Slumberland Records Podcast

Summertime Soul, Vol. 1

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:00:00 -0800

At Kid Frostbite's house long summer days and warm summer nights demand a healthy ration of sweet soul sounds. These eighteen tunes are sure to get the feet stepping and the fingers snapping; go ahead and sing along, we'll be doing just the same. Thanks to Mrs. Slumberland for the soulful inspiration and Team ISY for the kick in the ass.

1. Billy Preston - Billy's Bag
2. Ramsey Lewis - Party Time
3. Googie Rene Combo - Smokey Joe's La La
4. Cliff Nobles & Co - The Horse
5. Harvey Averne Dozen - Think It Over
6. Rose Batiste - Hit And Run
7. The Contours - Just A Little Misunderstanding
8. Willie Tee - Walkin' Up A One Way Street
9. The Poets - She Blew A Good Thing
10. Gene Chandler - Nothing Can Stop Me
11. Billy Butler and The Enchanters - Right Track
12. Mary Love - You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet
13. The Astors - Candy
14. Barbara Acklin - Am I The Same Girl
15. Fontella Bass - Leave It In The Hands of Love
16. Darrell Banks - Open The Door To Your Heart
17. The Five Stairsteps and Cubie - Stay Close To Me
18. The Impressions - We're A Winner

I Smiled Yesterday #3

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 -0800

Summertime is for CLAPPING along with yr fave songs!
Summertime is for SUPPORTING yr fave labels!
Summertime is for SEEING yr fave bands LIVE!
Summertime is for CREATING yr OWN culture!
YOU GOT THE POWER!
CHECK IT AND WRECK IT!
xoxox Team ISY

1. Shirley Ellis "The Clapping Song" ("The Complete Congress Recordings", Congress Records)
2. The Starlets "You Don't Love Me" ("Girls Go Zonk!!", RPM Records)
3. Antoine et Les Problemes "Si C'est La Nuit" ("Antoine Rencontre Les Problemes", Magic Records)
4. Sic Alps "Speeds" ("The Soft Tour in Rough Form", MtStMtn Records)
5. Let's Wrestle "I Won't Lie To You" ("In Loving Memory Of", Stolen Recordings)
6. Les Aspirateurs "On Y Go" (7", Felicite Records)
7. Baby Lemonade "Secret Goldfish (demo)" ("45 rpm", Egg Records)
8. South Ambulance "Die 5times times5" ("s/t", Labrador Records)
9. The Bodines "Paradise" ("Creation Soup", Creation Records)
10. Vivian Girls "Wild Eyes" (7", Plays With Dolls Records)
11. Skywave "It's In Your Eyes" ("Echodrone", Cherry Coated Records)
12. Cheap Time "Spoiled Brat" (7", Sweet Rot Records)
13. The Delmonas "I Feel Alright" ("Do The Uncle Willy", Get Hip Records)
14. Grow Up "Joanne" (7", Object Music)
15. The Lovettes "Little Miss Soul" ("Big In Wigan", Kent Records)
16. The Triumphs "I'm Coming To Your Rescue" ("Okeh, A Northern Soul Obsession", Kent Records)
17. Third Tuesday "Third Time Under" ("Girl Crazy", Goldmine Soul Supply)
18. Mr. Lucky and The Gamblers "I Told You Once Before" ("Northwest Battle Of The Bands Vol. 1", Big Beat Records)
19. Pussycat Trash "Mock Style Examinations" ("The Brat Years 1992-1995", Kill Rock Stars Records)
20. Forbidden Tigers "Forbidden Tigers" ("Magnetic Problem", Deadbeat Records)
21. So Cow "Government Complex" ("These Truly are End Times", Covert Bear Records)

