I'm not certain but this is likely the largest edition of
Enlightened Listening ever. Stretching across nearly 80 tracks and over six hours, it features five albums and has its fair share of groovers and bangers.
The first two albums,
Daktyl's
UNREALITY and
Caribou's
Suddenly, have had me waiting with bated breath and show off both artists' incredible and thoughtful craftsmanship. The same can be said for the third album in the playlist,
Tycho's
Simulcast,
although I can't say I was aware of its immanence. As to be expected with
Tycho, it is utterly gorgeous and warm, preparing us for the long summer days that lie ahead. Turning more electronic and jacking up the funky groove meter,
Wajatta's (the combination of Reggie Watts & John Tejada) sophomore album is sensational and sure to inspire more than a smile or two. Equally uplifting and groovy,
Yuksek's feature-laden
NOSSO RITMO will be undeniable at beach parties everywhere.
Speaking of outdoor events, I hope
Sébastien Léger is one of the artists TBA at the
All Day I Dream event in Toronto July 18th (
here). His third EP for them is another amazing one, as mystical and moving as ever. Picking up with a more driving beat,
Colyn comes through Rose Avenue Records with two powerful cinematic numbers. Even more driving,
HUNTER reconnects with
Roshin for fat joint "
Floating." The enigmatic genius of
Prins Thomas follows that up with a gritty growler in "
Graut" which also receives a wicked and warped remix from
Fango. Bridging the gap from the techno to the DnB that's still to come are two unreal originals from
HomeSick in "
Ampgain" and "
Closer."
Immediately capturing my attention, J Majik lives up to his name with a godly remix of
Joris Voorn's "
Messiah." Flames erupt as
Brookes Brothers and
Kove follow that with the irresistible Kathy Brown led "
Burn." Things really get lit with the return of
13 who is followed by a record I cannot say enough about,
SBK.'s "
One Man." I know we're still just in the second month of the year but I'm positive it will be in my best of the year list. Another man who is sure to find himself in year end lists is
Apashe who delivers another ridiculous single ahead of
Renaissance. Turning towards house,
BROHUG brings us to the final true banger of this playlist, unhinged heater "
Party Out."
Making the transition from house to disco both in the playlist itself and in a single track,
CastNowski's "
Deep Down" is fabulously funky fun. Next up in that same vein is
Mercer who drops a dope bass-line on
Bob Sinclar's "
I Feel For You." Moving more organic,
Duck Sauce's "
Get To Steppin" leads us right into our finale,
The Shapeshifters' follow up to "
Life Is A Dancefloor," the sublime "
Second Chance."
Daktyl - UNREALITY
Caribou - Suddenly
Tycho - Simulcast
Wajatta - Don't Let You Get Down
Yuksek - NOSSO RITMO
Sébastien Léger - Secrets
Colyn - Concepts Of Love
HUNTER - Floating (ft. Roshin)
Prins Thomas - Graut
HomeSick - Closer
Joris Voorn ft. HÆLOS - Messiah (J Majik Remix)
Brookes Brothers & Kove - Burn (ft. Kathy Brown)
13 - Atomic
SBK. - One Man
Apashe - Work (ft. Young Buck)
BROHUG - Party Out
CastNowski - Deep Down
Bob Sinclar - I Feel For You (Mercer Remix)
Duck Sauce - Get To Steppin
The Shapeshifters - Second Chance (ft. Kimberly Davis)
