In our world of fast paced, all consuming sound, everyone needs a soundtrack to their lives. Explore my curated musical tapestry, where every note is carefully chosen to resonate, and find your own soundtrack.
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II
Released in 1994, Aphex Twin's "Selected Ambient Works Volume II" stands as an influential, ambient masterpiece. The dynamic soundscapes contained in this album are enough to levitate you into otherworldly dimensions.
Aphex Twin has been pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved with electronic music since the release of his earliest EPs in 1991, consistently redefining genres with his unparalleled catalogue, ranging from emotionally enchanting ambience to frenetic breakbeat-techno-acid. Listen to Syro for an introductory deep dive into some of his breakbeat fuelled productions.
Highlight - #20 and #3 - Both of these tracks evoke, within me, a breadth of ethereal beauty. #20 has a beautiful cover by Richard D James and Brendan Eder Ensemble, fittingly titled #20 (Lichen)
Joy Orbison - still slipping
Joy Orbison’s debut full length album is an emotionally resonant window into the UK producer's heart, with samples of his family's voices woven throughout. Still slipping is a gently moving dance record filled with tender tracks like ‘Swag w kav’, a fluid two step garage tune, ‘playground’ a warm and introspective beat with Goya Gumbani spitting his distinctly laidback flow, or ‘in drink’ a distressed house beat layered with mournful chords. Joy Orbison calls it “a soul record” and it is undoubtedly full of soul.
Released after 12 years since the start of his career, the production of the album feels rounded, purposeful, like it has been marinating in the eclecticism of Joy Orbison's musical influences, proven even by his name, a play on Roy Orbison, a popular Country/ Rock n Roll artist.
Highlight - playground - one of those tunes which I listen to as I walk around London at night.
Oliver Palfreyman - Op01
Op01 is a sonically colourful, and incredibly underrated beat tape by Oliver Palfreyman, a talented musician based in London. Consistently unique sound design together with soulful additions of vocals and keys by Aisha Zoe, Ommetis and Joe Armon-Jones create palpable substance and dense textures, throughout this beautiful project.
A diverse beatmaker, Palfreyman has been at the forefront of the London beat scene for a while now and continues to release innovative music such as aptly named ‘Bootcuts', a bootleg bolstered, genre defying 4 track EP of pure new school beats and masterful vocal chops from classic RnB tracks like Spice by Ravyn Lenea and Honey Molasses by Jill scott.
Highlight - I've Tried, melodic keys by Joe Armon-Jones accompanied by Palfreymans distinctly original drums.
Skrapz 80s Baby - Explicit
Originally released in 2014, and re-released for streaming services in 2021, 80s Baby by Skrapz is widely regarded as one of the finest UK rap albums to grace the airwaves. The album is filled with seminal freestyles over a roster of classic Hip Hop beats from the likes of DMX, Missy Elliot, LL Cool J, Fugees, Mobb Deep and more. Skrapz has a melodic and purposeful flow which he has been refining since leaving school in 2002 and joining the grime group SLK and then Ice City Boys in 2009 which included his close friend Nines, another major figure in the UK rap scene.
Highlights - Doin it Freestyle - using LL Cool J's beat from the track under the same name produced by Rashad Smith with the original sample from My Jamaican Guy by Grace Jones
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection of Music from the Arab World (Habibi Funk 007)
Habibi Funk Records is an independent record label specialising in the rediscovery and reissue of rare and often overlooked music from the Arab world, particularly focusing on the funk, soul, and jazz genres. Founded by Jannis Stürtz in Berlin, Germany, in 2015, the label has garnered attention for its dedication to unearthing hidden gems and introducing them to a wider audience.
Through collaborations with collectors, musicians, and enthusiasts across the globe, Habibi Funk records has built a catalogue that spans a wide range of styles and influences. Habibi Funk 007 ranges from North African funk to Middle Eastern jazz, showcasing the crossover of cultures and the universality of music worldwide.
Highlights - Hamid Al Shaeri - Ayonya, sweet vocal harmonies married with airy synths over bouncing drum machines.
Listen
Following these 5 albums, I have curated a 10 track playlist to further widen the scope of your music listening. Each track can be a potential rabbit hole to a new artist, genre, movement or culture.
Nike air dunks by oakland is one of my favourite tracks to emerge from the recent mellow grime wave where artists such as oakland, Wilfred, KwolleM and WIZE are giving new life to classic YouTube grime freestyles by coupling the gritty, high energy sound with the laidback ooze of R&B, Jazz and Soul samples.
Aisatsana by Aphex Twin from the aforementioned Syro album is arguably one the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, no collection is complete without it. Not only a beautifully gifted composer, Aphex Twin’s sound design feels raw and untouched while analogously sounding meticulously fine tuned.
Other tracks from the playlist include, but are not limited to :
Palco by Gilberto Gil, a dense samba, rock and reggae influenced piece by the singer songwriter and political activist.
The Sugar Cubes - Birthday - Justin Robertson 12’’ Mix, Björk’s former band and the most popular group to ever emerge from Iceland remixed by the masterful Justin Robertson in his signature underground style.
Altin Gun - Goca Dünya by the Amsterdam based Anatolian Rock and Turkish Psychedelic folk band, fusing sounds and instruments from the past with the present to create uniquely impactful music.
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