Finally got around to doing a Summer mix, inspired by the Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rythm Band track “Express Yourself.” Here, it’s covered by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires to great summer effect, setting the tone for the entire mix. A pretty diverse collection of warm summer vibes – something you can enjoy at a BBQ or picnic, or on your stoop sipping sangria. Some longtime summertime favorites of mine here, like Cymande’s “Bra” or Wilson Simonal’s “Nem Vem que Nao Tem,” as well as some recent discoveries. Hopefully everything meshes well together despite the eclectic selection. Enjoy and have a great summer.

Express Yourself
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Express Yourself Track Listing:

Part 1
01. Jorge Ben – Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu
from Africa Brazil, 1976
02. Orchestre Poly Rythmo – Assibavi
from Volume ONE “The Vodoun Effect,” 2009
03. Blo – It’s Gonna Be a Good Day
from Phase 2, 1974
04. Johnny Osbourne – We Need Love
from Truth & Rights, 1979
05. Who Can Get Busy Like This Man – Brand Nubian
from One For All, 1990
06. Sister Nancy – Bam Bam
from One, Two, 1982
07. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires – Express Yourself
from Reggay Splashdown!, 197?
08. Wilson Simonal – Nem Vem que Nao Tem
from Alegria Algeria!!! Vol. 1, 1967
09. Marcos Valle – Mem Paleto Mem Gravata
from Previsao Do Tempo, 1973
10. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – All the Places
from The Main Ingredient, 1994
11. Marvin Holmes – Find Yourself
from “Find Yourself b/w Part 2″, 197?
12. Leo’s Sunshipp – Give Me the Sunshine
from We Need Each Other, 1978

Part 2
13. Rosinha Da Valenca – Summertime
from Um Violao Em Primeiro Plano, 1971
14. Love – Hummingbirds
from Forever Changes (Collector’s Edition), 1967/2008
15. Happy End – It’s Summer
from Kazemachi Roman, 1971
16. Shuggie Otis – Strawberry Letter 23
from Inspiration Information, 1974
17. Main Ingredient – Summer Breeze
from Euphrates River, 1974
18. Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – For What It’s Worth
from Stillness, 1971
19. Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves the Sunshine
from Everybody Loves the Sunshine, 1976
20. McNeal & Niles – Summertime
from Thrust, 1979
21. Cymande – Bra
from Cymande, 1972
22. Stevie Wonder – All I Do (U-Tern Remix)
from Digital Release, 2007
23. Rye Rye – Shake it to the Ground (Arthur King Remix)
from Digital Release 2008

Afromentals | A Dreams in Audio Mixtape
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Let’s start the week off right with another Dreams in Audio mix, and one that I’m especially excited about. I continue to focus my attention on African music, and sifting through the records I’ve accumulated over the months I’ve come across a lot of great instrumental tracks. There’s something very pure about instrumentals, not that I don’t like vocals, but it’s another layer that tends to mask the craftsmanship that goes into playing great music. Hypnotic rhythms, punchy horns, soulful keys and psychedelic guitars; the sum is always overflowing with excitement, and that’s probably what I love most about African music.

As the popularity of African music continues to rise, there are more and more quality mixes being thrown out there. Some of my favorites are the ones Superfly Records has up on Paris DJs and of course, Frank over at Voodoo Funk continues to kill it with his selection of mixes. His collection certainly dwarfs mine, but I haven’t seen any African mixes that focus solely on instrumentals, and that’s where the idea for Afromentals came from. These aren’t the most obscure tracks in the world, but they’re definitely groovy and I hope you think the same. Cover art inspired by 101 Apparel’s Africa ’70 t-shirt. Enjoy.

