Ed Sheeran – first album is due in August, but if you dig around there is a wide back catalogue of material available. Essentially an acoustic guitar wielding singer songwriter but with an iPhone full of grime scene contacts. Checkout the No. 5 collaborations project for work with Devlin, Wiley and P. Money amongst others.  Spotify Link / Homepage.
	Gypsy and the Cat -  don’t know much about this lot, but hailing from Australia, reminded me a little of a blissed out MGMT.  I found their Gilgamesh album after hearing a track on the Kitsune Compilation No 9. Spotify Link / Homepage
	Wretch 32 – Grime and HipHop stars from London must be queuing up to make it into the big time… but this fella must be near the head of the queue.  I picked up a couple of great mix tapes from this London MC – featuring a who’s who of grime stars.  Wretch 32 also features on the Ed Sheeran EP at the top of this.  Homepage
	Missing Andy – second place on Must be the Music, I can only hope that their Essex boy, mod-ish sound translates better to an album than Emma’s Imagination did.  No Spotify / Myspace
	Jack Hayter – previously a member of Hefner, and later Dollboy – I heard about the ‘Sucky Tart’ EP after hearing the lead track ‘I Stole the Cutty Sark’  on Radio 6. Blending a folky sound, with some great lyrics and an almost haphazard production style – he reminded me a little bit of David Ford and Ivor Cutler.  Lovely stuff. Spotify Link / Homepage.

What are you listening to for 2011?

The follow up to last years live album, ‘Special Moves’ –Mogwai deliver another run through some of the finest song titles of all time. I guess if you (mostly) deliver instrumentals, you get a free hand with tracks like ‘George Square Thatcher Death Party’ or the marvellous ‘You’re Lionel Ritchie’

The music itself – is perfect – just as you’d want and expect a Mogwai album to be, sweeping, filmic and at times tender – but contrasting with impenetrable ‘walls’ of sound. Epic stuff at times, especially in the 8 minutes long ‘Lionel Ritchie’

Fantastic album – well worth a listen (Spotify) / download (Amazon)

So, we seem to be emerging from the Christmas lull that stops all the good music releases, and we can safely return to building our music collection. I’m switching these posts over to using Spotify links so you can get easy and free access to the best new music straight away.  Here are my first new music recommendations of 2010:

• The Road by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – the soundtrack from the new Viggo Mortensen movie is, as you would expect, a fairly austere affair. It’s along the same lines as their previous effort for The Assassination of Jesse James – gentle, dark and sinister, focusing on subdued piano and rumbling electronica. An amazing soundtrack that stands alone from the movie.
• Acolyte by Delphic – completely ubiquitous at the moment, after supporting Little Boots last year, their indie dance sound is everywhere. Sounding a little like New Order this is eminently danceable, superbly constructed stuff.
• Despite the Snow by Emily Barker – I missed this when it was released in August last year, a gentle singer songwriter from Australia, recorded in the UK. Sounds a little like Natalie Merchant, rootsy and folky – stripped down guitar and vocals that rely on string songs. If you were wondering about track one – it’s the theme tune from ‘Wallander’ on BBC1.

What are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve been using it to build playlists and listen to new albums. From now on, all of the music links on mattrutherford.com will be to Spotify, so if you have any account – you can easily listen to a recommendation and if you like, can buy the album – there is no affiliate programme, so I’m not gaining  from the process (apart from sharing great tunes).

I’ve also bee trying out some music recommendation sites that work with Spotify – and this is one of the best – it links your last.fm ID and  checks for new music by people in your top 50 lists. Awesome for finding new material, it can also find Spotify links from your recommendations.

PS – Its legal, and you can use it offline and mobile – so no fears there.

What are you listening to from the clouds?

If you are staying with the programme, then you’ll know that 2010 is going to be an amazing year.  Amongst the many shooting stars this year will be some brand new ones in the music industry, I’ve picked out 5 artistes that I’m convinced will be massive this year.

Here’s a quick Spotify playlist with the key tunes, and here are those all important five:

• Ellie Goulding – Welsh singer-songwriter who supported Little Boots on her recent tour, poppy, danceable and tons of fun.
• Erik Hassle – Swedish singer-songwriter, this years Mr Hudson maybe?
• Lissie – supported Ray LaMontagne, similar accessible country style.
• Chase and Status – Drum and Bass prodigies, already worked with Jay-Z & Rhianna
• Eliza Doolittle – like a laidback Lily Allen, bubble gum with sharp edge my favourite of this pack.

Who are you keeping an eye on in 2010?

Back at the beginning of 2009, I picked out some stuff I was looking forward to – I had about 10 albums that I thought would be exciting. Looking back, I think I was about 50/50…

(each link takes you to the Spotify album page for a listen before you buy)

• Antony and the Johnsons – Crying Light, as beautiful as expected – amazing vocals, heartrending songs. HIT
• Kings of Convenience – Quiet is the New Loud, ended up being renamed ‘Declaration of Dependance’, here’s what I thought of it when it got released. HIT
• Morrissey – Years of Refusal, not his finest moment, but a poor Morrissey album is still something to behold. MISS
• The Decemberists – Hazards of Love, more of the same from Colin Meloy but still a lovely album. HIT
• Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe, still absolutely 100% essential, did not disappoint. HIT
• Lily Allen – It’s not me, it’s you, everywhere, all the time, Ms Allen still delivers the goods. HIT
• Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion, slightly disappointing for me -  I may have been slightly jaded by all the psychadelia (MGMT etc). MISS
• U2 – No line on the Horizon, a couple of decent tunes but way too much of everything else, especially Bono. MISS
• Starsailor – All the Plans, not straying much from a well trodden line, pleasant enough – but they really need to up their game. MISS
• Imogen Heap – Ellipse, some interesting promotion for this one, another fine album. HIT.
• Placebo – Battle for the Sun, with a new drummer still sounding as spiky and vibrant as ever. HIT.

