Electronic DJ and producer Erol Alkan is Tom Ravencroft’s latest guest to Peel Acres - helping him explore the many treasures hidden among his dad, John Peel’s vast archive of records, collected over a lifetime of music fandom and a career as a BBC radio DJ.
Presented by Tom Ravenscroft
Produced by Kevin Core and Becca Bryers
Episode Sleeve Notes
Track 1: Tell Mama - Etta James (from Tell Mama)
Erol’s first selection is a 1968 album from great American soul and blues singer Etta James. The title track was one of the biggest hits of her decades-spanning career. Like many records in the Peel Acres collection, Erol notices John has at some point “corrected” the d track lengths.
Track 2: No. 1 In Your Heart - Herbie Goins and the Nightimers (from No. 1 In Your Heart )
Erol is drawn to his next pick by the artwork; “It looks joyful!”. American rhythm and blues singer Herbie Goins left Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated in 1965, to front the Nightimers. The following year they released this single (and in ’67 an album of the same name), which proved popular with the Mods - and later, Northern Soul fans.
Track 3: You’ve Got A Cold - 10cc (from Deceptive Bends)
Stockport rock band 10cc have been in Erol’s ears a lot recently. He pulls out their 1977 release Deceptive Bends - the first album following the departure of half the founding , Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The cover was designed by art group Hipgnosis, known for creating some of rock’s most iconic artwork.
Track 4: When Shrimps Learnt To Whistle - Leo Kottke (from Dreams and All That Stuff)
This wildcard selection is a 1974 release by American acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke, is completely instrumental and features his typical fingerpicking style (which led to painful tendinitis and a need to alter his technique in the early 80s).
Track 5: Animosity - Fred Weinberg (from The Weinberg Method of Non-Synthetic Electronic Rock)
Erol next grabs an album which graces his own collection - from American sound designer and composer Fred Weinberg - which was basically an electronic rock music experiment. He compares it to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop - a now-closed sound effects unit known for its pioneering work in music technology and for scoring shows such as Doctor Who.
Track 6: Things (Goin’ Round In My Mind) - Merrell Fankha and HMS Bounty (from Things!)
The pair are surprised by how much they enjoy their next wild card selection, the only album from US psychedelic band Merrel Fankhaser and HMS Bounty. Tom compares their sound to sixties rock and rollers The Bobby Fuller Four.
Track 7: Shaolin Buddha Finger - Depth Charge
Erol re listening to this track on pirate radio in the mid-90s. The 12” promo from British DJ Depth Charge (one of several aliases of J Saul Kane) samples dialogue from kung-fu film Shaolin vs. Lama.
Track 8: Pick A Dub - Keith Hudson and Family Man (from Pick A Dub)
For his final pick, Erol one again chooses a title track - this time from an album considered one of first (and greatest) records to intentionally profile pure dub; from Jamaican producers and musicians Keith Hudson and Aston “Family Man” Barrett.
