Hey there!
Back from a short hiatus this week with arms (and ears) wide open and news apps off.
I had the pleasure of playing tunes at Million Goods, my good bud Matt’s new wine bar in New York City, a couple weeks ago which was a lovely little gathering of dear friends and a mix of loungey downtempo, jazz fusion, and what I’d like to describe as ‘Wine Bar House’. The wine was excellent and flowing so to be expected the mix meanders more toward track selection than mixing quality towards the end bit but the vibes were exceedingly high.
Saunter out and treat yourself to a juicy red or perhaps a sparkling orange and run it back up there at the top.
I created this playlist of Soul Savers in 2020 to help with the general weight of things and given the vibes emanating from various parts of the world at the moment, feels like the time to share it around again—26+ hrs of uplifters to get you through.
I also harvested my pepper garden this week and made a lot of hot sauce, and watched an excellent Courtney Barnett documentary. If you’d like me to send you a bottle of Triple Mango (or 🍍 Höllenanas 🍍), pass the newsletter around to a couple friends or share it on socials and I’ll get one out to you.
As always, here are some fresh recos for ya, curated with love.
🥭🥭🥭
EP: TRAИƧA: Selects (2024)
The first release of tracks from the upcoming TRAИƧA project from Red Hot Org:
A spiritual journey across 8 chapters and 46 songs, spotlighting the gifts of many of the most daring, imaginative trans and non-binary artists working today.
So many gorgoeus moments on here (a new track from Sade, a 26-minute ambient belter from André 3000) but the standout for me is Lauren Auder getting together with Wendy & Lisa from Prince’s Revolution for ‘I Would Die For U”.
Album: ann annie - The Wind (2024)
Gentle ambient companion of the week courtesy of Portland-based composer ann annie. As the album title suggests, it’s a breezy listen but subtly brings in elements of folk, country, and classical to keep it grounded.
Album: Jack J - Blue Desert (2024)
The Canadian Riviera delivers again with this one from Jack J on the ever-trusty Mood Hut Records out of Vancouver. Elements of dub, downtempo, folk, and psychedelia all with an undercurrent of melancholy.
Album: Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor (2024)
New one from Nilüfer Yanya who’s last album Painless was a favorite from last year . Lush lo-fi pop/rock/Rnb crossover drenched in 90s nostalgia. An immersive listen front to back
EP: Flying Lotus - Spirit Box (2024)
Damn near followed Flying Lotus on tour in the early 2010s at the peak of his Cosmogramma era but have been slightly underwhelmed since then. This new surprise EP feels vintage and hits all the feels from his earlier releases.
EP: Phil Geraldi - AM/FM USA (2024)
If you enjoyed the cosmic Americana of Cindy Lee’s Diamond Jubilee - likely an AOTY contender - this road tripper from Phil Geraldi will hit the spot. It’s more stripped back and expansive but has all the same patchwork feels with two side-long collages of radio static, pedal steel, crickets, and great plains haze. Lost highway melancholia.
EP: Stefan Ringer - Soulflow (2024)
Debatably the torchbearer for house music out of Atlanta right now. He pretty much hasn’t missed on a record since he kicked off his FWM label back in 2018. Stripped back soulful house at its finest. Would also rip in a wine bar…
Archive: Courtney Barnett - End of the Day (2023)
The soundtrack for the aforementioned excellent Courtney Barnett doco, by Courtney Barnett. Airy, spaced out noodling that is as transportative as it gets. Been listening to it on repeat today.
Archive: Barbara Mason - Don’t I Ever Cross Your Mind (1985)
Unreal groove on this disco slammer from 1984. Dance around with your vacuum cleaning your house-type groove. Discovered via my go-to NTS Breakfast Show with Flo.
Archive: Everything But the Girl - Before Today (Adam F Remix) (1996)
Gorgeous DnB remix of one of my all-time favorite tracks that I’ve been throwing on a good bit lately. Tracey Thorn makes everything just a little bit better.
🥭 Here’s a Spotify playlist that has a taste of everything mentioned 🥭
That’s it! If you enjoyed this one, you’re all set to receive the next ones, and if you feel inclined, pass it on to family and friends if you think they’d like it.
If someone forwarded you this one and you’d like to receive the next ones, simply click the subscribe button here and you’ll be G2G.
See ya in a couple weeks for NL18!
Nick
🥭🥭🥭
Triple Mango NL17: Wine Bar House