Space Monk

Space Monk

"Space Monk are here to fill your head with the nostalgic call of summer chillin'"

Enough said

Just take a listen and like.

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Nujabes

When it comes to developing a taste in music, nothing beats a fantastic first impression. This happened to me the first time I listened to Jun Seba, a Japanese DJ and hip hop producer more commonly known under his recording name- Nujabes.

I remember the moment vividly. Sitting on a balcony under a scattering of stars, the first notes of Nujabes' 'Lady Brown,' drifted from a friend's phone, and that was it. I was transfixed. And my tastes would be changed forever. Opened up. I had never considered rap to be amongst my favourite genres. I'd always lumped it into the 'could live without' category of music. But this song, mixed as it was with a sampling of Spanish guitar, made me feel as if my chest was about to burst open with an emotion I couldn't explain. I'd never loved a song as instantly, or as passionately.

And this song was what introduced me to the brilliant musician that was Nujabes. Famous for his ability to blend hip hop beats with jazz influences, creating a uniquely atmospheric sound, Nujabes wove a career that touched the lives of many before he died of a tragic car accident in 2010, at 35 years old. As in the cases of so many great musicians that were taken before they could create more spectacular tunes, Nujabes was no different. But the tunes he did create before his death are nothing short of beautiful. Not only working in collaboration with American hip hop artists such as CYNE and Cise Star to make raps, Nujabes used samples of foreign music to make instrumentals with world music influences, tunes so atmospheric that you could almost imagine you were in a foreign country. That's what good music is meant to do- affect mood and emotion. And needless to say you don't have to be a fan of rap or hip hop to enjoy Nujabes, just like I wasn't upon first hearing him. Nujabes is hip hop with a twist...the cool jazz and sampling is what makes him stand out from the sea of the top 40.

Listen to the tune 'Modal Soul' from the album with the same title, and be transported to a South American beach at night, the air hot and heady with salt. For the same effect, his 'Spiritual State,' with a beauty reminiscent of a blooming flower. Listen to his 'Luv Sic's' part 1, 2 and 3, a collaboration with Japanese rapper Shing02, to understand a true and insightful perspective on affection. And always, 'Lady Brown,' because no one ever wants to forget how a lover's beauty makes them feel.

RIP Nujabes.

Viceroy

Nothing like a Viceroy n’ Bud to start a day for Montreal’s Mad-Hatter Mac DeMarco

With his love for Viceroy branded ciggies, quite obviously fueling inspiration for the song “Ode to Viceroy”, Mac sings about his relationship with Miss Viceroy.

                                                                                   image - www.moustachemagazine.com

The song is accompanied by an old school video tape esc footage staring his best mate(Viceroy) along with some sick 90’s vibe effects, only adding more feel to an already moist song, dedicating his long unforgotten love to his, one and only…viceroy.

Indie Rocker Mac DeMarco’s music brings a warm vintage romantic twang which he describes as “Jizz Jazz”, so if you’re in the mood for a bit of a head bopping sing-along or even giving your ear holes a quick “Jizz” check out Mac’s latest album titled Mac DeMarco 2 , Easy Listening from a to b.

♫♪

When you walk in your door after work, doing the shopping, or even after having a truly spectacular day...you have to ask yourself...can my mood get any better?
The answer is..of course it can. With the help of music.
We've all experienced the feeling...a rapid change in mood when a favourite song is on, how it changes the tone of things in our lives, how it can change a room's atmosphere. There's a reason why music is played at dinner parties, in restaurants, in stores. It's a subtle, yet completely effective form of mood manipulation.
And to be honest, I'm not going to object to this form of manipulation one bit.
Lately, I've been coming home and kicking my shoes off to forms of downtempo jazz, the type your soul sings out to in response.