Mixing this seasonal tunes was truly exciting, I found that things came together quite naturally this time around. Sometimes I have to cut tunes that I don't want to just for the sake of making the mix fluent. This time around I found things much easier and surprising. Let's talk about some of the highlights!
Starting things off with Tropics "Mouves" was essential. I knew this was the opener the second I started working on this mix. The song is visual: a cloudy, dreamy, weightless flight. Chris Ward, a young talented multi-instrumentalist is responsible for nearly every piece of sound on his colorful debut full-length album Parodia Flare (planet-mu). "Mouves" is a shining example of the rest of album, highly recommended! I get into a little afro-vibe after this with tunes from Four Tet, TEED, and a cool, dancehall afro-beat remix by Daphni (Dan Snaith/Caribou). Clark releases a brilliant new album Iradelphic which in his own words is, "looming, ambiguous, radiant. Glowing, whole, invincible, complete." "Secret" jumps back and forth into a 3 dimensional listening soundscape from a present female vocal to deeper rhythmic backing vocals then huge shuffling drums and growling synths all held together by an almost brazilian guitar melody. I really love the way this dives even deeper mixing into Jamie Woon's "Blue Truth," immediately follwed by a monster of a tune "Dive Summers" produced by former Good Looking Records artist Blu Mar Ten. "While You Dooooo" by Teebs was one of my single favorite tracks of 2011. There is something very specific about where this track resounds in my head. Sure it's dreamy and a bit repetitive but Teebs knows something that other beatmakers can't touch. There is an organic element to his music that I really connect with, where other cats just seem to keep making cold digital/analog rackets. Jumping ahead in the mix, fellow label-mate on Brainfeeder Lapalux is making some serious racket right now. I really wanted to play "Moments" off the When You're Gone EP but something about his (beatless) take on Fink's "Perfect Darkness" that somehow IS a perfect darkness. It's so moody. I love it.
Looking back at the cover art for this and having relinquished my desire for naming these seasonal tunes mixes, I realize that the context, the feeling that these songs evoke are what define the period in time where I really HEAR this music. There is something blooming about all of the songs on this mix. They are all desperate to break the surface, undulating energy turns into bright colorful pieces. "Swing Star" by disco/balearic genius Todd Terje is the perfect example of this. The tempo change about halfway through the mix really woke me up too. The energy carries on into Modeselektor's unhinged "Blue Clouds." It's one of those songs that could just keep building for 20 minutes and I'd still be teetering on the edge. Towards the end of the mix you'll find more warming and textured pieces like Balam Acab's "Motion" and "Daniel" from Twin Sister which mix together beautifully. Also don't miss full length albums from John Talabot and Tanlines both have been on heavy rotation and helped wrap up the mix as closing songs.
BONUS. New video from Tanlines!
Thanks for listening and I hope this turns out to be an essential soundtrack to your Spring!
DOWNLOAD HERE (right click... save as)
tracklist
tropics - mouves
four tet - pinnacles
totally enormous extinct dinosaurs - waulking song
cos ber zam - ne noya (daphni mix)
jonti - red on green
clark - secret
jamie woon - blue truth
blu mar ten - dive summers
when saints go machine - parix
teebs - while you dooooo (extended)
atlas sound - te amo
bullion - what does she know
todd terje - swing star (part 1)
modeselektor - blue clouds
fink - perfect darkness (lapalux beatless remix)
balam acab - motion
twin sister - daniel
neon indian - polish girl
john talabot - journeys (ft. ekhi)
tanlines - yes way
::mixed live on 4.7.11::
