Can You See The Rockets?

Today's selection turns the spotlight on Nina Walsh, composer, performer, engineer, producer, supreme talent and looong overdue a Dubhed selection. I say that a lot, but I really mean it.

Sundays are often reserved for something a little bit more downtempo, a little bit more relaxed and this is no exception, although being Nina, this is more Cabaret Voltaire than Cafe Del Mar ambience.

That said, things start off with the beautiful and delicate original version of Borderland, featuring Sarah Sarhandi on viola, by Woodleigh Research Facility. Initially a joint project with Andrew Weatherall, since his death in 2020 Nina has continued to release music as WRF. Nina and Andrew's connection goes way back: previously romantically involved, the pair also founded and ran the Sabres Of Paradise and Sabrettes labels in the early 1990s, which is how I first became of Nina's work. Here's a photo the pair by John Barnett circa 2016.

 

Borderland was originally recorded in 2019 and was finally released as volume 4 in the Apparently Solo series of EPs. I had to include the original here as it was such a strikingly obvious opener, but the EP includes a pair of remixes, one of Andrew's last, the other by uber-producer (and former Sabre) Jagz Kooner in 2021.

 

 

The rest of the selection takes in Nina's further collaborations as Slab with Lol Hammond (Drum Club), with Alex Paterson/The Orb and solo as C-Pij, with a rare A-side and couple of remixes for Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood aka Two Lone Swordsmen.

Bringing things bang up to date is an epic remix earlier this year of In A Wonderland from Steve Queralt and Michael Smith's brilliant companion to the equally excellent Sun Moon Town album. 

 

Nina provides vocals on several songs, not least the closing track, Slab's cover of Mazzy Star's 1993 song Fade Into You. The original may be definitive, but I really love this cover and there's something about Nina's voice here that really gets me. It's a wonderful way to bring things to an end.

Although what is the end? A couple of weeks ago, Nina released a Woodleigh Research Facility album, Phonox Nights. Her final WRF recordings with Andrew Weatherall, it's a stunning collection, tinged with sadness and loss and yet imbued with a positivity and joie de vivre, the latter seemingly typifying their working relationship. Joe Muggs had a superb interview with the pair for Fact magazine in 2016 which captures this wonderfully.

 

Nina continues to make music and I think is receiving (over)due credit for her immense talent. Head over to Nina's website for links to her solo, WRF and other releases and immerse yourself in some incredible music.

 

1) Borderland (Original Version): Woodleigh Research Facility ft. Sarah Sarhandi (2019)

2) Mental Ground Zero: Slab ft. Younger Youth (1999)

3) Big Clapper (C-Pij Remix By Nina Walsh): Two Lone Swordsmen (1999)

4) Rabbit's Moon (Squelch Mix aka Lateral Lagomorph Mix By Lol Hammond & Nina Walsh): Slab (1997)

5) Primitive.... (Orbtij Mix By The Orb & C-Pij aka Alex Paterson & Nina Walsh): D-Kiku (1999)

6) Nostik: C-Pij (2000)

7) Aeronauts The Next Phase: Woodleigh Research Facility (2015)

8) Taste Of Our Flames: Two Lone Swordsmen ft. Nina Walsh (2004)

9) In A Wonderland (Wonk On The Gnosis Mix By Nina Walsh): Steve Queralt & Michael Smith (2023)

10) Cosmo: Slab (1999)

11) Tiny Reminder No. 1 (C-Pij Remix Vocal) (Remix By Nina Walsh): Two Lone Swordsmen (2001)

12) Plum Island (Flat Mix By Nina Walsh & Andy Sheriff): The Orb (2001)

13) Fade Into You (Single Version) (Cover of Mazzy Star): Slab (1999)

Can You See The Rockets? (1:18:26) (KF) (Mega)

If I Stand Up, The World Will Spin Away

Andrew Weatherall has frequently featured on this blog, most recently in June with a selection of remixes. However, I think this is the first time I've presented a selection exclusively focusing on the music he's released under his own name.

Without further ado, here's a 10 song selection in a little over 70 minutes, bringing together (mostly vocal) songs and remixes from Andrew Weatherall's solo albums and various EPs and 12" singles.

Today's selection title is a lyric from We Count The Stars (track 9) which complements the photo of the giant wooden gorilla, snapped in the gardens of Bristol Zoo when Clan K visited on Monday. Every 30 minutes or so, the gorilla's left hand would raise to it's mouth, which would then 'spit' water all over the children (and some adults) below, to their screaming delight.

 

1) The Moton 5.2 (2020)

2) Built Back Higher (Radical Majik Re-Mix By Steve Boardman) (2009)

3) Disappear (Duncan Gray Remix) (2016)

4) Making Friends With The Invader (2018)

5) You Can't Do Disco Without A Strat (Single Version By Andrew Weatherall) (2006)

6) Confidence Man (Album Version By Andrew Weatherall & Nina Walsh) (2016) 

7) Miss Rule (2009)

8) Vorfreude 2 (2017)

9) We Count The Stars (Unloved Remix By David Holmes, Keefus Ciancia & Tristin Norwell) (2016)

10) The Last Walk (Album Version By Andrew Weatherall & Nina Walsh) (2016)

 

2006: The Bullet Catcher's Apprentice EP: 5 

2009: A Pox On The Pioneers: 7

2009: Andrew Weatherall vs The Boardroom Volume 2: 2

2016: Convenanza: 6, 10

2016: Consolamentum: 3, 9

2017: Qualia: 8

2018: Blue Bullet EP: 4

2020: Pamela #1 EP: 1

 

If I Stand Up, The World Will Spin Away (1:11:35) (KF) (Mega)

I'll Keep On Forgiving If You'd Like To Show Me How

Side 2 of a 2001 mixtape, featuring Two Lone Swordsmen aka Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood. Again, the selection draws exclusively on the 1998-2001 period, covering the album Tiny Reminders, remix companion Further Reminders, and the two mini-albums/EPs, A Bag Of Blue Sparks and A Virus With Shoes. For the eagle-eyed amongst you, I got 1998's album Stay Down some years after this mixtape was compiled. In amongst the brilliant song names - Cloned Christ On A Hover Donkey (Be Thankful) a highlight - and glitchy (itchy?) electronica, there is a touching vocal from Nina Walsh, which gives today's post it's title.

 

Schismatic (Split Two) (50:30)

1) Palais Munich (1999)

2) Brother Foster Through The Phones (1999)

3) Black Commandments (1998)

4) Gay Spunk (1998)

5) Tiny Reminder No. 1 (C-Pij Remix Vocal By Nina Walsh) (2001)

6) Tiny Reminder No. 2 (2000)

7) Tiny Reminder No. 3 (Calexico Remix) (2001)

8) Electric 4 Bird (1998)

9) Very Futuristic (2000)

10) It Hits (1999)

11) Kist (1999)

12) Cloned Christ On A Hover Donkey (Be Thankful) (1999) 

 

Schismatic (Split Two) (50:30) (KF) (Mega)

Find Schismatic (Split One) here