The Constorium of Greater Minds

to look for new music and expand your horizons. one of my favorite things in life is music, i’ve been playing it (in one form or another, and not very well!) since middle school band. at this point in my life it’s obvious that i will probably never be a ‘musician’ but listening and collecting is something i can do for the rest of my life. and if it makes sense to listen well or collect well, then i think i do both…well.

i have a huge and varied music collection that spans vinyl, cd and mp3 and i’m constantly on the hunt for new and different sounds. i love the way music can evoke a feeling, transport you back in time or remind you of a certain place in the world. jazz always makes me think of new york city and a lazy summer afternoon in the park or the village. hip hop calls up memories of the ‘streets’ – whether they be in nyc, seattle, berlin or any other city – and all the style, sounds, and vibes that go along with that image. classical recalls memories of italy, and the relaxing notes of a smooth electronic/jazz fusion take me away to a secluded beach somewhere on the med.

i know many of my friends share the same passion and in particular the members of the consortium were brought together so close for, amongst other reasons, our love for music in all its varieties. so, i challenge you to listen to something different tonight, while you’re kicking back at home – hit up iTunes and browse for an hour or so and then download a couple of tracks that sound good to you but you’d never thought you’d like. check out some Slayer, check out some David Bowie, some Miles Davis or some Cole Porter classics, whatever it is you thought you’d never dig – i’m sure there’s a track that will make you change your mind. to give you a head start here’s a playlist i found while browsing around the net this morning. it comes from a japanese’s cat’s blog, a dude with some very refined, and excellent taste:

1. Ray Barbee Meets The Mattson 2 / “Yeppers”
2. Sweetmouth / “I Know Why The Willow Weeps”
3. Morgana King / “Like A Seed”
4. Was A Bee / “This Is What You Are”
5. Jack Wilson / “On Children”
6. Grant Green / “Dracula”
7. James Mason / “Funny Girl”
8. Mackey Feary Band / “A Million Star”
9. Tuomo / “I Won’t Worry”
10. Azymuth / “Brazil”
11. Andre Orefjaro feat.May Yamani / “Cookin’ ”
12. Iman / “Who Was I Trying To Fool”
13. Heavy / “Wonderlove (For Minnie)”
14. Marlena Shaw / “Save The Children”
15. Adriana Evans / “Love Me”
16. Damon Aaron / “Freedom”
17. Ben Watt / “North Marine Drive”
18. Joao Donato e seu Trio / “Jodel”
19. Sagittarius / “Song To The Magic Frog (Will You Ever Know)”

the theme of the list is a relaxing, jazzy one. it culls tracks from modern jazz, classic jazz, and the fusion of jazz and electronic music. i’ve already downloaded the ‘is a bee’ track and jack wilson track form iTunes and recommend both. i can’t wait to listen to these songs in my loft in the city…one day brothers. all for now, keep exploring music and life.

thanks to http://blogs.dion.ne.jp/benben_noanoa/ and the music lover behind it.