Summer is fast approaching and I, for one, am very ready. Last week saw multiple 90 degree days here in LA, which meant multiple trips to my local ice cream shop and substantial beach time. I figured a solid playlist of reggae vibes & lover’s rock would be the perfect thing to help get into the proper mind state while I gear up for the days of global warming to come. There’s some oldies and classics in the mix, but also some new heaters from beyond the island of Jamaica.

Karol Conka :       Sandalia
shouts to my man Cato for letting me know about this insanely fresh Brazilian badass

Pressure :       Love And Affection
classic for the lovers

Jah Cure :       Call On Me
all my ladies…

Sizzla :       Show Me
still the illest

Busy Signal :       Missing You
Mr. Signal captured in a sentimental mood

Gyptian :       Turn Me On
new one from the Hold Yuh crooner

Vybz Kartel & J Capri :       Mamacita (So Shifty Edit)
nice little reggaeton flavor on this dancefloor banger

Sizzla :       Blessed (Deejay Theory Remix)
my man Theory hit this so hard with the perfect mix of hip hop, dancehall & electronic

Mavado :       Never Believe You
I love this uptempo 80’s sounding beat

P18 :       La Verdolaga
a song that blew my mind when I first heard DJ Dusk play it back around 2004, still so so good.

Todd Simon & The Angel City All Star Brass Band :       Sidama de Cali
for those that don’t know, Mr. Simon is a recording beast here in LA. Featured on more dope records than I can count, including a feature on my upcoming album, this new side project of his fusing Ethiopian melodies and Colombian roots is hitting my sweet spot!

Finley Quaye :       Ultra Stimulation
an oldie that missed me when it came out but still sounds refreshingly unique in a dubbed out fashion

There are a lot of things that I’m excited about in the near future, but this concert tonight, paying tribute to the mysterious Nigerian synth-funk guru William Onyeabor ranks very high on the list. For those who read this blog and think my tastes are primarily limited to contemporary hipster, sweater-funk, nu-disco, house and global bass… do your research. My love of obscure vintage African records goes deep, and I actually happened upon a copy of the Atomic Bomb LP while in Cote D’Ivoire back in 2002 before I could legally drink. More than a decade later, David Byrne has put together an all-star line-up to remix and tour, promoting the bizarre lo-fi funkiness that lies within the grooves of that same record. I’m also pretty stoked about the music video I shot yesterday, my upcoming monthly DJ residency in NYC that will last all Summer, and the imminent release of all this good music I’ve been working on, but for now let’s just give thanks for Onyeabor getting covered by Hot Chip.

Nurses :       Trying To Reach You
slightly old, but new to me. Layers of vocal pads, choppy drums and plenty of nice electronic touches from this Oregonian trio

Phantogram :       Fall In Love
I keep coming back to this album and finding a new thing to love about it.

Sorceress :       Teacups
the perfect combination of swing and bounce on this solid lead single from the band formerly known as ‘Funkommunity’. Stay tuned for the full-length dropping later this month from my fam at Wonderwheel

William Onyeabor vs. Hot Chip :       Atomic Bomb
I basically said it all at the top, but this whole project makes me happy.

IAMNOBODI :       Try Me ft. Ego Ella May
soulful Detroit-style swing from this Berlin based beat head

Brandy :       I Wanna Be Down (starRo remix)
I was introduced to this LA local by my homie Canyon Cody and now I’m happy to pass on that favor. More great baby making music here.

Jhené Aiko :       The Worst
yes it’s a radio smash, but the vibe of this one and the ridiculously infectious triplet hook are worthy of sharing for those who may have missed it.

Mr Little Jeans :       The Suburbs
another artist to keep an eye on, making Arcade Fire sound 2 million percent more badass.

Moloko :       The Time Is Now (Bambino Casino Remix)
can’t remember how I got this and I don’t know anything about Bambino, sorry.

Moses Sumney :       Man On The Moon &       Lindisfarne
I saw Moses live a month ago and it was shockingly beautiful and moving. Rare thing that my eyes water up at a show, but this man had that effect on me. He is set to blow up this year, mark my words.

Where does the time go?!? Why does it all of a sudden feel like I’m busier than ever before and barely have time to keep feeding this beautiful blog? If this is growing up, then I need to find a cure. In lieu of writing about why this music is great, I’ll let this photo by Thomas Prior speak wonders for me.

Marvin Gaye vs. Stro Elliot :       Turn On Some Marvin

Gilberto Gil :       Todamenina (Tahira Edit)

Young & Sick :       Glass

YesYou :       So Much To Give (L D R U Remix)

Chairlift :       Ghost Tonight

Ultraísta :       Smalltalk (Four Tet Remix)

Paradis :       Hemisphere

Elderbrook :       Rewinding

Dan Croll :       From Nowhere &       Can You Hear Me

Paris Carney :       It's Always The Quiet Ones

If you’re expecting to hear some MJ today, you can stop here and move on. However, if it’s the sound of tiny sonic victories triumphantly conquering the evils of bad music, then please proceed. We may not all be able to reach the heights of the herald angel with the sequined glove, but that shouldn’t stop us from tapping into our inner moonwalker on a daily basis. Today’s selections, including the glorious visual by David Lachapelle, were curated by my boo, the irreverent DJ Shrimp Scampi. Press play and help put the devil back down in his hole.

Sylvan Esso :       Coffee

MØ :       Say You'll Be There

Jungle :       Busy Earnin'

Lianne La Havas :       Forget

Mat.Joe :       Heart To Find

ODESZA :       Sun Models ft. Madelyn Grant

Atlas Genius :       Back Seat

Max Frost :       White Lies

The Submarines :       1940 (Amp Live Remix)

BEA :       Breadwinner