Roll on Chinese New Year

Once again, Chinese New Year is fast approaching. I love this time, especially as I work so close to London’s Chinatown. There’s nothing quite like being wrapped up warm in the February winds and walking through that area. In the evening it’s beautiful, especially as the streets are decorated with bright red lanterns and usually some kind of pastel-coloured paper flourish.

It also gives me an excuse (not that I need one) to eat Chinese food, my favourite of which is dim sum. From honey roast pork puffs to steamed scallop dumplings, sampling a multitude of small dishes in one sitting with good friends is always a treat.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of a cheeky cocktail to boot, and seeing as those clever people over at Ping Pong have a special menu for Chinese New Year in all 12 of their stores at the moment, they’ve been in contact to give you all the chance of winning a little something something.

Now this gives me the perfect opportunity to do another thing  I enjoy: build a playlist. But not just any old playlist though, one with an oriental theme. All you have to do to be in with the chance of winning one of 10 vouchers for two free cocktails at any Ping Pong location is tell me what you think the best song would be to bring in Chinese New Year with.

Don’t just go for the obvious, think about tracks like Chinese Boxes by The High Dials or maybe something a little more dancey like DJ Wordy? Hey, go leftfield and throw in 30 Seconds From Mars’ ‘From Yesterday’ if you fancy. Whether the track evokes a feeling or has a more direct connection to the celebration, all will be considered. Just leave a comment below.

Closing date is end of this month, and I’ll make/ post a Spotify link when the winners are announced.

Images via Oliver Spalt and Liqurious.

10 – 1

I’m finally finished. Just in time for New Year’s Eve tonight, here’s the final ten of my top 50 tracks of all time that represent my favourite songs in the world.

If you’d like to see the rest of the countdown, start with the introduction here, then take a look at the second piece that includes tracks 40 – 31,  the post from Wednesday that covered 30 – 21 and the one yesterday for the beginning of the end.

Click play on the Soundcloud embed to listen to each track individually on this page or the Spotify URL at the bottom of the page for a full (well, as much as possible) playlist.

10. Simian Mobile Disco – Sleep Deprivation

I can’t find a good version of this on Soundcloud, so for the first time, you’ll have to click through to Hype.

9. Stevie Wonder – Superstition

8. Hendrix – Purple Haze

7. Roisin Murphy – Overpowered

6. Marlena Shaw – California Soul

(This is a solid remix, but I’m referring to the original)

5. The Kinks – Powerman

Once again, Soundcloud has failed me. You all know what this sounds like though…

4. Massive Attack – Teardrop

3. Blondie – One Way Or Another

2. Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter

1. AC/DC – If You Want Blood

Listen to on Spotify.

20 – 11

We’re now into the final twenty of my top 50 tracks of all time, and here’s where the classics start to appear.

For an explanation of what’s going on within this series of posts, click here and then take a look at the second piece that includes tracks 40 – 31 – and the one yesterday that counted down 30 – 21.

Click play on the Soundcloud embed to listen to each track individually on this page or the Spotify URL at the bottom of the page.

20. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue

19. Stevie Nicks – Edge Of Seventeen

18. Jimmy Soul – If You Wanna Be Happy

(This is a remix, but I’m talking about the original)

17. Beatles – Hey Jude

16. Jay-Z – Big Pimpin

15. Goldfrapp – Strict Machine

14. The Black Keys – Set You Free

13. Florence & The Machine – Dog Days Are Over

12. Beastie Boys – Intergalactic

11. Portishead – Sour Times

Listen to on Spotify. Image via Geek Force Five.

30 – 21

It’s day three of the countdown, and now things are getting serious.

If you’re wondering what’s going on, click here to read the explanation and then take a look at the second post that includes tracks 40 – 31.

Click play on the Soundcloud embed to listen to each track individually on this page or the Spotify URL at the bottom of the page for a complete playlist of the first thirty tracks.

30. Daft Punk – Aerodynamic

29. Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You

28. Tori Amos – Professional Widow

27. Layo & Bushwacka! – Love Story vs. Finally (Tim Deluxe remix)

26. Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love With Someone

25. The Prodigy – Smack My Bitch Up

24. Faithless – We Come One

23. Kings Of Leon – Crawl

22. Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah

21. Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight

Listen to on Spotify. Image via Fun Music Agency.