It’s mid-year. How in the hell did that happen? (Time — the revelator).

As I noted last year I haven’t had the time to compile music for a proper mix on Mixcloud. I miss doing that as the process is actually meditative but — well, here’s a bunch of tunes on Spotify. I’ve been spinning this collection since the dawn of 2017. There are some rhyme and reasons to the order and flow — though a lot of serendipity too.

Enjoy.

My rumbles on Mixcloud were down to a flatline this year. I didn’t have much time to assemble, analyze and mix songs. Although one of the ways I unplugged from all of the presidential election mishegas was to wear Bluetooth headphones (this pair is the best — and really affordable) just about everywhere and sleuth out new music and revisit the classics over on Spotify.

You can listen to the fruits of my departure on the new four-hour playlist I compiled last week.

If you’ve ever wondered how Tame Impala, Ella Fitzgerald, Kidnap Kid, Glenn Gould, Joni Mitchell, Frank Ocean and Shura might all find their way into the same dream field, well, then, this collection is for you.

Also, I’d like to thank artist-photographer Caleb Charland for allowing me to feature his eerie photograph, Candle with Gold Frame for the playlist’s cover. Please go explore his work, he has a unique eye aimed on nature, tech and the metaphysics in between.

Play in good health!

I created this mix several years ago — a collection of hymns, chants, Medieval carols and songs — a music compendium to mirror and celebrate this sacred moment in the Earth’s time cycle.

The Solstice, the night of the longest night, also marks the return of luminosity, as Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere and radiance gains prominence.

Light has always symbolized awareness and consciousness, as well as life-giving, creative properties. And in a real way we are each bodies of light, with the Sun Absolute as both our source and sustainment. And that bond is not simply symbolic, it is literal.

For many astrologers, the Winter Solstice is a demarcation that defines the start of the New Year. How we experience the longest night provides an essential hint as to the theme or signature of the year ahead. Both universally and personally. It’s my wish that this mix of music can tune you into a vector that’s off the beaten path, especially for this time of year.

Solstice Blessings to each of you!

Autumn on the islands that dot the Puget Sound is particularly wistful.

Fog floats inland frequently from the bay — shifting the terrain’s palette dramatically. The red and yellow foliage are made doubly loud atop grey mist.

 The damp ground littered with gorgeous debris. It’s epic.

Fall’s the season that reminds you of how everything — once present — is passing away; you’ve limited time — the impermanence of The Ten Thousand Things.

Winter and summer arrive like well-defined stage sets. Static in a way. Spring works subtly on the part of our nature that leans towards hope, a new tomorrow, love affairs, cleaner homes, it’s easier to take for granted. Summer is really hot.

But autumn. It will mess with your head. Read more

Happy Belated Spring!

Something new for your listening pleasure as the buds burst and the birds and bees do their buzzing thing. Some details about my new mix:

I’d describe it as futuristic retro blowbacks that travel the vector between now, tomorrow and the fall of the wall of Jericho. Perfect for our times, I think you’ll discover.

Or to lift a line from Joni Mitchell’s classic Ladies of the Canyon:

Songs like tiny hammers hurled
At beveled mirrors in empty halls

Includes, but not limited to: Tanlines, Charlie Christian, Fynn, Kay Starr, The Radio Dept., Glass Animals, Romare, Junior Boys, Les Sims, Tori Amos, Sam Prekop, Darkstar, Lyle Lovett, Duke Dumont, Martha Argerich, Synkro, Annie Lennox, Machinedrum with FaltyDL and the demo tape your mother made before you were born.

Enjoy!
 

 

2014 was another year where all of the really great music had to be sleuthed out like truffles.

And I’m your hog.

Here’s a bunch of my favorites jammed together in my traditional year end mix. Enjoy!

And a blessed, enlivening, creative, mind-bending, heart-opening 2015 to each of you.