WARMER MIXTAPES #290 | by Tim Fletcher of The Stills
1. The Go-Betweens | You Can't Say No Forever
I just discovered this band through a South African/British friend of mine here in Montreal. He's always recommending me really weird stuff, but one day he recommended this to me, because he really loves it. So I got the album, like 4 days ago... The album is called 16 Lovers Lane and it is really a beautiful and simple album, but very profound as well. Romantic, pure, honest songwriting. Kinda post-punk folky late 80's rock. It reminds me of my British heritage, and growing up with English parents, crappy floral wallpaper (that I love), and of my grandfather. But in this song, when he sings you can't say no forever... But I'll try... That I'll try part kills me everytime. People are always trying to accomplish futile things out of a desire to be happy. Some people spend their whole lives repeating futile patterns because of something they've misunderstood about the fundamental goodness of their deepest soul. And it's hard not to relate to that, or be softened by that. So I think this song sums that up in a romantic context in such a simple, moving way.
2. David Sylvian | Praise (Pratah Smarami)
This is from the record Camphor. David Sylvian had invited an Indian holy woman, Shree Maa, into his home in the United States to stay there while she traveled the United States for the first time, during the 90's. He allowed her and 40 people to transform his home into an ashram, a place of worship, for a month. At the end of every morning she would sing this song in the house, and Sylvian asked if she would allow him to record her. Lucky for us, she did. Sylvian put some music to it. It is sung in Sanskrit, a song of praise to the three aspects of the Divine Mother. If you are in the middle of any difficulty in life, if you are angry, if you are depressed, if you are suffering, struggling, feeling tight or lost or cynical, this song cuts through all the noise, all the bewilderment. It is so delicate and tender, and so deeply strong and powerful at the same time. It reminds me that being a human being on this Earth is such a precious thing, such an incredibly strange and beautiful thing. It softens any hardness in my heart every time. We were all put on this Earth to help others, to spread love to others, to help reduce suffering and bring joy to all beings on this Earth. This song reminds me about that.
3. Flying Lotus | Galaxy In Janaki
My God, this whole album Cosmogramma is just completely incredible. Such a journey. It's the last song on an album that took you into outer space and showed you the wonders of the Universe, and then it send you off with this song. It's such a fitting goodbye. See you in another life, see you in heaven, see you at the end of infinity!
4. The Field | A Paw In My Face
Well, what can I say? It sounds like MDMA feels. It makes you feel like you're awake in a dream world. It's got this new-agey trance vibe to it that is really celebratory and makes you appreciate everything, and it makes you want to be running in the country and be good to people and save the Earth from destruction, and it makes you feel like you can do it with a huge smile on your face.
5. Lil Wayne | Put Some Keys On That
Tha Carter III made Lil Wayne HUGE, but Da Drought 3 is where he reaaaally shines. Uncompromising album, really weird, really inspired. This song makes no sense really, train of thought riffing, it's so easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm and it's also important to be a little bit crazy and irreverent and offensive sometimes... Cuz it's fun.
6. Vangelis | Blade Runner Blues
It was a dark and stormy night. I'd already smoked every goddam Marlboro in the pack and I'd only woken up at 4pm. This case was no closer to getting solved than I was to quitting. Time for a Bourbon in a weird futuristic rock glass. The Blade Runner soundtrack is heartbreakingly beautiful. I used to hate it, cause it sounded so dated and cheesy. In the last few years though, I've come to love it so deeply. Vangelis is kind of a genius. Very dark music. Rainy, depressive, yet highly picturesque and glamorous... Perfectly cinematic, suited to one of the best films of all time. We're all essentially replicants, fighting off the terror of death and the fear that our tiny lives are inconsequential. If you feel bummed out, it will help you really feel bummed out. But at least you can romanticize it in an escapist way. Which is not so good for you. But hey, if you're tempted, here you go!
