Every week, CKUA’s hosts submit their songs for our weekly House Blend playlist: an exciting new release, a beloved classic or just an old personal favourite. We mix it all together to create a sonic concoction that’ll help kick off your week. Check out what’s on this week’s playlist.
The Playlist
The Picks
Lionel Rault: Bob Marley, “Could You Be Loved”
Spiritually, lyrically, rhythmically classic Marley!
Amy Van Keeken: Sheer Mag, “Just Can’t Get Enough”
New Fav band. A perfect rock ‘n’ roll track with sass, swagger, killer guitar tone and the amazing vocals of Christina Halladay. It’s all the best parts of rock from the ’70s and ’80s with a current punk ethos running through it.
Tony King: Jowee Omicil, “Let’s Just Bash!”
And so we have an artist born in Montreal of Afro-Haitian descent, who at a young age chooses to follow in the footsteps of his idols: Steve Coleman and David Sanborn. But, the story doesn’t end there. Though Jowee Omicil became very proficient at his chosen instrument, he remained acutely aware of the power of music to inspire change. Crystalline in his mind was a trip to the White House that he took as a child at the invitation of former President Barack Obama to pay tribute to the Haitian flag. Hence Omicil’s music is fluid in a way that is accessible and sounds like it has been touched by an angel.
Monica Miller: Stanton Moore, “The Beat”
A tribute to Allen Toussaint? You’ve got my attention. Led by New Orleans drummer, Galactic bandleader, Stanton Moore? Now you’ve really got me. This is not from the massive, well-known Toussaint catalogue. The lyrics were found in a book of Toussaint’s poetry and are read here by Cyril Neville. Add drums, percussion, bass, a little keyboard and you have one funky track.
Mark Antonelli: Langevin and Feldman; “Gabriel Pierne: Sonata for Piano & Violin, Op. 36: Movement 2 (“Allegretto tranquillo”) from Pierne, Franck, Fauré: Violin Sonatas transcribed for Flute
A beautiful piece that never fails to conjure up a certain kind of mood. A perfect soundtrack to a quiet, relaxing ramble through the countryside on a sunny summer afternoon.
Dianne Donovan: Hudson, “El Swing”
Okay, this ensemble is billed as a new jazz supergroup, but the individuals are long-known to any self-respecting jazz fan and will soon be familiar to those who care to “dive in”. This whole album is great. I especially like Jack Dejonette’s beautifully spacious, “Song For World Forgiveness”, but that one is a little bit long for this format. “El Swing” is by Scofield and has that “Sco” groove/drive. These musicians have been consistently fabulous, while always sounding “fresh”. Check it out!
Lark Clark: Luisa Mata, “Around You”
Spooky, silky Brazilian songstress brings updated flair to popular Brazilian music.
Orest Soltykevich: Simon Borutzki, “Bach: Concerto in B-flat BWV986”
Excellent rendition of a concerto by Bach arranged for recorder and ensemble by German recorder virtuoso, Simon Borutzki.
Lisa Wilton: Prom Queen, “November Rain”
Guns ‘n’ Roses’ 1991 metal ballad hit gets a fresh doo-wop makeover thanks to Seattle’s Prom Queen. Taken from Prom Queen’s latest, Doom-Wop, “November Rain”actually works surprisingly well as a retro pop number. Stripped of its grandiosity and over-the-top guitar soloing, you can appreciate November Rain for the well-constructed song it is.
Terry David Mulligan: Aaron Neville, “Tell It Like It Is”
Aaron Neville. Two words that speak volumes about the great music of our time. A voice that soars from note to note — effortlessly. And it’s a voice unlike any other on the planet. Back then and now. And the song back then was the greatest legacy. “Tell It Like It Is”. Still, to this day, hall of fame material. I dare you not to get goosebumps.
Bob Chelmick: Michael Marra, “Angela Gunn”
In this bouncy, little number, the legendary ‘Bard of Dundee’ tries to bring some class to his pub mates so as not to scare away the lovely Angela.
Cathy Ennis: Paul Simon, “Spirit Voices”
Following Graceland, Paul Simon turned to Latin America for the musicians and rhythms which characterize much of The Rhythm of the Saints, an album where he partnered with Afro-Brazilian superstars Grupo Cultural Olodum. The song, “Spirit Voices”, is rhythmically gentle and enticing. And lyrically, I mean: “We sailed up a river wide as a sea And slept on the banks On the leaves of a banyan tree And all of these spirit voices rule the night”. I wish I could write like that! The whole album is stellar. One of my all-time favourites.
Kodi Hutchinson: John Abercrombie, “Modern Day Tuba”
Music in honour of one of the jazz guitar greats that passed away this past week. John Abercrombie featured on a unique live track from the late 1990s. The star-studded group features Bob Mintzer on sax, Peter Erskine on drums and John Patitucci on bass.