Blood Harmony Vol. 27: Summer Mix
Hello all! I’ve been alone in my house all week while my husband and son are visiting family so I had the rare opportunity to listen to this mix at full blast while making Szechuan green beans (the secret is to roast the beans in the oven FIRST and then mix them with everything else). Let’s do it! And here’s the link for my Youtube folks!
Cruel Summer by JOON, After Dark 3, Italians Do It Better, 2020.
From her bio: “JOON is the electronic solo project by Maltese songwriter and producer, Yasmin Kuymizakis. With ethereal vocals, celestial synths, and self-directed music videos inspired by B-movie tropes, JOON immerses listeners in a world of dreamy mysticism.” I think I can safely say that JOON is the first Maltese artist featured in Blood Harmony.
Freak Me Now by Jessie Ware, That! Feels Good!, EMI, 2023.
Jessie wants me to dance! So I will! Popcast had a whole ep about this album recently that was a lot of fun to listen to.
Booty by Saucy Santana ft. Latto, Single, RCA, 2022.
From the excellent Louder Than a Riot ep on Saucy Santana: “the qualities that make Santana a unique addition to rap have been the same ones the industry has tried to box him in with. Reflecting on early conversations with key players at label meetings, he recalled: "People was like, 'Can we sell him? He's feminine. He's dark-skinned, he's thick, he's gay, he's loud. Can we sell that? Will people buy into it? Did he just have a viral song?” The answer is HELL YES I WILL BUY INTO IT. There are so many funny lines in this song. “Shake what your doctor gave ya!”
Bye Bye by Haiku Hands and Ribongia, Single, Spinning Top Records, 2022.
Australian group meets Austrian-Italian DJ to create this very catchy song that was featured on Never Have I Ever. I loved the last season! I’m hearing Gaga, Charli XCX and Madonna on this track.
Reckless & Sweet by Amaraae, Single, Golden Angel LLC, 2023.
Amaarae is a singer-songwriter, producer and engineer, raised between Accra, Atlanta & New Jersey. Catchy!
Avalanche of Love, WITCH ft. Sampa the Great, Avalanche of Love, Desert Days Sound, 2023.
A pioneering Zambian psychedelic act, Witch (the name is an acronym, standing for We Intend to Cause Havoc) were one of the defining acts of Zamrock, a fusion of Western rock and rhythm & blues with traditional African sounds. They were among Zambia's most popular and influential bands in the 1970s as a wave of psychedelic and hard rock gained an audience in Africa. They’ve been rediscovered by crate diggers and they’re making new music again with fellow Zambian artist Sampa the Great. They are on tour!
Just Cool by Obongjayar, Single, September Recordings, 2023.
Steven Umoh, known by his stage name Obongjayar, is a Nigerian musical artist based in London.
Know Better by Janelle Monae ft. Ckay, Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80, The Age of Pleasure, Wondaland Productions, 2023.
I had to take the new album for a few spins before I got it but now I think it’s the perfect summer album. It’s dense but chill, horny but contained. Is that the sample from “Rump Shaker”? Sounds like it is.
Rubber Band by The Trammps, The Legendary Zing Album, Sony Music Entertainment, 1975.
Brilliant song by Philly soul and disco legends The Trammps.
TECHNOVA by TOWA TEI, FUTURE LISTENING!, MACHBEAT.COM, 1994
WHY IS EVERYTHING IN CAPS? I don’t know. From his bio: Born in Yokohama, Japan and raised in Kawasaki, Towa Tei started making music in his teens and recorded demos of himself playing his Korg MS-10 synthesizer. As a student at the Musashino Art University Junior College of Art and Design, he sent some of his music to Ryuichi Sakamoto's radio program Sound Street, sparking a long-running creative partnership with the Yellow Magic Orchestra member. While working as a roadie for Sakamoto, Tei wished to improve his English, and moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design in 1987. During his time studying graphic design there, he became active in the city's club scene, and met ' The Jungle Brothers’ Baby Bam. The pair hit it off, and Tei designed the artwork for the group's second album, 1989's Done by the Forces of Nature. Then he eventually joined Deee-Lite!
Other Things:
I have tickets to see Beyonce in August! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I’ll be wearing this jumpsuit which I read about in
! I will also be wearing it for my upcoming birthday small room karaoke session. Will this be the year that I attempt “Up” by Cardi B? Stay tuned.I’m late on this one but I finally listened to the podcast Dead Eyes and just adored it. It was such a funny and wonderful meditation on creativity, rejection and the life of a working actor.
- recently showed up on of my favorite podcasts, The Deep Dive, to talk about her new book which I can’t wait to read. Unfortunately, my local library system is revamping their computer system so I can’t put it on hold. Until then, I will enjoy her great Substack! She recently wrote about money in a way that I found super helpful.
As always, thanks for reading and listening! I think the world of you! If you are looking for more music, check out The B-Sides playlist which is full of tracks I also love but had to leave out for thematic and/or time reasons.
Blood Harmony: The original lineup of The Trammps included two brothers (Stanley and Harold 'Doc' Wade). Please listen to the Louvin Brothers episode of Cocaine and Rhinestones for more info.