Whitsun Wonders

Blam Jam takes another break from the airwaves this week,
as it prepares for show 150 next Sunday, which will include
an hour of the best Blam Jam Belters over the last three and
a half years since the show's arrival.

But the influx of amazing tunes in Blam Jam's absence has shown
no signs of slowing down and here's a rundown of tunes that are
impossible to stop listening to.

Mala - "Changes" (James Blake Remix)



This may not be for everyone.

But after one listen, this one has me smiling the second it starts
every time since, and has been a long time coming.

Existing only as a dubplate for the last couple of years, this has
been a massive mover in the clubs and fresh from the success
of James Blake's "Overgrown" LP, there seems to be no signs of
stopping for the artist.

What could be described as "contemporary classical music"?

Nah, I'm being dreadfully pretentious.

Just a mint tune as a whole.

Thundercat - "Oh Sheit, It's X"



Now this one's addictive.

One of many winners from the forthcoming album from Brainfeeder's
Thundercat, who joins forces with Flying Lotus to create what could
be one of the sounds of 2013's warmer months.

Despite a near explicit title, it hasn't stopped me from giving this
a spin on Canterbury's airwaves with a little bit of subtle editing,
and shows a lot of promise for the "Apocalypse" LP due for release in
June, which also contains a tribute to the late Austin Peralta, a pianist
and contributor to Brainfeeder who passed away last November at
just 22 years old.

I'd love to see Thundercat take on Level 42's Mark King in a bass
duel, as this track has shades of the brit-funk band's earlier material
and Mike Lindup's fashionable falsetto.

What may be my second favourite tune with "Oh Sh*t" in the title
after the Buzzcocks...

Jamie Cullum and Laura Mvula - "Sad Sad World"



It's no secret that the jazz pixie's latest album "Momentum"
is one that I'm finding hard to stop spinning at present.

But this duet, wow.

I'd definitely say that this is better than the solo rendition on the
album itself, which in it's own respect isn't a bad tune, but
the addition of Laura Mvula and the overall intimacy and deep piano
chords turn this into something really special, making the lyrical
content of the song even more meaningful.

It could be the best thing recorded in Abbey Road since Incognito's
"100 Degrees and Rising" album, and that's a bold statement.

Simplicity at it's finest.

Elliott Macauley featuring Cleveland Jones - "Mama's Baby Boy"



One on the more soulful side of things, from a young performer
from Manchester, and an adorable ode to parentage with musical
accompaniment to match.

This one has the potential  to be turned into soulful house remix as
it's got all the right piano sevenths, reminiscent of an early 90s soul
anthem a la Don E or Vivienne McKone.

Even the addition of Ian Levine-esque synth brass isn't enough
to put one off this gem.

Andreya Triana - "Song For A Friend"



I'm really hoping 2013 will be the year Miss Triana finally reaches
wider recognition and this offering from her forthcoming album
has been one of the biggest surprises of recent.

Once again it's the simplicity that makes this song a gem, with
deep, thoughtful lyrics blended together with a strong piano backing,
making it an ideal listen for anyone who is feeling uncertain,
and needs reassurance that they're not on their own.

I will be trying very hard not to break down when hearing this song
performed live this coming Friday at the Union Chapel.


So those are the tunes that are providing excitement, and I look
forward to sharing even more next Sunday at 6, for Blam Jam
show 150, where the first hour will be made up of Blam Jam Belters,
the instant winners that I have taken to on first listen,

I've got some good ones!



and hour 2 will involve very little words, and noises emitted from
the mouth with a selection of tunes that are "Almost Instrumental".



Make sure you're listening next Sunday 2nd of June from 6pm, at csrfm.com.