Electric Roulette Top Picks

One of the joys of writing about the best music in the world is that you get to share it. Of course, you could see it as 'jamming our opinions down yer damn throat'... but either way, you get some good tip offs so we all win.

Naturally, this being the brink of summer, Electric Roulette folks have taken on a decidedly cheery frame, so maybe it's reflected in the tunes we're currently hoppin' to. You can be the judge I s'pose.

Anyway, enough jabberin', read over for ten randomly plucked treats from the trove... it's the top picks from May 2008.

Brooks and Jerry 'I Got What It Takes (pt1)' (45)

For some reason, this is deemed a Northern Soul tune. I don't buy that for a second. It's too scratchy and shambolic. However, what it certainly is, is one of the most joyful rekkids y'all ever hear. I've got no idea how much it's worth or anything like that as I was given it for free by my dad's new ladyfriend. What a gal!

The Shortwave Set 'No Social' (45)

Quite possibly the single of summer 2008. As featured on the marvelous 'Replica Sun Machine' LP, 'No Social' contains the brilliant line of "a dog dressed in clothes is still a dog". Man! You can't polish a turd - it's true! Thankfully, this is no pipe-plop, The Shortwave Set are pop at its most freaky. (video)

The Junipers 'Cut Your Key' (CD)

Already the album of 2008... quite possibly the album of the 2000's. Psychedelic toytown melodies and dreamy pop melts away into your synapses leaving you floating. Genius. (Review)

Brenda Lee 'What'd I Say' (45)

My girlfriend likes old girl-groups. Who can blame her? So, vanishing down the GG-hole, she emerged with Brenda Lee's 'Is It True'. As good as the A-side is, it's the snarling rocker on the flipside that makes the hair stand on end. Even though this Ray Charles number has been covered approx. 2 million times, you won't find a better version than this. Imagine Wanda Jackson with a skuzzy backing band from Detroit... and you're somewhere close.

V/A New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn (CD)

Jumpin' 60s R&B and popcorn from the folks at Kent. New breed doesn't mean a buncha new pretenders having a stab at old sounds, but rather, old sounds dug outta somewhere and given an audience for the first time. Features BB King, Chet 'Poison' Ivy, Nappy Brown... and the wonderful eye-popping Charmaines with 'I Idolize You'.

Tir Na Nog 'Tir Na Nog' (LP)

Irish... folk? You godda be kiddin' right? No siree... this ain't no lesson in riddle-dee-dee jig guff. This is bona-fide psych-folk in the seam of all great progressive acid-folk from Island Pink. True enough, there are Irish touches musically, but hell, they ain't nuthin' to be scared of. Leap in. It's the sound of late night summer.

Humphrey Littleton 'And His Band' (LP)

I've been hammering this Humph LP for months after rediscovering it in a dusty ol' pile. 'Suffolk Punch' is still one of my fave jazz tracks ever. Sure, it's trad in places, but that's not to say this is some lame-ass exercise in swing... this is bleeding gum and smoky club jazz. Okay, you might not get the knock-out punch of Davis or Gillespie, but man, this is a fine record of one of Britain's greatest ever musicians. Dig.

The Marvels 'Rock Steady' (45)

Funky ass reggae. You may have liked other versions of this track, but this version takes Aretha's and knocks it in to a cocked hat. It's tougher, snappier and features great chunksa wailin' to send you reelin' and rockin'. If you want a nice cop out, it's available on the 100% Dynamite compilation, also well worth a look.

V/A 'Come To The Sunshine: Soft Pop Nuggets From The WEA Vaults' (CD)

This compilation of sunshine popsike is designed to be listened to on sunny days. Start-to-finish, lite-psych
is sprinkled on Beach Boy harmonies and weird gentle sitars and strings. It's the sound of pop going further out and taking some of the kids along for a magic ride through the sky. 'Wounded' by The Cookies is teen melodrama meets Pet Sounds and 'Summer Days, Summer Nights' is the sound of the sun bouncing along in the sky with a big grin on its face. Essential summer listening.

Big Daddy Kane 'Show and Prove' (12)

With all the fuss over Jay-Z's inclusion on the Glasto bill, I went back to Big Daddy Kane's 'Show and Prove' which Jay-Z completely owns. Featuring a huge number of guest rappers, taking it in turns per verse, Jay-Z shows why he's feared and respected on the mic. No mean feat seeing as ODB is also part of the number. This needs to be heard to be believed!