Every month we hand over the blog over to our playlister-in-chief Ollie, to tell you all about this month's musical picks. Read on to listen, find out more, and enjoy.
The Boat Floaters Meet Bernard playlist for December, to close the strangest year in memory, is here. I don’t know about you, but for me music truly has been my sanctuary in 2020.
I hope you gain nourishment from this 35-track, 151-minute selection, which features music from Japan, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica, America, Canada, and elsewhere. It starts slowly, magically and builds into a beautiful party – much like the next few weeks.
Personal highlights include Stelvio Cipriani’s Mary’s Theme, from 1969. The harp, played well, is one of the most beautiful instruments in the world. And this track is haunting, beguiling and capricious – much like Mary, I understand. Another one from 1969 is Wool's If They Left Us Alone Now.
Almost as old is Donald Byrd's Wind Parade (1975). It’s still sound fresh, and I was reminded of it when Jordan Rakei recently offered his version (which is also worth checking out).
I had to include the Rastafarian anthem Jah Light, which dates back over 40 years. Steel guitar hero Herb Remington’s Sweetnin’ is possibly the oldest of the lot, though. Close your eyes and imagine you are in Hawaii, cocktail in hand. If only…
There’s plenty of newness on this month’s playlist, too. Linkwood’s Don’t Throw It is their first track on the group’s Face the Facts EP, which is mega. Blue Benz is sublime laid-back hip-hop, and there are plenty more fresh cuts for you to gobble up. (On the hip-hope tip, though, Asayake Beat, from Japan, is an excellent find.)
Piano virtuoso Chilly Gonzales pulls the curtain on this month’s selection with a lovely version of Silent Night.
Wishing you and your loved ones a merry festive season. Here’s to a happy, healthy and more normal New Year.
Yours in music,
Ollie (Boat Floaters)