DJ Rhythmbandit

Happy Fry-Day peoples....

Following from last week's "Address to the Nation":
I was concerned to learn that there's a growing trend for young people doing selfies of themselves...while standing on railway tracks.
Even to the point that toddlers and babies were being used in this "sport".
As a four year old I remember seeing a certain public information film that delivered the warning "Stay off the Track".
Such was its effect that when it came one TV I dived for cover behind the sofa.
A few decades (and a few close encounters) later, I still regard trains with a form of respect.
I've had photographs taken of moi, in the relatively "safe" environment of railway open days.
But Selfies taken on live railway tracks? You vs train? Serious?
Maybe we need to remember how valuable we all are . Hence my Freedom Five for Friday :-

1. Sting "Fragile"
2. Chesney Hawkes "I am The One and Only"
3. Glenn Jones "I am Somebody"
4. Gabrielle "Sunshine"
5. Lighthouse Family "You're a Star"

And as for trains - Top Gear shared the following message. Make of it what you will.
Life sounds better to music - but Stop. Look. Listen. Live...
https://youtu.be/ue61c6MZNQw

THE SOUL SHACK IS BACK AND EXTENDED!

Has Last Sunday's "Italian Job" left you feeling on edge?

Well...
It's time to make that Getaway to the Soul Shack!
Happy Hour extended on Wednesday 14/7/2021 from 830pm-1030pm
Soul, Disco and Dance Music from the 60s to the 80s and beyond.
Let the music Transport you, lift your soul and Mini-mise your blues.
Get your skates on, mate! Looking forward to greeting you all.
PS Requests taken in advance PM me for access details.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4648095348?pwd=c2ZQWEl0MXJyV01DMDlkU05pYWdDUT09

Welcome to the Thought for Friday Spot!

There's been several historical happenings that have taken place in my lifetime that were once thought to be impossible.
Here is just a selection:-

The Channel Tunnel was built.
The Berlin Wall came down.
The Apartheid regime ended in South Africa.
Mike Tyson was defeated as World Heavyweight champion.
The England football team have reached a major final in a tournament.
Helen completed a solo Aerial and zipwire challenge. Well done Wifey!
(I did it too - but I was more "vocal" with it - I screamed a lot)

All of these events had this in common. Somebody had a vision / dream, that person / persons took action, one step at a time, and...over time, amazing things happened.
I'm re-learning that what I want is possible - and am turning the dreams to action. Looking forward to the results!

Here's the Friday Five to get you at it:

1. Viola Mills "Dare to Dream"
2. Linx "Don't Get In My Way"
3. Jimmy Cliff "Special"
4. Lighthouse Family "Raincloud"
5. Level 42 "Turn it On"

(I know, I could add "Three Lions" but you've probably thought that anyway)

Have a great weekend - Amazing things will happen. And life sounds better to music!

Happy Football Friday Everybody!

My Friday Freedom Five has to acknowledge the Euros so here's my 35-yard volley for starters :-

1. Gerry Raffety "Get It Right Next Time" (For Germany's game against France)
2. Phil Collins "I Missed Again" (for the many teams that created chances but didn't score goals)
3. Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Two Tribes" (England vs Scotland - nuff said)
4. Chas n Dave "Rabbit" (For the commentators )
5. Gary Shearston "I Get a Kick Out of You" (For those n million questionable dives and falls will happen and will help to win / lose games)

May your energy have an impact like Dumfries. Life sounds better to music!

Ok the picture a local offering from the 2014 World cup but it still makes me smile...

Happy Friday Everyone,
Here's trusting for better days ahead, and that the way forward is not another false dawn.

Last Friday a follow up eye examination (following the laser surgery a few weeks ago) resulting in further treatment. Unexpected.
Trusting the follow-through (next week) will bring better news.

Here's my Friday Freedom Five - may they be a musical blessing to you all:-

1. M People "Search For The Hero"
2. Level 42 "Turn it On"
3. Ronny Jordan "Get to Grips"
4. Maurice White "Switch on your Radio"
5. Basia "New Day For You"

Life sounds better to music. Have a great weekend!

This is just a wee shout out to those great people who have been a source of encouragement and support over the years.
If I list them by name I'll be here all week.
But at this stage of time when I'm in the process of building a business, I welcome the help and assistance and instruction I have received thus far.
As the attached link shows, it's good to know that you are ultimately supported. It helps you to achieve great things...
Here's to sharing, and here's my Freedom Five to launch this month:-

1. Shalamar "Friends"
2. O'Jays "Put Our Heads Together"
3. Sister Sledge "We Are Family"
4. Bette Midler "Wing Beneath My Wings"
5. Al Jarreau "I will be There for You"

Boldness changes everything...and life sounds better to music.
Have a great weekend!

