Paris, Ankara, Raqqa, Sinja, Bamko.

A week on from the terrible events in Paris. What have we learned? Not a great deal as far as I can see. In fact, I'll rephrase that. What CAN we learn? We can't rationalise Islamic State, so instead we find ourselves lashing out at each other. What’s left to say about Paris? What further condemnation of Islamic State is possible?
A seemingly never ending stream of horror greats me every time I turn on a TV or pick up a news paper and as I type, there looks to be another horrific situation grimly unfolding in Mali.
Even before Friday’s massacre, news was emerging on most TV news channels from the town of Sinjar, liberated by the Kurds with US air support: Kurdish forces said they had discovered a mass grave, containing the bodies of Yazidi women the Islamic State forces considered too old to be used as sex slaves. Contemplate the layers of obscenity described in that last sentence, and then add the thought of the dozens of Parisiens executed for the crime of wanting to enjoy a Friday night out with friends and family, and yes, the Beirutis killed the same week for living in a “Shia neighbourhood”, the Russians hoping for some winter sun, the HDP supporters marching for peace and democracy in Ankara,,,,, on and on the list goes.
The pornographic, orgiastic nature of Islamic State makes it difficult for us to contemplate on rational terms, even to the point where imagining a military defeat of it seems impossible. While it is true that air strikes helped liberate Sinjar, there seems a curious abstraction to the idea that one acts against terror in Paris by bombing Raqqa. Francois Hollande’s announcement of a “massive” attack on the Islamic State’s “capital” has the feel of a revenge attack, to be classed alongside Reagan’s bombardment of Tripoli in 1986 after the Berlin disco bombing – which raises its own parallels and questions: is Islamic State a sponsor of international terror, like Gadaffi’s Libya or Saddam’s Iraq, or are these acts carried out as direct acts of war?
Meanwhile in the absence of any certainty about what we should do about the greater threat, we instead do what passes for political discussion in the west: we shout “hypocrite” at each other on the internet. Saddened by one event? Why weren’t you saddened by all the other events? (I can’t respond to every single event with a Twibbon: also, my empathy isn’t limited and this isn’t a contest).
Or we blame the media: “Why didn’t the press cover Ankara or Beirut the way they covered Paris?” asks Jeremy Corbyn among others. Here are a few reasons:

The Paris atrocity was different in nature to those in Beirut and Ankara, which were single-incident bombings as opposed to several simultaneous, rolling events across a city.

Simple proximity: I could stop typing right now, get on a train to Manchester, have dinner, do some light shopping, and be home for midnight. It takes the same amount of time to get there as it does to Paris from London. No one would complain about the London media covering a Newcastle atrocity more than a Beirut atrocity.

Europe, whether the hard left and hard right like it or not, is a real thing in people’s lives. That I relate strongly to people from EU countries does not mean I am oblivious to those outside it, but that we are people who share institutions, structures, political appointees etc. Even our passports carry some of the same words. There is a nationhood of sorts.

Events in Beirut, Ankara etc, were covered by diligent, hardworking foreign media. It’s not their fault if you didn’t develop ten different hashtags for the story.

The tremendous irony in complaining about the supposed lack of western media coverage of events such as the Beirut and Ankara bombings is that we are making the argument revolve, once more, around ourselves and our existing grievances. No matter: we are back in the comfort blanket of narcissism: this is about us: this is about things that we are familiar with, things we have some control over: The Stop The War Coalition rationalises by posting articles about how the rise of Islamic State is entirely the fault of “western interference”, as if Yazidi women are executed and pushed into mass graves at the orders of the Pentagon.
Or someone will point out that France had an imperial past, and many Algerians were killed, therefore – therefore something blah, blah. We’re back in charge, we get this. But we don’t. We don’t get it at all. We're sad and scared and angry and we don't get it at all.


Liberte, egalite, fraternite. Salam. X

Thoughts On Love And Smoking podcast #4. Sacha Mambo (Macadam Mambo)

