Johnny Boy Would Love This… A Tribute To John Martyn

Reverential tribute to late folk singer.

The Winter Of Our Malcontents

Punk's not dead at Fibber Magee's

The Twilight saga: eclipse

Vampire juggernaut goes indie schmindie for third outing.

The psychedelic sounds of the sonic cathedral: A tribute to Roky Erickson and the 13th floor elevators

Criminally under-rated psychedelic songwriter gets to the tribute album treatment

Popical Island #1

Probably the best collection of songs from bands you’ve probably never heard of you’re ever going to hear

Behind Closed Doors

Charity album is full of thrills and spills

Dublin's Unsigned - ...The Best Of

Quality compilation, but where are the women?

Sparks N' Mind

More hits than misses on the charity compilation covers album

Faction 2

Making more out of less, the fundamentals of the Irish music scene are still sound.

Hair Apparent

Keep an eye-out for these hot albums that have just been released and for some upcoming shows in November.

Carling Supports: the Oh Yeah Sessions 08

The Northern Rock scene is showcased to superb effect in this Gary Lightbody-approved compilation.

Instant Karma - Save Darfur

If ever a cause needed highlighting, it’s the ongoing tragedy in Darfur, Sudan, which in the recent words of Goal’s John O’Shea "the international community has all but abandoned".

Camping EP 1

A taster for the latest Camping compilation, EP 1 captures the edgy atmosphere of a three-day warehouse party in Berlin. Ben Klock’s ‘Similar Colours’ is a dark, jacking acid track, while Ellen Allien’s take on Safety Scissors’ ‘Where Is Germany’ juxtaposes menacing, brooding riffs with a shuffling groove that Kompakt would kill for.

Ceol 07

Ceol ’07 is the third instalment of an annual compilation, created as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge, which collects native-language tracks from contemporary Irish pop/rock groups.

Spaceships And Pings

The debut on Magda’s new label defies expectations. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the infectious chords and squelchy bass of Konrad Black’s ‘Coma Couch Surfing’, was the latest Clone release, and Troy Pierce’s ‘The Day After Yesterday’ surprises again with an old school Chicago jam.

Rogue's Gallery - Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys

Rogues Gallery, can be roughly – if fancifully – described as a Hallowe’en masqued ball staged on a decrepit ghost galleon. Featuring a cast of hundreds arrayed over two albums and 43 tunes, it’s an unruly assembly whose various belchings, bilgings and bemoanings lurch in tone and timbre from the bawdy to the doleful.

Sun Spots

James Holden and Milky Globe (aka Lo boss Jon Tye) team up for a synapse-frying excursion on ‘Sun Spots’ that starts like Seefeel, before mutating into deadly Aphex-inspired off-kilter electro-oddness – fractured beats, pulsing sub-bass and drifting melodies. Tye and Nathan Fake’s dubstep-inspired ‘Lava Flow’ is even better, sucking you into an acid-flecked netherworld before making you cry with haunting reversed melodies and really scary FX washes. Top.

Festering

You can set your watch by Front End Synthetics and their smorgasbord of diverse electronica.

Acoustic 05

Unplugging the amplifiers brings out the gentler, more vulnerable side of any band. Acoustic 05 offers an unprecedented expose of these moments, drawing from an impressive pool of A-list artists. From monumental names such as Oasis, Snow Patrol, Paul Weller, Damien Rice and Stereophonics to up-and-coming favourites like Brendan Benspon, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Josh Ritter, Ray Lamontage and Bright Eyes, there's something for anyone who appreciates the subtle beauty of turning the music down.

Even Better Than The Real Thing Vol 3

With any collection of this sort, some tracks don’t work as well as others. However, there are so many highlights here that it seems churlish to focus on the few that don’t work.

Dancehall Classics

Sixteen stone-cold dancehall classics from the last decade. Tracks from the likes of Shabba, Super Cat, Junior Reid, Mad Lion and – of course – Chaka Demus and Pliers make this the best ’90s dancehall album in the world ever.

Gigolos 8

Like our friends in the North, DJ Hell and Gigolos haven’t gone away, you know. On the latest annual Gigolos compilation, the German label keeps up with the changing times and features Tiefschwarz’s body-house rocker ‘Blow’, Play Paul’s electro-pop ‘Love Song’ and the psy-disco of Emperor Machine’s mix of Psychonauts.

Minimise To Maximise

When he’s not off partying with Sven Vath or DJing for three days in a row, Richie Hawtin runs the Minus label and its latest compilation runs the full gamut of the techno spectrum, from his own skeletal ‘Circles’ to Mathew Jonson’s full-blooded bass track, ‘Rainforest’.

Black Label Amsterdam

From the '70s porn image on the cover to Comtron's pervy contributions, there's no doubt that Black Label have hit on a strain of electro that's high in the sleaze stakes.

Art Of Disco

Maybe the title should read 'electronic disco', as the best tracks on this compilation have nothing to do with filtered disco.

Komplation 2005

This new compilation makes nods to both mainstream approval and Novamute's cult status.

World Traveller Adventures

Free party types Spiral Tribe – they were behind the legendary 1992 Castlemorton rave - deliver a compilation as well as a DVD documenting their travels. If you’re into going apeshit to industrial techno and psychedelic trance in a disused factory in Slovakia, then this is for you. If not, avoid it.

Singles Volume 7

It’s another year, so that means another compilation from the ever-reliable NRK. Musically, it’s the same deep, flowing techy house as ever, with contributions from Miguel Migs, David Alvarado and Nick Holder and a mix CD from Hipp-E.

The Wildlife Album

There’s enough 1970s-style rock and roll on this wildly eclectic album to boot it firmly out of the folk category. But with the likes of Andy Irvine, Martin Hayes, Cara Dillon and Bert Jansch on board as well, who’s to argue? Besides, it’s a good cause. With all profits going to the Ulster Wildlife Trust and the WWF, this labour of love by music journo Colin Harper is – amazingly – the first wildlife charity recording since the Beatles gave ‘Across The Universe’ to No One’s Gonna Change Our World back in 1969.

Red Cross Tsunami Benefit (Night 2)

Tonight’s noisily chatty office-party crowd are certainly excited about something, but it may or may not be Life After Modelling. They should be, though: the Lifers’ short set is a compact bang-zap of straight-as-a-die Noughties post-punk, leavened by dreamlike, hand-holdey boy-girl harmonies.

We Can Work It Out

Taking the ‘concept’ compilation to a new level of daftness is ‘We Can…’, which sees 70s funk and soul legends like Tina Turner, Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder take on The Beatles’ back catalogue. Times must be tough over at Harmless.

Camping

Mad German techno woman Ellen Alien’s Bpitch label is often as much of a miss as a hit, but this compilation has more highlights than lowlights. Kiki, Sascha Funke and Paul Kalkbrenner, as well as Mode Selektor in more accessible mode, all contribute to this fine compilation.

Beatz & Bobz Volume 4

Old dub reggae bands don’t retire, they just transform themselves into DJs and mix compilations like ‘Beatz & Bobz’. Dreadzone deliver exactly what you’d expect from a typical breaks set, although the ravey ‘High Noon’ by Tom Real and Renegade Sound Wave’s bass rumble are the undoubted highlights.

Fabric Live 20

Compiled and mixed by Joe Ransom – no, we’ve never heard of him either – this mix features some breaks, some hip-hop a dash of house and electro and, as a grand finale, Dynamite’s tale of woe about working in the music business, ‘Industry’.

Ten Summer Nights Live At Annesley House Dublin

The fare from acts like Chiara Browne & The Rose Ponies, Q, Earthquake Hair, Wally Page and Sonny Condell is excellent.

Even Better than the Real Thing, Vol 2

The surprise huge success of last year’s EBTTRT album proved that, despite the continuing bootleg craze, there’s still a market for the gentle cover version, and that people are prepared to dig in their pockets for charity records.

How to Kill the DJ, Part 2

Mixed this time around by the musical know-it-alls that are Glasgow’s Optimo DJs, this is like a ‘Radio Soulwax’ for Wire fans.

Tales of Unrest

If you thought Switzerland was a boring place then think again, as this compilation collects minimal and electro strands of house and techno from underground names like Quenum & Lee Van Dowski, Crowdpleaser and Ben Larsen.

Soma Compilation 2004

Soma’s annual compilation doesn’t yield any great surprises, but, like the label itself, it’s solid and reliable with tracks from Envoy, Funk D’Void and newcomer Alex Smoke.

Hidden Fermanagh: Traditional Music And Songs From County Fermanagh, Volume 2

These Fermanagh-based musicians and singers are a real find, especially the bouncy opening track, ably played on fiddle by Brenda McCann.