7. Wild Nothing | Our Composition Book
This whole album reminds me of New York City when The Stills were starting. Lots of Smiths, The Cure, guitar pop, shoegazey indie... It's filled with nostalgia and innocence, wide-eyed young people trying to feel it all. The songs on this record are all so well crafted melodically. I liked it the second I heard it. I said to my friend what is THIS?...It's not over the top or hyper dramatic, but it's simply and truly affecting. Memories, memories, memories. I also love the guitar break at 2:22-2:39, because the chords he uses are sooooo Stills, and one of them is the kind of chord I love most of all and try to write with all the time. And I'm not talking about the Dmaj7. The other one...
8. Happy Mondays | Mad Cyril
This song makes me want to smash windows, steal cars, drive them way too fast really high and really drunk, dance like an idiot in clubs where I would get my ass kicked and make fun of rich people in bars. And flip tables in fancy 5-star hotel restaurants. All covered in blood and smiling really evil at old ladies with fur coats on. The Happy Mondays are the party band in Hell.
9. Gorillaz | Empire Ants
Plastic Beach is a really great album. I was never a big fan of theirs, though I always respected Damon Albarn as a for-real artist. I always thought the production was too clean, too shiny. But this song is so awesome, so groovy, so magic. It really transports you to a realm of ant-dreams and it makes me think about how ants and bees and people are all connected like through telepathy. That's why we have to be good to each other, because we all affect each other so much. Another song that reminds me of how all people are sensitive, all people have souls, all people have the Universe inside them. When you walk down the street, the people you pass have all spent their lives thinking about how to get by in so many different ways, just like you. It's nice when music reminds you of the connection you have between people and also makes you want to dance at the same time. The glossy production is awesome in this case. Perfection.
10. Underworld | Tomato Antirom
These guys were big(ish) in the 90's, but if you find people who love them, they LOVE them. This album is so pristine, like being born. Purity. It has a Brian Eno quality to it. Or like Boards Of Canada. Blue skies, pure, cloudless, sunny. The source of all things in the Universe and beyond. And for that reason, it's quite heavy. I love new-age music and trance and stuff like that. It sounds like the year 2353. Via the 90's.
WARMER MIXTAPES #289 | by John McElheron of Solar Bears
1. Bibio | Dwrcan
The raw power and majesty of creation. I listen to this track all the time, it is so inspiring. The sequencing is expertly done. When the track takes off in the second half it is impossible not to visualise space and time interweaving.
2. Portishead | All Mine
Beth Gibbons is on another plane to everyone else. Her voice surfaces rare emotions, some are familiar while others are alien and abstract. I have loved their music since my teens and I think their last record was their finest moment to date.
3. Dennis Wilson | Lady (Fallin' In Love)
If you did not know his life story you would still find this piece of music heartbreaking. The fact that lost love drove him to abusive excess makes it even more saddening. The strings are uplifting which strikes a contrast to his poignant vocals. The guitar tone is genius.
4. Twin Sister | All Around And Away We Go
What can you say other than the fact they get everything right. The group has multiple influences but each track they do is timeless and coherent. I think next year will be very big for them.
5. Blondes | Spanish Fly
This sound like a live performance with overdubs. I have had their Touched EP on repeat since my girlfriend got me into them. Trance inducing and vibrant.
6. Beaver And Krause | As I Hear It
Unsung heroes. I wish more people would discover their work. As I Hear It is definitely their best. The synths are so organic and fluid.
7. Primal Scream | Higher Than The Sun
Higher Than The Sun changed my life and got me past hard times. I discarded my belief system when I was young but when I heard this I adopted the mantras with the lyrics. I am still in awe of it to this day.
8. Neon Indian | Deadbeat Summer
I was coasting through artist pages online one night when I came across Neon Indian. As soon I hear Deadbeat Summer I knew he would be a cult figure of some kind. Great pop star and songwriter.
9. M83 | By The Kiss
Epic soundscape from a pioneer. Soundtrack to Earth evolving over millions of years.
10. Grizzly Bear | Colorado
One of the best guitar lines in the history of recorded music. I admire them a great deal.
WARMER MIXTAPES #288 | by John McGrew of Apollo Run
Photo by Zan Mcquade
1. Stevie Wonder | As
When I was six years old, I watched Stevie Wonder sing with Theo, Rudy and the rest of the Huxtables on The Cosby Show. It changed my life. Jammin' on the one. Ja-Ja-Ja-Jammin on the one. In As, Stevie digs deep to sing some of the most heartfelt music I've ever heard. By the end of the song I am exhausted.