I've been a big fan of the the man behind the Macadam Mambo record label for some time now. He, along with a handful of likeminded souls have quietly gone about their business in the last few years and shaped a distinctive sound of left-field techno and sonic textures well away from the usual playlists of 'chuggers' and 'deep house' which seem to be omnipresent now. Theirs is a soundtrack which veers from sub-zero, dubby post-punk to French pop oddities and Eastern European goth records. Warm guitars and cold synths. Ennui brought to sonic, danceable life. It's a 'movement', for want of a better word, which has certainly not gone unnoticed by top industry players, the press and last but not least, clubbers around Europe.
This spirit of adventure and lack of respect for genre which runs through Sacha's DJ sets as well as his output on record is showcased too on the the 'Macadam Mambo' imprint he co-runs alongside Guillaume des Bois.
The name refers to "Macadam Massacre" from the French punk band Bérurier Noir and the title of a voodoo high priestess, Mambo. It first started out as a DJ collective to organize parties in Paris, then the equipe took the concept to Lyon. The parties eventually turned into a label and 5 years and dozens of releases later, Macadam Mambo has become a staple in many DJ bags across the world. As hard as it is to pin down, its sound is equal parts acid, dub, new beat and techno, it’s a trans-generational, cosmic work that reveals the versatile world of the french producer. As wild and unpredictable as his podcast here where he moves effortlessly between everything from oddball Euro Boogie, Caribbean synth bangers to flamenco tinged Italo. He's one of my very favourite selectors so expect GRANDE vibes!!

Sacha Mambo on Soundcloud.
Macadam Mambo on Soundcloud.
Macadam Mambo on Facebook.



Due to the increasingly strict takedown rules on podcasts and mixes over at Soundcloud we've now closed our account. But don't fret! We have migrated across to Hearthis.at so you can still download this as well as all of our previous podcasts by clicking on the link below and following us there. Pheew!



Till next time
Big love. Mark. X

Knowledge is marrow. + Needle Exchange 10.

The number of college bulletins and adult-education come-ons that keep turning up in my letterbox convinces me that I must be on a special mailing list for dropouts. Not that I'm complaining; there's something about a list of extension courses that piques my interest with a fascination hitherto reserved for a catalogue of Hong Kong honeymoon accessories, sent to me once by mistake. Each time I read through the latest bulletin of extension course, I make plans to drop everything and return to college. So far, however I am still an uneducated, unextended adult, and I have fallen into the habit of browsing through an imaginary, handsomely printed course prospectus that is more or less typical of them all;

Summer Session.
Economic Theory: A systematic application and critical evaluation of the basic analytic concepts of economic theory, with an emphasis on money and why it's good. Fixed coefficient production functions, cost and supply curves, and nonconvexity comprise the first term with the second term concentrating on spending, making change, and keeping a neat wallet. The British banking system is analyzed, and advanced students are coached in the proper method of filling out a deposit slip. Other topics include: Inflation and Depression - how to dress for each. Loans, interest and welching.

History Of European Civilisation: Ever since the discovery of a fossilised eohippus in the men's toilets at Mario's Cafe on Station Road in Ashington, it has been suspected that at one time Britain and Europe were connected by a thin plinth of land that later sank or became Blyth power station, or both.. This throws a new perspective on the formation of European society and enables historians and alcoholics to conjecture about why Europe sprang up in an area that would have made a far better Asia. Also studied in the course is the decision to hold the Renaissance in Italy.

Introduction To Psychology: The theory of human behaviour. Why some men are called 'lovely individuals' and why there are some others you just want to punch. Is there a split between mind and body, and, if so, which is better to have? Aggression and rebellion are discussed. (Students particularly interested in these aspects of psychology are advised to take one of these Winter Term courses; Introduction to Hostility; Intermediate Hostility; Advanced Hatred; Theoretical Foundations Of Loathing.)

Philosophy 1: Everyone from Plato to Camus is read, and the following topics are covered in depth.
Ethics: The categorical imperative and six ways to make great fish soup.
Aesthetics: Is art the mirror of life, or what?
Metaphysics: What happens to the soul after death? How does it manage?
Epistemology: Is knowledge knowable? If not, how do we know this?
The Absurd: Why existence is often considered silly, particularly for men who wear pointy shoes?
Manyness and Oneness are studied as they relate to Each-Otherness. (Students achieving this will move ahead to the next course, Twoness.)

Philosophy XXIX-B: Introduction to God. Confrontation with the creator of the universe through informal lectures and field trips.

The New Mathematics: Standard mathematics has recently been rendered obsolete by the discovery that for years we have been writing the numeral five backwards. This has led to a re-evaluation of counting as a method of getting from one to ten. Students are taught advanced concepts of Boolean Algebra and formerly unsolvable equations are delt with by threats of reprisals.

Fundamental Astronomy: A detailed study of the universe and it's care and cleaning. The sun, which is made of gas can explode at any moment, sending our entire planetary system hurtling to destruction; students are advised what the average citizen can do in such a case. They are also taught to identify various constellations, such as the Big Dipper, Cygnus The Swan, Sagittarius the Archer, and the twelve stars that form Lumidees the used car salesman.

Modern Biology: How the body functions and where it can usually be found. Blood is analyzed and it is learned why it is the best possible thing to have coursing through one's veins. A frog is dissected by students and it's digestive tract is compared with man's, with the frog giving a good account of itself on everthing, except curries.

