hansell

Simon Woods, online editor of Amplifier.co.nz, the premiere online music retailer that specialises in selling 100% NZ music. As part of May New Zealand music month, Simon chose to review a band that features ex-members of The Shocking Pinks and Pig Out - the band is called THE TIGER TONES - if you like early Blondie crossed with a bit of New Order, this is well worth the listen... They were also nominated for Best New Act at the 2007 bNet awards without even releasing a record!

Another stunning and informative review by Bryan from Marbecks records. Bryan mentioned a return to form - perhaps this sounds cliche, but it does have to be said that this record surpasses Supergrass's previous effort 'Road to Rouen' which they produced themselves... Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) joined Supergrass as a producer of DIAMOND HOO HAA, and it was recorded in Hansa studios in Berlin... now, I could begin to drop all kinds on info on you here....but, it's best to leave that stuff to the experts.. of which Bryan is one! so check his review!

Speaking live from the U.S (Michigan, Detroit), I had the privilege of being joined by the multi-talented hiphop/music activist, radio personality and label owner Robo Robb - his album of choice... THEORY, an MC set to do big things, with the album titled "Homegirls and Handgrenades"...... An artist that walks the walk as well as talks the talk... check out why she's gonna do it big... For more Robo Robb, just check out his myspace: www.myspace.com/roborobb and also just head to WXOU.ORG if you're in the US and need a lil realness... ONE

[NB:- The interview is in two parts with the song placed inbetween] One of the most amazing things about having the privilege of being on 95bFM, is that i get to interview some very inspiring artists... When getting ready for the interview, a close friend of mine said "Do you realise you will be speaking with one of the greatest LIVING contempary artists of all time?" hmmmm.... it is true.... ok, so then i got hella nervous.... BUT, it did put me into the right frame of mind... Think about it... How difficult it is, for an artist to be 'original' and groundbreaking in any day and age...? take a moment, because you'll soon realise that there truly is noone else like her... So personally, i was then incredibly excited, and couldn't wait to talk with her... the outcome, well.. i felt blessed because she exudes 'genius'... we talked about music as a commodity, her views on soveriegnty just to name a few things.. unfortunately her record company overseas timed the interview to the second, there were so many more things we could've talked about... (her NZ label was awesome, i do have to mention that) ....since the interview, people have asked me if she was 'nice'... ?? all i can say is this.. pay her the respect she deserves, and she will be more than 'nice', she'll inspire. So to the auckland photographer, who decided to disrepect her, and made headlines around the world..thanks for reminding me, that 95bfm's role as a player in the New Zealand media is just as important as it ever was... Listen to the interview, and let me know your thoughts... Peace

Second wife to Miles Davis, Davis is often credited (by Miles himself in fact) with steering him toward the sounds that would give rise to his fusion period, and one listen to the the first track, "If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up," you will understand this, no doubt... Such an album can only be reviewed by someone who truly is 'In The Know'... Grant Smithies has written extensively on music, art and popular culture over the last fifteen years for most major magazines and newspapers in New Zealand, including the NZ Herald, the Dominion Post, Pavement and The Listener, and currently writes for the Sunday Star Times, New Zealand's highest circulation weekend newspaper. He also appears as a weekly music commentator on NZ radio network, Radio Live, and on Christchurch bNet station, RDU, and makes regular appearances on TV and Radio New Zealand National. He has become the best known music critic in New Zealand. In 2007 he won 'Best Reviewer in New Zealand' at the Qantas Media Awards. He has just released a book called "SOUNDTRACK - 118 Great New Zealand Albums" and this too, is worth getting!

Blockhead has helped to propel MC talents such as Aesop Rock, Cage, Slug, Murs, etc.with loads of production credits, most notably his work on the Aesop Rock album, None Shall Pass, for Def Jux. Blockhead has decided to self-release his latest collection called Uncle Tony's Coloring Book (in the past he has been part of the Ninja Tune stable). I have to agree with Dylan C, this album is down right HOT! I've had it on my player, the instrumentals are infectious... Dylan C nails this review, so listen up, and head out and order it in!

Dylan C joins me, and dirties up the airwaves with this soon to be classic drum and bass album... The album is by Calibre and it is called shelflife for a reason. Some of the tunes featured were in fact written years ago but yet they stand up completely alongside his more recent tracks which Calibre has also included... Check it!

Graham Reid is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most respected music and travel writers. His columns, interviews and essays in the New Zealand Herald, the Listener and other magazines, also made him one of the most widely read journalists in the country. His travel and political writing have won him numerous awards. In 2003, he received the prestigious Media Peace Award for his articles on the volatile politics of the Solomon Islands. His book Postcards From Elsewhere won the Whitcoulls Travel Book of the Year in 2006. Having just come back from his latest trip overseas, he found time to join me and talk about an album he picked up along the way... CASH, the soundtrack!

