Friday 29 January 2016

What we're listening to. Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'.


Now this is definitely not for everyone but Massive Attack 'Blue Lines' is one of the well regarded Albums of our time and still sounds fresh.

1991 Debut from a Bristol, British band but very American hip hop too. A blend. British band does American kinda' thing called 'trip hop'. 

Very electronic from an era of dance and ecstasy. 'Unfinished Sympathy' is the great single and generally the Album was quite dark but then, at the time, fairly breakthrough and new. It definitely has a coolness.

They produced more records (5) and 'Mezzanine' was their best commercial success but none every scaled the debut heights of Blue Lines.

It takes listening but it's atmospheric and interesting so well worth a listen for something different. Streamabout people screamed when we played it, ("Oh my god, I remember that!") so evocative it is of a time of dance and everyone had a copy. Every Coffee shop worth its salt, played it over and over again.

And the people here loved it anyway. 
Me? 
I blame the parents...


Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Spotify to launch Video online.




Spotify are to launch Video.

Initially to Android App users (mobile only), it will start in The UK, Germany and Sweden (funny enough). Clearly too, it's probably going to be music-led videos but there's no reason not to extend that into Sports, News, Entertainment and so. 

Spotify understand that the money is in online video and follow Facebook/Twitter/YouTube if you have an audience and they do. 75 million with 20 million of them subscribing.

A very appealing younger demographic and one which tends to be 'sticky' and which can be brought to relevant video depending on their choices.

Of course a movie service wouldn't be out of the question either we assume...

With a current valuation of 8.5 Billion usd, this will add to that, although it's not yet profitable and whilst this video service will be 'ad free', assume that should also say 'initially'.

Online Digital Video? Streamabout.com