Summer Mixes

A few weeks ago, I put out a call on Facebook for friends to send me summer mixes. The basic premise: A compilation of music that feels like summer. Whatever that means. The results are starting to pour in... They are as diverse and wonderful as I expected/hoped. Big thanks to everyone who took part. Enjoy. 

• Paul (aka Real Cosby): Opening with the sweet soul sounds of Darondo, then wandering through hard chilling hip hop, beats and spacey jams. Includes: Madlib, Action Bronson, Blu, Sundrenched, etc. Download "Where did all the cookouts go?" 
• Ray B: Vinyl appreciator, psych-funk aficionado, Graveface employee... This mix goes from dusty rarities like Stark Reality and LA Carnival to classics like Digable Planets and Beastie Boys to old favs like The Ramones and Fugazi. Download "Ray's Summer Mix" 
• John Wenzel: The Denver Post A&E writer and man-about-town delivers a stellar mix of indie/alt-rock stretching from Mark Mulcahy and Matt Pond PA to Of Montreal and Tortoise. Download "John's Summer Mix"
• Johanna (aka Jones): All the way from Berlin comes this bittersweet mix of mostly European gems. An eclectic blend of laidback sounds, includes: Jun Miyake, Die Fantastischen Vier, Feist, Von Konrad and more. Download "Gold of Summer in the Air"
• Mr. Al Pete: One of Jacksonville's preeminent gentlemen of hip hop laces up a 45-minute mix of smooth jams for grown folks. Some real BBQ gems. Download "Summer Splash Mixx"
• Mark Sanders: Writer/skull collector... this one goes from AC/DC and Fleetwood Mac to Father John Misty and Neon Indian. Download "Mark's Summer Mix"
• Ashley Rogers: Any mix that opens with a Shuggie Otis song is serious about everything that matters about summer. Includes: The Beach Boys, Neko Case, Cults, Spoon, etc. Download "Summertimes" 
• My own contribution to this project starts with an invocation from Lee Dorsey and then follows up with some Jimi Hendrix, Raphael Saadiq, Roman GianArthur, Deeee-Lite and more. Download "Patrick's Summer Mix" 
• Jacob Cottingham: Among our nation's most rock n' roll legislative staffers shows up fashionably late with this short-but-sweet selection of new and old, from Billy Joel to Doug Tuttle (Mmoss). Download "Quick Summer Hits 2014"

Bonus material:

• Crystal Ghost (formerly CC/NN) dropped this fun summer mix recently. 
• John Hastings (aka Rumtum) dropped this summer mix via Rabbl. 
• It doesn't get much smoother than this summer mix from DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie

Dog Bite

Fuzzy, dirty, reverby, sample-based grunge-psych-pop. 

Side Steps Quintet

Straight outta New Zealand and jazzy like a rainy day in the '70s. 

via Potholes

Vex Ruffin

An older tune. He's got a new album coming soon on Stones Throw that will blow your mind. Plenty of raw, post-punk body rocking. 

Tony Castles

And now for something different. Got that infectious pop anthem quality of early Dr. Dog records but with a just a dash more sky-high post-millenial rhythm and blues.

Lianne La Havas

There should be more music like this. 

Lianne La Havas 'Forget' from Academy Plus (A+) on Vimeo.

Midnight Magic

Like Downtown 81 NYC, only smoother:

SoulJazz Orchestra

Who knew Ottowa got down like this? A lot of classic Afro-Caribbean influence. They've got an album out 9/17 on Strut Records. 

Marshall Trotter "Someone Like You"

Nice tune from former Savannahian Marshall Trotter. I still jam songs by Hula Hoop and several of his other previous projects. This one is a sentimental summer jam puppy love pop tune. Check out his album. 

Oddisee "Way In Way Out"

Oddisee's new record is out this week, and to celebrate he's giving you this hot lil number called "Way In Way Out."

Cop People Hear What They See directly from Mello Music Group.

O.I.S.D.

Some more young NYC hip hop. Definite eye to the past with this EP titled Houston & 1st. This cut "Hands High!" sounds like a Smif n Wessun throwback. 

Cop the whole album here. 

MC Elijah Black

Some real smooth vibes from young NYC wordsmith Elijah Black. It's the summer time, got to marinate.

Cop the whole album (for free) here. 

Crocodiles "Endless Flowers"

The electro-noise-rockers from San Diego injected some additional pop qualities to the title track off their new album.

Antibalas

Antibalas has a new album coming out in August. Get excited. 


via OkayAfrica

Bullits x Jay Electronica

I have no back story on this. A friend posted it to Facebook and I was like whoah. Sort of a post-Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie feel to the musical backdrop, then Jay comes in around 1:40 to lay a few methodical bars - like DOOM on Screw sans pitch drop.

"A Woman Will Do Wrong"

I stumbled across this song on a dollar bin oldies compilation, and it resurfaced a couple months ago while playing records at home one night. Powerful soul courtesy of Helene Smith. This joint will give you goosebumps.

Jam of the Day

I heard this little gem on 1190 AM radio while driving to a meeting in Aurora. I must have missed Alex Ebert's solo project completely (I guess I wrongly assumed it would be the same exuberant flower power inherent in Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. I can admit when I'm wrong. This track "The Truth" is a collab with RZA that would make Ennio Morricone proud.

Cinespia DJ sets

Are you familiar with Cinespia? If not, it's a series of film screenings in cemeteries around Los Angeles.

That in and of itself is pretty awesome, but the icing on the cake is that they get world class DJs to throw down sets before and after the screenings. Now, living several thousand miles from the action, I'd be bummed, except that they record these sets and host them on their website, where you can listen/download. I'd highly recommend the Gaslamp Killer set, which rolls from Joe Meek through some psychy mayhem to a kazoo-centric medley atop a dance clap. This thing is hours upon hours of awesome live sets just waiting for your perusal.

East of Underground

 Now-Again does it again, finding the craziest gems and pressing them to clean wax for our enjoyment. This new comp is called East of Underground and it's a compilation of songs recorded during Vietnam by service member bands on army equipment. The results are crazy. Check out "Hell Below" (click to listen, rick click to 'save as').

Electronic Music in ATL 101

Check out this mix from P.Villa that is a survey of all that's good with electronic music in ATL right now. I'm honored to know so many of the folks who have music included in this mix, s/o to Bosco, P.Villa, Unda and everybody. Head over to Blunt Guts Nation for the back story, links and tracklist.
Electronic Music of Atlanta (EMA) Promo Mix 1 by P Villa