Listen to Part 1

Afromentals Tracklisting:
01. Monomono – Kenimania
(from Give the Beggar a Chance, 1972)
02. Black Children Sledge Group – Sledge Afro Funk
(from Love is Fair, 1976)
03. The Visitors – Here We Come Brothers
(from My Good Friends, 1977)
04. One World – The Movement
(from The Movement, 197?)
05. The Funkees – Abraka
(from Point of No Return, 1975)
06. Ofege – Gbe Mi Lo
(from Try & Love, 1973)
07. Mebusas – Son of Mr. Bull Dog
(from Blood Brothers, 1973)
08. Freedom Family – Holy Worhipping
(from Freedom Family, 1977)
09. Tony Safro – I Beg
(from Superman, 1976)
10. Marijata – Mother Africa
(from Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata, 197?)
11. Aktion – Centipede
(from Clover Comes Together, 1977)
12. Asiko – Hot Black
(from Take A Trip With Asiko, 197?)
13. One World – Fricate
(from Victory, 197?)
14. Afro Funk – Afro Funk
(from Body Music, 1973)
15. The Apostles – Disciple Funk
(from Bank Woman, 1977)
16. Fela Kuti & The Africa ’70 – Chop & Quench
(from Best of Fela Volume 2, 196?/197?)

Download How Long

It took being sick on a Saturday for me to finally get around to putting this mix together, a continuation of D.I.A.’s seasonal mixes. How Long is a collection of winter themed tracks that give you that cold prickly feeling. No sequencing or anything fancy here, just the tracks in their entirety. Enjoy.

Tracklisting:
01. Early Morning by Troyka
from Troyka (1970)
02. A Little Girl Lost by David Axelrod
from Songs of Experience (1969)
03. Winter Song by Nico
from Chelsea Girl (1967)
04. Snow Roses by Jan & Lorraine
from Gypsy People (1969)
05. How Long by Circuit Rider
from Circuit Rider (1980)
06. Forge Your Own Chains by D.R. Hooker
from The Truth (1972)
07. Owl of Winter Fortnite by Collie Ryan
from Indian Harvest (1973)
08. Afrikan in Winter by Positive Force with Ade Olatunji
from Oracy (1977)
09. Winter Serenade by Terje Rypdal & Jan Garbarek
from Bleak House (194)
10. Song For Bobby Smith by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson
from Winter in America (1974)
11. Will to Love by Neil Young
from American Stars ‘N Bars (1977)
12. Gently, Gently by Serpent Power
from The Serpent Power (1967)

y first exposure to African music (and I think this is true for a lot of people) was Fela Kuti. His records regularly, albeit inaccurately, show up in funk bins and through the years I’ve obtained a bunch of his titles. Ignorantly, I thought that Fela Kuti was the end of the road for African music and it wasn’t until many years later that I realized Africa has one of the richest music histories; Kuti was just the gateway drug.

My infatuation with African music started a little over a year ago when I stumbled upon a comp called Ghana Soundz released by UK based Soundway Records. The comp explored rare, and for many, previously unheard of afro-beat, afro-funk and afro-fusion sounds from Ghana. I had also recently discovered Voodoo Funk, Frank Gossner’s blog documenting his time living in Africa with the sole mission of re-discovering Africa’s long lost archives of music. In some cases he sourced and found many of the artists who’s records he unearthed in dusty basements and abandoned warehouses. The stories of his travels are fascinating enough to write a book about, and in actuality, director Leigh Iacobucci followed Gossner during some of his time in Africa and will be releasing a documentary called Take Me Away Fast (see trailer below).

“Take Me Away Fast” Trailer from Leigh Iacobucci on Vimeo.

Frank also has a ton of mixes up on his blog highlighting some of his African finds. Some of my favorites are his Big Beats, Sweet Talks, and Psychedelic Aliens, Everybody Get Down and African Heat mixes, although they are all pretty fantastic. I’ve learned a lot from his blog and mixes alone, not to mention scored a bunch of great African titles from him. He also has had his hand in a number of reissue projects, including the amazing reissue of Pax Nicholas’ uber rare solo album, Na Teef Know the Road of Teef.

