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MONKEY
KETTLE
RECORDS - CD #2 |
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MONKEY KETTLE & FRIENDS ROCK Vol.2 - 2009
Last year (well... early this year by the time we finally got it done!) we released the inaugural "Monkey Kettle & Friends Rock" CD
to somewhat acclaim. Designed to celebrate some of the bands that some
of the minds behind Monkey Kettle were in - as well as excellent
musical projects engaged in by our pukka MK arts & music mates - it
was an apt snapshot of where we were at in 2008.
2009 though was an immense
year for the Music Arm of the divviest arts collective in town. Not
only did our sun-blessed stage at the Great Linford Waterside Festival
swell in size and importance to become the bona fide "second stage",
Home Of The Cool(TM), but in the MonKeyVision Song Contest at the Pitz
in March, we embarked upon perhaps Monkey Kettle's most ambitious and
successful project ever. And
at the centre of all this musical excellence are the bands themselves.
MK's music scene is healthier in 2009 than I've known it in perhaps the
whole nineteen (blimey! nineteen!) years I've been in bands in the
city. And so this second "Monkey Kettle & Friends" CD hopefully
highlights this state - a step on from last year's predominantly
acoustic collection and a truly eclectic mix. Even so though, we've
only scratched the surface here. Dig deeper.
Thanks to all the bands and musicans who've allowed us to use their
songs - and thanks to all the people out there organising and attending
gigs and festivals in the Mirror City. You Rock. We All Rock. Rock On.
See ya next year for #3!
MMT, Dec 2009.
PS - Want a copy? Ask us - we'll tell you how!
1. "We Have The Campanology"
JIMI VOLCANO
(written and produced by Jimi Volcano)
(c) Jimi Volcano.
In the pages of Monkey Kettle, I once described Jimi Volcano thus: "he seems older than the history of rock
n’ roll
itself, older than the primaeval rock of Stonehenge, older than the
Burgess Shale, maybe. There is some corner
of a festival field that is forever Jimi."
And I stand by that. One of our favourite MK musical acts for nigh on a
decade now, I can think of no-one more fitting to open this second MK
Compilation.
2. "Monique's Man"
HARASSING ANNA
(written by Harassing Anna)
(c) Harassing Anna 2009.
Harassing Anna,
with a sound mature beyond their years, were the winners of the first
ever MonKeyVision Song Contest this year (representing Bolbeck Park!) -
and so we were delighted when they very kindly donated an all-new track
for this humble little compilation. Catch 'em while you can - they's
goin' places!
3. "Cold Baked Beans"
PROJECT WOLVERINE
(written by Project Wolverine)
(c) Project Wolverine 2009.
I'm extremely pleased to say that this CD contains not one but TWO "Dudebox" Tracks Of The Season on our companion music blog. "Cold Baked Beans", by self-proclaimed "Bargain Bucket Billy Bragg" Project Wolverine, was chosen by me and Phil as Track Of The Summer, and subsequently we managed to get him along to play at the second of 2009's "Vodka Boy & Friends Play The Enigma Tavern" gigs. He also released a full-length demo album this year too, top notch!
4. "(Who Has Got The) MonKeyVision?"
(live at the MonKeyVision Song Contest 2009)
ELECTRIC PENNYLAND
(written by Matthew M Taylor & Phil Sky)
Recorded live at the MonKeyVision Song Contest, Pitz Club 28th March 2009.
Additional production by Grahame Sinclair (c) MonKeyVision 2009.
Although
2009 WAS definitely the first ever MonKeyVision Song Contest, we were
nonetheless lucky enough to get the previous year's last-placed band to
open proceedings. And as MonKeyVision was such a big part of our '2009
In Music' we hope you'll indulge us a couple of (specially
re-mastered!) tracks here. At the time of writing, there were no plans
to make MKV an annual event, but you never know! Either way I
doubt you've seen the last of MonKeyVision!
5. "HMW"
DUSQUE
(Written and performed by Dusque)
(c) Dusque 2009.
It was Thomas who introduced us to Mike The Drummer when we were putting Electric Pennyland
together - I think they're in at least one other band together! But
Mike's main project (I think!) is "latino dance trance" outfit Dusque,
and having met the lovely man and dug their MySpace I invited them
along to open the Sunday on the Monkey Kettle Stage at the Great
Linford Waterside festival this year. They were one of my favourite
acts, a groovy dancy way to start off a sunny Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!