Disco Undead

Bringing together the diverse strands of modern electro, this brilliant compilation on Device features nu Italo from Bangkok Impact and Legowelt, Chicago meets The Hague on Orgue Electronique’s ‘La Notti Del Terrore’ and purist electro breaks from Porn Darsteller and Johnny Cortex.

The Flute Player Of Roscommon: Volume 1

With its ambitious subtitle promising future volumes, this CD has been compiled to benefit the purchase of flutes and the provision of bursaries and master classes for emerging musicians.

The Independence Suite: Traditional Music From Ireland, Scotland & Cape Breton

As you might expect, the sound and mixing quality falls down on a track or two, but for the most part it’s of an extremely high standard, and there are some real gems here.

Grand Central Autumn 2004

Grand Central’s roster display a wide spectrum of influences on ‘Autumn’, from classic Motown soul to off beat folktronica and even some indie-electro from rising star Riton.

Roots Of Dub Funk 4

Tanty unveils its latest collection of bowel shattering basslines, plaintive lyrics and melancholy vibes from Jah Warrior, Dub Funk Association and The Interrupter.

The Fall Collection

Josh Wink’s label shows its diversity on this compilation: alternating between lush techno from David Alvarado, Steve Bug’s minimalism, D’Julz 303 fixation and Yann Fontaine’s deep house, ‘Fall Collection’ is a fine collection of underground dance floor music.

Bad acid sampler

MFF are set to explore the acid sound again on their new ‘Bad Acid’ compilation and this sampler shows what we can expect.

O2 in the park

Boybands, Girlbands, Rock Bands, Pop Bands. They were all on show today in the Phoenix Park. To the 100,000 strong crowd who turned out to see over 30 acts perform, it was a hugely enjoyable afternoon, the 30-odd minute walk through the park to the site notwithstanding.

Breathe Sunshine

Coming at us from South Africa, this collection of electronic music veers into the ‘ethnic chill parody’ section on a few occasions, but some of the contributions, including RSL feat. Ladysmith Black Mambaazo’s ‘Elungelo’, are well worth a listen.

Caipíní

‘Caipíní’ or ‘people who wear caps’ is an affectionate way of referring to a particular type of rural personality, now a dying breed.

Electric Picnic

It was dubbed a “boutique” festival. but how did The Electric Picnic measure up as an event?

KissKissKiss

A cheeky, 303-flecked tech-house affair.

Uken EP

Lock up your daughters, it’s Slovenian techno terrorist Umek!

Framed & Formed Vol. 2

This double pack from Iron Box’s back catalogue is the ideal opportunity to check out this excellent techno imprint.

Kompakt Kompakt 100

Celebrating their 100th release was never going to be easy for such an erratic yet often inspired label...

Citta Vol. 1

It’s a pleasant musical release, but don’t expect any earth-shattering revelations.

7s Sapler

Domenic Cappello’s fine underground stamp returns with three soulful electronic tracks.

Fashionist: A Cut Above the Rest

Ultra trendy Frankfurt night Fashionist releases its first mix.

Peter Bellamy's 'The Transports': Silver Edition

Back in 1977, English folksinger Peter Bellamy made a recording called ‘The Transports: A Ballad Opera’ that still makes it into lists of great folk albums of all time; just recently, MoJo magazine went so far as to highlight it as one of the ‘Top 100 Recordings of the 20th Century’.

Get Physical

Delightful electro-house comp from the excellent German label – cuts from DJ T, Justin Kohncke, MANDY and Chelonius R Jones’ wondrous ‘I Don’t Know?’.

Urban Tales (Ballyfermot Rock School Artists Compilation)

There’s lots of great talent around. I’ve been saying so for what seems like centuries, but even my normally positive outlook received a pleasant jolt by the quality of much on offer here.

Lectroluv 5

These compilations keep on getting better as the good Dr Lektoluv’s selection reaches further underground.

Kill Bill Vol 2

Straight Out of The Cat Litter

The Men You'll Never See

Dutch electro hub Clone brings together some of its biggest underground tunes on one CD

Mento Madness

Names like Lord Composer & The Silver Seas Orchestra, Harold Richardson & The Ticklers and Lord Messam & His Calypsonians mightn’t mean much here but in Jamaica they’re the stuff legends are made of

Heartworn Highways

Shot back in the days when the participants were more familiar with malt whiskey than alt country, this new release of a rough and ready early 70s documentary offers a wonderfully intimate view of the fertile Texas music scene

Kingston Allstars Meet Downtown At King Tubby's

Mournful and melancholic Jamaican Reggae gems

Spain in my Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War

During the years 1936-39, more than 45,000 individuals from over 50 countries travelled to Spain to volunteer as soldiers in the (ultimately unsuccessful) effort to repel the fascist troops of General Francisco Franco. Pennsylvania-based Appleseed Recordings have now brought out this 17-song collection of songs inspired by the conflict.

The Cats get Remixed

Catskills, who seem to have only Pepe Deluxe and Bushy on their roster, let beat heads loose on their back catalogue..

Live Recordings from the William Kennedy Piping Festival

The 20 recordings on this 70-minute CD were made between 1997 and 2001 at the piping festival held each November under the auspices of the Armagh Pipers’ Club.

Eklectra

Elusive come good with a collection of Irish electronic music that ranges in styles from dreamy sound scapes, glitchy cut-ups and wiry hip-hop to the beautiful folksy feel of Jimmy Behan’s ‘Normal Situation’.

Other Voices, Songs from a Room 2

If someone unfamiliar with the current crop of Irish musicians were to cock an ear to Other Voices 2, they could be forgiven for thinking that Ireland’s rock ‘n’ rollers were mellowing out.

Sofa Records presents Class of 2004

This compilation brings together a tenuously-linked group of artists who got tired of waiting for record companies to open their ears and decided to release their own music.

Rock Monsters

Hot on the heels of The Darkness' blitzkrieging of The Brits – is it me or is Justin's lunchbox getting bigger? – comes this equally bulging 38-track compendium of cock rock heroes past.

Best of Acoustic

As I’ve mentioned about 85 times before, given the choice between leprosy and most major label compilations, I normally go the ulcerated and gangrenous limb route. The Best Of Acoustic is different..

Tribalicious

Rockin’ comp of accessible techno, house and prog from the slightly whiffy Filterheadz. Saturday night music.

A1 Records

A collection of sweet electronic oddities aimed at the head rather than the feet by underground producers like Trajet, Michael Manning and Yellotone.

I Like to Listen

Internet-only label Thinner delivers a brilliant compilation of clicky, dubby house and deep techy tracks from Johan Skugge, Dialogue, Eloi Brunelle and Dennis DeSantis.

New York/London

Double techno mix with Christian Smith’s New York set in party mode and Ben Sims’ London selection in tougher, loopy mode.

Five years of Poker Flat

Seminal German dub techno label Poker Flat’s latest compilation features great club tunes from Jeff Bennett, Steve Bug and Jeff Samuel as well as a bonus mix CD from Jon Tejada.

Moment

Detroit and acidic takes on the minimal German groove from artists like Sweet’n’Candy, Mitte Karaoke and Jacek Sienkiewicz.

Soul Of Science 3

broad range of tracks from Floppy Sounds and Domu

Crammed: Global Soundclash 1980-89

Wonderful mixture of early punk-funk, new wave and electro.

Radius Samplers

Acoustic Junction EP

The island of saints and scholars has of late been transformed into a land awash with singer-songwriters.

Megasoft 2003

Traveller 03

Can't stop the rawk

The days of pop dominance are over. The worm has turned, and a whole new slew of blood and guts rock and roll bands are coming through with records that carry more than a hint of greatness. The darkling posse is headed by the Kings Of Leon – but there are outfits from all over the world who will be vying for poll position over the coming 12 months.

Scene/Unheard Vol. 1 [Vinyl/Destination Records], Best Of Irish Unsigned [Gigsmart]

Both these albums serve a valuable purpose in giving new bands a vehicle to be heard, but more attention in the quality control departments would stop the true gems suffering in the presence of the merely mundane.

The Whisper Project

The Last Sunday Showcase

An increasingly popular platform for emerging and established talent, this monthly showcase (run in conjunction with IMRO) has been hanging the “House Full” signs of late.

Irish Unsigned launch

Again, it is showcase nights like these that remind us of Irish music’s capacity to evolve and remain self-sufficient, without the clout of the industry which claims to wholeheartedly endorse the scene.

Three times lucky?

Dan Hegarty becomes the latest ex-Phantom DJ (following Cormac Battle and Jenny Huston) to be brought on board at 2FM

Smarten up!

