Naim That Tune: New Music Digest (May)

Thanks to its users, this forum has always been a great place to discover new music. We've tried to take this to the next level with our new feature Naim That Tune. Month by month it should give you some indication of what we're listening to at Naim right now.

It is also posted on our new look Naim Label website HERE!.

Please let us know if you've heard any of the below and what you think of it! Let's talk about tunes!

May 2009 - Naim That Tune Playlist

1. Low Anthem Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (Bella Union)

2. Karima Francis The Author (Kitchenware)

3. Jesca Hoop (w/ Guy Garvey) Kismet Acoustic (Nettwerk)

4. William Fitzsimmons Goodnight (Naim Edge)

5. Kill It Kid Send Me An Angel Down (single) (One Little Indian)

6. Marmaduke Duke Duke Pandemonium (14th Floor)

7. Empirical Out n' Ins (unreleased)

8. Priscilla Ahn A Good Day (Blue Note)

9. The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Rough Trade)

10. Jeniferever Spring Tides (Monotreme)


Low Anthem Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (Bella Union)
I'd overlooked these Rhode Island roots-rockers when their debut was highlighted in the Rough Trade album club last month. Being on Bella Union, I could have guessed what they sounded like long before I finally got around to pushing the play button, but there is something so immediate in the narrative, that I was hooked straight away. The production is so hideously lo-fi in parts, it is verging on sub-fi. Normally over-compressed acoustic guitars make me want to swallow my remote, but it sings somehow and is strangely dynamic. Try it.


Karima Francis The Author (Kitchenware)
She signed to Kitchenware in her late teens, and has benefited from their Sony BMG buy out, so she's had the Columbia Records promo team plugging her first few singles. The record is nowhere near as good as seeing her live, but hey, that's the way it should be! Very rare these days to see a young vocalist genuinely that captivating! Don't expect to see her anytime soon though, rumour has it she has cancelled this summer's festival jaunt due to illness. Get well soon Karima.


Jesca Hoop (w/ Guy Garvey) Kismet Acoustic (Nettwerk)
Until the meagre joys of amazon digital, getting hold of a Jesca Hoop record was nigh on impossible in the UK. I finally caught this Californian temptress live at the Great Escape Festival last week. Her sound is like a two century-old Imogen Heap with twinges of Bush and Mitchell themed schizophrenia. Word is, that she's so taken with Manchester, after recording with Garvey of Elbow fame, that her manager is moving her there to lead an assault on the UK so look out for the new record she's been making called ‘Hunting My Dress'.


William Fitzsimmons Goodnight (Naim Edge)
Well we had to fit one in here didn't we! William stopped by the UK before embarking on a European tour and managed to squeeze three London shows in for us. It still fascinates me how he can transcend the adult contemporary market and still appeal to millions of American teenagers without seeming ‘not down with it'. What a guy. What a sound. (ahem) Comes out June 29th.


Kill It Kid Send Me An Angel Down (single) (One Little Indian)
Look out for these young ‘uns. They've been out working with Fleet Foxes production team in Seattle and this official debut is set to make a stir. With all this imported Americana, it is nice to know us Brits can still kick out some rootsy blues with the best of ‘em. Sound-wise, picture a Blind Willie McTell in the bowels of puberty, magically transported to the iPod decade and taking a moment's break from his Nintendo DS to have a jam with some other awesomely talented bluesy kids.


Marmaduke Duke Duke Pandemonium (14th Floor)
Biffy Clyro's touched upon something purely pop last summer with the single ‘Mountains', and what a track it was. 2007's album Puzzle gave them a new found confidence to sing in a Scottish accent (yes I know, everyone is doing it now). Conscious of taking it somewhere the fans didn't want to go, Marmaduke Duke is the perfect alleviant for front man Simon Neil. Don't be fooled by the Radio One drenched lead single ‘Rubber Love'; this is pretty bizarre stuff. Imagine Biffy, Prince and Flight of the Conchordes getting drunk at an Animal Collective gig and trying to make a record.


Empirical Out n' Ins (unreleased)
The young British jazz ensembles have made a superb new record, adding Lewis Wright on vibes. There is a lot of buzz about this band, after winning every jazz award and his dog over the last two years. I'd love to have this on Naim Jazz, but we are currently facing stiff competition from a couple of other (bigger!) labels. Look out for it if it makes it out this side of summer, or alternatively check out 2007's eponymous debut album. Hail to the new wave of British avant-garde.


Priscilla Ahn A Good Day (Blue Note)
Picture a South Korean Norah Jones, and then stop picturing it before you decide you don't want to buy this record. The innocence in her songwriting and overall persona is utterly lovable. Welcomed changes of pace and instrumentation are included to prevent this from turning into another homogeneous coffee shop hit.


The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Rough Trade)
When I say the words ‘Folk-Rock opera', what is not to like?! It is the recurring refrains of this record that make it so special. The subject matter (murder and stuff) is a little bleak, but well executed and vivid enough to have you all double locking the doors at night. Think early music, Tull and Zep with a peculiar and accessible intersection with teenage favourites past like Jimmy Eat World (but only a smidgen if that is going to put you off!).


Jeniferever Spring Tides (Monotreme)
We really really wanted to put this record out, but Monotreme beat us to it. These guys are very clever young men. Remarkably, they aren't remotely successful in Sweden and holding down normal jobs so that they can sustain their merit as big names on the UK post-rock circuit. If you liked Nangijala, buy this! CD packaging is beautiful too!