The Living is Easy? (Something Else! on Www.WtnrRadio.com 08/20/09)

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The Something Else! Intro leads us into the evergreen \”B-Movie\” by Gil Scott-Heron. It\’s really sad how this song STILL has so many relevant points. I don\’t know how many times I\’ve referenced it in the last week talking about current events and attitudes. \”Only Love Can Break Your Heart (A Mix of Two Halves)\” by Saint Etienne is a Neil Young cover remixed by NYC producers Masters At Work. Saint Etienne is one of the groups from 90s who are wonderfully confusing, they have elements of folk, dance music, pop and cited dub producer Keith Hudson as an influence. It is followed by \”Soon (Andrew Weatherall Mix)\” by My Bloody Valentine, another 90s track with the kitchen-sink approach to influences. My Bloody Valentine is one of the poster children for \”shoegaze\” music and Andrew Weatherall is a big name in remix production, tending to make disparate elements work alongside each other in his productions. \”Between The Thighs\” by Weather Report represents a music genre that I feel is unfairly maligned, \”jazz-fusion.\” Admittedly, there was much music under that banner that doesn\’t hold water any longer, but a fair amount of it is still quite valid. Weather Report was one of the groups that helped move jazz forward in the 1970s and even into the 1980s with their musicianship and melodies that people could connect with such as their \”hit\” \”Birdland.\” One of my favorite producers in the \”broken-beat\” scene is Daz-I-Kue who pays tribute to music he loves via the Bloodfire label. \”Roots (Uptown)\” by Bloodfire vs Lamont Dozier updates the soul-disco classic \”Back To My Roots.\” By the way, Lamont Dozier was part of the classic songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland of Motown hits such as \”How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)\” for Marvin Gaye, The Supremes\’ \”Baby Love\”, \”Stop! In the Name of Love\”, and \”You Keep Me Hangin\’ On.\” \”Divided/United\” by Rasmus Faber is a bargain-bin find, but I think you know I already liked his sound, soulful deep house. While we\’re in the deep house bag, the next track is a partnership of two of the best known San Francisco practicioners, Miguel Migs (aka Petal Pusher) on the remix and Kaskade on writing duties — \”Safe (Miguel Migs Petal Pusher Mix) by Kaskade. \”Twilight Reverie\” by Truth Mechanic was sent to me years ago by the producer (great guy, Jason Brancasio aka Dj Enredo) and I\’ve always liked it. At the time Jason gave it to me I wasn\’t playing as much of that sound as I am now. I close out the show with something appropriate for the weather here in Catalunya (and most places in the northern hemisphere) — \”Summertime\” by Miles Davis & Gil Evans. A nice breezy tune to \”cool out\” to.

I\’m in London next Thursday, so I might take a break on the show until the following week. I promise to have much new music for you!