There is a full page interview feature and Harlem Hipshake is reviewed in the latest edition of Blues & Soul Magazine, where the record is described that it “will significantly help to bring about the rise of the Afro-Latin funk revolution and we know who will be leading it! A knock out delight!” Read all about it now…
“Old gear meets dystopian futures. The result is a truly unique record” Aspic Boulevard ‘Memory Recall of a Replicant Dream’ is reviewed in the latest issue of Prog Magazine.
Released on this day 20 years ago the debut album from Big Boss Man Humanize.
Humanize displayed a clear definition of the Big Boss Man sound – a hip Hammond hybrid of 60’s R’N’B, Latin, Soul, Bongo-Fuzz and Funk.
Humanize was the first of four albums recorded and released for Blow Up Records; Humanize, Winner, Full English Beat Breakfast, Last Man On Earth.
The album was preceded by the dancefloor killer 45 that is ‘Sea Groove‘, it was the bands first single and is now much sort after release. The track has remained hugely popular over the years, with it currently amassing over 5 million Spotify streams. Whilst it was used by the International Red Cross for a nationwide campaign in the USA.
‘Party 7‘ was also picked up in 2006 for Nike’s Worldwide World Cup ‘JOGA TV’ campaign featuring Thierry Henry and Eric Cantona and was subsequently reissued backed by ‘Kelvin Stardust’ the lead cut from BBM’s second album Winner as a limited 45.
Tracks from Humanize were used as soundtrack to the BAFTA nominated short film “Sweet” which featured Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh. With the bands music continuing to prove popular with TV, film and advertising placements, most recently with The Grand Tour (Amazon) and Russian film comedy Hotel Eleon in Sochi.
Buy Big Boss Man direct from the Blow Up shop: https://blowup.greedbag.com/bigbossman/
Further reading: https://www.blowup.co.uk/records/artists/big-boss-man/
BU018 LP / CD DD
Big Boss Man are currently working on tracks for the fifth album.
Released this day by Blow Up Records in 2008 the self titled debut album by Baltic Fleet.
Whilst on a world tour playing keyboards for Echo and the Bunnymen Paul Fleming began to write what would come to be his 2008 self-titled debut under the moniker of Baltic Fleet. With a laptop and any instruments that were to hand he would capture, in music, what inspired him in each city around the world.
The album was released to critical acclaim, making Album of the Year (No 29) for Rough Trade Shops who described it as “A faultless piece of instrumental music that captures the spirit of Eno, NEU! all the way through to modern post-rock and chamber music”.
Baltic Fleet have subsequently released two futher highly acclaimed albums (Towers 2012, The Dear One 2016) and several E.P.s including the most recent E.P. – Rolling In Oceans Tide (2019) on Blow Up Records.
For further reading on Baltic Fleet: https://www.blowup.co.uk/records/artists/baltic-fleet/
Buy Baltic Fleet here direct from the Blow Up shop: https://blowup.greedbag.com/baltic-fleet/
Baltic Fleet – S/T (BU041) – Blow Up Records. Written by Paul Fleming, published by Blow Up Songs Limited.
Aspic Boulevard will be interviewed tonight by Italian broadcasting legend Red Ronnie, during the show “We Have A Dream”. The show will be streaming live from 9pm (CET). Aspic Boulevard will be discussing their debut album Memory Recall of a Replicant Dream.
The show will air from 21:00 pm (CET) on:www.redronnie.tv, www.roxybar.tv, www.optimagazine.com, and on Red Ronnie’s social pages (Facebook, YouTube, Periscope, Twitch).
The Weekenders second single and the second release on Blow Up Records (Blow Up 002) was released on this day 1995. Format 7″ single.
“And to have no time for common types like you, like you and me”
Man Of Leisure (A Side) World Of His Own (AA Side).
