iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 8h

This always happens…a few minutes into a Drop Out show (as previously mentioned) and there’s a tune I *have* to have. Coming out on a new Eddie Piller/Martin Freeman comp at the end of the month. The tracklist has a few faves on it but this is new to me and now essential! youtu.be/HvBuDm8yTo0

youtu.be

Don't You Worry Baby The Best Is Yet To Come

YouTube video by Bessie Banks - Topic

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 9h

The positive of being back is catching up with three weeks of an old mate’s internet radio show on Mixcloud. Highly recommended and should be appreciated by many in this corner of BlueSky.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 9h

Just back from Portugal and out of the door to work at 6.30 in the cold. Trying to hang on to the holiday vibes so here’s a loo with a view from the venue of our last meal before returning (no, I didn’t actually eat lunch in the toilet)…

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Holiday time in Portugal fast running out - better keep drinking til it’s back to work…

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

There was a time and a place when it seemed Freddie Jackson was always on my turntable. RIP. youtu.be/R8HjwlUWuLU

youtu.be

Freddie Jackson - Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)

YouTube video by FreddieJacksonVEVO

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Hope it doesn’t come to this but nice to know the Portugese are sorted according to a sticker in Lisbon…

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Record shop had lots I wanted to buy but nothing I *had* to buy - best thing was the market building it was housed in and a section that made me think of @vinylcarbooty.bsky.social

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I have no idea what we’re doing here…

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Finally made a break for a record shop in the Lisbon equivalent of Camden Market. Record shop upstairs and €7 and €8 each for these new is a steal in my book - resisting further temptation by giving in to beer!

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Do I love Sao Bento station in Porto? I do! Do I love the late 40’s carriages on the train up the Douro valley? I do! Do I love the views in the Douro valley? I do! Do I love traditional Fado music in a port cellar? I do!

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Come downstairs and Mrs B has vinyl on! No problem with JW but prefer Al - we saw him together too so Mrs B approves. Let’s Stay Together has some (probably late-night and drunken) hammering and is a bit clicky but sounding mighty fine! 🎶🎶🎶

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Moderate restoration of faith in humanity at work with Human League’s Greatest Hits playing at work - I’d forgotten quite what a great set of electro-pop singles they produced.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Much as I love the pure Dolly, do I want an organ-heavy, soul-jazz version of ‘Jolene’? Hell yeah!! m.youtube.com/watch?v=zBBm...

m.youtube.com

Parlor Greens - Jolene [OFFICIAL AUDIO]

YouTube video by Colemine Records

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I didn’t think having to listen to Robbie Williams at work last week could get any worse but Phil Collins and Dire Strait’s greatest hits are running it pretty close…

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The flash floods in Nepal/Tibet are horrific. I’ll confess I watched a video on social media and thought it was AI generated until seeing it on reliable news sources. Surely it’s one more indicator that climate change is with us and as dangerous as was predicted.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Helping son move out of home to a flat 🙁 (positive for him) - might be a Hackney Hipster now but a Croydon boy by upbringing. More positively, passed a record shop nearby and had a coffee in a place with decks and vinyl with a nice range of Latin, Soul and Hip-Hop old and new.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Forget ‘saxophone colossus’ Sonny Rollins was also responsible for this lovely one, much loved by me and other jazz-funkers and first released 1979. youtu.be/QUzwEqYB-lM

youtu.be

Sonny Rollins - Harlem Boys (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Sonny Rollins

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Someone playing a Robbie Williams album at work - it’s honestly worse than I could have imagined.

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Reposted by Mike Brookes

Hugh Jones @hbsj.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It’s one thing to be a bad loser, but to be a bad winner is quite the tell

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

From Leiden to West Yorkshire…

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Unfortunately saw the second half of the Michael Jackson drama-doc. $1 billion at the box office goes to show (again) that popularity is no guarantee of quality.

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Reposted by Mike Brookes

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Neoliberalism in a nutshell. UEFA on FIFA's proposal: “The moment external investors acquire ownership interests ... football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. ... Every decision is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.”

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

“To me, happiness is Fred Wesley playing his horn…” youtu.be/9V9VVJBSPp8

youtu.be

Damn Right I Am Somebody

YouTube video by The J.B.'s - Topic

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Bob Wills could *rock* in 1946! (I think Jerry Lee was listening) Take a look at this video, 'youtube bob wills boogie' share.google/Wg020wAPEbni...

share.google

Bob Wills' Boogie

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Reposted by Mike Brookes

Adam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

When the story of why humanity didn't stop climate change is written, it will feature front pages like this. Even as the skies blacken with climate change-induced wildfires, right wing media continue their relentless crusade against measures to tackle it.

The Times: Net zero risks blackouts. Below a photo of French wildfires.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Shuffle can sometimes get a bit weird - hot July morning and here comes a Christmas medley. Instrumental so, much as I admire Richard’s arrangements, no Karen to help out…🎄🎄🎄

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Nervous what I’d receive ordering this for £3.70 on Amazon but all fine despite a tear in the sleeve and the odd biro tick. Got a few on 12” and album from the time but these are all the big versions of some of the most classic disco/boogie tracks ever and for under £5 inc p&p, an insane bargain.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

There are worse places to be on a hot Tuesday than Brownsea Island.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

To paraphrase Tuchel: ‘we won but generally we were a bit shit’

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Well, that was an enjoyable night of football. Big players were magnificent and adequate players were adequate. Big Dan Burn was magnificently adequate. Haaland is a true one-off (but I think we can beat his team).

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Heavy Metal Jazz: youtu.be/mUYTFbikNwk

youtu.be

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I think I’m in @vinylcarbooty.bsky.social country for the weekend. First time in Southwold and very nice, of a touch twee. Son and I now have a nice selection of beers too!

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Julie London - Yummy Yummy Yummy Eternity’s Children - Eternity’s Children Ray Price - Night Life Carroll Thompson - Hopelessly In Love Raury - All We Need

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Genuinely an all-time favourite song: Take a look at this video, 'blue afternoon rachel stevens' share.google/WksQm4OfdysX...

share.google

Rachel Stevens Blue Afternoon

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Time for sleep but one of those little left field gems that I love so much that I insist on sharing. Morricone sample: youtu.be/TRt1TJWybz8

youtu.be

Homeboy Sandman - Stroll

YouTube video by HomeboySandmanVEVO

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I know, I know, I’ve posted this before but Moulton is a genius and there are those who scorn disco. He is and they’re very wrong: youtu.be/oYwuKx1Yi3U

youtu.be

MELBA MOORE - Standing Right Here (Remix) (Tom Moulton Mix) (1977)

YouTube video by DJ' PYL - Funk Disco Soul Groove

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Working my way through this charity shop pick-up just now. Very much a fan biog with great detail on the music but not much great detail on the man. ‘The Genius Of…’ is not wrong though.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Working my way through the 15 CD P&P Records set I bought in Japan and disc 7 reveals the street disco-jazz-funk cover of ‘Superstition’ I always wanted…no, seriously, it’s wonderful (pun intended): youtu.be/QpWV5TlHUmI

youtu.be

Dennis Mobley & Fresh Taste - Superstition ℗ 1977

YouTube video by Antony Rosano

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Thought this album might be a bit lively for an early commute but fits the sunny vibe perfectly: youtu.be/hQCuUTUy4Xc

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

This many Arsenal supporters in South London is really annoying.

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Mike Brookes @mikebrookes.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

On the way to the Fulham game and chatting to West Ham legend Cass Pennant (on his way to the Leeds match) at the station.

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