Audio Flare

The Stones!

Evening all.

 

I come to you in awe. Simple as that. 

If you have seen the movie 'The Fifth Element', you'd know it was a masterclass of production, visuals and design.

 

And music.

And Chris Tucker, in his most subtle role yet.

 

Anyways, apart from the obvious Opera/Diva Plavalaguna song (which is great even removed from the images of the screen), the other song which I discovered purely by accident is the Taxi Chase scene music. 

 

The Diva Dance (as it's commonly known)

 

 

And Secondly: Taxi Chase Music

Cheb Khaled : Alech Taadi

 

 

Savour!

 

 

 

Isaac Hayes

was the man (yeah, I just started without saying hi) who composed the ever funky Shaft theme tune. A song so awesome the most top rated comment as of today was 'Listening to this song made me 10% black'.

He was also in the ever wicked mega-cool (yeah, this again) film Escape From New York playing the funky Duke of New York.

 

However, apart from his instantly known Shaft theme, my personal favourite Isaac Hayes track comes from his seminal 1969 album Hot Buttered Soul. An album title that quite literally rocks my very existence. The very first track off that album is a cover of the Burt Bacharach song 'Walk on By', which Hayes transformed into a near 13 minute funk masterpiece. (I had to redo a lot of typos here!)

 

So much like Sunday's 'Rime...', here's another 13 minute musical odyssey to enjoy.

 

 

So whilst that's running, let me introduce the ever enjoyable Wu-Tang Clan.

Unleashed to the general public in 1993 with the powerhouse that was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the Wu-Tang have released many albums under that moniker, many more albums from their affiliates and their most prominent producer, RZA, has done film soundtracks too.

 

Their first album at the start of the millennium was simply entitled The W, an album has a lot less of a polished feel than other rap albums of the time and spawned two of my favourite Wu-Tang songs. First is the ever fun 'Gravel Pit', I'll link the video simply because it rocks.

 

(visual pun alert!)

 

 

Anyway, my second favourite from the album is the pained sounding Can't Go to Sleep, a song about the hardships of urban life and history of crime, violence, the police, dead rappers, family and more. The song takes it pained edge from it's backing track which is (ta-da!) Walk on By.

 

 

And that's brings us back to square one!

Speaking of cycles, tomorrow I might bust open some goth punk, both young and old.

 

Have fun! 

 

 

 

Hitchcock and Herrmann

A good day to the lot of you.

After the fine interpretation and guitar work of yesterday's post of Rime of the Ancient Mariner (check it our if you haven't already, it's wicked mega-cool), today I'll be toning it down a bit.

 

On this fine Monday, to coincide with my purchase of the monolithic North by Northwest on DVD (check it out if you haven't seen it already, it's wicked mega-cool!), I shall be bringing you a few musical scores from the incredible Bernard Herrmann, famous not only for his work with Hitchcock on his films but also for the scores for films like Taxi Driver.

Wicked mega-cool

Psycho shower scene anyone? Not only a pivotal moment in modern cinema, but a powerhouse of editing and score. A score composed by Mr Herrmann. Your irrational fear of showers, motels and decayed corpses of parents are down to this swine. What a bastard! Albeit a talented bastard, and they are the worst kind of bastard! The bastard!

 Anyways, here for your enjoyment is Herrmann's first piece, 'Vertigo'

 

A haunting piece that perfectly embodies the intrigue and suspense of the film it accompanies. I'm sure you'll agree.

 

Finally, also because I name-dropped it earlier on, here's 'North by Northwest'.

 

 

This still brings me out in goosebumps.

 

Anyway, that is enough until tomorrow, when I shall be bringing you some Isaac Hayes and the Wu-Tang Clan.

 

A Flipping Choice.

Good evening to all you fine folk.

Welcome to another episode of shiny, bauble-like Audio Flare, possibly the greatest blog in the world according to everyone. Tonight's affair includes two reviews for which I require no thanks, I'm merely doing my job is all.

First review of the day is from Deftones. If you've been paying any sort of attention to Audio Flare you would know that I mentioned Deftones all the way back in.....late February. In the entry, I noted how awesome Deftones were musically as well as a general history of their albums. I also mentioned an album coming out in May called Diamond Eyes. 

Guess what? 

It is May and the new album is out.

