Ripple – Self Titled

If I only saw the front cover of this, I’d assume it would be some 80’s thrash band until you look at the back. I have my friend to thank for putting me on to this. Some of the pubs would do casual vinyl afternoons and you could bring some records and spin a set. My friend dropped the 7” aptly titled “I Don't Know What It Is But It Sure Is Funky” which is exactly what people commented when it played. I picked this up at Port Hole. My copy is a bit thrashed and the mixing on this is hit and miss but the stand out tunes are killer.

#records #vinyl #nowplaying #nowspinning #music #funk #soul #ripple

Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings and Food

I'm a bit behind on posts with all the holiday festivities. 

Talking Heads are one of the few bands from my early punk / new wave collecting that I still listen to and hear something new with each listen. Not that I don't like the other stuff. I just thrashed it to death when I was younger. 

I have half of my Talking Heads collection on cd. I attempted to go pick up some more second-hand albums recently but they are now too popular, often not sitting in shops for very long and with a hefty tag. It must if been a Talking Heads Christmas this year cos there was nothing to be found. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #talkingheads #music

This Are Two Tone – Compilation

I didn’t really know Ska until uni when I went to the Crown and Anchor. I’d go upstairs and they would have a DJ later at night and all the ska punks would be up there. That's where I first heard ska and realised it wasn't madness ballads from the Huggies add. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't really learn the politics and history until much later, but better late than never.

I was wondering why I don’t pull this out out often and then it started. The powerful but incredibly confronting track by Rhoda Dakar about being raped. Vibe over.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #twotone #ska

Angkanang Kunchai -  Never Forget Me

Debuting at 15 in 1971, with a hit to a soundtrack the following year, and stirring some controversy with the fusion of molam and luk thung, Angkanang Kunchai became a star in Thailand at only 16. Her 1979 release features her interest in bass, drums and percussion.

I bought this from Transition Records in 2017 initially on the back of the cover alone, and then via the tracks on the B side You're So Cold and the title track. I had hoped the whole album carried the b side grove. The first half sounds more traditional until you get to Promise of My Love and you hear a synth.

I use to play this on our radio show a lot. It's not an album I can listen to often but I enjoyed giving it a spin this morning and reappreciating it.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #AngkanangKunchai #thai #molam #lukthung

Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s - Damn Right I Am Somebody

Last night I watched the We Want the Funk doco. Overall it was pretty good. But there were some interesting editing decisions. No New Orleans? Elton John...did we need that? No Rick James? Weird...

Anyway it inspired me to did this out. 

I bought this shortly after seeing J-Rock on Crate Diggers sharing this album. I mean the cover alone is telling you they are not here to fuck around! I happened to find a copy in my local a few weeks later for only $20. Bargain! I see it's since been repressed. This album really sounds like a proto hip hop record with samples and studio outtakes between the grooves.

This heavy funk reminds me of dancing late at night at Supermild back in the day. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #Fredwesley #TheJBs #WeWantthefunk #funk

Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Popped this on before heading to friendsmas to defrag from the Christmas festivities whilst also trying to order some new kallaxes for my records. There was something quite ironic about listening to Stereolab whilst buying my capitalist modular furniture. Well I somehow ended up paying twice thanks to Ikea's shit website and then spent my boxing day morning arranging a refund. It all felt a bit like a Stereolab film clip really. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #stereolab

Peki Momés - Self titled. 

This album with it's adorable childhood photo album cover has been in my top 3 of 2025 releases. My partner worked some magic ordering this for my Christmas present. We both had packages at the post office and stressed we'd perhaps bought the same thing for each other. 

Peki Momés is a Turkish singer/songwriter residing in Germany. This album has such a summer vibe and a real mood lifter. I always feel energised and inspired after hearing this. Some albums that have a blend of styles sound like a hot mess, but this floats together seamlessly. I really don't know how to describe the sound so I'll quote her Bandcamp- "dirty disco, fuzzy funk, Anatolian rare grooves, experimental synth, library music and Japanese city pop". 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #Pekimomés

David Bowie - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

My high school boyfriend was a massive Bowie fan and I have him to thank for getting me into Bowie. I had a huge Bowie knowledge gap then, really only being exposed to the mixed 80's stuff and Labyrinth. No one in my family listened to Bowie and it just wasn't a thing at school. It's kind of surprising really.

