SOUND
Ultra-Lounge Series – Bossa Novaville (Vol. 14 – 1997) / Mondo Exotica (Vol. 1 – 1996) / Space Capades (Vol. 3 – 1996)
The Ultra-Lounge kick continues… These are 3 of my favourites from the series that zero in on samba/latin/jazz, Tribal/exotica/jazz, and Space Age Pop (respectively). The original Ultra-Lounge series was a beautifully conceptualised and curated series that has only improved with age. the CD releases were so well-designed and have also been handy recently as I’ve been researching cocktil recipes (there’s 1-2 recipes included in each CD).
Bert Kaempfert – A Man Could Get Killed (1966)
Mid-sixties soundtrack from Mr Kaempfert. No Swinging Safari here.
Sven Libaek – The Set (1969)
Fab soundtrack from Norwegian expat and Australia resident Sven. Favourite track.
Kevin Pearce – Science Fiction Ballads For The Lost Generation (2024)
A new discovery and it’s a great one. Bandcamp link.
Piero Piccione – Playgirl ’70 (1969)
Maestro Piccione’s score to a slice of groovy Eurotrash.
Lalo Schifrin – Mannix (1968)
Knockout score to the TV show.
Jane Weaver – Love In A Constant Spectacle (2024)
The genius that is Jane Weaver gets better and better with another excellent record. Also check out The Silver Globe and Loops in the Secret Society (and the others).
FILM/TV
Red, White & Royal Blue (Prime – 2023)
Fun melodrama and a nice comfort watch for a Sunday night.
Uri Geller’s Secret Treasures (2023)
This was a lot less interesting than I expected. It’s about the establishment of U.G.’s museum which seems to consist mostly of press clippings, a car and vespa he owned or like one he did, a car with bent spoons stuck all over it and, for some reason, a horse made of driftwood (which was nice but -?). Most of the documentary felt like humblebrag tales of all the celebrities he’s met. Side note, I was just reading that he once vowed he would stop the UK leaving the EU by telepathic means. Seems that didn’t work, but it’s the telephathic thought that counts, or didn’t in this case.
PODCAST
Talk Art
Tony brought this to my attention and I’m so glad he did. Russell Tovey & Robert Diament interview a host of fascinating people about their careers, lives, and art. Instagram, podcast links page.
ONLINE
Inside Prospect Cottage
This is marvellous, finally – interior – photos of the beautiful Prospect cottage in Dungeness, once inhabited by Derek Jarman.