Wednesday, December 2, 2015

014 / 015 - Good Morning /// Good Evening

Two playlists. Clearly, what people enjoy at certain points in the day is subjective, but these are designed not only out of personal preference but also with tempo, texture and emotion in mind.

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Good Morning. In the morning I find myself listening to more 'world' music, reggae (very much including the dubs), and varied jazz and acoustic works. The tempos vary, I enjoy allowing music to wake me up a bit as well as ease me into the day. The textures are usually bright, but sometimes maybe still a little dreamy.

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Good Evening. Jazzed, blunted, thoughtful electronic-based selections. This one feels a bit more like a de-constructed DJ set rather than a curated playlist (what's the difference though?). Heavy on South London sounds and artists (Mo Kolours, Tenderlonious, Al Dobson Jr, Reginald Omas Mamode IV, Henry Wu, Chaos in the CBD), these tracks carry an aesthetic similar to how people first perceived jazz: 'cool'. Things begin a bit uptempo and slide slowly into soulful, hip-hop tinged beats, with purples and blues fluttering throughout.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

013: Yoga

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Relaxing but with a sense of energy seeping through, this playlist is ideal for an hour-long yoga session, but I enjoy it just as much on a chilled evening like tonight. Stretch, breathe and begin.

◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

012: Give the Drummer Some, Vol I

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Live drums, live groove, live funky, (mainly) instrumental slices of musical butter. Drawing primarily from contemporary drummers, bands and producers that stretch the boundaries of hip-hop, funk, jazz and tropical flavors. Homage is also paid to some more classic tracks that, going on 40 years old, feel like they could've been produced yesterday. The playlist runs in reverse-chronology (newer to older), although sometimes I can't tell. Perfect for this rainy London morning.

Monday, September 21, 2015

011: Personal Crates - Women in Hip Hop

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Women in the world of hip-hop music and culture have long struggled with marginalization, misogyny, objectification and abuse. Hyper-masculinity in much successful hip-hop creates an atmosphere where it is hard for independent female voices that don't cater to or imitate their male counterparts to break through and gain success. With that said, there remains a rich history of women rapping and helping push the music and culture forward, often providing new perspectives, ideas and themes.

Above is a selection of some of my favorite female rappers, spanning from contemporary to golden age to old skool. Yes, I have left out some legendary artists and tracks, but I wanted to be concise. Sorry, no Missy, Eve, Kim, Rage, etc....maybe in Vol. II. This playlist runs in reverse chronology (new to old), beginning with Londoner Little Simz (who just dropped a new album) and working our way to such legends as MC Lyte and Queen Latifah. Nod your head and enjoy.

♀ ⒽⒾⓟ ⒽⓄⓟ ♀

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

010: A Brief Introduction to...Wackies 45 RPM Vinyl

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Considered the first significant reggae studio and record label in the United States, Wackies specialized in what was then a unique brand of bass-heavy, 'lo-fi' reggae that blended roots, dancehall and dub. Based in New York City, the label regularly featured Jamaican artists such as Horace Andy and Sugar Minott, but also included a number of Americans like Itopia and Jah Batta, all of whom helped build the NYC reggae scene of the 70's and 80's. The 'lo-fi' sound Wackies help craft would go onto influence future generations of reggae, hip-hop and electronic artists, placing emphasis on bass, minimalism and groove. Above are some of my personal favorite selections from a stack of their 7" records.

Top Top Tracks: Imagination Rock, Rope In (DJ Cut)

Ⓦ Ⓐ Ⓒ Ⓚ Ⓘ Ⓔ Ⓢ

Thursday, September 10, 2015

009: Culture Cross

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All of these tracks are collaborations between two distinct musical traditions / styles from around the world (note the countries of origin below the artist and track name), resulting in some interesting musical fusions. 'Cross-cultural collaborations' have become a popular trend in the international music scene, becoming popularized by Paul Simon's work with South African and Brazilian artists on his famed Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints releases, this form of collaboration can allow artists and fans to experience foreign cultures and new musical structures live and in the studio. Personally, I think this 'deliberate hybridity' can seem at times a bit forced or unnatural, but I have chosen some pockets of my favorite releases or collaborations, some of which have inspired me a great deal.

Personal Top Selections: Bamba, Mimoun Marhaba, Foro Bana

||||| enjoy |||||

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

008: Stormy Noir

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As we slowly creep out of summer and into a damp, chilly grayness there are aspects that I loath and aspects that I love. This playlist intends to draw from both of these emotions, with shrill sounds placed among syrupy beats, hazy tones and dark, textured ambient pads. Beginning with a focus on electronic production and bleeding into sometimes jazzy, mostly ambient noise, I want to evoke an image of standing in the evening rain -- partially refreshed, partially ruined.

Personal Top Selections Include: Dreaming of Beating up Your Family, Midnight Radio 7, and In the Fog III.

..... enjoy .....