Track Of The Day: Jackie Shane – ‘Any Other Way’

A pioneer for transgender rights, Jackie Shane has remained largely unknown outside of Toronto where her career flourished in the 1960s. However, with Numero Group’s reissue of Any Other Way – the first approved collection of Ms. Shane’s work which features all six of her 45s & highlights from her 1967 live sessions at the Sapphire Tavern – we think that’s about to change.

She lived her life as a woman in the spotlight, during a time when compassion and acceptance were not always reciprocated towards those who identified as trans. Ms. Shane’s identity and sexuality were never a secret. She wore make-up, silk shirts and jewelry onstage and off, projecting a sense of refined femininity and did so in a manner exuding class, self-respect and dignity. Her identity was never an act designed to play with an audience’s sense of exotica.

Though she has a classic sound, her obvious talent and her championing of equality will forever remain contemporary. It’s hard to resist the charm of Jackie’s smooth, soulful vocals which are set against jazzy percussion and saxophone on single ‘Any Other Way’.

Order your copy of Ms. Shane’s new collection here, and listen to the title track below.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Space Captain – ‘All Flowers In Time’

Brooklyn-based band Space Captain have released their eagerly anticipated full length album All Flowers In Time via Tru Thoughts Recordings, and it’s a patient, well-produced, retrospective joy of a record. Influenced by the likes of Thundercat, Amy Winehouse & Bon Iver, the album is an eclectic mix of jazzy trumpet outros, sax solos, and acoustic “e-bow” guitars – blended together by warm, laid back melodies.

Opener ‘Side Eye’ blazes with smooth vocals, gentle guitar and subtle electronics that create a pleasant, hazy atmosphere. It flows in to ‘Blue’ with it’s sweet R&B vibes, which are effortlessly extended on brief interlude ‘Daybreak’. Third track ‘Sycamore’ is a clear highlight, with its wonderfully laid-back, eclectic summer sound. Vocalist Maralisa’s talent is displayed with ease and elegance here and it’s hard not to be swept away by the sax solos and simmering percussion. ‘Loveline / The Drive Home’ brings you back down to earth with it’s easy samba-inspired beats.

‘Cells’ is a dreamy two minutes of nostalgia – “new things with him are like old things with you / but loved like older things I used to do” – whilst ‘Hollow’ unlike it’s name, is full of emotion and drips with melancholy, melodic magic. The band have dubbed penultimate track ‘Hours’ as the “country hit on the album”, but that’s too simplistic a label. It’s another emotionally charged offering from vocalist Maralisa and proves the multi-instrumental sensitivities of the band are finely tuned.

‘Flood’ closes the record with more of Space Captain’s trademark relaxed beats and guitar-led melodies. All Flowers In Time is proof of the band’s “unique musical chemistry”, and you’ll be swept away on nostalgic waves each time you listen. Grab your copy of the album here and follow Space Captain on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Patricia Lopez

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Suzie Stapleton – ‘Yesterday’s Town’

If “delay-laden guitar riffs and dusty vocals” are your thing, then Suzie Stapleton‘s new track ‘Yesterday’s Town’ is going to tick all of your listening boxes. Born in Australia, Stapleton relocated to London in 2015 and has kept a busy recording schedule on various projects between tours and opening for acts such as Mick Harvey, Mark Lanegan and Boss Hog.

Earlier this year, Stapleton appeared on Lydia Lunch & Cypress Grove’s unlikely covers album Under The Covers (Rustblade Records), lending her voice to several of the tracks. This project was spawned via Stapleton’s collaborations with Cypress Grove on The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project (feat. Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, Debbie Harry, Thurston Moore).

To celebrate the release of her new single, Suzie has made ‘Yesterday’s Town’ available as a free download for her fans, which can be accessed via www.suziestapleton.com. She will also be playing a London launch show on November 8th at The Old Blue Last, with more dates live dates to be announced shortly.

Until then, listen to ‘Yesterday’s Town’ below and follow Suzie on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Space Captain – ‘Sycamore’

If you’re sad about the lack of sunlight due to the change in season, let the sound of Space Captain‘s ‘Sycamore’ take you back to brighter days. It’s the lead single from their second album All Flowers In Time, which is set to be released on 27th October via Tru Thoughts Recordings.

The track is a fusion of the band’s R&B and indie sensibilities and perfectly showcases vocalist Maralisa’s smooth, soulful voice. The Brooklyn-based group have an eclectic taste and style that includes the use of trumpet outros, sax solos and acoustic “e-bow” guitars; all of which can be heard in full on their second album.

Pre-order your copy of All Flowers In Time here, and follow Space Captain on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Patricia Lopez

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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