Mase. "What You Want (feat. Total)." Harlem World, Bad Boy Records LLC for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States, 1997.
We're gonna throw it back to the late nineties just like this.
Come back baby, boomerang
Miguel, J. Cole. "All I Want Is You." All I Want Is You, JIVE Records, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment, 2010.
Smooth like butter-soft leather. Plus you got J. Cole trying to celebrate his Independence Day (Will Smith).
¡Escúchela! La ciudad respirando
Black Star, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common. "Respiration." Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, 2002 Rawkus Entertainment LLC, 2002.
Tonight we caught Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) close out the night at Oakland's Fox Theater, after a performance from the always-entertaining Reggie Watts. Although he was missing Talib, this track is still one of my all-time favourites nearly fifteen years later.
🎶 Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine
Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline
Heard the bass ride out like an ancient mating call
I can't take it, y'all, I can feel the city breathing
Chest heaving, against the flesh of the evening
Sigh before we die like the last train leaving 🎶
Got me in trouble again
Little Dragon. "Ritual Union." Ritual Union EP, Peacefrog Holdings Ltd, 2011.
🎶 I was wondering of a white dress
And the mistress
And a spirit holding my hand 🎶
And here's a fun remix, for those of you who made it this far.
It's about four or five cats off in my 'Llac now
OutKast. "Da Art of Storytellin' (Pt 1.)." Aquemini, LaFace Records LLC, 1998.
Because sometimes you need two days of OutKast in a row.
Baby, don't be so cool, I wanna see you
OutKast, Norah Jones. "Take Off Your Cool." Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Arista Records, Inc., 2003.
Mmm.
Heavy and soothing like a gentle symphony
Bonobo. "Stay The Same." Black Sands, Ninja Tune, 2010.
This track features dreamy, comforting vocals from the lovely Andreya Triana, with Jack Wyllie on saxophone. I had to include the complete lyrics below because for some reason they feel so poignant with everything happening in the world right now.
🎶 A night train, midnight, bags gathered round my feet
Possessions, some lessened to carry with me
Heavy and soothing like a gentle symphony
I rest my head right back upon my seat
It's hard and cold, though the best thing for me
This train is moving, but my heart is stationary
Seasons change, surely it won't be the same
I'm hoping I won't stay the same
Reasons strange, why we all must play these games
I left it with you: a note that was discreet
I made sure I put it upon the cellar door
It's hanging, hoping, will you read it while I weep?
Last time, the last time, it flickers through me
So vivid, it rushes from my head down to my feet
We're laughing, joking, through a dance to my defeat
Seasons change, it'll never be the same
I'm hoping I won't stay the same
Reasons strange, why we all must play these game 🎶
And we’ll rise, over love, over hate, through this iron sky
Paolo Nutini. "Iron Sky." Caustic Love, Warner Music UK Ltd, 2014.
Victory today for the the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Over fear and into freedom.
“To those who can hear me, I say - do not despair
The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed
The bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people
And so long as men die, liberty will never perish
Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts!
You are not machines!
You are not cattle!
You are men!
You, the people, have the power to make this life
Free and beautiful
To make this life a wonderful adventure
Let us use that power - let us all unite.”
Hello, my darling
Hiatus Kaiyote, Q-Tip. "Nakamarra (feat. Q-Tip)." Tawk Tomahawk, Pineapple Spaceship PTY LTD under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment, 2013.
🎶 I will follow you into the sunrise... 🎶
Bring me a dream
Diana Ross & The Supremes. "Mister Sandman." There's A Place For Us: The Unreleased Album, Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., 2004.
Jingle time.
Or, if you prefer, the original from Vaughn Monroe with his Orchestra, or the better-known recording by The Chordettes.
May your days be merry and bright
Oscar Peterson. "White Christmas." An Oscar Peterson Christmas, Telarc International, 1995.
The Drifters. "White Christmas (Voice)." Home Alone, Twentieth Century Fox, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment, 1990.
It's the start of December, and I can't help but want to put on Home Alone and listen to this track. Today is a two-for-one, and you can choose your own holiday adventure with either Oscar Peterson's jazzy version or the Drifters' rendition from the movie soundtrack (or both).
Time Out
Dave Brubeck. "Take Five." Time Out, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, 1959.
In the middle of a crazy day, sometimes you just need to take a break and listen to some jazz.
This timeless classic never lets me down.
Las olas del mar, con su luz salpicaba
Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno. "Cumbia Sobre El Mar." Dog With A Rope, Tru Thoughts, 2010.
Take me to the ocean, dance with me over the sea.
Fun for all that children call their favorite time of year
Vince Guaraldi Trio. "Christmastime Is Here (Instrumental)." A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered & Expanded Edition), Concord Music Group, Inc., 2012.
American Thanksgiving has come and passed. We came together with friends and families, deep-fried some turkeys, feasted on all kinds of dishes, made some tasty cocktails, and ate (or perhaps are still eating) leftovers. Time to get ready to do it all over again.
Can't think of any better way to kick off the caroling season than with Vince Guaraldi's classic from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
🎶 Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there 🎶
For more jazzy holiday tunes, listen to my Christmas Town! radio station on Pandora.
And here, with those kiddos on vocals.