This is another early years purchase. This one is definitely from Port Hole. My copy is slowly falling apart.

Our neighbour told us a few weeks ago he enjoyed listening to our tunes from over the fence. Well I hope they enjoyed me sounding insane whilst yelling at my cat who was being a nuisance, who is also called Bowie, whilst this was playing.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #bowie

XTC - White Music  

When I hear XTC I think of a few things: 

1. The end of high school summer holiday and long evening drives to the city with friends for nights out. One was obsessed with XTC and made a compilation tape they'd play on repeat. I listened to a lot of XTC that summer. 

2. Finding out some people met at an XTC convention and fell in love. That's really the cutest story. 

3. Will there be an XTC revival like Sparks or Steely Dan? 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #newwave #postpunk #xtc

Blondie - Eat to the Beat. 

I dug this one out because despite the hits I don't really remember the rest. I adore the first two albums, from start to finish. Parallel Lines...hmm ok, it's a bit overrated imho. However, this fourth album, now I remember why it hasn't got much of a spin. Should we do punk, new wave, bad reggae, disco, glam rock? Fuck it, we'll do them all including the aptly titled track Sound A Sleep. Fuck me. I'm astounded this album spent a year in the US charts. 

I was gifted this and a bunch of other records whilst at uni by a mate whose mum worked at a library and were getting rid of their records. This copy has a Libraries Board of South Australia embossed in it. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #punk #newwave #blondie

Ramones - Rocket To Russia

This is my next fave Ramones album along with the first one. I mean everyone's is the first one, right? I don't actually own that one on vinyl but I had several thrashed cd copies. I picked this up at a record fair very early in my record digging days. Contains my wedding dance tune. I'm also quite partial to some of the 80s stuff ...Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La) anyone...anyone? 

My current family situation means we are kind of hosting Christmas unexpectedly. We've been cramming some prep in. I thought Ramones would give me some pep to get back at it but it was over before I got properly started. I honestly haven't listened to a Ramones album in what feels like years but it was fun hearing it again. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records
#punk #ramones 

Idris Muhammad - Turn This Mutha Out

I remember power walking on pay day to go pick up this repress on my lunch break that I'd spotted on the weekend. I had taken a job that was quite different from acute ward work. It was desk based but intense. I was really struggling to adjust. I bought a lot of records over that period. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #IdrisMuhammad

Sudan Archives - Sink 

2018 & 2019 were good years for music. I remember being drawn to this EP by the cover initially. It's just stunning as are the tunes on this - Not for Sale and Escape being the highlights. Both EPs - this and the self titled one from 2017 are great. Beautiful swirling violin, beats and vocals. Far departure from the girl group dream her record producing dad had for her and her twin sister. 

Sudan Archives is one of those artists that I think I'd like more of, but find the other albums don't quite land for me other than a hand full of tracks. My partner tells me their latest one is like a horny wrecking ball and it was an awkward listen at work on their headphones other day.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records
#sudanarchives  

Punk 45: Kill the Hippies! Kill Yourself! The American Nation Destroys Its Young - Underground Punk in the United States of America, Vol. 1.

Last night I went to the first hardcore show I have been to in years. I’m not a huge fan of the "bro"style hardcore, but this was female fronted band Scowl which I quite like. However despite going to see the headline, I ended up loving the support act – Baltimore left anti colonial act End It. Fuck they were the best punk act I’d seen in ages. Front man Akil Godsey was incredible. The evening lit up my punk spirit. The crowd was full of young and old, from various punk communities, diverse and inclusive. It warmed my heart.

Admittedly I often listen to more punk in the car / train than on a Saturday morning on my turn table. But last night inspired me to dig this one out - 2013 Soul Jazz comp of early singles from DIY labels with the longest and most obnoxious title.

#punk #powerpop #Garage-Rock #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

The Knife – Silent Shout

In the early to mid 2000’s I went through a bit of a scandi phase and my friend Tara and I were really into the Knife. Unfortunately I never got to see them live. I saw this album was described as sounding like a mix of Siouxsie Sioux with Aphex Twin which is pretty apt. We use to live in a block of flats with a shared courtyard. We often had parties there. I'm pretty sure the bass on this is what made someone in our neighbourhood call the cops for one of them.

