Minted - November 25th, 2024
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Minted is a decades-long weekly playlist (in different iterative names) updated every Friday. It's a weekly audio journal of found sounds—slow-down vibes, dancefloor grooves, funk-rock rhythms, vintage pop, dubby cumbias, film & life soundtracks. Guilty and not-so-guilty pleasures—a cohesive, eclectic aural whip to drive into your weekend sunset.
This week, the seed of vibes came primarily from hearing an old favorite, "Let's Get Killed" by Rodney Yates, David Holmes. His riding jazz percussion reminded me of the work of St Germain. St Germain's sexy vibe took me to Nick Hakim, and on it went. And then, as usual, there are a few tracks sprinkled in that stole my breath in the moment. This week, the pseudo-'80s vibe of "Peace Song" by Fat Dog took the cake.
Here's the embed of the playlist, but note that because this playlist changes every week, it may differ from the songs listed below. I've added links to the individual songs below.
Songs Featured
- "A Little More" by Amber Mark
Album: Loosies
Amber Mark continues to showcase her versatility in the R&B scene with "A Little More," blending soulful melodies with contemporary beats. There's something about the production in this song that is clearly standing on the shoulders of Quincy Jones/Michael Jackson's Off the Wall era. With Quincy Jones passing recently, I think Amber Mark's production here just clicked with me.
Listen on Spotify - "Peace Song" by Fat Dog
Album: Peace Song Single
Fat Dog's "Peace Song" infuses '80s synth elements with a modern twist, creating a brash yet captivating track. I've been listening to a lot of new wave lately, and there's just something about this track that is scratching that itch.
Listen on Spotify - "Tomorrow Man" by Obongjayar
Album: Just My Luck / Tomorrow Man
Obongjayar, born Steven Umoh, blends elements of soul, jazz, and West African music into his unique sonic landscape. His early life in Nigeria heavily influences his musical style, which combines traditional Nigerian vocal techniques with contemporary electronic production. The West African stylings in this track are clear, but I'm absolutely gobsmacked by the production.
Listen on Spotify - "Girls Gang" by Dina Summer, Kalipo, Local Suicide
Album: Girls Gang
This collaboration brings a fusion of electronic beats and dark disco vibes, delivering an infectious energy that commands the dance floor. Holy fucking attitude on this track. Be careful if you have any fragile masculinity in you because this song will obliterate you.
Listen on Spotify - "Landslide" by Baby Rose
Album: Landslide
Baby Rose's distinctive contralto voice has earned her comparisons to legendary singers like Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Her breakthrough came in 2019 when she featured on Dreamville's compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III. This is the biggest "holy shit" of the week for me. This cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" melted me.
Listen on Spotify - "Let's Get Killed" by Rodney Yates, David Holmes
Album: Let's Get Killed
David Holmes began his career as a DJ in Belfast clubs before becoming one of the most sought-after film composers in Hollywood. His work with Steven Soderbergh, including scores for Out of Sight and Ocean's Eleven, established him as a master of combining electronic elements with orchestral arrangements. I was obsessed with this album in college after I fell down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out who the fuck created the score for Out of Sight. A movie that I don't think aged all that well, but the soundtrack certainly did.
Listen on Spotify - "Tommy" by Fcukers
Album: Tommy
FLOHIO emerged from South London's underground scene with her distinctive rapid-fire flow and genre-defying approach to hip-hop. Her Nigerian heritage and London upbringing combine to create a unique sound that draws from grime, industrial music, and experimental electronic. Every once in a while, I bring back previous playlist obsessions into the mix. This track is often in heavy rotation at home and in the office.
Listen on Spotify - "A Straight Head" by Stupid Human
Album: Ain't You're Welcome
Stupid Human delivers a funky groove with "A Straight Head," blending classic disco elements with modern house beats. I love the retro disco/house production of this track. It's a subtle banger not trying to overstate any vibes here. It just grows on you until it consumes you.
Listen on Spotify - "Slowly" by Nick Hakim
Album: Green Twins (2017)
Nick Hakim crafted his psychedelic soul sound in Boston's music scene while attending the Berklee College of Music. His debut album Green Twins was praised for its innovative blend of lo-fi production techniques and vintage soul sensibilities. This album has been in heavy rotation on my hi-fi, and in my mind, for years.
Listen on Spotify - "Rose rouge" by St Germain
Album: Tourist (Remastered)
St Germain, the project of French musician Ludovic Navarre, pioneered the fusion of house music with jazz in the late 1990s. His album Tourist (2000) became a defining record of the French house movement, selling over four million copies worldwide. I remember listening to this song for the first time and feeling challenged in a way that reminds me of the kombucha girl meme. I just wasn't sure if I liked it or not for a while until suddenly something just clicked in my brain.
Listen on Spotify - "Nye Sko - Olefonken's Solo Service Mix" by SJU, Olefonken
Album: Nye Sko
This remix offers a fresh take on "Nye Sko," infusing it with electronic nuances that elevate its danceability. This is another slow-build banger. The Kraftwerk-like production is going to move you.
Listen on Spotify - "PARFUL - David Holmes Remix" by KNEECAP, David Holmes
Album: Fine Art (Remixes)
David Holmes lends his signature style to this remix, blending hip-hop elements with cinematic soundscapes. And rounding things off once again, with a David Holmes remix. This track really feels like something out of the '90s, with almost Propellerheads-style vibes, a grimy bassline, and a vocal line reminiscent of Soul Coughing.
Listen on Spotify
If you're enjoying these tracks, don't forget to subscribe to the playlist on Spotify to stay updated with the latest weekly vibes. Happy listening! 🎶