Everyone seems to be catching on to the hypnotic quality of African music as Soundway continues to release superb compilations (their latest Ghana Special is a must have) as well as Analog Africa, who’s comps are amongst the best across any genre. Academy Records has also recently reissued three rare African records, Ofege’s Try and Love, one of the best psychedelic Afro records out there, as well as SJOB Movement’s A Move in the Right Direction and Mebusas’ Blood Brothers. These compilations and reissues are a great place to start exploring the depths of African music, although I must warn you: addiction may ensue.

For the past year I’ve focused most of my attention on African records, and to punctuate this post I’ve made my first African mix. There is no real focus to this mix, just tracks that I dig and think may be a good introduction to the African sound. I am by no means an expert on African music, but strongly believe that stuff like this needs to be preserved, remembered and heard by anyone willing to listen. I hope you enjoy it.

Download Into the Fire

Into the Fire Tracklisting:
01. Bob Pinodo – Africa
(from Show Master of Africa, 1978)
02. Uhuru Dance Band – Biribi
(from The Sound of Africa, 1975)
03. Bunzu Soundz – Zinabu
(from Bunzu Soundz, 1977)
04. Ogyatanaa – Akosua Manu
(from Yerefrefre, 1975)
05. Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou – Minsatole Mi Dayi Homin
(from Volume 1, 1972/1983)
06. Orchestre Picoby Band – Jo Ahi Nou Se
(from Jo Ahi Nou Se/Vikoue 7″, 197?)
07. The Big Beats – Kyenkyema
(from Kyenkyema/Mi Nsumoo Bo Donn 7″, 197?)
08. K Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas – Kyenkyen Bi Adi M’awu
(from Self Titled, 1976)
09. Ebo Taylor – Heaven
(from Self Titled, 1978)
10. Sweet Talks – Eyi Su Ngaangaa
(from The Kusum Beat, 1976)
11. Dan Satch – Je Nr’okan
(from Je Nr’okan/Woman Pin Down 7″, 1971)
12. Avolonto Honore – Na Mi Do Gbe Hue Nu
(from La Mort N’a Pas De Date Fixe, 197?)
13. The Funkees – Break Through
(from Break Through/Slipping Into Darkness 7″, 197?)
14. One World – I Need Your Help
(from Victory, 197?)
15. The Apostles – Play Girl
(from Self Titled, 197?)
16. SJOB Movement – You Only Live Once
(from A Move in the Right Direction, 197?)
17. Thony Shorby Nwenyi – No Wrong Show
(from Sweet Funk Music, 1978)
18. Akeeb Kareem – Tomorrow
(from Blackman, 1972)

As promised, here’s the first installment of the Dreams in Audio seasonal mixtape series, Winds of Change. In picking tracks for this mix I couldn’t decide if they should be songs that evoke feelings of Fall or if they should actually be about it. There’s a mix of both here, a lot of them having that rainy day feel, but I tried to throw a few in there that were more exciting and signaled change and transformation. I found myself gravitating towards folk and stuff of that nature, and then segued into a little bit of jazz. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the mix as a whole so I’m not sure exactly how all of the songs will sound together. The track listing is kind of all over the place, but hopefully it’s something people will dig. Enjoy.

