Jo Bartlett Playlist
I’ve been releasing records since I was a teenager and was part of the early indie C86 movement, up until the present day. Here’s a playlist – featuring Bluetrain, It’s Jo & Danny, The Yellow Moon Band, solo and more:
In alphabetic order:
Jo Bartlett
Solo releases –
Years active: 2010 – present
I released a one off single on 11.10.2024 ‘Before The Police Car‘. Both the song and the video were recorded in my front room at home.
My album ‘Ghost Tapes 1 to 9‘ was released on 26 April 2024 – various tracks picked up plays on BBC 6 Music and it got an 8/10 review in Uncut magazine.
‘The Cut Up’ was released on 30th September 2022
Above a short promo video for ‘The Cut Up’
‘It’s great! So inventive.’ Andy Bell (Oasis / Ride) Andy included ‘Greener’ from the album in his 20 best tracks of 2022 for Brooklyn Vegan.
‘It’s mad and inspired in equal doses. Very cool collection of sounds and memories all in one fascinating melting pot.’ Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)
‘What an honour!’ Huw Stephens featured on ‘Hwyl’ (BBC 6 / Radio Wales)
‘..it’s really super with plenty of wonky melodies pushed to the fore.’ The Crack Magazine
‘9 x 7’ September 2014
Recorded at Bark Studio and at home in 2013, released in 2014 on Strikeback Records.
Nine songs by seven musicians.
‘Her second solo album leans towards her folkier side – but fills out the sound with bewitching electronic percussion and lovely guitar leads.’ The Sunday Times / Essential New Releases.
‘The album we hoped Beth Gibbons might’ve made if she’d ever followed up her Rustin Man project – which is high praise indeed’ Uncut
‘Bartlett’s voice has the pitch and crystal clarity of The Sundays Harriet Wheeler’ Q
‘Bartlett ploughs a narrow furrow, but she does it with compelling conviction’ Mojo
‘Fans of Beth Orton and Nick Drake should investigate’ The Daily Express
‘Upheaval’ 2010 just me and my acoustic guitar – no over dubs, recorded over an after noon at Bark Studio in East London.
**** Mojo
‘Kenfig Hill’ from ‘Upheaval’ Recorded at live King’s Place, London in 2010 with Mike Siddel’s string quartet.
Jo Bartlett on…
The Brilliant Corners ‘Brian Rix’ 1987 (Backing vocals by ‘Jo Bluetrain’)
Bluetrain
Years active: 1986 – 1988
Bluetrain released one 12″ on Dan Treacy’s Dreamworld Records in 1987. We were part of the early London indie C86 scene. Several compilation albums have been released over the years on various labels. There have also been a couple of limited edition vinyl and cd releases, including ‘Some Greater Love’ which came out on Berlin’s Firestation Records in 2020 and Peru’s Plastilina Records in 2010.
‘Some Greater Love’ vinyl and cd (Firestation Records 2020).
‘Under The Hammer‘ early demoes released on vinyl (Firestation Records 2023).
Bluetrain ‘Land of Gold‘ originally released as a 12″ single, on Dreamworld in 1987
Bluetrain on Spotify
Christine X
Years active: 2003
I released an electronica instrumental album called ‘Eurocentric’ in 2003 under the name Christine X. ‘Eurocentric’ was recorded at Bark in East London and got some nice reviews in the alternative / d.j. music press.
’….wistful, mellow, unhurried and gorgeous.’ 4 stars D.J. Magazine
’…unfathomably beautiful music.’ Careless Talk Costs Lives
Christine X on
Go! Service
Years active: 1985 -1986
My first ever release. Go! Service 12″ ‘It Makes Me Realise’ this was recorded when I was 18 in 1985 and released in 1986. This song is included on the ‘Make More Noise! Women In Independent Music UK 1977 – 1987’ Cherry Red Records cd book compilation released in 2020.
Go! Service played regularly at Dan Treacy’s legendary Room at the Top club above The Enterprise pub in Chalk Farm, North London. We also toured Europe, supporting Dan’s band, The Television Personalities.
The song ‘Real Life’ was released as part of the 3 cd set C-86 released by Cherry Red in 2013.
Go! Service / Bluetrain on…
Hardway Bros. presents the Summerisle Six
‘This Is Something’
I did the vocals on this dance track put together by Sean Johnston and featuring, among others, Andy Bell (Ride / Oasis) on guitar. It was number one in the Balearic chart for three weeks, May 2022
‘This Is Something’ various mixes on Spotify.
It’s Jo and Danny
Years active: 1999 – 2005
‘Lank Haired Girl To Bearded Boy’
Our debut album, originally released on our own Double Snazzy label. After Jo Whiley played a track three days in a row on her daytime Radio 1 show, we signed to R.C.A. and the album got re released. I will always love everything about this record. A very happy time.
‘Spellbinding’ The Times 4 stars
‘Heartfelt vocals and swathes of Vini Reilly-style guitar.’ **** Mojo
‘Ferocious joie de verve’ **** Q
‘a carefree fusion of Ancient and modern’ Uncut
‘Spritualized fronted by Carol King’ The Face
‘Loaded with sprit’ The Observer
‘Folk to feed your soul’ i.D. Magazine
‘Beautiful’ The Daily Telegraph
‘A defining record’ NME 8/10
Including ‘Love Expression’ directed by James Le Bon
Kodiak Island
Years active: 2015 – 2024
‘The Play To You Strengths‘ e.p. was released in March 2022 on 10″ vinyl and c.d. on i40 Records and then digitally on Cherry Red Records in May 2022
Kodiak Island on….
The Yellow Moon Band
Years active: 2005 – 2010
This was my prog rock, psychedelic, instrumental adventure. We released a few vinyl singles on Static Caravan and then followed them up with this great album. This is another record I’m very proud of.
‘The spirit of classic West Coast psychedelia is alive and well and living in The Yellow Moon Band.’ **** The Independent
‘..moments of glory abound on this bright, funky outstandingly groovy album.’ **** Mojo
‘..groovy throwback prog-band….astral rocking…..Eastern flavours’ **** The Scotsman
‘A beautifully, bewitching listen.’ N.M.E.
‘1970s cosmic metal riffs……..delirious guitars.’ Metro
‘I’m looking forward to seeing this record at the top of writer’s End of the Year lists.’ Shindig!
With over 100,000 views, I guess my biggest ‘hit’ is ‘Chimney’ by The Yellow Moon Band, which is included on the Ubisoft computer game, Rocksmith.
‘Barhed‘. Video directed by Ewan Jones Morris
Copies of ‘Travels Into Several Remote Nations of the World’ are now selling on eBay for £100.
We released these all on Static Caravan.
Green Vinyl 12: Polaris Richard Norris Remix.
Maybach (7″ single)
Entangled (7″ single)
We also had tracks featured on ‘A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble‘ compilation album along with Miles Davis, Can, Pentangle, Hawkwind and Donovan.
and Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly) ‘Nu Balearica‘ compilation.
The Yellow Moon Band on….
Indie Through The Looking Glass 