COVID: 19 Records I Rinsed This Year

Today marks my one-year anniversary with COVID. One year ago today, the president was addressing the nation on the TVs in the Radio Humber studio as I was in the middle of Bump In The Hump, receiving countless messages about the NBA shutting down. Of course, our lives were all in for a major change, staying inside and isolated more than ever before. Luckily, I've always revelled in staying home and immersing myself in music. However, I quickly found a limit to my ability to enjoy an endless stream of new music, realizing I needed to mix things up in order to keep myself entertained. And that's where this list comes in.

Like a sonic rinse cycle, these nineteen records (single tracks and full albums) were my most go-to palette cleansers in this most unprecedented of years. The range is ridiculous as you might expect and entirely unintentionally, features music made prior to the millennium. Many of these records I first encountered this year, while a handful of others became much closer to my heart as I enjoyed them more immensely than ever. They were and, in many cases, are still literal obsessions of mine. What it is that makes them so special ranges from heartening lyrical content to incredibly catchy vocals or just plain, undeniable energy. I can't tell you how many times I sang along to these in the shower, used them to tear up a hill on my bike or danced to them as I did the dishes. Hopefully, you too can put these records to good use. Find the Spotify playlist below and note that it features the original album tracklists, rather than the extended/deluxe types that are part of the list of links after the jump. Enjoy!

• B-Movie - Nowhere Girl (Extended)
• En Vogue - Don't Let Go (Love)
• Kate Bush - Cloudbusting
• Matt Bianco - Whose Side Are You On
• Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
• Paul Simon - Rhythm Of The Saints
• Pete Townshend - A Little Is Enough (Live)
• Pete Townshend - Empty Glass
• Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Don't Give Up
• Quincy Jones - Birdland
• Sam Spence - West Side Rumble*
• Steps Ahead - Islands
• Steps Ahead - Praise
• The Cardigans - My Favourite Game
• The Housemartins - The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death
• The Psychedelic Furs - Heaven
• The Rezillos - Can't Stand The Rezillos
• The Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1
• Third World - Try Jah Love

* indicates record not available on Spotify

Jamie xx - Essential Mix (2020)

The genius that is Jamie xx graced the Essential Mix for a sophomore spin this past weekend. Fresh off his first release in five years "Idontknow," this new two hour exhibition is exactly what makes the Grammy nominated producer such a unique, can't miss talent.

There aren't many that occupy the same space as Jamie xx and it certainly shows here. That isn't to say that this mix is all xx or artists like him, but rather it is eclectic and varied just like "Idontknow." There's many moods amidst the mountains of movement in the mix as Jamie xx leans into all kinds of instrumentation, setting several scenes and soundscapes. It's all generally dance oriented, and often club inspired, but what Jamie xx does with the likes of Mystic Force, Vladimir Dubyshkin, Peter Gabriel, Pangaea and others is inspired. He sets up each move with incredible ease, never better noted than in the succession of LaTour's "People Are Still Having Sex" into percussive romp at the core of "Idontknow." This is also where this Essential Mix really seems to hit its stride as the next half hour is almost entirely dominated by the drums, again mixed together masterfully.

Without going into any further detail, I will close by saying that fans of Jamie xx will not be disappointed in this two hour expanse, nor will those looking for new music as this tracklist (here) is all but entirely unknown to me. Stream via Soundcloud below and visit the official program page here.

Simone Pavia · Jamie xx - BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix (2020-04-25)

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May 28 Disco Delights

Scrolling through my Soundcloud I found the usual onslaught of pop/rap remixes/bootlegs and clips of dubstep tracks, but I'm finding disco edits sprinkled in more and more. So much so that I've decided to share some of today's finds paired with a couple I never got a chance to showcase previously. Check out the playlist below, grab the free downloads where available and get your week off to a strong start.

Flight Facilities ft. Broods, Reggie Watts & Saro - Stranded (Late Night Tuff Guy Remix)*
Supremely smooth delivery from the legendary down under disco deity. Truly an awe-inspiring production from every angle. Each element plays its role perfectly, seeming organic and effortless.

Lindstrom ft. Ronika - Didn't Know Better (Remix)
Beautiful, bright and bouncy number that thrives through its drums and synth work pushing the original to new heights. When Ronika and the original return the anthemic quality kicks in, reminding us that Lindstrom is a leader in all things disco house.

T-Connection - At Midnight (Soul Bombs Rework)*
It's hard to make it through a disco set without coming across either SanFranDisko's edit or any other Soul Bombs production, but this version differentiates itself with a more high tempo, jacking groove. It is a filter fun fest that exploits the awesome bassline, punchy percussion and sweet strings.

Sister Sledge - We Are Family (Barry Harris 2018 House Remix)*
Yet another classic track retouched by Barry Harris. While it's called house, the heart remains defiantly disco. Great groove led by a funky fat bassline, warm chords, and pleasurable piano.

Peter Gabriel - Steam (Petko Turner Funky Edit)*
The prolific Petko continues to impress with each subsequent edit. Although the original is already funky, this version is even more so. It adds extra oomph focusing on drums while sneaking the horns in underneath the wall of thundering percussion. Turner's treatment of the vocals deserves an extra nod.

Philip Bailey & Phil Collins - Easy Lover (Mean Fiddler 12 Inched Regroove)*
Maybe it's just me but little can compare to disco edits of 80s classics. Like LNTG's edit above this too is satiny smooth. The cool and captivating core of the original remains relatively intact while extended for extra enjoyment and dance-floor filling fun.

* denotes free download