Summer Afternoon Mix

Here are some tunes to throw on while you tidy up the apartment, wash the car and have a
summer seasonal.  It's full of acoustic guitars, choir-like harmonies and carefree sentiments.

Enjoy

1. Beach House – Zebra (Teen Dream , 2010)
2. Dolphins – Galaxy Train (Galaxy Train EP, 2011)
   Australian surf rock. Nice!
3. Jacuzzi Boys – Bricks or Coconuts  (Bricks or Coconuts 7”, 2010)
   I jumped the gun and put this on a mix for friends during the winter, but it didn't really go well with the below 40 temperatures.
4. M. Ward – Get to the Table On Time (The Transfiguration of Vincent, 2003)
5. Vetiver - Everyday (Tight Knight, 2009)
   Tight Knit is one of my favorite albums ever.  It reminds me of driving to different surf spots at the Jersey Shore in our '83 Mercedes wagon.
6. De La Soul – Eye Know (Three Feet and Rising, 1989)
   Sampling Steely Dan, Sly & The Family Stone and Otis Redding in one song is ok with me.
7. Oregon Bike Trails – High School Lover (High School Lover, 2011)
   Keeping my eye on this kid.  Buy it for a buck here.
8. Vetiver - Can't You Tell (Errant Charm, 2011)
   Released last week.
9. James Yorkston - Someplace Simple (Someplace Simple EP, 2003)
10. Washed Out – Eyes Be Closed (Within and Without, 2011)
    I don't hold my breath for follow up efforts from acts like Washed Out because their first albums tend to be their most genuine but his new album is seriously impressive.  Perfect for driving at sunset. Free download (via SubPop)
11. Subskrpt – We’ll Be Fine (Throwing Stones EP, 2010)
12. The O'Jay's - Use To Be My Girl (The Essential O'Jay's , 2005)
    And now for a completely different type of feel good dance music... If this doesn't get you to move then you might not have a soul.
13. The Sea & Cake – Everyday (Oui, 2000)
    Proper acknowledgement goes to the Lost Art of the Mixtape for some recommendations.

image: hasisi park

The National Park Project

"In 1911 Parks Canada was founded, becoming the first National Park Service in the world.  On the eve of it's centennial Canada's finest artists embarked on a historic expedition to capture the majesty of the landscape in music and film."

The National Parks Project is a collaboration between 39 of Canada's best musicians, 13 of it's finest filmmakers and 13 National Parks.  The artists traveled to their chosen park and recorded the score on location.
   The result is a great EP about the "magic, menace and meaning of the Canadian landscape."  Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers would be my favorite musician in the lineup but there are others: Old Man Luedecke, Daniela Gesundheit (Snowblink), Sebastien Grainger, Jennifer Castle & Dan Werb (Woodhands).  You can "tour" each park and stream the EP on NPP's beautiful website.  Planet Earth fans rejoice.  All of the profits go to the Nature Conservancy of Canada that works to preserve Canada's diverse landscapes.

Brett Dennen

Brett Dennen seems like a nice guy.  He invites local non-profits to come to his shows to display what they do in the community and how fans can get involved.  Check it out here: Love Speaks.

He plays an earthy acoustic guitar.  Watch Brett play his new song around one mic and let me know what you think.  Reminds me of a more mainstream Jon Swift.

Brett's fourth album Loverboy is out now: BretDennen.net

Eyjafjallajökull Time-Lapse

So I saw all of these mediocre pictures of that volcano in Iceland nobody can pronounce the name of, so I figured I should go and do better.
                                                             - Sean Stiegemeier

Nice.
Set to Jónsi - Kolniður

Dubai Blackout

In 1991 there was 1 skyscraper in Dubai.  By 2009 there were over 400. It's tallest building is twice the size of the Empire State Building.  Only 20% of the population is native.

Now imagine this millenium-age behemoth of a city losing power.
Dark skyscrapers. Pitch black streets.
The highways are still there, but most people choose to stay in.  
Striving for silence and solitude in the world's fastest growing city is still possible.

Go for a drive.

Deadmau5 - Lai (At Play Vol.3, 2010)
Say what you want about Deadmau5 and his current offerings, but he has always been skilled at blending popular dance music genres.  I have always a fan of his more introspective tracks.
Sascha Funke - Mango (Special Berlin Calling Edit) (Berlin Calling: The Soundtrack, 2008)
Makes me feel like I'm driving out of Vegas as the sun rises in an old red Mustang after robbing a bank.
Ellen Alien & Apparat - Jet (Orchestra of Bubbles, 2006)
Song title says it all.
Crystal Castles - Magic Spells (Crystal Castles, 2008)
Paul Kalkbrenner - Azure (Berlin Calling: The Soundtrack, 2008)
More beauty from Kalkbrenner's DJ flick Berlin Calling.  Watch the trailer here.
Aphex Twin - Xtal (Selected Ambient Works 85-92, 1992)
Dawn.
Tony Lionni - This Feeling (This Feeling 10", 2009)
Efdemin - Acid Bells (Martyn's Dark Mix) (Acid Bells Martyn's Remixes, 2009)

If you liked this check out Jovencitas.


image: Sebastian Opitz

Happy Friday - Dub

 

Some laid back dub to get you acquainted with the heat.  Wash these down with a Red Stripe.

Im & David - Wish Bone (Funky Reggae LP, )

Brethren/Tapper Zukie - Rub a Dub a Weh Them Want (Trojan Dub Rarities Box, )

Love the tone and mood from these horns.

Augustus Pablo - Fat Girl Jean (Trojan Dub Rarities Box, )

Sepalcure - Your Love (Fleur EP, )

Breezy and creative buildups from Brooklyn.

Monster Rally - Rainbow Rd. (Coral, )

Super catchy loop.  Had to include it's video by Green Crate Films below.  It's a great example of what lo-fi can do for a soundtrack.  It takes a completely different, almost comedic take on an intense scene.  His albums are up on his bandcamp page for pay what you want.

Have a good weekend.

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