weekend

Spring doesn't exist in Finland. From winter we jump directly into summer. Just as today. What else is needed to make this picture perfect? The Sea and Cake. Good company guaranteed.



The video was directed by  Tim Suton. Cinematography by Chris Scarafile.

precisely

This is precisely what I need: Aruán Ortiz & Michael Janisch Quintet. Good. Friday. Vibes.

saturday special

Saturday morning special. Good day to all. For more treasures from Wax Poetics click here.

meanwhile in the north...

All the jazzy matters are perfectly fine with The Northern Governors staying on their post.

still sound

I went back to my grapefruit addiction. And I think it's high time to get new glasses. Those of Toro Y Moi are cool enough. 



The video was filmed on Kodak Ektachrome 100D, Super 8mm film. Please meet the director of the video Steve Daniels.

while you're there give back a little more
the return could make you notice
that I'm thinking of a moment
and know it's still sound

keeping things fresh

A glimpse into Marcus Miller's working with his band: If the rehearsal starts to sound too good, I stop it 'cause I'd rather discover that it's good on the stage in front of people.



There is a few types of music that I love, I grew up with and I speak as a primary language: funk and what people call jazz.

no flagman ahead

From the depth of my player I dug out old tunes of Tab Two. Overwhelmed by the sultry surroundings. Now with these trumpet and bass sounds things feel crystal clear.



The video through the courtesy of Tab Two. To be updated later with better quality official version. (A/N)

when you walk along the street you have to step carefully always on the cobbles so as not to step on the bright anxious grassblades      easier if you hold Mother's hand and hang on it that way you can kick up your toes but walking fast you have to tread on too many grassblades (...)      maybe that's why those people are so angry and follow us shaking their fits      they're throwing stones grownup people throwing stones
J.D. Passos, The 42nd Parallel

no babbling

From Sahel I eventually ended up in Brighton where Ojo de Gringa comes from. That's not just some jazzy babbling. These are great cinematic sounds to close perfectly this day.



The video is another good work of Thom Undrell from NoviFilm. 

remembering forgetting

Yesterday I remembered a friend's birthday and then I remembered I'd forgotten about another friend's birthday. But isn't "forgetting, not remembering, that is the essence of what makes us human" as Jorge Luis Borges said? Well, either way, then I was once again remembered that Marva Whitney is a saver of all of us! She's The Queen. Here in a great mix from Voodoofunk. Oh, get funky!

when I dream purple

purple washes over me seeping through my open seams

jazzy, jazzy

It's going to be a jazzy day. Heading to Sture Jazz in the afternoon to check out their venue.



The video was shot by Gildas Boclé (see the fretless bass in the video :)).
Check more videos here.

Eastwood, the bassist

Did you know that Clint Eastwood's son, Kyle, is a jazz musician? I just find out about it! What a good vibe to start this weekend! Kyle performs here with Manu Katché on One Shot Not, a music show co-hosted by Manu Katché between 2007 and 2011.



For Kyle Eastwood's albums click here.

a new brilliant song from Yeasayer

I am brought back to life by the news of Yeasayer's new album. Fragrant World is out in August.
I say YAY! :)



The song was apparently inspired by life of Henrietta Lacks. Read more on how she became immortal (not only through that song).

good (night) songs from Cold Blue Kid

Speaking of Canadians, I was somehow brought to Broken Social Scene senses tonight thanks to this good discovery from Chicago: Cold Blue Kid. Don't they just sound a bit like BSS (in a good sense I mean)? I also think it's high time to establish a new label here: Canadian :). I was reminded about it by a surprise message from an old friend. Ironically it comes with the post on a Chicago band. Confusing. Not at all. Just logically connected through all the social circles we are involved in.



Check also Footloose Montana, a non-profit organization the band asks to support.

get funky with Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart

sipping Burgundy tonight

Feeling a bit like new here again after a few days off.



I'll need a little room to sway (...)
I am a lion, a tiger sleeping under my skin (...)

Meet the directors of the video Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.

whole new way

I like Mondays. They always hold something good in stock for me and give new perspectives. There is always something new to wait for. A whole new way! :) I think it's a good time to start officially counting days to SBSR. Faltam 94 dias. 94 days left. The Horrors and much more to come and anticipate. So much sun to devour!



Meet the director of the video Dave Ma (responsible also for Wild Beasts' Albatross). Such a small world.

I see a whole new way now.
I see a new beginning.
(...) I see a whole new vision.

waiting for the summer

Here's my tribal singing and prayers for summer or at least spring!
Please let it come before 2080! :)





See more shows on KEXP Radio here and read more on The KEXP blog.



I can’t sleep when I think about the times we’re living in,
I can’t sleep when I think about the future I was born into.
(...)

It’s a New Year,
I’m glad to be here
It’s a fresh spring,
So let’s sing.
(...)

If you find me I’ll be sitting by the water fountain,
picket signs, letdowns, meltdown, it’s Monday morning.
But it’s alright (...) cause in no time, they’ll be gone .
I guess I’ll still be standing here.

Yeah yeah we can all grab at the chance and be handsome farmers.
Yeah you can have twenty one sons and be blood when they marry my daughters.
And the pain that we left at the station will stay in a jar behind us.
We can pickle the pain into blue ribbon winners at county contests.
Yeasayer, 2080, All Hour Cymbals

Quizás, Quizás, Quizás

Gaby Moreno and her spectacular voice accompanies me during these first day of 2012. Quizás, quizás, quizás.... as a reference to all New Year's resolutions that we most likely won't keep anyway :)

 

the look of 2011 in 2012

The divine echoes of year 2011. Metronomy at its best.



Meet the director of the video Lorenzo Fonda and find out more on the animation process for the video from a time-lapse footage.


we're always running round this town
ant to think they said we'd never make anything better than this
'cause we're always in small circles
and everyone thinks we're trouble
(...) the oldest friend of mine