When I was becoming one with my instruments and my “musical calling,” I heard rave reviews about this Jack Johnson. It was 3-4 years ago and already he had released his 3rd album In Between Dreams. “You play guitar!” people said, “You should listen to him.” I was sceptical. I had always admired the likes of Dylan, and other singer songwriters, but I never got into one. I purchased his first album Inaudible Melodies, and I sat back and listened.

Like sitting in a stationary aeroplane, I was literally waiting for the music to take off. But I was surprised it didn’t. It remained at this constant mellow tempo throughout. It was soothing. In the last years of my teenage twilight I never thought id be sitting back chilling to his soothing sounds. I was relaxed. I was refreshed. I wanted more.

It was the summer of 2006, and the hottest the UK had ever seen (I could be lieing, as I may live in America, who knows). And everywhere I went I noticed people had Jack Johnson on their ipods or mp3 players. Every opportunity I got, I put it on, as if I was surprised to see him on there. BBQ’s, gatherings, driving in the sunshine, chilling with people, whenever, Jack Johnson was on and playing. And he was brilliant.

I remember in my spare time picking up the guitar and playing chords and a rhythm I had never played before, it was just so fresh, so neat, sooo cool. I loved it. I remember times when I would be with a girl just listening to his soothing voice and guitar slaps, or chilling on a beach on holiday, or awakening with friends in the morning and his music being the first we will hear as the day began. We didn’t realise it, but he became an integral part of what is the best time of the year for everyone. Jack Johnson became a summer artist.

Whenever it was cold, grey, depressing, windy, or just plain shit, a bit of JJ turned my emotions around. I played some of his songs in mid January when it was colder than Alaska outside, and people began a craving for cocktails and summer drinks. We wanted to all sit outside and act like hippies. Unfortunately, it was too bloody cold.

When I was once in a dreadful routine of conducting business in the city (which included wearing a suit, waking up at the crack of dawn, and all that rubbish), there were times where my journey on the underground were made slightly more pleasant with JJ’s happy go lucky music playing in my ears almost every day. It would send me to those times of me on the beach, or chilling out in the summer.

I wanted to research an artist that was fast becoming a favourite of mine, so I bought a biography about him, which was written by man who actually hadn’t met Jack, but had studied him intensely. He wrote about how he was a simple man, not motivated by money. In fact, he was a surfer growing up in Hawaii. After a dangerous surfing accident, Jack was left to sit on the beach, and watch his friends enjoy the surf. That was when he picked up a guitar, and his life from that moment changed.
I am fascinated by his philosophy, and he really he is a cool, nice guy. His friends and family claim to have never seen him mad. His persona is portrayed in his music. He lives a life, which we all want to live. After seeing him live, critics mentioned that in the summer of 2008 at a massive Hyde Park concert he “never went up a gear.” Jack doesn’t need to go up a gear. He is in neutral, and has been all his life, and still turns out fantastic music which is for people who can relate to it best. Chill people.

So next time the summer comes around, you are chilling on the beach, or perhaps you are with a cute girl, the sun is shining, or maybe you are stressed and confused and in desperate need to relax. Sit back, listen to On and On (my favourite album of his), and hopefully you will learn to admire the dude, as much as I have grown to.

His new album En Concert is out now, which a beautiful collection of live tracks he has played around the world on his most recent tour. Its wonderful.

When I was asked if I had listened to Daniel Merriweathers album I replied that I did, but I couldn’t remember one single thing about it. I put it on my iPod late at night and fell asleep with it playing. I awoken again, and I would start from track 1. But then I would slowly slip back into a wonderful slumber. But can I stress, it was not out of bored, I was merely a victim of circumstance. His work is actually fantastic.

With the aid of Mark Ronson (who shows great faith in producing and promoting the talent he works with, just look at Winehouse, Adele, Lily Allen), his album is a breath of fresh air. I can view him quite simply as a male Amy Winehouse (with no drugs attached). The RnB soul singer/songwriter from Melbourne has been strongly influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Jeff Buckley, and you can hear it in the way he sings.