Soul Jerker: Sounds of '69

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:00:00 -0800

Mighty, mighty sounds that shook the dance floors of Kingston and London and soundtracked the original skinhead scene. This is unrepentant party music, and the crackles and vinyl fizz you'll hear attest to the many years some of these records have spent moving crowds. So don't fight it - turn the lights down, turn the music up, grab a few tins of your favorite libation, and tighten up!
1. Dice The Boss - Your Boss DJ
2. Harry J All Stars - Liquidator
3. Max Romeo - Wet Dream
4. The Des All Stars- Walk With Des
5. Slim Smith - Everybody Needs Love
6. Hortense Ellis - My Last Date
7. Winston Shan - Throw Me Corn
8. The Hippy Boys - What's Your Excuse
9. The Reggae Boys - Ba Ba
10. Karl Bryan - Red Ash
11. The Untouchables - Tighten Up
12. Pamela Brown - People Are Running
13. Lloyd Charmers - In The Spirit
14. Andy Capp - Pop A Top
15. Hot Rod All Stars - Return of The Bad Man
16. Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling - Bangarang
17. The Upsetters - Lock Jaw
18. Girlie - Small Change
19. King Horror- Cutting Blade
20 . Dice The Boss & Joe's All Stars- Brixton Cat

I Smiled Yesterday #2

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:00:00 -0800

Team ISY believes that springtime is for DANCING!
Team ISY does THE SKATE and THE BOOGALOO!
Team ISY believes that BEAUTY counts for more than fidelity!
Team ISY thanks Dan at Acute for the SPRING-CLEANED Lines song!
Team ISY exhorts you to BUY "Memory Span" by The Lines in May!
Team ISY thanks YOU for listening!

1. Richard Temple "That Beatin' Rhythm" ("Mirwood Soul Story", Kent Records)
2. Oscar and The Majestics "Got To Have Your Lovin'" ("I'm Gonna Stay", Teenage Shutdown Records)
3. The Come Ons "It's Alright" ("Hip Check", Sympathy For The Record Industry)
4. Biff Bang Pow "It Makes You Scared" ("Creation Soup", Creation Records)
5. caUSE co-MOTION "Don't You Know" (7", Can't Cope! Records)
6. Bette Davis and The Balconettes "0898" (7", Damaged Goods Records)
7. Boys Club "Nothing Better To Do" ("2-D World", Bachelor Records)
8. The Mourning Reign "Satisfaction Guaranteed" (7", Sundazed Records)
9. Dorothy Berry "Ain't That Love" ("Fillies of Soul", Titanic Records)
10. The Bristols "Questions I Can't Answer" (7", Damaged Goods Records)
11. Etta James "Seven Day Fool" ("Just Keep on Dancing - Chess Northern Soul", Kent Records)
12. Marv Johnson "With All That's In Me" ("Come Go With Us", Goldmine Soul Supply)
13. Danny White "Keep My Woman Home " ("Kent's Cellar of Soul", Kent Records)
14. Emperor Julian "Free Product" (7", Piao! Records)
15. The Lines "White Night" (7", "White Night", Illegal Records)
16. The Pill "Bloody Murder" (split 7" with Lucky Tiger, Super 8 Underground)
17. The Terraplanes "The Man With The Spiked Toed Shoes" ("Terraplane Fixation", Messthetics Records)
18. The Rondelles "Revenge" (7", K Records)
19. Felt "I Will Die With My Head In Flames" ("Creation Soup", Creation Records)
20. The Delmontes "So It's Not To Be" ("Carousel", LTM)

I Smiled Yesterday #1

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:00:00 -0800

I Smiled Yesterday is a trans-Atlantic tag team on a MISSION to make you smile again like you smiled yesterday!
I Smiled Yesterday takes a NORTHERN SOUL sucker punch to the heart and dances the pain away!
I Smiled Yesterday plays its PUNK ROCK crushes down phonelines to its friends!
I Smiled Yesterday wants to hear what makes YOUR heart beat faster so leave yr comments!

