Ian Pople
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theacousticeggbox.bsky.social
Ian Pople
@theacousticeggbox.bsky.social
Modernist. Internationalist. Antiracist. #MDANT. In my head, I’m a writer; in reality, I assess your vital signs. Mostly music-based words occasionally cobbled together at: http://www.theacousticeggbox.com
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Hi all. Here's my new blog post featuring some of the best soul, funk & jazz releases of 2025 (so far). If you'd rather listen than read, there's a Spotify playlist incorporated. If you like what you hear, please help promote these great artists by giving them the love they deserve! wp.me/p9hY2N-1kv
Egg Box Essentials: Soul, Funk & Jazz Edition - May 2025
Get ready for summer 2025 as The Acoustic Egg Box presents some of the best new soul, funk & jazz music released in 2025 so far.
wp.me
What I’m wearing to the #BlueSky Christmas party
December 2, 2025 at 10:28 PM
As I continue the unenviable task of whittling this year's crop of fantastic albums down from 86 to an eventual Top 30, here's a reminder of The Acoustic Egg Box Top 30 Albums from 2024 nhttps://wp.me/p9hY2N-1gL
2024 - The Acoustic Egg Box Top 30 Albums Of The Year
Here's a rundown (including a Spotify playlist) of the 30 best albums released in 2024 - as compiled and reviewed by The Acoustic Egg Box
wp.me
December 2, 2025 at 7:57 PM
And lo! twas the 1st of December and Mr EggBox did commence the arduous task of reducing his 2025 long list of 86 albums down to a final Top 30. May the sweet Lord Jeebus and Buddy Christ give me the strength to complete it all by the end of the year...
December 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Reposted by Ian Pople
Number 25: Brandee Younger - Gadabout Season

Easing us in with some celestial jazz-harp

Pick: End Means (featuring Shabaka Hutchings)

#MonkeyFaves2025
December 1, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Incoming!
Hold tight, favourite albums of the year countdown starts today. Coulda done a list of 50, so you’ll be relieved have whittled it to 25. Lotta really good stuff just misses the cut and the rankings are mostly arbitrary but hope ya find something new to enjoy.

#MonkeyFaves2025
December 1, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Quite possible the funniest thing you’ll read this week 😂
November 30, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Reposted by Ian Pople
If a British person responds to your opinion with a jaunty 'Fair enough!' then the conversation is over and they think you're a prick.
November 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM
MT Jones at Rough Trade Bristol last night was absolutely sensational. If you love soul music and great voices, catch him live while you can.
Fantastic gig.

#mtjones #roughtradebristol #soulmusic
November 29, 2025 at 10:05 AM
A rare EggBox soul-grooving action shot captured recently on a beautifully sprung dancefloor somewhere in Taunton.
No talcum powder was harmed during the capture of this image.

#northernsoul #soulmusic #thelawnstaunton
November 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Once again @lippykidmusic.bsky.social has produced a sublime, & this time also very emotional piece of writing about the greatest album ever made. I love the personal angles of these wonderful articles & this one takes it to a new level. RIP Mike, your legacy lives on via your amazing son in law ❤️
Thanks again to anyone who's continued to keep pace with this series. It's hugely appreciated.

Continuing with an assertion: We all need a musical hero. It's a universal truth...

52 Albums To Shape A Soul - Part 49

🖤x

lippykidmusic.substack.com/p/52-albums-...
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Mrs EggBox has gone to bed. I’m now alone with Kraken & the Beatles Anthology 4.
Yes, I’ve listened to these songs many times before, but hearing the humanity & playfulness involved in their recording is making this boy somewhat emotional.
Oh man ❤️
November 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Starsailor and Ed Harcourt at the 02 Academy in Bristol last night.
Very good indeed.
I’ve just looked at the drinks bill on my credit card and I suspect Mrs P must’ve bought everyone in the place a pint!
November 22, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Only off on the bloody train to Bristol again! Tonight it’s Ed Harcourt and Starsailor at the 02. Nearly 23 years together and we are still like a couple of excited kids.

