Never Ending Mixtape Part 6

The Never Ending Mixtape began in October 2016 when I finally discovered Spotify after years of saying I would never use it. Watch The Sunrise by Big Star kicked things off, joined by the Velvets, Spiritualized, Tricky, Massive Attack, Belly, Mazzy Star, The Orb, The Smiths.....all kinds of things.

Each month I make some additions to the Never Ending Mixtape and the blog allows me to either reminisce about old favourites, seeing acts live or where and when I bought/heard the song, or to talk about recent discoveries.

You can check the Never Ending Mixtape below and then read on to find out the latest additions.

Aphex Twin begins the latest additions to the Never Ending Mixtape with the stunning Aisatsana. It is a truly mesmerising piece of music. Donovan, Air and John Lennon lead a relatively mellow way before O-O-H Child by The Five Stairsteps lifts things up and then it doesn't stop with outstanding tunes from The Flirtations, The Jackson Sisters, Marlena Shaw, Bobby Womack and Curtis Mayfield.

Aisatsana - Aphex Twin
Isn't this just beautiful?

Colours - Donovan
One of the first songs I learned to play on acoustic guitar. Easy and lovely.

Playground Love - Air (with Gordon Tracks)
Hadn't heard this in years, from the Virgin Suicides soundtrack - blissful.

Oh Yoko - John Lennon
Lennon wrote so many love songs about Yoko but is any as melodic as this one?

O-O-H Child - The Five Stairsteps
Pete Paphides tweeted that he was thinking this might be the greatest single of all time.... it's pretty god damn good

Nothing But A Heartache - The Flirtations
But I'll take Pete's suggestion and raise him this outrageous romp. Listen to those vocals go for it The power and passion in this song is sensational. I got a lot of those heartaches, I got a lot of those teardrops....

I Believe In Miracles - The Jackson Sisters
Another outrageously good track - this is uplifting and ecstatic - I believe in miracles, I believe in you

California Soul - Marlena Shaw
An all-time fave of mine, had the pleasure of seeing Marlena live a couple of times, the first time was way back when The Renfrew Ferry was on the other side of the river and practically sinking. The ovation after this song must have gone on for 10-minutes! That good.

Across 100th Street - Bobby Womack
What a voice, what a tune, what a story......

Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
It doesn't get any better than this. Sublime. Bite the lip and take the trip

2014 review by Chay from Electric Fields

As we were nearing the due date of our second baby I didn't make the very first Electric Fields Festival this year. Not a bad excuse I hope you agree!

I am kicking myself as the line-up, location (Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries) and weather looked fantastic and price tag was pretty unbeatable. Not even I would try for a guest list when the ticket price is £25!

Check this fantastic promo film from 2014 HERE

Electric Fields was the idea of a couple of people who are well versed in the independent, DIY and new bands scene in Scotland. I'm fortunate to have got to know Chay - the booked for Electric Fields through his work with the Solus Tent at the Wickerman Festival. Chay's line-up for the Solus Tent this year was exceptional - that is because he has his finger firmly on the pulse, so keep an eye out for the Electric Fields line-up and check out the amazing early bird offers for tickets. 

So lets see what has stood out for Chay from the huge amount (and variety) of music he will have listened to and watched in 2014.
1. What singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for you?

I'll keep all my answers mostly Scottish.  Anything by Neon Waltz, even the covers as they've got great taste.  The new United Fruit stuff is fucking awesome, so all of that.  Hector Bizerk's The fish that never swam EP.

Neon Waltz

2. What albums released in 2014 have you enjoyed?

I still haven't bought the new Twilight Sad album yet, which I need to rectify, and The Xcerts.  Aphex Twin.  Bear Arms.  Dead by Young Fathers.  Rave Tapes by Mogwai, but the t shirt that came with it has gone awol.  

3. What old music/bands have you discovered/gone back to in 2014?

I picked up two particular music biogs at the same time earlier this year so I spent some time revisiting the respective artists - Billy Mackenzie with 'The Glamour Chase' by Tom Doyle and James Young's 'Nico.  Songs they never play on the radio'.  My wife bought me the Viv Albertine autobiography for my birthday, which was handy as I dig out The Slits now and again.  I'll throw Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers in there too.  It's been a few years and evil is as evil does.

4. What has been the musical highlight of 2014?  

Electric Fields.  I don't think I can begin to explain how good it felt doing it.  It took so much work to put it together but it was totally worth it because we've got such a fantastic team of people working to achieve the same goal.  Having a beer with the stage manager Kenney Harris after the last band had packed up and left, it was a mixture of relief and adrenalin.  We didn't stop grinning for about 2 hours.  

5. What are you plans for 2015?

Right now I'm working on Electric Fields, as are the rest of the team.  There's some other things brewing that I can't go into so 2015's going to be a busy but fantastic year.