DJ Zipwire Video 20160827 DJ Rhythmbandit takes on the Zip Wire Challenge for MS Society

It's Friday again.....

I'm missing all my wonderful friends and family members on the other side of the sea.
I give thanks for those whose vision and courage built bridges and tunnels that brought people and nations together.
We need someone with the same vision and courage to Bridge The Gap between this Province and the mainland
I had this notion of listing songs with a "Bridge" theme - and - true to form - the idea hit a recall failure.
(Yes there's "Bridge over troubled waters" but that doesn't cut it.)
So I've combined the feelings of frustration and hope and behold your Friday Freedom Five for this week.
Looking forward to the days when we can see each other without a 2 metre ruler stuck between us.
That time is coming closer, people...in the meantime, enjoy...

1. Jimmy Cliff "Many Rivers To Cross"
2. Dire Streets "So Far Away"
3. Brenda Russell "Get Here" (This version preceded that by Oleta Adams - take your choice)
4. Paul Johnson "Half a World Away"
5. Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway "Back Together Again"

Reach out to someone and "bridge the gap" to their lives by any means possible.
And remember- life sounds better to Music!
Have a great weekend!

Hello my neighbours!
For those who can remember the radio days pre-DAB, pre-shazam, pre-spotify, pre-streaming, and that irritating phenonenon called "The Unknown Song"?
The one that you hear on the radio and, for some illogical reason, the presenter never broadcast the artist or the title?
And it just happened to be that one song in the playlist that you really, really liked?
Can you remember what lengths you would go to find out what that song was...?
My Finally Found Friday Five has a sense of history of searching behind them.
I have been able to track down these tunes and make them mine. One of these songs took me nearly 40 years to "identity and obtain".
You may not like them, but that's ok - getting them gave me that "top of the bridge" buzz
And how did I find the tracks out? Well, that's another story...

1. Mass Production "Shanté"
2. Cygnus X "The Orange Theme"
3. K-Ci and Jo-Jo "Tell Me It's Real"
4. Tom Petty "I Won't Back Down"
5. Buena Vista Social Club Feat. Coldplay "Clocks"

Happy Friday. Have a great Weekend everyone. Life sounds better to (Hard sought) Music!

It's Friday once again, friends!

One of my favourite times in Barbados was being at the South and West Coast beaches and watching the sun go down.
The picture below is one of many that says it all.
It was always a great time to stop, watch, be and reflect.
Sometimes it was the only place to be to achieve five minutes of peace.
I trust you will all have a sunshine moment in your life.
To all those who have brought sunshine to my life - Thank you.

Here's five little rays of sunshine music for you all.
1. Osibisa "Sunshine Day"
2. Gabrielle "Sunshine"
3. Roy Ayers "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"
4. Central Line "Walking Into Sunshine"
5. Stevie Wonder "Happier Than the Morning Sun"

May your radiance be evident to everyone around you. Have a great weekend. Life Sounds Better to Music!

Greetings from the Rhythmbandit!
Feel like you're stuck on the edge?
Would you like a little pick-me-up?
How about some uplifting soul songs to help you through?
Come visit the Rhythmbandit's Soul Shack for a Happy Hour of music here tonight.
Join a good crowd and spread the buzz.
Can't deliver the heavy lifting team but the music will help get you back to a better place.
SOUL SHACK HAPPY HOUR IS GO!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4648095348?pwd=c2ZQWEl0MXJyV01DMDlkU05pYWdDUT09
Meeting ID: 464 809 5348
Passcode: Soul

Welcome back to Friday, Friends!

Really hit a brick wall zero inspiration to share with you this time.

But sometimes you need something (or someone) who can just push you over the edge and thus drop you into something amazing.
So a big shout for all those people who have supported, encouraged, and pushed me into something special.
So why the choices of Music? Gotta make the moves while we still can.
Make time for your friends. Take a chance and do something different.
The right action is always good - and some actions are even better with music.
Have a great weekend!

1. Van Morrison "Precious Time"
2. Light of the World "Time"
3. Brass Construction "Movin'"
4. Van Halen "Jump"
5. Reel 2 Reel "Move it"
Let the train vibes transport you. Have a great weekend. Life Sounds Better to Music!

[Almost as satisfying as abseiling the Forth Bridge]

It's Friday....and I'm lost for ideas.
A big THANK YOU to those who commented on our wedding photo posting - I will get to respond soonest.
Been so excited about a new way to make my money work for me I've lost my train of thought for music ideas.
Train of thought???
How about using that for a cheesy theme?