So, all-in-all, my reasons to be cheerful panned out OK for 2009 – tomorrow, I’ll list some of my early music hopes for 2010!

Who do you think will be massive in 2010?

The third in my occasional series of recommendations for building your music library – not the new shiny releases in the press, but the older stuff that you need to get a good rounded collection on the go. If you are just buying your MP3 player, these are the artists you need to look into for a great selection of tuneage!

Don’t take my word for it, click the links and see what downloads are available on Amazon.

• Serge Gainsbourg – The original Mister Lover Lover, a legendary caner and writer of some of the coolest music ever to waft across the channel. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak French – the loucheness of ‘L’histoire de Melody Nelson’ was the sound that launched Portishead and more. Serge was the real deal, controversial and cool, fully capable of scandal AND sophistication. Everybody needs some Gainsbourg in their collection.
• Depeche Mode – First discovered in my schools day, still loved as I grow middle aged and uncool. The Basildon boys have turned out album after album of high quality electronica – getting darker and darker as they age, with brilliant song writing from Martin Gore. My favourite albums: Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion and Some Great Reward – a truly marvellous British band. If you have any interest in british electronica of the last 30 years, you need some Depeche Mode in your collection.
• Paul Weller – From The Jam to The Style Council to solo material, Paul Weller has been one of the most influential artists of recent years. Starting out as the arch-mod, with angry, spiky tunes and developing a more laid back and jazzy sound with the Style Council in the mid eighties. For me – Stanley Road is an absolute treat of an album, and Sound Affects from the Jam is the soundtrack of my early schooldays. Paul Weller is a true national treasure, brilliant in every way.

What other artists would you include in your perfect music collection?

It’s that horrible becalmed time when record companies don’t release much so they can clear the decks for the Christmas rush – all diverting their marketing dollars to the x-factor and novelty nonsense – so new releases are a struggle. Never fear though, I’m here, sifting through the releases and making sure you get the best new tunes for your music collection. Don’t take my word for it though – hit up the links and have listen before spending your hard earned cash.

• Miike Snow by Miike Snow – reminding me a little bit of the recent Friendly Fires album, an intelligent mix of electronica and pure pop from a group that includes production duo Avant and Bloodshy (Britney and Madonna). With a pedigree like that, you know this is going to be top drawer quality. Includes the singles Animal and Black & Blue.
• Asleep at the Back by Elbow (Reissue) – as all the furore around Seldom Seen Kid dies down, I’ve found myself drawn again and again to this album, the debut from Elbow. In my opinion, it’s their strongest album – with Powder Blue and Newborn amongst my favourite tracks of all time. This reissue has extra tracks from the Newborn EP and some unreleased demo’s which are all a good listen.
• Live at Reading by Nirvana – it’s easy to forget just how powerful Nirvana were at their height – but this romp through their 1992 set at the Reading festival shows just how exciting it would have been to see them at the time. It’s a patchy affair, with some rough sound and terrible weather affecting the overall quality of the set – but its undeniable how ferocious some of the tunes were – well worth a listen if you enjoyed Nirvanas brand of grungey-pop.

What new music are you listening to at the moment?

Still with me on this? Another Monday rolls round and I have a bunch of great music that really demands your attention, but don’t take my word for it – click the links to listen to clips on Amazon before you make a purchase of these fine albums to expand your music collection.

• Strict Joy by The Swell Season – there are few sounds as compelling to listen to as Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – the stars of the lovely film ‘Once’ and now (seemingly) a proper duo on this their third album. A little more upbeat than their previous but still hauntingly beautiful. Miss this wonderful album at your peril.
• Nightbook by Ludivico Einaudi – the follow up to Devenire, contemporary classical music at its finest. This album adds a little bit more electronic soundscape to the mixture.  Gentle, ethereal and slightly melancholy – this is beautiful music to relax to, and a great accompaniment to work.
• Swords by Morrissey – at the time of writing, Morrissey has been taken ill during a concert – so I hope he recovered quickly. This isn’t new material – but a collection of b-sides from his solo career. Contains one of my personal favourites ‘Don’t make Fun of Daddy’s Voice’.

What are you listening to? What should I be checking out to build my collection?

The second in an occasional series – some suggestions to build up your music collection, but not the new shiny stuff. These suggestions focus on the outskirts, building up your back catalogue to find some gems. Don’t take my word for it – click the links to get to the Amazon pages for these artistes.

• New Order – one of the most influential groups of the last 30 years, I can’t remember a time of enjoying electronic music without New Order being a part of it. From the mammoth Blue Monday through to my personal favourite Technique, New Order have never failed to deliver.
• Frank Sinatra – Every man needs a little Sinatra in their collection – over 50 years in the business gave us some of the most iconic songs by arguably one of the best voices of the 20th century. I love the loucheness of Sinatra at the Sands, and Songs for Swinging Lovers is one my all time favourite albums.
• Stevie Wonder – Long before becoming an American institution Stevie Wonder was tearing up the charts with Motown hits, but leaving the Detroit label allowed him to produce two of the most essential albums of all time – Innervisions and Sons in the Key of Life, both massive albums of the 70’s and demanding a place in your collection.

What classics have you discovered for your collection?