Classic Album Sundays

CAS founder Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy and French-African musician, producer and songwriter Wally Badarou explore his cult classic 1984 solo LP 'Echoes' in this podcast in an interview taken from a Classic Album Sundays event at KEF Music Gallery.Badarou’s 1984 solo LP features Balearic and club classic ‘Chief Inspector’ and ‘Mambo’, memorably sampled by Massive Attack on their classic single ‘Daydreaming’. They discuss Badarou’s illustrious career as a de facto member of Level 42, his collaborations and productions with Marianne Faithfull, Fela Kuti and Salif Keita, and his run as a member of Island Records’ Compass Point All-Stars for which he performed on records by Grace Jones, Talking Heads, Mick Jagger, Gwen Guthrie, Robert Palmer and Sly & Robbie amongst many others. He also scored music for films including Kiss of the Spider Woman and more recently the award-winning documentary Dahomey.

This interview was recorded at a Classic Album Sundays event at the KEF Music Gallery with Level 42 founding members Mike Lindup and Phil Gould. They take a look back to their worldwide breakthrough LP, 1985's World Machine. This is the album in which Level 42 transitioned from a straight up jazz-funk outfit into a funky pop band and reached number 3 on the UK Album Charts. The album featured a few singles including their US Top Ten hit ‘Something About You’, the ballad ‘Leaving Now’ and the funky World Machine which was remixed by Shep Pettibone and became a dancefloor classic. Wally Badarou also co-wrote and played on the album.

In this interview with Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Suede’s Brett Anderson and Mat Osman explore the stories behind the making of the band’s sophomore album and reflect upon its significance today. The interview took place on the 13th October, 2024, and was a feature of a Classic Album Sundays listening event at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room in association with National Album Day. Suede’s second album Dog Man Star smashed through the nascent boundaries of Britpop and reached number 3 on the UK Album Chart when it was released in 1994. It has garnered even more veneration with the passing decades and 30 years after its release, the band took a look back to this fan favourite.We send a special thanks to Danley Distribution, our audio partners for this event.

"Illmatic," the seminal debut album by Nas, is a magnum opus in the world of hip-hop, revered for its immaculate craftsmanship and profound cultural impact. Crafted under the watchful eyes of renowned producers like DJ Premier and Large Professor, it marries Nas' lyrical genius with impeccably sampled beats, creating a sonic landscape that epitomizes the gritty realism of 1990s New York. Its influence reverberates through generations, setting a gold standard for storytelling in rap. "Illmatic" isn't just an album; it's a timeless blueprint for hip-hop authenticity, a snapshot of an era, and an indelible cultural touchstone that continues to shape the genre today. Read more about your favourite albums here: https://classicalbumsundays.com/

On this episode of the Classic Album Sundays podcast, Colleen focuses on Off the Wall, the fifth studio album from American pop royalty Michael Jackson. The record demonstrates the departure from the Motown period of Jackson’s career and the development of his pop, disco and funk melded sound, going on to define his career as a solo artist. Read more about your favourite albums here: classicalbumsundays.com

We were recently lucky enough to be joined by legendary Detroit beat maker Amp Fiddler as he shared with us some tales from the early days of working with J Dilla at his basement in his Detroit home. Thanks also go out to Boiler Room’s Raj Chaudhuri who interviewed Amp and also gave us his personal insights into Dilla’s music. Read more about your favourite albums here: classicalbumsundays.com

My Bloody Valentine's seminal album, 'Loveless,' stands as a groundbreaking masterpiece in the realm of shoegaze and alternative rock. Released in 1991, it encapsulates the band's visionary approach to sound and their pioneering use of textured layers and swirling guitars. The album's ethereal melodies and dreamlike atmospheres create a mesmerising sonic experience, where every track is a sonic journey. 'Loveless' defies traditional song structures, immersing the listener in a sonic haze of lush harmonies, distorted guitars, and intricate rhythms. The album's dense production and innovative use of feedback and effects showcase the band's meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a timeless and influential work of art that continues to captivate and inspire listeners to this day. Read more about your favourite albums here: classicalbumsundays.com

D'Angelo's 2000 album, ‘Voodoo’, is a timeless masterpiece that redefined the sound of neo-soul music. With its seamless blend of funk, jazz, and soul, ‘Voodoo’ is a stunning showcase of D'Angelo's impeccable musicianship and his unique approach to songwriting. At its core, ‘Voodoo’ is an album that celebrates the rich musical heritage of black culture. From the infectious grooves of "Devil's Pie" to the haunting balladry of "One Mo'Gin," D'Angelo infuses every track with a sense of raw energy and soulful authenticity. But what truly sets ‘Voodoo’ apart is its use of live instrumentation and lush arrangements. From the thundering drums to the soaring horns and strings, every element of the album feels meticulously crafted and perfectly placed. It's a testament to D'Angelo's incredible talent as a producer and his deep understanding of the nuances of black music. ‘Voodoo’ is a true masterpiece of modern music, a stunning achievement that continues to inspire and influence musicians to this day. Read more about your favourite albums here: classicalbumsundays.com

Talk Talk's 'Spirit of Eden', released in 1988, is a seminal album in the realm of experimental rock. It's an introspective and haunting work that features atmospheric, jazz-influenced arrangements, with sparse instrumentation that allows for Hollis' emotive and haunting vocals to shine through. The album marked a departure from the band's previous more commercially-oriented sound, but it remains a timeless and influential work, continuing to inspire and captivate listeners. With its complex compositions and ethereal ambience, 'Spirit of Eden' is a must-listen for fans of innovative and genre-defying music. Read more about your favourite albums here.

By the middle of the 1980s Kate Bush had reached the apex of her career with Hounds of Love. The album featured the most powerful and intriguing songs of her discography thus far, demonstrating just how incredible her sonic storytelling had become. Resisting the frenetic pace of a typical major label release schedule, Bush would spend another four years crafting her followup, with only sporadic singles and collaborations bridging the commercial gap. She found inspiration in the literary world again, scouring the pages of James Joyce’s landmark 1920s novel Ulysses to find Molly Bloom’s closing monologue, in which the character steps from the pages of the book and revels in the real world. Bush was delighted to find that the rhythm and sound of the words fit perfectly with the music she had been working on. Read more: classicalbumsundays.com

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy celebrates the incredible polymath, innovator and musical thinker Brian Eno for the 30th anniversary of his experimental album, 'Nerve Net'. In this never-before-broadcast interview with Brian recorded back in 1992, Colleen and Brian get into everything from Maoism and Chinese opera, to Shostakovich and organic instruments, to Jeff Koons and Shamanism in music. So sit back and enjoy an hour spanning the mind and music of Brian Eno. Read more about your favourite album here: www.classicalbumsundays.com.

On the latest Classic Album Sundays podcast, we step back to Camp Bestival from a few years ago when Nick Drake’s producer Joe Boyd joined us to discuss ‘Five Leaves Left’ in length with Colleen. Alongside Joe’s production the album features Richard Thompson (of Fairport Convention) and Danny Thompson (of Pentangle) as well as the beautiful string arrangements of Robert Kirby. Despite being championed by John Peel, the album initially sold less than 6,000 copies. Now, over four decades since Drake’s death, Five Leaves Left is seen as an iconic album in British Folk music and his songs are cited as an influence by Peter Buck of REM and Robert Smith of The Cure. Read more about your favourite albums here: classicalbumsundays.com