Mother Tongue Music

there are many many reasons why i love music.  

one of these reasons is the special moments that can only seem to exist when a bunch of people get together and dance. we are able to disappear from our crazy hectic lives and feel free for a little while. together trusting the dj and the sounds and beats they decide to play.

not always is it what we wanted or expected, by many times it is an opening of a door to a new groove.

the karminsky experince is just that.  i found this write up on vikslounge.com while doing some research and thought it perfectly portrayed the experience that i love and live for.

“In a small, packed Soho basement in the early months of 1991, a group of bohemians, seasoned clubbers, international jet setters and Japanese modernists gathered to dance away the winter blues. The slamming of Tequila glasses exploded through the air like voodoo percussion. DJ’s James and Martin Karminsky were playing head to head mining a groove that seemed to be beamed in from another dimension. And as eyes met through the heavy blue smoke a secret sparkle of understanding and pleasure passed between everyone. They weren’t dancing to this music because it was funny or cheesy or even different, they were dancing because they loved it, like they loved life itself. ” (vikslounge.com/karmin.html)

the karminsky experience are two fellows named martin dingle and james mums. a london base dj duo.  before signing to thievery corporation’s eighteenth street lounge label and putting their own tracks on their label, patterns of behavior, the karminsky experience are  best known for their compilation brilliance.  four compilations that came out on deram/polygram label to critical acclaim.  inflight entertainment, espresso espresso, dig it! the sound of phase 4 stereo and further inflight entertainment.

sit back and enjoy the ride.

karminsky experience – “exploration”- esl/patterns of behavior

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sometimes something happens in my day that stops me and makes me as present as humanly possible.

for instance, when i meet a stranger and randomly engage in real conversation, to only walk away with that brief moment we shared and our words we gave one another. perfect strangers speaking with no expectation, just some connection that we both decided was worth the time. and a feeling that someone else out there feels the same. especially when it is someone much older and wiser than me. then i walk away with confidence that i am going the right way.

in these pure moments i am reminded of the possibility and the chance we all have to make a difference. large or small. it just takes a moment to stop, listen and look around.

i was in hawaii this past august and september. i was lucky enough to be alone, and with nothing but time to be still. in my stillness i allowed myself to explore my needs of my mind and intuition. and it was on one of these days that i had found my way to the man who founded peaceoneday.org and his message.

in 1999, filmmaker jeremy gilley set out to establish the first ever day to me recognized for world peace. in september of 2001 the united nations unanimously adopted a day of cease fire and non-violence. september 21.

i am alarmed at the fact that i had never heard of peaceoneday.org until august. it has been in action for almost ten years. a day dedicated to world peace and recognized by all nations. i made a pledge that day that i was introduced to peace one day. i would share and be aware of the efforts truly being made. we will not see them on the television, or read it in the paper. we will learn by taking the time and sharing with one another.

please take the time and watch this video, share it with others and believe in its’ purpose.

burial is a one man producer from london who had stayed hidden and mysterious up until september 2008. he has claimed that only 5 people outside his family knew he is a producer.

i like his view on the connection between the listener and the tune. there is something about a track that is just a track and gets its’ attention only from the vibe and quality.

burial is on the label hyperdub and has released 2 albums. burial (2006) and untrue (2007). i am definitely keeping my ear out for the next release.

i heard this tune by burial back in march 2008 while listening to jason benley’s show metropolis on kcrw. i enjoy his show because he plays a wide range of material and i usually walk away with a new tune to add to my collection.

as soon as i heard archangel i went to itunes and found no such artist. then i went to myspace to see if there was a profile. for sure there was and to my surprise a free download of archangel. hollah!!

burial – “archangel” – hyperdub

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i am constantly surrounded by the most amazing musicians, producers, djs, artists, photographers and poets.

today i have been nestled in one of the corners of “the wedge” ( one of my amazing artist friend’s home), in the game room to be exact. sitting and working alongside another one of these brilliant people. with a western massachusetts sunset in the background, golden and slow.

all of us brought together because of the one love we share, music.

