Music and sunshine
16.12.09
We're currently sharing with you our personal picks from the year, these compliment the Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2009 - a list of the albums we feel were the best artistically. Today's list comes from Richie;
Amplifier Staff Picks 2009
Richie (Mr Music Manager)
The Sproutts - Woman, Man And Machine!
Their debut Plutons was a tidy little record, but I just couldn't keep my grubby ear holes off this one. The album copy says, "...explores the complex relationship between humans and technology". Hell I just like songs about sexy robots.
Tommy Ill - Come Home Mr. Ill
The combination of Mr Ill's relaxed vocal delivery over old school soul/funk samples makes for one satisfying joint. Ahem...what I mean is, it's like being drunk in the pool. This is the party EP for your summer.
Great North - Soldiers EP
These guys came out of the blue and released one of the best EP's of the year. People take note. Great North are my pick for future brightness.
Urban Tramper - Rise And Ride Toward...
Relatively unknown for a band with such a back catalogue, Urban Tramper's fourth album album shines, subdues and bristles in all the right places. Repeat listens reap the rewards.
The Phoenix Foundation - Merry Kriskmass
I'm a seasonal slut I know, but this little treat showed up at the start of December and I haven't listened to much else since. Another great batch of songs from the most accomplished band in Aotearoa, although it's not exactly a christmas release in the conventional sense, unless you count a knitted sock puppet rubbing up against a midget horse festive.
Release of the Day
Aum - Aletheia
Aletheia is the debut album from dubstep duo, Aum.
Aum consists of Jeremy Graham and Darryl Turner, two budding local producers from Hamilton, New Zealand who have been making and playing tunes together sine the start of 2008. The Aum sound ranges from Dub and Ambient, to Dubstep and Drum & Bass , entirely composed, performed and produced by the two.
Synthesised in their own studio, Aletheia features local musicians Brendon Putt on trumpet and Xiyao Chen on gu-zeng (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) and was mastered by Bjorn Arntsen at Wintec Studios in Hamilton.
Chart Attack
Reality TV stars take the top spots on this weeks album chart, which is no great surprise given the massive media circus these shows and their 'stars' attract. Australian Idol star Stan Walker misses top spot to his UK TV peer Susan Boyle and has to in this instance be content with the number two spot.
Gin Wigmore continues her reign in the top five jumping two spots to number three this week. Back at fifteen is her soon to be tour buddy Dave Dobbyn and his 30 Years of Hits package.
Shapeshifter are at nineteen this week followed by Hayley Westernra's Christmas album. Stroke the Chris Knox benefit album returns to the chart this week, now that stock is back in stores.
Finally in the album stakes comes Salmonella Dub with their latest album freak Controller, no doubt a album that will be seeing the inside of many a car this summer.
Over in the singes Charts Stan Walker takes out the number one position again and also grabs the 34 spot. Other local acts to feature are Dane Rumble (13), Frisko feat Aaradhna (15), Gin at 18 and also 37.
The Great New Zealand Songbook at 33 weeks is at number 3 again this week in the compilation chart and new entry Merry Christmas Baby the Punket album enters at number nine this week.
You can see the official NZ Music Chart here.
Free Download
Mel Parsons - Down At The Bar
Mel Parsons returns to Auckland for the first time since the release of her acclaimed debut album Over My Shoulder. She'll be performing with double bassist Aaron Stewart and guitarist Neil Watson, and will be joined by special guest Simon Comber.
You can catch Mel at Toto Montecristo Room, Auckland on Sunday the 20th and thanks to Mel you can download Down At The Bar for a week from December 10th for free.
May the good sounds be yours.
Ed
