…continued from Part 1
3. Raphael Saadiq
It is rather outdated of me to have only heard this old soul brother’s music so late in his career. After all, this guy was nominated for THREE Grammys last year, for crying out loud (not that Grammy nominations were a benchmark of quality music, but this time round it unarguably is). As usual, I only got to know about him after listening to one of Gilles Peterson’s radio shows online (where else?). My curiosity piqued, I knew I had to get hold of his music.
After a listen to the album, “The Way I See It“, there is no question on all the accolades, nominations, album sales, rave reviews, hype that it has been receiving. This is one of those albums that I could listen to from front to end, and loving almost every moment of it (and even demanding repeat listens for my favourite tracks). It really is that good.
I may have gotten all my American culture references mixed up, but listening to this album conjures up images of 1960’s black America back when guys in woolen cardigans (way before Kanye West did) and girls in huge skirts would dance by the jukebox in the diner.
My favourite tracks from the album include the usual heavyweights of the album, the single “Staying in Love” (watch its very aesthetically pleasing video here), Grammy-nominated track Never Give You Up (featuring CJ Hilton and Stevie Wonder) (listen here), the catchier tunes “100 yard Dash” and “Big Easy“. But my personal favourite is the slower track “Sometimes” and its use of rather alternative hiphop- sounding samples. The lyrics are quite personal, and it shows in his vocal performance of that song.(listen here)
Recommended listen: ‘Skyy Can You Feel Me‘ (listen here), from his debut album ‘Instant Vintage’. FYI, this was the song in Gilles Peterson’s show that got me so hyped about Raphael Saadiq. Lush female vocals, Raphael’s own souful rendition, chillout beats, sexy bassline. Bliss.
4. Essential Mix by Sharam
In BBC Radio 1’s weekly show Essential Mix, the globe’s best DJ’s will put out their best in a 2-hour mix. This mixes can be heard online via the Essential Mix website. Many are top quality, and some mixes become etched forever in people’s memory as classics and essential listening (Daft Punk’s 1997 Essential Mix, for instance). Along the vein of memorable mixes, Radio 1 held a poll for the best mixes of last year, and these were the top 5:
1. Sharam
2. Subfocus
3. Luciano & Deadmau5 at Wonderland Ibiza
4. Fake Blood
5. Gui Boratto
I got hold of the Sharam and Fake Blood Essential Mixes (Sharam because they’re no. 1, Fake Blood because I like electro). After a listen at both of them I love the Sharam mix more. Although I do not dance to house music, the mix was really excellent. And about Fake Blood’s mix, maybe I am getting a bit old for electro :S
You can try looking for these mixes online if you are resourceful 
5. Aguas de Marco (Waters of March)
This is one of those songs that you may have heard at endings of movies or variety shows but never bothered to find out what it was. Well, now you will know what it was 
Listen to this version and see if it sounds familiar.
Now this is actually the English version of the Brazilian song Aguas de Marco written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The version I love though, is this one by Joao Gilberto, where he bungles the rhythm and sings out of sync of his own bossanova guitar riff. Totally cool. Me love bossa.
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