True Rastsaman
Fred locks
This track goes way back for me and Freds soothing voice reminds me of family gatherings, sharing food together with multiple families on a sunday afternoon, eating rice and peas, plantain and having jokes with the relatives, this was one of the soothing tunes being played on vinyl in the back ground. It was the one time in the week where everyone was relaxed, young and old shared their stories, and we learn from each other. The musical soundtracks we had in the background were just as important as the food.
Garden Of Earthly Delight
D*Note
I used to listen to Dj Harvey compilations that he did for ministry of sound, and he always captured the essence of what was going on. At the time. There was one particular track that always reminded me of coming back after a rave with the beautiful sunrise Coming up, reminiscing the amazing night that you had, and still feeling that glow. This track underlined, all the good things that happened and made you feel fulfilled, I searched for the original version, and This was even better than the compilation one,Jhelisa’s Beautiful tone surrounded you Like a comfort blanket, holding you right in that place you wanted to be. It still gives me that feeling every time I listen to it.
New Jersey Deep
Black Science Orchestra
Now this track is nothing short of genius. I remember hearing this and thinking what is this! Absolute mover, never failed to get the dancefloor bouncing something very special about this track. It just made you feel really positive you simply had to dance, and somehow it brought all the people together around you who weren't dancing, And created a little community of dancers around you all smiling and Vibin. It was years later. I had the pleasure to meet both members of the black science Orchestra and I'm friends with them to this day and have worked on productions with Ashley and recently I went to support a fundraiser for him in Ministry of Sound, as he had been struck ill,Rob Mello played New Jersey deep at the event, and it still sounded as fresh as ever, Some tunes are just everlasting in my opinion If you haven't heard it go and get it and turn it up loud in your music room you won't be disappointed.
Life Is Just A Moment (part 2)
Roy Ayers
First of all, let's talk about Roy Ayers what is there not to like about this guy, he is simply incredible, and of course we all remember the classic ‘everybody loves the sunshine’ but this one really had something going on for it. There used to be a crew of us that used to go out and love to do jazz dancing, and when this track was played, we would really as we used to put it, ’slap foot’ to this beat. That driving rhythm in this song, never failed to get us in the mood, no matter what we were doing sipping a drink, eating a bit of food. We would throw it all down to dance to this one. I’m pretty sure it would still have the same effect on us today.
Dogon
Thandiswa
I came across this artist recently Thandiswa and I was a immediately caught by the rhythms and movement of some of her music. I love what is coming out of South Africa at the moment and this track which came out in 2024 she uses a mix of Afrobeat, jazz, traditional Xhosa sounds, I discovered it’s about perseverance and self-empowerment Which aligns closely to my own beliefs, you can hear the sincerity in her voice which i’m sure was influenced by her growing up during apartheid, a wonderful piece of music.
Getting It On
Leroy Hutson
I was lucky enough to have done a tour with Leroy Hutson in japan and it was an honour to work with someone who had worked with the legendary Donny Hathaway. This instrumental song is hypnotically moving and powerful, and it’s not very often I will choose an instrumental over a vocal track and to be amongst a live band in tokyo playing that was such an incredible experience and has also endeared me to this piece of music and Leroy for a very very long time.