I did not write a lie, the album is indeed called Diamond Eyes and I've given it many listens and feel that now is a good a time as any to write a comprehensive review of said album and why you need it in your lives.

I am seriously contemplating, as the time becomes 22:54pm, of trying a new Audio Flare segment entitled 'Audio Flare's drunken review of the week'. I even made a series of pictures to illustrate this:

+ 

 

=

 REVIEW 

 

In essence, this review will be like most of my other reviews but with worse grammar and spelling, kind of like a Daily Mail article or a physics essay written by an eight year old. 

 

So anyway, here's Audio Flare's official drunken review of Deftones' 'Diamond Eyes' album.

I easily award this album a 3/3. Here's the reasons why:

What I liked:

• The old Deftones style of quiet mixed with loud is used to great effect in this album. The quiet, such as 'Sextape' is unnerving and measured, the louder songs like the best song on the album 'Rocket Skates' are angry and barely measured. Both styles work.
• Deftones knows that, more than most heavy bands, a whisper is more effective than a scream.
• This is possibly the finest album of their musical career, certainly on par with their prior 'magnum opus' White Pony. 

What I didn't like:

• If you're not a fan of Deftones or unsettling music then I'd probably be best that you stay clear of this.

Ironically, this album is much more optimistic than pretty much anything else they've written. Seeing as how their bass player was comatose after a car crash during recording, the band decided to channel the unity and inspiration they felt into their music. Stylistically, lyrically and emotively this album is closest to White Pony and as I said earlier, it may even succeed that as the best album of the band's career. 

BUY ME!

It is now the next day so.....

   

Moving on now to a pinnacle of sanity. Everyone I know who does psychology is aware that on the sanity to insanity scale, the highest single point at the insanity end is called 'The Busey'.

 

  

However, the female equivalent is former Cobain girlfriend, Hole front lady and all round all-rounded Hole front lady Courtney Love.

 

 

Hole are most famous for tracks like 'Celebrity Skin' from their 1998 album Celebrity Skin. This song is certainly their most famous but their most critically acclaimed album was 1994's Live Through This which was thought of as being one of the best albums of the 90s. Singles from this album included 'Miss World' and 'Doll Parts', these shows show off a grunge/punk/alt rock sound before the more pop-like style of Celebrity Skin. 

 

On May 3rd 2010, Hole released their 4th studio album Nobody's Daughter. The first song, the titular 'Nobody's Daughter' immediately starts the album off sounding like Garbage, Elastica or other guitar driven alt rock. The first thing to notice is that Courtney's voice has gotten much less gravelly and aggressive, instead opting for clean singing and that's something she actually does rather well. Other song's like 'Pacific Coast Highway' have a rather optimistic vibe to it, sounding a fair bit more mature than their older material.

 

Here's my Audio Flare official review.

I hereby award Hole's album, Nobody's Daughter a 2/3.

What I liked:

• A different, well done sound to their other albums show a promising new direction in their music.
• Hole have surpassed my expectations in writing and recording a perfectly decent alt-rock album.

What I didn't like:

• Nothing quite as sharp or acidic in tone as from their old style. 
• No songs to rival the quality of their classics here.

So overall, I give the album a 2/3 because whilst the album is perfectly good, it just never matches the acerbic tone and feel of their older material. 

 

Righty ho! 

That brings us to the end of a goddam Audio Flare entry. Hooray!

Tune in next time for Drowning Pool and Swedish House Mafia plus a special surprise.

Since the theme this entry seems to be guitars, I'm going to throw it out there on my final track.

This is the theme from the upcoming Tron Legacy film by Daft Punk.

 

 

 

Holiday Special.

Woah, it's good to be back!  *Applause*

No really, the applause is most kind but really, I'm doing nothing special. Simply bringing you all the finest summer music to play whilst the sun is out, the picnic is laid and the wine is open. 

Hopefully, this will also herald in the start of more regular Audio Flare entries. 

Ta-Da! 

What I have assembled is the Avengers mixed with the Thunderbirds, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,The Biker Mice from Mars and the Power Rangers all rolled into one. Nostalgia overload, sorry. 

 

My summer selection of songs and saucy alliteration starts here. Voila!

1) Florence and the Machine - Drumming Song. The album is STILL in the charts after being initially released in July 2009. You can see her this year at literally any festival you care to name in the UK. 