His sound is familiar, his look reminds me of the 50s and his music blends in funk, jazz and modern pop. I am only writing about him because of one man who really did make it happen for him. You hear the composition of Chainsaw, and you can almost feel like Mark Ronson has released his own individual album. Merriweather also featured on Version, where he sang “Stop me” a track originally performed by The Smiths. The huge commercial appeal sent Daniel on his way to stardom, and thus the release of his album Love and War.

Its a cool album, and I believe that alot of work was put into it. He has released the single Change ft Wale (another Ronson protégé) and Red, which seems to be a very powerful, rather addictive soul track. But sadly there is something missing with Daniel. Hes got the voice, he’s got the sound, hes got the producer, hes got the promotional team, hes got the fans, hes almost got it all, but there is something missing from his attire. He just doesn’t seem to have what the Ronson team have.

Don’t get me wrong. He writes terrific songs, and his album is one of the best I have heard this year, but I just don’t feel it grips me that much. Its really good, but I don’t think I can go back anytime soon. His appeal his vast, and probably for a more mature and sophisticated listener, which is great, but I feel if he is appearing on programs like T4 and Popworld etc, he is making a mistake. His appeal and fanbase should be kept to the more acquired taste. I get a strong feeling Merriweather wants to be a Duffy. Nevertheless, its great album, and let me know what you think of it too.

Who doesn’t love Daft Punk? When I was younger I was a bit thrown by the fact that they wore these helmets, and talked as if they were actually robots (yes, they are somewhat homosapien ). But it seemed almost universal that they became this extremely popular, well respected dance group. When Kanye West released Stronger with their sample on it (Harder Better Faster Stronger), it encouraged the world to start getting into their music again.

Their popularity was so huge, that they decided to do a gig in the UK and released their live album Alive in 2007. But how do they do it? What makes them so unique? Who are the REAL Daft Punk and where did they come from? Here is their story.

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter grew up in Paris, and met in 1987 where they formed an indie rock band called Darlin. They were both guitarists and they also played the bass. They hired a drummer who joined the group, and with a couple of demos and gigs, they realised it just wasn’t meant to be. Thomas knew their music was average, and dispatched their musical venture just after 6 months. After reviewing their music, Melody Maker described the group as “a bunch of Daft Punk.” The duo found the article amusing, and decided to forget indie, and work with synthesizers and drum machines.

Ditching their musical routes, and the youthful pleasure of a voiceless indie band, the duo experimented with more of first wave acid house and techno. The dancefloor appeared to be more appealing than what they first set out to do. They released “The New Wave,” in 1993, and already were being dubbed as fresh new dance music innovators. “Da Funk” (which is an awesome video too may I add) was their first true hit selling around 30,000 copies.

After a minor bidding war between labels, who were after the up and coming group who were held in high regard so early in their career too. Virgin Records signed them and released their first album Homework waaay back in 1996!

Their sound is just too awesome. Its a dance floor blend of progressive house, funk, electro and echoes of techno, with very experimental hip hop style breakbeats, and excessive unique crowd samples. They are almost too catchy (search the Around the World Lyrics, that will surely make you smile). They were making anthems, similar to the likes of the Chemical Brothers at the time.

They have released several albums, but there is something about Discovery which was released in 2001. As a kid I remember being at home and watching a bunch of blue alien things (which I assumed were giant smurfs) in their video. The videos were actually from a movie produced by Daft Punk called Interstella 555. Its great fun, the album is the score, its probably on Youtube somewhere.

But what is it about Discovery. Its like stepping into a world they have ever created. What was originally a rock band is echoed in tracks like Digital Love and Aerodynamic where you can hear awesome guitar riffs, and a space age style solo! This album is more than the tedious progressive rubbish you normally hear in clubs and on the radio. Its an experience. This beautiful music. There has never been an album that fuses such repetitive genres of music that has such an impact. If you haven’t “discovered” Discovery, then do so. Truly spectacular.

I was inspired to write and get back into Daft Punk, when I found out they will be doing the new Tron Legacy movie soundtrack next year. They will also be doing a set of live shows in 2010 and 2011. They are in hot demand, and extremely difficult to get your hands on, so if you do, you will feel like Charlie going to see Willy Wonka. Rock on, oh I mean, whatever the electro term for it is. Fin.