The Shuffle Playlist Of The Week

Turn on your iPod, press “Shuffle Songs” and see what happens…

“Umfazi Omdala”, Johnny Clegg, Best Of Live at the Nelson Mandela Theatre

This is the typical African music played by “the white man”… the blackest of them though. Still sounds really good but a bit caricature of the black African songs but to be fair that’s what I like about this song: the fact that it doesn’t take itself seriously and assume that kind of burlesque aspect. The song is full of life and happiness. I really like the live version (that I haven’t found on youtube), less 80s like but still very kitschy. When the saxophone enters we have the feeling to listen the Cosby Show’s theme song or some TV show of that period. The voice arrangements are brilliant and the band is good and groovy. Good stuff…

“Don’t Stop ‘till You Get Enough” (Demo), Michael Jackson

To be fair, I’ve never really liked Michael Jackson’s sound. Sounds made up. The rhythm does move from the beginning till the end and it’s usually a loop so there ain’t no shades and everything sounds a bit alike. But on this demo version of “Don’t Stop ‘till You Get Enough”, recorded live, you get to hear what his music really sounds like and his voice as well and I have to admit it’s freaking amazing. This guy was really able to do everything he wanted with his voice. And the music sounds much better with that kind of live recording, much more human. This is really good.

“Ode To Billy Joe”, Bobby Gentry

This is a tube from the 60s. Quite cool and good. The singer’s voice is impressive. I like the weird rhythmic done with the guitar and the distant strings intervening here and there. Quiet and unusual song indeed…

“Not A Robot, But A Ghost”, Andrew Bird, Noble Beast

One of my favorite artists. This album is unbelievable. The song has been co-written by Andrew’s mad drummer Martin Dosh. His contribution is very audible since he’s the one responsible for the robotic weird rhythmic. The warm voice of Bird contrasts so well with the coldness of the rhythm here. The arrangements and recordings are amazing and endlessly delicate creating a very unusual atmosphere. This is music to listen to.

“Evidence”, Thelonious Monk, Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane

To be fair, that’s the first time I’m listening to that track. Coltrane seems to be at his best here. I’m less a fan of the weird stuff Monk does but still, this is brilliant jazz. As always, Coltrane’s sound enlightens the all track like a pure sunray. However the all track is hard to understand because of Monk’s play. Even his solo seems rambling and makes the whole track too experimental for me.