Listen Here.

Track List Here.

I was motivated to make this mix by the solar eclipse that occurred here in North America in April. A few days later, I happened to listen to the track “After The Eclipse” by Elbow. Even though the eclipse was not very dramatic here in Philadelphia, I liked seeing the collective enthusiasm for an awe-inspiring event. And I liked the beginning of the song: “A shadow raced across the earth, taking the day and confusing the birds.”

The Elbow track happens to be pretty slow. Although it has a groove – rule #1 for Between Two Islands selections, there must be a groove – I decided to follow the example and make a mix that’s slower than usual. It seemed to fit the mood of Springtime.

The mix begins with Etienne Daho, a prolific French singer and songwriter. I first discovered him in the 80s when a friend who loved French pop culture loaned me a cassette. “La Nage Indienne” is from 2000.

Three of the tracks are by Brazilian artists. First up is singer Luciana Souza in a big band setting. It’s a truly international effort, with an American arranger and a German band.

In 2018, Portland, Oregon pop duo Pure Bathing Culture did a full-album cover of “Hats”, an album by The Blue Nile. As a fan of the band and the album, I was looking forward to hearing the results, then disappointed to find out that it was a vinyl-only, subscription-only release. After a live show I was able to corner singer Sarah Versprille to ask if I would ever get to hear the album! She reassured me that it would be on their Bandcamp page in the near future. Which is was, so now we can all hear it. I thought it was a risky venture, and I think they did a wonderful job.

The 1983 James Bond film “Never Say Never Again” was a success, but is not as well known as other Bond films. That’s because, due to a quirk of copyright, it was not made by the usual Bond film organization. It’s safe to say that the theme song is also not as well known as the others. Film music giant Michel Legrand wrote the film’s score and this song. The singer is Lani Hall, originally in the group Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66. She went on to collaborate with (and marry) Herb Alpert.

You probably spotted our second Brazilian, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Our third is not as famous, and the subject of another personal story. I received an email from a listener in Poland who had some questions about my mixes. Worried that it was some kind of scam, I asked the listener to tell me more about the music they liked. I received a long list of curators that they enjoyed with detailed explanations. OK, a real fan! One of the curators was a Serbian radio DJ, which is how I discovered Tuyo.

So, a Polish listener, a Serbian DJ, a Brazilian band, and an American mix maker. I should add that because the listener does not speak much English, and I do not speak Polish, they used a translation website for our email exchange. In the words of composer, arranger, and bandleader Maria Schneider, “The internet, when utilized for honest human connection, is indeed incredible.” If you read about her magnificent album “Data Lords” or her activism, you will know that she does not have a high opinion of the internet in general.

I have come close to playing Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “The Dreaming Road” in a few previous mixes, always imagining it as the last song. With the slower, possibly more reflective sound of this mix, I decided it was time. I think the song is magical.

1. Etienne Daho – La Nage Indienne
2. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes with Sharon Paige – Hope That We Can Be Together Soon
3. Cantoma – Overtime
4. Luciana Souza with Vince Mendoza and the WDR Big Band Köln – Meu Pai
5. Alan Palomo – La Madrileña
6. Ralph Towner and Gary Burton – Icarus
7. Pure Bathing Culture – The Downtown Lights
8. Curtis Mayfield – Love to Keep You in Mind
9. Elbow – After the Eclipse
10. Antonio Carlos Jobim – Takatanga
11. Jane Weaver – Slow Motion
12. C Duncan – He Believes in Miracles
13. Michel Legrand with Lani Hall – Never Say Never Again
14. Tuyo – Aquela Sacada
15. Kenny Burrell – Midnight Blue
16. Cocteau Twins – Bluebeard
17. Mary Chapin Carpenter – The Dreaming Road