Spring fever in New York City is uncanny, unrestrained, uninhibited and packed with unbridled enthusiasm. But the overall season is fickle, with vestiges of winter and April’s precipitation, leading one to yearn for a premature June.

Why can’t it just be consistently warm already!

The temperate days of March and April are similar in spirit to the perfect days of September and October. But the unfortunate truth is that once perspiration does finally arrive, people are complaining and searching for escape routes. So when is the actual best climate time? It’s right now… it’s dynamite outside RIGHT NOW. I can barely stand typing this from my room because it’s that good, on April 20th. Oh right, it’s Earth Day! And some other holiday that I used to celebrate.

Mandy Goodgoll. Goodmess.tumblr.com

With inspiration from a Kthread podcast, an afternoon of conversation and playing catch at Prospect Park with Gregory Smith Jr., and getting to know some of my fellow peoples going down to Argentina (IE Mandy) for field work this summer, this compilation has found existence. Download it. Play it loud. Get outside.

Mandy Goodgoll. Goodmess.tumblr.com

Playlist (To download into Itunes, right click and save as here)

The Radio Department - Heaven’s on Fire
Lovin’ Spoonful - Summer in the City
Erykah Badu - Me
Mos Dub - History Town
Bullion - Sloop Jay D/Let’s Go Away for Awhile
Wu Tang Vs. The Beatles - Forget Me Not
The Beatles - Day Tripper
Marlena Shaw - California Soul
The Blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park
The Kinks - Tired of Waiting for You
The Velvet Underground - Rock & Roll
The Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden
Uncle Tupelo - Screen Door
Freelance Whales - Generator ^ Second Floor
North Highlands - Sugar Lips
Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes
Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday
Jens Lekman - Kanske Är Jag Kär i Dig
Felt (Slug & Murs) - Morris Day
Gift of Gab - Way of the Light
Sublime - What I Got
Smashing Pumpkins - Today

 

 This is What the Swelter Smells/Sounds Like: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Bonus track. Delorean - Seasun: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Categories: Visine for the ears
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Most of you may know me by now, if you know Revaz. I’m taking over his blog on this guest post to give you some beautiful reggae music, just in time for the summer. Most of these tracks fall under the category of “roots”, “lovers rock” and/or “rockers” reggae which was popularized in the late sixties and dominated the Jamaican music scene until at least the mid eighties. (after which, Dancehall took center stage. A more aggressive form of club music, Dancehall arose in direct correlation with its Hip-Hop or Rap sibling in the US) When I set out making this mix, I wanted to give you a taste of the top tracks you would hear if you went to any reggae club, show, festival or even just walked through my predominantly West-Indian neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

But I was also mindful of giving you a sample of some of the most distinct voices in the industry that always trigger a sense of familiarity and communion for the people whom this music speaks for. From Gregory Isaacs to Dennis Brown, Buju Banton to Beanie Man, and Sizzla to Sanchez, all of these names dominated the mix tapes, DJ sound systems, Jamaican beef patty radio stations of the era (and for the most part, still do).

Of course, it is not without some violence to my music library collection that I was able to make one concise mix. Even as I write this, I am remembering certain songs and artists that I should have included. So in order to do the music just a little more justice, I decided to make two volumes of this series (the next, is already in the final process of production). This is all not to mention that a separate Dancehall mix is also part of my contract with Rivers, so expect that in the near future as well. I hope you enjoy these meditations as much as I do, and if so, make sure to let Revaz know so that I can plan for some more take-overs!

One Hundred,

Mario R. Hernandez

Tracklist (to download into itunes, left click and save as here)

1. Babylon a Listen- Sizzla
2. Soon Forward - Gregory Isaacs
3. Wolf and Leopard - Dennis Brown
4. Public Enemy No.1 - Max Romero
5. Black Heart Man - Bunny Wailer
6. Give I Strength - Buju Banton
7. Arise Blackman - Peter Tosh
8. One Man Against The World - Gregory Isaacs
9. Rough Road - Prezident Brown
10. Weh Yo Run Fa - Zebra
11. Junior Marvin - Bad Weed
12. Going Away - Sanchez and Beanie Man
13. Hope for the Hopeless - Prezident Brown and Coca Tea
14. Here I Come - Dennis Brown
15. If Jah - Tony Rebel
16. Rastaman Chant - A Tiny Window

 Rasta Take Over the Scene!: Download

Categories: Visine for the ears
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