Every dog has its day, and Monsieur Chevalier is no different.

The prodigious debut from The Zoo Community Jazz Band can trace its roots a long way back. The watering holes of Oslo, heartbreak in London, spy games just outside Paris, and coffee in Tallinn have influenced this group of creatives to produce a single work of genius that they have christened “Monsieur Chevalier”.

This is what The Creative Pie said:

“With a great name, a sound which effortlessly weaves together elements of electro, folk, rock and pop, beautiful photography and stylish band artwork The Zoo Community Jazz Band are our new favourite band.”

You can download the album here:

And buy the physical here:

Enjoy.

Beep beep crunch fizzzzzz

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Yes, you have read correctly! We’re giving out some lovely Zoo Community Jazz Band freebies to celebrate the upcoming launch of their debut album, Monsieur Chevalier, and the lead single ‘Dark and Dirty Dancehalls’.

Check out the video! A free copy for your mobile is included in the giveaway download!

Click this link to get your giveaway pack!

http://files.me.com/tin.robot.records/6ncmmv

Beep beep crunch fizzzzzz

Today we heard the sad news of the passing of Sir Jimmy Saville.

I only had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy once, at the 2008 Sport Relief event in Leeds where I was performing and jimmy attending as local treasure.

When I saw that Jimmy was kicking around the backstage area, I walked over and introduced myself:

“Hi Jimmy, my name is Pete Briley, I’m a musician.” Jimmy took my hand, paused and simply replied:

“I’m not surprised.”

Before walking off! It was very funny, and the legend did spend quite a bit of time talking and laughing with us during the meal and downtime surrounding it. I was struck by his wit, honesty and his kind-hearted nature. He had passion for music, sport and charity and we have truly lost a national treasure.

Good bye, Jimmy, you were one of the greats.

From Pete.

Beep beep crunch fizzzzz

For months here at Robot House, we have been teasing you all with news of a new, super-secret signing that have we developed. They have been into the studio and recorded an absolutely fantastic debut album, shot a great video, built a beautiful website and strung together a number of wonderful sentences.

And they have done it all under a veil of anonymity.

We are pleased and privileged to introduce The Zoo Community Jazz Band.

In a world where everybody is looking for their fifteen minutes in the spotlight, The Zoo Community Jazz Band’s anonymity is the catalyst for their creativity. It has freed them to explore the boundaries of their art and as a result they create wonderfully enchanting and human music.

With an emphasis on wider artistic influences beyond music, poetry and photography are particularly prominent themes. The world they choose to inhabit is nothing short of inspiring.

See and hear for yourself:

The Debut album, Monsieur Chevalier, is out and available from all good digital and physical retailers on the 28^th November.

Beep beep crunch fizzzzzzzz

This Month’s Tracks:

- Howl On Vinyl 'Best Intentions'
- The 27s 'Butterfly'
- Sam Flastic Hughes 'Long Day'
- Dirty Vibes 'Black Habit'
- Nature Kills 'Lady Misery'
- Howl On Vinyl 'Intermental'

Presented by Pete Briley.
© Tin Robot Radio 2011

First to cross the line, was our resident athlete and number-cruncher, Brookie, in just 1:41:22. He was followed closely by Andy Davies and Niall, who finished together in 1:41:53 and 1:41:54 respectively.

Finally, Pete and his dad, Briley Snr., brought up the rear with Pete coming in just ahead at 2:00:52 and Gary completing the race in 2:02:44.

Look out for Pete in the official video – he appears looking a little tired at 7:44!

A great result all round and the Tin Robot Team managed to raise a really good total for Tommy’s.

Now, its back to music for the whole team – although, while everyone else can rest a little easier now, Pete has to continue his training after winning a place in the London Marathon in April. Good luck to him!

Beep beep crunch fizzzzzz

Here at Robot House, there has been a lot of talk of exercise as Pete, Niall and Brookey all prepare to take on the challenge of the Royal Parks Half-Marathon on the 9th October.

The team are raising money for Tommy’s – the charity that funds research and provides information on the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.

The training has been going well, but its not been without its setbacks! Pete had a fall from a Jetty in Jamaica and tore his thigh muscle and Niall has been battling a nasty virus. Having said that, Brookey, our resident athlete has trained well, eaten perfectly and is looking like the statue of a Greek god!

But, bruises and all, the team are ready to run on the 9th and they are looking for sponsorship! To sponsor our intrepid team of Road Runners head to their Virgin Money Giving Pages:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=petebriley

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=niallmcriner

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=tombrooke-smith

Beep beep crunch fizzz [wheeze]

Jamaica is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and needless to say the music, culture and coffee (from the Blue Mountains) is incredible.

A Creek in the Blue Mountains, in the midst of the coffee plantations

I was also lucky enough to head over to the birthplace and final resting place of Bob Marley, where his legend lives on. One of the best songwriters ever, Bob sung of his upbringing in the poorest areas of Jamaica, both in St Anne and in Trenchtown, Kingston. His honesty and passion still ring true in his music even today.

Bob Marley's Guitar - a gift from Epiphone

A group of Rastafarian musicians perform 'One Love' at the site of Bob Marley's birthplace

We saw a lot of music on our trip and I have managed to bring a little bit of it back to Robot House! In Jamaica, you can often see groups of musicians utilising a bass instrument unique to Jamaica – it has  number of names, including ‘Rumble Box’, ‘Bass Box’, and simply ‘Box’. Its the ultimate in portable music and after listening to a group perform, the singer informed me that he actually makes the instruments and that if I desired he would happily sell me one – so I just had to buy it!

The Jamaican Rumble Box - handmade by local musician, Steve Drummond and now residing at Robot House!

On a final note, I’d recommend Jamaica to anybody. However, I was struck by the poverty in some areas of the country and it really brought home how lucky we are in the UK. The country has had a real effect on me and as Tin Robot continues its charitable works, in our growth we will continue to look at ways we can help the poor in other countries, from Jamaica through to India, Africa, Eastern Europe, and everywhere there is need.

Beep beep crunch fizzzz

Here at Robot House, we do love a little bit of distraction to make the working day go around and so when our intern found this little gem of information, it had to be shared with the rest of the team!

It turns out that NASA has commissioned LEGO to make three tiny figurines that will fly aboard the space probe ‘Juno’ to Jupiter.

The figurines are depictions of the Greek Gods Juno and Jupiter and also of Italian astronomer, Galileo.

Made of pure aluminium and at a cost of $5,000 USD each, the tiny troupe will arrive on Jupiter in the year 2016 to monitor the planet and it’s moons and gather more information about the biggest planet in the solar system.

In the office, only two questions are going around:

1) What would you send into space if you had the option?

2) Is being immortalised in LEGO an honour?!

We’d love your thoughts on this!

Beep beep crunch fizzzz

This month we have two tracks from The Monobloggers, a very special and rare acoustic version of ‘Mr Palava’ by our very own Kaleidophone, Survivors of Suki and Pedalo Fred.

Click on the picture to get it!