Mixtape #171


We’re kicking off May with a stellar mixtape from Joan Arnau Pàmies, the brilliant Catalan composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose fearless approach to sound knows no bounds. His work stretches across genres and forms, including free improvisation, electroacoustic music, avant-pop, contemporary classical, jazz, ambient and beyond. Over his 15-year career, Pàmies has set himself apart as a dynamic and versatile artist, defying genre constraints and cultivating a unique musical voice within an open, exploratory creative space. Last month, Pàmies released Guidelines/Fonaments, a deeply personal, immersive and spellbinding album. We’re thrilled to have him at the helm of this month’s mix, offering a glimpse into the influences and sonic realms that fuel his boundless creativity. Press play and enjoy!

  1. Harold Budd and Brian Eno – First Light [Editions EG / Polydor]
  2. Vangelis – Blade Runner Blues [EastWest]
  3. Steve Reich and Pat Metheny – Electric Counterpoint: III. Fast [Nonesuch]
  4. Brian Ferneyhough and the Arditti String Quartet – Adagissimo [Disques Montaigne]
  5. Ludwig van Beethoven and Alfred Brendel – Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110. I. Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo [Brilliant Classics]
  6. Brad Mehldau Trio – Unrequited [Warner Bros. Records]
  7. Charlie Parker – Donna Lee [Savoy Records]
  8. Nina Simone – I Wish I knew How It Would Feel to Be Free [RCA Victor]
  9. Alanis Morissette – Hand in My Pocket [Maverick / Reprise Records]
  10. Passengers and Luciano Pavarotti – Miss Sarajevo [Island Records]
  11. Alva Noto – Xerrox Topia [Noton]
  12. Ryuichi Sakamoto – Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence [Virgin]

Mixtape #111

With immense technical ability and creativity, Alexander Noice is one of the most interesting contemporary musicians out there. Over the last decade, Noice has played a vital role in the LA music scene and abroad, performing, recording and collaborating with a slew of artists and projects, including his own ensembles Falsetto Teeth and NOICE. A phenomenal composer, guitarist, producer and bandleader drawing from an amalgam of genres, from art-rock and jazz to minimalism, opera and electronic music, Noice released an exhilarating and inventive self-titled album last year, which made it to our Album Picks of 2019. So we’re ecstatic to catch a glimpse of his wide range of influences in this month's mixtape!

  1. The Zombies – This Will Be Our Year [Epic]
  2. Thelonius Monk – Brilliant Corners [Riverside]
  3. Deerhoof – Milking [Free Porcupine Society / ATP Recordings]
  4. Minutemen – Viet Nam [SST Records]
  5. Ornette Colenman – Folk Tale [XL Recordings / Interscope Records
  6. Charlie Parker – Kim [Clef Records]
  7. Talking Heads – Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) [Sire]
  8. Nino Rota – O Venezia, Venaga, Venusia [Cam]
  9. Stuttgart Vocal Ensemble & Rupert Huber – Christian Wolff In Cambridge [Hänssler Classic]
  10. Charles Mingus – Solo Dancer [Impulse!]
  11. M.I.A. – Steppin Up [XL Recordings / Interscope Records]
  12. Michael Nyman Band and Orchestra – The Draughtsman’s Contract [Venture]
  13. Broadcast – America’s Boy [Warp]
  14. Cornelius – New Music Machine [Matador]
  15. Dirty Projectors – Not Having Found [Western Vinyl]
  16. Philip Glass – River Run [Virgin]
  17. Fugazi – Turnover [Dischord]
  18. Iggy Pop – Funtime [RCA]
  19. John Coltrane – Configuration [Impulse!]
  20. David Bowie – What In The World [RCA]
  21. Arthur Russell – Being It [Upside Records / Rough Trade]
  22. Leadbelly – Green Corn [Folkways Records]