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 caught our attention as a producer operating in various underground genres including breaks, drum & bass and techno. With that toolkit, it ought to come as no surprise that Apraxis has become a regular curator here at the Eclectic Picks. Be sure to check out his own music here, and his pick of the bunch from this week’s inbox below.

ARTISTS SELECTED THIS WEEK

1. CHROMEPLUS – Gone Is The Day (Ft Sleeps Cousin – Lieu Remix Radio edit)
2. MATT MEREPORT – Split Digraph
3. WHYETC – Tolerance Break
4. FAJADJA – Get It For Free (Mix 100323)
5. STRANGERS IN EDEN – boy
6. BB Mon – Through The Wall (feat tOOjim)
7. TREVAS – Why?
8. CHRIS COOKIN- Beat Messiah
9. PRIVATE REG – 6AM Start Again

A FEW WORDS FROM ARPRAXIS

What an incredible inbox…again. This week’s selection has made me dance, think, dance and ponder more. I’m in awe of these tracks and the artists. Thanks so much to Signal Committee for letting me listen and choose. It’s incredible. Enjoy.

ChromePlus – Gone is the day (featuring Sleeps Cousin) Beautifully twisted and tripped-out slow downs, distorted vocals wrapped up with a dystopian edge. I love the social commentary…a slight pinch and wake up call to the here and now stylishly delivered. Seriously well-oiled vocals held together with a warm punchy and crispy rhythm section. Is this the modern day equivalent to the late 80s and mid 90s sounds of American hip hop and rap? If so, this sleek resurgence is being brought to you from Norwich. A breath of fresh air and a reminder that music with a message is always worth playing, saving and sharing. Check this out.

Split Digraph – Matt Mereport: If a split digraph really is two letters that make one sound, then Matt Mereport has broken into new sound territory…maybe a quad-digraph? Opposites working in harmony – horizontal silver wired-brushed snares and square kicks serve as the backdrop to sheer delight. I can’t pinpoint exactly when this track gets hold of me, closes the outside world and spins me through its celestial effulgent wonderland. I do know I listened to it a fair few times. Effortless wonder and tension. Tune in at anytime for inspiration a feelings of joy. Big respect and thanks as your music has brightened everyone’s day here. Let it do the same for you.

Tolerance Break – whyetc: When our sometimes fragile boundaries of tolerance nears its threshold, I’ve often pondered ‘what would it sound like?’ This track answers my question. Wobbly interludes and Aphex Twin-esque genius soaks the soundscape through and through. Delicious sinuous side-chaining enables a symphonic march to the threshold of your subconscious. This is an eclectic treasure. All barriers to your threshold…broken. Beautiful. Check this out.

Get it for Free – Fajadja mix 100323: Saturday afternoons are often the only time I have to skank in my kitchen. I’ve just rinsed this opportunity Mercy me! Electric piano and guitar funk grabs you and plonks you into your speakers. Behold I am the puppeteers skank puppet! With a whirlwind of perfectly timed drops, lifts and breaks there is no escape from waltzer of energy that has you in its clutch. Anytime listening. Guaranteed groove and thigh burn from the energy it gives. Winner winner….check this out.

Boy – Strangers in Eden: Does music have the ability take you to somewhere? It does for me. I’m somewhere in the 80s, riffling through my record collection and keep seeing Bryan Adams, Genesis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Pink Floyd and Haircut 100 album covers. Beyond my fleeting references, the originality and sheer genius of Strangers in Eden’s storytelling and musicianship is a delight. It has an almost ‘cold blue’ ‘warmth’ feeling in the verses and are as powerfully chilling as the bridges. Yet, the chorus provides summer and hope. Who doesn’t love a story eh? This one will get you having a go at the air drums, air guitar and air keyboard. I almost had my hairbrush microphone out too in front of the mirror. Truly delightful. Put this on repeat.

Through The Wall (feat tOOjim) BB Mon: Proper breaks, lush pads with a vocal injection lays the foundation to this fast-paced journey of life. There’s no messing around here. The message executed, the vocals packed with emotion and harmonies from heaven. Full circle and full enjoyment in under 3 minutes. There’s something so satisfying going on with the overall sound here. A full package of warmth wrapped in the cosiest blanket of soft noise. There’s a time and place for pristine sounds and there’s a time when you could have Through The Wall instead. Another track for your playlist.

Why? Trevas: There’s so so much to like with Why? As a Londoner, I’m still fascinated with the ever-evolving multitude of accents I’ve heard and continue to hear. The words Why why why? juxtaposed with Whitechapel, for me, captures a moment in this evolution. Add to this the deep evolving classic pad, the rich analogue frequency tweaks and ticking that surrounds it, a surreal reality is exposed. London, like a raw open wound is laid bear for world to observe and ponder. The use of seminal underground sounds add an edge of 4.00am dance floor edge that I can see going down a storm. I’d love to play this out. Fully original. Totally out there. Share this as much as you can.

Beat Messiah -Chriscookin: There’s a sense of Moroder-moodiness here that I adore. I’m in a 70s snow globe and don’t want to leave. The bass line…check this bad boy out! Class. Everything is seamless. I can hear this on the next Netflix 70s 80s gangster smash. Miami Summer is on the way and this should be your anthem. Addictive. Grooveable. Can’t get it out if my head. Are in you the globe yet? Share this as much as you can.

6am – Private Reg: Blasted straight back to energetic pub nights with a lively crowd. What a bundle of energy. I’ve become a big fan of Private Reg as there is such a fusion of style I love. I’m in awe. A wonderfully captured sound guaranteed to your groove going. Go and support them live if you can. I need to venture there too. I bet they get the crowd going WILD. Follow and play.

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 Playlis: 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!