Lost AT E Minor

Paul Steel makes our top twenty musicians of 2008

Paul Steel has slipped into my top twenty artists for 2008, right at the bottom of the final innings. I heard one of his songs, In a Coma, via BBC radio, and I am still in paralytic shock. With all the absolute sludge being released over the last twelve months, it’s so refreshing to hear music that is colourful, melodic and challenging to listen to. Forget Vampire Weekend and Fleet Foxes, this album has come from a 20 year-old Brighton native, who has taken the best elements of Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello and XTC, and transformed his album into a world of delightful tunes and animated wonders. This is what one of Brian Wilson’s band members said when he heard In a coma: ‘It just @$%^&* freaked me out! Holy @$%^&* bananas!’ What’s so upsetting is that Steel was subsequently dropped from his major label after releasing this album, but that’s ok. He’s now a truly independent genius in music.

All You Need Is Love

In 1974, journalist and film-maker Tony Palmer set out to make the definitive documentary of pop music. Seventeen episodes later, All You Need Is Love (broadcast between 1976-80) endows any music devotee with more then they could ask for: fifteen hours of historical music anthems, interviews and cultural gospel. From the first glance of Glitter Rock icon David Bowie, to the experience of being ‘altered’ by Pink Floyd, this box set is beyond worthy. For those of us who were mere zygotes when Angus first graced the stage with his backwards jig, this gives Generation X’ers a first glance at all that we missed out on. Spending a rainy Sunday afternoon watching Keith Emerson destroy a Hammond Organ on stage could be considered one of life’s little delights.

Maybe, I’m Amazed

I’ve been going through a Paul McCartney phase of late, trawling deep within his catalogue to unearth hidden gems amongst the played out classics. His recent collaborations with ex-Killing Joke member, now uber-producer, Youth, aside {the aptly titled Fireman projects), McCartney has always maintained an elegant polish about his recorded music, the melodic perfection of his poppier numbers brushing ever so gently against the soulful songs he wrote to his late wife, Linda. This is one of them, Maybe, I’m Amazed, as heartfelt and emotive as one man and a minor key progression can get. The rawness of his delivery, on this song in particular, is so intense and beautiful.

Linn Olofsdotter

Swedish-born Linn Olofsdotter has not only moved around the world, she’s also shifted her career from graphic design to motion graphics, before working as a senior art director at a Boston advertising agency. Currently Olofsdotter works independently creating artwork for a number of clients — including Levis and Spin Magazine — in the fashion, advertising and editorial fields.

Cipher

Created in 2003 as a skateboard footwear brand in Los Angeles, Cipher is now an international urban lifestyle brand offering designer products for an emerging group of global hipsters. Now based in Hong Kong, where metropolitan living manifests the dynamic fusion of East and West culture, Cipher is an expression of life in the brave new world. Cipher shoes launched with three different styles, in a range of colours, each with its own story and attitude: Seditionary, Subterranean and Libertine.

Christophe Coppens

I was initially drawn to Belgium-born Christophe Coppen’s jewellery before discovering that he produces two mens and womens collections each year, consisting not only of jewellery, also of but couture pieces and home accessories. With seven interior collections to his name, and a past history as both a theater director and an actor, his work is an expression of his creative brilliance.