Recorded in January 1995 at Chiswick Reach Studios by Vic Keary. Band members Paul Tunkin Vocals, James Hender guitar, Chris Remington bass guitar, Steve Smith Drums,
The band had previously recorded both the songs in January 1994 on the 8-track tape machine with Vic Keary at Chiswick Reach Studios, when they recorded their first studio session of eight songs day. Some of the recordings from these sessions were released, All Grown Up, House Husband became the bands first single, Seem’s You Missed Sunday was released on the Fierce Panda Records EP Return To Splendour and In Love With It All a bonus vinyl only release on the compilation That Was Now But This Is Then.
Returning a year later to the same studio with Vic Keary again producing and two of the songs again from the previous session but this time using the 24 track machine to record. Vic actually always prefered the 8-track one inch machine but the band wanted to record new recordings for the single. Steve Diggle from Buzzcocks joined the band in the studio, a musicial talisman preciding over the procedings and lending the band an ace guitar to record with.
Mal Campbell played the studio grand piano for which he placed various cutlery across the strings to get that old music hall sound, also using a Roland SH3A a synth which was on longtime loan to the group from Terry Herbert (The Ladykillers).
Songs written by Paul Tunkin. Arranged by The Weekenders.
Published by Blow Up Songs. Mastered by George Peckham – A Porky Prime Cut Cat Number – BLOWUP002.
This was the first single that Blow Up Records released via a record distributer – SRD (Southern Record Distributors).
The initial pressing had a photo of a pooch with necklace on the centre label, this was left over from an earlier abandoned artwork, the second pressing a black and white silhouette of the characters running for the train from the front sleeve. The single was a limited edition 7″ which sold out on its week of release and was not repressed. The tracks were later compiled onto an export only (for Japan) singles compilation album – ‘That Was Then But This Is Now’ released in January 1996. Very limited stock is left of this release currently only available from the Blow Up shop – https://blowup.greedbag.com/buy/that-was-now-but-this-is-then-4/
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Françoise Cactus the singer and drummer of Stereo Total who died peacefully at her home February 17th, 2021, of cancer. Rest in peace our friend.
Friday 15th January at 10am GMT Nasser Bouzida AKA The Bongolian will takeover as the music selector the Radio Raheem playlist for one whole hour. Playing a selection of favourite music picks that Nasser has loved and been influenced by. This is to coincide with the release of theLatin Soul flavoured Harlem Hipshake album on Blow Up Records. Tune in http://www.radioraheem.it/
Rumore magazine (Italy) has reviewed The Bongolian Harlem Hipshake in the latest issue describing it as “…13 brani incandescenti” (ENG “…13 glowing tracks”). Read all about it…
The Long Blondes ‘Christmas Is Cancelled’ is single of the week for the Leeza London radio show on The Independent FM (Los Angeles) this week. Tonight the interview with Dorian Cox (first broadcast KXFM.107FM on Sunday) will be broadcast again on Leeza’s show tonight around 10pm GMT.
Link to tune into the show:
The Long Blondes ‘Christmas Is Cancelled’ is available on digital music services. Here is a smart link to streaming services: https://ampl.ink/Q0Lnl
Christmas Is Cancelled has been made Single Of The Week for the Leeza London Radio show on theIndependentFm (Los Angeles) broadcasting tonight from 8pm GMT.
El Beardo The Bongolian hits the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show best of 2020 playlist (BBC Radio 6 Music).
“The Bongolian ‘El Beardo’ I still remember being passed a copy of The Bongolian’s latest earlier this year I almost fell off my seat when I heard what they had done, it’s a celebration of that 60’s Latin sound so beloved of the likes of Joe Cuba, Ray Barretto, Hector Rivera and Pete Rodriguez and it’s hardly been off my show since it’s called Harlem Hipshake released on Blow Up Records and it’s banging! Craig Charles
Listen back:
Listen back into the show at 1:14:13
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qhbm
Thanks to Craig and the shows team for all the support for the Harlem Hipshake album this year.
