After three and a half months traveling in Asia, I’ve returned to California, and I must say, it feels really nice to be eating cheese and drinking wine. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to travel, for the countless eye opening experiences and new friends made, for the raucous parties and the jaw-dropping sights. Somehow it all makes me feel more grateful to come home to a place as special as California, and even appreciative of being from the U.S. (which is not something I’m always proud of). I’m taking it slow right now, getting over jet lag and a nasty eye infection I got on the flight, so rather than hit you with a bunch of high energy dance music, allow me to take you on a little mellow journey around the soundsphere- adding some new stamps to your passport along the way. Today’s playlist has retro sounds from West Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, South America, the Middle East and Europe– a true mix of gumbo funk reminiscent of the old Captain’s Crate days.

Amara Toure :       N'nijo &       Salamouti Guinea Conakry – thanks to Analog Africa

Los Zafiros :       Bossa Cubana &       La Luna en Tu Mirada Cuba

Charlie & The Boys :       Dance With Soul Singapore

Angkanang Kunchai :       Lam Plearn Mee Mia Laew Pai Thailand – thanks to Soundway Records

Thepporn Petchubon :       Fang Jai Viangjan Thailand

Unknown Artist :       Cambodian Mystery Song Cambodia – from one of many burned CD’s I bought in a market in Siem Reap

Mbongwana Star :       Malukayi &       1 million c'est quoi? Democratic Republic of the Congo – one of my favorite records of 2015

Los Corraleros De Majagual :       Sueltala Pa' Que Se Defiendo Colombia

Samir Hanna :       Lbesna Sharawil Jdoudna Lebanon

Ozdemir Erdogan :       Gurbet Turkey

Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba :       Borongoli Ma Kununban &       Fama Magni Mali – another great one from last year

Salvatore Adamo :       En Blue Jeans Et Blouson Belgium – strangely enough, I discovered this one listening to radio in a taxi in Seoul, Korea

Happy 2016 everybody! I hope you all rang it in loud and proud. Apologies for my absence, I’ve been on a serious tour de force for the past month, traveling to South Korea, China, and all throughout India. Mainly INDIA. The wi-fi has been scant, and even when I apparently had full bars of signal, the kilobytes per second of transmission were slim to none, so blogging was basically an impossibility. India blew my mind about 100 times daily. It was overwhelming and discomforting from day one, but thankfully I’m someone who appreciates being out of my comfort zone. From the delicious dosas of Chennai, to the hazy filthy holy madness of Varanasi, to the crowded bustling streets of Bombay, through the maze-like bazaar of Delhi, to the glory of the Taj in Agra, and finally finishing with a bit of relaxation surrounded by picturesque beaches and endless sunsets in Goa– India was very real. I also had the insane opportunity of DJ-ing for the actual Maharaja of Jodhpur in the medieval Mehrangarh Fort (see pic above), while spending several nights at the Umaid Bhawan Palace!!! It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve gained about 5 pounds in pure curry, and made many new friends, and I’ve also acquired a hearty stash of Bollywood music which I will begin to share with you today. I’ve had a fair share of old school 70’s Bollywood funk for years, but the newer music on the radio is what I was focussed on this trip. You have to have a bit of a taste for cheese here, and an appreciation for the accompanying videos and movies is helpful too. But if you’re like me, then these songs will find their way into a playlist of yours and provide for an epic dance party (with the Maharaja or not), plus there’s a few mellow come down tunes at the end. Suggestions for more Bollywood bangers in the comments is highly appreciated!

Soumya Rao :       Dreamum Wakeupum

Navjeet Singh :       Ik Wari Nach Le

Arjun Kanungo :       Baaki Baatein Peene Baad

Harpreet Happy :       Neher Wale Pull

Guru Randhawa :       Outfit

Pritam, Amit Mishra, Anushka Manchanda & Antara Mitra :       Manma Emotion Jaage

D. Imman :       Dandanakka

Dhanush Anirudh :       Maari Thara Local

Deepa Zaildar :       Faridkot

Diljit Dosanjh :       Gapuchi Gapuchi Gum Gum

Ravinder Grewal :       Gal Tan Bandi &       Latt Wargi

Uthara :       Azhagu

Bhupinder Singh & Asha Bhosle :       Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar Aaj Bhi Hai

Ghulam Ali :       Chamakte Chand Ko

Mixtape Riot Radio is baaaack! It’s been a full year since my last episode, which was also an annual “Best Of”, but I do plan on getting back into a more regular habit of recording these in 2016. Certainly not definitive, and there’s plenty of songs/artists I loved in 2015 that are not on here, but these 20 tunes represent a lot of what I’ve had in repeat rotation at different points over the year. This is also more of my chill listening playlist, rather than my club-filler make-the-dancefloor-break mix that you hear if you come see me DJ. I tried to focus on songs that may have fallen under the radar of most other end-of-year lists as well. Any way you squeeze it, I think they all fit together pretty well and leave me optimistic about the current state of musical affairs. Includes songs from Thundercat, Bomba Estereo, Misun, Equal, Love Taps, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Branko and more. Hope you dig it!

full tracklist and download are available here. Also, catch up on past episodes here.

