Like all true rockers, we tend to react pretty badly to Christmas music - we were particularly devastated by Bob Dylan's obscene Christmas album released a few years ago. But there are always exceptions, and the song streaming below, by Brooklyn chanteuse Maya Solovey, is one of them. "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a late 19th century poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, which was then made into a Christmas carol in the early 20th century. What we like about Maya's version is that it takes it back to what it was originally: a poem about Christmas, rather than a carol - we actually wonder if the author ever meant for it to become a carol! The song is the opening track of the songwriter's latest release, entitled "Midwinter: On Christmas Eve," which features many of the classic Christmas tunes in a super stripped down, sleigh bell-free version. This bare bone treatment highlights Maya's beautifully expressive soprano, and allows for a new appreciation of melodies and lirycs almost all of us know by heart. 

Day 2 began – oh, how unexpected! - on Ludlow Street, where Prince Rama were set to play the Cake Shop shortly after five. Getting there just pas four, I got to squeeze my way to the counter, pick up a beer and some Blue Ribbon swag (guilty as charged), and mainly, best part of all, catch NYC rapper Mykki Blanco (pictured) for half an hour of raunchy slams and menacing 'acid punk' raps, some freaky, most straightforward vulgar.. but oh, yeah, should have mentioned: when played right, that's great in my books; none of that 'positive' buzzkill, just one hell of a slimy frantic performance backed up by the DJ every now and then, but taking on a fair few a cappellas. Glad I turned up a little early. - Read Tracy Mamoun's full report here - pictured and streaming: Prince Rama.