RIP Martin Rushent

One of the great music producers of the '80s died this week. Martin Rushent started out as working as an engineer on records by T-Rex, ELP, Yes and Fleetwood Mac. However it was a producer that he made his name. He helmed the first 3 Stranglers albums, as well as records by The Buzzcocks, 999, Generation X, XTC, The Rezillos, Téléphone and Rachel Sweet. He produced Altered Images, Intaferon, Leisure Process and The Associates too. It was his fascination with the newest synth technology that brought him his greatest successes, first with Pete Shelley's Homosapien album, and most notably with The Human League. Dare and it's companion remix album Love And Dancing were pop music at it's best, gleaming and modern. I thought he was a production genius. I used to buy records just because his name was on them. He made a bit of a producer's comeback in the 90's and was also involved in records with The Pipettes, Kila Kella and Does It Offend You, Yeah? (whose lead singer James is his son). He was a production genius and a legend of the mixing board. Rest in peace...

The Human League - Love Action

The Human League - The Sound of the Crowd [Extended 12" mix]

The Human League - Seconds

The Human League - Don't You Want Me

R.I.P. Guru

SIART is very sad to learn of the passing of hip hop icon Guru (Keith Elam), formerly of seminal '90s duo Gang Starr. He had been fighting cancer (and had kept his fight secret from fans) and recently suffered a heart attack that put him in a coma. He was 47. Before he died he wrote a letter to his fans which you can read here. Back in the '90s Guru's music was a big part of my musical diet, from his stuff with Gang Starr to the 4 Jazzmatazz albums. I loved his laid back and sleepy flow - it was a unique voice in hip hop. He brought so many great artists together on the Jazzmatazz projects, and exposed a whole new generation to some jazz greats. His creativity will be missed. Today I offer two of my favorites, one from Gang Starr's 1994 LP Hard To Earn and one from 1993's Jazzmatazz Volume:1.

Gang Starr - Mass Appeal
Guru feat. N'dea Davenport - Trust Me

"If there is a choice between the truth and the legend, choose the legend."

Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records and the man who put Manchester on the musical map died yesterday at the age of 57. He had been fighting kidney cancer for the last year, but it was a heart attack that killed him. The man is a legend in my music world - Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays and the entire roster of Factory Records are a huge part of who I am as a music fan. He was a maverick in the industry, a man who understood the artists and was willing to do everything in his power to help them achieve some success. Factory Records and it's nightclub The Hacienda were two of the biggest elements of the late 80’s independent-led global dance music explosion. His wit, intelligence and musical savvy will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on in rock history forever. We will miss you Tony - RIP.
Joy Division - As You Said
New Order - Subculture (Razormaid Mix v2.0)
Happy Mondays - The Boys Are Back In Town