Got a mix for you from Jaytram. It’s got some feel good jams, a little bit of funk, and some southern sunshine. Jaytram made this mix quite a few months ago, but got it to me recently because he’s been on the road. Good to get a little refrain of summer as New York is piled up with snow.
Glad to get some new music up here too. It’s been too long. Hopefully I can post mixes a little more frequently in the next few months. Seems like a lot folks have a mix or two in the works.

I’d like to get some thoughts down. It’s been a contemplative time for me with the turn of the clock, celestial bodies, and my continued exploration of NYC. I guess the big thing on my mind is trying to find a balance between artistic ambitions and paying rent — quite literally. It’s an old struggle. Not sure what I could say that might enlighten. I wrestle with the idea that perhaps if I really devoted myself to making music, or making art of one sort or another, maybe it would all somehow work out. Maybe that is what’s most important. All others concerns subordinate, for I am the only one who can make this song, these paintings, that photograph. Perhaps I could create something magnificent. Or perhaps that just means that I will eat shit and be dependent on those around me for the most basic of needs for the foreseeable future. There’s so much stress involved with that path. I am an adult by all measures that count, and yet I can’t seem to take care of myself – much less anyone else.

And fuck, then there’s just a question of productivity. Sometimes I watch a lot of Fringe and Dexter. Sometimes I nap. Sometimes I’m lazy. Sometimes I’m blank. I should create instead.
And don’t even get me started on geography. God knows I could just get my ass on a plane and teach English in some tropical country with coffee skinned women.

Jaytram posted this on Facebook this morning. It’s good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5wkZ-dJXA

Alright, let’s get on with this day. Enjoy the tunes. Spread the word.

Hanging on to Summer Mix 2010

Aphroditie’s Child – Babylon
Headstone – Love you to
Mosco Tiles Foncalire Steel Orchestra – Black man’s cry
The Lijadu Sisters – Life’s gone down low
Cool runnings – When i got High With You
Pete Drake – Forever
Steve Miller Band – The Beauty Of Time Is That It’s Snowing
via Andy Votel Cock Diesel Mix tape – Unknown
The Modern Lovers – Someone I Care About
The Troggs – 66 5 4 3 2 1
The Funkees – Breakthrough
Eddie Kendricks – If You Let Me
Funkadelic – Can you get to that
Yodelin Kenny Roberts – Sweet Little Cherokee
Dillard and Clark – Don’t let me down
The Flying Burrito Bros – Dark end of the street
Todd Rundgren – Izzat Love
Bruce Springsteen – Sprit in the night
P-Funk All Stars – Hydraulic Pump
Darwin’s Theory – Funky Sounds
Tones On Tail – Lions

I’m Djing in support of Givers, Helado Negro,  Mike V at Union Pool.

Helado Negro are my boys.  Roberto sings and plays guitar.  Ajemian plays Bass.  Jaytram plays drums.  etc. They always put on a good show.  You should try and make it out.

Sunday, February 7th 2010.  9pm

Union Pool . 484 Union Ave.
Brooklyn, NY

I decided to move to New York City.  I don’t know when exactly.  It was sometime last fall.  Take a trip to Mali, and then move to New York.  It’s a plan.  Breathe some life into this thing.

Here’s a mix by Jaytram & Roberto Carlos Lange.  They are part of the reason I decided to give NYC a run so this shit makes sense.

The mix feels kinda nostalgic. Feels likes 70s.  I didn’t look to see if any of the music is actually from the 70′s, but that’s what it feels like to me.

I’m packing.  It’s weird.  Makes you look at everything you own and think “Do I need this?” “Yes.” “Really?” “No.”  And then I throw it away.

Here’s some palabras by Roberto:

Falling Down is what happens, almost everyday. Its our general way of life, usually knocks some sense into us whichever ground we hit. In hopes to not so much turn you onto to music, this is more of the feeling all of this music gives us, kinda like a theme, a Monday – Friday mix. Listen to it like that, break it up in your week, and you’ll feel it. Falling Down is ok. We can pick ourselves up and sometimes our friends help out.

-

Roberto’s new group Helado Negro has it’s debut album “Awe Owe” coming out August 4th on Asthmatic Kitty. Jaytram is currently touring as one of the two drummers for Yeasayer, he is also touring in Helado Negro this fall.

“Awe Owe” = http://asthmatickitty.com/music.php?releaseID=206

Helado Negro = http://asthmatickitty.com/musicians.php?artistID=32

JayTram = http://www.myspace.com/wwwfloanprojectcom

Roberto Carlos Lange + JayTram – Falling Down:

1. What the World Needs Now
2. Paul McCartney
 – 1st indian on the moon
3. East of Underground
 – Hell Below
4. Mae – Artefact
5. African Headcharge
 – ?
6. The Canyons
 – Apples and Pears
7. Paul McCartney – Secret Friend
8. Headstone
 – Live for Each Other
9. Brother to Brother
 – In the Bottle
10. John Lennon & Yoko Ono Interview
11. JJ Cale
- Call Me the Breeze
12. The Doors – Ships with Sails
13. Steve Miller Band
 – Steve Miller’s Midnight Tango
14. Aretha Franklin
 – Day Dreaming
15. Four Tops – The Good Lord Knows

I think both Jaytram and The Diamond Age’s mixes stand up under this criterion. [Editor's note: I broke these two mixes into different posts with the new format but you can find The Diamond Age's mix here.] Delighted to share their selections with you.
Some of you may recall Jaytram made it to Chicago to play at the last Bird & Whale Showcase with the mighty Epstein. Killed it. Had a good time sharing some Chicago with those guys. There’s usually a fair amount of pestering that takes place on my part for people to get a mix together for this site, so it was a pleasant surprise to get an email the other day out of the blue from Jaytram, “sending you a lil mix…”
The Diamond Age continues his catalogue of musical conquest. I’d say this mix is a little more delicate than some of his previous entries. Maybe a little less emphasis on stumping the listener in favor of the jams.

It’s raining like hell in Chicago right now. I walked about two blocks to get breakfast this morning and got real wet. I’ll take it over snow though. Noticed a couple bulbs coming up out of the ground on the way there. Maybe this winter will walk away.
I saw Let the Right One In last night at the Music Box. Not a movie for everyone. A lot of blood, but I thought it was brilliant. 5 stars.

I almost forgot, I’m sitting in for Selina doing video projections at Rodan on Tuesday again. Should be a good time. I think I got some good ideas in the works.

Jaytram – Dead of Winter Mix 09:

1. Brightback morning light – Oppression each
2. Nite jewel – What did he say
3. US69 – 2069: A Spaced Oddity
4. Necessaries – Detroit Tonight
5. The Bob Seger System – Love needs to be loved
6. Syd Barrett – No Good Trying
7. The Ordells – Sippin’ a Cup of Coffee
8. David Bowie – She Shook Me Cold
9. The Bubble Puppy – Hot Smoke And Sasafrass
10. The Chantels – It’s Just Me
11. Relatively Clean Rivers – easy ride
12. Sir Douglas Quintet – Lawd i’m just a country boy in this great big freaky city
13. Otis the 3rd – Time
14. Bootsy’s Rubber Band – Vanish in our sleep
15. Parliament – Presence of a brain
16. The Kinks – This Strange Effect
17. Holger Czukay/Rolf Dammers – Mellow Out