GigSmart releases CD sampler from the new/unsigned Irish underground

Sound!

BCI confirms that they will be accepting bids for not one, not two, not three but four new Dublin-area radio stations

Other voices: songs from the pirates...

Ex-Phantom spinner Jenny Huston gets the second of two new yoof-programming DJ positions at 2FM

Ziggy plaaayed guitar

Fancy yourself a bit of a space oddity? Like your makeup zigzagged? Don't miss Rock'n'roll Suicide: A Celebration Of The Works Of David Bowie, featuring acoustic homages (by various Dublin bands) to the chameleon of rock

Something to be again

Multi-band bash/multimedia blowout Hard Working Class Heroes - featuring LaRocca, Alphastates & Hi.Rise among others - comes to the Project in August

Garageland

The Best Of The Garage Gigs series comes to Whelans for a two-night stand

Black magic

The Blackwater Festival - featuring Shane MacGowan, Mundy and more - comes to Cork in July

A rebel hand – and other stories

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad, folk and roots music.

Ruby Sessions

You might think that Dublin needs another acoustic-flavoured album on the market like it needs a SARS epidemic, yet this is a joyous mixed bag of intimate-sounding folk, upbeat indie and ’80s fused electronica.

Let the buyer beware...

Following incidents at both Justin Timberlake's Point shows, ticket forgeries in Ireland are looking like being on the increase, warn Ticketmaster

The Special Olympics go pop

Westlife and other pop heavyweights confirmed to play Special Olympics closing ceremony in Croke Park

Green and gold

Number one, and five, and one respectively, with a bullet: The Frames, Damien Dempsey and (ahem) Mickey Joe Harte hit the toppermost of the poppermost

Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival

Three days of heaven on earth for fans of alt. country, Americana and roots.

The Trinity Ball

Driven along by their now trademark keys, ‘Last Of The Big Time Benders’, ‘Sing Song Sung’ and soon-to-be-released single ‘I Built A Gun’ are as good a triumvirate of tunes as you’ll hear from any young(ish) Irish band.

For Pete’s sake

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad, folk and roots music.

And the runners-up are...

You'll already have heard that the winner of our Face The Music competition (and for that matter the grand-prize winner of €2000 worth of gear from Richer Sounds) - was one Derek Dunne of Drumcondra. Well, here are the few, the proud, the runners-up (...and we do mean "the few")

Island To Island

This fascinating album sits down fiddler Séamus Creagh, accordionist Aidan Coffey and guitarist Mick Daly alongside five of their Newfoundland counterparts, to collaborate on tunes from both traditions.

Part of the union

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad, folk and roots music.

Fair play

But what about the music? If it did feature what was described recently as the “usual suspects” there’s no denying the popularity of the current class of 2003.Short sets from Lisa Bresnan, Bellxi’s Paul Noonan, Leya and Nina Hynes got the show on the road with Bresnan in particular impressing everyone present with her knock-out voice.

Tuesday night music club

Hankering for some early-to-mid-week, new-singer-songwriter action? Here comes the Sun Zoom Spark

Other Voices – Songs From A Room

Obviously, it’s the album of the TV show, which is for the most part absolutely brilliant, where the crème de la crème of the Irish music community, along with a few adopted extras, decamped to St James’ Church, Dingle, for a week of gigs.

All cultural life is here

Oh, the summer time is coming and the music, theatre, comedy and arts are sweetly blooming. Colm O’Hare details what’s budding on the festival front

First cuts: Velvetron, The Dogboy Conspiracy, John Finn, The Riff

Independent spirit

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad and folk.

Heroes' welcome

A major outdoor performance of Riverdance is being planned for Croke Park as part of the 2003 Special Olympics, being hosted this year in Ireland

Paddy Goes Belfest

With something of a renaissance having taken place in the Dublin independent scene over the past few years, now seems as good a time as any to bring ourselves fully up to speed with the sounds emanating from the Belfast underground.

B Rave Vol. 5

Heineken Rollercoaster Tour

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Heineken Rollercoaster Tour 2003 arrives in Castlebar tonight for the final show, and after Waterford, Cork, Tralee, Dublin, Maynooth, Sligo, Carlow, Athlone, Limerick and Galway, everybody appears to be present and correct.

First cuts: Inuendo, Steve O'Neill, The Unsuspecting Public, Timpado

With titles like ‘Cum When You Cum’, ‘Cafe Necrofilia’ and ‘Wasted So Ferociously Stoned’, The Unsuspecting Public will probably not be playing at a folk mass anywhere near you in the forseeable future

It's all in the MIX...

Music Industry Xplained, now in its third year at Dun Laoghaire Colege of Further Education, is now open for applications for the course beginning Septemer 23

State of the union

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad and folk.

Stanley Super 800 - Moonlight EP (Lamp); & The Revolutionary Commandos Of The 3rd Secret Of Fatima - Hide Your Wounds (Tear's Fa

Homework: 13 March 2003

Saying hello to tonnes of new talent from Cork - and saying goodbye to Zeppo. Plus, of course, more

Special agent

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad and folk.

Sirens

It ‘s upsetting, however, that the specific track choices here frequently reduce truly great artists with vari-coloured work, and a number of obsessions and preoccupations, to their one track that most addresses what a lecturer at my university used to call The Ongoing Fight.

Leisure

Jackass The Movie: Original Soundtrack

Far from a cheap, shoddy cash-in, however, the soundtrack turns out to be a well put together overview of the US punk scene.

The good folk

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad and folk.

Homework: 27 February 2003

Belfest 2002

Belfest 2002 – a compilation of 23 of Northern Ireland’s finest young things – displays a seriously broad range of styles.

And the winner is…

Check out the talent in here dept: read the prizewinning entry for the hotpress.com Your 2002 writing competition - and the three runners-up, too

Hail, hail, rock'n'roll...

Old-school legends Chubby Checker and Bo Diddley lined up to play major new festival in Letterkenny

Mix it like you mean it

Investigate this primer course for future DJs, starting in late April in the Music Centre

The green party

Those fine people what brought you Wonky and Wonky2 announce multi-band, multi-media Paddy's Day Weekend frolics in new Wexford St venue The Village. Confirmed bands include The Jimmy Cake, Enon and Uptown Racquet Club

A Tribute To The Ramones

Comparing the insipid, whiney ramblings of The Offspring and Rancid to the incendiary anthems of movement-instigators The Sex Pistols, The New York Dolls and The Ramones is like comparing a firecracker to a nuclear explosion. But then you already knew that

The green party

Those fine people what brought you Wonky and Wonky2 announce multi-band, multi-media Paddy's Day Weekend blowout in new Wexford St venue The Village. Confirmed bands include The Jimmy Cake, Enon and Uptown Racquet Club

Magical mystery tour

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad and folk.

Homework: 13 February 2003

Volume 1

Beyond The Pale

The Heineken Rollercoaster Tour is taking to the road again and this time the capital is nobody’s hometown gig. From Kells come Turn, from Limerick Woodstar and from Cork The Frank and Walters. Next stop: a venue near you.

Archive artists of the fortnight: Turn; The Frank & Walters; Woodstar

As a sort of accompaniment to Hot Press' current cover story on the Heineken Rollercoaster Tour bill-sharers, we decided to make 'em our Archive Artists Of The Week. Getcher old news stories, getcher reviews, getcher interviews. You know you want 'em

Ballroom Of Romance

One of the new breed of value for your euro events with a free CD-R for the first 100 punters, this is the ultimate anecdote to the rip off of spiralling ticket costs.

It's extremely easy being green

The Green Room Sessions Presents - Heineken's brand-new, totally free-gratis-and-for-nothing gig series - hits the music venues of the nation starting late February. First band up: Lemon Jelly. Read on for details

NME Brat Tour

With little to offer in the visuals department – five blokes playing guitars whilst remaining stationary having lost its allure many years ago – The Thrills instead hope to get by on sheer pop class instead.

The Hot Press Readers' Poll 2002

You had your say: the Irish and international results for 2002

Brand new, poll position

New and independent Irish artists rock the Hot Press Readers' Poll 2002

Homework: 30 January 2003

Swag!

Get texting to win the first of a series of prize-stuffed Supersonic Blag-It Bags

Gangs Of New York OST

Often quite beautiful, yes, and probably perfectly matched to the visuals, but it doesn’t make this an album to which you’ll necessarily want to return to again and again.

The year of living outrageously

Colin Carberry reckons that the next 12 months in Northern Ireland are going to rock. And then some.

Calling all film and video makers...