never before have i had such a community of people. people who work towards an inner feeling of completion which then only leads to yet another feeling of completion. and this cycle continues, like the way our lungs breathe in the air.

not everyone understands this pull, this way of life, and to trying to explain is quite impossible. the only thing i have found that can genuinely give insight to this world is through music.

whether it be laying in bed listening, driving in a car, sitting in a cafe, salon or restaurant, walking through a store, dancing on a dance floor, music provokes an emotion through the vibration it creates in the brain. which then leads to a feeling.

it is this feeling that has guided me through my self journey and how i found my way to my the people in my life that i not only consider my dear friends but also my true family.

canotoma is dj/producer phil mison.  mison began his career at the milk bar in london and got is break after submitting a mix tape to underworld’s darren emerson.   inspired by jose padilla and his cafe del mar work, mison became a resident in ibiza for 2 years before returning to london to continue producing and touring.  over the years his  collection of tracks are known for their spanish guitars, reggae bass lines, bossa nova, latin percussion and chilled out electronica.  to add to his already romantic, exotic sound,  ”essarai” is graced with the beautiful vocals of tanja thulau. 

cantoma – “essarai” – quango/music for dreams label

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I came across this video today while doing some record shopping and I must say it really moved me. As I was watching, I stood in awe of all it took to make that happen. All the different people, with different talents, from different places, all coming together for this single vision and the chance that their efforts may bring forth something profound. Could you imagine the determination that took? And how about all the obstacles and all the times people must have been like, “Can we really do this?” But something inside kept pushing them forward. The human race can be so beautiful.

The video was put together by a teacher named Kevin Imfeld to spark the interest of middle school students in manned space flight. The photos in the video were found on the Nasa website and the music is by Tim Motzer, who I just discovered today from his work with Nucultures, an excellent band from Phiadelphia which I highly recommend checking out. I will leave you with one of their tunes below. Thanks Kevin for this inspiring video.

ken harman, a friend of mine began a blogsite dedicated to obama art work, obomaartreport.com. he was inspired by the amount of art being created around barrack obama’s message of hope and change and he began blogging and sharing these pieces of art with the public.

as i looked through his many brilliant pages of information and inspiration, i came upon pete yahnke’s, “uprising” print.

for some time now i have felt we as an entire world, needed to unite, to create an uprising to give energy to all things fair and true. well, it is the day following the presidential election and barrack obama has been called by the people of the united states to be our 44th el presidente!

i am finding that i do not have much to say today. this print and bonobo’s, “days to come”, reflect on my inner emotions.

i believe. i have hope. i am change.

and i take a deep deep breathe, with a gentle, soft smile.

bonobo – “days to come” – ninja tune

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i have been up since 7:30 am. i have so many thoughts running through my head as far as work, responsibility, personal things and yet i have been unable to get through any of my desired tasks today.

every morning i have a routine of enjoying my first cup of coffee while listening to npr and following the presidential election as well as the current issues facing the united states.  throughout my day i listen, discuss and watch.  i then finish my day with the rachel maddow show,  moveon.org and democracy now.

i have been attached to this election like none other i have experienced so far in my life.

today i am frozen. today is election day.

my main reason for the freeze comes from the fact that i know how wrong the last two elections were. i know, my friends know and the entire world agrees, those elections were bullshit. this is what alarms me as i watch and listen for the results tonight.

what i have been reminded of through these days of listening and watching, is about the real voices out there and the real issues we live in at this moment. we must fight for what is right, we must help each other during difficult times and we must believe in our future.

an election at this time, for what it is worth, has provided the space for many discussions about what matters and people coming together, finding common ground.

music is one of these common grounds that bring people of all differences together and music is our refuge from this crazy world.

today as i was listening to www.downtempo.org, i found such refuge in the sounds of, a mighty black forest. as i await the results to the next president of the united states, i meditate on the hope that resonates in the beautiful sounds of “till the end” .

we here at mother tongue endorse…..dennis kucinich, i mean al gore, i mean john kerry i mean barack obama!!! (wink wink)

sidenote: remember walter mondale?

a mighty black forest – “till the end” – compost records

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