1. Dionne Warwick "I Smiled Yesterday" ("Make Way For...", Sequel Records)
2. Bobby 'Blue' Bland "Shoes" ("6Ts Rhythm 'N' Soul Society: In the Beginning", Kent Records)
3.The Young Brothers "What's Your Game?" ("The Renfro Soul Story", Kent Records)
4. Comet Gain "Hate Soul" ("Tigertown Pictures", Kill Rock Stars Records)
5. The Embrooks "If You Let Me Go" (7", Records)
6. Revolving Paint Dream "Green Sea Blue" ("Flowers In The Sky", Rev-ola Records)
7. Adrienne Posta "Something Beautiful" ("Decca Originals: Northern Soul Scene", Decca Records)
8. Taking Pictures "Fallen Angel" (7", Fortuna Pop Records)
9. The Neon Boys "Love Comes In Spurts (Preliminary Version) ("Spurts: The Richard Hell Story", Rhino Records)
10. Times New Viking "Allegory Gets Me Hard" ("Presents The Paisley Reich", Siltbreeze Records)
11. Shocking Pinks "Victims" ("Shocking Pinks", DFA Records)
12. Henry's Dress "Sunshine Proves All Wrongness" ("Bust 'Em Green", Slumberland Records)
13. The General Assembly "Sensitive Mind" ("Northern Soul Fever Vol. 4", Goldmine Soul Supply)
14. Dave Berry "Picture Me Gone" ("Decca Originals: Northern Soul Scene", Decca Records)
15. The Orchids "Oo-Chang-A-Lang" ("Decca Originals: The Girls Soul Scene", Decca Records)
16. Fabienne Delsol "Le Roi Des Fourmis" ("Between You And Me", Damaged Goods Records)
17. Mika Miko "Capricorination" ("C.Y.S.L.a.B.F", Kill Rock Stars Records)
18. Skinned Teen "Punk Rock Romance" (b-side 7", Soul Static Sound Records)
19. Big Flame "Man Of Few Syllables" ("Rigour", Drag City Records)

Definition '79

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:00:00 -0800

I first put this mix together a few years ago when we were recording The Crabapples to show the engineer what kind of sounds we were looking for. I've wound up listening to it quite a bit since then though, and I think this batch of songs pretty well represents a lot of what inspired me to start the label and make music myself: smart, succinct tunes with equal measures of noise and melody, played with maximum passion and minimum nonsense.