Aspiring John Cassavetteses, Sam Mendeses and Martin Scorseses take note: Lights, Camera, Action - a seminar on video editing and production organised by Apple Computers - comes to the Music Centre on January 29

Let's push things forward

You say that everything sounds the same: enter the competition for a place on the 2003 IMRO Showcase Tour, and show 'em how it's really done

Your shout

This Bud's for you: the 2003 Budweiser Premier Band Challenge could give your band just the kinda 2000-euro cash injection you've been thirsting for

Laughterwards

Comedy hit a spectacular high in 2002 with the success of The Office, The League of Gentlemen and Bachelor’s Walk. But there may be even better to come this year, as three generations of Irish comic talent tell us.

Homework: 16 January 2003

Council of war

News, gossip, gigs and new releases from the world of trad and folk music

Ready for liftoff

Ten, nine, eight… we count down the contenders for 2003. Words Hannah Hamilton, Colin Carberry, Niall Stokes, Richard Brophy, John Walshe, Eamon Sweeney and Stuart Clark

Belfast and furious

How did Belfast fail in its bid to become European City Of Culture? The fault may well lie not with the city itself, but with its salesmen…

Pirate material world

Home cooking

The yeahs of living dangerously

And you can quote me on that

And we did. and now we’re doing it again. Liam Mackey rounds up the maddest, baddest and most memorable sayings in Hot Press over the last 12 months

Frames academy

Cold comfort

"In time, we might just come to look back on this as a vintage year. It belonged, almost inevitably, to Coldplay": Phil Udell recalls his 2002

All the news that was fit to print

Stuart Clark rounds up the music news stories that made headlines in 2002

Archive article of the week: absolutely massive bumper Christmas '02 edition

Old News Is Good News Special : Hot Press writers pick their fave music writing of 2002

But enough of our yakkin'

...it's time for your say. Write your own "end-of-year roundup" - and be in to win no less than the 30 best albums of 2002. Yowsa!

What's the frequency, Minister?

The Department of Communications is to recommend that the Broadcasting Commission make more radio licenses available

8 Mile OST

8 Mile has opened in the States to rave reviews and a rapturous public reception. The film soundtrack, masterminded by Eminem, deserves more of the same

Bringing it all back home

It’s Christmas, time for some of the leading lights of the Irish musical family to return from far-flung stages and convene for a traditional evening of reflection, revelation, conversation, merriment and, well, gargle. The guests: Glen Hansard and Colm Mac Con Iomaire of The Frames, Gemma Hayes, Mundy and David Kitt.

Christmas crackers!

One-off clubs, chillout nights, New Year's Eve events and of course gigs, gigs, and more gigs to suit your every mood: hotpress.com picks the very best stuff to do over the holiday

The spain event

The MTV Europe Music Awards 2002 may have been a bit of a damp squib, but an electrifying Foo Fighters, a boards-sweeping Eminem and a nekkid Christina Aguilera prevented it from being a total washout.

It's All Bells

Even aside from the abundance of quality tracks, the boo boos have a tongue in cheek “I know I’m making a fool of myself but I don’t care” twang to them

Meltdown festival?

Glastonbury denied an entertainment license due to "inadequate security, damage to local environment" and having "outgrown" its usual festival grounds. "We are not too bothered," says founder Michael Eavis, who plans to appeal. "I think it's going to be fine"

Hope floats

Adrian Crowley, Nina Hynes and friends play a gig in support of There Is Hope, a suicide prevention charity, this weekend in Dundalk

A hope collective

Adrian Crowley, Nina Hynes and friends play a gig in support of There Is Hope, a suicide prevention charity, this weekend in Dundalk

Punk's not dead

Northern Irish punk legend Terry Hooley gets the biopic treatment in new film Big Time

Taking it to the country

Hot Press can reveal that the line-up for next year's Heineken Rollercoaster tour is The Frank & Walters, Turn and Woodstar.

Homework: 5 December 2002

Featuring a gorilla-sized compilation from Goppa Records, the inaugural Foggy Notions tour; and a rare My Bloody Valentine-spotting in Whelans

Separate but equal?

Christy Moore, Paul Brady and Paddy Moloney to publicly oppose Section 21 of new Arts Bill, which proposes to financially separate traditional music from the rest of the Arts Council's remit

Shouting from the mountaintops

Gobsmacking live gig/TV series 'Other Voices' - featuring shining lights of new Irish music - planned for local church in Dingle in December

Festival slapdown!

The Reading Festival is definitely coming to Ireland next year, say the Mean Fiddler Organisation. Not so fast, say MCD. Let the games begin...

Best of the best ofs

As High Fidelity’s Rob so rightly said, there’s an art to making a good compilation

Quiet riot

Art/design/music collective The Whispering Gallery feel the noise in Dublin's Project

A Woman's Heart – A Decade On

Ten years on we come upon a timely update showcasing some of the artists featured on the first album as well as a pleasure cruise through some not catered for back then

Tom Dunne's 30 Best Irish Hits Vol. 2

This reviewer’s problem is with the ‘Hits’ part of the title. It means that all the songs are necessarily singles, and therefore not necessarily the work of bands at their musical best

Homework: 21 November 2002

'Tis the season, so it's Christmas gigs a-go-go with Woodstar, Josh'n'James, the Juice Machine and a Very Corpo Christmas Caper to say the least. Ho ho ho

DEAF

Barcelona might have Sonar, but, on the strength of its debut outing, Dublin’s DEAF is also set to become an essential date in the global electronic diary.

No place like home (apparently)

What's that? You want to know who the best young bands in the country are? Really? Geez. Oh okay then.

1 Love

1 Love, is a compilation album of major artists covering number one hits from the past 50 years, with the proceeds going to the War Child charit

Stones mooted for Dublin club show

MCD and Aiken prepare for a war of the promoters over the Rolling Stones' Irish leg of their world tour

Music to watch girls by

Get ready for new Dublin rom-com Goldfish Memory - not to mention its soundtrack, featuring Hedrock Valley Beats, Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan and Glen Hansard among others

Start saving those pennies now...

Irish festivalgoers are going to be spoilt for choice next year, as Witnness, Green Energy and Slane will be sharing the calendar with an Irish version of (wait for it!) the Reading Festival

Help us help you...

The quadruple-covered collector's edition of your favourite mag is dangerously close to selling out nationwide - so we need your help restocking while it lasts. Yes there IS something in it for you, since you ask

A life less ordinary

Want to be a singer/dancer/actor (circle as appropriate), do you? Or are you just an attention junkie? Either way, Ireland's first-ever Showbiz Bootcamp (featuring your guide, "life coach" Judymay Murphy) will sort you out

Gettng the best from the fest

Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland join forces for an Irish stand at MIDEM, the planet's most important music industry convention

Imro Showcase

The second in a monthly series of showcase nights designed to highlight singer-songwriter talent

Sound investment

The proceeds from a new CD featuring the cream of Ireland’s musical talent including U2, Sinéad O’Connor and Ash will benefit people living with mental illness

Northern soul (and R'n'B and garage)

MTV's Base Lick Party heads to Portrush, Co. Antrim

The Defective Collective Presents The Collectivities

The Collectivities unfortunately sells all involved a little short in the way of packaging and general presentation

Power points

DEAF (The Dublin Electronic Arts Festival) turns the Guinness Storehouse on, starting Saturday October 26th; and the Fleadh Electronic brings an acoustic-electric collision to Vicar Street on the 27th

Mail bonding!

U2, Rory Gallagher, Van Morrison and Phil Lynott go postal this month as a new set of Irish commemorative postage stamps is released - and Hot Press get into the act with an also-commemorative four-cover special to match. As the man said, save 'em, swop 'em, collect 'em all

The famous four

Our mates at Witnness bring a four-tet of big names to Ireland as the next in their rather special Experience gig series

Calling young guns

Fancy yourself the next Ash or JJ72? Over 14 and under 20? Then the Wella Shockwaves Unsigned Competition is waiting for your vids and demos

Acoustic Junction

Take a group of up and coming, like-minded singer-songwriters; put them up on stage, and let them perform a short set of their own songs

Lynx Extended Play '02 – Hugh Scully, Stereo MCs, David Holmes

Concern Concert For Afghanistan

A solid night's entertainment

Anarchy in the kitchen

Swap your strat for a spatula: leftfield heavyweights contribute to Document: A Story Of Hope – a cookbook with a difference

The art of partying

A thrilling collision in the Guinness Storehouse between the aural and visual worlds, Wonky2 - brainchild of Leagues O'Toole - proved that at some parties, you don't have to check your mind in at the door

Earth Music Festival

It's a lazy, slow-mo Saturday with bouts of rain as the gates open for Derry's inaugural all-day outdoor music festival

EP1

It may be a bit too out there in Autechre land for some

Slane 2002

Maybe the place is just too big, maybe the sound's too low or the songs too weak, but rapt musical attention is giving way to inflatable chair fights and beery boredom

Smirnoff Experience

Seven hours and ten DJs later, it seems clear at this, the first Smirnoff Experience since the summer break, that dance music is in shockingly good health

Cambridge Folk Festival

Cambridge Festival - a touch of pop, no little style, not strictly roots

Our heart belongs to D.A.D.D.Y.

