Sunday 15 April 2012

LOVESPLOITATION #1 (.acdx RE UP)

So if you don't already know, I have cancelled Oizo Week purely because dedicating time to purely the blog with my current situation (creating design packs whilst having no money, whilst trying to find a job) just was not possible. Fear not though my friends, I am sure when the time is right, we can finish where we left off with that so look out for the next instalment of Oizo Week in the hopefully near future. I do apologise and I hope all my readers (probably a select few) will forgive me. You are probably wondering what this post is going to be from "Mr. Has No Time To Blog Yet He's Blogging Now!". Well, let me explain! I have been wanting to do this post for a hell of a long time and I have a few hours I can spare so might as well take this window and show face with a new post. This is almost an apology as it is a normal post. Today is time for another compilation of songs hand picked by yours truly and as you might have worked out from the title; it has something to do with exploitation films... but what is Lovesploitation I don't hear you asking? Let me explain...

I love exploitation cinema. I love the cult classics. I hate the mainstream film business. Bring back the animatronics and fuck CGI. OK some films need CGI but come on, Transformers a classic? NO! Bring back the directors who actually ideas and stories to tell. Where are our Bruno Mattei's? Where are our Lucio Fulci's? Long live George .A. Romero still making great zombie films. What has happened to great story telling and directors bordering on taste. Tarintino, I salute you! Films are shit now. I want Cannibals, I want zombies, I want exploitation flicks that aren't shit straight to DVD student projects. YOU SEE MY POINT! I could rant on and tell you my favourite films but hey, that's for another blog. Today is a celebration of one of the famous aspects of exploitation/ cult flicks from yesteryear... the soundtrack.

A soundtrack makes or breaks a film for me. A soundtrack can make a bad film good. A soundtrack can make a good film great. A soundtrack can make you ignore the film and concentrate on the music. I present to you the first in a series of compilations celebrating the music of some great classics. Wether it be blacksploitation, zombie flicks, vintage porn, sexploitation, nazisploitation... it doesn't matter. If the jam is killer, it goes on the compilation. The compilation today is called Lovesploitation #1. This is celebrating all songs sexy or lovely. With the slow funk jams from Blacksploitation cinema, some love songs from zombie flicks, a couple of tracks from Deepthroat and more to mention, this compilation is cheesy, romantic, sexy and overall, enjoyable. Here is a track by track rundown for all you cool cats:

1. Fabio Frizz- Ann & Peter (From Zombi 2)
We start off with a lovely little gem from the amazing soundtrack to the amazing film; Zombi 2. Just a short song to introduce what you can expect from the rest of the soundtrack.

2. Goblin- Zombie (Sexy) (From Dawn Of The Dead)
The first song of probably many by the amazing band Goblin. This is from the original Dawn Of The Dead (or as I like to call it; the best film ever made). This is actually from the Argento cut of the film, which if you have seen the original and haven't seen this cut, go see it. This song is a smooth, sexy jazz number.

3. Curtis Mayfield- Give Me Your Love (From Superfly)
This is the classic love track from the blacksploitation flick; Superfly. Written by the amazing Curtis Mayfield who wrote the whole soundtrack for this great film. Forgive if I'm wrong but is this song taken from the bath scene? It's just a nice slow funky ballad and the first of many songs from a blacksploitation film that will feature in the sploitation series.

Unknown- Saxy (From Deep Throat)
The first of 2 songs taken from the classic porn flick; Deep Throat. Not only is this film controversial because it's a hardcore porn flick (yep, lot's of pubic hair throughout this film, so much you find yourself coughing up imaginary fur balls) but because the lead star and the most famous porn star of all time Linda Lovelace was apparently underage when she filmed this. This is just pure cheese but what do you expect from a vintage porno? It's epic.

Harold Faltermeyer- Love Theme From Thief Of Hearts (From Thief Of Hearts)
Now this isn't really an exploitation film at all. It is an erotic thriller but to be honest, it is the same vein. This film is genuinely a sensual experience and you find yourself wanting to be in this scenario. The song itself is one of those 80's dark, synth numbers that is more haunting than anything else but my god does it have an atmosphere.

Isaac Hayes- Now We're One (From Truck Turner)
Another song lifted from a blacksploitation classic. Isaac wrote the soundtrack and even starred in the film as the lead role. This is a kick ass film and the soundtrack is just as cool. The song picked is genuinely one of the most beautiful and charming love songs I have heard. It's instrumental, has nice guitar and keys and has strings. This is gorgeous, you are going to love it.

Riz Ortolani- Love With Fun (From Cannibal Holocaust)
Who knew that one of the most shocking and gruesome cannibal flicks (if not all time shocking films) carry such a lovely song. In fact, the whole soundtrack seems out of place somehow which just adds another scale of weirdness to the film (the scene where they slice open the giant turtle will always haunt me). The song isn't a love song or from a sex scene but it's still a romantic, somewhat psychedelic song and actually quite cheery.