6. "Check Out My Funky Mechanische Medina"
XoToX Vs TONE LOC Vs BEASTIE BOYS (DR_ABSINTHE re_edit)
Dr_absinthe specializes in playing Rhythmic
Noize and Industrial Techno and is a resident Dj for the worlds longest running
goth and industrial venue, Slimelight London. He would like to thank
Antagonist, Dj Dwellems, Mak, Untermensch, Native Instruments and most
importantly Monkey Kettle.
7. "Hey Dude!"
PHIL SKY
(written by Phil Sky)
Produced by Phil Sky. (c) Phil Sky 2009.
Long-time Monkey Kettle Head Of Music Dept., Phil became the first act to officially "sign" for Monkey Kettle Records
in 2009 - and his first release for us was his most accomplished album yet:
"El Tipo"! "Hey Dude!" is one of his most popular tracks - especially
once you realise what it's about! Go on, have a guess...
8. "Wild Girl"
GRAHAME SINCLAIR
(written by Steve Brightwell)
Piano & MIDI: Grahame Sinclair. MIDI: Steve Brightwell. Recorded by Steve Brightwell @ 1st Step.
Probably
the most naturally gifted musician I've ever met - certainly head and
shoulders above the rest of Monkey Kettle anyway - you wouldn't blame
G-Sync for being a big-head. But even more impressively he's a proper
gent, a true lovely, and an integral member of the Monkey Kettle music
team. He may not be officially on the payroll, but rest assured he does
alright out of his many gigs, cruises and personal appearances. And he regularly brings me round a cream bun too. Gor
bless yer, sir. (salutes)
9. "Drink A Drink"
(live at the MonKeyVision Song Contest 2009)
THREE2FEW
(written by Chris Racklyeft, performed by Three2Few)
Recorded live at the MonKeyVision Song Contest, Pitz Club 28th March 2009.
Additional production by Grahame Sinclair (c) MonKeyVision 2009.
One
of the things we enjoyed most about MonKeyVision was the sheer range of
bands we were able to include. Along with the usual suspects (punky
teen scamps, weighty metal, Latino rock, boho acoustics etc) it was nice to be able
to feature some of the local bands who happen to be over the age of 25! Three2Few
(I'm sure they won't mind me revealing they're in that age bracket!)
were among the most accomplished bands of the night, and we're delighted
to feature their track - the night's final song! - here.
10. "Winter's Heart"
WAYNE MILLER
(written by Wayne Miller)
Produced by Martin Ibbotson, (c) 2009.
Talented
lead guitar legend and world-class street performer Wayno also does a
nifty side-line in acoustic singer-songwritering - and you don't get much
more acoustic than an a capella folk shanty sung by a choir of robot monks!
11. "Never Leave Me"
KIDS PICKED LAST
(written by Kids Picked Last)
Recorded and mastered by Loz Jackson, (c) Kids Picked Last 2009.
When me, Phil, B&C first saw Kids Picked Last, on a multi-band bill at The Craufurd Arms way back in February '09, I was so
over-excited! Exuberant punk-pop ragamuffins knee-deep in
brilliant ravey synth - and with laser beams shooting from the heads of
their guitars! Fantastic! Appearances for us at
MonKeyVision and the Waterside followed - and by the end of the year
they were fully cemented as one of the city's top young bands. A full length
album and a more developed sound are also imminent - ones to watch in
2010, pop pickers!
12. "Je Suis L'Arriviste"
SEBASTIAN WINDSOR
(written by Ibbotson / Miller / Taylor / Taylor / Tearle)
Produced by Martin Ibbotson, recorded in The Vicarage Basement (c) Sebastian Windsor 2009.
Even
rarer than a Sebastian Windsor gig - thirteen in eleven years, if
you've ever seen them live you're a very fortunate individual indeed! -
is a new song by Milton Keynes' favourite art-rock combo. And yet
that's just what you have here! You lucky people. Sebastian
Windsor are a ticking timebomb, the way of all flesh made sonic... the
true light at the end of the tunnel. It says here. Let them speak to
you of times other than these.
All copyright remains with the contributing artist/s. As is the Monkey Kettle way.
Though the artwork is indeed copyright (c) Monkey Kettle 2009.
ALBUM COMPILED BY MATTHEW MICHAEL TAYLOR for MONKEY KETTLE RECORDS 2009.
COVER ARTWORK BY JAMES T TÜRL, Bachelor of the Arts.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE: MESSRS PHIL SKY, MARTIN IBBOTSON ANDGRAHAME SINCLAIR.
SEQUENCED BY PHIL & MATTHEW. DIRECTED BY MMTX.
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MONKEY
KETTLE
RECORDS - CD #2 |
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