As the world mourns for Haiti’s loss, spirits are low and rightly so. Haiti’s perils have spawned deep emotions amongst the global community. However, it is during these times that we can actually come together to aid our brethren.
Praises to the Internet, never before, have I seen such a proactive reaction to a world crisis such as this. Luckily for us, we can exploit the many new channels that help us, help them. Plus, we can contribute a lot easier via charities, events, merchandise and even non-monetary means all at the click of a button.
Lets stand back, take a look at our lives with a fresh perspective and be grateful for the gift we all have… known as life.
1. Troubles in Paradise – UNKLE
>> End Titles… Stories for Film (Surrender All, 2008)
>>> How thoughtful is this contemporary classical piece? Listening to this track in its progression to a pretty heavy crescendo has never failed to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. For your information, Mr Lavelle and his crew are actually trip-hoppy-alternative-rock heros.
2. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting – Charles Mingus
>> Blues & Roots (Atlantic, 1960)
>>> So big. A big jazz-man with a bigger temper. Big band. Big track. Horns fly over the band, people shout over the instruments, the piano stomps over the percussion which in turn calmly pulls everything together in the final segment. The cacophony of conversations between pianos, percussions and horns is one of the most disorderly I’ve heard yet kudos to how tightly the track is never-the-less choreographed. Despite the intricacy involved in pulling off such a complex arrangement, you get the impression that in performance, very large amounts of fun (+ buckets of sweat) were being had.
3. Me & the Devil – Gil Scott-Heron
>> I’m New Here (XL Recordings, 2010)
>>> Oh my gosh… Moody, late 60s, struggle soul music with hand-claps. A definite goosepimpley rock-influence, post apocalyptic, dark motif involved here. The recurring theme seems to be ‘vultures’ and ‘battles for souls’ so pretty menacing stuff. With a comeback after a trillion years, its nice to hear GSH bringing something fresh to the table. Still, there is an air of nostalgia – that is, in the latter part of the track where he imparts some social commentary via poetry to the listener. Album drops in February.
4. Butterfly – Robert Glasper
>> Double Booked (Blue Note, 2009)
>>> This is the most deceivingly stunning track I’ve heard in a while. Starting with a less generic Kanye-West-cum-Daft-Punk Vocoder intro, the track evolves into a smoother jazzy riff and continues to abruptly morph into other things I can’t articulate. Sounds like a perfectly handcrafted studio accident where the acoustics were fused with the machines to produce a foreign breed of sounds. In a few seconds, its pure avant garde jazz, then its hip-hop and then electronica mixed with Prince-esque, Afrika Bambaataa s**t. Actually, at times, the tempo is almost out of control and then at others, it seems to take a time out and reflect on the effects its had on itself. Genius. Very individual.
5. Fall in Love – Carlos Nino and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
>> Suite for Ma Dukes (Mochilla, 2009)
>>> You’ve heard it all before, but I just have to say it: “J Dilla changed my life.” Love Carlos Nino but Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is one of those creative’s that make the word diversify seem bland. This classically trained Yankee knows how to unashamedly bring his style to any kinda project. Very soft sounds, think harps, xylophones, glockenspiels, castanets, wind chimes and strings galore… I’m sure you get the gist;-) Rich, light and floaty interpretations of a modern classic. The Timeless DVD shows further development with the project and is even more highly recommended than the album. RIP James Yancey.
6. Les Violons Iveres – Agoria
>> The Green Armchair (Different/PIAS, 2006)
>>> Continuing on the orchestral vibe, only now at 130bpm, this is French electronica at its best. Not attempting to stray from your comfort zone, this track is truly uplifting (if you’re into EDM). The warming strings form the melody with twiddly bleeps to keep up the ravers’ tempo. Simple in construction yet beautiful. Agoria is highly rated in my books. If you’re liking this, obviously there’s Europa but more importantly, catch Wrong Line on the same album: pretty oriental but equally as inspiring.
7. If 6 was 9 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
>> Axis: Bold as Love (Polydor, 1967)
>>> Need I say more? Your ultimate rebel soundtrack. Maybe a tad intimidating for the average nine-to-five, rat-race types but this track screams ‘FREEDOM!’ and ‘LIFE’ in a groovy electric kinda way. Blare this out and f**king live now!
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