This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
CMU Playlists
Playlist: Archeo
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 27 October 2011
Born in Bombay, neo-pop soloist Archeo had a fairly international upbringing, living in Hong Kong and Nigeria before settling in London while still a child. Finding himself drawn to the studio throughout three distracted years at University, he siphoned a passion for 90s and noughties pop songwriting into a set of early demos, later founding his own label, Music Mantra.
He’s now poised to release his first official single, ‘Mr General’, a slick, acerbic slice of synth-driven R&B, on 28 Nov. Having enlisted Steve Osbourne (Suede, New Order) to produce the track, Archeo is now working with the likes of Fabien Waltmann (Will Young, No Doubt) and Ant Whiting (MIA, Paloma Faith) on a debut album. Despite his eclectic stylistic tastes, which encompass everyone from James Brown to Elvis, he remains somewhat of a purist when it comes to pop.
“I’ve not crossed over from anything and I’m not coming from any niche”, he says. “I make pop music. Pop to me is a constantly changing landscape, and I’m proud to be part of that tradition”.
And speaking of traditions as pre-eminent as pop itself, Archeo has come up with a Powers Of Ten playlist, which finds him splicing together a set of his best-loved tunes.
ARCHEO’S TEN
Click here to listen to Archeo’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about his choices.
01 Pearl Jam – Even Flow
Great song, though I still think the ‘MTV Unplugged’ performance of this is better.
02 Kanye West – Celebration
I love the combination of sample work and Kanye’s robotic production.
03 The Cool Kids – Swimsuits
This song has such an irresistible groove. I’m not into the chorus so much, but the verses make my face scrunch up!
04 Lenny Kravitz – Black Girl
A beautiful song. I have always respected Lenny’s bold use of effects, turning what could have been an ordinary throwback song into something fresh and of its time.
05 Pete Philly – Ocean
I just came across this guy, because my producer Mr Waltmann put me onto him. The beat makes me want to slap myself.
06 Britney Spears – Toxic
This might just be the perfect ‘pop’ song. What more can I say?
07 Pharrell feat Nelly – Baby
Just for the lyrics “I heard you like red lobster”.
08 Jay-Z & Kanye West – Gotta Have It
A nice sample and reminds me of Timbaland circa ‘Indian Flute’.
09 Rick James – Mary Jane
I love the part when Rick chops up his vocals. I also love Ja Rule and J Lo’s ‘I’m Real’, which samples this track.
10 Rihanna – Photographs
I think that Rihanna’s ‘Rated R’ album was actually ahead of its time. ‘Photographs’ has production that really appeals to me, with its use of organic instrumentation and futuristic beats.