Download Winds of Change

Track Listing:
01. Marj Snyder –Rain
from Let the Sun Shine (1972)
02. Vashti Bunyan – Come Wind Come Rain
from Just Another Diamond Day (1970)
03. Nico – The Fairest of the Seasons
from Chelsea Girl (1967)
04. Arthur Verocai – Caboclo
from Arthur Verocai (1973)
05. Terry Callier – Occasional Rain
from Occasional Rain (1972)
06. Catherine Howe – On A Misty Morning
from What A Beautiful Place (1971)
07. Tomaz Pengov – Cakajoc Nase, Brat
from Odpotovanja (1973)
08. Roger Rodier – L’Herbe
from “L’Herbe”/”Tu Viendras” (196?)
09. Gary Marks – Autumn Eyes
from Gathering (1973)
10. Happy End – Collecting the Wind
from Kazemachi Roman (1971)
11. Majic Ship – We Gotta Live On
from Majic Ship (1970)
12. Windflower – Winddance
from Windflower (1974)
13. Alzo – Looks Like Rain
from Looking For You (1971)
14. John Fahey – Uncloudy Day
from Blind Joe Death (1967)
15. Brainticket – Cosmic Wind
from Celestial Ocean (1973)
16. Bobbi Humphrey – Rain Again
from Satin Doll (1974)
17. Dorothy Ashby – Windmills of My Mind
from Dorothy’s Harp (1969)
18. Philip Catherine – November
from Stream (1972)
19. Grant Green – Lullaby of the Winds
from Grant’s First Stand (1961)
20. The Mike Taylor Trio – Two Autumns
from Trio (1967)
21. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Changing Times
from Solar Plexus (1971)
22. Jothan Callins – Winds of Change
from Winds of Change (1975)
23. The Khan Jamal Creative Arts Ensemble – Breath of Life
from Drum Dance to the Motherland (1972)

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. I was off getting married and honeymooning in Maui, but I’m back and wanted to post this mix that me and the wifey handed out to our wedding guests. It’s basically a mix of songs that are meaningful to our relationship in one way or another. Obviously, many of them strike a romantic chord, but others are like time capsules, bringing us back to specific moments in our relationship, while others are simply songs that we both enjoy. Needless to say, it’s a very sentimental mix to us, and we hope it’s something others will enjoy.

Download A Song For The Highway

Tracklisting:
01. Give Me The Right by Ken Boothe
from Mr. Rock Steady (1968)
02. Fly by Nick Drake
from Bryter Lyter (1970)
03. Dedicada a Ela by Arthur Verocai
from Arthur Verocai (1972)
04. Where Do You Go (My Lovely) by Peter Sarstedt
from The Darjeeling Limited Soundtrack (2007)
05. Quelqu’un M’a Dit by Carla Bruni
from Quelqu’un M’a Dit (2003)
06. Amigo by Satwa
from Satwa (1973)
07. The Greatest by Cat Power
from The Greatest (2006)
08. L’Arena by Ennio Morricone
from The Mercenary (1968) & Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2005)
09. California Dreaming by Lee Moses
from Time & Place (1970)
10. Vinte E Seis Anos De Vida Norm by Marcos Valle
from Garra (1971)
11. Yumeji’s Theme by Umebayashi Shigeru
from In the Mood For Love Soundtrack (2001)
12. Anyone Else But You by Michael Cera & Ellen Page
from The Juno Soundtrack (2007)
13. The Hard Sell Tour (Excerpt) by DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist
from The Hard Sell (2008
14. Quelque Part On M’attend by Benjamin Biolay & Chiara Mastroianni
from Home (2005)
15. Miles to Go by Mack Sigis Porter
from Peace on You (1972)
16. La La Bam-Bam by The Congos
from Heart of the Congos (1977)
17. Diana in the Autumn Wind by The Gap Mangione Trio
from Diana in The Autumn Wind (1968
18. All I Want Is You by Barry Louis Polisar
from the Juno Soundtrack (2007)
19. Na Boca Do Sol by Arthur Verocai
from Arthur Verocai (1972)
20. Don’t Huzzle For Love by The Apostles
from Black is Beautiful (1973)
21. Northern Sky by Nick Drake
from Bryter Lyter (1970)
22. West Coast by Coconut Records
from Nighttiming (2008)
23. Baby Now That I’ve Found You by Alton Ellis
from Sings Rock & Soul (1967)

Hi and welcome to the launch of Dreams in Audio, the blog about music, mixtapes, art and design. My name is Brian. I am an Art Director and at one time a DJ and producer, and Dreams in Audio is my outlet to share all things related to the world of art and music.

