27: The Snow Melted, It Was Goodnight
Every February for the past six years, music writer Gary Suarez issues an annual challenge he calls the:
I gave it a shot this year. I really appreciate good music writing, but I find it difficult to say anything meaningful about the music I enjoy listening to. Trying to condense it down to 280 characters would be especially tough.
Here are the results for the lucky among you that don’t have to see this shit on Twitter everyday.
NEW DJ MIX // “SILVER THAW” // SIDE ONE
Here’s a link to download // Here’s a link to stream
SIDE ONE
Steely Dan // “My Rival”
Frederick Knight // “Take Me On Home Witcha”
Cyne // “Tide of Life”
Jean Grae // “Supa Love”
Jonathan Richman // “I Was Dancing In the Lesbian Bar”
maassai // “the shifts [ft. AKAI SOLO]”
bad snacks // “while you sleep”
Sonny Sharrock // “Black Woman”
Scooter Rogers // “Don't Nobody Know Me (ft. Vodou)”
Vicente Fernández // “La Caminera”
Chick Corea // “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs”
KING // “The Greatest”
Donald Byrd // “Think Twice [ft. Kay Haith]”
dj blackpower // “start all over”
⁂
SINGLE TWEET LENGTH REVIEWS
Steely Dan // Gaucho
I must've been correct in middle school surmising that the Dan was the music of choice for strung-out middle-aged men hitting on ladies WAY too young for them. Maybe I've just aged into it? The sound is immaculate but fussy. my favorite slap: "My Rival"
Frederick Knight // I’ve Been Lonely For So Long
Where has this record been all my life? Supremely stylish and jam-packed with soul, every song sounds like a gem to me. "I've Been Lonely For So Long" was the hit, but every song is wonderful. Must seek wax for DJ times.
CYNE // Water For Mars
A summertime house party filled with smarties would move their heads and hips for sure. Sun-dappled Hip-Hop, positive messages of community and responsibility, dope two-headed MC attack. BEATS GALORE. "Tide of Life" rules.
Jean Grae // This Week
I'm a long-time fan, especially Jeanius & her 2002 debut. Grae's an MC who puts work into her bars and sounds heavenly floating over 9th Wonder beats. This record is a week-in-the-life of her experience, and it's dynamic, lovely, and insightful.
Jonathan Richman // I, Johnathan
A goofy, charming set of loose ravers replete with handclaps, tambourine, and a beach party vibe. Saw JR & Tommy in '93 or '94, and when they played "Parties in the USA" and "I Was Dancing at the Lesbian Bar," I caught the fever. Wonderful.
maassai // With the Shifts
The lyrical MC & singer from Brownsville, Brooklyn steps up with every project, synthesizing her stream-of-consciousness flow and her lovely singing over fluttering, avant garde productions. The stately sound of “Grace Jones” fits its subject matter perfectly, and “The Shifts” featuring guest bars from AKAI SOLO, is a highlight. Her hypnotic, chanting style and graceful cadences rule.
bad snacks // bathtub bumps
Lush, layered sounds on a 20 minute beat tape from one of my new favorite producers. Watching her work on twitch is illuminating, and she delivers on making "beats that focus on small beautiful moments." Gorgeous. 🎧🛁🕯
Sonny Sharrock // Black Woman
A glorious racket! Sonny plays wild guitar over a stuttering rhythm section while his wife Linda sings and expresses without words. May have been what I was expecting when I first played THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME. Black excellence for sure.
Scooter Rogers // J.O.Y. 2: THE WORLD
This is Scooter’s second full length since last June, speaks on being Black in Portland, OR. Top notch Hip-Hop & trap production, equally adept at strip club anthems, sex raps, odes to weed, g-funk, boasts, and social justice. I am very much with this shit.
Vicente Fernández // por tu maltito amor
What an incredible voice! The arrangements of strings and horns shine, and Fernández really emotes with his voice. Filled with bombast, tenderness, regret, and heartbreak, this seems perfect for drinkin' and cryin'. Thanks @ElmuntzL!
Chick Corea // Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
Virtuosic cascades of piano notes, a liquid downpour of melody and rhythm in constant conversation with the bass and drums, I'm dizzied by the velocity and precision. It feels like elemental jazz to me, a trio locked in and nimble.
KING // WE ARE KING
I've been SLEEPING! Hypnotic, lovely R&B written, played, and produced by three ladies that are absolutely stacked with talent. Gives me shivers to hear music this perfect, calm, and assured, to know I'll want to listen to this for the rest of my life.
Donald Byrd // Stepping Into Tomorrow
I've been obsessed with Byrd's '70s output, especially collabs with the Mizell Bros., and this does not disappoint. Elastic funk, golden horns, and soothing synths meld with lilting vocals to create a timeless sound. As good as it gets.
dj blackpower // "for ur own good"
I am ride or die for MIKE. Under his production guise, he's gifted us a nice, loose DJ mix, with focus on textures, transitions, and setting and maintaining a vibe. "u Know" cuts to the bone & "start all over" is 100% dope drum programming.
DJ Mr. Mom
North Portland, OR
March 7, 2021