July Mix: Taking It To The Mat

At the start of 2012, I began attending yoga classes at my local YMCA. All these months later, and I still spend more energy making sure all my body parts are in the right place than anything, but it’s become something I really look forward to every week. One thing my yoga buddy and I always find rather distracting, though, is the music. She likens one of the songs to the Titanic theme, and that’s not a totally off-base assessment.

So, I thought, you know? I actually might be able to put together a pretty solid mix for this very thing. There are only a couple of basic restrictions that yoga music should adhere to: It should be something you can chill out to; and it should not have any discernible lyrics to cause you to break your focus.

My friend who attends the classes with me mentioned her former instructor at another location would play classical music. It definitely seems appropriate, but to maintain the flow of my own mix, I had to omit any classical selections I’d considered using. Besides, this collection of mostly electronic tunes I’ve put together really hits my chill-out sweet spot. It’s just about an hour long, so a great length for a decent yoga session, and rises and falls with the typical program. Give it a try the next time you roll out your mat!

Taking It To The Mat: Let’s Get Ready To Yoga!

A Seated Night – Moby

Light Flares – Thievery Corporation

Sanctuary – MiMOSA

June Mix: Late Night With Abby: 2

As you may recall, back in April, I presented a mix made in the style of the incredibly awesome Late Night Tales compilation series (highly recommended if you haven’t heard them). At the time, I was pretty sure it was one of the best mixes I’d ever made. I usually think that about all my mixes when they’re brand new. But I’ve completed the second in my series of copycat compilations, and I don’t think I’m at all wrong in saying that I’ve completely outdone myself with this one. That last Late Night With Abby mix seems amateur compared to this masterpiece.

I do feel like putting these mixes together is an art. This isn’t a typical car mix I’d make of songs I want to hear and that make me excited. No, Late Night Tales is about expressing and creating a mood. Though many songs in the compilation you may not always have occasion to listen to independently, your mind develops a new appreciation for them when presented in this context. You’re glad to hear the songs; you want to hear them. They complement each other in the order they’re given. Maybe that’s why I enjoy making these so much. It’s a creative challenge that allows me to hear music in a way I hadn’t before, and I learn to appreciate it all over again.

Late Night With Abby: 2

Nosaj Thing – Caves

General Elektriks – La Nuit Des Ephemeres

Jean-Jacques Perrey – E.V.A. (Fatboy Slim Mix)

Diamond Doves – Club Night

November Mix: Songs To Soothe The Ailing Glutton

It is Thanksgiving, which means you’re about to embark on an epic journey into the glorious land of vittles only to find yourself wasted on the couch, wallowing in a combination of sedate satisfaction and self hatred. While you wait for your holiday indiscretion to run its course, you probably won’t be up for much carousing.

Look familiar, fatty?

You’ve just devoured a big plate of food — well, let’s be honest, two plates of food— plus a slice of pie. And even then, you’re still eating black olives off your fingertips, aren’t you? AREN’T YOU? Have you no shame?! While you’re fantasizing about the bomb-ass leftovers sandwich you’ll be making tomorrow (okay, later this evening) you may need some relaxing tunes to help rest off the carb high and ward off an impending food coma. All you gotta do is lie back and enjoy … and for the love of cats, PUT DOWN THAT CHEESE & CRACKERS PLATE.

Stuffed – Jaill

Calm Down – Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers

Go Easy On Me – Goldfinch

Lost On the Ohio – Jacob Jones

As a Matter of Fact – Vandaveer

Those Little Things – Carla Bruni

After It Ends – John Vanderslice

Evening Kitchen – Band of Horses

Through the Winter – The Woodlands

So Well – Dawes

See the Sky About to Rain – Neil Young

Us – Nosaj Thing

Too Late – M83

All There Is – Chrome Sparks (featuring Steffaloo)

Congratulations – MGMT