Wanderlist 342
Vinyl Chronicles: A Sonic Farewell Before Gentse Feesten
As the cobblestone streets of Ghent prepare to transform into the vibrant canvas of Gentse Feesten, your faithful vinyl archaeologist stands ready to deliver one final transmission before our summer hiatus. The Wanderlist's season finale arrives with precision timing – a carefully assembled sonic tapestry designed to transition you gently into festival mode while providing ample food for the musical soul.
Among this week's treasures sits Dave Brubeck's masterful "Unsquare Dance" – a composition that continues to fascinate nearly six decades after its creation. This deceptively simple piece operates in 7/4 time, creating a mathematical puzzle that somehow remains endlessly danceable despite its odd-metered structure. Brubeck's quartet performs a high-wire act, maintaining a handclap rhythm while the bass walks confidently through the unusual time signature. The tension never resolves until the final moments when a brief shift to 4/4 provides the musical equivalent of exhaling after holding one's breath. What makes "Unsquare Dance" particularly compelling is how it embodies complexity without sacrificing accessibility – a quality shared by much of this week's playlist. The intellectual framework supports rather than obscures the simple joy of rhythm.
Speaking of mathematical precision, Move 78's "Enigmatology" provides one of this week's most rewarding listening experiences. The London-based duo of producer Neue Grafik and drummer Dougal Perman have created something truly special with their debut album "Automated Improvisation," from which this track emerges like a revelation. The composition begins with sparse electronic elements that gradually intertwine with organic percussion, creating a conversational quality between the human and the programmed. This dialogue between precision and improvisation reflects the group's name itself – a reference to the historic 37th move in the second game between chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov and the AI opponent Deep Blue.
Few recordings capture the essence of youthful longing quite like Françoise Hardy's "Le temps de l'amour." Released in 1962 when Hardy was merely 18 years old, the song possesses a maturity and emotional intelligence that transcends its era. The gentle bossa nova rhythm creates a foundation for Hardy's remarkably composed vocal – simultaneously detached and deeply felt. When Hardy delivers the line "Car le temps de l'amour, c'est long et c'est court", she captures the paradoxical nature of passionate romance with elegant simplicity.
This track pairs beautifully with Jacqueline Taieb's "Le cœur au bout des doigts," creating a French 1960s mini-set that serves as the emotional center of our playlist. These women brought intellectual depth and artistic vision to pop music at a time when female artists were often treated as mere vessels for male songwriters' creations. Their work remains vital and contemporary despite the decades that have passed.
Perhaps the most infectious groove in this week's collection comes from The Montgomery Express and their funk opus "Who." Released in 1972 on the ALA record label, this track exemplifies the raw, unfiltered quality of early 70s funk that emerged from regional American scenes. The song's central question – repeatedly asking "Who?" with increasing urgency – creates a call-and-response tension that drives the composition forward. The brass section punctuates this interrogation with sharp, precise bursts while the rhythm section maintains an unrelenting pocket. What elevates this beyond mere dance floor fodder is the existential quality of the questioning – it's funk with philosophical undertones.
This track forms part of a great sequence alongside Junior Parker and Buddy Miles, creating a narrative arc through different expressions of funk and soul. The journey continues through to Arlean Brown's magnificent "I'm a Streaker Baby" – a bold proclamation of freedom and self-expression that serves as the playlist's exclamation point. Speaking of Arlean Brown, "I'm a Streaker Baby" stands as one of funk's most audacious statements. Released in 1974 during the height of the streaking phenomenon, Brown turned a passing fad into an anthem of liberation. Her powerful vocal performance – alternating between spoken declarations and impassioned singing – conveys both humor and genuine conviction.
While this playlist celebrates many vintage selections, several contemporary artists demonstrate that the spirit of musical exploration remains vibrant. Mark William Lewis's "Still Above" emerges from his recent work with a contemplative quality that bridges electronic production with organic sensibilities. The track breathes with patient confidence, creating space for the listener to inhabit rather than demanding immediate attention.
Similarly, Nilüfer Yanya's "Treason" from her recent releases showcases an artist confidently synthesizing influences from post-punk, jazz, and electronic music into something distinctly her own. Her voice – both as a vocalist and songwriter – carries a unique perspective that feels vital and necessary in today's musical landscape.
The inclusion of El Michels Affair's new single "Say Goodbye" demonstrates how contemporary artists continue to find fresh approaches to classic sounds. Their ability to channel the essence of 70s soul and funk without resorting to mere pastiche speaks to a deep understanding of what made those recordings special beyond their surface elements.
Domenique Dumont's "Amants Ennemis" rounds out our selection of new releases with its dreamlike quality, creating textural environments that feel both nostalgic and forward-looking. These selections remind us that the conversation between past and present remains ongoing, with each generation adding their own chapters to the story.
One of The Wanderlist's central missions has always been to highlight connections between seemingly disparate musical traditions. This week's journey takes us through Nigerian psychedelic rock with Ofege's "Whizzy Ilabo," the remarkable harmonies of The Lijadu Sisters, and the boundary-pushing jazz of Leon Thomas. These selections remind us that creativity transcends geographical boundaries. The psychedelic movement of the late 1960s and 70s manifested uniquely in different cultures, each bringing their own traditions and perspectives to the conversation. Ofege – a band composed of teenagers when they recorded their debut album – brought youthful energy and distinctive Nigerian rhythmic sensibilities to psychedelic rock frameworks. Similarly, The Lijadu Sisters created music that defied easy categorization, blending traditional Yoruba influences with funk, disco, and reggae elements. Their work stands as a testament to the possibilities that emerge when artists embrace both their cultural heritage and contemporary global currents.
As the turntable makes its final rotations before our summer break, I'm reminded of why this musical archaeology matters. Each record contains not merely sounds, but stories – cultural artifacts that capture moments of human expression and connection. The tactile nature of vinyl, with its inherent imperfections and physical presence, reminds us that music exists not in the abstract but in the material world.
We'll return in autumn with fresh discoveries and new conversations between past and present. Until then, I hope this final selection provides a worthy soundtrack to your summer adventures. Whether you're navigating the joyous chaos of Gentse Feesten or seeking quieter moments of reflection, there's something in this musical tapestry that might serve as your companion.
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