The idea for Dreams in Audio came from my love for mixes. I used to make them in high school and pass them on to friends. In college I started getting into DJing and producing, and while those ventures haven’t panned out (besides the occasional DJ gig), the obsessive vinyl habit stuck. In 2005 I started the blog Ear Fuzz, which focuses on everything from hip hop and jazz, to funk and psychedelic rock records. It was a blast, but I soon found that posting about one or two tracks here and there was unfulfilling. For me, mixes feel much more tangible.

Dreams in Audio will feature mixes that I compile myself, by guests or ones that I find around the internet that can serve as a soundtrack for this site as well as your daily musings. Beyond the obvious genre specific mixes (funk, hip hop, soul, jazz, ect), I hope to really delve into more conceptual territory. I already have an idea for seasonal mixes, the first of which will be an Autumn themed mix. Stay tuned for that and the many great mixes I plan to provide for you.

As an Art Director and Designer, I often find that music and design intersect. For me personally, one almost always compliments or stems from the other. So in addition to the mixes and music that will be featured on the site, I plan to post cool things in the way of design, type, photography, film, illustration, web and whatever else keeps my eyes peeled.

So without further ado, to launch Dreams in Audio I am presenting you my very first mix on one of my absolute favorite genres, Brazilian music. I think I first caught the Brazilian bug when I saw City of God, and you might recognize Tim Maia’s “No Caminho Do Bem” which was featured in the film. Brazil’s culture and history is rich with some of the most amazing music released anywhere, and it was quite a chore picking tracks that I thought served as a good introduction to the genre.

Wax Poetics, a bi-monthly journal on record digging, just did a fantastic issue fully dedicated to Brazilian music. If you are at all interested in discovering more, I’d highly recommend seeking out a copy. And if you want to head straight to your local record store and dive right in, Jorge Ben, Marcos Valle, Tim Maia, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso and Gal Costa are great places to start. Hope you enjoy the mix.

Download Brazilianance! Vol. 1

Tracklisting:
01. Jorge Ben – Ponta de Lanca Africano
(from Africa Brasil, 1976)
02. Tim Maia – O Caminho Do Bem
(from Racional Vol. 2, 1975)
03. Claudia – Deixa Eu Dizer
(from Deixa Eu Dizer, 1973)
04. Rubinho e Mauro Assumpicao – Os Olhos
(from Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei, 1972)
05. Dom Salvador – Hei Voce
(from Som, Sangue E Raca, 1971)
06. Gilberto Gil – Domingo No Parque
(from Gilberto Gil, 1976)
07. Marcos Valle – Vinte E Seis Anos de Vida Norm
(from Garra, 1971)
08. Arthur Verocai – Na Boca Do Sol
(from Arthur Verocai, 1972)
09. Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges – Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser
(from Clube Da Esquina, 1972)
10. Perfume Azul Do Sol – Sopro
(from Nascimiento, 1974)
11. Karma – Depois Do Portao
(from Karma, 1972)
12. Celia – Lennon-McCartney
(from Celia, 1970)
13. Joao Donato – Cala Boca Menino
(from Quem e Quem, 1973)
14. Quinteto Ternura – Ele e Ela
(from Quinteto Ternura, 1972)
15. Piri – Cupido Esculpido
(from Voces Querem Mate?, 1970)
16. Jorge Ben – Minha Teimosia, Uma Arma Para Te Conquistar
(from A Tabua de Esmeralda, 1974)
17. Caetano Veloso – Tropicalia
(from Caetano Veloso, 1971)
18. Arthur Verocai – Dedica A Ela
(from Arthur Verocai, 1972)
19. Satwa – Amigo
(from Satwa, 1973)
20. Lula Cortes e Ze Ramalho – Regato da Montanha
(from Paebiru, 1974)
21. Os Novos Baianos – O Misterio Do Planeta
(from Acabou Chorare, 1972)