WILT_2022-43

A playlist of songs that intrigued me from Sunday to Saturday. Week of 23 Oct 2022 to 29 Oct 2022.

1. Elyjah Slaps the Space – Okvsho
2. Squishy Windows – Pariah
3. Loaded Dice – Dub Phizix
4. Fo Yelle – Florence Adooni
5. “T” Plays It Cool (Unedited Version) – Marvin Gaye
6. Strawberries, Rasberries – Don Hales
7. UFOF – Big Thief
8. Zvichapera – Chiwoniso

Hyperlink to Spotify playlist: WILT_2022-43

Notes

Elyjah Slaps the Space by Okvsho came on just as I was putting the finishing touches on WILT_2022-42. What immediately came on was an Afro-Cuban beat that I was immediately intrigued by. Scouting the title of the song, I was immediately curious as to what they meant by “Slap the Space” and at the 22-second mark, you get your answer. One glorious fart of a stanky-ass bass note. Absolute glory and catharsis.

This might well have been the only song on the playlist if I had not decide to start playing music from the Four Tet’s ever evolving playlist of aural inspiration. I’d been working on an event the entire week, and finally after most of the chaos had subsided, I found a brief moment to listen to music while doing light work. I decided not to use Endel this time round, and instead revisited the idea of brain food that I associate with some of Four Tet’s curations. This unpronounceable playlist is where I find the rest of this week’s inspiration.

Squishy Windows by Pariah for its thumping bass line over an industrial marching beat. Very hypnotic to work to.

Loaded Dice by Dub Phizix for its sick drum and bass groove.

Fo Yelle by Florence Adooni for its super chill yet moving music. I’ve since learned she is from Ghana and performs something known as frafra gospel. The guitar work sounds deeply personal, accompanied by a horn section that sounds so celebratory. The groove is laid back, but also dance-y. Every thing comes together with a voice that comes out from the folksy sixties, in an earnestness you don’t hear too much these days.

“T” Plays It Cool (Unedited Version) by Marvin Gaye is another solid groove that is both tight and relaxed. All at once, and in different sections. It’s what makes music sound alive.

Strawberries, Rasberries by Don Hales gives us a something of a jazzy blues jam. It’s a bit dirty, it’s a bit psychedelic, it’s a bit classy. It’s what organic wine sometimes sounds like when it’s got just that bit of funk.

UFOF by Big Thief I added because it just had a melody that I did not want to forget. It reminds me a bit of Kate Bush, but the arrangements are performed by musicians with more humble indie leanings. It still works to great effect.

Zvichapera by Chiwoniso I added for the warmth radiated by the music. Chiwoniso was a Zimbabwean singer, songwriter, and exponent of Zimbabwean mbira music. This performance reaches deep, and I am in awe of the power of conviction and virtuosity.