DARK & STORMY SOUL VOL. 4

For this edition of Dark & Stormy Soul (Vol. 4!), timed with ‘National Rum Day’ I thought it would be an idea to accompany the music by expanding on the theme of rum recipes for the cocktail (The Dark & Stormy). But ‘researching’ this (cough) I hit a serious snag. Read on…

THE CITY AND THE SCENE: HULL

Welcome to the very first ‘The City and the Scene’ in which we playlist the music incubated or hosted, by a particular place. For ‘Episode 1’, we just had to begin in Hull. But why? Only one way to find out. Read on. 

TALKING VOICES, WITH LEONARD COHEN

Just before his death late in 2016, Canadian singer-songwriter and auteur Leonard Cohen was receiving rave reviews for his 14th studio album, You Want It ­Darker. It was the first time I had spent any considerable time listening to his music. Read more…

THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL BAR

At The Song Sommelier, we consider what we do to be a suitably ‘lean forward’ experience. In plain English, we expect you come here to seek out great music and then spend some of your precious time listening to it and paying attention to it. This is the reason we exist. Read more…

Cruise Control Yacht: Bright & Breezy Edition

Think yacht rock gave up the ghost in '86? You'll be pleasantly surprised. This edition is all new/recent tracks. The Cruise ship has had a lick of paint, so smash the champagne and bless all who sail with her - Toto (back), China Crisis, Zervas & Pepper, Young Gun Silver Fox, HAIM, Ruel, PREP, Fat Nights. Sail on…

Dark & Stormzy: Glasto Shoutouts

Glastonbury 2019. Entering stage left, protected by a stab-proof vest (we later discovered was designed by non other than Banksy), Stormzy felt it appropriate to remind his audience - half way through the opener Know Me From - that this was “only the fucking beginning”. Read more.

Alternative Glastonbury Legends: Sunday Afternoon Slot

Ah Glastonbury! Good to have you back after a fallow year. If you’re like us, you will be casually drifting from stage to stage (VIP areas only), getting close up to the action. Drink in hand and with access to gourmet food trucks left and right, we’ll find something to enjoy in the line-up. Read more…

DARK & STORMY SOUL VOLUME 3

Fire up your phone and load up Dark & Stormy Vol.3. Hit play. Good. You’ve got five minutes. You’ll hear a violin loop, the deepest cello. A double bass accompanied by the high hat. After 30 seconds the snap of the snare drum beat. Wait. Is that the accordion? That’s your clock ticking. Read more…

DESPACIO DISCO DOUBLE

Not only do we despatch another Despacio (vol. 4!), but like a London bus, you wait for ages for one to come, to find two of the buggers arrive in a convoy. Unlike the buses however, you need both of these. Read more…

CRUISE CONTROL: SUNSHINE YACHT ROCK

Have you heard of yacht rock? Do you enjoy cruising? Er, well you've never been on a deck at happy hour quite like this one. The usual: Toto, Fleetwood, Boz Scaggs, Hall & Oates. The unusual: Morrissey, Two Door Cinema Club, Sports, Alan Parsons Project, Sex On Toast. Rock up for a Tequila Sunrise sundowner. Confused? Nah, you’re seasick is all. Get to the bar, then hit the floor. You’ll be fine. Read More…

SOUL CONNOISSEURS CHART

We wanted something modern and fresh to compliment our Funking Good Floor Fillers and make up the perfect soul weekender. We didn’t have to look too far. Read more.



FUNKING GOOD FLOOR FILLERS

We are heading for the dance floor and staying there, for these 20 belters. The first half has a northern soul feel, before we segue into Studio 54 disco land. Stabbing brass, virtuoso bass, disco strings. Should you feel an overwhelming desire to attempt the Brooklyn Shuffle, don’t hold back on our part. Track-by-track.

THE COMEDOWN VOL. 2

Just when you think summer has arrived, the air turns and a chilly snap of spring reminds you - you’re not out of the woods quite yet. That might be the blue moon at work. Apparently, this particular blue moon is the last one until August 22, 2021, making it the final blue moon of the decade. Read more.

ALTERNATIVE EUROVISION

In 2019, Eurovision hits its 64th competition. The institution is more than twice as old as the European Union and will possibly outlast it. In the UK, Eurovision has attracted some ridicule, its recent surge in popularity more down to a sense of irony than respect. How wrong we are…read more

NEW TROUBADOURS

There has always been something special about the troubadour. The lone gun singer-songwriter with something to say. Something so personal and powerful, it’s best not to have band mates get in the way. Read more…

LANA DEL REY: UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Born Elizabeth Grant in New York, Lana Del Rey made her name performing in bars and clubs in NYC. However, her breakthrough song ‘Video Gamesʼ and its accompanying self-made music video, is what elevated her to stardom. So distinctive was the construct, some suspected a one hit wonder. Far from it, she has effectively become a modern day pop icon. Read more…

NEW KIDZ ON THE ROCK VOL. 2

Is rock dead? Don’t laugh at the question I am (deadly) serious. And so are record labels and managers (of rock bands) the world over. Such is the proliferation of other genres: hip hop, rap, pop, Latin and now country (not to mention K-pop, Bollywood) on streaming services, anyone with or close to an amplified guitar and a fuzz pedal can be left wondering where they might fit in today’s music scene. Bosh! Read more…

DARK & STORMY SOUL VOL. 2

Every so often a tune can really get inside you. I’m not talking the proverbial ‘ear worm’ that nags away (more like an earache, usually) but something more akin to a second pulse, pumping through your blood. That happened for me with the opening track to this playlist: Celeste’s Father’s Son. Read more…

IN PERFECT HARMONY - JAZZ/FOLK

In Perfect Harmony arrives like a thing out of time. This isn’t nostalgia for Crosby or Joni Mitchell or the hay day of Laurel Canyon, nor is it exactly contemporary. It is just gorgeous music to move you. Jazz Folk with Becca Stevens, Michelle Willis, Crosby and friends...read more.