2) Nero - Blinded by the Lights remix. Still one of my favourite electronic artists at the moment, this sweet little number remixes the Street's song and adds a driving beat that carries the simple sample.

3) The Jesus and Mary Chain - Surfin' USA. Call me a blaspheming son of a bitch but I massively prefer this version to the Beach Boys. Sorry Fellas but you haven't got the edge I crave. Besides, the sun just went in.

4) The XX - Crystalised. The great whites of the 2009 music scene. Da-dum! Da-dum! dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum. Bam! From nowhere, an amazing album.

5) Donaeo - Riot Music. The sun finally gets it's second wind. Donaeo has been a staple of UK funky house for ages and this track highlights the genre that he so loves. 

6) Delphic - Halcyon. 4th single from the awesome Acolyte album is a brilliantly light affair with a hook so catchy it rocks every sense. 

7) MSTRKRFT - D.A.N.C.E remix. Damn this infectious track! Now I've heard it, it will not be unheard for a fair while. 

8) Leftfield - Phat Planet. Yes, it's that song. On that advert. The rest is a footnote.

9) Swedish House Mafia - One. New SHM track. A top piece of music. Audio Flare prediction: floor destroyer.

 

Like this but with more destruction. 

 

10) Claude von Stroke - Vocal Chords. Another brilliant house track, complete with textbook CvS minimalism but it works through precise production and sheer genius. 

11) Flying Lotus - Recoiled. Track off his new album 'Cosmogramma' and showcasing the chopped and cut style of music FL became known for. 

12) Starkey - Capsule. Starkey's first album 'Ephimeral Exhibits' was a master class of awesomeness. This track, taken from his new album 'Eardrums and Blackholes' shows a continuation of the incredible style he does. 

 

And that, folks is the dozen songs that are playing on my summery bank holiday weekend. I am off to cook myself something amazing.

Enjoy!

And I will put every ounce of effort I have into firing out another Audio Flare entry next week. See you there.

Nuke and Pave

Okey-Dokie, pig in a pokey!

Hello and welcome to another astounding episode of everyone favourite twice weekly musical blog, Audio Flare. With viewing figures literally and metaphysically 'through the roof' and people from all over the planet tuning in, my thoughts and opinions are now world-wide. A terrifying thought for those who know me and for those who don't, ignorance is indeed bliss. 

 

A subtle incest joke there to break the ice.

 

Today's entry is full to the brim with all manner of musical madness. I am Willy Wonka and this is my factory. Welcome to my factory. The first three stops on the tour will be Crystal Castles, Rollo Tomasi and Seiji, so get your tickets ready!

 

First of all, I'm going to start with all you L.A Confidential fans. If you are a fan then you already know which band I'm going to start with, for those that don't, it's Rollo Tomasi. In the musical world, Rollo Tomasi is a rock band formed in 1999 from Chicago. A quartet that can best be described as Invasion by way of Rage Against the Machine's groove led melodies. 

Their MySpace is here.

The name Rollo Tomasi is taken from L.A Confidential, as Detective Ed Exley says:

 

'Rollo was a purse snatcher. My father ran into him off duty, and he shot my father six times and got away clean. No one even knew who he was. I just made the name up to give him some personality..Rollo Tomasi is the reason I became a cop. I wanted to catch the guys who thought that they could get away with it.'

 

The band's aim is to fill the void of month by month 'scene bands' with timeless, aggression driven rock. Hooray! I like these guys. The tuned down guitars, the prominent basslines, the anger issues, it's all to provide a rock band in the vein of the great rock bands and by extension, great rock. 

Throw your eyes towards a performance like 'So Cruel' at Schubas, Chicago last year. The guitar and bass are so loud and crunchy they nearly drown out the singer, completely drown out the crowd and if a one hundred megaton warhead was detonated just outside the club, no one inside would notice.

Songs on their MySpace page such as 'Advanced Automation' and 'Route Two' show a style obviously honed whilst listening to RATM, Soundgarden and Pixies. They tour extensively around the Chicago area, playing underground clubs and the like. I admire their sound and their mentality, however it seems unlikely they'll be touring certainly as for out as the UK. Which I feel is a shame.