Unknown- She's Got To Have It (From Deep Throat)
Yes it's another song from Deep Throat. This song is the definition of cheesy. With in your face innuendo lyrics and the cliche' funk sex music that is overly satired (I don't think that's even the proper word). This is a fun song and you will find yourself clicking your fingers and singing along.

Bonnie Pointer- The Beast In Me (From Heavenly Bodies)
Like Thief Of Hearts, this sin't really an exploitation flick. Well, it could be classed leotardsploitation or workoutsploitation. The song however is yet another genuinely sexy song from the 80's. It's taken from the scene where the leads are undressing each other with their eyes while it keeps cutting back to them making love so I think this totally belongs on this comp.

Dennis Coffey- Sexy (From Black Belt Jones)
The final song on the compilation and like the first, it's only a short and sweet one but unlike the romantic intro, this is one of those funky, sexy jams. Taken from a film that I still need to watch, Black Belt Jones. Great sax on this beast with a bit of dialogue from the film scattered on top. A great way to end a great compilation.

So there you have it. The first in the series of compilations. I hope you enjoy the music as much as I have enjoyed it. Films are a great way to get into good music and I confess, that most of these films, I actually heard the soundtrack first. Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas for similar compilations just let me know.

LOVESPLOITATION #1

PDx
Original .acdx post

Saturday 14 April 2012

Innerspace Volume 6: Stranger In A Strange Land

Greetings from Germany my friends! As some of you guys who know in the real life, Youtube or the Book of Face, you will know that I am currently in Germany and will be here for the next 6 months. I am spending time with the love of my life which is amazing and to top it off, I'm in a gorgeous city in a fantastic country and hey, the weathers nice for the most part, the alcohol is cheap plus they play Bob Ross on TV late at night.... you dig? In all seriousness though, I'm the happiest I have ever been with the single most important person I have ever met in my life and we have the greatest kitty in the world. Life is wunderbar! Now you might be thinking "well that's all well and good Pete, happy for you but what musical delights are you treating us to this month?". Well this month is something a bit personal that maybe I will only truly "get" but I hope at the very least you like the songs I am providing you. Like last month, I am going lon wolf on this one. Daniel is going from strength to strength with his own endeavours and it makes me even prouder and happier day by day knowing he's my soul brother. So I figured, he has some bigger fish to fry right now... not that he would mind of course you understand! So yes, let me stop waffling on give you the goods...

This months compilation (half a year already!?) is like I said, something a tad personal to me but I am sure a lot of you guys have experienced the same or something similar. I have been in Germany for 2 weeks now and I have to say I am settled in and feeling very comfortable in a new country, new surroundings and learning (very slowly and painfully) a new language. Today however, I experienced something which has only happened to me a few times before. I ventured to the shopping centre to pick up some things for the weekend and decided to walk there. It's only a 10 - 15 minute walk but hey, I got a little lost so it took a bit longer but as I was doing this, every so often a song would play on my ipod where I would get goosebumps. Have you guys ever experienced being in a new city, listening to your music and THAT song comes on which almost transports you to another dimension or gives the city an atmosphere? It's hard to explain but I hope some of you guys can relate. Bottom line is, it just proves to you how different a situation can be witha  different song and just how powerful music can be. So yes, there are 12 songs today folks that I really think capture what I felt today. You could say this is a companion piece to the Journey compilation or even a sort of sequel.
1. Joni Haastrup- Greetings
2. Stephen Falken- Shadow Of The Wind
3. Boards Of Canada- 1969
4. Lonnie Liston Smith- Summer Nights
5. Lindstrøm- Another Station (Todd Terje Remix)
6. Alan Parsons Project- Mammagamma
7. Maethelvin- Lost In The big City
8. The Clash- Justice Tonight/Kick It Over
9. Pamala Stanley & Paul Parker- Stranger In A Strange Land
10. DJ Mehdi- Anything Is Possible (Feat. Vinia Mojica)
11. Blondes- Paradise city
12. Psychic Ills- Meta

So there we go gang. A very, very mixed bag of stuff here. Lots of different moods, feelings, atmospheres. Music for different times of the day, from the easy grooves of walking to the shop on an orange blanketed sky to the high energy of a good club night. You don't even have to be in a strange place to appreciate or even feel what I felt. These songs have the power to change your surroundings. These songs have the power to take you to a different place. Overall, I just hope you get some joy and get turned on to some great artists. Share the music and the good times my friends. Life is too short so you got to make the most of every little feeling, every moment. Safe journeys my friends and if you are in a  new city pop this compilation and see what happens.

Love,
Pete

Innerspace Volume 6