In the second part of our two-part competition and pop-video bonanza, watch the D.A.D.D.Y.-produced animated video for Warlords of Pez's 'Padre Pio', and enter to win a copy of Kicking Against... Nuggets from the New Irish Overground

Two days at the races

Prodigy, Oasis, a cast of thousands and you - the full story of Witnness 2002

Kicking Against... Nuggets From The Irish Overground

Kicking Against... triumphs where others falter, strictly because the only barometer for inclusion is sheer quality

International Deejay Gigolos CD Six

The current penchant for 4/4 led electro probably wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Munich based DJ Hell and his rapidly expanding Deejay Gigolos empire

Control Freaks: An Electrofunk Compilation

This compilation on new label Remote Audio brings together some of the more daring explorations of the style, combining tough dance floor shapes with blissed-out electronic textures

InunDations

Like its predecessors, this double CD features some of the finest Irish and international artists in a pared-down, mostly unplugged setting, letting the songs do the talking

Collaborations

The end result is an album that is a music collector's wet dream, with enough mouth-watering partnerships to keep most music fans happy

Good Life Volume 1 EP

Smirnoff Experience

To most clubbers Smirnoff Experience has become synonymous with cutting edge club-nights all around Ireland, representing house, progressive, trance and, tonight, the harder end of dance music

More green energy...

Mundy, Kila and The Revs also confirmed for tonight's World Cup homecoming in the Phoenix Park

Apres match (literally)

Barry Murphy, Risteard Cooper and friends - Apres Match to you - head the bill at tonight's big little homecoming party for the Irish World Cup side tonight in the Phoenix Park. Oh yeah... some lot called Westlife are playing as well

Ozzfest 2002

The crowd began to file out in little rivers of sunburnt Goths and bleary-eyed metallers, exhausted, damp and hollow from the final blast of euphoria

In The Beginning - A Songwriters Tribute To Garth Brooks

At its core, the idea was simple enough; gather together some of the writers who had penned hits for Garth for a live show

Wholly Smoke

If your idea of hilarity is a "I like the Pope - The Pope smokes dope" t-shirt then you might dig this

IMRO Showcase

Possibly the finest collection of unsigned Irish talent I’ve ever come across in rapid succession

Miami 2002

Being a 'Miami' (Miami = Ibiza for trendies) comp, there’s no trance on offer - just house and prog

hotpress and NIMIC present: Berkeley, Torino, Gentle Ben

Forget the wanky, indulgent rawk music that is force fed us by MTV2 - this is pure, it's raw and it's sometimes out of tune. Most of all it's fun.

Ruby Sessions

Candles and quiet. Red drapes framing the makeshift stage and an evening of stolen moments to look forward to

All Tomorrow's Parties

In a sense, ATP is an anti-festival. Each year's 'curator' - the band who decide what other acts to invite - is willfully chosen on the grounds of their rejection or open denunciation of the mainstream music system

Digital T Showcases

Digital T - the dizzy electronic sibling of the annual BelFest bash - returns for its second year to give good showcase action

Soulful Behaviour

'Soulful Behaviour' - mixed by DJ Addiction - gives you a bit of a flavour of the many shades of d'n'b

Documenta 02

An ideal compilation for all you hotpress rockers that are reading the dance reviews by accident

Psychokinesis

This one has quality stamped over nearly all of it

Dead Languages

Dead Languages is yet another must have that documents some of Dublin’s best DIY stalwarts

IMRO Showcase

Six hot bands, a full house, a fine new venue and attitude by the yard

Bacardi Hot Press Plugged Band Of The Year Grand Final 2002

The finalists, chosen from the hundreds of entries received, were all winners of the regional heats that had taken place up and down the country since January

Organic Audio Present: Hi-Life

This is a quality compilation that never succumbs to musical self-indulgence

Luke Vibert's Further Nuggets

But seriously kids, it's only the most dedicated music fan/snob that really digs this gear ... in an oh-so-ironic way, of course

Kindai Tek(I)

A collection of fresh beats from Japan, this is indeed quite worthy of your attention

True blue, baby: we love you

Fierce Northern Irish guitarristas Indigo Fury win Bacardi / Hot Press Plugged Band Of The Year - and go home with no less than EUR30,000 worth of music industry goodies. Congratulations! ...Lend us a tenner, willya

Bacardi Hot Press Band Competition Dublin heat

The third Dublin heat of this year's increasingly interesting battle saw five very diverse acts slugging it out for a coveted place in April’s grand final

Hot Press Sessions

With a line-up boasting the likes of David Kitt, Mundy, Nina Hynes and Damien Dempsey, it's no wonder that Trinity’s Edmund Burke Theatre was jammers

Bacardi/Hotpress plugged band of the year competition: Dublin heat

The third heat in the Bacardi/Hotpress 'Plugged' Band Of The Year showcased a pleasingly diverse bill of young guns intent on making their mark and hoping to emulate last year's winners, Woodstar, in securing a major label deal

Featured writer of the month: Joe Jackson

Three of the most celebrated third-degrees ever conducted by longtime Hot Press interviewer Joe Jackson

XFM gets into the spirit(s)

London alternative station XFM comes to Dublin - the Jameson distillery, to be exact - for Patrick's Day. On hand to enjoy tunes, competitions and free booze will be Hot Press and, possibly, you. Read on

Heineken Rollercoaster (Hothouse Flowers/The Revs)

The Flowers remain as positively charged as ever, and songs like 'Hallelujah Jordan' and 'Don't Go' remain among the best to come from an Irish band, but there is a uniform harmlessness to their work that begins to pall before too long

Emoticon Sampler Three

Party hard

David Holmes and Orbital are set to launch the new, state of the art, superclub-ified 1200-capacity Tivoli, opening on March 23rd

Peacefrog Presents: 10.100.02

Listening to the label's second compilation of the last twelve months, it's clear that they don’t like to be pigeonholed

All Tomorrow's Parties 1.1: curated by Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth's baby, the infant is characterised by a very furrow-browed, collegiate-American kind of overseriousness

Bacardi Hot Press band challenge: Cork Heat

The second regional heat of this year's contest saw five very different acts battling it out for a coveted place in April’s grand final

Brandy 'What About Us' and Princess Superstar 'Bad Babysitter'

There is no escape (in a good way)

Look! Up in the sky! On 150 movie screens nationwide! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Hot Press' first-ever cinema advert! Extra popcorn not included

Music from Vanilla Sky

It's almost like a mix-tape made up for you by a mate with particularly discerning taste....

Childline concert

Seeing Six, A1, Hear'Say and Fifth Avenue writhing around onstage bore a striking resemblance to Barbie and Ken coming to life. And they could sing.

Ride on time

The Heineken Rollercoaster Tour 2002 Revs up next week: wild ride guaranteed. Hop aboard...

Dig the new breed

New year, new talent. Peter Murphy and Chris Donovan have a peek at those who look, in the new year, like hitting their peak... You read it here first

Are you experienced?: Smirnoff Experience

Boasting a truly diverse line-up that united house music in all its various hues, as well as some good old fashioned rave attitude courtesy of Orbital, this was an extravaganza that lived up to the hype.

Having a ball: Bacardi Hotpress Plugged competition, Dublin Heat

The final outfit to hit the stage are Horizon, and there's no doubting the classic, American rock influence running through them. The judges thought they did enough to give them the nod in what was a tight contest indeed.

Dig the new breed: Ali Malek, designer

Old Hayden's Almanac: January

Old Hayden's Almanac: February

Old Hayden's Almanac: March

Old Hayden's Almanac: April

Old Hayden's Almanac: June

Old Hayden's Almanac: July

Old Hayden's Almanac: August

Old Hayden's Almanac: October

Old Hayden's Almanac: November

Old Hayden's Almanac: December

Old Hayden's Almanac 2002

The future in nifty twelve-point type, summoned for you out of the ether by the Oracle of Hot Press, the redoubtable, all-powerful, spookily omniscient, scarily prescient, frighteningly knowledgeable but really quite friendly when you get to know him, Old Hayden. Read it and live better

Dig the new breed: Danielle Donnelly, model

Dig the new breed: Kamila Shamsie, writer

Dig the new breed: Mike Pitt, actor

Dig the new breed: Shimmy Marcus, filmmaker

Dig the new breed: Alexandra McGuinness, visual artist

Homework: January 17, 2002

New year, new tunes - are you ready for the country? And the hip-hop? And the alt.rock? Etc...

