Matt Helders: LateNightTales
Matt Helders relates his LateNightTales
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Saturday, 25, Oct 2008 04:22
LateNightTales, out now.
In a nutshell...
Arctics' refreshingly obscure and funky mixtape.
What's it all about?
Twenty tracks with Helders at the controls showing that his music collection is a little more diverse than the traditional guitar rock offered by the Monkeys.
The mix swings jauntily from old rockabilly and head-nodding hip hop to German electronica and electro.
Who's it by
Matt Helders is known as the cheeky-faced tub-thumper and powerhouse in the engine room of the Arctic Monkeys' romantic, yet guitar-heavy Northern pop.
So the mixing, the eclectic tune selection (Masked man MF Doom's alias Viktor Vaughan anyone?) and the bizarre cover version of Dreamer by 90s rave-poppers Livin' Joy add up to something more than a little surprising.
As an example...
"Here we lie all alone am I dreaming/Your heart's smooth my soul is unbelieving/Now you see the me and I'm feeling I'm feeling/I feel your hands and your lips and the heat of your body/Whisper your love to me say that you love me/Please just love me down and never leave me/I'm a dreamer... "
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
If it does make the likes of Berlin knob twiddlers Modeselektor, Sheffield studio genius Ross Orton and soul chanteuse Minnie Riperton bigger hits with a more mainstream audience, then the compilation can only be a good thing.
What the others say
"Helders' selection of stoner hip hop - notably Luniz' I've Got 5 on It - never fails to bring about instant head-nod satisfaction." - Guardian
"OK, so there's not much excuse for repping DJ Format ('Charity Shop Soundclash), but this aberration is more than made up for by the inclusion of tunes from Viktor Vaughn, Goblin and Luniz (yes, I Got 5 On It)." - Fact
So is it any good?
Although the mixing is as gloriously rough round the edges as the Arctic Monkeys' hometown of Sheffield, the quality of the tuneage on offer is near perfection, especially during the second half where the likes of Mos Def's Ms.Fat Booty, Luniz' I Got 5 On it as well as lyrical flavours from UK hip-hoppers Ty and Roots Manuva vy for your ears attention.
If this is what it's like back at a member of the Monkeys' gaffs for a few late night ciders when the drum sticks are packed away, I'd like to bag myself a ticket.
8/10
Jim Ottewill