All the Playlists

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gil Scott-Heron

10 April 2017

Often credited as one of the godfathers of rap music, Gil Scott-Heron didn’t set out to be a singer-songwriter. He started his career as a youngster writing poetry but a cult legend was born when jazz producer Bob Thiele – recognising the raw charisma of Scott-Heron’s vocal delivery – set Scott-Heron’s poetry to music for the first time. These early recordings included The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, a scything indictment of white America’s blind ignorance of racial issues.

Moment – Justin Cudmore

3 April 2017

During my weekly hunt for new music to play in my upcoming sets I stumbled across a new artist that I never had heard of before. Justin Cudmore’s track “Moment” is a track that is meant to be used in those special moments in the club where as a DJ you know you have the audience at your finger tips and it bring you nothing but joy to keep building it up to the delight of the audience.

Music for 18 Musicians – Steve Reich

30 March 2017

I love tracks that open like this – there’s an immediate sense of energy and urgency and yet – it’s not overwhelming or overpowering – it just picks you up and gently carries you along.  Perfect opening track for an essay writing playlist. 

Give Us Something Worth Voting For – The Tuts

30 March 2017

Exactly the sentiment that the Fight Evil playlist was created for, this is a song for anyone who has washed their hands of the current crop of hypocritical politicians and demands an alternative.

It’s also a belter of a protest song by a melodic pop punk three-piece from the outer limits of London.

Good Voodoo – Kiki (VisionQuest Remix)

30 March 2017

I first heard this song yesterday as I was running through Hasenheide, a huge park by my house. I had already been running (ok, you got me, jogging) for a solid 15 minutes and therefore reaching my tap out point. And then, like a gift from the gods, this magical song started pumping into my ears like a seductive siren, causing me to tap into a dormant energy source I wasn’t even aware existed

Sadeness – Enigma

28 March 2017

Anybody who had ears in the early 90’s couldn’t move without hearing this track, it was one of those things that just exploded on the scene and was suddenly everywhere.  

Come Pick Me Up – Ryan Adams

27 March 2017

While blood will always be thicker than water, sometimes it’s only your friends who are able to save you.  At times like these – this is the track you should reach for.

L’alternativa – bzur

27 March 2017

Originally placed on the Music to Grieve to playlist I knew it would be perfect for essay writing too.  Put it on repeat and it works brilliantly.

Song From A Secret Garden – Secret Garden

24 March 2017

So now I have to go to someone with Latin heritage in Los Angeles to introduce me to Celtic / Scandinavian music – what the hell!?

Ave Maria – J.S. Bach and Charles Gounod

24 March 2017

If there’s one thing I abhor above everything else on the planet – it’s snobs!  People who know, or even profess to know more about a subject and who hold it above you like a double edged sword to invalidate how you feel about something.  Fuckers!

Lux Aeterna – Clint Mansell

23 March 2017

Another writer from the PLOS article, this time Ed Yong, Science writer at The Atlantic.  He only had one recommendation – this track and here’s what he had to say about music to write to:

I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt

23 March 2017

Provided by the rather talented Jeff Mallow, in his own words: