Ah, What To Buy, What To Buy? (or Tell Me What CDs to Get)

The HMV sale has some good Dr John - I picked up gris gris and the best bits are exceptional. Also the Kinks' indispensible-if-fey 'Village Green Preservation Society'.

because i TOLD you to

Tis an idea, but then I've rarely done anything anyone told me to do;>

Underworld - A Hundred Days Off: Not only is "Two Months Off" a strong contender for single of the year, but this is the strongest body of work Underworld has put out yet. They still have a tendency to worry a groove, but now they're hitting upon beats that deserve to undulate on for 8 minutes. Search in particular "Lutein", "Twist", "Two Months Off", "Dinosaur Adventure 3D".

Boards of Canada - Music Has A Right To Children: Sinewy electronic chillout music deeply informed by hip-hop and Robitussin. The beats are mesmerizing, the environmental flourishes in the samples are breathtaking, and "Turquoise Hexagon Sun" is just mind-boggling. Search also "Aquarius", "Happy Cycling".

The Rapture: I don't know what their CD is called, but their sound is reminiscent of Robert Smith circa Faith singing over Warsaw (aka the band that became Joy Division). There is a dancey version of the song "Olio" floating over there that sounds like Robert Smith singing over a Green Velvet/DAF collaboration. I have yet to run across a song of theirs that isn't brilliant.

Opus Akoben: Again, I don't know the name of the album. This is a hip-hop collective based in Washington DC who are signed to a French record label, meaning their records are easier to find in Europe than the US. I don't know their song titles, but their style is centered around freestyling about, well, anything. Their live shows are incredible; not only do they do their own material, but they have their band play random grooves of various styles (including but not limited to bebop, cool jazz, old-school electro, go-go, drum 'n bass, and undie-hop) and then solicit topics from the audience for their rhymes. OFF THE HOOK.

dan it should be pointed out that i think the rapture haven't released an album of "house of jealous lovers"/"olio" era stuff yet...

Scott Walker is always delish, so I'll jot that down.

About Bowie: Hm, I was considering getting "Heathen". Is it worth buying, or just download it?

Damn, many good choices here, so far. Ah, for more money....

As for recommendations, if Playgroup-Playgroup is a fiver in the UK HMV Sale like it is over here then go for it, fantastic album at any price but that's a steal.

Slayer - Reign in Blood or South of Heaven, everyone needs some Slayer in their life.

Beach Boys - Sunflower/Surfs Up, it's good.

Tool - Opiate, best thing they ever did.

Poison - Greatest Hits, only £4.99!

Abba - Gold is going cheap I think.

And get some Carpenters and the Band.

'Countdown To Ecstasy' - Steely Dan (cynical, 'sophisticated', tuneful studio muso rockpop)

'For Your Pleasure' - Roxy Music (Stylish, clever, exciting 'conceptual' glam pop)

'Unhalfbricking' - Fairport Convention (English rock/folk pop that includes one of the most beautiful songs ever written - 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' - plus 'A Sailor's Life', which is kind of like a pastoral version of the Velvet Underground)

'Kind of Blue' - Miles Davis (heartbreaking, melancholy modal jazz - don't listen to the hatas!)

earlham street, covent garden. (just googled it!)

http://www.fopp.co.uk/index.htm

Gigi – Gigi
Young Ethiopian singer, beautiful voice, and taking Ethiopian music to the next level. Though I’m not crazy about all the songs

Mongo Santamaria Skin to Skin
Best example óf Afro-Cuban jazz you’ll find anywhere.

Someone mentioned Dr.John, the Dr. John 2 disc anthology is grrreat. The whole development of his style from pre-psychedlia to the Nighttripper to solo explorations.

Earth n’ Bass or Geosonic Grooves
great examples of global electronica which is (to me) one of the most intersting things going on in music today and you get to hear stuff like Turksih hiphop and north african drum n'bass, tabla n' bass and so on

Jess I want to marry you and HAVE YOUR BABIES!!!

Come on down, Michael; London always has room for more music junkies;>

Jess and Tim in worldwide love shockah.

I'd say so! Certainly never saw THAT comin'....

Jel and Tim: Yup, still here, and I'll definitely check FOPP out. I walked through Rough Trade (Notting Hill Gate) last night, but that was a wasted effort, as I really didn't have time to browse.