Summer Tunes

So I've been mentally and, ummm, musically preparing myself for summer. Multiple consecutive days of ninety (plus) degree temperatures is something one needs to brace themselves for. I'm also working on my island beat summer mix that should but out in a few weeks so my stereo has definitely been set to "summah time" mode. Anyway, here are ten records that I've been playing quite a bit in preparation for all the approaching sunburns and margaritas!


Stimming - Una Pena (12", EP)
This came out last year and I have been playing this to death. 'Una Pena' is an organic, breezy dance track that seems to be perfect for chilling or dancing. You feel like you are in a field of swarming bees, locusts, and grasshoppers towards the end of this track. This is going on the mix without a doubt.


Lukid - Foma
I just picked this up the other day so the official verdict still isn't out. Very FlyLo/Dilla, Lap-Hop-esque beats and atmospheres, only Lukid seems to let things unfold and breath with a little more ease. Great for chilling on a hot evening. For fans of Flying Lotus, of which I am obsessed with.


Vetiver - Tight Knit
First off, I love this album cover. Things that come to mind whilst listening to this band - saltwater soaked sandalwood, sand filled bathing suit pockets, carbonated beverages in glass bottles, weather-beaten wooden structures, and, uh, coconut shrimp. I should really write descriptions for expensive candles. Only California can legitimately export this stuff.



Soul Jazz Records - Singles 2008 - 2009
I'll go ahead and tell you that I'm a total label whore for Soul Jazz and usually dig just about anything they release. You get a little bit of everything on here with some glitchy house, baile funk, italo-disco, and some dubstep heavyweights. Many choice summer riddims, if you will.


Extra Golden - Thank You Very Quickly
Vampire Weekend gets name dropped in just about every review you see of this record. Only, you know, these guys are from Nairobi.


Zomby - Spliff Dub (Rustie Remix)
For whatever reason, I can't get enough of this track. I've been obsessing over Zomby for the past couple of weeks as well. A dubstep/wonky (I despise the term "wonky") record with that American west coast gangster rap vibe that them limey kids are gaga for.


Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care
I like this record. I just haven't spent enough time with it to really know for sure though. Seems less cold than previous outings but still sultry. Summer = sultry.


Tarika - D
What we have here is some nice island music from Madagascar. Some of it is a little "world-music-cd-from-Starbucks-ish" but what the hell is wrong with that? There's a time and a place for everything. I heard one of Tarika's songs on a local radio station here and tried to track down this album for a while. Come to find out most of their records are out of print but I suppose iTunes saved the day as you can get it there if you want it.


Zomby - The Lie EP
It's Zomby so I like it. I real dubby/chewy bass boomer for your hi-fi.


The Congos - The Heart of the Congos
A reggae classic. I'm pretty new to this and have almost run the needle down to the cartridge on this bad boy.

There it is, some summer fun tunes that I've been digging.