VIbes4YourSoul guest mixtape for Beam Me Up Disco

Here is a mixtape I just made for Montreal-based Beam Me Up Disco collective. Groove, beats, nudisco & more...enjoy!

Gilberto Gil & Jorge Ben - Filhos De Gandhi (V4YS Afoxé Edit)

Released in 1975 as part of Jorge Ben & Gilberto Gil duo album Jorge & Gil, this song evokes the legendary Carnaval bloco from Salvador de Bahia, the Filhos De Gandhy, whose history is a great snapshot of Brazil social and cultural roots.

In 1951, following authoritarian Brazilian authorities challenge of some important social welfare benefiting Bahia's port workers, a group of the city's dockers led the opposition, chosing Mahatma Gandhi's famous non-violent approach.
Unfolding during carnival time, their demonstrations were met with a large popular success, so much that they decided to cement their group through a cultural and spiritual association: a carnival bloco. The Filhos De Gandhy (with an "y", I don't know why), were born.

 Today it's one of the oldest and largest blocos in the country with more than 10 000 members. Their white outfit and turban is easily recognizable, and the legend says it gives men wearing it a certain sex-appeal with women :)

Bahia's strong African legacy is also very much present in the Filhos's songs and chants, often written in Nigerian Yoruba language, while also influenced by African animist religion Candoblé (also known in Brasil as Afoxé). Born in Salvador and occasionally partying with the group, Gilberto Gil wrote this 13 minutes-long song, probably as a direct tribute to the Filhos.

Here is my drummed-up and shortened Dj-friendly edit of it.

P.S.: the photo artwork dates back from 1946/48. It was taken in Bahia by late French photographer and enthnologist Pierre Verger, who dedicated his life studying the links between West Africa and Brasil, notably the Candomblé religion. His work as a photographer is simply stunning, I urge you to google it if you enjoy photo as an art, and Brasil & its people in particular.

Dorothy Morrison - Rain (V4YS The Deuce Edit)

Rain is a 70's disco/gospel anthem, released in 1972 by Dorothy Morrison.

Featuring in the legendary David Mancuso's The Loft compilation series, this track actually came to my attention while watching HBO TV show The Deuce, the latest gem from my favorite screenplay writer, David Simon (The Wire, Treme, Show Me a Hero...), who co-authored it with George Pelecanos.

 A deep dive into the seedy side of Nyc's Times Square area in the 70's, the show gathers a fascinating collection of characters, supported (as usual with David Simon's productions) by a splendid soundtrack. A highly recommended watch if you haven't already!

 Here's my "housy" take of the song.

The Supreme Jubilees - It'll All Be Over (V4YS Rework)

A relatively unknown Californian Soul & Gospel band, The Supreme Jubilees released only one LP, in 1979, which was recently re-issued and is a highly recommended gem.

Keyboardist Leonard Sanders wrote the wonderful song, It'll All Be Over, and I was not surprised when I read he was a big fan of Donny Hathaway, as this soulful groove clearly evokes Donny's sound.

 Here is my slo-mo take of it.

Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit (V4YS Like It All Rework)

Revisiting a classic song from my cherished Canadian indie tribe, Broken Social Scene.

Lover's Spit first appeared in 2003 as part of their second album You Forgot I In People, before reaching new heights in 2004, with a new version featuring Leslie Feist on vocals.
This second take was released on their album Bee Hives, which is probably my favorite record from the band, an absolute masterpiece highly recommended if you're not familiar with them.

As an aside, if you're also into quality independent movies, lots of songs of Bee Hives, including Lover's Spit, feature on the soundtrack of 2006 Ryan Fleck movie Half Nelson, starring an unknown young US actor at the time, named Ryan Gosling.

A beautiful melancholic friendship story between a disillusioned History high-school teacher and one of his student. Here is my slo-mo, DJ-friendly rework of the Bee Hives version of the song.

Bryan Ferry - Slave To Love (V4YS Can't Escape Edit)

No need to describe this classic 1985 mellow song from Bryan Ferry. There are a few cool edits of it out there, but I wanted something a bit more slo-mo/balearic-like, so here is my take of it.

Liquid Gold - Could Be Tonight (V4YS Play With Matches Edit)

Released in 1982 by UK band Liquid Gold, "Could Be Tonight" is one of these forgotten disco tunes that make life more funky.

Here is my regrooved version of it.

Sufjan Stevens - Should Have Known Better (V4YS Rework)

One of my favorite Indie/Folk artist, Sufjan Stevens combines musical composing genius, sounds design creativity, to lyrics writing talent.

Evoking the passing away of his mum and the associated grief, his 2015 album "Carrie & Lowell" is nothing short of a masterpiece. If the record is a true "concept album" per se, resonating even louder when listened to in its entirety, I've always been particularly moved by the track "Should Have Known Better", especially its end, where the combination of a beautiful melody, with some hopeful and soothing words edges to a moment of grace. 

Here is a little tribute to it, with a kind of slo-mo/balearish-like twist.

V4YS Mixes#38 - (nu)Disco Made Me Do It

Oldies, newbies, edits...let's dance.