Summer is in full swing and it’s about time I shared a comprehensive list of the reggae tracks I turn to when fantasizing about azure waters and cold Red Stripes. Whether you’re jixing with your friends or on the way to the beach, the tracks below are sure to put you in the summer mindset. Below you’ll find a blend of old and new reggae favorites, so you can praise His Imperial Majesty Hal Selassie in proper fashion.
Police In Helicopter - John Holt
By the time the titular track of John Holt’s 1983 release Police in Helicopter dropped, the artist was already a reggae legend. Of all his work, this track is one of my favorite - but the Sizzla Kalonji remix below is pretty fire as well.
I first heard this track in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and it’s been one of my go to reggae grooves ever since. Artist Junior Murvin has an impeccable reggae pedigree, recording with Bob Marley and dozens of other reggae artist. Plus theres an unbelievable cover by my favorite punk rock outfit the Clash, which is worth looking out for as well.
One listen to Stephen Marley’s “Traffic Jam” and I guarantee you’ll be humming the hook all day. This collaboration by the Marley brothers is that catchy. It almost makes me want to strip the jeep and find some traffic with the rest of the CVilleSound jixersquad on a beautiful day.
Stay tuned for volume 2.
-ESK
Knife Party’s second major album release “Rage Valley” just dropped on Beatport this week, featuring some of the dirtiest, sleaziest, steeziest dubstep I’ve heard in recent months. I’ve been counting down the days until their concert this Sunday, June 3rd at the Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club in NYC - if you’re in town come join Afrikaan and I for one of the most massive concerts of the summer. But for those loyal listeners who can’t make the show, check out the video and three tracks below for a preview of the mayhem.
Please enjoy as loudly as possible,
ESK
What’s up kids? It’s ESK here, enjoying the view of Midtown Manhattan from the 47th floor and finally putting an end to my longtime hiatus with some of my favorite tracks of the week. Here are some of the tunes I’ve been crushing a bit too loudly on the subway, but whether you’re still in CVille, back at home for the summer, or listening in from around the globe, I guarantee your enjoyment (especially if your speakers are on full volume).
The first track is an old favorite from Armin Van Helden that oozes funky NYC style. Plus the video is pretty fire - who knew bobbing for apples could be so much fun to watch.
Afrikaan has been preaching the merits of trance to me for the better part of the year, but I foolishly ignored him - until now. If you haven’t already been wise to Above & Beyond’s free weekly podcast “Trance Around the World” now is the time to subscribe and get hooked. This week’s episode 425 features some extra large tracks from Above & Beyond (who are currently killing the EDM scene with their Group Therapy Tour), Pryda, and a standout guest mix by breakout producers Norin and Rad.
And finally, for all the music aficionados and wannabe bloggers out there on the interwebZ who want to get involved, submit your own posts to cvillesound@gmail.com. We’ll be featuring select submissions on the site each Friday, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your favorite tracks with our loyal fans and followers.
With love,
ESK aka YEH aka RUDEBOI NUMERO UNO
I strongly believe G-Eazy is going blow up very soon. I’ve posted a bunch of his tracks on the Sound before, but his latest effort might be the most impressive yet. Narrating the death-throws of an intense relationship, “Marilyn” features New Orlean’s Dominique LeJeune, whose vocals provide the perfect counterpoint to the rappers relaxed flow (word on the street is that G-Eazy saw her sing at a backyard concert and invited her into the studio). Delicate, polished, and honest, “Marilyn” shows a sophistication and maturity that sounds - to me - like an artist coming into his own. Like I said, he’s blowing up very soon.
-ESK
Earlier this week, singer-songwriter Spencer Krug released a preview of his latest album With Sinaii: Heartbreaking Bravery, which is scheduled to drop April 17th. Best known for his work with Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown, Spencer Krug teams up with Finnish dramatists on this latest project. Lyrically cryptic and vocally abstract, “Teary Eyes and Bloody Lips” is fused with an intensely buzzing new-wave energy that reminds me of the climax of a classic 80’s movie. If the grand album title didn’t sell you, the music will.
-ESK
Source 
Let me give a HUGE shout out to @addielately for being the first CVille Sound follower to tweet a song at us. And it’s not just any track, but a track from perhaps my favorite up and coming electro artist Star Slinger. To me, the best part of the Blog has always been it’s collaborative nature - so if you’re a fan like @addielately tweet some music at us and I’ll do my best to make sure it reaches our other loyal followers.
-ESK
If, like me, you need some good humored garage rock to brighten up your gloomy study dungeon, look no further than this track from The Streets. ”Fit But You Know It” has been one of my favorites since hearing it on the FIFA 2005 soundtrack. Off of the band’s sophomore album A Grand Don’t Come for Free, the song was apparently inspired by S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens. While “Fit But You Know It” brings me back to FIFA 2005 and days before 35 page term papers, the lyrics only seem to get more relevant.
-ESK
P.S. Rachel Stevens is unbelievably fit.
Enter the perfect distraction to systematically destroy your Monday night study efforts. Seaquence is the most elegant and addictive web app I’ve stumbled across in months. I’ve spent forty five minutes glued to my computer screen, smiling as the weird little creatures come to life as elaborate musical compositions before my eyes and ears. Visit http://seaquence.org/ and enjoy the most creative procrastination a music enthusiast could ask for.
-ESK
