• The Chemical Brothers – Out of Control

This week, we are pleased to introduce two French blokes: Thomas and Guy-Manuel.

• Daft Punk – “Essential Mix” BBC Radio 1 (1997)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000spbt

I tell you that I was just too high …

• The Chemical Brothers – Setting Sun

“At that point it’s all over, everything that’s gone before that is now deemed fucking irrelevant—as soon as he starts anti-singing. [first track of the album at 32 seconds]” — Noel Gallagher

• Sex Pistols — Holiday In The Sun

There was a movie with the line:

“We are all told, at some point in time, that we can no longer play the children’s game; we just don’t know when that’s going to be. Some of us are told at 18, some of us are told at 40. But we are all told.”

Steely Dan, with this track, told all of us that we can no longer play the children’s game.

• Steely Dan – Home At Last

I dedicate this one to mumble rappers

• Rakim — NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

This week, we are pleased to introduce two French blokes: Thomas and Guy-Manuel.

• Daft Punk – “Essential Mix” BBC Radio 1 (1997)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000spbt

There’s probably no better Spanish-speaking band than this one; a lot of people would say there’s probably no better band than this one. This was the last song of their last concert—packed stadium, the stuff of legends.

[They came back later which damaged the legend but we were all so happy to see them that nobody complained. Gustavo Cerati, the main singer, has since passed. Now, about 10 years after that first comeback the remaining members want to do a second comeback for a nostalgia tour. They will invite pop stars and use holograms since the singer is not here … ]

• Soda Stereo – De Musica Ligera

This version is not easy to find; you’re welcome

• AC/DC – Gone Shootin

• The Notorious B.I.G. – Going Back to Cali

Bonus: Instrumental

• Sting — Moon Over Bourbon Street [acoustic version from the Documentary “Walking to New Orleans” with Jules Holland (1985)]

Bears repeating: “Eminem is John Coltrane in a world of Kenny G. While some people don’t know the difference between those two, a lot of people still do.” — Lawrence Jr.

• Eminem – Gnat

Ain’t nothing you say could ever trump.
My pens will get killed.
If you’re hyper sensitive,
I wasn’t referencing the
vice-president,
chill.
My penmanship at times tends to get ill,
violence but with skill

[He rhymed ‘sensitive’ with ‘referencing’ and ‘vice-president’ …

‘my pens’ ⟶ ‘Mike Pence’,
‘my pens’ ⟶ ‘my penmanship’,
‘tends’ ⟶ ‘Pence’ ⟶ violence]

They say they never really miss you ’til you’re dead or you’re gone,
so on that note I’m leaving after this song.
See, you ain’t gotta feel no way about J; so long.
But at least let me tell you why I’m this way, hold on …

• Jay Z – December 4th

[Song not available on YouTube]

This might be one of the greatest love songs in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

• The Clash – Train In Vain

The Father of Heavy Metal

“In his search for more volume, Dale and Leo Fender found out that the 10-watt amps just wouldn’t cut it after Dale blew several of them up. To remedy this problem, Fender created the first 85-watt transformer, which peaked at 100 watts.”

• Dick Dale – Nitro (Live on KEXP)

• Dick Dale – Misirlou (Live on KEXP)

https://www.fender.com/articles/artists/the-father-of-surf-7-essential-dick-dale-facts/

• Van Halen – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love

You really need to listen to the album version of this, on good speakers, the sonics are different; sounds like a proper soul band. This YouTube version is not that good, definitely does not do it justice (and this is a better upload than the official vevo upload).

• George Michael – Careless Whisper

Bettye Swann – Kiss My Love Goodbye

“This song is about what happens when you take too much white powder.” — Pete Townshend

• The Who – Eminence Front

“Throw away all this technology—throw everything away—because ultimately it is about taste. It’s about picking the right music and playing it in the right order”

Pete Tong

Great example of what a DJ should do: pick two tunes knowing that one goes well with the other, change the tempo on one or both to get the desired mood, play one then drop the next one in the right way, at the right time.

Sound obvious?

It fucking should be. This is what DJs did before “EDM”—i.e. before posing on instagram, doing product placement, and throwing cake at the crowd.

Marc Hughes playing:

• Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes – Bad Luck (Dimitri From Paris Disco Re-Edit)
• Crown Heights Affair – Love Ripoff