Music Appreciation: In order to "hear" a great piece of music correctly, one must: (1) know the birthplace of the composer, (2) be able to tell a rondo from a scherzo, and back it up with action. Attitude is important. Smiling is bad form unless the composer has intended the music to be funny, as in 'Das Burgermeister', which abounds in musical jokes (although the trombone has all the best lines.) The ear, too must be trained, for it is our most easily deceived organ and can be made to think it is a nose by bad placement of stereo speakers. Other topics include: 'The four-bar rest and it's potential as a political weapon,' and 'The Gregorian Chant: Which monks kept the beat?'

Yeats And Hygiene, A Comparative Study: The poetry of William butler Yeats is analyzed against a background of proper dental care. (Course open to a limited number of students.)

Writing For The Stage: All drama is conflict. Character development is also very important. As also is what they say. Students learn that long, dull speeches are not so effective, while short "funny" ones seem to go over well. Simplified audience psychology is explored. Interesting aspects of stage history are also examined. For example, before the invention of italics, stage directions were often mistaken for dialogue, and great actors frequently found themselves saying, "John rises, crosses left." This naturally led to embarrassment and, on some occasions, dreadful notices. The phenomenon is analyzed in detail and students are guided in avoiding mistakes. Required text: A.F. Shulte's 'Shakespear: Was he Four Women?

All courses will run concurrently from November till December at Pigs Hill Community College, formerly known as Fingers McSporran's second hand car exchange. Good luck there.


Now then, some music for you. This is the last in the long running Needle Exchange series of mixes I've been irregularly putting out for some time. Now at episode 10 and in it's seventh year I've decided to put it to bed for good since I started doing the podcasts and I can just get other, more  famous and better people to do the mixes for me. Same M.O. as always. Done live in one take and recorded on 2 1210's. Au revoir mes amis. X Features tracks from Factory Floor, Torn Hawk, Tolouse Low Trax, Bookworms, Tzusing, Naum Gabo, Mutado Pintado, Etienne Jaumet, Byetone, Acid Arab, A Certain Ratio, Roman Flugel etc, etc.
Enjoy. Or not. X

Till next time.
Big love. Mark. X

The best DJ you've (probably) never heard of #4. André Pahl.

André Pahl is a German artist mainly known for his Safari mixes series — pitched down journeys through uncharted seas, forbidden deserts and distant galaxies. He sometimes forays into the psychedelic, sometimes into the electronic. Percussion drifts from remote islands and rises up to touch tender discosoul in a cinematic exploration of the the slower heart rates of danceable music. Each stage and it’s environs carefully defines a new tone and set to his voyages into the mysterious.
After graduating from Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, he had a rendezvous with Mexico City’s lunatic music scene while living there for some years, co-running the “Nuevos Ricos” label and DJ'd at the bizarre neighbourhood street parties there as well as shady night clubs and art happenings inside jammed subway stations. Now based in Berlin, André who is also a much lauded graphic designer, ploughs a similar furrow as TOLAS favourites Vladimir Ivkovic, Manfredas, Tolouse Low Trax and Ron Morelli. Low slung, dark organic techno and electronica.
Listening to André Pahl’s sets is like being compelled to push yourself inside a forest even though you know it'll be dangerous—head first, then the whole body, submerged deep into a strange jungle world, partly solid, partly made of shimmering liquids. Real deep shit.
You'd do well to check out both his Soundcloud and Mixcloud pages at length for any amount of absolutely amazing musical journeys.

 

Till next time.
Big love. Mark. X

La Planète Sauvage (a.k.a.Fantastic Planet).