2. Led Zeppelin | Since I've Been Loving You
When I hear those first 5 guitar notes, followed by the 1 snare and 2 Bonzo bass drum kicks, I am immediately transported to the Ohio/Indiana border circa 1997. My buddies and I would drive out from our hometown in Ohio to the border of Indiana. There, the local police wouldn't follow, so everyone would meet out there to wax philosophical and listen to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Doors. It was the never-ending high school party in the middle of flat nowhere. This tune is the one that tore at my gut (in a good way) the most. Bonzo and John Paul Jones are so pocket that the song almost falls behind itself.
3. Elton John | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Apollo Run just came off the road from a little jaunt around the US East Coast and the Mid West. Jeff, our bassist, threw in Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road somewhere in the middle of Maryland. We got halfway through this track and I had an amazing sense of relief; this was the song that I had heard over and over again but could never find out who it was or what it was called. My Elton John knowledge was lacking prior to this. Needless to say, that has all changed since I got back from the tour. Now I am keeping an eye out for as many pairs of large-framed and ornately decorated sunglasses as I can find.
4. Morten Lauridsen | O Magnum Mysterium
My parents met in a choir. Listening to (and singing) choral music has always been a huge part of my musical upbringing. No one composes better choral arrangements right now than Morten Lauridsen. I am working on music for Apollo Run right now that will feature choral music. I love the sound of a great choir.
5. Queen | You Take My Breath Away
I have a fireplace in my tiny apartment here in Brooklyn. Every winter, we buy some Eagle Rare whiskey, light the fire, and listen to records with friends. Without fail, every time we listen to Queen's A Day At The Races, I make everyone shut up when You Take My Breath Away comes on. And every time, without fail, everyone enjoys it.
6. Antonín Dvořák | Four Romantic Pieces, Op.75, I. Allegro Moderato
This song says more with two instruments than any song I have ever heard. The piano is the man who is leading his woman (the violin) on the dance floor. At least that is how I have always seen it. I have often caught myself listening to this track on repeat for hours. When it is on, I can think clearly. College kids: play Dvořák in the background when you write your papers. Thank me later.
7. Antony And The Johnsons | What Can I Do? (feat. Rufus Wainwright)
I wanted to include Antony And The Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright on this list, and with this here, we kill two birds with one stone. Pay attention to 0.40 seconds to 1.00 minute. I once blasted this 20 seconds of this song to my drummer, Graham. He smiled, nodded, and said, do that again. Antony's dissonance tells more stories than his words.
8. Sia | Soon We'll Be Found
Why is it that I hear this song come up on my iPod and play it over and over again? Is it because of how sexy her voice is? (It is so god damned sexy.) Is it because the chorus is some of the best pop music out there right now? Is it because the music video is incredible? Is it because this is our generation's Total Eclipse Of The Heart? I don't know, I don't care. I just love it.
9. Kanye West | Monster
This track came into my life so I could hear Nicki Minaj for the first time. First thing's first I eat your brains... My sister, Lady Grew, is in Ireland and doing her own take-no-prisoners, growl-louder-than-the-boys music. Hearing Nicki Minaj made me miss her. The world needs more of this growling.
10. Anthony Hamilton | Can't Let Go
A couple of years ago I went out to play some shows in LA and this track was on the mix we had in our rental car. I hear this track and I think of palm trees, In & Out Burger, one particular ex-girlfriend, and cheesy clubs. But the real reason I love this song is because of Anthony Hamilton's voice. There is nothing clean about his gospel and R&B music. Besides the beats, there is nothing quantized, autotuned, or cleaned up. It's real and it's got feeling.
+11. Blur | The Universal
I heard this song in high school and realized that I would have a future writing for horns and strings. I still put this song on when I am in a bad mood. There is a lazy-lounge pop quality about it that seamlessly turns anthemic. And who can deny those Burt Bacharach style horns?