1. The Mekons - Where Were You? (7", Fast Product, 1978) - A spiteful punk rock love song from these Leeds legends. I'll be a heretic and say they're not my favorite band of all time, but the two singles on Fast always do the business for me.
2. Subway Sect - Nobody's Scared (7", Braik, 1978) - Abrasively amazing artifact is the only real document of Subway Sect's first incarnation. I can only imagine how great an album they could have made at the time, and the recently released 1978 album of re-recorded 1977/1978 tracks only leaves me wanting the real thing.
3. Swell Maps - Another Song (A Trip To Marineville LP, Rough Trade, 1979) - The Swell Maps kind of epitomize for me the prolific experimentation and restless energy of the early Rough Trade days. A total, glorious mess.
4. Henry's Dress - Over 21 (7", Slumberland, 1996) - Henry's Dress were my favorite band for years and their records still blow my mind. An amazing mix of a super-catchy song and crazy guitar and bass noise, this song is from a split tour single with Rocketship and might be my favorite Dress moment.
5. Blank Students - Background Music (Earcom 1 EP, Fast Product, 1979) - The post-punk DIY explosion was full of bands that made one great record or released one great song, and while I don't know anything about this band, the anonymity of it makes me love it even more.
6. Jasmine Minks - What's Happening? (7", Creation, 1985) - Early Minks singles tend to be more modish and 60s sounding, but this single has kind of a spare, minimal punkiness to it that I always really loved. What a tune, what a band.
7. Sportique - Definition '79 (Modern Museums 10", Matinée/WIAIWYA, 2002) - Greg Webster and mates delivered three mini-lps and a bunch of singles full of bristly, catchy, immediate punk-pop gems. This song argues for a rebirth of the DIY post-punk spirit of excitement, and I can dig it.
8. Groove Farm - Just A Silly Phase I'm Going Through (Airspace II LP, Breaking Down, 1990) - Breathlessly fast guitar playing, shout-along vocals and quality indie horns. What's not to like?
9. This Poison! - Poised Over The Pause Button (7", Reception, 1987) - The two This Poison! singles are just about legendary around my house. Being from Leeds and on Reception there is definitely a kinship to The Wedding Present, but TP! had incredible songs and a sound all their own. The comp on Egg is 100% essential.
10. The Charlottes - Are You Happy Now? (7", Molesworth, 1988) - The Charlottes went on to some amount of shoegaze-pop fame on Subway and later Cherry Red, but this slice of rushing girlie pop is my favorite record of theirs. Dig the wild drumming!
11. Mousefolk - Crazy Mixed-Up Kid (Songs Of Love And Hate EP, Teatime, 1989) - One of my absolute favorite post-C86 bands. Mousefolk were mainstays of the late 80s pop tape comp scene, and their is a sweet, homemade sincerity to their sound that elevates it way beyond most of the twee-by-the-numbers bands of that era. Plus, they rocked.
12. Bubblegum Splash - Plastic Smile (Splashdown EP, Subway, 1987) - Only a few comp tracks and one single from this group, but what a single it is. Super-simple songs, basic buzzsaw guitar and, shall we say, untutored vocals. A great example of punk's "anyone can do it" ethic at the heart of C86 pop.
13. The Slits - Shoplifting (Peel Session, 1977) - As much as I like Cut, there's something amazingly raw about the earlier '77-era tracks captured in their Peel Sessions and the untitled Rough Trade LP that really gets me going. "Let's Do The Split" is way up there as well - when the Slits played SF last year they had so much fun with it they played it twice. Pretty cool.
14. The Killjoys - Johnny Won't Get To Heaven (7", Raw, 1977) - Nasty, bludgeoning '77 punk from the Midlands, featuring a young and apparently very angry Kevin Rowland. Pure amphetamine energy, and what a punchy sound. Classic single.
15. Action Painting! - Laying The Lodger (7", Damaged Goods, 1994) - I have a very soft spot for Action Painting!'s noisier songs, and as much as I love "Classical Music" and "Collapsing Cloud," it's the out-of-control vibe of this single that marks it as my favorite. Magic.
16. Boyracer - Spiteful Punk Rock Song #2 (AUL 36X EP, Slumberland, 1994) - One of my favorite bands of all time, so many sound to pick from how would you choose? This was the band's first Slumberland release and I have very fond memories of hearing them play it live and pogo-ing like a madman with A Turntable Friend's Ulrich.
17. Buzzcocks - Breakdown (Spiral Scratch EP, New Hormones, 1977) - One could almost say the record that started it all. One of the first independently-released punk singles, and it just happens to be one of the best, IMHO. Howard Devoto's sneered, bored vocals are a perfect complement to the sawed-off, strangled guitar and tumbling drums. Buzzcocks are of course one of the greatest bands ever, but I'm surprised how many people I talk to aren't down with this record. Squares.
18. Josef K - Sorry For Laughing (7", Crepuscule/Postcard, 1981) - The Postcard label remains a huge inspiration for me, and the alienated strum of this single is one of my faves. Josef K's blend of dark, angular post-punk and pop always surprises and delights, and I just love the trebly, scratchy guitar sound.
19. Fire Engines - Lubricate Your Living Room (Lubricate Your Living Room LP, Fast Product, 1980) - What is it about Scotland? So much amazing music, and the Fire Engines post-Television/Velvet Underground guitar cacophony stands tall with the best. "Lubricate Your Living Room" was the theme to my radio show on WMUC back in the mid-80s, and even though I've listened to it about a thousand times I never tire of it. If you don't have their records already, the Fire Engines comp that Acute put out in 2007 is not to be missed.

Knock Yr Socks Off Podcast #1

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:45:35 -0700

An excellent, eclectic pop mix with a decidedly international scope from Summer Cats' Scott Brewer. From the suave pop of Pas Chic Chic to the freakbeat stomp of Saturday Looks Good To Me's cover of The Equals' "I Get So Excited" (a definite Kid Frostbite favorite!) to the sublime strum of Rose Melberg's "Cast Away The Clouds," this podcast covers a lot of ground yet hangs together admirably. Top marks, Mr. Brewer!

