Saturday 25 June 2011

Mixtape #15

OPM - Manila Sound Machine is the latest in the special YHO series of mixtapes, and it’s available to download for free here. This collection of thrillers from Manila captures the sound of the Philippines in the 1970s. Drawing on the archives of the Manila Sound and O.P.M. (Original Pilipino Music) it will appeal particularly to those with a fondness for, say, the Starland Vocal Band’s Afternoon Delight, the Four Seasons’ Silver Star, and so on. This is how it starts ...

Friday 18 February 2011

Mixtape #14

Freedom Now: Sounds of Portugal is the latest in our series of mixtapes, and it can be downloaded for free here. The collection draws heavily on the folk songs or canção de intervenção that were part of the protest movement against the totalitarian regime in Portugal, and the performers were an important part of the resistance that led to The Carnation Revolution on 24 April 1974. The folk music itself featured here (from before the revolution and after) is incredibly inventive and seems to absorb all sorts of influences, such as French, Brazilian and African popular song. There's plenty of pop included in this mix, too, featuring some of the artists included in the Portuguese sequences here. Special thanks, as ever, go to Per-Christian Hille for the fantastic cover.

Friday 21 January 2011

Mixtape #13

Lonely Clouds is a special mixtape of vintage Japanese sounds available for you to download for free here. The mix covers folk, jazz, psych pop, and whatever, but the prevailing mood is a deep blue aloneness. It’s a perfect soundtrack for desolation angels everywhere, and contains some incredibly beautiful performances. Featured among others are Meiko Kaji, Morita Doji, Haki Yamasaki, Maki Asakawa, and Kimiko Kasai. The fantastic cover art is by Per-Christian Hille. And here's a suggestion of the treats in store ...

Yuki Saori - Letters (plus ...)