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
Terry David Mulligan: Delbert McClinton, “Don’t Do It”
It’s time Delbert had another hit — this is it.
Lionel Rault: Young Gun Silver Fox, “You Can Feel It”
Feel-good groove, lyrics, and soundscape — can’t miss!
Amy Van Keeken: William Onyeabor, “Fantastic Man (radio edit)”
Always get the dance party started with William Onyeabor. Sadly, he passed away on Monday, January 16 at the age of 70. I love this quote of his: “I only create music that will help the world.”
Mark Antonelli: Lucie Horsch, “Vivaldi: Cum dederit” from Nisi Dominus
Because we don’t have enough music for tenor recorder in our lives.
Andy Donnelly: Luka Bloom, “Heart Man”
Luka Bloom doing what he does best.
Lisa Wilton: War & Pierce, “On and On”
The duo of Chris Pierce and Sunny War is relatively new on the scene. Pierce is a veteran singer-songwriter who has shared the stage with the likes of Seal, Aaron Neville, Toots & The Maytals, B.B. King and Robert Cray, to name a few. “On and On” is a proper, modern-day protest song. Soulful, rousing, inspiring. You’ll be clapping, stomping and singing along in no time.
Lark Clark: Danny Michel, “Khlebnikov”
Danny Michel’s latest adventure is to the Arctic, aboard an old Russian icebreaker with pal and Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield. The album of the same name was recorded in his bunk onboard.
*This song is not available on Spotify.
Monica Miller: Arcade Fire with Mavis Staples, “I Give You Power”
Four words: Arcade Fire, Mavis Staples. Incredible — and intentionally timely — new song. Just released on Thursday last week – all proceeds to the ACLU.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here:
Tony King: Izo FitzRoy, “Here I Come”
Izo Fitzroy’s standout lead single from her forthcoming album, Skyline, is like chocolate cake washed down with Jack Daniels. Pure inspired soul from this Brit who has found inspiration in Janis Joplin and Frank Zappa!
Brian Golightly: Easy Star All-stars feat. Horace Andy, “Airbag “
This is a perennial favourite of mine, from the great Radiodread album. A great Radiohead song, perfectly suited to the dub idiom and the unique voice of legendary Horace Andy. Dreamy and direct.
Grant Stovel: Dirty Projectors, “Up in Hudson”
This very tender true-life story traces a love affair from beginning to end.
Baba: Danny Michel, “24,000 Horses”
Danny Michel continues to evolve as a musician and has my full attention. The album, Khlebnikov, is soon to be a classic!
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here:
Allison Brock: William Prince, “You Got Me”
This album actually came out at the end of 2015. Thanks to Scott Nolan, another great artist from Manitoba, who brought it to my attention a few weeks back. He won the Best Aboriginal Artist award last year at BreakOut West and may be up for a Juno this year!
Hayley Muir: The Roots, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”
Stellar version of a classic civil rights movement freedom song — seems fitting!
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here:
David Ward: Scott Cook, “Dogs and Kids”
A slow and relaxed groove accompanies Scott’s musings on the pleasures of spending time with dogs and kids.
*This song is not available on Spotify.
Kodi Hutchinson: Cory Weeds, “Blow Your Horn”
One of Canada’s best with the Jeff Hamilton Trio swinging hard!
Orest Soltykevych: Nash Ensemble, “Promenade (Walking the Dog)”
From a scene in the 1937 film “Shall We Dance”, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where Rogers and Astaire walk her dog, Walter, on the deck of an ocean liner.