroom without having to smack it till it’s sore, or get his freak on in da club with shortys of various degrees of self esteem (or lack thereof. Dawg)

‘Blue Eyed Soul’ seems to be the genre carved by Lidell for himself, and whether you are a soul aficionado or drop in drop out fan, ‘Jim’ is sure to please. (All night long baby.)

THINK: A white Stevie Wonder covering Sly Stone
READ: Jamies Homepage and meh-space
LISTEN: Jamie Lidell on KEXP
BUY: Jim on Amazon

Avalanche! This is old news ( 7+ days) but while I was posting the coldplay news, I couldn’t leave out old Trent. NIN released ‘Disipline’ to mixed reviews, but most of the talk has been about Ghosts netting him $1.6M (despite giving it away for free!) and the cryptic clues hinting at another album release in about a weeks time. Get the single here, and the news there.

Coldplay release their new single ‘Violet Hill’ on-line tomorrow, and for a limited time it’s free! Get it here.

The Presets - Apocalypso

The second album from the Sydney based duo, Apocalypso was released earlier this month. This album continues the global recognition of Australian electronic music at the moment, with label mates Cut Copy also releasing a brilliant 2nd album in March.

I have to admit that I didn’t much like the Presets first album. It’s anthemic shout-out-loud tracks grew a little tiresome for me after the initial ‘Wow, who are these guys?’ phase. Not so with Apocalypso.

Running some loose change over 50 minutes, this 11 track album opens with two tracks which please the flouro sydney kids. The first single My People developed the presents sound a little further, but didn’t hint at the diversity of the album. Obvious influences from Infusion and Underworld are present, and welcome.

On Apocalypso, The Presets reveal a more assured and diverse style, a coming of age of Australian electro. Much like the electro sound of France in the late 90’s, Australia is developing a sound that the rest of the world can’t get enough of at the moment. ‘On ya Presets!

THINK: The Presets, but better!
READ:The Presets Homepage
BUY: Apocalypso Here
WATCH: My People Vid

Wighnomy Brothers - Metawuffmischfelge

German minimal duo take us on a cinematic journey on what has to be the best mix album I’ve heard in years. It’s simply stunning. Definitely for the headphone space rather than the club, the sample heavy mixing is sublime. I just can’t stop listening to it. The first Triplejaysus MUST HAVE!

Get it! Here and here.