CMU Playlists

Playlist: Sound Of Rum

By | Published on Friday 5 August 2011

Sound Of Rum

Formed in 2008 by rapper Kate Tempest, guitarist Archie Marsh and drummer Ferry Lawrenson, Sound Of Rum blend musical styles from jazz to breakbeat to create their distinct sound.

The band released their debut album, ‘Balance’, through Rob Da Bank’s Sunday Best label in April to high acclaim, and have been touring gig venues and festivals up and down to country to spread the word ever further.

Next week they will hit the next festival on their itinerary, Standon Calling. There they will join the likes of Lamb, Battles, Washed Out, Hercules & Love Affair, Azari & III, Saul Williams, Three Trapped Tigers and more. All set in the grounds of a stately home, it’s possibly the only festival to have its own swimming pool. More info can be found here.

Ahead of the festival, we asked all three members of Sound Of Rum to put together a Powers Of Ten playlist for us.

SOUND OF RUM’S TEN
Click here to listen to Sound Of Rum’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about their selections.

01 Wu-Tang Clan – Triumph
Kate Tempest: When I first heard this, I nearly cried I was so blown away. I think this is one of the finest examples of the lyricism, complexity, wit and absolute genius of Wu-Tang. This track made me serious about wanting to be a rapper and is the one I rap out loud to myself when I’m walking home drunk. It makes me feel like I’m about a hundred feet tall. It’s pure hip hop for me… eight minutes of rhyming, no hook, no gimmicks, no let up. So serious.

02 Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
Archie Marsh: One of the best rappers around, the production on this track is heavy, I got into Aesop around about ‘Labor Days’ so was very eager to hear this album when it came out. I wasn’t disappointed.

03 Roy Davis Jr feat Peven Everett – Gabriel
KT: When I was about fourteen, I used to work in a record shop and I remember this coming out. Me and my friend Kwake used to build little sound systems outside my parents house and play this out on the street to test them. I love it so much, it brings back memories of an incredible time, but forgot all about it til EZ finished his set with it at Glastonbury this summer. When I got home I searched Spotify for it and played it about five times in a row. I love the brass line so much.

04 Odyssey – Inside Out
Ferry Lawrenson: This makes me want to party every time I hear it. To me, that’s what music is all about.

05 Me’Shell Ndegeocello – Lovely Lovely
FL: I love the way she fuses all her styles in a tasteful cosmic way. It makes her music very sexy.

06 Amon Tobin – Nova
AM: First heard this on Chris Morris’ ‘Blue Jam’ radio show. Amon’s one of my favourite producers, a big inspiration.

07 James Blake – Unluck
FL: I love the space he creates. I listen to the album once a day now for inspiration, plus seeing him live has only made what he does that much more mystical.

08 Gilfema – Tinmin
FL: When I first heard this track my listening process changed; I didn’t understand anything about time signatures and it took me a few weeks to work out what this was in. I saw him live and it was very special.

09 Django Reinhardt – Swing 39
AM: Django has been a big influence for me and my guitar playing, before Sound of Rum I played in a gypsy swing outfit called Nouvelle Croix. He is my favourite soloist, his phrasing on this tune is great.

10 Leonard Cohen – Famous Blue Raincoat
KT: I just heard this recently. I’m a massive fan of his songwriting and first heard this on Spotify while looking for the one about the Chelsea hotel, and the one called ‘I’m Your Man’. As soon as it came on, it stopped me in my tracks. The honesty and confidence of these lyrics is mindblowing. I love it. The way he sings it and the bravery of the sentiment he expresses is so beautiful.

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