1. Pas Chic Chic - Sur les Ecrans Statiques (7", Maze Discos, 2007)
2. Bel Divioleta - Normal (Espejos, Siesta Records, 2005)
3. Envelopes - Sister In Love (Demon, Brille Records, 2005)
4. Love is All - Make Up Fall Out Make Up (9 Times That Same Song, What's Your Rupture, 2005)
5. Eux Autres - When I'm Up (Cold City, Happy Happy Birthday To Me, 2007)
6. The Bicycles - Two Girl's From Montreal (The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly, Fuzzy Logic Recordings, 2006)
7. Summer Cats - Lonely Planet (unreleased, 2007)
8. Saturday Looks Good To Me - I Get So Excited, (Love Will Find You, Whistletap Records, 2002)
9. The Cookies - Only To Other People (One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost and Found, Rhino, 2005)
10. Margo Guryan - Don't Go Away (Take a Picture, Siesta Records, 2000)
11. Rose Melberg - Cast Away The Clouds (Cast Away The Clouds, Double Agent Records, 2006)
12. The Motifs - Stars, (Dots, Music Is My Girlfriend, 2006)
13. Baxter Dury - Len Parrot's Memorial Lift (Len Parrot's Memorial Lift, Sanctuary Records, 2003)
14. The Zebras - The Forces of Light (The Zebras, Lost and Lonesome, 2004)
15. Anemones - Lovely Lady/Special Times (Special Times EP, 1777rex, 2007)

How To Be Hip

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 23:45:35 -0700

none of us were born as fully formed indie kings and queens. when we were 13 we were turned on by madonna/iron maiden/frankie goes to hollywood (delete as applicable). no haircuts, no posters, no limited editions - here's a bunch of records that it's still cool to like.
This podcast lovingly prepared by Crayola.

1. DNE - Around
2. Age of Chance - Crash Conscious
3. The Bats - Made Up In Blue
4. Dawson - Bearsden to Baghdad (Via The Erskine Bridge)
5. W.H.I.N.E. - Snorkel
6. The Incredible String Band - Mercy, I Cry City
7. Swell Maps - Armadillo
8. Coffee - Pool of Love
9. Irving Klaw Trio - Counting Mothers
10. Ye Ascoyne d'Ascoynes - Just The Biggest Thing
11. Stitched-Back Foot Airman - Wouldn't You Like To Know
12. The Keatons - Lightwood
13. The Cannanes - I Think The Weather's Affected Your Brain
14. Bald Mermaid - Wet Hand
15. Reggaematix - Love & Romance

The Sound of Rain

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 22:40:35 -0700

If you're going to venture outside in Glasgow you'd better like splashing along. Summer 2007's been a total write-off weather-wise so when I should've paddling on Troon beach, a melting double nougat in hand, I've been stomping around my living room to The Undecided? spitting out teen revenge and to A Sunny Day In Glasgow's colossal reverb attack. When I should've been throwing shapes like Ronaldo on the unforgiving blaze of Kelvingrove Park I've been sipping tea and swooning to the gently marvelous debut albums from Taken By Trees and California Snow Story. When I should've been watching the sun paint the sky with oranges and purples as it sets over Arran, I've had the curtains drawn and my eyes closed as I try to remember if anyone has done a better version of a Dan Treacy song than The Nomen's take on "Mysterious Ways". Aye ... it's been a glorious summer! I hope you enjoy listening to "The Sound of Rain" and if anything excites you please, please, please *BUY* the record. Reward the people who are making, releasing and distributing the beautiful music: they deserve your support!
This podcast lovingly prepared by The Brogues.

1. Faine Jade - It Ain't True (from "Introspection: A Faine Jade Recital", Sundazed, 2007)
2. Sister Vanilla - The Two Of Us (from "Little Pop Rocks", P-Vine, 2005)
3. Taken By Trees - Lost And Found (from "Open Field", Rough Trade, 2007)
4. The Daughters of Eve - Help Me Boy (from "Girls With Guitars", Ace, 2004)
5. Agent Simple - I Can't Think Of Anything (from 7" on Fridlyst, 2007)
6. The Royal We - Poor Old Soul (from the Postcard tribute 7" split with 1990s, Hitherto, 2007)
7. The Airfields - Nowhere Left To Go (from "Laneways ep", Humblebee Recordings, 2006)
8. Thomas and Richard Frost - The City (from "Visualize", Rev-ola, 2002)
9. California Snow Story - Suddenly Everything Happens (from "Close To The Ocean", Letterbox Records, 2007)
10. The Nomen - Mysterious Ways (from "I Would Write A Thousand Words: A Tribute To Television Personalities Volume 2", The Beautiful Music, 2007)
11. Zouzou - Il Est Parti Comme Il Etait Venu (from "L'integrale", BMG, 2005)
12. Carol Friday - Gone Tomorrow (from "Beat Chic", RPM Records, 2007)
13. The Undecided? - You're Gonna Cry (from "Mind Blowers", Past & Present Records, 2002)
14. A Sunny Day In Glasgow - A Mundane Phonecall To Jack Parsons (from "Scribble Music Comic Journal", Notenuf Records, 2007)
15. Metrotone - My Own Writing (from "Kiss Me Awake", Unlabel, 2006)

Call the Girls Around 5 O'Clock

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:40:35 -0700

Those who know him or have tuned into his broadcasts as DJ In the Manner of a Leprechaun on Berkeley's KALX radio know that Andrew Crabapple's love for scratchy pop 7"s is only matched by his enthusiasm for a wide range of electronic dance music, from acid house to old skool jungle to his current obsession, minimal techno. Now living in London, he sends us this transmission from the front lines of the European minimal scene, with a few nods to the pop kids in the form of a disco re-edit of the Canadian post-punk nugget "Swimming" and Frankfurt's own Morane. There's something in this one for everybody, so hurry up and get downloading!
This podcast lovingly prepared by DJ In the Manner of a Leprechaun.

1. Untitled (For Disco Only 430U, DE)
2. Theo Parrish - Twisted Friskie Biscuits (Sound Signature, US)
3. Martha and the Muffins - Swimming (Leprechaun Disco Edit) (Dindisc/Unreleased, CA)
4. Cassy - Somelightuntothenight (Beatstreet, DE)
5. Beck - Cellphone's Dead (Villalobos Entlebuch Remix) (White Label)
6. Donnacha Costello - 6x6 (Minimise, IE)
7. Baby Ford & Zip - The Riverbed (Perlon, DE)
8. Heartthrob - Baby Kate (Magda's "Where's My Baby's Daddy" Mix) (M_nus, CA)
9. Shackleton - Blood on my Hands (Ricardo Villalobos Apocalypso Now Mix) (Skull Disco, UK)
10. Niederflur - Din (M_nus, CA)
11. Morane - Electric Pilot Girl (More Down Than Out, DE)

A Guitar Pop Explosion

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:09:35 -0700

Slumberland's own Kid Frostbite drops some recent pop tunes that have been commanding major playtime on the Slumberland hi-fi.
This podcast lovingly prepared by Kid Frostbite.

1. Good Shoes - We Are Not The Same - Think Before You Speak LP (Brille, UK)
2. The Long Blondes - Once And Never Again - Once And Never Again 7" (Rough Trade, UK)
3. The Young Untold - We Came All The Way From King's Cross - S/T CDEP (Yellow Mica, SE)
4. Cause Co-Motion! - Only Fades Away - Split 7" (Cape Shok, US)
5. Love Is All - Nothing To Be Done - Nothing To Be Done 7" (Parlophone, UK)
6. Manhattan Love Suicides - Suzy Jones - S/T LP (Squirrel, UK/Magic Marker, US)
7. Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill - If Looks Could Kill 7" (Elefant, ES)
8. Liechtenstein - Stalking Skills - Stalking Skills 7" (Fraction Discs, SE)
9. Pants Yell! - '83 in 05 - '83 in 05 7" (Paper Cities, US)
10. Summer Cats - Wild Rice - 3" CD (Cloudberry, US)
11. The Lodger - Let Her Go - Let Her Go 7" (Angular, UK)
12. Bricolage - Looting Takes The Waiting Out of Wanting - Looting Takes The Waiting Out of Wanting 7" (Fantastic Plastic, UK)
13. Sarandon - Angela - The June Bride 7" (Wrath, UK)
14. Yo La Tengo - I Should Have Known Better - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass LP (Matador, US)
15. Last Gang - Beat of Blue - Beat of Blue 7" (Last Gang, UK)
16. Boyracer - Swords of A Thousand Men - Jukebox Volume One (555, US)