WARMER MIXTAPES #287 | by FAUXMUSICA
1. Grauzone | Film 2
This 1981 classic for me is one of the most authentic examples of a comparison or connection between new wave and hex haus (or witch house/industrial if you prefer). Grey Area (or Grauzone), a Swiss band, still to this day remain one of my most played and influential artists I have came upon. Possibly only equaled to in my eye by Tuxedomoon.
2. FAUXMUSICA | ▼CHECK▼IT▼FOR▼CANCER▼
Another song I could resist making from the samples of babe-25 that I stole off YouTube and mixed into King Crimson guitar riffs, and then gazed and screwed. I do alot of my samples and remixes from files I rip and covert from YouTube. I think it's a sign of the times. I wanna stick my tounge between babe-25's cr00ked teeth. Hey guyz, check yr private areas, for cancer! Peace!
3. The Peach Tree | Hard Drug Abuse
WOW!! This song makes me want to pound some venison in the abandoned city center in some apocalyptic nightmare while I'm shooting hard drugs. The Peach Tree is the artistic vision of Melbourne, Australia based Angus Maiden. He's my digital homefly. And he's literally on my iTunes every other play. You can find all of his work for free on Bandcamp. In the past 5 years he has accomplished a massive 12 full length recordings. 7 EPs. and 5 LPs. DAMN!! He also runs a net label called Tribal Dancing Kid that you can google for amazing leftfield music and art.
4. The Tleilaxu Music Machine | You Onto Somethin
D. Bene Tleilaxu a native to S. California has been onto something for a long time. This kid is barely white, even though his appearance to the eye is whiter than a ghost. Darkness in certain shades of gray. This is feel good, bouncey, hardcore/gabber inspired piece about being right!!
5. Bitch House | Hurry Up And Die
This song is mainly just white noise. But what's wrong with that??
6. ZxZ | Murder On The Danse Society
ZxZ hails from Toronto and is 1/2 of the Drag/Witch House duo Mourning Star (▼□■□■□■) also known for the projects Angel Annihilation and goth/rock band The Synthesis Machine. On this piece, ZxZ is simply reminding us all again why it's still so good to stay away from Euphoria.
7. Modern Witch | Cinema
VS. G.A.N. 665+1 | Brooklyn Witch... Now this could be a debate of agreement, disagreement, or complete discernment, but these two songs have a lot in common, something at the very core tells you that these two pieces have influenced the beginning of chillwave and parallel emergence of witch house. The principals that divine these bands lie across the barriers of Eastern and Western Orthodoxes. The only difference is in the polarity of the hemi-spheres. N. America VS. Serbia. Hey, wait, I thought the cold war was over?? Apparently the satellite army has taken up on their own command... In Brooklyn...
8. ✝NO VIRGIN✝ | SnoOoRt mE!!
Makes me feel like I'm happy that my nose is running bl00d, again...
9. LAKE R▲DIO | кулинария
I recently spoke to Caden Moore (LAKE R▲DIO) about this song, he didn't have much to say other than he had sampled La Roux. This is pure satanic worship. Thanks for speaking the rites of passage in the kvlt, La Roux.
10. High Park | Kristallnacht
Toronto based artist Roman Kov also known as High Park (and the other half of ▼□■□■□■) self describes this song as a part of a genre of music he calls Hitlercore. Makes me feel like I am in a Kafka-esqe nightmare, getting punched by my supervisor while doing endless paperwork, amongst lines of speed cut with alot of ether on my desk.
+11. FAUXMUSICA | DICEY DISCO (interlude by The Peach Tree)
HELLO MY FUTURE GIRLFRIEND!! Classic internet troll, vanquished by FAUXMUSICA. I'm 11 years old, in the six grade... This is what I sound like, with my hands down yr pants...
+12. The Present Moment | LOW DEAD (Extended Mix)
Milton Scott (The Present Moment) recently just dropped a dark weapon of an LP on the masses. It's 12 tracks and it's called The High Road. Download it for free at Bandcamp or purchase a limited to 100 copies vinyl from Desire. This is kinda like David Gahan (Depeche Mode), only more recently returned from the dead, and now having a lot more fun!! LOW DEAD is going to get you LOADED!!
+13. The Peach Tree | Valium And A Fireplace
I could listen to this 8N 8REPEAT8 forever, only I have to put more logs on the fireplace and I can only move a couple of centimeters every every couple hours! I don't know which is better, the warmth, the glow, or the diazapam. What a treat, this valium and a fireplace... He-He-Hedonism ..
+14. V▲GINA WOLF | Calm Down
To sum this song up accurately, I must quote the begining of the song where it says I feel this is most wonderful thing I have ever been given. Other than that you just need to Calm Down.
+15. Pictureplane | Time Teens
Poth! Gop! Gop Poth! Poth Gop! Goth Pop!!! Travis looks pretty sweet with that TIME TEENS t-shirt on... I am pretty sure this song is about time travel and 80s fantasy inspired anime. It makes me want to forget my memories and become a TIME TEEN... Now I'm going to make a witchy doll house!!
+16. Loredana | Rain Rain (Haunted By Unison)
I was recently turned onto this song that my friend Julien did from this music blog. Thank you Warmer Climes!! Romania is lucky to have a real diva like Loredana. Comparing Beyoncé, Loredana, and Britney?? Loredana break all them witches nailz... With a wink...
+17. The Present Moment | THE SUN IS DOWN
Massive. Yoko Ono. Milton Scott. Coldwave meets the original black inverted triangle (divine feminine). Oo, that mirror! I'm throwing away that mirror, into the river!! Everytime I listen to this song, Yoko makes me crave blood in a dark new fascinating way, while the river shines with the stars and the Moon. Well, the river? Maybe the river is even too cold for them.
+18. Jewels Of The Nile | Egyptian Eyes
The Jewelz are a triangle currently based In Portland. The Pyramid is: Mark Ingrahm (of Crossover), as well as Jessy Champagne and Meghan Christine (of Magick Daggers). She walks, the Nile. Perfume, in Jasmine veils. Listening to this song transports you a few thousand years forward, or backward, mostly both at the same time... Haunting and charming, all at the same time... I think someone must be looking for prey... I'm staring deep, into, Egyptian Eyezzz... They're eyes, filled with triangles...
+19. Legendary Weapons Of China | Molten Mirrors
VS. ZxZ | Like A Virgin... I recently found of the Legendary Weapons Of China from the Not For Resale music blog. With that said, I can say that the bands name says everything there is to say about this psychedelic two piece from London. Due to this tracks length (over 14 minutes), I spliced some ZxZ - Like A Virgin in there just in case having your Legendary Weapons Of China cherry popped was a bit too long and hard... They gotz teh stamina FAUX realzz...
+20. FAUXMUSICA | Hello Subversive Arcitecht
VS. FAUXMUSICA | Finale... Two pieces I did on an acapella synthestra EP in 2005 called Hello Subversive Arcitecht. Maybe the darkest, most killing sound you've ever heard... I wrote it in my own witch house with two broken keyboards, a surged mixer, and a broken tape machine... GHXST TAPES...
+21. The Peach Tree | All The Perfume Of Arabia
If pr0n is banned in Islamic nations so should this s0ng... I included and excluded this into the end piece because it's beauty stands out so much there was no other way to include it. Repeat daily.
WARMER MIXTAPES #286 | by Marc Zielinski (The Pillars Of Creation)
Wish I could have only ten but there really is at least 15 I can come up with off the top of my head. Soundtrack to my own personal life I guess.
1. M83 | Slight Night Shiver
This song to me is everything. It is so short but from first listen struck me in a way that no bolt of lightning ever can. I almost always have some what of an out of body experience when listening. If you were to die you wish it were painless. This song being that painless death. I mean this in a good way.
2. Modern English | I Melt With You
Always will love the 80's. The style, music, feel... It's like growing up with John Hughes movies all over again. I know it is gross to think about (even more so for me) but I wish I was conceived by my parents while this song was playing. I guess it is because I feel there is more of an attachment to this song then I can physically or emotionally explain.
3. Washed Out | Feel It All Around
This song isn't just a feeling of summer to me. It IS summer to me. Every time I step my feet into water this song will play in my head. Every time I lay a towel down on sand this song will play in my head. I wouldn't be making this list if this song didn't change the way I make music.
4. Gregor Samsa | Untitled Two
I rarely use the word epic but I feel like this is an appropriate time. Since the age of 16 I've taken a massive interest in driving. Not speeding or breaking any laws and such. Just Driving. When you drive you are usually alone, it is quiet, and I tend to leave my problems behind me while in the drivers seat. There is nothing to me like a long drive to nowhere and a pack of smokes to bring me back to sanity in a world of chaos. This song helps me do that just as fast if not faster while or while not driving. Play this during any sunrise and it will change your life.
5. Yes | Heart Of The Sunrise
My dad being the prog rock nerd that he was introduced me to great bands like Yes, ELP, King Crimson, and Genesis. I could care less when I was 7 and 8 but each listen of this track makes me remember the times I would play cops and robbers through my house as my dad blasted this music in the basement. I was the star of the show somersaulting on the carpet and pointing my fingers as if they were a gun. I was on the case.
6. Souls Of Mischief | 93 'Til Infinity
Classic west coast hip-hop from the early 90's. The chillest of rap songs. I want my grave stone to have my date of birth and then instead of date of death say: til infinity...
7. O.C. Smith | Little Green Apples
Never have I heard such passion and beauty emit from someones voice. There is a definite sorrow but a longing forgiveness in this classic track. The most listened song in my library during the cold winter. It keeps me warm like hot chocolate on a winters night.
8. The Skids | Into The Valley
Going back to my early old school punk days and high school teenage rebellion. I've never jumped so high. I've never sang so loud.
9. Slowreader | Stupid Bet
Truly the whole album that this track resides on is amazing. I recommend this forgotten bands only LP to any and everyone. Way ahead of their time. I remember back in early 2000 hearing this after being a fan of the original band The Impossibles. Every time this makes me feel like I have access to time travel. Getting a glimpse of what the future of music has to offer.
10. Old Canes | Both Falling Bright
Even though this song was not around when I was spending many childhood summers at my grandparents house in rural Illinois, I get flashbacks to the days I did when listening to this. Carefree, natural, organic, and young. This song is the closest thing I have to my heart in dealing with country living.
+11. Bear In Heaven | Lovesick Teenagers
This is the only track that my first true love ever turned me on to. It is one of those tracks that each listen makes you associate a memory with that certain person in your life. Her and I have gone our separate ways since then. I can not completely describe the huge range of different emotions I feel when listening to this song. I guess much like a lovesick teenage it's an utter mess.
+12. Of Oceans | In Love, Not Limbo
I heard this song about a month ago for the first time. It blew me away. So simplistic and yet so effective. A peaceful Sunday afternoon headphone jam to walk the city streets to.
+13. Avey Tare & Kría Brekkan | Sis Around the Sándmill
A huge fan of múm and Animal Collective, this was a little gem to hear. Less electronic and more folk-esk. I've never had this happen but I almost feel like every time I listen to this song it takes me back to an imaginary moment in time as to where I met my first crush on the school playground. It never happened and I sometimes wish it did. This would be the song for that moment.
+14. The Flaming Lips | Race For The Prize
Seeing this band live is so much more amazing then listening to one of there albums in your own bedroom. I constantly have flashbacks to the many performances I've witnessed by them upon each listen. Each time with a smile on my face especially with this track. I feel its the opening to my own personal Broadway play about my life.
+15. WALSH | Helicopter Does Not Exist
The moment I first heard this track I felt immediate jealousy. The sound on this is everything that I feel I have been turning into musically yet WALSH had already reached it. So simple yet so full, rich, and warm.
1. Heiko Voss | I Think About You
One of my first exposures to the Cologne sound pioneered by Kompakt and associated labels - this track is a perfect example of pure, beautiful electronic music - gentle, epic and tender.
2. Spacemen 3 | So Hot (Wash Away All Of My Tears)
I'm kind of obssessed with this song - it's one of the most passionate, and intense, yet gentle records that I've ever heard.
3. Cannibal Ox | Pigeons
The CanOx record is truly one of the great modern hip hop records, El-P's production throughout is totally visionary - blending old school boom-bap with a dystopian sci-fi twist whilst the two emcees Vast Aire and Vordul Megilah's empassioned and urgent raps are pretty spectacular and this is probably my favourite track from it.
4. Gas | Nach 1912
Wolfgang Voigt's Gas project is a huge inspiration to me - the bleary/dreaminess and hypnotic bass pulse of it really transports me to some other place... Time seems to stand still... I always manage to clear my email inbox when I have this on!
5. Harald Grosskopf | Synthesist
This is a track that I remixed (as Snoretex) recently for the RVNG label... I'd not heard of him before, but totally fell in love with his gorgeous melodies and progressive approach to electronic music that was way ahead of it's time back in the day.
6. Luke Abbott | Brazil
From my friend Luke Abbott's recent debut album on Border Community - the first time I heard it I nearly cried... The melody's so heartbreaking... I was taken aback by just how much it hit me - probably one of my all time favourite pieces of electronic music!
7. Philip Glass | Heroes (Aphex Twin Remix)
An odd one this - it's Aphex's remix of Philip Glass's orchestration of Bowie's original... Phew! The beauty of the epic strings is pitted against the ugly squawky manipulation that he works on the vocals... It's simultaneously daring/wonderful/horrendous and disrespectful... Only Aphex has the balls to pull this off... I've played it out a few times in my DJ sets to totally puzzled audiences, but hey, it made me happy!
8. Atlas Sound | Spring Break
Bradford Cox is so prolific - I wish that he'd spend a bit more time making electronic music as he's really really good at it! This is one of a number of more dancey songs (off the first Atlas Sound record I think) - totally hypnotic, krauty dance stuff.
9. Mountain Man | Animal Tracks
I was really knocked out the first time I heard the Mountain Man album - the honest, direct simplicity of their swooningly pretty voices/harmonies, combined with a spring reverb and acoustic guitar is pure magic...
10. Tracey Thorn | Kentish Town (Walls Remix)
I'm really proud of this one - Alessio and I are both big fans to Tracey's stuff, so it was a real honour to get asked to do a mix... I'm really happy with what we came up with - in restrospect I guess it sounds a bit like old Massive Attack, which is a good thing in my book!
WARMER MIXTAPES #284 | by M△S▴C△RA
1. Stars Of The Lid | Music For Twin Peaks Episode #30, Part 1
This warm, perfect blanket of sound helps me float away each and every time. I have been in love with drone for a long time. And I think this track is the epitome of everything you could ask for in a minimal, drone setting.
2. Armin Van Buuren | Carry Me Away
I have always had a love for good trance ever since I grew up in the rave scene. A quiet walk, observing the Sky. How the trees blend with the colors of clouds. This track assists in a spiritual experience everytime.
3. Atheus | Deploy
Minimal dub techno all the way! The filtered dubby bass and simple drums always make me feel so gangster when I throw this track on. I love how minimal techno doesnt necessarily follow the 8-bar layering of normal EDM. The hats could come in 4 mintues into the song, only helping you drift further away.
4. DJ DMD | 25 Lighters (feat. Lil Keke & Fat Pat) (Screwed)
Something about slowing down a track adds a thicker layer of spiritualiy for me. Everytime this track comes on I just wanna lower my seat and drive slow.
5. Salem | Sores (Drag)
The epic, ravey synth with slowed vocals is absolutely genius. And the build up is why this is one of my favorite tracks. In my opinion, BEST Salem track they got.
6. Flow Dan | Run
I remember being in the deep cave, Club Love in NYC. It was Dubwar with Loefah. Jammed packed. Through the weed smoke and sweat came this track. Loefah dropped this right before it was released on Swamp81. I remembered being completely floored. And it just kept going, and getting deeper. Fucking amazing.
7. Ceremony | Birth. Conspire. Be. Upset.
I can't forget my old punk/hardcore roots! This band represents everything disrespectful to me. I grew up listening to Crass, Flux Of Pink Indians, and alot of powerviolence. This band is the best hardcore/powerviolence band around these days.
8. Godspeed You Black Emperor! | Storm
This band should actually be in my number one slot. And actually this list isn't in any order for me. Just bands that came up as I'm thinking. My life, my inspiration, my thoughts, my music is all influenced by the grandfathers of post-rock, GYBE!. This track in particular has helped me in some many ways I can't describe. I have my tickets for Brooklyn and Philly shows thank God.
9. Prurient | Rose Pillar
One of my favorite harsh noise producers goes a little soft and drony on this track. Very good! Anything repeatative, and minimal in my opinion is the best.
10. Odd Nosdam | Untitled 1
When it comes to experimental, filed recordings, or anything underground hiphopish, Odd Nosdam takes the cake. This genius lives in California and has made sick beats for awhile now. The whole Burner album is awesome.
WARMER MIXTAPES #283 | by David Robert Gerhard of Mondo Teeno
1. Young Money | Fuck Da Bulls (feat. Birdamn, Nicki Minaj, Gudda Gudda, Lil Wayne, Drake)
A NIGHT CLUB. The room opens, in the middle of all the commotion... I'm there with you watching me, you can see the detail in the stitching of my Bottega Veneta. Feel it. Then take a swig with me.
2. Grave Babies | Blood
Unfortunately something has started in da back, and the only way we're going to get fucking through it is if we disregard our $ and step through the puddle of whatever fluid in are shoes, cross the street and RUN.
3. Lime | Unexpected Lovers
We're only going to be at this point for an hour, so let's enjoy the scenes together before this place wears off. Do you see the way all of these events are connected?
4. David Bowie | African Night Flight
Wore offf, ohhhhhhhh no, now we can really see whats going on.
5. Pictureplane | Double Sets Of Lungs
Realizing what has been around us, we can grab each other. I can see you and here I am accepting what you have, wanting it too if that's what it takes.
6. OMD | Souvenir
Well we cummed and everything is still the same.
7. Salem | Piggy Hog
Even when you're not around... Now I can feel it pacing through me. The longest decision we'veeeee evvveeerrrrr made...
8. The Breeders | Rave On
Take a seat, forget what's coursing through you. Hopefully you can forget what will never leave, we can still have fun though.
9. Scorpion Violente | Ich Kann Nicht
We have endless ways of getting to were we need to be in the end. Are we taking the car train or bus?...
10. Black Leather Glove | Cosmetics (20JZZFNKGRTSRMX)
Well, we arrive right back where we started, and something makes me forget.
WARMER MIXTAPES #282 | by Rafael Fauria of The Miracles Club
1. Lil' Louis & The World | Club Lonely (I'm On The Guest List Mix)
One of my favorite tracks to play out. Also the cover art is so beautiful. This one is really dear to me. Haha.
2. Hercules & Love Affair | My House
I saw them perform this live recently. The energy of the singers was amazing, the crowd was eating out of their hands. I really love what they are doing.
3. Marcus Mixx | House Flash Back (Original Mix)
It doesn't get more house then this, so raw and sincere.
4. Finesse | Elevate
My good friend Avalon K's new project. The name pretty much explains the music and the vocalist Susan is a really provocative performer and she sounds kinda like Paris Grey mixed with Madonna. I liked it so much that I decided to produce them and put out their first record on our label Ecstasy.
5. Shit Robot | I Got A Feeling (feat. Saheer Umar)
Really hypnotic jackin' track. Saheer's vocals are subdued but have such a playful and beautiful presence. Definitely one of my favorite tracks this year.
6. Romanthony | Testify (Soul Vamp)
I love everything Romanthony does. Testify #2 is the last record of his I picked up. He really goes to church on it. So spiritual! I catch the holy ghost on this one.
7. Brian Ferry | Shameless (Still Going Remix)
Brian Ferry is one of my favorite male vocalists. He still totally has it! Danced to his music a lot as a teenager in my long haired silk shirt bellbottom days. Haha.
8. Kim Ann Foxman | What You Need
This track has it all. It's deep, it's jacking, it's emotional, it's poppy clubby...
9. Ja Dene | Can't Read Your Mind (S.Y.B. Work It Mix)
I am pretty much a sucker for anything with a swung out snare groove, some horns and someone telling me to work it or come on.
10. Jon Hassell & Bluescreen | Club Zombie
Just got into Jon. So good!