The Irish invasion

Hot Press Readers' Poll favourites prepare to steal the show at this year's South by Southwest. Those Texans won't know what's hit 'em...

He's Dunne it!

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a Historic Irish Pop Moment. No. 1 DJ in the Hot Press Readers' Poll? says Tom Dunne to Dave Fanning. I'll have that, cheers...

Synthetic Allsorts

There’s enough quality and originality on display here to rival anything you’ll get on the like of De:Focus, Warp and the like.

There Is No Eye: Music For Photographs Compiled (and photographed) by John Cohen

…No Eye is beautifully presented – each song arrives with a few (amazing) photographs and a brief illustrative tale.

Music from The Motion Picture Ocean’s Eleven

Holmes has got his finger well and truly on the pulse on the music of the period

The Hot Press Readers' Poll 2002

You spoke, we listened: the results of the Hot Press Readers' Poll 2002

All human life was here (part 1)

Superstars, rock stars, movie stars, sports stars, tv stars, authors, actors, artists, comedians, politicians, broadcasters, astrologers, chefs, outlaws, weirdoes, dingbats and Lee Scratch Perry...

Tom Dunne’s 30 Best Irish Hits

Easily the best compilation of its sort since the classic A-Z Of Irish Rock.

Warenkorb

Fitting a wealth of styles in one basket.

Revelation – Mixed by Howells and Seaman

Howells pushes his usual diverse blend of tough, dark techno-influenced progressive gear The reliable Warren takes it a bit more ‘large’

Hi-Fidelity Dub Sessions Vol 3

Apart from the odd dodgy moment, it’s another enjoyable diversion for the non-purist skankers

High Altitude Breaks Level 01

The predominant style on High Altitude, the label’s first compilation, is a deep, fluid approach rather than the more familiar, tough military-style breaks.

Soul Addiction

Am I missing the point here? Or does this latest installation of Soul Addiction sound exactly the same as the last one?

Seven Is Seven

Heading in the opposite direction of their peers, SSR, under the guiding hand of DJ Morpheus, have put together a double CD of hard-to-find, previously unavailable left-field tracks

Compilation 53:56

Collecting seven of the region’s most exciting new bands, the emphasis is most definitely on the shouty, in your face, nu-metal end of things.

The Tupelo Tapes: Best Of Independent Ireland

Eleven tracks from eleven artists worthy of cocking an ear or two at and seeing what you fancy.

Songs From A Small Room

Songs From A Small Room is one of those rare live albums that really captures the moment – this is as real as it gets

Seismic Sounds

Seismic represents their support of dance music’s two most modern styles – dance floor breaks and dark, techy house

First Flight

Galway labelmeister Darran Nugent comes (very) good

The Garage Gigs

This project was set up with the sole aim of providing an outlet where young, unsigned bands can play properly organised gigs in established venues

Midnight Express

Allthough Guidance have a habit of churning out meandering deep house compilations, this 14-track label mix stands out for one particular reason – noodle house it ain’t.

Detroit Calling

The Burden brothers and their 430 West label have been responsible for some of the finest dance floor house and techno to come from Detroit over the last decade.

Nite:Life 07

San Fran man DJ Garth takes the controls for this increasingly popular (and increasingly frequent) mix CD series.

A Beautiful Day

Well goodness, it was nasty enough this morning but by twelve o’clock, who’d have thought it, it’s a beautiful… you know.

Morricone RMX

As tribute albums go, this one is very different.

Botchit Breaks 4

However, despite the label’s prolific output, this fourth instalment of ‘Botchit Breaks’ provides us with the most complete overview

ALLied

ALLied is no normal, run of the mill dance compilation.

Apache Tribe

The plaudits that the first volume in the series received from such luminaries as Steve Lemaq and DJ Magazine are legion, and happily this volume is more of the same.

Transatlantic Audio Volume 2

Since it set up shop three years ago, Dynamite Joint has been one of the few dance imprints that has pursued a truly eclectic vision.

Rive Eskimo: Volume 2

While Belgian club Eskimo will go down in history as being the only promoters to throw a party in a disused underwear factory, they obviously aren’t content to rest on their laurels (no pun intended).

Milesahead Presents Incontinental

Internet radio station Groovetech launches their record label with a compilation, and who better to compile it than the Milesahead crew, regular broadcasters on the digital station.

Undercurrents

The product of Jon Richards’ famed in-studio sessions on Galway Bay FM, this double album is crammed with the cream of Irish talent.

Music From The Film 'Moulin Rouge'

Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming musical is set in the 19th century, features classic songs from the 20th and was made in the 21st. A lot of big names – Bowie, Beck, Bono – have been co-opted to make this soundtrack more interesting than your average movie tie-in.

Synergia 2 Breaks, Beats And Blips From Independent Dublin

Like Synergia 1, a bit of a mixed bag this, but worth investigating

Best Of

Best Of Garage Gig – Issac Butt

Sirius Is A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ‘Sirius Is A Friend’ [Tresor]

Death Row Greatest Hits

Black America mightn’t have wanted a martyr like Tupac Shakur, but they got him anyway. This latest selection is the first of two double albums culled from Shakur’s dreadful “Makaveli” period.

Dublin Calling

VARIOUS Dublin Calling [Rock all]

Going Thru Life

VARIOUS ARTISTS Going Thru Life [Delsin]

Telle

Wall Of Sound leave bigbeat behind (we’ll miss you) and jump on the cred-ship with some nifty licensing action. Telle are the Norwegian label that brought you the Kings Of Convenience and Annie’s wondrous ‘Greatest Hit’, unsurprisingly included here, along with the hitherto unheard of (to most) talents of DJ and producer Erot and company.

Komfort.Labor 01

Komfort.Labor 01 is Stefan ‘Pole’ Betke’s debut mix CD.

Hi Fidelity House: Imprint 3

Chicago house label Guidance have a bit of a following amongst “those who know”. And why not? Apart from a couple of misses, their output is generally on-point in a very non-threatening kind of way.

Brand New Boots And Panties

You had to be there, I guess. Except of course that there was actually then, 1977, and I was 15 and Ian Dury and the Blockheads released New Boots And Panties and that was the first time I ever heard the words sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll used in the same sentence.

25 Years of Celtic Music

Despite the potential horrors of selling Irish music to an American audiences, Green Linnet has managed to avoid many of the attendant clichés that have plagued Celtic music overseas.

Bacardi Plugged Band Of The Year

BACARDI PLUGGED BAND OF THE YEAR Dolan’s Warehouse Limerick. Katie Gallagher’s Gray, Co. Wicklow.

Bacardi Hot Press Plugged Band Of The Year Competition

Not even a suspect device on the railway line could prevent the Bacardi/hotpress team from reaching Belfast for the Northern leg of the new-look plugged format.

Ignition Unsigned Band Showcase

First on stage tonight were Lucas, whose songs were melodic and meandering but with enough unexpected twists to maintain interest, and an ultra-confident singer boasting a voice like Vedder's, but with high notes.

Joan Of Arse, Chris Leonard, The Dudley Corporation

Good reason to get to a gig early: if you do, you might catch a cameo from the drummer out of Slayer… Well, his nearest approximation, anyway.

Accelerator - The Soundtrack

Once you see the names Brian Eno and David Holmes printed on a soundtrack tracklist, you know it has to possess at least some serious heavyweight potential.

Accelerator - The Soundtrack

Once you see the names Brian Eno and David Holmes printed on a soundtrack tracklist, you know it has to possess at least some serious heavyweight potential.

Sonarstate

While Ireland's club scene is often praised, sometimes excessively, there is no parallel between the standard of Irish nightlife and the quality of indigenous dance music production.

Superstition 2001

Superstition's newest compilation displays their ability to change, refine their sound and move with the times.

Eukahoused

Eukahouse and a handful of other like minded labels were responsible for some of the UK's finest dance music in 2000.

Nite:Life 03

Bristol house label Nrk deliver the third chapter of their Nite:Life mix project, with San Fran man Miguel Migs at the helm. Mr Migs has had a pretty good year so far: a plethora of releases on Large, Yoshi Toshi and Nrk and the like.