Listening now, it sounds as fresh as it was then. And fucking loud.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #records #Vinyl #Theknife #electronic #scandi #synthpop

The Only Ones – Special View

When I was a teenager I was quite fond of buying Mojo magazines, particularly if they had a CD compilation. I still to this day have some copies of those compilations. One stand out was a punk a new wave one. That’s where I first heard the Only Ones.

Normally I have a pretty sharp memory for when and where I bought my records. But this one had me stumped. I have no recollection. I suspect Porthole early on. Like many, I picked it up for the hit single Another Girl, Another Planet. Interestingly, the song was inspired by a woman who looked like she'd stepped out of Fellini film. I decided to give the whole album a proper listen. Not a bad little nugget of English power pop as an overall album.

#TheOnlyOnes #punk #newave #powerpop #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

Kim Gordon – The Collective

Last year, at age 70, Kim Gordon released an experimental electronic trap album. I didn't see that coming but I should of. I had just finished reading Girl in a Band when this came out. Listening to it on the back of her autobiography gave me a further appreciation for her as an artist and influence on music and culture. Always looking forward and progressing. It was an excellent read.

It was a real treat to see her preform this live in my home town several months after release.

Admittedly, as a whole album, I can only spin it occasionally.

#KimGordon #nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #eletronic #noise #trap

David Bowie - Blackstar

Bowie was one of the few celebrities that when they died I was bereft. A lot of significant friendships, relationships, and moments in my life have formed over a mutual love for Bowie who has been the soundtrack throughout. It took me a long time to be able to listen to this album. I remember after my major surgery in 2021 being ploughed on pain meds and listening to this on headphones. That was an experience. Inspired by Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly, it still manages to sound different, but Bowie, but timeless. A true artist.

I really enjoyed re listening to this today.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #davidbowie #blackstar

Steeleye Span - Parcel Of Rogues

My parents had this on vinyl and also cassette which they’d play in the car on longer drives. I’d dance around to it in our lounge room. Dad had a huge 70's speaker system and that stereo packed a punch. It certainly wasn’t “cool” in my childhood or even in my early 20’s to like this. But now I don’t give a shit. I recognised and sang along to most of the songs on this whilst mopping.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #englishfolk #folk #SteeleyeSpan

Sault – 5

Since 2019, Sault have released 14 albums. Although my hot take is it’s all a little pretentious and quantity doesn’t mean quality. Currently embroiled in a legal battle with Little Simz for not repaying a hefty loan, I can see why she may be miffed to see the ongoing output and no repayment. Their first album 5 is by far still my favourite of theirs, mixing ESG sounds, soul / neo soul and disco.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #sault #soul

Miles Davis - Bitches Brew 

Our friends had a baby last weekend and we looked after their little 3 yr old whilst it all kicked off. One of the things I have been enjoying is hearing about what music friends kids are discovering. It's so random. On Friday I got a message saying one has discovered the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams - "It’s a catchy song, isn’t it!" he said.

It's a bit hard to spin records with our friends 3yr old at the moment so I put on a play list. He'd smooch the TV to the songs he liked. I wanted to see what he thought about this, but it was back to cartoons. I'd like to think he'd smooch it. 

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #milesdavis

Trash Kit – Confidence

Such an underrated band and album.

Brit post punk from the mid 2000’s combing members from other post punk outfits (electralane and shopping to name a few). Ray Aggs is a powerhouse and a huge contributor to the DIY punk scene. The band only released 3 albums on the indie label Upset The Rhythm who the internet tells me formed in 2003 when organising a concert for Deerhoof and funded by profits from a gig by Ian MacKaye. Cool!

For fans of Au Pairs, the Raincoats and the Ex. I should really dig this out more often.

#Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #postpunk #trashkit #RayAggs #UpsetTheRhythm

Fever Ray – Self Titled

I am now at the point in this 2000’s style blogging that I can not remember what I’ve posted about. But because I am a nerd, I have a list. I was surprised I hadn’t posted about this 2009 release from the Knife’s Karin Dreijer. It's is their first solo release and the only solo album of their’s I’ve really enjoyed in full. Fever Ray and the whole gender queer music scene from the 2000’s onwards had such a profound impact on me as a young adult. I first had this on CD, thrashed it, and found a vinyl copy in Polyester Records for $34.95 according to the sleeve. At the time of it's release, this album inspired me dig out my keyboard to have a tinker. To me, this album sounds timeless.

