You might have noticed that I’m taking a minute to look back over the last 12 months. While there are a few more musical round-ups on the way, both from myself and an eclectic array of special guests, this list is all about the blog / site’s most popular posts. You’ll see that they`re all longer pieces, either interviews or essays. Circumstances have meant that I’ve not been able to complete many of these since the beginning of August. Something that, in 2024, I`ll do my best to fix. To be honest, in hindsight, it’s been a bit of a miracle that we’ve managed to keep Ban Ban Ton Ton going based almost solely on reviews. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributes (especially the “regulars”, Adam, Cal, The Insider and Mike), or continues to send music over. Those who visit. Folks who send feedback. Thank you.
Below are the “top ten” posts from 2023. If there was anything else that you particularly enjoyed reading, please let me know in the comments, as this would be really helpful when it comes to planning next year. If you fancied giving that piece a pump on your socials, well, that’d be super nice ’cos it’d give our numbers a final, bonus, boost, and ensure that, target-wise, 2024 will be a challenge.
10. Jason Boardman & Moonboots / 25 Years Of Aficionado
A few thoughts on Mancunian Balearic institution, and the cracking compilation, released by Re:Warm, to celebrate their 25th year.
9. Interview / Andy Turner / Plaid
I was so excited when Plaid said yes to an interview. Their music is amazing. I’m so glad that quite a few of you thought so too. Thank you to Duncan at 9PR for pushing this through.
The Sabres Of Paradise’s anthem turned 30, prompting me to take a personal look back to its release and impact.
7. Interview / Richard Sen Presents Dream The Dream
I had a long Zoom chat with Mr. Sen, to promo his award-winning comp, Dream The Dream, taking in his time as a Bronx Dog, DJing at The Heavenly Social, and Andrew Weatherall’s bashes, Sabresonic and Bloodsugar.
I interviewed Japanese jazz singer, Kimiko Kasai in 2018, but our conversation just keeps giving.
5. Celebrating The Idjut Boys… And The Rotation Sound System
This was going to be an interview, but the chaps went out on the road and we ran out of time. Instead, it became a whistle stop tour through a few of my favourites from their many marvellous releases. There was a Part Two, plus accompanying mixes, planned. These may well happen in 2024.
4. Looking For The (Italian) Balearic Beat
In spring of this year I`d amassed a pile of incredible records from Italy. Writing something about them collectively felt like a cool thing to do.
3. Interview / JD Twitch / Optimo Music
Big, big interview with Keith McIvor. I initially had a set of fairly fluffy questions, but Keith asked for some weightier stuff – I’m so glad he did – and so we went back in for a Round Two. Optimo are about to hit a huge birthday celebration. Expect more from Ban Ban Ton Ton on that. Sharon at Shine PR made this happen.
2. Looking For The Balearic Beat / Bohemians, Beatniks & Hippies
An in-depth essay on the origins of “the Balearic Beat”. Trying to track it from the 1930s, through the `60s, hopefully highlighting that Ibiza, back then, was a safe haven for all sorts of folks seeking sanctuary. It was this that made the island such a special place.
1. Looking For The Balearic Beat / Soundtracking Paradise
Moving the story from the `60s through the `80s, shining a spotlight of some of the key clubs and musical protagonists. A print version of these first two articles was published in collaboration with San Francisco’s Et al. etc. & Et al. Books.. I’d like to say a big thank you to Steve Terry at Wild Life Archive for instigating everything. Fingers crossed, further chapters will follow, taking us to the present day. They`re written. Time-permitting, they just need to be edited / updated / tidied up.
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Hey Rob, HNY mate!
As per your ask –
Really enjoyed your David Holmes piece.
And your Sinead obituary.
The Crooked Man / Randy Crawford cover that you so eloquently framed – forgive blowing the smoke, but your ‘personal’ reflection always gold.
Loved BM’s The The & One Dove nostalgic posts too.
Cal’s albums always a treat.
Always interested in all and any history lessons aka long interviews that you do.
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Carl – thanks for all your support, and for taking the time to leave feedback and comments. I think the long, personal things are what we do best – even if not many people read them : ) that is the planned focus in the new year. Thanks for singling out the Sinead and Don`t Wanna Be Normal pieces as they were / are very personal – I hope to do some mixes to accompany the David Holmes one. Wishing you all the very best for 2024 – maybe we`ll get that hook up at Carrie and Marcus` : )
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Cheers Rob, look fwd to that mix very much x
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Last thing!
Would love to read more of Adam’s great writing & knowledge too, if at all possible.
Realise there’s BaggingArea of course which is fab X
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Bagging Area is great – Adam`s best writing – quite rightly : ) is there
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Thanks for the kind words Carl, I love writing for BBTT, will hopefully continue to spit myself between here and there (Bagging Area)
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Good to hear! Cheers Adam x
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hi! only missed the Kimiko interview, methinks – but was also coming back to many other posts from the list. it’s quite incredible, the job You manage to do with the site and regular mixcloud uploads.. said to many people before irl but You are THE BEST source for best music online for me steadily throughout the years now 🙂 thank You very very much for that, I’ll try to feedback here more in 2k24. lots of everything good for You, good doctor! olo/dj late/poland
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Happy new year – back after a short break – thank you – honestly, feedback makes such a big difference – thank you!
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Split not spit. Lol.
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