Jonn Serrie - Sunday Morning Peace (2011)

Jonn Serrie
Sunday Morning Peace (2011, Valley Entertainment)

"These are unquestionably stressful times in most of the world, for an absurd plethora of reasons, and I think it's important to share positive experiences with people now more than ever. For that reason I present some deliciously relaxed New Age tranquility that should hopefully help shine some light on your day. Originally released in 2005 as Sunday Morning, this version was sourced from a reissue (though, I'm not aware of any technical differences between the two). Dig in and breathe slow and easy my friends, I wish you all the best!" - DD

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Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours - Blue Christmas (1964)

Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours
Blue Christmas (1964, Decca)

"Ernest Tubb is easily one of the greatest country singers of all time and this here record is easily one of my favourite Christmas albums of all ding-dang time! If you're not into country, well that's a big 'ol whopper of a shame but that's OK. It's not too late for you. Get this sweet sweet baby, with my personal favourite version of Christmas Island (I'm sorry Leon!), and dig in deep! Hopefully you won't be disappointed. Regardless, happy holidays to everyone, xoxoxoxo. I love you." - DD

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Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night (Songs for Christmas) (1962)

Mahalia Jackson
Silent Night (Songs for Christmas) (1962, Columbia)

"God bless us, everyone! Am I right?! Well, I'm not much for gods and churches and all that, but here we have some gorgeous hymns and Christmas ditties from one powerhouse of a singer. Belt it to the back, Miss Jackson! I love the electric organ sound on this, so warm and fuzzy and mellllooowwww. Crank the jams and bust it! Christmas! Christmas!" - DD

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Vicky Chow / Tristan Perich - Surface Image (2014)

Vicky Chow / Tristan Perich
Surface Image (2014, New Amsterdam Records)

"What to say of Surface Image but that I enjoy it? I've not dug too deep into the well here re: technical narratives or lineage but for the past few years when it's been on I've sunk instantly into it's vivid landscape. It's simple and pretty and dark and intricately awkward and rich in philosophy, which is hilarious to read back, sure, but absolutely no less true in a particularly dense and present sort of way. A single minimalist/maximalist solo-piano and 40-­channel 1­-bit electronics piece of masterly trickonometry spanning just more than an hour. Give it a try if it sounds curious and hopefully enjoy it you dingle-berries and sadists, you. Lovely day ta-ta!" - DD

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Marie Davidson - Un Autre Voyage (2015)

Marie Davidson
Un Autre Voyage (2015, HoloDeck)

"I've been wanting to post this beautiful beast since its release, and with Marie Davidson's new album making the rounds I figured what better time. Davidson is Montreal's beatmaker extraordinaire and with her unique brand of brooding electronics she's carved her way most elegantly into the city's dance lore by wrenching its dank clubs into absolute submission, thick grooves pulsating off concrete walls. This is a truly exceptional record that everyone should hear so please enjoy it fuglies!" - DD

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The Plastic Cloud - The Plastic Cloud (1968)

The Plastic Cloud
The Plastic Cloud (1968, Allied)

"This little monster right here is quite simply one of the greatest psych records of all time, and Canadian to boot! Massively serene fuzz solos abound, wispy San-Fran vocal melodies, only the fattest, most grooved-out, chuggy bass jams and drum fills out the wazoo; truly a gem of the era. Dig deep into these marmalade skies sweet sweeties!" - DD

"And what would your father say to you... if he knew that you were sniffing glue?!"

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Carl Stone - Al-Noor (2007)

Carl Stone
Al-Noor (2007, In Tone Music)

"Fractured cutups, droning skips and glitchy, uncomfortably digital processing of various musical audio sources percolate in this bizarre but generally non-threatening wave of comfortable awe. It's unique that way in terms of listenability, jarring at best some days. However, when it's sweet it's refreshing and biting and everything good, as I find with most of Stone's work. He's maximum fun if you want and I highly recommend at least trying it. Front to back. I double dog dare you." - DD

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Edgar Froese - Guitar Works (1-6) (2003)

Edgar Froese
Guitar Works (1-6) (2003, Bootleg Release)

"This is a six-album bootleg collection of what seem to be entirely live (and very muffled) recordings from Froese's career, spanning '75-'81. Because of the terrible (but very enjoyable) quality it all becomes super trancey and droned out so get ready for some deep space introspection, especially if you intend on listening to all six hours and forty-four minutes in one sitting! Maximum chug, fuglies! xoxo" - DD

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Anna Själv Tredje ‎- Tussilago Fanfara (1977)

Anna Själv Tredje
Tussilago Fanfara (1977, Silence)

"Severely trance-inducing synthery of the finest reserve, plus a spot of dreamy, fuzzed-out guitar to boot. Get groovy and crank this loud for maximum drippage 'n slippage folks! Embrace the space!" - DD

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Rupa - Disco Jazz (1982)

Rupa
Disco Jazz (1982, The Megaphone Company)

"For some reason writing any kind of meaningful review or description for this has been so daunting and just hanging over me for the past couple weeks, so rather than delay any longer I'm just going to post it so you can enjoy and we can move on. Terrific snazz-jams to kill any summer bummer, crammed with redonka-guitar lickery and loads of dope grooves. Dig in and chew the fat you funky 'lil fuddies!" - DD

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Ralph Gordon - Inside Your Love (2009)

Ralph Gordon
Inside Your Love (2009, Ralph Gordon Entertainment)

"Hazed out dreams of smooth jazz machines, it's time to get faded homies! This one is super gleamed out, like some mystical visage of 80's-RnB-does-cool-jazz, twinkling off the waves of a restless lake on a warm sunny day. Think Sykes meets Collette maybe? Drum machines, keyboards, ambient tones, and lots of horns and flutes culminate in absolute harmony with the rambling mind. Stay breezy sweet babies, and dig that smooth, smooth ride." - DD

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Amber London - Tru 2 Tha Phonk (2013)

Amber London
Tru 2 Tha Phonk (2013, Self Released Mixtape)

"As you may or may not know, I loooove Amber London and this mixtape is remarkable in every way. Loads of sizzurped screwin and choppin, gnarly gangster rhymes, some tightly phonked out beats, and all the 90's infused, lowdown, dirty south swagger one can muster. This is a bit more polished than the last one I posted, but not by much. So grab these primo summer jams now fuddy-duddies, and remember to stay tru 2 tha phonk. Raider Klan for life!!" - DD

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The Bill Dixon Orchestra - Intents And Purposes (1967)

The Bill Dixon Orchestra
Intents And Purposes (1967, RCA Victor)

"Here's some real nifty jazzmatazz for all you skronkin' wailers, an oft-forgotten classic of the genre featuring a stellar cast of mainstream and free jazzers alike. You can't go wrong with Dixon, one of the big guns instrumental in the development of avante-garde and free jazz, so dig in and chew that phonk sweet babies! xoxo" - DD

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Les Vampyrettes - Les Vampyrettes (1981)

Les Vampyrettes
Les Vampyrettes (1981, Self Released)

"Some hypnotic, slow-jam, dark 'n dingy surrealism for y'all, courtesy of belle-of-the-ball and space traveller extraordinaire Holger Czukay (former Can bassist ). German experimentalism and minimal synthery at its most uncanny, if you ask me. I wish there were a lot more recordings of this project. Also, it may actually be from 1980 (as per Discogs). Oops! Rub-a-dub, kitties!" - DD

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Sacred Sound Choir - Mantra for Healing: Ancient Chant for Healing & Peace (2003)

Sacred Sound Choir
Mantra for Healing: Ancient Chant for Healing & Peace (2003, Sacred Sound Productions)

