As I am penning this intro, Hurricane Idalia is threatening to huff and puff and blow the house down. As yet, the wicked hurricane has not turned to the north or given up and headed back out to the Gulf, so we could be in for a bit of bother. Even if Idalia does not hit us directly, the storm surge is predicted to reach many feet high, which will mean some nasty flooding around here. We are on a little area above sea level, so we can expect to be on an island for a coupe of days. With the extreme wind and rain, the power could or will go out, so I’m putting this mix together in case I cannot ramble on about all the new releases I have ready to play for you. This mix is going to be a little different from usual, I guess you could call this a left of center mix. Most of the cuts are new, some are from a few months back and a couple are perhaps older.  All the music you will hear is varying into a more ambient mode with a little addition some studio manipulation on my part.  You are advised to sit back and relax as you listen. Imbibe something enjoyable. Turn the volume up louder than usual. And…enjoy, till next time, hopefully, I will not have been washed away by Hurricane Idalia. 

Adolescent Storm – Rubberband

This one comes from an intriguing compilation, I Stumble And Then I Fall on the Colorful Storm imprint out of Melbourne. A perfect way to set the mood for the upcoming tracks. Compilations should be an essential part of your collection and this 10-track album is certainly worthwhile investigating, as is Colorful Storm’s catalogue. Rubberband has a haunting, mysterious air with what could be found sounds or even a needle skipping on a disc. Fascinating.

Kallista Kult – Who Do I Tell

“It’s magic mushroom season in the southern hemisphere right now.” this is a message in the notes for the Kallista Kult EP. We also learn from the notes, “Four acts of crime, madness, fatalism and despair. Flashes of lightning and delinquency: innately impulsive, insidious and with no credible motive. Interior realities, psychological delirium. Moon musick in four phases, less Warminster than Warranwood. Intoxication, incoherence, paranormality and paranoia… psylocibin and self-destruction with no sign of consolation.” Here is another example why you need to pay attention to the goings on in Melobourn, even though this one is from 2019. Not exactly ancient but back then this was “The debut work by an assemblage of clandestine miscreants unraveling a tapestry weaved by David Jackman, Caroline K, The Pickle Factory and Paralelo-era Pascal Comelade, stretching all the way down along a dead end Xpressway”. Terrific artwork, too.

Princess Diana Of Wales – Still Beach

Laila Sakini from London says she works with piano, voice, guitar, found sound, electronics and silence. I love every track on this self-titled EP, with Still Beach being my favorite, which I have listened to repeatedly, trying to gather glues each time. Deliberately mysterious and gorgeous. There are these two cryptic lines in the notes, “How do you approach matters of love and an uncertain future? How are your emotions processed during such an event?” Maybe you have a better answer than me? I’m curious to know why Laila Sakini selected the moniker Princess Diana Of Wales. Yes, there is the obvious tongue-in-cheek irreverence at the same time it adds to the curious appeal of Laila’s work. Here is another release on Colorful Storm adding to my earlier prompt.

Najee-Zaid – Chanting For Protection

Oh, this one is so good. I love every second of this EP from Chicago-based, Najee-Zaid. He says, he builds environments for the fragmented to explore wholeness. To envelop with care the story of an ongoing journey of self that may resonate with those of similar paths. “Sonic explorations through healing vibrations” states Najee-Zaid. Chanting For Protection is so intriguingly put together with the balance of the delicate instrumentation and his melodious voice. His Immersion EP is important. Go to his website to learn more. 

Luca Formentini – Fili

Jumbling up the genres has always been a passion of mine, so here we find Fili from Luca Formentini. A decidedly charming cut from an exceptional compilation, Brixia Sonora on Rebirth Records out of Brescia, Italy established by Daniele Contrini aka Shield in 2006. According to the notes, “Rebirth has thought to blend together independent musical paths, which were valid but otherwise fragmented. into a collective and identity project called Brixia Sonora, a tribute to the Brescian music scene in its many facets and declinations.” The range of music here is impressive, I agree with this notation, “As the vinyl slips under the needle, the mind is taken on a journey. Driven by the groove, the music and its role as a magnifying glass on the world, inside and outside, this is a propitious moment to put away the debris and collaborate to construct a future”. 

Daudi Matsiko – Fool Me As Many Times As You Like

Then we come to British-Ugandan singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko with his latest single, Fool Me As Many Times As You Like a deeply personal and emotionally charged track that delves into themes of depression, anxiety, self-deception and giving up. This one caught me by surprise on first listen. I’m totally impressed by the performance, arrangement and production by Daudi. The saxophone by Pete Beardsworth is perfectly incorporated. Overall, there is a preciousness about this cut and I mean that in the most flattering way. Nice sleeve art by Stephen Teeuw.

