From Deep Cuts to Radiant Grooves: The Jazz That Moves Me
Welcome along. I know I often say this, but truly, there are some real gems in this selection. From deep cuts to timeless moods, this mix brings together moments that continue to inspire me. I’ve spent the past few weeks immersed in transitions—not just in sound, but in space. With a relocation on the horizon, I’ve started gathering new gear for a studio that will become the next chapter of my listening and creative life. Things are shifting, in more ways than one. That movement is reflected in this collection—a playlist shaped by searching, by curiosity, and, above all, by love for the music. If you’re curious about the tracks or want to go deeper, this blog expands on the stories, artistry, and resonance behind each one. Jazz matters. And this is the music I love.
1. TM DAYDREAMIX – “Andalucia” Kicking things off is TM DAYDREAMIX’s “Andalucia,” a sprawling sonic landscape that draws on the sensuality of Andalusian nights. There’s a cinematic quality to the textures—lush, evocative, and deeply melodic. TM DAYDREAMIX continues to prove themselves as a boundary-walker between electronica, ambient jazz, and dreamlike storytelling. The result is something that feels at once nostalgic and completely new. The rhythm breathes, the harmony sways, and there’s a quiet confidence in the pacing. A perfect opener for what unfolds.
2. Kamasi Washington – “Sun Kissed Child” Kamasi never disappoints. “Sun Kissed Child” is a rich, expansive journey—celestial, grounded, spiritual, and powerful. Taken from his latest album, this track pulses with life and warmth, an ode to renewal and hope. The arrangements are intricate but accessible, a hallmark of Kamasi’s ability to blend virtuosity with storytelling. What strikes me most here is the emotional immediacy. It feels like a hymn, a lullaby, and a statement piece all at once.
3. Mahavishnu Orchestra – “Radio Activity” (Live at Montreux 1984) There’s no denying the electricity that John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra could conjure live—and this performance at Montreux in 1984 captures them in full force. “Radio Activity” is frenetic, spiritual, and futuristic, an interstellar free fall through progressive jazz-rock fusion. It’s not often you hear a track that feels like it’s still ahead of its time four decades later. The interplay here is outrageous. A snapshot of fusion at its boldest and most unrelenting.
4. Scrimshire, Nat Birchall, Faye Houston – “I Hear You, I See You” This one is sublime. From the very first note, “I Hear You, I See You” demands your attention, not with volume but with soul. Scrimshire's production lays down a warm, immersive bed for Nat Birchall’s tenor tone—reverent, searching, and meditative. Faye Houston’s vocals are understated and heartbreaking in the best way. It’s a modern spiritual jazz anthem, one that seems to listen as much as it speaks. The message, too—about presence, empathy, and human connection—is deeply felt.
5. Terri Lyne Carrington – “Respected Destroyer” Terri Lyne Carrington has always been a force—not only as a drummer but as a bandleader, composer, and advocate for social change. “Respected Destroyer” is fierce and unapologetic. There’s a tension in this track, an urgency that reflects the times we’re living in. Groove-driven and harmonically rich, this is protest music disguised as art-funk. You don’t just listen to it—you reckon with it.
6. Steve Tibbetts – “The Big Wind” Tibbetts has long carved out a space that defies genre—equal parts jazz, ambient, and global mysticism. “The Big Wind” moves slowly and deliberately, like a landscape unfolding in slow motion. Guitar textures echo like distant chants; percussive elements feel like ritual. This is less a song than a place. A meditative detour in the journey, and a reminder of how expansive “jazz” can be when it's not trying to be anything but itself.
7. Anne Paceo – “Circles” French drummer and composer Anne Paceo brings a deeply lyrical sensibility to “Circles.” It’s minimal, melodic, and beautifully paced. Her drumming doesn’t dominate—it dances, it sketches. The track feels circular not just in name but in its phrasing: melodic loops that slowly evolve, expanding and contracting with breath. There’s a kind of soft power here, one that rewards repeat listens. Hypnotic and haunting.
8. Helge Lien & Knut Hern – “Sildrebekken” This Norwegian duo offers a gem in “Sildrebekken”—a track that shimmers with quiet intricacy. Piano and guitar intertwine like a stream over stones, subtle and precise. You can hear the influence of Nordic landscapes: the stillness, the clarity, the sense of something sacred just beneath the surface. It’s music that whispers rather than shouts, and in doing so, speaks volumes.
9. Charenee Wade – “Offering” Charenee Wade’s tribute to Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson remains one of the most compelling vocal jazz projects in recent years. Her rendition of “Offering” is fearless. She captures both the intellectual fire and emotional vulnerability of the original—and makes it her own. Wade’s voice moves with intention, each phrase etched with nuance. There’s anger here, yes, but also grace. This track reminds us that jazz has always been deeply political—and deeply personal.
10. Florian Fourlin – The Bird’s Lament (EP) This EP is a revelation. Florian Fourlin melds jazz with modular synths, field recordings, and chamber-style arrangements in ways that feel deeply human despite their digital sheen. The Bird’s Lament is a standout not just for its sonic experimentation but for its emotional cohesion. Themes of loss, flight, memory, and solitude run through the EP. It’s reflective music, and each piece feels like a window into a fleeting thought or dream.
11. Brad Mehldau & Chris Thile – “Tom Saywer” Two virtuosos from different worlds—piano and mandolin—come together in this astonishing rendition of Caetano Veloso’s “Tom Saywer.” It’s intimate and playful, reverent and adventurous. Mehldau’s harmonic imagination pairs beautifully with Thile’s rhythmic agility. The track is a love letter not only to Veloso’s genius but to musical dialogue itself. It closes the mix with a sense of wonder and connection that lingers.
Final Thoughts This mix, like many, came together organically—some tracks rediscovered, others newly released, all of them resonant. It’s a reflection of where my ears and heart are right now: caught between movement and stillness, change and continuity. There’s something comforting in the fact that no matter where life takes me, or where I build my next studio, this music remains a constant. It challenges, heals, surprises, and grounds me. If any of these tracks spoke to you, I encourage you to explore the artists further. Jazz is a living language, and these voices are shaping its evolution in real time. Thanks for listening. And as always, jazz matters.