Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (1984 version)
Band Aid 20 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2004 version)
Band Aid 30 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2014 version)
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2024 Ultimate mix)
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (live)
Review: This CD compilation brings together four decades of this iconic charity anthem, showcasing its evolution across generations while maintaining its heartfelt purpose. Featuring the original 1984 version by Band Aid, this release captures the raw urgency of the collective's mission to combat famine in Ethiopia. The 2004 rendition by Band Aid 20 introduces a modernised arrangement with a fresh lineup of artists, while Band Aid 30's 2014 version incorporates contemporary production and voices, reflecting the ongoing relevance of the cause. The 2024 version offers a reimagined take, balancing the classic's spirit with current musical sensibilities, ensuring it resonates with a new audience. Closing the collection is a powerful live performance from Wembley Stadium in 1985, a moment steeped in history and emotion that amplifies the song's legacy. Spanning generations of talent and commitment, this release is a celebration of unity and a reminder of the enduring power of music to inspire change.
Amortage(CD single + photobook + flipbook + postcards + photo cards + key ring in lenticular case (comes which different artwork, we cannot guarantee which one you will receive))
Review: Richard Norris loves a series. The former Grid man and noted psychedelic music afficionado has umpteen on the go at present, including ones dedicated to meditative ambient sounds ('Music For Healing') and modular experiments ('Abstractions'). Then there's his dub-wise and 'outernational' music series, Oracle Sound, which here reaches its fourth - and possibly strongest - instalment. Highlights are plentiful, from the languid and woozy head-nod of opener 'Connected Dub' and the intoxicating, flute-sporting musical mystery of 'Earthsea Dub', to the up-beat dancefloor dub of 'Maximum Dub', and the sub-heavy, near dub techno pulse of John Carter hook-up 'Ceefax'. That one also comes accompanied by alternative takes by both Norris and Carter.
Review: Fresh from delivering killer dancefloor jazz covers of classics cuts by Galaxy 2 Galaxy and Avicii (really), Japanese trio Polyplus deliver a fine sequel to last year's Good Luck Sound Tracks EP. They go for the dancefloor jugular from the off, wrapping snaking sax solos, fuzzy guitar licks and elongated solos around a breathlessly rapid punk-funk groove on 'Massive', before fusing Brit-Funk and sweat-soaked jazz-rock on 'Speedy Gold'. This hybrid jazz-funk/rock sound continues on 'Ranki 2025' (whose heavy beats and memorable piano riffs nods to classic house). Elsewhere, 'Ocean Breeze' re-frames wide-eyed city-pop as jaunty jazz-funk and 'Natural Born' is a drum solo-sporting slab of jazz-rock/jazz-fusion insanity straight from the top drawer.
Last Christmas (live At Wembley Arena, December 2006)
Last Christmas (instrumental)
Review: The 40th Anniversary Edition of Wham!'s iconic Christmas hit is a nostalgic trip through the beloved holiday classic. The first track, the original version remains as timeless as ever with its catchy melody and emotional lyrics, capturing the spirit of both love and heartbreak. The 'Pudding Mix' adds a playful, slightly altered twist, giving a fresh take on the classic while maintaining its festive charm. The live version recorded at Wembley Arena in 2006 showcases the energy and warmth of Wham!'s performance, adding an exciting, crowd-fueled vibe. Finally, the instrumental version strips down the vocals, letting the lush production and catchy synths shine in a new light. A Christmas classic!
Review: First released on streaming platforms last summer, Wilco's 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud' EP was uniformly praised by critics. Much more than a stop gap between albums (it arrived roughly 12 months after the outfit's lauded 13th studio full-length, Cousin), the six-track set bristles with inventiveness while flitting between styles and tempos. So, opener 'Hot Sun', a sticky slab of Americana-tinged jangly indie brilliance, is followed by the reverb and solo-laden alt-rock squall of 'Livid' and the gentle, string-laden swoon of 'Ice Cream'. And so it continues, with the fuzzy positivity and weary vocals of 'Annihilation' being joined by the pleasant, impossible-to-pigeonhole experimentalism of 'Inside The Bell Bones' and the twinkling, heartfelt melancholia of 'Say You Love Me'.
Review: Former Porcupine Tree founder member Steven Wilson has packed a lot into his career since the early 1990s - not least being a leading light of the post-progressive movement - but until last year he had never written or recorded a Christmas song. He was challenged to do that by a friend and, with a little help from collaborator Randy McStine, conjured up 'December Skies' - a suitably nostalgic, dreamy, progressive rock-tinged affair that touches on some of the usual Christmas single tropes while steadfastly refusing to revert to cliches. It has a pleasingly timeless feel, sounding like a largely cheese-free echo of the mid 1970s. On this limited-edition 'deluxe' CD single, you get both vocal and instrumental versions and a trio of Christmas cards based on the song's animated video.
Move Your Feet (feat Anne Marie Smith DJ Fargetta remix)
Keep Your Love (RAF mix)
The Message (club mix)
Touch Me (Mars Plastic mix)
I Got The Music Aka I Got It (Satori mix)
Baby, Im Yours (Hard House)
49er Megamix (extended version)
Review: Hugely successful in Europe but more of a niche outfit in the UK and United States, Italian quintet 49ers (yes, they were named in honour of the San Francisco-based American Football team) delivered a string of Eurodance and Italodance style albums and singles between 1988 and 1994. Beginning with arguably their best-known club hit, 'Touch Me' (you'll know it, even if you think you don't), this two-disc 'best of' features pop style radio edits and album tracks on CD1 and the pick of their extended club versions on CD2. There's some gold on that disc, with the sleazy Italo-house 'Sexual version' of 'Touch Me', the mid-tempo, loved-up excellence of 1988 debut 'Die Walkure (12 Version)' and the dark Italo-house-goes-Danny Tenaglia flex of the RAF mix of 'Keep Your Love' standing out.
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