Chris Benoit – Brokenspiel

As I have said many times before, compilations are a wonderful way to discover new music. Here is another cut from Brixia Sonora on Rebirth Records illustrating the wide range of genres on this album. After a search on the inter-web machine, I found this info, “Chris Benoit is a new project founded in 2019 by the composer and performer Andrea Filippo ‘fiore’ Soro and the producer Gianluca ‘gianluce’ Cancelli. High school friends since 2011” Well, it would seem these lads know their way around the effects rack and puts it to good use on Brokenspiel. A classy taste of Deep House. I approve.

Chief Kaya – Metaphysics

Over in exotic Stoke-on-Trent, Infernal Sounds do a nice line of business specializing in 140/Dubstep/Bass Music. Elijah Litvack as Chief Kaya gives us three versions with three different titles on the Metaphysics EP. Here is an almost classic-sounding Dubstep outing expertly crafted. Don’t let this one pass by without turning the volume way up on your headset. In my opinion, if you are going to venture into a deep, dark, dubby, minimal exploration, you can’t do better than this. Proper good, innit. Cool sleeve too.

Invader Spade – Midori

OK. OK. OK. When I spy that a cut has emanated from the city of music adventure – Bristol, I can be sure it’s gonna be worth giving it a serious once (or maybe four-times) over. Midori from Invader Space is on the compilation 10/10 courtesy of Sector 7 who are celebrating ten years pushing real 140. A chap named Boofy is behind the label and reckons this eight-track beauty tells us where Sector 7 has been and where it’s going in the future. The mission says, Boofy was to pivot around 140 and Dubstep but always crucially getting on with a big dose of flair and spark rather than trying to retreads old ground. You gotta love the found sounds in the mix. Brilliant artwork, of course.

Lord Of The Isles & Ellen Renton – My Noise Is Nothing

I know you weren’t expecting this one. It works doesn’t it. The ambient-deep-house from Lord Of The Isles behind Scottish poet Ellen Renton’s words written during 2020, capture something of that time – that feeling of having no obstacles between ourselves and our emotions. The LP, My Noise Is Nothing reminds me of how the pandemic will haunt us all for many years to come, maybe forever. Ah, memories. Treasure them, even if a tear slowly meanders down your cheek and you wipe it quickly away before anyone sees. A true gem of a recording is this one.

Natalie Rose LeBrecht – Game Over

As if standing in the wings ready to perform, Natalie Rose LeBrecht glides up to the microphone staring straight ahead, not hesitating to use all of her skills as a composer, producer and lyricist while treating us to her ability on analog synth, piano, vocals. She is also a talented artist as you will see from the cover she created for her album, Holy Prana Open Game. There is much to learn about Natalie Rose, so I recommend you follow the link. 

Hella – Back Up

As we get close to the end of this sixty-minute mix, we head back to Stoke-on-Trent’s Infernal Sounds for the genuinely infectious Back Up by Hella. This one comes on the Dare I Say EP, which should, if I ran the world be on every indie radio stations playlist, in heavy rotation. Of course, I’m annoying myself as I try to identify the samples in this splendid production. In case I didn’t already make it clear enough, I love Back Up. A big tip of the hat to the folks at Infernal Sounds. And, yes the sleeve art is cool.

Open Field – Woke To A Boot

What we have here is another wonderful example of why you have to invest in compilations. Dead Currencies out of Nashville have curated a simply exceptional array of music for the album, El Teatro Esta Cerrado (The Heater Is Closed). The label people say “They are creating tangible goods in excruciatingly limited editions. We’re focused on dying artifacts, terrible business models and non-scalable production. All of our goods are hand-made. Records come in limited editions of 25, unless noted otherwise. All music is property of the artist who made it. We just build little boats”. You gotta love that. Open Field contributed their recently released single, Woke To To Boot. Make sure you check out their catalogue here. 

Bobby Cook & The Explosions – On The Way

Shirley Ann Lee – I Shall Not Be Moved

Two examples from Local Customs: Downriver Revival Between 1967 and 1981 a spectacular compilation from Detroit’s neighbor Ecorse, Michigan covering Gospel, Group Soul, Garage-punk, Jazz and Funk. Aww, that voice of Shirley Ann Lee, the Funk of Bobby Cook & The Explosions. Get this one, you won’t be disappointed.

Sylvester – Stormy Weather

The unforgettable disco legend, Sylvester with his intimate collection of vintage Jazz, Blues, and Gospel. Undoubtably, Sylvester is best known for his chart-topping collaborations with producer Patrick Cowley, this extraordinary release release reveals his passion for the sounds of the 30s and 40s. The sessions for Private Recordings feature Sylvester’s unmistakable falsetto, while also casual, intimate and a dash of camp. The record will be released on September 6th which would have been Sylvester’s 76th birthday, and all proceeds from Private Recordings will go to the two charities that Sylvester left his royalties after his death: Project Open Hand and PRC (formerly AIDS Emergency Fund). This essential release documents the earliest known recordings from one of disco’s greatest talents. 

Artwork by Norman B “Is Hurricane Idalia heading this way?” iPhone photo August 30th 2023. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection