Caitlin Moss
Here – Eric Lau, Rahel
16 January 2018
Added to the playlist this week, a beautifully jazzy hip hop track by Eric Lau, a producer and DJ from London. Lau has worked with such artists as Gilles Peterson, Georgia Ann Muldrew, Fatima, Homeboy Sandman, Robert Glasper, and Erykah Badu.
Ordinary Day (feat. Stuart Zender) – Omar
9 January 2018
Seasoned British soul singer Omar Lye-fook has been making music for over 30 years and comes from a highly accomplished musical family, notably his younger brother, Scratch Professor. “Ordinary Day” is a groovy soul track with heavy Brazilian percussion, and a ridiculously funky bass line from the great Stuart Zender, best known as Jamiroquai ‘s bassist.
I Really Don’t Care – Bilal
18 December 2017
I can’t think of a better track title for the Music to Forget Your Troubles playlist than “I Really Don’t Care.” This track from Bilal is off of his 2015 album, “In Another Life.” I’m also a huge fan of the producer of this album, the prolific Adrian Younge, who also played a majority of the instruments on the album. The sounds are a throwback to 60’s and 70’s funk and soul, with the unique falsetto, classically trained R’n’B vocals of Bilal.
Montara – Bobby Hutcherson
12 December 2017
Bobby Hutcherson was a great jazz vibraphonist, one of the many great artists we lost last year. “Montara” is from Hutcherson’s album of the same name, released in 1975 on the jazz label Blue Note. Montara is also a city in Northern California, where he lived with his wife until his passing last year.
That Miserable Man Milligan – Harris Cole
7 December 2017
In the mood for a beat instrumental next on this playlist, I decided to add this laid back track by young Chicago-based producer Harris Cole. I came across Harris Cole’s music on a playlist of beats on Spotify. This track is off of his late 2016 release, “Pause.”
Celebrate – Tony Allen
28 November 2017
This track is pure happiness and celebration of life. Legendary Afro-Beat drummer Tony Allen was Fela Kuti’s drummer for many years, and eventually put out several albums under his own name. Allen’s love of jazz and upbringing in Nigeria led him to fuse jazz and Yoruban rhythms to build the foundation of Afro-Beat. Returning to his early influences, he released a jazz album in tribute to the late, great Art Blakey in September of this year.
Season of Changes – Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band
22 November 2017
Brian Blade is one of my all-time favorite drummers, and overall musicians, and musicians and music fans all over the world agree. I’ve had the opportunity to see Brian Blade perform on several occasions, and it is a performance not to be missed.
Slightest Right – Makaya McCraven
16 November 2017
I absolutely love drum-focused instrumental music, improvisation, and seeing a drummer as a bandleader. This week’s track, “Slightest Right,” is from Chicago drummer Makaya McCraven, and it checks off all three of those boxes. …
Never Catch Me – Flying Lotus
7 November 2017
This track by acclaimed producer Stephen Ellison, better known as Flying Lotus, with genius Kendrick Lamar, is a single from the 2014 album “You’re Dead!” The title comes from the desire of Ellison and collaborator Thundercat, an amazing bassist and producer in his own right, to create music that comes so hard that it just kills you when you hear it.
Ooooo – Braxton Cook
31 October 2017
Here’s a track from another talented saxophonist, Braxton Cook, which will put you in the mood to just chill and vibe and say “ooooo.” A friend of mine introduced me to Braxton’s music a few months ago and I haven’t found a track of his that I didn’t like. He is definitely a young musician on the rise. I highly recommend checking out some of his live performances on youtube, or in person if you can.
The Rhythm Changes – Kamasi Washington
24 October 2017
Kamasi Washington is a Los Angeles native who has brought jazz to a whole new generation of listeners. He is a phenomenally talented saxophone player who has toured with big name acts, and is now touring under his own compositions with his own band, the West Coast Get Down, a collective of young jazz giants. I actually went to high school with Kamasi, and even back then I would hear him play and think, “whoa, this guy is amazing!”
Young Embrace (Um Abraco Da Mocidade) – Azymuth
9 September 2017
Azymuth, from the 70’s funk fusion era in Brazil, brings such a strong groove and harmony that it’s hard to believe it’s only a trio. The song starts with a simple – but unbelievably groovy – organ line, and it gradually and mysteriously builds until the end.