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MONKEY
KETTLE
RECORDS - CD #4 |
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MONKEY KETTLE & FRIENDS ROCK Vol.4 - 2011
This
is the fourth of our annual compilations - the place we gather together
tracks by some of the many and various bands that the good citizens of
Monkey Kettle are in; not to mention tracks by some of the best buds we've
somehow attracted over the weeks, months, years and millennia. Monkey Kettle & Friends Rock - Vol 4. I hope you're enjoying it, if you have one. And if you don't - hey, just ask us and we'll let you know how you can get one!!
So... um... what can I tell you about 2011? It was probably our busiest
year ever in terms of Music Promotion - not only did we continue our
monthly acoustic Open Mic night, but we also diversified further and
started regularly putting on full gigs as well! In the Autumn we changed
venues from the Slug & Lettuce to the Open University Cellar Bar,
but we also worked all year in association with the splendid people at
MADCAP to put on fund-raising gigs there too. Our annual 'second stage'
at the Waterside Festival was particularly memorable for a whole heap
o' hail, and just before Christmas four of the acts you'll hear on this
very CD went on a tour of the provinces (well, Beds & Bucks anyway!) together - The Six-String Theory Tour! It will live long in legend, as will pretty much all our music events from 2011! With us at least.
So... put your feet up, crack open a cup of tea, and let the
groove wash over yer. Many millions of thanks to all the bands and
musicans who've allowed us to use their
songs - and heartfelt thanks too to all the people out there who never stop organising
and attending
gigs and festivals in the Mirror City. You Rock. We All Rock. Rock On.
There will definitely be a fifth instalment to the Compact Disc
series at the end of 2012, you'd best start saving your pennies innit!
MMT, Jan 2012.
XXX
TRACK LISTING AND FURTHER READING
1. "Stargazers"
SILENT RUNNING
(written by D.Simmonds/J.?/I.Allen)
Mixed and produced by Spatts @R2DFunk
Copyright Control.
Our
mate Ian from MADCAP is one of the hardest-working MK musicians we've
ever come across! Not content to be a driving force behind both
dance/rock 'experimentalists' Secret Screens and legendary Milton Keynes hip-hoppers The Criminal Minds (see below), he's also part of this blissful collective. Mmmm... Nice!
2. "Human Up"
STARLIGHT CRYSTAL SUPER SPACEWAY
(track 'evolved' by Starlight Crystal Super Spaceway)
(c) SCSS Inc 2011.
There's
a club which my good friend Tracey Arblaster goes to a lot, and she
recommended this track to me - apparently they play it there a lot. I
can see why - it's not the kind of thing the Mirror City is ready for
yet, but way over on the other side, they love it.
3. "Crush"
SEEKING SALVATION THROUGH LOVE
(written and produced by Scott Blackledge)
(c) Scott Blackledge 2011.
Criminally,
this is the first time that Monkey Kettle Open Mic regular Seeking
Salvation Through Love has featured on a 'Monkey Kettle & Friends'
CD - but he was one of the first people we asked this time round!
This track was a definite crowd favourite on the recent 'Six-String Theory' Tour, a gem of the song-writing craft!
4. "Dream"
(live at the Monkey Kettle Open Mic)
MANNY ADEMOLU
(written and performed by Manny Ademolu)
Recorded
live at the "Monkey Kettle Sort Of Open Mic At The Slug & Lettuce", 4th May 2011 by Martin Ibbotson. (c) Manny Ademolu.
We
first saw Manny play at MADCAP a couple of years ago as half of a duo,
but he's equally hypnotic as a solo artist, as this recording from the
Slug Open Mic shows - cor, what a voice! He also played a very
memorable set for us at the Waterside festival in the Summer.
5. "Chilled Cuban"
PORTAL BOY
(written, performed and produced by Portal Boy) (c) 2011.
More
mysterious dance licks! I was wondering why so many dance acts
are men or women of mystery? I suppose cos it's easier to be
mysterious when you're not playing at acoustic open mics every week.