 

Next on my list is experimental electronic band called Crystal Castles. A duo of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, these crazy cats are from the province of Ontario. Active since the year 2004, their music has been described as 'as being adrift in a vortex of deafening pain without a safety net'. Sounds a little ominous but their music is very experimental, very exciting and really rather good. 

Songs like 'Crimewave' sound like soft Ting Tings/MGMT mixed with Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The song was taken from their debut, eponymous album, released in 2008. Other songs from the album included 'Untrust Us' and 'Vanished'. Both songs highlight a style that is very electronic, sounds a lot like MGMT and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It's not as experimental as I was lead to believe but it's very catchy and well made. However, tracks like 'Courtship Dating' have an almost Timbaland production vibe about it. The singer, Alice Glass was the lead singer for a punk band and the vocal habits appear to have continued to Crystal Castles when she raises her voice, it's more of a yelp than a shriek. The song that appears to break the mould is 'Alice Practice', a short, sharp shock of fuzzy electro and harsh, punk vocals. However, this song seems much more aggressive and punk-like than anything else I've heard from them, like MGMT by way of Refused with some computer game style retro electro involved too. Short and loud and harsh.

Their debut album was very well received by fans and critics alike and spurred them onto to make a second album, news of which began late last year. Supposed to be released in April 2010, the album has so far no working title but several songs titles have been released, including 'Baptism', 'Violent Dreams' and 'Young Love'. 

The band are also known for their energetic live performances. Considering the sound of 'Alice Practice', it's easy to see why, the raucous, chaotic nature of the song could easily be the start of some manic rave at a gig. And it's true. Very true.

Even so, this band seem to have themselves a cult following of brutally loyal followers. I can see why, their music is certainly not for everyone but for who like it, they really like it. I'm not sure I really like it yet, I mean I really like the more punky 'Alice Practice' but their other songs don't have that bite and I don't feel them quite as much.

I am moving on once again to Paul Dolby, aka Seiji. Not to be confused with Seiji Ozawa, Japanese composer. No this is Seiji the London based DJ and Producer who is responsible for a fair few awesome tracks, mainly breakbeat and electronica. He says he would rather be responsible for simply making 'heavy music'.

And he does, whilst his more laid back, soulful tunes that I will start with would make you disagree, I promise that you'll agree by the end. Oh yes!

Tracks like 'Taste' exhibit a slightly big-beat Fatboy Slim and Crystal Method vibe to it. It's quite a quiet tune though, funky bass line undercutting and breakbeat with big beat synths over the top. 

Then we move onto 'Infectious' a newer, darker tune. Still retaining that break beat but adding harsher sounds and a faster speed help this track away from the soulful beach music of 'Taste' into a darker, almost DnB sound. 

The flip to 'Infectious' is 'Xplosive', a more Drum and Bass inspired piece. Holding onto the darker sound of 'Infectious', this B-side shows a faster pace and a much more DnB sound that anything he's done beforehand.

The same styles in his own work can be charted alongside his collaborations with other artists. From a softer sound to his own style of 'broken beat' as it's called.

Consider his two tracks with G Force, 'Northern Exposure' and 'The Return of 769', between the two tracks there is such a mix of styles at work, DnB, Breakbeat, big beat, electro, techno, hip-hop, jazz, it's amazing. 

However, in my humble and widely read opinion, all those tracks literally pale in comparison with his track alongside Riton 'Computer Juice'. Possibly the finest dance track I've heard for several years it's a lot harsher, catchier and fun than anything else I've heard for ages. Plus the video, in which an anthropomorphic Orange goes postal is pure brilliance. 

 

Hopefully, ol' Seiji will hang around long enough to make much more music because the stuff he makes so far is damn good indeed.

 

Anyways. That is it for another Audio Flare. 

Next week I shall, just for fun, be bringing you the English Rolo Tomasi (1 'L', not 2) as well as others.

I shall leave you with a new track from an Audio Flare favourite: 'Lucia, At The Precipice' by Esben and the Witch.

Enjoy!

 

Feel the Noise

Alright then you cheeky rabble.

Welcome to episode 41 of Audio Flare. The blog what shows you stuff 'n that. Today being March the 13th, I thought it appropriate to wish rapper and actor Common a Happy Birthday. So Happy Birthday Common!

  

Anyway, today's blog entry will be an amalgamation of all manner of genres and the like. Today's Audio Flare will illuminate the acts known as Joker, Meatloaf and Tall Ships. Three bands who I hope will show a vast array of genres and styles to tickle ye tastebuds.