#KarinDreijer #feverray #electronicMusic #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

Kokoroko - Could We Be More

I had a rough sleep so I needed something less intense this morning. Accept when I popped this on I remembered it was not intense enough.

Floating between Jazz and Highlife this band were given huge praise by Gilles Peterson and released this on his label. Live, I reckon they would be tops. I think from memory I bought this on the back of listening only to a handful of tracks and not the whole album. Mistake. I’m not saying it’s a bad record. The second side has more high life sounds and variety. It’s very beautiful, but doesn’t go anywhere and a bit too smooth for me as an overall album. Could they be more? Yes in my view.

I commented this to my husband who said, "well get ready for an album that does go somewhere ...fast" and proceeded to put on Judas Priest.

#Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #Kokoroko #Jazz #Highlife #afrobeat

Northern Soul - The Soundtrack

Some years ago my friends introduced me to Northern Soul through local Northern Soul dance nights in the winter time. I didn’t have a clue what Northern Soul was. I thought soul music was just soul music. Something clicked in my brain after my first night and I’d go monthly and dance my little feet off.

This is the soundtrack to the 2014 film. I don’t have Northern Soul record money so this is a good mix of tunes. I popped this on whilst doing my Saturday Cleaning. It was a bop.

#Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #NorthernSoul #soul

Thee Oh Sees - Warm Slime

Remember when everyone sang in a well drowned in reverb? It’s 2009 and San Francisco garage rockers Thee Oh Sees were iconic for that sound. I bought this from the now closed Polyester Records in Melbourne when it came out after hearing a on my local community radio station. They have a prolific back catalogue but I find it all starts to sound the same. This one and their 2009 release Help are my go to albums of theirs.

Unfortunately when I saw them live it was a bit shit – but I think that was more about surrounding circumstances then them per se. It was a stinking hot (like 45 degrees) and they were playing in a DIY art space basement. The local bands before had pissed me off, we went to go get a bite to eat and when we came back Thee Oh Sees had started early so I only got to see half the set, whilst dripping in sweat, with shitty sound and a very mixed crowd. The band, though were having a blast.

#TheeOhSees #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

Emel Mathlouthi - Everywhere We Looked Was Burning

An example of when the live show is better then the album.

Emel is a Tunisian political singer songwriter, based currently in New York. In 2008 her works were banned by the Tunisian government and she relocated to Paris. She preformed at Womad 2024 and it was spectacular! You couldn’t hear a pin drop in the crowd whilst her powerful voice sang for freedom in Palestine with drums and electronic beats thumping, whilst she twirled like Kate Bush on stage waving a giant Palestinian flag. There wasn’t a dry eye around me. This album has a similar ethereal sound, with percussion, and electronics that build throughout – think Bjork influence. But it doesn’t quite hit the spot. Maybe it’s because live it was so dam powerful and this doesn’t quite capture that.

#Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #EmelMathlouthi

Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet

Zorhan Mamdani won the New York mayor election this week and I don’t remember the last time I felt a hence of hope during such a bleak political time. Also one of the best speeches I’ve seen in years.

Subsequently, I’ve had the remix stuck in my head all week.

Inspired me to pop this on today.

Years ago, when I was feeling disheartened about my career and workplace I use to drive to my CD copy of this in the car each morning loudly to pump me up and face the working day. It was a time.

#PublicEnemy #hiphop #ZorhanMamdani #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

Hiroshi Suzuki – Cat

I’m still on call, it’s raining and stormy, and I’m still sorting out my records. Whilst moving things I was reminded of this.

Hiroshi Suzuki is a Japanese Trombonist (also plays keys in this) but spent a majority of his time living in America. This album was recorded in 1975 when he returned to Japan briefly. When released it was a flop. It’s now a become a bit of cult hit. This is the repress on We Release Jazz, the sub label of We Release What Ever the Fuck We Want Records which is a great name for a label and their logo design is top notch too as is the little cat on the label of this.

I probably wouldn't recommend trying to listen to this whilst sorting out your record collection on a Sunday afternoon. It's short and to be honest requires more attention.

#HiroshiSuzuki #jazz #Japanesejazz #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning