James Brown’s down
Who the funk do you think you’re fooling?
For me the man’s still ruling
Stop the nonsense
Stop telling lies
James Brown is still alive

The Godfather of soul has passed away. At the age of 73, due to heart complication from pneumonia, James Brown passed away. A lot of things can be said about James Brown, but one thing is sure, he sings like no other man and he introduces entire new sound to pop culture vocabulary. With a mix of gospel, rock and jazz that he inherited from Little Richard, James Brown created funk. First time I hear him, I couldn’t resist to argue that what he does isn’t really singing but hawling and shouting. Or maybe a sketch of gospel in saxophone texture using voice. He leaps from one octave to another in one short sentence accompanied by nothing but short harmonies masquerading as beat. But who cares.

It is minimalist and powerfull.

He gives voice to new generation and foundation for funk and hip-hop. To remember the man, a short list. The height of James Brown the singer, during the tumultuous 60′s.

“Brother we can’t quit”

James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
James Brown – Zaire Soul (1974)
James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
James Brown – The Payback
James Brown – Soul Power

see also: wiki, James Brown is dead (songs/lyrics)

All kinds of exciting things can happen in bathtubs, I don’t think I need to remind you. But sometimes we need a little relaxing too. Not just our body, but especially our mind. Just to get rid of all the distortion and noise that collects within our heads over time and disrupts our thoughts and emotions. Luckily, bathtubs will help us here too. Whether your tub is made from fibreglass, porcelain, wood, acrylic or steel, it’s the universal manner of relaxing our senses and collecting our thoughts. The soft sounds of the water splashing, the shimmering light reflecting on the rippling surface, the warm feeling of the texture of water on your skin, the slight echo of the bathroom magnifying every sound. You can feel the tension seeping from your tired body and mind.

This list is especially for those occasions. Late at night, when it feels as if the world is at sleep, you can finally be at ease and forget about the stress that comes with our modern, fast-paced society. Turn off the lights and close your eyes, all you need is a tub, some hot water, a headache and this play list.

“For relaxing times, make it Suntori times.”

01. Shuttle 358 – Logical
02. Eddie Marcon – Amime
03. Kammerflimmer Kollektief – Lichterloh
04. Loren Connors & David Grubbs – Blossom Time
05. Michael Moore Quintet – Osiris
06. Pan-American – Lights on Water
07. The Dead Texan – The 6 Million Dollar Sandwich
08. Marsen Jules – Fanes D’Automne
09. Tribalistas – É Você
10. Ulrich Schnauss – Passing By

Image: karmative

01. Nancy Wilson – lucky trumble
(Almost Famous OST, 2000)
02. The Poppy Family – a good thing’s lost
(A good thing’s lost 1968 -1973, 1996)
03. Blind Faith – can’t find my way home
(Blind Faith, 1969)
04. Manassas – Johnny’s Garden
(Manassas, 1972)
05. Fuhrs & Frohling – street dance
(Ammerland, 1978)
06. Amorphous Androgynous – divinity
(The isness, 2003)
07. Panda Bear – comfy in Nautica
(I’m not/comfy in nautica, 2006)
08. T. Rex – afghan woman
(My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair, 1968)

With the passive/aggressive issues worked out through intense family planning, the Moka family and friends will spend the weekend up on the mountains living in collective rooms with five, six or twelve people, unbathed, hungry like the wolves, going out at night to caress tree’s crust, getting stung in places we haven’t yet discovered, making drunken expeditions into the heart of the wood and dancing around bonfires. Some of my younger cousins have practiced their spear throwing throughout the week, prepared to raise the bloodlust at the bi-annual white-toothed shrew hunt (but be tranquil readers, as for the fourth year running noone has ever found one).

Still on winter break so it seems, sorry for the irregular updates, I’ll be returning January 2nd, may you all have a safe and happy new year.

Photograph: Vitadolce. Please be warned that staring at it for long periods of time might cause retinal detachment.

Motel de Moka wishes you and yours a very happy holiday.

“Christmas Day”

Tomaso Albinoni – Adagio in G minor
John Helmich Roman – Violin Concerto in F minor
Walton: Henry V – Passacaglia (Death of Falstaff)
Arcangelo Corelli – Concerto in G minor Christmas Concerto Op.6. no.8

Happy Birthday Moka.

“Temptation. (morning) “

01. Diana Krall – Temptation
02. Christian McBride – A Morning Story
03. United Future Organisation – Sunday Folk Tale
04. Martino Da Vila – Batuco No Chao
05. John Lee Hooker – Money
06. Jimi Hendrix – Machine Gun

“Slow like Honey. (evening) “

01. B. B. King – The Thrill Is Gone
02. Miles Davis – I Fall in Love Too Easily
03. Fiona Apple – Slow Like Honey
04. Pete La Roca – Lazy Afternoon

Note: Various songs, loosely themed, but most are my favorites, with Pete La Roca being one of my most played song for mellow moment. It’s my version of bedroom playlist. This is actually usefull for seducing a guy. You’ll thank me for this. lol. Have fun.

image credit: Supermietzi, Supermietzi