"The Mahamrityunjaya is an ancient Sanskrit mantra which, I believe, involves overcoming our fear of mortality through embracing our immortal nature. Essentially? I think? If not, I'm sorry. Regardless, it's a gorgeous mantra and this hour-long rendition is the pure definition of bliss. Om Try-Ambakam Yajaamahe / Sugandhim Pusstti-Vardhanam / Urvaarukam-Iva Bandhanaan / Mrtyor-Mukssiiya Maa-[A]mrtaat ||. Stay light my lil' fuddy-duddies!" - DD

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Ryuichi Sakamoto - Async (2017)

Ryuichi Sakamoto
Async  (2017, Commmons / Milan)

"I'm sorry for the enormous break, things got away from me. But I'm back, again, and I'll start 2018 off with one of my favourites of 2017. The triumphant return of Ryuichi Sakamoto, after an eight year hiatus, was a sweet one for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it's his first release since conquering throat cancer, and hopefully just the first of many more to come. It's also my favourite of his career thus far. Apparently, Sakamoto "envisioned async as a soundtrack for a nonexistent Andrei Tarkovsky film," and that seems perfectly apt. Incredibly diverse textures, dark and light, envelope and morph, and sometimes tear through every inch. If you haven't heard this masterpiece then now is the time to chug, foolies and coolies." - DD

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Michele Fedrigotti / Danilo Lorenzini - I Fiori Del Sole (1979)

Michele Fedrigotti / Danilo Lorenzini
I Fiori Del Sole (1979, Cramps Records)

"Thought I'd keep the mellow train moving with this bit of neo-classical righteousness. Built entirely of compositions for organ (side 1) and piano (side 2), it's surely a divine showcase of Italian minimalism. Serenity now, Jerries. Serenity now." - DD

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Jim O'Rourke - Eureka (1999) (LP)

Jim O'Rourke
Eureka (LP) (1999, Drag City)

"I don't fully understand why I've not posted this before. I've spent nearly twenty years nestled in its warmth and for just as long it's been at the absolute top of my list. Nonetheless, here we are. Named after the 1983 film by Nicolas Roeg, Eureka, quite simply, is one of the greatest achievements in human history. Jammed with a keen, satirical wit, juxtaposed with lush orchestration and a supernatural allure, if you've yet to be so lucky you should listen now. It seriously doesn't get much better. Women of the world, take over, 'cause if you don't the world will come to an end!" - DD

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Ahmad Jamal - Jamalca (1974) (LP)

Ahmad Jamal
Jamalca (LP) (1974, 20th Century Records)

"Glistening, funked out jazzery for all you foolies 'n coolies. It may not be the best album ever made, but it is very nice to the ears. The keys melt like butter and the vocals are soft and reserved, all combined for a beautifully relaxing groove on a sunny afternoon. Enjoy it friends!" - DD

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Mariah - うたかたの日々 (1983)

Mariah
うたかたの日々 (1983, Shan-Shan / Better Days)

"I first heard this years ago and, after rediscovering it several months back, have been meaning to share. Alas, here we are. Majestically rhythmic, bouncing percussion combined with various electronics, horns, and soft, measured vocal patterns. An absolute pearl for all you jammers and scammers, so chew it!" - DD

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Mort Garson - Mother Earth's Plantasia (1976)

Mort Garson
Mother Earth's Plantasia (1976, Homewood Records)

"Here's some ooey-gooey synthery from deep down in the dirt for all you green thumbs! Plantasia is like The Neverending Story, but for plants. Highly recommended for chill grooves to nurture your nest and to harness some of that universal oneness. Dig it, foolies!" - DD

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Laura Nyro and Labelle - Gonna Take a Miracle (1971)

Laura Nyro and Labelle
Gonna Take a Miracle (1971, Columbia)

"I'm sorry for the extended absence folks, it happens sometimes. But I'm back with a delicious little nug just in time to close out the summer. The impeccable Laura Nyro backed by the super soul bliss of Labelle! This is a reissue with a few solo live tracks tagged on for good measure, and a highly infectious listen. Tune in and boogie sweet babies, this one's a beaut!" - DD