The Italian Job OST

The ultimate heist movie, The Italian Job was everything the British wanted to be in the late sixties: full of street-savvy wit and push-your-luck cheek; astoundingly sharp-dressed in an era of longhaired hippie unwashedness; nation-conqueringly sexy; composed and smirking with hubris in the face of sure disaster.

Blair Witch 2 OST

So… Blair Witch 2 has hit the big screen and Mr Manson has assumed charge of all things original sound track. Quite fitting really. The musical emulation of hype, eyeliner and distortion pedals meets the cinematic emulation of forests, shaky cameras crews and things that go bump in the night.

Classics

The album title may not leave much to the imagination, but the best of Plus 8 proves that, during its seven-year existence [from 1990 to 1997] Hawtin and Acquaviva’s label pushed the boundaries of techno more than arguably any other imprint.

It's A Cool Cool Christmas

The Christmas album concept isn't fairing too well in the credibility stakes, mainly thanks to the ‘milk-it’ strategies that Cliff Richard and Dustin have perfected.

Transatlantik Lounging 3

The third installment in the acclaimed Transatlantik series sees no deviation from the high quality, deeply chilled standards of its predecessors.

The New Spirits Of Jazz

Older jazz sources may have been incorporated into techno, house, hip-hop and drum'n'bass in recent years, but this phenomenon hasn't stopped the sound itself from progressing independently, on its own terms.

Irish Songwriters Vol. 1

That we have a very strong core of songwriters who have not yet made it to a high level of prominence is an accepted fact; it is also true that there are those who with a little encouragement, discipline and luck, would make it to a higher level. This CD, mixed bag though it is, is ample proof that there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

Eskimo: The Past Presents The Future

Mixed by Eskimo’s resident DJs Mo and Benoelie, this CD features some real forgotten dance music gems from the last three decades.

Tresor 8

For the last decade, Germany’s Tresor has been the most consistent supporter of US influenced techno, and, as many independent record labels continue to fold, it’s testament to Tresor’s lasting power that they’ve managed to reach their eighth compilation in as many years.

International Guardians of Rock'n'Roll 1983-1999

The sub-title says it all. You really couldn't sum up Alan McGee's arrogant revisionism of British music in the last fifteen or so years in a better and more overblown phrase. Despite the illusions of grandeur, there is no denying Creation's mighty influence.

Botchit & Breakspeak

Four years on from Organik Technoloji and Botchit & Scarper release an equally eclectic collection of breakbeat workouts.

Through The Eyes

It’s been six years since Full Cycle’s last compilation, Music Box, and in the interim things have changed radically. Reprazent winning the Mercury Prize may have helped the label gain more exposure, while Through The Eyes shows that the tightly linked roster are content to plough on with scant regard for their public image.

Fish Tales Volume 4

Some people say monthly hard house club Fish is the best Friday night in London.

Xen Cuts

Ten years ago a trip to Japan inspired Coldcut duo Jonathon Moore and Matt Black to free themselves from the shackles of major label contracts and set up Ninja Tune, an innovative, experimental and eccentric label like no other.

Loud Rocks

Before Aerosmith and Run DMC joined forces for the classic ‘Walk This Way’, it was thought unthinkable. Metal? and Rap?? Together???! But in this, the decade of fusion, the boundaries have been well and truly broken by Korn, Limp Bizkit and others. It was only a matter of time before some clever soul squeezed the concoction of pseudo rap/metal on to compilation disc.

Back In 10 Minutes

Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon’s Classic stamp reaches its third compilation, and there’s no let up in the quality control department. In a period when so many house producers are still looking to the disco filter as a device to gain attention, it’s revealing that the Classic stable looks to funk sources and employs more subtle, minimal house grooves.

International Deejay Gigolos Volume 4

Hell’s piss-ripping Munich-based Deejay Gigolo’s label has always looked to sources more diverse than most of the body popping stamps, and their fourth collection proves that they’re still way ahead of the competition.

Pussytoons

The third in maverick Howie B’s conceptual compilations (following spy-funker Pussy Galore and porn-shocker Suck It And See) where Pussy artists from around the globe interpret the theme… in this instance, cartoons.

Sing A Song For You - A Tribute To Tim Buckley

The late Tim Buckley, father of the less talented Jeff, was a sixties singer-songwriter whose extraordinary vocal range gave him one of the most lyrical voices of his generation. This double-CD by a variety of generally B-list alt-rockers gallantly falls somewhat short of their hero’s achievements.

Synergia 01

*Breaks, Blips and Beats from Independent Dublin,* is the sub-title.It sounds promising but this turns out to be a bit of a mixed bag.

Harps, Pipes And Fiddles

Collections should sometimes carry a health warning. Temple Records are responsible for this release, a gabháilful of fine musicians, most with Scottish roots, purveying a snakecharmer's mix of slow airs, songs and dance tunes, played on Scotland's stalwart instruments. And that's where the Surgeon General needs to step, centrestage, scalpel in hand.

The Pure Borhrán

The Pure Bodhrán - The Definitive Collection is an interesting come all ye exercise that doesn't quite manage to gather the momentum it promises. Versatile and eclectic as the bodhrán is, it simply doesn't have the strength of personality (at least on the tunes collected here) to hold a double album together.

Grand Slang: 1990-2000

Here we have a good-but-not-great anthology of lost songs and remixes from City Slang - home over the years to alt-faves as diverse as Gallon Drunk, Hole and Sebadoh, and more recently Calexico, Yo La Tengo and Lambchop - who are celebrating ten years in 2000.

Mission: Impossible 2 O.S.T.

Mission: Impossible 2 opens with a bit of a damp squib - Limp Bizkit's 'Take A Look Around', in which Fred Durst ruins Lalo Schifrin's original Mission Impossible theme with the addition of a lacklustre rap and the occasional burst of noise.

Smol Seed

Co-operative effort in the music business is a rare phenomenon these days. Unless motivated by the promise of commercial gain, that is.

Nua Teorainn

Co-operative effort in the music business is a rare phenomenon these days. Unless motivated by the promise of commercial gain, that is.

New Horizons

The west has truly awoken us with these two excellent compilations hitting the racks simultaneously.

Rialta 2000

The west has truly awoken us with these two excellent compilations hitting the racks simultaneously.

Homelands Ireland - The Album

While last September's Homelands Ireland debut was unquestionably a great day out, the sleeve notes here take the hyperbole to new found hyperbollocks levels.

The Ground Floor

Every once in a while an Irish dance compilation appears. Sometimes, it's nothing more than a corporate giant flexing muscles or, in the case of the D1 and Bassbin collections, a taster for greater things to come.

Ordinary Decent Criminal OST

Damon Albarn is certainly keeping busy. Not content with helping Michael Nyman score the movie Ravenous, the Blur frontman embarks on his first solo work for Thaddeus O'Sullivan's Martin Cahill biopic:

Traveller '99

Mixing beats to ethnic samples is nothing new. Increasingly it has moved toward a bland, easy-listening, new ageism that is non-aggressive and uncontroversial.

Apache Tribe Belfast

The Apache Tribe label is an offshoot of a Belfast clothes shop that prides itself on being much more than just a store - a hybrid of modern culture showcasing the previously hidden talents of local DJs and first-time producers from as far afield as South Africa.

Euphoria

ALTHOUGH FEATURING a wide-ranging supporting cast that includes pedal steel player about town BJ Cole, Ann Dudley and Rush's Geddy Lee, Euphoria is essentially guitarist Ken Ramm's project.

Woodstock 99 - Volume 2

UNLIKE ITS legendary ancestor, Woodstock '99 could hardly be described as "three days of music, peace and love", ending as it did in a riot.

The Million Dollar Hotel OST

By this stage, you're no doubt aware that Bono co-wrote this movie and provides no less than six songs on the soundtrack, some with his old muckers in U2 and others with The Million Dollar Hotel Band, which prises the likes of Lanois and Eno away from the desk and into more standard musical roles.

The Next Big Thing OST

I haven't seen the movie which spawned this soundtrack, but the music certainly stands up on its own and should prove another winner for Madonna's Maverick label.

The Beach - OST

A new Danny Boyle flick is never complete without a hyped to the hilt, in yer face compilation of the current cream of trendies, and The Beach is no exception.

Southern Fried

"14 finger clicking choons from the Sunny South" reads the upful by-line from Southern Fried - a collection of music from producers based in and around the Cork area.

Come On Up To The House

This mini-album had its genesis in the Irish tour undertaken late last year by The Frames, Jubilee Allstars, David Kitt and Dave Cleary, but it's calibre makes it more than just a souvenir of that jaunt.

