Every week Signal Committee present an Eclectic Picks playlist. All tracks are selected from the full inbox of 200 tracks that are submitted each week to Fresh On The Net.

WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR?

Our playlists are orientated to the alternative music fan. Lyrics are not essential, abstract ideas are embraced and the fusing of different genres is encouraged. If you used to write band names on your pencil case at school, you’ll probably like our playlists.

INTRODUCING ARPRAXIS

This week’s playlist has been curated by Arpaxis. Apraxis has certainly caught our attention as a producer operating in various underground genres including breaks, drum & bass and techno. It is therefore no surprise that Apraxis is a regular curator here at the Eclectic Picks. Be sure to check out his own music here, and his expertly chosen tracks from this week’s inbox below.

A FEW WORDS FROM ARPRAXIS

It’s been so enjoyable listening to this week’s inbox. Full of inspiring artists and their music. Independent music full of passion, verve and soul. Truly amazing. Hope you enjoy the selection.

Michael Donoghue: Tenodera. A visceral undertow of of non-benevolent patience washes through this cavernous soundscape. A message to the unsuspecting: move quickly or the game’s up. Michael Donoghue’s alluring, dark lush journey of sound draws you in effortlessly to a primal scene where what we know as consciousness…doesn’t even exist. This is the soundtrack of pre-history. Take cover, wrap yourself in the spider’s web of pre-consciousness and see your own evolution flash before your eyes before it’s too late. Absolute dark class. I’ve been lucky enough to hear Michael play live at Trust The Doc’s ‘Linking Up’ gigs and we were blown away. Fill your other-worldly playlists!

Baby Maker: No Watershed. I was hooked and intrigued from the very oldskool Rhythm on the Loose: Break of Dawn-esque intro. Baby Maker’s double tracked vocals and harmonies rip through the funk like soft thunder and lightening. Perfectly balanced against the ever-increasing tension, Baby Maker’s message hits a home run and then drops you back to earth scratching your head, thinking where I have just been? I listened many times trying to find the place in the song that I was abducted. Still can’t tell you. Probably as soon as I hit play. Check it out. Exceptional production, progression and mystery. I’ll be adding this and future tracks to my playlists.

Astrakan: Achieved Very Little But Felt Peaceful. In a busy world, I like very much the idea of feeling peaceful and achieving very little. Creative endeavour in oodles. A wonderland of funked up heat and rhythm topped with layer of unfamiliar comfort. There’s definitely a feeling of peace while you meander through Astrakan’s sounds. Well-being bottled for your inner peace. Love this track. Add it to your playlists!

OLIRICS: Lovely Wasteland With You (Butcher Block Edit) Listening at a level that I’m sure will make my neighbour’s uwall pictures vibrate, OLIRICS sound is FULL ON. All the classic elements of dub merged with soaring saxophones and production skills turned up to the red. An absolute delight. Superb rhythm. Reversed cymbals locking you back on track for another round of air drums and air bass playing. Oh yes! An all round treat and sound of summer. Can’t get enough.

The Evolving 9th Hour: (Featuring Jade Lune)- Resolving Mix. In that inky darkness just before slumber takes hold of you, a mystic force beholds. Smooth liquid night gently unfolds…bliss is realised. This is beautiful. The depth of sound here is immense and serves a reminder of the power music and its rewards for your soul. Truly unique and eclectic. Plug in and drift away. Serenity awaits. Another playlist gem.

Nu Garçon: Time’s Winged Chariot! The power of 9ths! There are no right angles in this track. Ebb and flow all the way. Leaving me hanging for more. A lovely 1 minute and 44 seconds of escapism. Looking forward to hearing more.

Open Mode: It’s You. Superbly layered and side-chained, this warm uplifting track brings together so well a collection of classic sounds with a lovely splash of freshness. I can see this being played at Cafe Del Mar, Mambo and Pascha. Bring an element of the new Balearic home today. Will be checking out more. A Stylish club sound with character.

Maiden’s Leap: Freaky. Mmm. This is tasty. Tight 70s snares snap steady, grooving bass grooves as a back drop to warm vocals taking you to an oriental-fused interlude. This is a modern classic. Can’t get enough of the tripped-out guitars. Honest, real and inspiring. Play share and tell your friends!