Try these songs to get you moving - unless you're stuck at a red light on the Underground. Do I miss those days? No...

1. O'Jays "Love Train"
2. Doobie Brothers "Slow Train Coming"
3. Katie Melua "(Life is like a slow train) Crawling up a hill" (Tenuous link but worth the listen)
4. Loose Ends "Rainbow / Take the A Train" (Brilliant Blues re-working)
5. Madness "Ghost Train"

Let the train vibes transport you. Have a great weekend. Life Sounds Better to Music!

Good Friday Everyone,
After hosting a great "Soul Shack Happy Hour" via Zoom Wednesday past [Please msg me for details about the next sessions] I got prompted to think about my favorite Stevie Wonder Songs.
If there was one soul artist that has had the biggest impact on my life and thinking Stevie is the one.
I have been to two of his concerts (maybe three?) - Wembley Arena and Hyde Park in 2010 - and both were concerts of total musical joy.
To be honest, there are so many undisputed classics going through all of his work so what I've listed below may not be your choice.
But in this case we can happily agree to disagree.
And the "top" two come from an All time favorite album "Songs In the Key Of Life" - The title says it all.
So get your ears around these sounds from The "Master Blaster" and enjoy:
1. I Wish
2. Sir Duke
3. Superstition
4. Don't You Worry 'Bout A thing
5. Higher Ground
(For those who are struggling at this place and time - try listening to Stevie's song "Have A Talk with God".)
Have a WONDER-FULL Weekend! Life sounds better to (Stevie's) music!

Could not let this week pass without making this special posting.
Helen and I celebrated 10 Years of Marriage last weekend.

Just in case you're thinking - yes - I did remember the date; yes - I remembered the card; yes - I remembered the flowers.
Did I get it all done in the right order? Hmmmm...
Anyway, here's five songs I'm posting to mark this marital milestone.
Helen - you're still a winner - these are for you.

1. Bob Marley "Is This Love"
2. Chris De Burgh "The Lady In Red"
3. Whitney Houston "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
4. Jimmy Cliff "Special"
5. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder "Ebony and Ivory"

Did I forget to host the Freedom Five for last Friday as a result? Yes. Sorry.

The message remains: Life sounds better to music!

STOP PRESS - SOUL SHACK CANCELLED FOR 14TH APPRIL - Just as a precaution after receiving emergency eye laser treatment at the weekend - long story. Don't want to be running into too many lamp posts, although many years ago this train ran into something more spectacular...

Happy Friday Everybody!

Wanted to send a cheer for the wee icon of the music business - the 12 inch single.
In the Great days of soul, funk and disco (late 70's , early 80s to the sheltered persons) the 12" inch single used to signify the extended version of a song, with or without other remix versions.
On many occasions this version was the version that stood out when you purchased the disc. But if the song made it big, you only heard a shorter version on the airwaves the "radio edit" version.
For some songs, only the full, unadulterated version should be heard from the rooftops.
So here are my Extended Freedom Friday Five examples - definitely worth the extra time to hear (and their full length versions are over 5 mins long).

1. Spandau Ballet "Chant No.1 (I don't Need this Pressure On)" (With Beggar & Co. Horns)
2. Edwin Starr "Contact"
3. The Jacksons "Can You Feel It (Full Length Version)"
4. Level 42 "Something About You" (Shep Pettibone Remix)
5. Touch and Go "Would you...?" (Trailermen go to Rio Mix)

Life sounds better to (full version) music - don't live life as a "Radio Edit"! Have a great weekend!

Happy weekend everybody!
Yes, I know it's not Friday, and I had every intention of launching my "Friday Freedom Five" but I got so enthused learning about an exciting opportunity that I totally missed the bus.
Hence I took the train...
So, here are my five Soothing Saturday Songbirds that I'm sending with my wide open arms to you all.
These may be a little more laid back in pace, but they all deliver their own style of powerful punchiness to pump up your pizzazz.
There's some cracking smooth grooves out there at the moment, but there is always space for some classics.
So... Enjoy!

1. Ne-yo "All Because of you"
2. Basia "Cruising For Bruising"
3. The Gap Band "Outstanding"
4. Matt Bianco "What A Fool Believes"
5. R Kelly "Happy People"
Bad companions ruin good character, so stay with the positive and purposeful and learn from what they share. Life sounds better to music!

Happy Grooveday everyone!

Here's to a classic moment in time, when I performed on the grounds of Royalty - Clarence House September 2010 - yes, honestly.
Not a bad place to end up playing after years of busking on the London Underground.
All sorts of instrumental songs have influenced my percussion history.
Here are just a few examples - my "Friday Five" Instrumental classics for get you moving and grooving.

