La Cassette

I missed The Emperor Machine's album that came out earlier this year, the nine song Island Boogie that is turning into an autumnal treat (it came out in July), vintage synths sounds, dub space, electro- disco, some early 80s punk- funk, generally good vibes all round.  As a result of missing the album I also missed a remix EP that came out in September where frequent Bagging Area visitors Hardway Bros provide two remakes of Wanna Pop With You, one a remix and one a dub. The cherry on the top of this particular pie though is the Tigerbalm remix of  La Cassette, the French language vocals courtesy of Severine Mouletin cut up and re- arranged, the bass throbbing like it's come directly from early 80s Manhattan and whooshing sounds adding a dub sci fi edge. It's brilliant, life affirming stuff. You can get it all here. 

Tigerbalm's International Love Affair was one of 2022's treats, a stew of global, dub and disco sounds aimed at the feet. The album was followed by a hefty remix package in 2023 which included a remix and a dub mix of Riad De Lister by The Emperor Machine where Rose Robinson (Tigerbalm) is sent spinning back to the proto house grooves of the mid 80s. The Special Extended Vocal Mix is a squelchy pleasure. 

Monday's Long Song

Futuristic, global, Afrofunk, disco/ house, dancefloor delights for your Monday in December? Step right this way...

Tigerbalm (Rose Robinson to her family) has made International Love Affair, an album with more joy, more fun, more groove and more good vibes than most you'll encounter this year. it draws from almost every style you can think of and blends them seamlessly together- percussion and rhythm led, drawing on a decade of playing clubs in London and excursions further afield, into Rio de Janeiro, Berlin, New Zealand and Bali, it's a blast. In parts it reminds me of the no boundaries, post- punk pop of New York in the 80s, the world of Tom Tom Club, Keith Haring and Jean- Michel Basquiat. Listen or buy here.