The Underground of Happiness

A wonderfully smouldering cut from Stuart Staples and crew which simply confirms the band’s deep roots in soul. Stax is the particular branch that comes to the surface here, discreet horns and a lovely moving bassline putting the cap on Staples’ complete one off of a voice, injured and searching, the epitome of down in the gutter looking up at the stars. More magnificent pop music from a band that doesn’t know the meaning of a bad album.

New music this week from Tindersticks (typically smouldering soul cut with brass), The Comet Is Coming (outer space free jazz rumblings with sax drones), Britta Phillips (sweet dream pop cover of Evie Sands)and Virginia Wing (dark mutated disco). A couple of great reissues from Nick Garrie (gorgeous baroque pop from 1969) and The Monochrome Set (filthy lyrical put downs from 1985). A gorgeous remix of Lutine by Sarah Angliss and Stephen Hiscock . And Matthew Bourne , wringing magical sounds from a moog. More on these pages. The Underground of Happiness uplifting pop music of every creed www.theundergroundofhappiness.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/theundergroundofhappiness Twitter: UndergroundOfHappy Playlist 391 Tues Mar 1 2016 11.00am-12.00pm (repeated on Tuesdays 8.30pm) UCC 98.3FM listen live on the web at www.ucc.ie/983fm *listen back to this show here https://goo.gl/iDP5fs Playlist Matthew Bourne – Sam ( playing BFI Southbank, London, Mar ...

Another clutch of people playing these parts son and a raft of new music. Richard Hawley , bringing his A-grade folk/soul/whatever to Cork Opera House this month along with Marry Waterson & David A Jaycock , sparkling folk songs Tindersticks , back with more white soul orchestrations of the highest order Shearwater , epic protest music. Also Emma Pollock with lovely twisting chamber pop Nadia Reid , sweet fuzzy alt country Iggy Pop , reciting Walt Whitman over Tarwater & Alva Noto , gripping Cardinal , a cult classic w strings and trumpet fanfare. And Il Maestro Ennio Morricone bringing his 100+ piece group to Dublin this week. More on these pages as always. The Underground of Happiness uplifting pop music of every creed www.theundergroundofhappiness.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/theundergroundofhappiness Twitter: UndergroundOfHappy Playlist 388 Tues Feb 9 2016 11.00am-12.00pm (repeated on Tuesdays 8.30pm) UCC 98.3FM listen live on the web at...

In a reluctant (if you know what I mean) addition to the category of favourite bands you've lost touch with (speaking for myself), there's a new album from Tindersticks on the way, The something rain , on City Slang . They're giving away Frozen for free on this link - it's got the trademark rolling bassline, whipcrack guitars, and some great wailing saxophone and trumpet. As usual with this band, it's a fantastic mood piece. http://www.tindersticks.co.uk/the-something-rain/ There's also a beautiful, nostalgic film made at their recording studio, backed by the mournful, cello-laden Medicine . tindersticks - Medicine (official video) from tindersticks on Vimeo . I haven't always been thinking about them but I'm glad they're back.