Let's press on!

First of all, Meatloaf. Now there are probably a fair few folks out there who are already well aware of his music, perhaps you've seen him in such films as The Rocky Horror Picture Show:

or Fight Club:

Or maybe even the 51st State:

    

But aside from a thriving film career he is also known for his music. I can say with a huge degree of confidence that his most famous track is 'Bat Out Of Hell', certainly one of the most iconic songs of the 70s and one of most well known power ballads of all time. But recently, Meatloaf has dropped off the musical radar, aside from appearing on Loose Women and ITVs Popstar to Operastar. However he did release an album in 2006, the third Bat Out of Hell album and one of the first to not feature any songs written by Jim Steinman, this point was focused on by critics of the album. 

Songs that featured on the album include 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now', a very familiar sounding song, prominent pianos, Meatloaf's own inimitable voice and a power ballad vibe make this song very, very Meatloaf. 'Blind As A Bat' follows a similar sound, we can see that his style hasn't really changed since the first Bat Out of Hell album but since it's what he is famous for, there seems little point in radically changing his sound. 

Moving on from then we arrive in 2010, where Meatloaf's eleventh studio album is ready and waiting to be released in April. Entitled Hang Cool Teddy Bear it is a concept album that deals with the visions a dying soldier has of what his life could be. Meatloaf has pulled in the big guns for this album, rumours are abound that not only has the Darkness singer Justin Hawkins written a few tracks, but so has Jon Bon Jovi. The album will also feature guitar work from Steve Vai and Brian May, two of the best guitarists around. Hugh Laurie aka House and Jack Black also make appearances on the album, Black duets with Meatloaf and House plays the piano.

I am leaving the Meatloaf behind and moving onto the next course of this Audio meal. 

Enter: Joker.

British dubstep producer. Recently worked with Ginz which I will mention in more detail later.

Joker is around twenty years old, from Bristol and is starting to get his name out in the musical scene. By taking a hip-hop, soul and IDM style sound and mixing it with some harsh basslines and catchy dub beats, he's found a formula that is making him well known in the dubstep scene. Consider songs off his Kapsize EP, 'Re-Up', 'Do It' and Audio Flare favourite 'Purple City', all three songs highlight the dubness of his music, the beats and the wobble. But the inclusion of hip-hop effects, loops and samples, the IDM complex rhythms, it all works to form a style of dubstep that isn't as brutal in it's assault as a lot of songs. Instead you get a much more considered sound whilst still having your face melted into a messy puddle on the nightclub floor.

Joker opens the Ark of the Covenant  

Several of the tracks I just highlighted were co-created with Ginz. The two of them have been working closely for a few years now and creating some fine tracks. Joker, working with other folk such as J Kamata have created other EPs such as 2009's Digidesign, featuring tracks like the title track 'Digidesign', featuring a much more soulful electronic sound. Not sure if I like this as much as his work with Ginz but it is still a fairly unique combination of vaguely retro electronic sounds mixed with dubstep beats. 

The bizarre thing is that Joker doesn't have an album coming out soon, maybe in a while but not soon, I just wanted to highlight this guy because I'm a big old fan.

So there you go.

 

It's been a fair while since I covered an up and coming band, I feel that is a shame. Some of my favourite bands I've mentioned included Esben and the Witch, Holly Miranda, EEPROM, all smaller acts that just happen to be amazing. 

So, much like Esben and the Witch (whom I covered all the way back in October 2009) I have another Brighton-esque band to bring you. Being from Falmouth via Brighton, both coastal towns, it seems apt that this band is called Tall Ships. A three piece band that mixes electro/trance with Indie music, think of them as a quieter Enter Shikari or a less American The Killers. 

They've gotten an EP on their way, rumoured to be released on Monday 15th March (that's 2 days time folks!) entitled 'Tall Ships EP' and being released on the Big Scary Monsters label. The lead track taken from the EP is the rather excellent 'Books', other songs they've done include the slightly more epic 'Snow' and the genius 'Vessel'.

Another thing I like about smaller bands is you can't find all the songs you want to on Youtube so you have to scour t'internet to find what you want. 

They're currently touring with label mates Tubelord around the country, and their MySpace can be found here.

