The mixtape opens with the soft and ambient 'Création du Monde', a 10-minute piece by Greek composer Vangelis (July 2021 / September 2021 mixtapes). This song is taken from L’ Apocalyse Des Animaux, a soundtrack album that accompanied an early-seventies French documentary series about the animal kingdom.

Next is a song by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian electronic and experimental musician that goes by CoH (Mar 22 / Nov 22 mixtapes). Although most of his work is instrumental, COHGS is a special compilation of works made over a number of years that incorporate vocalists and lyrics. 'Exercise in Colour' features fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester. She speaks singular words and her voice skips along a metronomic beat coupled with simple piano notes.

We continue with 'Untitled 7' by Pom Pom, a secretive techno artist who's been able to maintain total anonymity since appearing on the scene in the early 2000s. All the albums and tracks are untitled and the releases are only distinguishable by a catalog number. While the project’s identity is unknown, rumour has it that the records are made by someone from the Berlin record shop Space Hall.

Music From Memory recently put together a special compilation to mark their 50th release. Virtual Dreams: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno delves into music produced during the 1990s that redefined the boundaries of ‘Ambient’. This was music that explored the possibilities of the genre within a new setting, created often by house and techno producers for a world beyond dance floors (chill-out rooms), but made very much with the pre-clubbing and post-clubbing listener in mind. Let yourself be transported by repetitive and ethereal patterns on 'Sergio Leone's Wet Dream'.

Special mention to 'Plain', the first song I picked from Monophonie. On this track, subliminal and percussive patterns develop into a glorious build-up, allowing a trance-like mood to slowly spread.

This is a short song by The Album Leaf composed for the futuristic soundtrack of the sci-fi movie Synchronic.

'Motor', the second song taken from Monophonie, is an 11-minute piece of meditative and compositional elegance. You'll hear bells, overtones and mechanics, all lovingly rendered and minimally layered.

We continue our exploration of percussive sounds with a song by The Art Ensemble of Chicago. An influential avant-garde jazz ensemble of the 70s / 80s, they've contributed to the fusion of jazz with European art music and indigenous African folk styles.

Next is 'Tape', the third and last track from Monophonie. Mesmerizing percussion arrangements that beautifully layer up into a fine production.

On 'Oneski', Richard H. Kirk (Cabaret Voltaire) takes us on a low-tempo, mellow trip.

This one almost didn’t make the cut, but since we’ve been on the topic of chillout music, I was tempted to follow up with a song by Kruder & Dorfmeister. Their K&D Sessions album has become something of a legend in the world of downtempo music, and I just realized that after a 22-year hiatus, in 2020, the duo released 1995, an album of songs recorded in the mid-90s when the genre was arguably at its best. With hypnotic layers, looping bass lines, reggae samples and a smokey groove, 'King Size' has it all. Also, if it’s the first time you come across them, check out their debut album G-Stoned (1993) and much-lauded mix album DJ Kicks (1996).

We conclude the first part of the mixtape with the crazy good 'Bruhahá II' by Bruhahá Babélico, a song released on Outro Tempo II EP: Electronic & Contemporary Music From Brazil 1984-1996, Music From Memory's first retrospective of obscure Brazilian electronic music. Crank up the volume and let go.

Eddie Harris’ 'I Don’t Want Nobody' opens the second chapter and marks a departure from electronic sounds. The American jazz saxophonist (Jun 2022 mixtape) was one of the first to incorporate funk into jazz-fusion styles. In 1974, he recorded I Need Some Money, a great album along the lines of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters.

A tinge of psychedelia with Hungarian guitarist Gábor Szabó’s 'Somewhere I Belong', taken from 1969, an album featuring a bunch of performances recorded that year. The album is actually not that engaging, all songs are jazz spins of popular songs from the 60s, but the last track is a captivating hazy gypsy jam by Szabo himself.

Funky instrumental Japanese groove by Kumi Sasaki on her 1976 album Soul Sound of Victoron, instrumental work based on an electronic organ of the same name.

'Kuro To Shiro' is a superb 11-minute jam by Japanese trombonist Hiroshi Suzuki, taken from his 1976 album Cat, a 70s funk-jazz rarity. Alongside Monophonie, this is another album that I was playing on repeat in January. Deep, soulful and groovy.

For decades, radio stations in Sudan were forbidden to air label recordings and they instead hosted live sessions for artists. To prevent musicians from releasing these sessions on their own, they were hardly ever given copies of the tapes. Sudanese jazz musician Khalil Keila was one of the lucky few who was able to obtain the studio reels of some performances, which eventually made it to Muslims and Christians, a compilation released by Habibi Funk as part of a series that sheds light on unheard sounds from Sudan’s jazz scene.

Next is a short and sweet song by Turkish musician Mustafa Özkent. Featuring eclectic arrangements informed by Turkish folk music, his debut album Gençlik İle Elele is a little gem that deserves to be heard in its entirety. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the album cover?

We start to wind down with 'Guacamayo' by Danit. Her beautiful voice, coupled with various percussions and gentle guitar notes, is a wonderful ode to Mother Nature. Click on the video icon below to watch a concert venue in Zurich full of happy people slowly coming together during a live rendition of the song. A distant memory we're deeply missing right now because of the quarantine.

Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen has always held a special place for his warm ambient textures and electronic atmospheres. 'To Stanko' is a tribute to the late great Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, taken from Uma Elmo, an album by a new trio featuring Danish guitarist Jakob Bro and Spanish drummer Jorge Rossy.

We end with wisps of melody and afterglow feelings by Swedish composer Ralph Lundsten.