The darker months are here. This time of year is normally a struggle for me. I feel sluggish and cold while trapped in layers of flannel and wool. My feet feel heavy dragging my feet in boots.I crave the summer heat and sun when I can dance on the closed city streets or the pier overlooking New York City, even under the K bridge in Greenpointe while my skin is quenched with the vitamin D from the sun.
I even like the way summer smells. The sweet scent of suntan oils and the aroma of the backyard BBQs making its way throughout the city.
The sound of summer is filled with laughter and the crackling firecrackers through the city streets. Children are out of school with smiles from ear to ear, laughing and running like city kids should.
They’ve been stuck in old school buildings for nine months of the year while staring at Google Chromebooks for most of the class instruction. Mr. Softee plays that nostalgic, familiar tune that everyone knows, no matter their age, no matter the price (f-you inflation).
If your circadian rhythm is feeling as off as mine since Daylight Savings, don’t let the darker months make your vibe fall back. Keep your rhythm flowing with some beats that will remind you of those delicious summer vibes.
This is the first time I publicly share one of my curated playlists. It definitely takes time, patience, and a good ear to make sure the flow of the songs is just right. This particular playlist is filled with Latin sounds, Afro beats and some of my favorite artists/DJs/producers.
Some tracks I must point out are:
#4 - My Call by my dear friend Danny DeLeon in collaboration with my dear friend David Glaspie, who is one of the most precious and incredibly creative people in my life. He literally handpicked me out of a packed New York City dance floor. He’s been stuck with me ever since.
Oh, and “My Call” is already charting on Traxsource while on pre-release! Traxsource was birthed as one of the first online music stores in 2004 at the start of the digital revolution. I love supporting creatives and authenticity and you can too! Pre-order for $2.49 and it will be in your inbox on Release Day.
Support Emerging Talent & Pre-Order Here
#5 - Yoruba by Flagrant Drvms, who are the super duo I never knew I needed, [in collaboration with Mariela de Cuba]. DJ SAV (1/2 of Flagrant Drvms) has become near and dear to my heart and is always sweet enough to have me in mind when he travels back to NYC.
#8 - Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Louie Vega featuring Anané and Tony Touch. These names each hold weight on their own. They’re music spans far and wide individually and across different genres. I am so happy to know them in real life with so many opportunities to catch them spinning live. Louie, Anané, and Tony Touch are each legends who have made strides and paved the way for others in the industry.
By the way, Anane is my favorite female DJ and sometimes it feels like she really is spinning with fire.
I really could go down the list of each song on this playlist and give a brief synopsis on the artist or song, but I’ll let you listen yourself. Download the playlist, follow the artists’ page, and share it with music lovers or as a gift of new music.
“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” -Elton John
I’m not forgetting to mention Saliva Commandos, Rob Hollywood, and PolyRhythm. You’ll also hear them all on there!
Listening to music on streaming platforms supports artists almost certainly won’t make them rich — but the more we listen and share, the more the platforms play and share it. The world needs healing especially during these current chaotic times.
And with companies like Spotify demonetizing tracks that receive less than 1000 plays annually, it does even MORE of a disservice to the artists who use their platforms.
With this significant AND controversial restructure, Spotify estimates that $40 million will be reallocated to artists above the threshold of 1000 annual streams.
So, according to the math — 37.5 million tracks out of the entire 100 million track catalog in the history of the platform have reached at least 1000 streams. Close to two-thirds of the music on Spotify hasn’t even reached 1000 streams!
Despite Spotify reporting profits and gaining subscriptions, they rather just move the money into the “royalty pool.” Instead of restructuring artist payouts, this is the proposed solution. I guess that’s free market capitalism at its finest.
Although these were leaked reports that were later confirmed, I really do hope they find a better solution for the artists who we support and are the reason why the platform continues to grow and profit.
Streaming music on platforms in support of artists won’t make them rich, it won’t even be able to buy them a cup of coffee, but the more we listen and share, the more the platforms play and share it. The world needs healing especially during these current times.
“Music can raze out the written troubles of the brain.” -William Shakespeare
On a brighter note, I’m looking forward to sharing my love of music, love, life, and laughter on this platform in the best way I can.