Seka Sister/Volume 2

Seka/Sister is a marathon collection of 22 songs from a plethora of artists (both well known and obscure) in aid of a women and children's refuge in Croatia.

Seka Sister/Volume 2

Seka/Sister is a marathon collection of 22 songs from a plethora of artists (both well known and obscure) in aid of a women and children's refuge in Croatia.

Origin - See The Light

Galway’s stable for unsigned talent, Origin Records, involving both the Zhivago Record store and Cuba live venue, follow up the successful release of this year’s To Boldly Go compilation with yet another album. This time, nine unsigned Galway-based acts contribute eighteen original tracks.

Ten Years of Folk Fleadh

THESE TWO compilations have been released to commemorate the tenth anniversary of promoter Vince Power's hugely successful annual celebration of Irish music.

Covers And Others

Covers and Others showcases the work of eight up-and-coming Northern Ireland bands. The general genre is straight-up rock, with many of the featured bands comprising guitar, vocals, bass and drums.

Clubber's Guide To Ibiza Summer Ninety-Nine

So it must be summer when the British Foreign Legion, fuelled by lager and libido, embark on their annual pilgrimage to the Clubber's Mecca and spiritual home of pills n' thrills and bellyaches that is Ibiza.

Ór

Ór, meaning gold, is indeed a suitable title for this collaboration between two of Ireland's finest acoustic labels, bringing together as it does 16 tracks going back over a 30-year period, which indicate at first glance just what a rich seam our native music mines.

Exposed

Celebrating ten years in existence this year, the Ballyfermot Rock School has come in for more than its share of criticism over the years ."You can't teach rock n roll" is the main accusation levelled at it, and there's an element of truth in that.

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me OST

All too often movie soundtracks are bland affairs, with the now traditional love ballad leading the charge towards chart success. Thankfully, this one takes a couple of risks.

No Boundaries

Where there's a crisis or a human catastrophe, a charity album is never far behind, with artists, major and minor, eager to be seen to be doing something to ease the suffering of the victims.

Heavyweights 3

Another of Blood And Fire's excellent collection/samplers from their range of classier '70s reggae/dub plates - and it's good! Heavyweight 3 features 14 tracks from the likes of Horace Andy, Bim Sherman and Johnny Clarke, showcasing some of the era's most exciting sounds, punk notwithstanding.

Éist - Songs of Their Native Language

In the broad arena, the Irish language has rarely been given the credit it deserves. Reasons abound for this state of affairs - a cack-handed policy regarding its teaching since the State's foundations, the cosy 'club' atmosphere of some of those who use it, alluded to by Liam O'Maonlai in a recent interview in this magazine, and the 'what use is it' brigade shouting from the rooftops.

The Faltering Flame: Poems And Songs For Peace

The Faltering Flame is a collection of poems and songs united behind the common theme of striving for peace in Northern Ireland. All the profits from the sale of this CD go to the Cornerstone and Currach projects, two bodies working with mixed community groups on the peace line in Belfast. Needless to say, it's a very worthy cause and deserves your support.

To Boldly Go

Previously better known for its strengths in traditional music, Galway is now playing host to some very strong contenders in the rock arena. Its status as a college town has, no doubt, something to do with this, but then it has always been a melting pot for fusion of ideas.

New Highway

This second country-influenced collection in a series that started with Viva Americana is something of a double-edged sword - for a fan of the genre it is a treasure trove of demos, live or alternate takes, rare tracks and exclusive recordings of select artists from the Americana stable.

Natural Born Elvis

VARIOUS ARTISTS Natural Born Elvis (Dam Good Promotions)

Moving House 3

VARIOUS ARTISTS Moving House 3 (SSR)

Real Ibiza

VARIOUS ARTISTS Real Ibiza (React)

King Of The Beats Volume 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS King Of The Beats Volume 2 (Mushroom)

Club 69 Future Mix

VARIOUS ARTISTS Club 69 Future Mix (Twisted America)

Le Flow: The Definitive French Hip-Hop Collection

Various Artists Le Flow: The Definitive French Hip-Hop Collection (Trace)

Hot Press/Bacardi Unplugged

Hot Press/Bacardi Unplugged (Vagabonds, Salthill)

Hot Press/Bacardi Unplugged Competition

Hot Press/Bacardi Unplugged Competition (UCC, Cork)

FÉILE BHRÍDE

FÉILE BHRÍDE (St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare)

River of Sound

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “River of Sound” (Virgin)

Musical Tourists 3

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “Musical Tourists 3” (Lodge Records)

Beat The Retreat: Songs By Richard Thompson

Various Artists: “Beat The Retreat: Songs By Richard Thompson” (Capitol Records)

Music From The Motion Picture Pulp Fiction

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “Music From The Motion Picture Pulp Fiction” (MCA)

HOT PRESS/BACARDI UNPLUGGED BAND COMPETITION

HOT PRESS/BACARDI UNPLUGGED BAND COMPETITION (Trinity College, Dublin)

The Sanctuary Sessions

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “The Sanctuary Sessions” (Cruise’s)

The Celtic Connection

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “The Celtic Connection” (Green Linnet)

A Woman’s Heart 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “A Woman’s Heart 2” (Dara Records)

The Glory Of Gershwin

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “The Glory Of Gershwin” (Mercury)

WASP FACTORY/ SCHTUM/ASH/ CHIMERA/ KELTIC POSSE/ SOUND CROWD ORCHESTRA

WASP FACTORY/ SCHTUM/ASH/ CHIMERA/ KELTIC POSSE/ SOUND CROWD ORCHESTRA (Queen’s Freshers Ball, Belfast)

Vancouver Folk Festival

Vancouver Folk Festival (Jericho Beach, Vancouver)

Raisins and Vomit

Female Hercules/ Cruiser/ Pincher Martin/ The Knocking Shop: “Raisins and Vomit” (Ratfish Records)

SINEAD LOHAN AND DECLAN SINNOTT, NOMOS AND OPEN KITCHEN

SINEAD LOHAN AND DECLAN SINNOTT, NOMOS AND OPEN KITCHEN (featuring Hank Wedel) (Whelan’s, Dublin)

I’m Leaving Tipperary

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “I’m Leaving Tipperary” (Globestyle Irish)

Time Warp Dub Clash

VARIOUS ARTISTS “Time Warp Dub Clash” (Mango)

THE IRISH ARE COMING

THE IRISH ARE COMING (The Venue, London)

In The Name Of The Father

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “In The Name Of The Father” (A&M)

DUB SYNDICATE

Hothouse Flowers/ Aslan/The Dubliners (New Year’s Eve at The Point Depot, Dublin)

The Very Best Of That Loving Feeling

VARIOUS: “The Very Best Of That Loving Feeling” (Dino)

As Time Goes By

VARIOUS: “As Time Goes By” (Dino)

THE CHURCH & GENERAL CELEBRATION CONCERT

THE CHURCH & GENERAL CELEBRATION CONCERT (National Concert Hall, Dublin)

Energy Rush – Safe Six

VARIOUS ARTISTS “Energy Rush – Safe Six” (Dino)

Keep On Dancing

VARIOUS ARTISTS “Keep On Dancing” (Dino)

Tougher Than Tough EP

Various: "Tougher Than Tough EP" (Mango)

Trad At Heart

ELEANOR MacEVOY has a lot to answer for. Without her that little vessel that goes lub-a-dub-dub every time a stethoscope gets near it would still be languishing in the advertising pages of the Irish Medical Times, all arteries and veins, but no soul.

March On

COINCIDENTALLY during the week the CIA opened its files on the JFK assassination, Americans had another reason to flash back to 1963: the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the March On Washington for Civil Rights led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration of this milestone, initially made historic by the "I Have A Dream" speech, March On, an album focusing on the theme of civil rights, has been released.

RADIOACTIVE BENEFIT

RADIOACTIVE BENEFIT (Baggot Inn, Dublin) IT'S 3.25 on Thursday 22nd July, and I casually flick on my tranny.

Signals

If, as has been rumoured, they introduce an Honours List in this country as a means of acknowledging valuable contributions to the community, we'll have to propel the Danceline duo to the front of the queue.

Peace Together

THERE WAS a time when the magical words "for charity" were the guarantee of any old tat selling a million but nowadays, cynicism being what it is, there has to be musical substance to the good intentions.

Critics Roundup 1977

Niall Stokes' albums of '77

Critics Roundup 1977

Niall Stokes' Albums of 1977: Graham Parker, Stick To Me (Phonogram) and Bob Marley, Exodus (Island)

Critics Roundup 1977

Dermot Stokes' Albums of 1977

Critics Roundup 1977

Liam Mackey's 4 albums of '77