¡Escúchela! La ciudad respirando

Black Star, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common. "Respiration." Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, 2002 Rawkus Entertainment LLC, 2002.

Tonight we caught Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) close out the night at Oakland's Fox Theater, after a performance from the always-entertaining Reggie Watts. Although he was missing Talib, this track is still one of my all-time favourites nearly fifteen years later.

🎶 Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine
Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline
Heard the bass ride out like an ancient mating call
I can't take it, y'all, I can feel the city breathing
Chest heaving, against the flesh of the evening
Sigh before we die like the last train leaving 🎶

Heavy and soothing like a gentle symphony

Bonobo. "Stay The Same." Black Sands, Ninja Tune, 2010.

This track features dreamy, comforting vocals from the lovely Andreya Triana, with Jack Wyllie on saxophone. I had to include the complete lyrics below because for some reason they feel so poignant with everything happening in the world right now.

🎶 A night train, midnight, bags gathered round my feet
Possessions, some lessened to carry with me
Heavy and soothing like a gentle symphony
I rest my head right back upon my seat
It's hard and cold, though the best thing for me
This train is moving, but my heart is stationary


Seasons change, surely it won't be the same
I'm hoping I won't stay the same
Reasons strange, why we all must play these games


I left it with you: a note that was discreet
I made sure I put it upon the cellar door
It's hanging, hoping, will you read it while I weep?
Last time, the last time, it flickers through me
So vivid, it rushes from my head down to my feet
We're laughing, joking, through a dance to my defeat


Seasons change, it'll never be the same
I'm hoping I won't stay the same
Reasons strange, why we all must play these game 🎶 

And we’ll rise, over love, over hate, through this iron sky

May your days be merry and bright

Oscar Peterson. "White Christmas." An Oscar Peterson Christmas, Telarc International, 1995.

The Drifters. "White Christmas (Voice)." Home Alone, Twentieth Century Fox, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment, 1990.

It's the start of December, and I can't help but want to put on Home Alone and listen to this track. Today is a two-for-one, and you can choose your own holiday adventure with either Oscar Peterson's jazzy version or the Drifters' rendition from the movie soundtrack (or both).

Fun for all that children call their favorite time of year

Vince Guaraldi Trio. "Christmastime Is Here (Instrumental)." A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered & Expanded Edition), Concord Music Group, Inc., 2012.

American Thanksgiving has come and passed. We came together with friends and families, deep-fried some turkeys, feasted on all kinds of dishes, made some tasty cocktails, and ate (or perhaps are still eating) leftovers. Time to get ready to do it all over again.

Can't think of any better way to kick off the caroling season than with Vince Guaraldi's classic from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

🎶 Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there 🎶

For more jazzy holiday tunes, listen to my Christmas Town! radio station on Pandora.

And here, with those kiddos on vocals.