In this instalment of Small Corner, I will explore and share the purchasing experience of several possibilities for playing and buying music online. As people’s thoughts start to turn to the festive season…finding that perfect gift of music for those special people in your life.
It seems Spotify and Amazon are leaders in the new music purchasing and streaming landscape with Apple’s i-Tunes and Google Play coming in third and fourth. However, there are other possibilities and new platforms also looking to challenge the big four.
My first port of call was charity shop browsing through Oxfam Online. The search possibilities for different music genres are there, but the listings can be so random. In the end, I ordered Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend for less than it cost post and packaging. It was with me 10 days later. If buying other people’s unwanted items and contributing to a good cause is your thing then this could be the answer to your many Christmas presents if you are prepared to browse away.
I did turn to Amazon for one track I have been listening to a lot lately unable to find it elsewhere despite it being played regularly on BBC 6 Music: Say Peace by Common (feat. Black Thought & PJ). Amazon is vast, fast, and the digital download is usually available there and then, so if you can handle any guilt that may come from purchasing from a giant with a questionable reputation then the options are expansive.
Through Qobuz I purchased the latest offering in the Back to Mine album series featuring selected tunes from Fatboy Slim. GoBuzzis a streaming platform similar to Spotify and Apple, but just seems to have a wider selection of world, jazz and alternative music and purchasing a digital download is easy enough. Subscribing to the streaming service offers high definition studio-quality music unlimited on all your devices.
If you are looking for a platform to play, explore, and purchase that guarantees more of the money directly going to the artist then BandCamp is your go to place. I have to say it is one of my favourites, as long as you know what you like and what you are looking for, it is a great place to browse and buy. I bought Masayoshi Fujita and Jan Jelinek’s: Bird, Lake, Objects here as a digital download. The platform allows artists to create their own online store to promote and sell their music and merchandise.
Another great way to discover new music and grow your library is responding to friend’s posts on Facebook who say, ok I am getting rid of some of my CDs as I have too many. I got a lovely bundle through the post from DJ fflyffilyfbybl.
Whatever your flavour, ethics, values, and passion, there are lots of possibilities out there with me exploring just a few, so please shop around, buy responsibly, with good intentions and gratitude. Remember music is the gift that just keeps giving.
Take a listen…
This mix has been created from something gifted and the purchases identified above. It’s a combination of old and new, just enjoy and you can find it here on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/buzzbury/small-corner-november-2020/
As part of ‘paying it forward,’ all those who comment on the mix on Mixcloud quoting BSC will be put in to draw for a special music bundle of tunes from myself.
Masayoshi Fujita and Jan Jelinek’s: Bird, Lake, Objects
Like a conversation of sounds between the two experimentalists and Jan Jelinek glitch electronicist and producer with Masayoshi Fujita percussionist and vibraphonist. It captures the pair playing with taps and scrapes and more in wind tunnels of chimes and tones.
Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride
The band’s fourth album released in 2019 is a bleary eyed cheeky marriage of angst and optimism that still manages to put a smile on your face. With the band still offering Californian sunshine and the occasional Soweto dream.
Verckys et L’Orchestre Veve: Congolese funk, Afrobeat and Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978
It is what it says on the tin, a retrospective journey of rhythms and beats that reminds us that music has long been a big fan of crossing borders and continents.
Common: A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1
With a list of featured guests Common brings his unique take of hip-hop jazzy souled overtoned poetry with a message of unity in a time of division. It’s political and angry but delivered with warmth integrity and compassion. It has some of my favourite tunes of the year.
Fatboy Slim: Back to Mine
The Fatboy joins the ‘Back to Mine’ fold to present a surprisingly eclectic soundtrack of sounds for a late night or early morning visit to Mr Slim’s house. It’s a small insight into his sampling library and rarities, along with a couple of exclusive unreleased tracks.
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