Listen Here.

Track List Here.

You can tell by this list that I’ve been listening to a lot of 80s music lately. I start with The Style Council, one of my favorites from that decade. (Of course Paul Weller is also responsible for some of my favorite music from the 70s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s!) Later in the mix, there’s more 80s pop-soul from Everything But The Girl and Sade.

I continue the Nordic pop trend from my last mix with Casiokids and Röyksopp, both from Bergen, Norway. Röyksopp are joined by the stunning voice of Jamie McDermott from London band The Irrepressibles.

Carla Bley must have raised some eyebrows with her three small group albums from the mid-80s. They are very polished, unlike some of the challenging music she made earlier or the raucous big band music she made later. There may be a touch of irony, but the compositions and performances rank with her best. This track has engaging solos from Hiram Bullock on guitar, Larry Willis on piano, and Carla herself on organ.

Heights of Abraham is one of many projects involving Steve Cobby, who got his start with Fila Brazillia. Wrapping up is Bobbi Humphrey with a classic Mizell Brothers production from 1975.

1. The Style Council – You’re the best thing
2. Grant Green – Ease back
3. Bombay Bicycle Club with Lucy Rose – Home by now
4. Crazy P – Keep on
5. Everything But The Girl – Oxford Street
6. David Ruffin – Walk away from love
7. Casiokids – Elefantenes hemmelige gravplass
8. Tito Puente – Maria Cervantes
9. Sade – Keep looking
10. Röyksopp with Jamie McDermott – Something in my heart
11. Carla Bley – Brooklyn Bridge
12. June Christy with Pete Rugolo – Irresistible you
13. Heights of Abraham – Blackout
14. Tamba Trio – Sonho de Maria
15. Neil Finn – Dizzy heights
16. Bobbi Humphrey – Uno esta