 

Anyways. That is all for today. As usual, thanks for reading, it means a lot.

By way of thanks from me, here's a tune: Velvet Revolver's cover of a Sex Pistols classic 'Bodies'

I am...not a crook.

Good morning to all you mind mannered Clark Kents and Susan Storms.

I am very sorry to say that due to very forseen circumstances, there will be no Audio Flare tomorrow (Saturday 6th). Try not to hate me too much.

This here blog will commence with a vengeance on Tuesday where I intend to injure your earlobes and sooth your souls.

See you then.

But here's my 'silver medal' to placate you until then: 'Sober' by Tool, live in 1993.

For the three people out there who know just who Maynard James Keenan is and therefore what a goddam legend the man is, here's what he's been up to.

  Making Wine. Seriously.

The Wild Bunch

Alrighty you lot.

Welcome to another joy filled fun frolic into the festive and fruitful bag that is music. I'll try to avoid the saucy alliteration in the future. Promise.

Today we have news and goodies like never before. It must be something in the water, I'm never usually this generous.

.

So we will start with UK electronic group Audio Bullys. Best known (probably) for 'Bang Bang (My Baby Shot me Down)' off their second album Generation, released in 2005. However, this album was poorly received by critics compared to their 2003 debut, Ego War. That album contained such songs as 'We Don't Care' and 'Way Too Long'. I recognise both tracks but they didn't do as well as 'Bang Bang'. Audio Bully's have been indicative of a lot of British electronic producers recently and rarely just stick exclusively to one style of music but instead incorporate elements from all manner of genres.

However, news is that they're working on their third album, rumoured at one point to be called 'Sunday Night Fever'. Originally expected to be released in 2008, then pushed back to 2009 yet here in 2010 it still isn't out. That'll be because it's now going to be released under the title 'Higher than the Eiffel' instead. Expected release date is around March 2010. Here's the first single from said album, 'Only Man'. This track isn't awe-inspiring. It's not bad but certainly doesn't fill me with brutal hype for the album. Which is a shame. Not sure why I'm not a big fan, I think it's missing a texture, another instrument or something, it's hard to put a finger on but it doesn't sound 'finished'. 

Oh well. I hope it's just not an accurate portrayal of the rest of the album.

.

Moving rapidly onto an album I literally cannot wait to arrive.

I mentioned a while back in.....erm......late December (The Wheat From the Chaff) that Pendulum were working on their third album 'Immersion', due to be released in May 2010. I told you of the only single out at the time 'Ransom' and that I'd keep you up to date on any progress.

Well line me up and bake me in a pie. There's been all manner of progress in the 'new songs from the album department'. Listen.

In early January, at Matter, in London, Pendulum headlined the 'Ear Storm' event and played many tracks from their upcoming album. They sound great! They include songs like 'Salt in the Wounds' and 'Take me out of here'.

This is golden Pendulum right here. Immersion looks set to be a mammoth album. Remember, loyal readers: May 2010. 

.

Now moving onto French born Mike Gnacadi AKA Mikix the Cat. Sounds like Top Cat's brother but that cat is releasing some of the best dance music over the past few months. Producing under the alias 'Momma's Boy', his first track 'Frozen' on his MySpace page and first EP 'Freeze' caught the attention of the Trouble & Bass label and his second EP 'Movin' Around' was released last year and contained such sonic beauties as 'Check Dis Out' and 'Trouble Maker'. Clearly Mikix's aim is to just get folks dancing by making some very polished, catchy, danceable music. 

He started out breakdancing in Paris and used to play 'old skool' tunes so that when they were training they wouldn't need to touch the stereo to change the music. He then got into mixing an editing with these tracks and then expanded even further. You can hear an urban, beat driven influence that would work for breakdancing trainers I'm sure. Either way, I like this stuff. Muchly.

.

Anyways you feisty lot, that was my bunch of wild artists for the day. Hence The WIld Bunch title. That and I recently watched The Wild Bunch again. 

I've been told on terrible authority that the four gentlemen in 'this picture' are Pendulum, the Audio Bullys and Mikix the Cat.

Anyways. I must leave you. Sorry!

But fret not, Audio Flare will be back on Tuesday with all manner of things.

For now, here's Joker's 'Purple City'. C'est un bon tune! (I'll try to brush up my French by Tuesday too)