Right then, if you didn't already know, here's the skinny. Animated sci-fi masterpiece La Planète Sauvage (a.k.a.Fantastic Planet), winner at Cannes Film Festival in 1973 and a staple on BBC1 during the Summer holidays in the 70's when I was a kid is an eminently both bizarre and beautiful film. If you've seen it before, watch it again, if you've not then expect towering blue-skinned figures, tiny humanoids in the midst of revolt, and drug induced tantric sex, vividly magical settings. Whats not to like amongst that then eh? The film takes place in the future in which human beings, known as 'Oms' (which I believe refers to the French word hommes, meaning men), have been brought to the 'Draags' home planet, where they are kept as pets with special collars. The Draags are an alien race, humanoid in appearance but a hundred times larger than humans, with blue skin, fan-like earlobes & protruding red eyes. But I’m not going to go into detail about the film. That should be enough to pique the interest of anyone who's into giant blue people and the other stuff I mentioned. The film is ancilliary as far as this piece is concerned. What I want to concentrate on is the soundtrack. An absolutely remarkable thing in it's own right. The music is by Alain Goraguer who's first brush with fame came in 1965 when France Gall won the Eurovision Songfestival with “Poupeé de cire, poupeé de son,” written by Serge Gainsbourg and orchestrated by Goraguer. Afterwards he went on to create music for other French films, including several other animated ones, The Dead Times (Les Temps Morts)(1965) & The Snails (Les Escargots) (1965), both by René Laloux & Roland Topor, who are also responsible for La Planète Sauvage. The music more than lives up to the heady psychedelic world created in the film. Lush arrangements, funky drums, wah-wah guitar, organ, flute and harpischord fill the instrumental soundtrack placing it somewhere between Eno, Morricone and Broadcast. The official soundtrack, also released in 1973, has been often described as a mash-up between Pink Floyd and Isaac Hayes’ Shaft. And thus, has become a definite source for beat digging and sample searching with the likes of Dilla, Shadow, Madlib, Air and Cornershop raiding it. Anyhoo, the album has been reissued a few times now and doesn't take much tracking down, much to the dismay of many a record snob, although I don't see how that could possibly detract from the value of what is a truly precious piece of music.



 Till next time. Big love. Mark. X

Newcastle. So good they named it once.

There are few greater pleasures in life that do not involve the exchange of bodily fluids, the introduction of some of Columbia’s finest to your nasal passages or Newcastle picking up 3 points from the Mackems than slipping into a greasy spoon for a nice brew, a read of the sports pages of a decent paper and of course a full English breakfast. It might just be me but I prefer this as a solitary activity, sliding anonymously into a corner to watch the world go by. Peacefully. Unfortunately, these types of establishments are on the retreat in the city of Newcastle as the march of multiculturalism carries all before it in the Toon, much to the delight of the lower-middle classes whose values appear to be shaping the social and physical make up of what was and still in its soul remains, a socialists city. Someone somewhere has decided that they want to have a café culture. They have been on a cheap flight to somewhere hot and they are blinded by the image of some tasty, sultry bird reading Vanity Fair and sipping on a cappuccino and now they want us to like that too. And the Noberatti in Newcastle seem to have fallen for it, hook line and sinker man. In their heads they have just walked onto the set of a Ryan Gosling film and are gagging for frothy whimsy and artisan bread from the beautiful people. Instead they get an unhappy, over-weight, middle-aged shopper with her put upon husband who always seems to need more space and is either too hot or too cold, forever cast on the eternal horns of the take your coat off, leave it on dilemma. Naturally there will be queues in which good old Anglo-Saxon bad humored impatience is never far away from the surface – they've waited more than 2 seconds to be served their phony, grossly over-priced muck-a-chocco-chino by a disinterested minimum wage slave who is as much interested in your ‘coffee leisure experience' as you are in David Beckham’s HELLO life. These are no urban retreats. There is no quiet bolt-hole for you to take a bit of refuge from the general shittiness of life. You are on show and the message is clear – once you have swilled that tepid milky shite down your neck, get the fuck out and we’ll get the next lot of lifestyle dupes in. At its best, sitting in one of these places is like being in a post office queue, at its worst it’s like being at a Mumford & Sons gig. Naturally, some soppy social worker type who imagines she’s at the head of the zeitgeist will be continually checking her brat, Tarquin or Jocaster to stop fucking around, whilst you will be cursing your life.
This is the modern world?
Just say No!

Till next time.
Big love. Mark. X

Thoughts On Love And Smoking podcast #3. Manfredas (Les Disques De La Mort/Smala)

For the third installment in our podcast series we're excited to bring you an mix from a man who's been a constant fixture round the top of our list of favourite producers and DJ's for a couple of years now.
Plying his own skewered take on dance music all across Europe as well as his own club night 'Smala' at the Opium Club in Lithuania for some time now. Gradually building a reputation as on of the most exciting DJ's around, he's also put out a stream of brilliantly twisted remixes for the likes of Headman, CAR, Telepopmusik and Moscoman to name just a few while releasing his own studio material on the equally great 'Les Disques De La Mort.'
To celebrate his unmistakable sound we asked him to contribute a mix for the third installment of our podcast series and after much cajoling, bribery and months of hassling him, we were beyond happy when he eventually agreed. So without anymore ado we bring you a thing of sonic substance. Unpredictable, esoteric, experimental, unique and never less than brilliant. Ladies and gents we give you Manfredas. X

Don't forget to check him out on:
Facebook
Mixcloud
Soundcloud



We've gotten rid of our old Soundcloud account due to it's temperamental nature of deleting mixes at the drop of a hat and we've migrated across to Hearthis.at so all the podcasts will be available to download over there. Simply click the link below innit!



Till next time.
Big love. Mark. X