IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE WHEN FUTURE PROJECTS BECOME AVAILABLE,
THEN PLEASE
THIS IS NOT A MONEY MAKING EXERCISE
IT HAS BEEN DONE PURELY FOR
THE LOVE OF MUSIC
AND WE ARE HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BLAST
BELOW YOU WILL FIND LINKS TO THE FEATURED ARTISTS ALONG WITH BASIC NOTES EXPLAINING MUSICAL CHOICES AND INSPIRATIONS
Disclaimer 1: this is not an original idea - one of my favourite mixes of all time is ‘Holy Shit’ by DJ Format & Mr Scruff. I have always been inspired to create my own version by putting together a bunch of good tunes with a spiritual lean.
Disclaimer 2: Following my exposure to these tunes thank Christ I remain a committed atheist.
SEVEN TRUMPETS - APHRODITIES CHILD
It is slightly against the rules to have two tunes by the same artist on a mix, however these two opening tracks open Side 2 of the seminal 666 by by the Greek, semi-legendary Aphrodite’s Child. Also, it’s fun to have Demis Roussos appearing on planetmeech radio again.
When I was about 16 it was clear that I was heading off in new directions with my musical taste (my mother was always perplexed - ‘why don’t you like the new stuff like Wet Wet Wet or Johnny Hates Jazz?’). My Dad, on the other hand, had a large record collection which I had barely scratched the surface of. ‘What have you got that’s weird?’ I said to Dad once. He furnished me with his battered copy of 666 and I never looked back. Interestingly, I think Richard Ashcroft of Verve must also like the album as Rolling People is clearly influenced by this.
Peel made me like Loop Guru - it took me a long time to understand how ‘paradigm’ was pronounced and what it meant. Also the CD single had about eight mixes on it and was over an hour long.
Complete bunch of arse really, but for some reason I always thought there was an Abba-style drama about this which I liked. Bunch of arse really.
THE GOOD LORD - THE ABYSSINIANS
Ahh, once upon a time I read through Pitchfork’s top 200 tunes of the 70s. This track was not on it but another one of theirs was. I really liked what I heard from their back catalogue so I am a bit of a fan these days.
LOOK AROUND THE CORNER - ALICE RUSSELL & QUANTIC AND COMBO BARBARO
Nice bit of modern soul. Not sure if it is really religious but has a nice spiritual vibe about it.
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES - JACKSON SISTERS
Miracles are quite religious I am told.
(FOR GOD'S SAKE) GIVE MORE POWER TO THE PEOPLE - THE CHI-LITES
I think this is more of a protest against ‘The Man’, but they are demanding more power for the people in God’s name so let us consider it a religious tune. Good stuff though!
An amazing tune I think, discovered when I was researching this mix. I wonder if he came?
SWEET INSPIRATION - THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS
Again, more of a spiritual tune rather than overtly religious. I’ve been aware of The Sweet Inspirations for many decades through my Dad again. I like the Gospel feel to it. Reminiscent of the Staples Singers I think.
GIVE YOURSELF TO JESUS - HERMAN HARRIS & THE VOICES OF FAITH & HOPE LOVE
I really like the electric piano. This is super smooth religious worship. I absolutely won’t give myself to Jesus though although I do appreciate the fact he is banging them in for City just now.
Great bass line in this - it demands you dance to it. Originally I wanted to do a religious disco but just couldn’t come up with enough disco-type tracks to pull it off.
LET THE LORD COME INTO YOUR LIFE - WISDOM
This track could turn me into a God fan. I love the backing singers in this.
IMITATIONS - JOHNSON FAMILY GOSPEL SINGERS
This has power! Euphoric worship of the Lord and fits well in the mix at this stage before we change pace and style…
SPIRITS UP ABOVE - ROLAND KIRK
…HEAVY PC's inevitable jazz track - isn’t it nice? I’ve had this in my library for years and do not remember where it came from…which is interesting.
GOING ON WITH JESUS - THE SWAN SILVERTONES
Quite overtly religious this one. This is about Phil Foden from the point of view of Jesus…Guardiola often utilises them both in a double-substitution tactic.
MY SWEET LORD - GEORGE HARRISON
This will be on my ‘Top 50 tracks of My Life List’. The best song by any Beatle in my opinion.
DEAR GOD (SINCERELY M.O.F.) - MONSTERS OF FOLK
This album was on heavy rotation back in about 2010. I mean, it’s the sort of folk music that is listened to by corporate office types who like a weekend canoeing in the Welsh mountains but moan if the phone signal disappears. So, that’s why I like it…? This is a bunch of beardy Americans writing a letter to God (I assume the Christian New Testament God and not, say, Odin. Although I don’t know…might be Odin
The first Dick to appear on planetmeech radio? This is, I suppose, fairly easy-listening but it just has a weird edge about it that I like. Also, a very simple arrangement that I appreciate.
LORD CAN YOU HEAR ME - SPIRITUALIZED
Dull as f*ck to start with but does build up into something nice as it goes on.
JESUS GONNA BE HERE - TOM WAITS
I don’t know which MSL team Tom Waits supports but he is deluding himself if he thinks Jesus is gonna be there soon. I think there’s a lot left on his City contract and he is too young for America yet anyway. He needs to set his sights lower - Crouchy Gonna Be Here Soon might be a more realistic goal?
STAND ON THE WORLD (LARRY LEVAN MIX) - JOUBERT SINGERS
Uplifting penultimate number - gets played reasonably often on 6 Music which is where I first heard it. Brilliant though.
LIGHT & DAY/REACH FOR THE SUN - THE POLYPHONIC SPREE
This is pure joy which really is what being a God fan should be about. Not too keen on those who like God and also like things like a mass genocide.
ALTERNATIVELY, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR THE 60 MINUTE
APPLE MUSIC 'SOFT EDIT'