Just a quick installment of songs from near & far, intended to help carry you away someplace sunny. Most of this week’s selections have been pickpocketed from my many DJ friends. Shout out to DJ Gozar, Maga Bo, Mr. Assin. Pic above was taken on the little island of Ubin, just north of Singapore. If you ever find yourself there, riding bikes on the trails through the jungle, look out for a beautiful Buddhist temple and ask someone there if you can feed the fish.

Sam Gellaitry :       Long Distance this young kid is killing things right now

ÌFÉ :       3 Mujeres (Iború Iboya Ibosheshé) electro-roots from Cuba

FurmigaDub :       Saudadidela electro-roots from Northeast Brazil, peep the whole collection

Sidestepper :       Fuego Que Te Llama &       Magangué I’ve been a fan of this Colombian crew for many years, happy to hear this latest effort

Tabu Ley Rochereau :       Hafi Deo holy lord, this 10minute jammer from the late 80’s Congo is pretty much heaven

Baaba Maal :       Fulani Rock (Henrik Schwarz Remix) new album from Senegal’s finest, produced by Radioclit, get’s a nice deep dancefloor mix

DJ X-Trio & Calado Show :       Acorda Nani the real deal from Luanda

Yuri Da Cunha :       Atchu Tchu Tcha huuuuge pan-African hit from a couple years back that I’m just catching up with

St Germain :       Real Blues new album from France’s chillster supreme dives deep into African sounds

Matanza, Acid Pauli & Jo.Ke :       How Strange (Nicola Cruz Remix) the man Nicola took this one to outerspace and back, BRAVO!

Been slightly overwhelmed with new music lately, like I’m catching up on all the quality indy releases that I missed while on the road, and there where MANY. It also seems like artists & labels love dropping tons of new material right at the start of the new year. Whatever the case may be, my “New Additions” playlist is all over the place and overflowing. Can’t lie, watching King Kendrick’s Grammy performance also had a pretty powerful effect on me- just being reminded of the level of intense emotion that can be expressed in a song, and the bravery to say it loudly in front of millions of people. I woke up hungry for more music, powerful sounds, thirsting to manifest distant echoes that I hear in my head. I’m hoping today, as always, that sharing these songs here helps feeds your creativity, somewhere out there over the internet, wherever you may be. Today’s photo comes courtesy my homie Ravi Vora who is also a constant source of visual inspiration. Check out his insane insta-feed if you ever feel lacking for dreams. Also, for anyone in Los Angeles area, I’ll be doing a big show on Saturday night at the Globe Theater opening up for 2 legends: Questlove + Gaslamp Killer.

Earth, Wind & Fire :       Drum Song
R.I.P. to one of my all-time favorites, Maurice White

Jamie Woon :       Sharpness

Anderson .Paak :       The Waters &       Light Weight this whole album is FIRE. Do yourself a favor.

Big Grams :       Fell In The Sun ft. Big Boi

SG Lewis :       All Night ft. Dornik

Massive Attack :       Ritual Spirit

AlunaGeorge :       I'm In Control ft. Popcaan

DJ Snake :       Middle ft. Bipolar Sunshine

Katy B, Four Tet & Floating Points :       Calm Down

RÜFÜS DU SOL :       Be With You

Bomba Estereo :       Algo Esta Cambiando (Jamie Prado Remix)

Khruangbin :       Two Fish And An Elephant

Time to dust off your vuvuzela, the sequined bikini, and the feather headdress. All around the world, where Catholics and Christians spread the gospel, people will be getting loose in the streets this week. I don’t fully understand where this tradition comes from, but judging it purely on the visual and musical stimulus it has provided me over the years, I can’t be mad at it. I didn’t actually compile a playlist of authentic global carnival related songs (which is a good idea for some future date), but this week I’m sharing a collection of dance music that could potentially get you and your friends parading through the streets. There’s some Trinidad, some Brazil, some West Africa- plenty of beats and bass to go around. Special shout out this week to my man in Singapore DJ Bhayology for providing a healthy portion of this playlist. Photo above comes from the highly inspiring work of Phyllis Galembo.

Buju Banton :       Champion (Maga Bo Remix)

Pearls Negras :       Pensando em Você

Deela :       Okka Rina

Olatunji :       Ola

Yemi Alade :       Johnny

Afriquoi :       Ningde Jubeh

Madera Limpia :       Loco (Daniel Haaksman Remix)

Ephniko, Deuce Eclipse & Sonido Baylando :       Oye Morena

Snappy Jit :       Bumpa (SpydaT.E.K Remix)

Radioclit :       Secousse (Round Table Knights Remix)

Petrona Martínez :       La Encuera 2.0 ft. Uproot Andy

R. City :       Like This