MUSIC: ROUGH TRADE ALBUMS OF THE MONTH

Rough Trade have come up with a neat Album of the Month scheme whereby you get what they consider the best new release with added RT exclusive extra track or disc, plus the heads up on another nine interesting albums. There’s download options and a no-fuss exchange system. Given the ocean of new music out there, its great to receive a random disc through your door that somebody else has chosen for your listening pleasure

Top left is ‘Manifest!’ by Friends, a Brooklyn quintet who pump out a punked-disco melange of New York sounds, including their two hit singles ’Friend Crush’ and ‘I’m His Girl’. Not blown away but entertained and, after a few drinks, would certainly jig around to it.

Chilly Gonzales is a class act. This is, would you believe, a solo piano record of originality and class. Ideal early morning or late night music. Chill out with Chilly.

Adrian Younge Presents Venice Dawn (great name) on an album entitled ‘Something About April.’ which is ‘an eclectic mix of heavy, psychedelic soul and soundtrack-ready instrumentals’ according to their label Wax Poetics. I’m grooving to it as I write these words.

I have son Louis to thank for this thoughtful gift so here’s a shameless plug for the first single from his new band Hands Make Fire featuring ‘Parting Shot’ and ‘Waiting for the Echo’. Released yesterday, check it out on I-Tunes.