Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants…

Last week London based singer/songwriter Lail Arad was set a cool challenge by Q Magazine: throughout Wednesday she had to create a mixtape made entirely of legally downloadable tracks. It was awesome to find out that the Cougar post on Oddysey was included amongst an eclectic mix of great music.

For more information on the Challenge click here and also check out the final mixtape here.

Here are a couple of choice selections by Lail Arad, live gig review coming soon.

TRACKS:

King Charles – Love Lust

Lawrence Arabia – Apple Pie Bed

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For a few years now the name Rosie Oddie has been popping up on those ubiquitous “Ones To Watch” lists and as a hot topic of conversation on the lips of friends in the know.

Having ditched the previous working title of ‘Rosie Oddie and the Odd Squad’ for the slicker Oddyssey moniker the singer and her gang recently released their ‘Black America‘ EP.

The title track would be a suitably edgy sequel to Kim Wilde’s 80’s classic ‘Kids In America‘ almost 30 years from that singles original release . ‘Companion‘ starts of as an intimate affair and peaks into a full blown dramatic number that could easily be the next Bond theme.  ’Alan‘ takes on a retro 60’s quality and is suitably larger than life and satirical.

Rosie’s raspy delivery channels an unexpected and often brilliant cross between the styles and deliveries of Cerys Matthews of Catatonia fame, Róisín Murphy from Moloko and Paloma Faith managing to be both sassy and mischievous . In the meantime the band showcase a big confident sound that lends a theatrical (and dare I say almost burlesque) characteristic to their output.

Having demonstrated that they can be  larger than life on record now is time to for me to catch the London outfit live; if those same friends from before are to be believed this should be quite an experience.

TRACKS:

Oddyssey – Alan

The latest release from the mighty fine Dub Pistols crew extols the virtues of the illegal drug that no-one, including the police is really that bothered about. We’re not talking about Class A’s here or “Kate Moss-tins” as London’s finest rapper Rodney P. explains in the lyrics.

Lambs Bread, Collie weed, the Chronic or a Fatty Boom Batty if you’re a fan of tv s Spaced. Rodney P. recommends you light up your chalice in Buckingham Palace (or just about anywhere you like) while the band crank out a radio friendly tune that oozes carnival charm through the sound of steel drums and reggae rhythms. The very sounds that usually see the residents of W10 running for their country retreats in fear of the invading marauders.

Despite the sunshine in the sounds the Notting Hill book club readers need not fear – there’s more than 6 months to wait until the real steel drummers will be pounding their streets like bombed-out, drugged-up versions of the Pied Piper, leading Ganja toting rats in tight packs behind them.

A Dub Pistols single release is always great value for money with each seeing a remix project that stretches the elements of the original song, often into totally unknown territory. This is no exception and while some of the offerings here add little other than to make the original mix sound all the more refreshing, the Sunday Best mix is well worth a listen and the 2 Bit Thug remix adds a few more beats for your bucks.

Remember kids, just say maybe.

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First guest post by the affable Stephen Chancer

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TRACKS:

Dub Pistols – Ganja (2 Bit Thug Remix)

Dub Pistols (Sunday Best Cosmic Dub Remix)

Last year I launched a bit of an attack on the concept of Valentine’s Day itselfy, this year I have mellowed down a little bit. I still think you shouldn’t need an excuse to treat your significant other but it is nice to see all the couples around Camden.

If you forgot to buy him/her a special treat you are still in time to head over to Vouchercodes.co.uk and use their Amazon promo codes. Alternatively you can dedicate these songs to them (pretending they were from you)

For all you lovers out there enjoy your day!

TRACKS

Colin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You

The Police – The Bed’s Too Big Without You

The Get Up Kids – Valentine

South East London’s finest angular riff peddlers, Kick Up The Fire, have recorded a bunch of hot demos for a prospective new release.

Cougar Microbes got its filthy mittens on the tracks and I can safely say they are guaranteed to get your booty shaking.

Check out the bands Facebook page for more tracks and live dates.

TRACK:

Kick Up The Fire – Cocktails & Gold

Today I read read a post on Shut Up, Bands ripping apart a young band with little inspiration. I forwarded it to my studio engineer friend and he ended up writing his own critique and even offered to record one free track for them.

Here is a good song instead.

TRACK: