Damn, it’s starting to seem like once a month is the new norm. I will keep trying my best to overcome the billion and three other tasks that take precedence over writing a blog entry, but the list certainly ain’t getting any shorter. Since the last time I checked in, there’s been multiple devastating hurricanes, a massive earthquake and the growing threat of imminent nuclear war, so I wanted to bring it back to what keeps me sane in tough times: dirty old records. Sure there’s a few edits in here with updated production, but for the most part, this here is a batch of analogue funky stuff sans drum machine. We got sounds from the US, to Brazil, to Haiti, to Burkina Faso and beyond. Last post got me a couple of takedown requests from artists, so I want to remind all you listeners out there that if you dig what you hear, please do go and support the artists- especially the ones who are still around and in the hustle (I’m looking at you ->>COMBO CHIMBITA!!!). That being said, I don’t have any plan to stop spreading the music I love. Artwork today comes from this cool guy I found on instagram: Dominick Rabrun

Ok ok, so after my last playlist it became pretty clear that more than a few of you are really thirsty for more funk and soul… I hear you loud and clear, but today is not your day, sorry. Soon enough, because I have heaps more where those soulful gems came from. Instead, I’m getting super psyched for my Saturday night set at Beloved Festival way up in Oregon this weekend. I have never been, but I’ve been hearing great things about this gathering for years and I feel honored to be part of the line-up (sandwiched in between Quantic with Fémina & my old friend Nickodemus). So today’s selections are skewed in the direction of late night tribal raving deep in the forest of the Northwest. Sorry again to the classic funk fiends, but roll with me on this one and try to imagine yourself surrounded by redwood trees and hippies with facepaint on and not much else, in front of a massive sound system, joints loosened up from a yoga session, chakras aligned after a recent soundbath, and then these tunes come blasting full force… hopefully it all makes more sense that way. For more cool photography capturing vodou ceremonies in Brooklyn, check out Shannon Taggart.

It’s been a while since I’ve shared some new production work, but don’t worry, I’ve been busy! Lots more good music in the pipeline ready to share. This latest “Nova Vida” remix I did for my DJ homie Allen French brings together some smooth Brazilian vocals with deep dancefloor bass, perfect for Summer soireés and poolside parties. It’s out now on the very hip French label Kitsuné. Press play and prepare to bounce…

There are more than a few activities I love doing, which I am now finding it increasingly difficult to find time for in my new dad life: bike rides, yoga, record digging, writing blog posts (once a month used to make me feel guilty)… However, there is one great joy (mostly absent until recently) that has now become a daily routine, helping to keep me sane while providing a solid musical education for my baby at the same time. I’m talking, of course, about the living room dance party. I feel blessed to have a generally happy kid, but when I drop the needle on a record in front of her and demonstrate the proper wrist action for turning up the volume, she becomes ecstatic. Bounce, twirl, shake, repeat. I put together this new batch of songs with these dance sessions in mind (apologies in advance to my downstairs neighbors). I have so much more good music to share, hopefully it won’t take as long for me to put up the next post. Cheers to funky Frenchman Claude Viallat for providing today’s visual flourish.

Been a long time since I was in school, but I still always feel the communal good vibes of early Summer when kids suddenly multiply in the street. June feels like a constant excuse to work a little less hard. Partly because of this natural mystic that’s in the air, and partly because I’m 11 hours deep into the amazing patois goldmine that is the audiobook of A Brief History Of Seven Killings, I’m extra inspired to share some dancehall sounds (even if most of these songs aren’t from Jamaica). I also played a bunch of these alongside my homie DJ Nadi up in Mendocino over the weekend at Enchanted Forest Festival and it’s clear that the afro-soca dancehall stylee is hitting hard this year. Wouldn’t be surprised to hear Beyonce on an Afrobeat track before 2017 is done. Enjoy the beats & ciao for now…

OOOF, no time no time, nothing new. Just wanted to drop off a big batch of fresh eclectic tunes before all of you lose faith in this place! I can still deliver the goods haha. Some mellower sounds that have been keeping my head on straight lately while I navigate the nonstop madness. Find someone to slow wine with and press play. Artwork above comes from Kerry James Marshall who has a retrospective up at LA MOCA right now.