PS that really is my excited face.
November 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Well that was quite brilliant.
Congratulations to my Scottish friends from an Englishman who is jumping up and down and screeching with delight along with you all.
😍
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Ian Pople
Last night I received a notification that early next year, the Jazz Cafe is hosting a series of gigs by Central Line, Light of the World and a supergroup calling itself The Brit Funk Collective. I pounced quickly. Here's why. www.patreon.com/posts/143837...
How to ace a Top Of The Pops debut with Beggar & Co. | Pete Paphides
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November 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
45yrs after my first gig at Bristol Hippodrome & his transition from electronic synth-pop wizard to electronic-industrial-goth-rock elder statesman later (yes, I made that title up…), Gary Numan’s show at the Bristol Beacon last night was also very wonderful indeed. #garynuman #livemusic #musicsky
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Oh man! On a wet November day this is glorious & SO uplifting.
Brother Wallace is a new soul kid on the block & this his 1st single Who’s That? is brilliant. If u dont smile & tap your toes whilst listening I’ll be over to check 4 a pulse. Take it 2 the bridge Brother W
youtu.be/ekyFaEsEFRI?...
Brother Wallace – Who’s That? (Official Video)
YouTube video by Brother Wallace
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Post of the day 😂😂😂
Got these new trainers today but I can't get it out of my head that they look like fuckin DC Tosh Lines from The Bill
November 9, 2025 at 10:12 PM
@retrousse.bsky.social
I’ve (finally!) got round to reading your fine article on Brian Wilson in September’s @uncutmagazine.bsky.social
That’s some of the best music writing I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a fair while.
Thank you 👌
November 5, 2025 at 8:14 AM
I'm reposting this as I genuinely think hat this lad deserves a much bigger audience than he's getting. Not only does he have a fantastic voice, he wrote all the songs and played every instrument on the album bar drums. Give it a listen, he's a very talented young man #LukeMarzec #MusicSky
Luke Marzec is 1 of my fave discoveries of the year & his fine debut LP Something Good Out Of Nothing is nailed on to be in the AEB 2025 Top 30. He has a voice with shades of Cocker, Waits & even Samuel T Herring; jazzy, bluesy, soulful. Heres the gorgeous Space To Be Free ❤️ youtu.be/JNNgO4SC3uA?...
Space To Be Free
YouTube video by Luke Marzec - Topic
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Daoud’s “ok” is hands down my jazz LP of the year. Ive posted his music before & hardly any1 noticed. He is EXCEPTIONAL guys! If Chet Baker recorded Rise era Herb Alpert circa with bits of David Axelrod thrown in for good measure…
Here’s a stunning live version of Dijon 😍 youtu.be/5AEU_ZdQGEY?...
October 31, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The old boy woulda been 85 today

This is me & he in August 66; Id just turned 3 & he was 25

Its sobering that about 11yrs after the photo was taken hed gone

“Happiness consists of living each day as if it were the 1st day of your honeymoon & the last day of your vacation” Leo Tolstoy

RIP Dad x
October 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
How to describe Devotion & The Black Divine - the fabulous new LP from anaiis. How about lo-fi mystical soul? There are some stoned Massive Attack + chilled SAULT style vibes too. Have a listen to Deus Deus then pull up a reefer & sink into the rest of the album. 😍🕶️ youtu.be/ZCPLV15tKlI?...
October 28, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Luke Marzec is 1 of my fave discoveries of the year & his fine debut LP Something Good Out Of Nothing is nailed on to be in the AEB 2025 Top 30. He has a voice with shades of Cocker, Waits & even Samuel T Herring; jazzy, bluesy, soulful. Heres the gorgeous Space To Be Free ❤️ youtu.be/JNNgO4SC3uA?...
Space To Be Free
YouTube video by Luke Marzec - Topic
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM
35 years after I last watched them, Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at Bristol Thekla on Sunday night were just as wonderful as ever. MS is the very definition of the epithet “undervalued songwriting genius”. Not only that, he’s a warm, gifted & hilarious raconteur. A beautiful evening all round ❤️
October 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM