Mix: Apiento – Deck The Halls… A Christmas Mix
December 12, 2009
Here’s a Christmas mix for the end of the year. It’s full of songs I’ve been listening to over the past few months. It’s not balearic, nor disco, just a collection of lovely songwriting that starts with Ian Matthews ‘Seven Bridges Road’ (Fleet Foxes owe you a pint sir) and then moves along a folky rock lineage from there. Nice.
[Apiento]
You Tube: Roxanne Shante’s Mum
December 12, 2009
Killer video called ‘Rap Queens’ featuring Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte and Queen Latifah. Nice story on recording ‘Roxanne’s Revenge’ from Shante and her mum.
[Apiento]
Just Because: 004
December 11, 2009
Under The Radar No.10: Cheval Sombre – Little Bit Of Heaven
December 9, 2009
News: Sade’s New Single ‘Soldier Of Love’
December 8, 2009
We have always been big fans of Sade here at Test Pressing so I am happy to hear them back for the first time in over a decade with a new single, ‘Soldier Of Love’. Click here to take a listen.
Good to hear the band subtly playing with those trademark vocals but keeping that unique Sade sound. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the album and we’ll probably speak to Andrew Hale from the band once he’s back and around.
If you missed Andrew’s exclusive Owl track that we were given a while back check it here. Lovely stuff.
[Apiento]
Mix: Phil Mison – On The Dancefloor
December 4, 2009
Another one from the Phil Mison vaults. This one is from years back and came via Balearic Mike (thanks!).

Phil Mison: On The Dancefloor… (Part One)
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Phil Mison: On The Dancefloor… (Part Two)
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[Apiento]
Mix: Dan Keeling – Behind The Wheel (Pleasure Numbers Mix 001)
December 4, 2009
Pleasure Numbers is our new imprint, hitting a record store near you soon. It’ll feature music and remixes from friends and family, one of whom is Dan Keeling, who provides us with our first Pleasure Numbers Mix. Acid! More news soon…
[Apiento]
Tokyo Tracks 002 (From The Jazz Kissa): Casiopea – La Costa
December 4, 2009
Dr Rob’s back with more comment, reportage and music from Japan…
I’m a regular here now. A fixture if not an attraction. I only have to pay for the first cup of coffee. The other fixture here is woman in her forties who wears her hair in a beehive and seems to use the coffee shop as an office. She always seems to be here, holding court to a group of well-dressed younger women, while sipping beer and eating finger sandwiches. She’s sitting behind me. I always try to orchestrate such a position otherwise I find I end up staring and spiraling off into fantasies fueled by my failing hormones. The guy opposite me has that classic Japanese look. Smart black suit. Crisp white shirt buttoned to the top. No tie. It’s all publishing houses around here. My weekly trips with the kids to the McDonalds on this street have often been brightened by glamour models grabbing a quick shake between shoots, or a quick break to go over contact sheets.
Today the café owner is playing swinging jazzy versions of Christmas tunes. Today being the first day of December. “Great Tidings of Comfort & Joy”. Santa Claus is coming to town and Frosty the Yukidaruma. Ever in tune with my surroundings, I’ve picked out sunny Japanese fusion to listen to. The kind of stuff that was popular on pirate radio back when I was in Gabbicci knit wear and Farah slacks. Then, the records were imported and too expensive to buy. Now, I’ve been imported and I can pick them up for pennies. Can’t move for this stuff in Recofan in Shibuya.
Listening to Casiopea, which is something akin to Herb Alpert without the horn, I’m on a beach. Light catching the tops of afternoon waves. Maybe back in Malaga. Ecstatically watching the surf turn purple and break into fractals. Just prior to being pushed hysterical onto a bus packed full of bright green people, riding into a maze of busy narrow streets and noisy tapas counters. Everyone shouting in Spanish. Me mute. Eventually, off with Paco, to crazy parties in the hills.
Casiopea – La Costa
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[Dr Rob]
Streatham Island Discs No.11: The Necessaries – More Real
December 2, 2009
My fascination with all things Arthur Russell began in the mid 80s, spurred by David Toop’s championing of his work in The Face. Things like ‘Wax The Van’, ‘Schoolbell/Treehouse’ and ‘Let’s Go Swimming’ were current releases, but only gave a partial picture of the breadth of Arthur’s interests. In the background were not only his avant garde cello pieces – ‘World of Echo’ was the only easily available example – but also his short-lived career in a new wave band in 1981/82.
The Necessaries made one-and-a-bit LPs (two releases, but some tracks are common to both). You can hear how they would have fit with that almost-funky guitar sound current a the time – The Feelies, The Bongos, pre-Eno Talking Heads – the kind of thing Vampire Weekend lifted their style from.
This track is a favourite. There’s something both vulnerable and hopeful in Arthur’s lyrics and delivery which I love.
The Necessaries: More Real
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[Tim H]