Alt-country king Steve Earle presents WASHINGTON SQUARE SERENADE. The album turns a bit away from his usual old-school production techniques enlisting L.A.'s Dust Brothers (of Beastie Boys and Beck fame) to help update his methods. However it is far from hip-hop, but there are quite stunning electronic touches and gusto to the arrangements. Roger Little is very much one of New Zealand's foremost country music experts, and he gives a thorough rundown on the latest Steve Earl offering...

English singer-songwriter Richard Hawley is notorious for his smart, contemporary pop-rock, for example has previously been nomintated for Britain's Mercury Prize. The feedback I recieved from Bryan's review was great... have a listen, you can hear Bryan's enthusiasm for this album is rather amazing - one person said to me, they didn't like Richard Hawley, but after listening to this review, they headed to the store, and bought it! Big shout out to Bryan, listen to this review!

Where can you even begin when speaking of an artist such as Mavis Staples, one of soul and gospel's most revered singers... You can start by saying a 5minute review is hardly enough! This album was produced by Ry Cooder, the concept built around freedom songs of the civil rights movement--some are traditional, while others are originals ("I'll Be Rested"). The album features vocals from both Ladysmith Black Mombazo and original members of the SNCC Freedom Singers. Buyer for JB-HiFi and radio host Johanna chose to discuss WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK with me...

Bryan from Marbecks Records reviews the 2007 album from the eccentric Britpoppers. The album was produced by Craig Silvey (The Magic Numbers) and The Coral are one of the UK’s most successful bands with eight Top 40 singles since their debut in 2001... Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys invited the band to support them on their European tour this year and Bryan discusses how influential they have been on a generation of bands, something rather astounding considering the lead singer is merely 26! Not a band to be ignored, however often they are, but shall I just let Bryan do the talking?!... listen up!

Personally, I have read and followed Kerry Buchannan's reviews for years. Writing for all the top music magazines in New Zealand, he is very much 'In The Know' when it comes to hip-hop in my books. As a buyer for specialty vinyl&cd retail store "Real Groovy Records" too, needless to say, respect! So when Kerry says that his pick for the moment is Common's 'Finding Forever', you wanna know why? right?.... of course you do :) We had a bit of a laugh discussing Len Brown wanting to ban Ice Cube too, so go ahead, check his review!

Bryan from Marbecks said that he doubts there will be an album to come out in 2007 to top this one... MAPS is Northampton, U.K. wunderkind, James Chapman and the album is called 'We Can Create'. Bryan is one of the most renown retail specialists in NZ and he talks candidly about the album recorded on a 16-track in James Chapman's tiny bedroom. Heard to be believed, MAPS are even more amazing for the fact he recorded the whole album without computers, preferring the process of splicing sounds together. Check out Bryan's in depth review....

Stars Of The Lid, originally from Texas, now residing in Belgium, aren't following any trends, just making superb ambient styled music, so no beats here...just stunning guitar loops, strings, and experienced production. Dylan C from Real Groovy records and host of Loop Sessions at Rakinos, discusses the latest album from Stars of the Lid "And Their Refinement of the Decline", a 3 piece vinyl or 3CD set. Over time you find your way through this music, if you are a fan of Boards of Canada, chances are you will enjoy this album too... check out the review!

Roger Little from Real Groovy Records & also Elite (music distribution) chooses Jackie Leven to review. One of the most knowledgeable country/blues and jazz specialists in New Zealand, Roger discusses the album "Oh What A Blow That Phantom Dealt Me". Jackie Leven is a Scottish artist, prolific in the sense that this is his 13th album & he has been releasing albums since '95 & Roger is heard here describing him as a "Celtic Bob Dylan"... If you are a fan of country music with a bit of edge, check this out. If you haven't been exposed to much country, this will surprise you, in a good way! I had a few enlightened listeners call me up at the show about this one too...

Beautiful artwork, a unique sound that still is difficult to describe, Johanna from JB-HIFI reviews the album by New Yorkers BATTLES, the album is called Mirrored.. "progressive jam band" ,"kinda Gentle Giants, Beastie Boys and T-Rex", "if chipmonks tried to play Tool" and "beautifully confusing music"... Sounds interesting huh? and it's taken BATTLES four years to get this album out... listen to more from Johanna!

Listen to Bryan review The Manic Street Preachers.. most definitely one of my favourite reviewers, Bryan from Marbecks Records never disappoints. World famous in New Zealand... check the review to see why!

You can't escape the hype regarding this one & Johanna from JB-HiFi reviews it for the latest "In The Know". Covering everything from the Smiths, to RadioHead to Brtiney's 'Toxic'-- Mark Ronson has said: "With my first album, I had all these people like Mos Def and M.O.P guesting. This time it's not about that. Despite the big names, it's about the songs…the songs here are the guest stars... I've taken these songs that I love and turned them into Motown/Stax 70's versions. I keep the utmost respect and appreciation for the original versions of songs I use. ..it's more like it's a great song and I'm now going to make it bounce." check out the review... let me know what you think! -peace Hayley J.