House of Seb: Attention. Having a thing for 80s and 90s classic house, I was always going like this one. Bring on the smooth stabbing hits, a bass line to get you hugging the speaker and a kick and percussion set to get you JACKING all night long. Seriously evocative and seductive. I can see the dance floor bumping with pursed lips lost in the House of Seb. Loose yourself in this one.

Sunnbrella: Have your Say. Fused drum and bass, early hardcore rave, dub and vocals to boot, this does have a punch. I’m loving the vinyl slow downs, chops and dream-like vocals. A raw sound with real appeal beyond the foundational genres that make up the track. Very nice indeed. A breath of fresh air in this realm. Keeping it real and opening the door to those who may well be enticed to look back and delve into this influences used here. One for your feel-good shoes to get shuffling.

Sonophoria: Gentle Fiasco (Radio Edit) Having read the influences Sonophoria cites, I feel the music goes way beyond them! Super energy and build ups await you here. Love the 80s vibes hinting at Sharon Redd and disco lines. An intro washed in de-tuned unison fades and gives ways to a funky swathe of guitars before releasing you to some unadulterated 80s/disco heaven. Hands in the air…a real masterpiece that flows seamlessly. I’m in total awe and think that Sonophoria has so many potential audiences through the speakers and on the screen. I’m sifting through the catalogue and think you should too. Turn it up.

ARTISTS SELECTED THIS WEEK

1. MICHAEL DONOGHUE – Tenodera
2. BABY MAKER – No Watershed
3. ASTRAKAN – Achieved Very Little But Felt Peaceful
4. OLIRICS – Lovely Wasteland With You (Butcher Block Edit)
5. THE EVOLVING 9TH HOUR – ‘Midsummer & I (Ft. Jade Lune – Resolving Mix)
6. NU GARCON – Time’s Winged Chariot!
7. OPENMODE- its u
8. MAIDEN’S LEAP – Freaky
9. HOUSE OF SEB – Attention
10. SUNNBRELLA – Have Your Say
11. SONOPHORIA – Gentle Fiasco (Radio Edit)

STEP 1 – LISTEN

Listen to this weeks Eclectic Picks playlist on Soundcloud here.

After 7 days, the playlist will be updated with the next batch, and this week’s picks will be added to the 2024 playlist below.

STEP 2 – SPREAD THE WORD

Do you ever think, or hear people say, “there’s no good music any more”? Maybe they aren’t looking in the right places. Prove them wrong:

• Subscribe to the playlist
• Listen in each week
• Tell your friends
• Shout on social media

The more people listen to this playlist, the more exposure unsigned artists receive. So spread the word!

STEP 3 – MUSIC VIDEOS?

Music is great. Music videos are better. Keep the momentum going, send any music videos our way and, if we’re in a good mood, we’ll add the best ones to our music video playlist here.

ARCHIVE PLAYLISTS

The playlists above are updated weekly, then added to the annual playlists below:

2024 Playlist: Soundcloud

2023 Playlist: Soundcloud | Spotify

2022 Playlist – Soundcloud | Spotify

2021 Playlist – Soundcloud | Spotify

2020 Playlist – Soundcloud | Spotify

RADIO OPPORTUNITIES

We all have ambitions to get on national radio, but in the meantime there are loads of great, independent radio stations that are always looking for new music of the alternative variety. They offer no promises, but the following hosts tell me they that, if you made this list, they’d like you to get in touch to be considered for their show:

• AsonicA Radio, send an MP3 to hello@asonica.co.uk, or via their website
• Joe Figueira of North Manchester FM, apply with MP3, short bio & twitter handle by e-mail to joefigueira@yahoo.co.uk)
• Del Osei-Owusu, aka Platinum Mind and fellow FOTN moderator, is happy to consider submissions for the Songbird Sessions, a 1 hour show for The Songbird HQ on Islington Radio. Just email Del with a bio and MP3 to del.owusu@gmail.com
• Neil March, Trust The Doc Radio Show (5PM BST, Exile FM). Submissions to trustthedoc@demerararecords.com

If you are are radio presenter/DJ and want to be added to the list above, just give Signal Committee a shout!