hayleyj

Every now and then, my producer for my radio show, really steps things up, and on this day, things went next level... i was told, i was about to cross live to speak with TRUCK NORTH... and if you have copped the latest Roots album RISING DOWN (and if you haven't, why are you sleeping!) then you know this guy is making waves... Hailing from Philadelphia PA, for the last seven years Truck North has been apart of some amazing musical projects. A protégé and frequent collaborator of the legendary Roots Crew, has provided an avenue for Truck North to engage in some amazing opportunities, as Truck north has appeared on both The Tipping Point and Game Theory Album, aswell as a mix tape album Northern Exposure and a compilation mix tape album entitled The Antidote... and with an EP on the way, he talks candidily with Hayley J. And I have to say, it was a priviledge and a joy to be able to speak with him! CHECK THIS OUT!!! Also... visit www.myspace.com/trucknorth to see whats up... PEACE

Adele Hunter-Higgins, host of 95bFM's Totally Wired show and also bFM's music director joined Hayley J. for In The Know, and her album of choice -- DOSH "Wolves & Wishes"... Wolves and Wishes, is Martin Dosh's fourth official album, he's been a member of Andrew Bird's band, and is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink virtuoso (composing, improvising, arranging), he is also joined by a fresh cast of collaborators too.... And to think, there's not a single drum machine in the mix...?!?! listen up...

Benett aka Dr Hitchcock, programme director of the Christchurch radio station RDU, talk about the hot new band - Bang Bang Eche! Please forgive the sound quality, the phone line was a bit weird on the day... however, enjoy!

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!

We've heard the first single from this album, "Machine Gun," and needless to say, the wait for Portishead's third studio album (titled THIRD {3}) is well and truly over! Their first release in 10 years, first studio album in 11, there has been quite a lot of hype around this one... Hayley J. talks to Renee Jones, a 95bfm dj herself and also In-The-Know when it comes to NZ music (she is part of the team at IMNZ), as she hits us with her concise opinion about one of the hottest international releases we've seen in a long time... check it....

Personally, I feel Manuel Bundy is one of the best djs there is in NZ. A fixture on the New Zealand dj scene for nearly 20 years, Manuel has toured the world as DJ of choice for artists such as Nathan Haines, Mark De Clive Lowe and OMC, and has also produced his own beats under the Solephonic moniker. He is a long time radio host, and is intergral in breaking the hot track as part of Auckland city's popular monthly party 'The Turnaround'.. all this aswell as being co-creator of Auckland's online gig-guide www.mukuna.co.nz - he most certainly qualifies as being In-The-Know... I am first and foremost a fan of Manuel Bundy, so I was excited as hell! it was a great pleasure to speak to him about Erykah Badu's latest release... ENJOY!

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!

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!