"Sketches In Sound, Vol. 2"

                                        

After several false starts, technical discrepancies and issues beyond anyone's control, I present to you the second installment in what was to be a weekly series of mixes featuring slices of my ever-burgeoning music library. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned transpirings, I may have to readjust the schedule a wee bit and make it a bi-weekly posting. It only seems right, no? I'm digressing a bit, so let's get to the music!

This week, much like the last, is an eclectic mix of the well-known and artists who, given the chance, could have been just as big (if not more so) than their major label counterparts. Case in point, Washington, D.C.'s Father's Children, who had the musical prowess and intelligence of early Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind and Fire along with the street savvy of lesser-known acts like Everyday People, Ice and Kane and Abel. "Linda Movement" is a slow-burning groover that builds upon the overall groove and musical concept of the wonderfully melancholic, pleading single "Linda". Saccharine harmonies, throbbing base, breezy strings and a jazzy mellowness easily make for a gem amongst gems.

Also featured this week are tracks by New Wave spazzes The Fabulous Poodles, Canadian folkstress Ronney Abramson, Arthur Lee's Love and a young, pre-pop Patrice Rushen. It was a pleasure compiling this collection -- I can only hope that, like the last time, you enjoy listening to it every bit as much as I did culling it together!

"Sketches In Sound, Vol. 2"

1.) Darwin's Theory - "Keep On Smilin'"

2.) Calexico - "Night At the Checker's"

3.) First Gear - "Peace, Peace"

4.) Father's Children - "Linda Movement"

5.) Murietta - "You Don't Really Know"

6.) Fabulous Poodles - "Pink City Twist"

7.) Ronney Abramson - "S.T.O.Please!"

8.) Reign Ghost - "Pudsy's Parable"

9.) Mtume - "Dunia"

10.) Electric Blue - "Pursuit of the 27th Man"

11.) The Whispers - "Living Together (In Sin)"

12.) Love - Que Vida!

13.) Sadistic Mika Band - "Boogaloo"

14.) D'Angelo - "Joe Texan"

15.) Patrice Rushen - "Puttered Bopcorn"

Sketches In Sound, Vol. 2