1. Commodores "Machine Gun"
2. Madness "Return of the Los Palmas 7"
3. Dave Stewart Feat Candy Dulfer "Lily Was Here"
4. Incognito "Parisienne Girl"
5. Quincy Jones "It's Caper Time" (From the Original "Italian Job" Soundtrack) - You may not know the name but you'll definitely recognise the tune...

When you do something you enjoy, there's no telling where you can end up. Life sounds better to music!

Happy Music Friday everyone!

One of the most special blessings of doing modern jive (in this case, ceroc) is when people openly show their appreciation for the dance experience they've shared with you.
I still remember dancing with one lady at the YMCA venue on Tottenham Court Road (Spring 1995). She was so appreciative of the dances we'd just had that she gave me a hug. Wow!
Who would have thought, nearly 26 years later, that the only hugs we could freely give would be virtual???
The little acts of kindness speak volumes, even after decades.

And so with music that brings back happy dancing memories, here's my "Friday Freedom Five" for you to enjoy.

1. M/A/R/R/S "Pump Up The Volume"
2. Level 42 "Lessons In Love"
3. Sounds of Blackness "I'm Going All The Way"
4. Blues Brothers with Ray Charles "Shake Your Tailfeather"
5. Dr. Alban "Sing Hallelujah" (The originally released single version)

Don't let Lockdown muffle your voice - Life sounds better to music!
[This also appears in Ceroc NI]

Happy Friday everyone!

Have you ever heard a song and raved about it, only to discover that it was actually a re-hash of an original from x years ago?
Or you have a song that's so good you think no one can match it, and then you hear a faithful re-hash by another artist which is pretty respectful?
This week's "Friday Freedom Five" is actually your "Friday Freedom Five x 2" - (just keeping the Alliteration Army happy).
So whichever tracks you hear, you're getting a great song delivered every time.

1. "Feel Like Makin' Love" - Original by Roberta Flack and classic uptempo version by George Benson
2. "Beyond The Sea" - Don't know who did it originally but I heard George Benson's version first and there's a brilliant version by Rod Stewart
3. "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye's original with a faithful upbeat version delivered by Smoma (Correct spelling)
4. "Yeh Yeh" - Original by Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, with a punchier re-work courtesy of Matt Bianco
5. "Superstition" - The classic Motown belter from Stevie Wonder and the superb contemporary belter from the band Common Ground. Common Ground??? Find that one out, peoples!

Give your music media player the workout it deserves, and your neighbours a reason to be cheerful. Life sounds better to music!

Happy Friday everyone!
Celebrating the fact that a strange UFO is hovering in the sky - no, it's actually the sun.
Might as well be a UFO as any sunshine over here is rare.
So what better excuse to raise the roof and nuke the cobwebs off the speakers?
Welcome to this week's "Friday Freedom Five" - Others will claim the credit but remember who told you first!
1. Matt Bianco "Sunshine Day"
2. Mezzoforte " Garden Party"
3. Kid Creole & The Coconuts "Stool Pidgeon"
4. Total Contrast "Takes A Little Time"
5. The Christians "Harvest for the World" (The Isleys did the original, but this is an excellent re-work)

You only have one life - so make somebody's day. Have a great weekend!

Thought for Friday: History suggests that there may be a link between the music that spectators bring to a sport, and the performance of the countries that they support.
Think about it.
In the Seventies, the West Indies seemed to dominate England in cricket, especially at the Oval, encouraged by the ad-hoc percussion of coke tins clapped together by the Caribbean Crowd.
Ever since that distinctive sound was "muffled" by the powers that be, the West Indian cricket team have never had the same level of dominance. Cricket Lovely Cricket? Not.
And then there were the Brazilian football team. Wherever they went they always had the Samba band ranks swaying in the stands at World Cup games, and their team prowess was a joy to watch.
Since those samba bands have been "silenced", they've never been a team playing in rhythm. Samba no play? No way, Jose...
Meanwhile, with most England football appearances, there has been the loyal and faithful boys, banging their big drum and playing...wait for it..."The Great Escape".
Kinda ironic that they've still been allowed to play at events prior to Covid.
But let's face it. England still haven't reached a tournament final since...
So what's my message for today? Bring the music and the fun back to the stands, brothers and sisters!

Thus, this week's "Friday Five" are keeping the drums alive to spice up your jive:-

Queen "Don't Stop Me Now"
Thin Lizzy "Dop Anything you Wanna Do"
Pigbag "Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag"
Santana "Foo Foo"
Quincy Jones "It's Caper Time" [From the Soundtrack "The Italian Job"]

Life sounds better to music. Have a great weekend!