HOPING stands for Hope and Optimism for Palestinians In the Next Generation.
This next generation will be the key to peace. To encourage and improve all aspects of children’s lives we provide grants to community projects working with children in Palestinian refugee camps.
18th April 2009 Today is the International day of the record shop, so if you still have a local record shop get down there and support it! I'll be making my way over to Rooted Records later - there's a reggae soundsystem and free beer apparently! Check The Offical Record Store Day site to find a participating shop near you.
4th April 2009
3rd April 2009 If you turned up early for a Massive Attack concert last summer, then there's a good chance you heard an album called Come From Heaven by Alpha. As I stumbled into the vicinity of The Other Stage at Glastonbury festival last year, I heard something familiar that was both comforting and familiar. Hearing it in this environment made me see listen to it in a way that saw me pay more attention to it than I have for some time. From the opening chords of My Things to the closing textures of Somewhere Not Here, I took it all in and remembered again what a truly great piece of work it really is - it's a masterpiece.
Originally released in September 1997 on Massive Attack's Melankolic imprint Alpha explores downbeat soulful jazz soundscapes. This is romantic music to give a loved one - allow them to dream in the spaces between the music which Alpha have created with such care and attention.
They continue to explore their version of the Bristol Blues to this day and I have compiled a selection of my favourite pieces from across all their releases for your enjoyment -> Avalanche's Alpha Heaven
Next up from Alpha is the collaboration with Horace Andy called Two Phased People. Soon an exclusive track from this new album will be available from www.donttouchrecordings.com - they are currently experiencing technical difficulties but promise to be back up soon, so keep checking back as I'm sure it will be worth it. In the meantime check out their other presences on the net and enjoy the music. myspace.com/alphastargazing www.alphaheaven.com
cheers then, Avalanche
21st March 2009
Hello there - it's been a while since I spoke to you all proper, so here's a quick round up of stuff I should have probably told you a little earlier than right now.
Well it is actually going to be this year, surely? It is looking very likely that we shall see the eagerly awaited new record from Massive Attack released around September. Don't quote me on that mind. Very close to that, they will be making a headlining appearance at the Bestival. The event on the Isle of Wight, will run from September 11th to 13th - organisers have promised “a very special Sunday headliner” to join Massive Attack, as well as Kraftwerk as fellow headliners, which will be announced shortly. Further details regarding touring plans are apparently imminent, so keep an eye out on all the usual places.
Terry Callier will be performing a small European tour to support his new album "Hidden Conversations", forthcoming on Mr. Bongo Records, which features songs co-written with Robert Del Naja. Terry recorded a 7 piece choir in Chicago, to finish the lead track Wings which was one of the three co-written tracks along with "John Lee Hooker" and a new version of "Live With Me". The dates are as follows: Thursday 28th May - Brighton, Coalition / Friday 29th May - London, Union Chapel / Saturday 30th May - Leamington Spa, The Assembly / Wednesday 3rd June - Durham, Gala Theatre / Friday 5th June - Manchester, Lowry Theatre / Sunday 7th June - Amsterdam, Jazz Festival
Meanwhile Horace Andy has been involved in two collaboration projects that will come to fruition this year. Already released is Inspiration Information with Ashley Beedle, that I spoke about the other week, whilst another album with Alpha is on the cards.
5th March 2009 Terry Callier's brand new studio album is finished! Hidden Conversations, features three tracks co-written by Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack and is set for a Summer 2009 release on Mr Bongo Records. Terry recorded a 7 piece choir in Chicago, to finish the lead track Wings which was one of the three co-written tracks along with "John Lee Hooker" and a new version of "Live With Me". He will be performing a small european tour to support the new album - the dates are as follows: Thursday 28th May - Brighton, Coalition / Friday 29th May - London, Union Chapel / Saturday 3th0 May - Leamington Spa, The Assembly / Wednesday 3rd June - Durham, Gala Theatre / Friday 5th June - Manchester, Lowry Theatre / Sunday 7th June - Amsterdam, Ijazz Festival
27th February 2009 Massive Attack will headline Bestival on September 11th. Other acts at the Isle of Wight Festival include Kraftwerk, MGMT, Fleet Foxes, Klaxons and Diplo. More touring news soon. http://www.bestival.net/
20th February 2009
The second in the new Inspiration Information studio album series on Strut Records pairs up Studio One reggae legend and continuing Massive Attack collaborator Horace Andy with UK producer and remixer Ashley Beedle (X-Press 2 / Ballistic Brothers / Warbox / Black Science Orchestra) for a new and unique soundclash. Recorded during an intensive five-day writing and recording session in London in September 2008, the album stretches out lyrically on a series of commentaries around brotherhood, love and the family, all rooted in his rasta beliefs. Andy also voices two diverse covers, Bob Marley’s ‘Hypocrites’, and a new acoustic take on The Rolling Stones’ classic, ‘Angie’.
Interested in how it sounds? Then get on over to the Strut Records site and register for a free mp3 of "Babylon You Loose".
Here's an interview with Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle about their upcoming release, which is due out on 3rd March:
If you turned up early for a Massive Attack concert last summer, then there's a good chance you heard an album called Come From Heaven by Alpha. As I stumbled into the vicinity of The Other Stage at Glastonbury festival last year, I heard something familiar that was both comforting and familiar. Hearing it in this environment made me see listen to it in a way that saw me pay more attention to it than I have for some time. From the opening chords of My Things to the closing textures of Somewhere Not Here, I took it all in and remembered again what a truly great piece of work it really is - it's a masterpiece.
Terry Callier's brand new studio album is finished! Hidden Conversations, features three tracks co-written by Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack and is set for a Summer 2009 release on Mr Bongo Records. Terry recorded a 7 piece choir in Chicago, to finish the lead track Wings which was one of the three co-written tracks along with "John Lee Hooker" and a new version of "Live With Me". He will be performing a small european tour to support the new album - the dates are as follows: Thursday 28th May - Brighton, Coalition / Friday 29th May - London, Union Chapel / Saturday 3th0 May - Leamington Spa, The Assembly / Wednesday 3rd June - Durham, Gala Theatre / Friday 5th June - Manchester, Lowry Theatre / Sunday 7th June - Amsterdam, Ijazz Festival
Interested in how it sounds? Then get on over to the Strut Records site and register for a free mp3 of "Babylon You Loose".