Classic Album Sundays

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. 

Radiohead’s second album The Bends was released on the 13th March, 1995 and exactly 30 years later Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy interviewed producer John Leckie on the story behind the album at an event at The British Library. The interview was followed by an uninterrupted vinyl playback of the full album on British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins’ iconic 800 Series loudspeakers, which were used in the mixing of The Bends at Abbey Road Studios. The Bends is generally considered to show the remarkable evolution of their sound, which soon made them one of the most acclaimed bands in the world. With a healthy dose of the guitar rock and melancholic pop that characterised breakthrough single “Creep”, it also features beautiful ballads, a new range to Thom Yorke’s voice, blistering riffs and solos from Jonny Greenwood and multiple acoustic treats.It was produced by John Leckie, one of the most important and distinctive producers in British music. John Leckie has had an extraordinary career. His early career at Abbey Road Studios, saw him working with John Lennon and George Harrison and then as an engineer for Pink Floyd’s Meddle and Wish You Were Here and Paul McCartney and Wings’ Red Rose Speedway. Among much else he then produced Public Image Ltd debut single, a brilliant early sweep of albums by Simple Minds, The Stone Roses, Muse and many others.

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.

Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy walks the Guyana-born musician through his career starting with co-founding the first British multi-racial band, The Equals, to his classic album ‘Walking on Sunshine’, his Top 40 hit ‘Electric Avenue’ and the founding of his own genre, ringbang, with many insights and anecdotes in between.

"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/

We feature The Flaming Lips tenth studio album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots for our March Classic Album Sundays Worldwide Podcast. The album was well-received critically and commercially, helping the band break into the mainstream, and was adapted into a musical in 2012. Uncut declared that “even by their standards, Yoshimi is astonishing. Read more about your favourite albums: 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 delighted to be joined by harpist Alina Bzhezhinska for our latest Classic Album Sundays Podcast show focussed on Alice Coltrane ‘Journey In Satchidananda’. Alina recently performed the music of Alice Coltrane along with Pharoah Sanders Quartet & Denys Baptiste at London’s iconic Barbican Centre so we were able to get her first hand insights on what it’s like to perform this amazing music. 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

Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" stands as an ethereal masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of traditional music. Released in 1968, this seminal album takes listeners on a transformative journey through its introspective and poetic musings. Morrison's soulful voice blends seamlessly with a fusion of jazz, folk, and classical elements, creating a rich tapestry of sound. The album's lush instrumentation, intricate arrangements, and poetic lyricism evoke a sense of otherworldly beauty and introspection. Each track seamlessly flows into the next, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. "Astral Weeks" is a testament to Van Morrison's unparalleled artistry, cementing his status as a visionary and an enduring force in the realm of 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

Recorded over two years, the album is arguably Stevie’s finest hour and is also one of the greatest albums of all time as it contains hit after hit. “Sir Duke”, “I Wish”, “Pastime Paradise”, “Isn’t She Lovely”, “As” and “Another Star” are all included making this truly a masterpiece. To make an album that doesn’t contain an average song is hard enough, let alone doing it on a double album as Stevie has done here. 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

Nightmares on Wax's 1999 album ‘Carboot Soul’ is a classic in the trip-hop genre. The album features a perfect blend of downtempo beats, soulful samples, and chilled-out vibes. Tracks like "Les Nuits" and "Survival" showcase the unique sound and style that Nightmares on Wax is known for, making "Carboot Soul" a must-listen for any trip-hop fan. 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.

On this edition of the Classic Album Sundays Podcast Colleen explores The Rolling Stones‘s Exile on Main Street, the tenth studio album from the English rock band which mixes unexpected various styles and genres. Despite receiving mixed reviews on release, the album is now celebrated as the band’s best album and is consistently cited as one of the greatest albums of all time. Read more: classicalbumsundays.com

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 is joined by the 80-year-old Queen of Brazilian Jazz, Flora Purim, from her home in Brazil to discuss her iconic 1973 LP 'Butterfly Dreams'. Influenced by both traditional Brazilian singers and the improvisations of American jazz divas like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, Flora Purim was one of the most adventurous singers of the 1970s. After meeting and marrying her husband, percussionist Airto Moreira, in their native Brazil, Purim moved with him to the U.S. in the late ’60s. Though she worked with Stan Getz and pianist Duke Pearson before the decade ended, it wasn’t until joining Chick Corea, Joe Farrell, Stanley Clarke, and Moreira in the original Return To Forever in 1972 that she became well known in the States. Purim showed considerable promise on Forever classics like '500 Miles High' and 'Light As a Feather' and lived up to it when she went solo with 1973’s 'Butterfly Dreams'. Read more about your favourite album here 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.

Grace Jones recorded her fifth album (and her second New Wave inspired departure from her 70s disco recordings) in Bahamas with a stellar set of musicians known as the Compass Point Allstars. The musicians included Jamaican chart toppers, Sly & Robbie, keyboardist and silent member of Level 42, Wally Badarou, among others all under the direction of Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell and in house label producer, Alex Sadkin. The 9 song collection, 3 of which Grace co-wrote, became the biggest selling album in the Grace Jones catalog and features her most successful US single, “Pull Up To The Bumper”. Fashion, Art and Music became one and left a heavy impression for many future pop and rock superstars to take note of. Read more about your favourite albums here: classicalbumsundays.com