Great new music from independent labels and artists all around the world

Just been over to Aldeburgh on the coast for a traditional fish and chips supper. Cold though, standing on the beach looking out at the black sea with a few ships lights on the horizon. Had to be done though to help acclimatise Jessie to the food and climate of England now that she’s back from Ibiza. She has the most amazing tan though – something of a rarity in the UK this summer. A bit dark for a picture at Aldeburgh so here"s one from the English-Scottish borders taken last week.Music this week from old-timers and new timers from New York and New Zealand mixed up into a special serving with tracks from Missouri, France and either Jamaica or Switzerland.Atomic Heels – The Secret Machines (New York, USA) – PMNBrandon Curtis – Vocals, Bass, KeyboardsJosh Garza – DrumsPhil Karnats – GuitarThe band released their new album Secret Machines yesterday, 14th October. www.thesecretmachines.comwww.myspace.com/secretmachinesNow I know – Lin McEwan (Baltimore, USA) ArielSince arriving in New York, the Baltimore-native has been "gaining notice for her uncommonly deep voice" and for her "soulfully sung and well-written material"—a funky fusion of soul and pop… like Tina Turner or Mavis Staples singing over Keane (The Baltimore Sun; JustSoul). Along with her talented group of regular players, who’ve backed everyone from Jesse Malin to Gavin DeGraw, she’s appeared at such landmark establishments as CBGB’s and the Bitter End, as well as the Living Room, the Rockwood Music Hall, the Cutting Room, Crash Mansion, and Arlene’s Grocery. But she still considers Baltimore home and takes her band back as often as possible.Her success marks a big change for a girl who spent her youth being told that she couldn’t sing because her voice was too low. "My voice was so strange for my age," she recalls, "that when I was in the eighth grade, I had to play Santa Claus because the boys voices hadn’t changed yet, and I was the only one who could do a convincing, ‘Ho, ho, ho.""www.linmcewan.com/www.myspace.com/linmcewanSometimes Enough – The Black Seeds (Wellington, New Zealand) IODA PromonetThe Black Seeds started turning heads around New Zealand following the release of their debut album, 2001’s Keep On Pushing. The album received widespread critical acclaim, including being named one of the top 50 albums of the year by Rip It Up Magazine, and eventually reached gold sales status.Into The Dojo began to take shape in May 2005, when band members Barnaby Weir (lead vocals/guitar), Daniel Weetman (percussion/vocals), Mike ‘Fabulous’ August (guitar), Bret McKenzie (keys), Jarney Murphy (drums), Tim Jaray (bass) and Lee Prebble (sound engineer) once again converged on The Surgery studio in Wellington. The next 12 months were spent balancing constant touring duties and side projects with writing and jamming new songs in the studio. The result of this year-long creative process is 13 tracks of The Black Seeds’ most mature and accomplished music to date.
The Black Seeds "Sometimes Enough" (mp3) from "Into the Dojo" (LOOP) Buy at Rhapsody More On This Albumwww.theblackseeds.co.nzGreen Bananas – Jimmie Bratcher (Missouri, USA) – PMNJimmie explained how the track came about, "Green Bananas was a moment in the studio. We were cutting the track and Brandon Draper the drummer just went off on the march at the end. We just had to go with it and build on it. I tell the story on the REV TV page of my web site it is a really cool story about living life NOW and not later.” What "later” is that then?www.jimmiebratcher.comSix out of fifteen of the tracks on the first page of the PMN this evening were "holiday” songs, including a versiobn of Oh little town of Bethlehem. How many more times do we really need to hear that. How utterly depressing.No we can’t – Music for Cap (France) – JamendoFrom the album I miss me on Jamendo.Minimal information on the site and on their MySpace but you can check out the album on Jamendo, then buy the full fidelity CD direct from the band. There"s a link on their MySpace.www.musicforcap.comwww.myspace.com/musicforcapwww.jamendo.com/en/album/5278Having a party – Lee "Scratch” Perry (Jamaica and Switzerland) IODALee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry), on March 20, 1936, in Kendal, Jamaica.In the early 1970s, Perry was one of the producers whose mixing board experiments resulted in the creation of dub. In 1973, Perry built a studio in his back yard, The Black Ark, to have more control over his productions and continued to produce notable musicians such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, Junior Byles, The Heptones, and Max Romeo. With his own studio at his disposal, Perry’s productions became more lavish, as the energetic producer was able to spend as much time as he wanted on the music he produced. It is important to note that virtually everything Perry recorded in The Black Ark was done using rather basic recording equipment; through sonic sleight-of-hand, Perry made it sound completely unique. Perry remained behind the mixing desk for many years, producing songs and albums that stand out as a high point in reggae history. The track is taken from his new(ish) album Scratch Came, Scratch Saw, Scratch Conquered.
Lee "Scratch" Perry "Having a Party" (mp3) from "Scratch Came, Scratch Saw, Scratch Conquered" (Megawave) Buy at Rhapsody More On This Album
www.myspace.com/leescratchperryAccidents – Luthea Salom (Manhattan, NY) PMNAgain saving Luthea’s music ’til last so you can dash off and buy the album Sunbeam Surrounded by Winter from part Spanish and part Canadian singer/songwriter Luthea Salom. More details in the shownotes for SnC 137.Luthea will be touring in Germany soon – you lucky people. We really must get her over to the UK. www.lutheasalom.com/www.myspace.com/lutheasalomsongs