You'd have to wear a wrestling mask or something to be mysterious if
you're an acoustic act. Hmm... that gives me an idea!!
6. "Supergirl"
PHIL SKY
(written, performed and produced by Phil Sky)
(c) Phil Sky 2011.
Dude!
Phil released two albums in 2011 - the first one came with its own
tepee! And this chirpy pop tune was on the second, and quickly
became a fan favourite! 2011 also saw the first appearances of
the three-piece 'Phil Sky Experience', which has seen the awesome Phil
Sky sound develop to a whole new level! Dude!
7. "Mainframe"
THE CRIMINAL MINDS (featuring ICESKI, INZAINE & SPATTS)
Written by I.Allen/P.Slayter/J.Swain.
Mixed and produced by Spatts in Madcap's office.
Copyright Control
When
I was in Sixth Form, the coolest kids would go up Our Price in the City
and buy TCM 12" singles - so imagine how excited I am to have 'em
feature on this year's CD! Pretty much the best gig we saw in MK in
2011 was their triumphant homecoming party at MADCAP, astonishing
stuff. Yo!
8. "Weak Knees (One Night Stand)"
YC OLIE
(written and performed by YC Olie)
(produced by Justin Shardlow)
(c) YC Olie 2011.
This is my favourite YC Olie track, though I've never asked him if it's a true story... maybe I don't want
to know! By the end of 2011 an integral and enthusiastic part of the
Monkey Kettle-related music stable - I'm starting to wonder how we
managed before we knew him!
9. "Places"
ELLIE WALSH
(written and performed by Ellie Walsh)
produced by Martin Ibbotson at Oldham Rise Studio.
(c) Ellie Walsh 2011.
One
of the most consistently impressive singer-songwriters in town,
long-time Monkey Kettle fave Ellie has been recording her new album
with Martin during the Autumn and this is one of the first tracks to
see the light of day - watch out for the finished article in 2012!
10. "Humanist Love Song"
(live at the Monkey Kettle Open Mic)
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF VODKA BOY
(written and performed by The Further Adventures Of Vodka Boy)
Recorded
live at the "Monkey Kettle Sort Of Open Mic At The Slug & Lettuce", 3rd August 2011 by Martin Ibbotson. (c) TFAO Vodka Boy.
Vodka Boy released their third album ('Triple Filtered')
in the Summer of 2011, the first one to feature 'hot-boxer' Jimmy-Jim
Türl on the cajon. And somehow they managed to play sets at pretty
much every Monkey Kettle gig or open mic throughout the year!
Weird world, eh? Next year, no kazoo. I promise.
11. "Brainsuckerman"
THE BARON MAKABRE BAND
(written by Phillip Ilett/Gawaine Parker
performed by Phillip Ilett/M Flitton/Jo Newman
programmed by Gawaine Parker
recorded by Gawaine Parker @ Madcap Studio
mixed by Ian Allen @ The Green Room)
(c) The Baron Makabre Band 2011.
Ah,
the Baron. Once seen, never forgotten! But in 2011 he dusted off
his test-tubes and terrifying electronic equipment and created himself
a band of evil hench-musicians - and the horrific result is the all-new
full-on Baron Makabre Band experience! Taking terror to a new
level - and a brilliant way to finish off this year's compilation! Yeah!
All copyright remains with the contributing artist/s. As is the Monkey Kettle way.
Though the artwork is indeed copyright (c) Monkey Kettle 2011.
ALBUM COMPILED BY MATTHEW MICHAEL TAYLOR for MONKEY KETTLE RECORDS 2011.
COVER ARTWORK BY JAMES T TÜRL, Bachelor of the Arts.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE: MESSRS PHIL SKY and MARTIN IBBOTSON.
SEQUENCED BY PHIL & MATTHEW. DIRECTED BY MMTX.
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MONKEY
KETTLE
RECORDS - CD #4 |
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