This is Jim Cassius

Jim Cassius is slightly dead.

He is convalescing here.

Right. I'm really going to do this. Really. Really, really.

I'm going to do a post. A post about, erm, what music I'm listening to at the moment. That'll get me started again. Oh, yeah, while I'm doing it, go and look at the wonders of Popular again. Tom Ewing is just about the only music journalist I like reading. It is him what is making me come out of self-imposed semi-retirement.

So, here's some music:

Abba - The Visitors LP
Awash with strange feelings of inadequacy, cocaine, self-obsession and, I assume, marital strife. Kind of like Paciifc Ocean Blue but by Abba not Dennis Wilson. And replace Hal Blaine et al on instruments to cheap sounding synths. So, like Phil Collins then, circa Against All Odds.

Mojo cover CDs
This is the best music magazine and the CDs are better than that. Except the very disappointing Johnny Cash one. Rediscover the 'Raw Soul' one now.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Signs Of Life
And there you were, thinking that post-rock is a product of Chicago or somewhere. No, its a product of banking advertisments. If you were to shake off your anti-commerce/marketing/industry shackles and realise that would actually be complimentary, that's what this album sounds like. Who is responsible for those shackles? I assume I should blame the romantics and rich bohemians.

I have been quiet on all fronts recently. But. But. But. There are exciting plans afoot in this ol' world o' mine. More as and when.

I'll also try and write some stuff sometime.

Sorry for the long time no type. I've been having to do distressingly real world things. I've been getting my fix by doing an awful lot of DJing and promoting. Why pretend communtiy when you've got real community? Huh? Huh?

Please direct yourself to this video message from John Salt.

Have a merry one.

Some very nice photos of Ambulance here, plus a live review that I did around them.

Which reminds me, there's a few little things by me in Plan B (hint: Ray Charles, Mr Scruff, Tijuana Mon Amour Broadcasting Inc). My dread hand was involved with a bit more but I ain't putting my name to it. Apologies if your thoughts were butchered.

Admittedly, not much J.Cassius action on the web lately but I've been:

i) working;
ii) doing subediting things for Plan B and persuading record shops to put it on their shelves;
iii) DJing and promoting this rather fun and successful and popular and its got lots of friends clubnight and lame excuse for a proper website;
iii) you know, doing stuff.

But, lo, go to NYPLM and marvel. This about Gwyneth Herbert. Oh, the stories I could tell/the embarassing articles you could find with a decent search engine.

By me, for you, at other places: Bart + Kurt and Japanese girl bands.