Mixtape Riot #13 by Brooklyn Radio on Mixcloud

My travels here in Asia continue to be highly rewarding and mind expanding in the following departments: delicious spicy food, salty tropical breezes, picturesque hypercolor views, thrilling scooter rides, sweaty jungle explorations, wild animal encounters, and (perhaps most importantly) time away from my normal routine. I am finding a minuscule amount of time to work on new music in my little makeshift hotel room studio, and of course I’m dedicated to sharing music as regularly as possible with you here, but everything else about our daily schedule requires problem solving skills and creativity. In the past month and a half we’ve explored Cambodia, Malaysian Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand (earlier this week where the pic above was taken), and next week we’re heading to scuba dive in Sulawesi Indonesia. I’m back every weekend to DJ at my residency here at Hotel Vagabond in Singapore (a job offer that could not have come at a better time). I’m insanely thankful for all of this opportunity, and it’s definitely encouraging me to keep sharing music (which is how I ended up here to begin with). So here’s another playlist of slappers- some beavy bass and global sounds to keep inspiring travel, around the world, across the dancefloor, and within our selves.

Will Magid :       Irfan (ft. Paul Bertin) my brass homie from the bay comes correct with a balkan krunk banger

Jus Now :       Cyah Help It (ft. Ms. Dynamite & Bunji Garlin) the electro soca madman returns with a massive collabo

Midival Punditz :       Baanwarey (Atropolis Remix) vibey and deep Indian bass from my NYC beatsmith homie

Burcu Gunes :       Yakisir a Greek party starter secret weapon I robbed from DJ Cato

Ralfi Pagan :       Pelao (Cocotaxi Remix) one of the new breed of Fania remixes, taken from Geko Jones’ compilation, mucho mas Fania on the way…

Tamikrest :       Aratan N Tinariwen (MTMBT Re-Edit) desert rock burner

Quitapenas :       Guayabo (Yukicito Remix) my LA hermano Yuki came correct on this one

Odiggity :       Black Hole heavy afro-electro from this Swedish producer

Edem :       Koene (ft. Ice Queen) recent Ghanian club tune from this man

Justin Bieber :       Sorry (Deejay Theory Reggae Refix) very necessary retro roots mix of a song I can’t stop myself from loving, biggup mi bredren TEERY

Lagartijeando :       Cardo Rodando &       Amazonas a Los Andes very nice new release of pan-South-American sounds from the Frente Bolivarista camp

Sadly, this will be one of my first Thanksgivings without the company of family or old friends, and knowing the available food options here in Singapore, this will also probably be a Thanksgiving sans pie (one of my all-time favorite things to eat). But, the good news is, there are plenty of other things here to be thankful for- and my loving wife and I will have no problem slowing down and enjoying them to the fullest. In particular this week, I’m giving thanks for the healthy birth of new lion cub Lilou (congrats to DJ Cato & TV!), for the smooth painless passing of my Aunt Becky, for the family and friends who I know are thinking of me even in my distance, and for my life partner and favorite person to be around, who is making everyday here in Asia an adventure. I’m extremely thankful (and flattered) for the news I received yesterday that my song “Un Poquito Más” ft. Chico Mann passed 1 MILLION plays on Spotify (wow!). And of course, I’m always thankful for good music too! So here goes, some downtempo sounds to put on as you roll out the pie crust (you lucky bastards).

Extended Spirit :       Sista Riddim

Imagined Herbal Flows :       Floating

Kiiara :       Gold

The Flavr Blue :       Feathers

Bonobo :       Kiara

Guggenz :       Need Love

Aten Rays :       Come With Me

RÜFUS :       Sundream (Hayden James Remix)

Giraffage :       Hello

Kacy Hill :       Foreign Fields

There will always be disease, always be sickness, always be pain and fear and violence. As long as there are minds and souls to be terrorized, there will be terrorists. This week has no doubt left many of us feeling upset and confused, myself included. What is the purpose of such self-destruction? Why do we do this to ourselves? I am finding condolence in the simple concept that the only reason for pure hatred, is to provide love a chance to overcome it. And we will overcome it, I maintain my faith. We are our own greatest enemies, but I firmly believe that we all share a deep need to come together, overcoming all barriers, in mutual celebration of the funky poly-rhythms of life. Can you tell it’s late and I’ve been sipping mezcal? Lots of good music for you today, accompanied by a kickass photo by Michael Christopher Brown – check him out.

Leisure :       Got It Bad &       All Over You

Equal :       Shakedown ft. Seja

Chaka Khan :       I Know You

The Rhythm Makers :       Soul On Your Side (Personify's Boogie Edit)

Linda Clifford :       Don't Give It Up (Buzz Compass Edit)

Janet Jackson :       Say U Love Me (LNTG Rework)

Anderson Paak :       Am I Wrong ft. Schoolboy Q

Hayden James :       Something About You

Kutiman :       Inner Galactic Lovers (Obas Nenor Remix)

Oh Wonder :       Lose It

Coma :       Lora

Bob Moses :       Before I Fall