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Piero Piccioni - Il dio sotto la pelle (OST) (1974)

Piero Piccioni
Il dio sotto la pelle (OST) (1974, Easy Tempo)

"In such trying times as these one needs sexy jam-jams to lift ones spirit. Enter la regina del caldo, a hot and steamy fluffer of the wettest grade; fuzzed out psych gits, crystalline organs, xylephonic trancers and euro folk-funk all coalesce in euphoric harmony. Crank the volume, dawn the birth suits, and fiddle your bits all night long kiddies, it's fun time!" - DD

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John Wiggins - All The Truth At Once (1986) (Cass.)

John Wiggins
All The Truth At Once (Cass.) (1986, Self Released / RRRecords)

""More sounds! More sounds! More sounds! We want more sounds! We want them! We want more!" Well, here you go fools. More sounds from a master of disaster, Sir John Wiggins. Enjoy it or else!!" - DD

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Remko Scha - Machine Guitars (1982)

Remko Scha
Machine Guitars (1982, Kremlin)

"And now for something completely different; a droning, mechanized cannonade of electric guitar to entrance the mind and soul. I picked this up recently over at the OWOD blog (highly recommended browsing) and was immediately captivated. I simply had to share, so enjoy it puss heads!" - DD

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Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, A True Star (1973)

Todd Rundgren
A Wizard, A True Star (1973, Bearsville)

"Alas, la crème de la crème! The final piece in this 70's soft rock odyssey. And though it leans on the hard side at times it's not without that velvet goodness we all came for. The Toddster is a god among men when it comes to producing lush, eclectic albums; there is so much going on, including an epic medley of covers (you'll likely never hear a better version of Cool Jerk), spazz rockers, gleaming pristine ballads and more! I've wanted to post this for a while so dig it long and hard friends. My personal fav of his and well worth every second of your time!" - DD

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Sweet - Level Headed (1977) (LP)

Sweet
Level Headed (LP) (1978, Polydor / Capitol Records)

"We're continuing this journey with Sweet, California Nights baby! This isn't the greatest radio rock record by any stretch, sure. But it's a good listen and has some real highlights. Plus, it's almost guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Great for cleaning house or cruisin' around town with your head in the clouds. Love Is Like Oxygen rules my world, so dig the glam friends." - DD

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Al Stewart - Year Of The Cat (1976)

Al Stewart
Year Of The Cat (1976, RCA Victor / Janus Records)

"Time for some hazy jane, Bowie-infused soft-rock. I've no idea whether Stewart was actually influenced by Bowie, this was his seventh album after all and, in truth, it doesn't sound very much like Bowie at all, but at times it reminds me of him so I said it. Forgive me if I'm talking out of my ass. Anyway, this is pretty laid back, chilled out groovage with some excellent instrumentation and production so please enjoy. And I'll just throw in one more "Bowie" for good luck. Later gators! xoxo" - DD

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Bob Welch - French Kiss (1977)

Bob Welch
French Kiss (1977, Capitol Records)

"Is this the best R. Stevie Moore album ever made, you ask? Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, but it sure is sweet. Former Mac guitarist and singer Bob Welch's debut is a warm sunset of sexual prowess and greasy lyricism. If you're planning a sweaty romp in the park some day soon dig this now." - DD

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Haruomi Hosono - Tropical Dandy (1975)

Haruomi Hosono
Tropical Dandy (1975, Panam / Crown)

"I'm going to use Japan as a transition to dive into some solid 70's soft rock jammers and I'm going to stay there for a few posts so bear with me if it's not your thing. First up, we have some jazzed out, tropicálic jizz-jams from the indelible Haruomi Hosono. Call me crazy but I feel it could almost pass for a Lennon/Nilsson production at times, aside from the obvious Japanese flair. Excellent spring time tunage my little bunnies, so chew it!" - DD

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