“Union Square” by Stephane Pompougnac
Stephane Pompougnac’s “Union Square” feels like one of those moments you’re physically present and visibly awake, but your mind escapes from the confines of your current setting. Your eyes display a vacant gaze as you stare in the direction of whatever’s in front of you……but you can’t see a thing.
Instead, you’re transported to your own little world where your wishes are the only truth, and the temperature’s just right. Let’s daydream…
Title: Union Square
Artist: Stephane Pompougnac
Album: Hello Mademoiselle, 2007
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“The Time We Lost Our Way” by Loulou
“My mind is full bursting over, With all these things I can’t remember, Every little single memory reminds me of you/
My eyes were weary with all these tears, You left your shadow in my dreams, And all my doubts seem to disappear when you came along/
Flowers melting up into the sky, Hear my heart where our love collides, We hear the songs we found in the times we lost our way/
Gentle memories replace our tears, All the love we had is still right here, We hear the songs we found in the time we lost our way/
From without words cannot describe, What caused the stars to fall deep inside, Every little single memory reminds me of you/
Our days are gone lost forever, Reflecting light glistening under water, Naturally this could be everything that seems so unreal/
Flowers melting up into the sky, Hear my heart where our love collides, We hear the songs we found in the time we lost our way”
Title: The Time We Lost Our Way
Artist: Loulou (Produced by Thievery Corporation)
Album: The Cosmic Game (Thievery Corporation), 2005
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Loading ...“Passion” by Nightmares On Wax
The problem with passion is that it tends to control us rather than the other way around. For better or worse, it fuels the pursuit of our desires, egging us on towards what we want, but not necessarily what we need. When you’re fortunate enough to have your passions aligned with what’s in your best interest, you get an amazing platform for….well happiness.
I’ve been a beneficiary and a victim of my passion all my life. It has the kept the fire in my eyes burning and given me a constant supply of the focus required to keep marching towards my ambitions. But on the other hand, it has kept ablaze fires that should have been put out a long time ago, and immortalized feelings I’ve been trying to kill for ages. The gift and the curse I suppose.
I have to be completely honest with myself in admitting that I’m a slave to my passion. I will never fight it, that’s a battle I can’t win. All I can do is embrace it and pray it leads me somewhere……………safe.
Oh and by the way, this absolute jewel of an instrumental is courtesy of Nightmares on Wax, a supremely talented sample DJ from the UK. Words I’d use to describe this track: evocative, haunting, subliminal…..just plain sick!
“Rest in reason; move in passion” Khalil Gibran (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931).
Title: Passion
Artist: Nightmares on Wax
Album: In a Space Outta Sound, 2006
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Loading ...“Friction” by Morcheeba
Part of the reason I’ve always loved the UK is it’s music scene. It is home to some of my favorite artists/bands: Tricky, Portishead, Jamiroquai…the list goes on and on.
“Morcheeba” belongs to that elite list of bands that have developed a cult-like following over the years. Their sound is part trip hop, part RnB, with an infusion of classic Reggae. Their arrangements are lush and usually organic, meaning that they produce mostly music that has a “live feel” to it. I can only imagine how great they must be on stage…
On Friction, the band takes a political stance against the country’s legal system and admonishes the relative ease with which citizens get prosecuted. “Friction turning to fire” highlights how efficient the “system” is at stifling any opposition.
“Men in high places, Can’t understand
How to end trouble in this broken land
They have no idea and no feelings for love
Just send in the dogs and they stand well above
Friction is turning to fire, Friction is burning much higher”
The name “Morcheeba” actually means “ the way of Marijuana”. Let’s just say this is meant to be consumed in a “stress-free” environment…
Chill……
Title: Friction
Artist: Morcheeba
Album: Big Calm, 1998
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“Homme” by Brazilian Girls
Everything about this band catches you off-guard. We can start with its name, Brazilian Girls, which is misleading to say the least, considering that there is only one girl in the band and in fact no Brazilians at all. Then we can talk about the band’s style which is listed as electronic dance music, but ventures into house, salsa, triphop and even reggae. How about Sabina Sciubba’s (lead singer) fluency in English, French, Spanish and German? (Notice I didn’t mention Portuguese).
‘Homme’ has that “smoky bar” feel. A smooth mix of live drums and triphop grooves infused with very sensual vocals delivered “en francais”.
The song has many different parts and phases and almost sounds a bit disjointed at times due to the sheer complexity of the instrumentation. However, it is this exact aspect of it that keeps it “fresh” and prevents it from sounding repetitive.
Great live music.
Title: Homme
Artist: Brazilian Girls
Album: Brazilian Girls, 2005
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Ssidy is what my friends call me. I was born in Senegal of Malian parents (hence my Mali nationality). I grew up all over the place…Bamako, London, Accra, Cape Town, before I went to college in Miami and finally got a job in Sydney where I’ve been living since August 2008.
When I’m not working on The Timbuktu Project, or as a financial analyst (full-time), you can usually catch me somewhere on a football pitch or involved in anything music related. Music is everything to me. Whatever mood I am in, there is always a song that captures the moment perfectly. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes around me will probably attest to this: I listen to all types of stuff.....possibly because no single genre holds enough songs to quench that musical thirst of mine... 