Very tough selection process. Do I pick songs that I think Marc used to listen to, or choose songs that I think he’d like now? While it’s hard to imagine Marc listening to some of these songs now, the idea that he might have at the time it was released is enough to suggest songs with nostalgia value.

One key clue for direction ended up being a dead end, for me anyway. Marc commented on an artist named George Mustaki, and not only could I not find any information about the artist, but I didn’t even know what genre it was to give me direction.

My mix is based off a decision of mixing genres, and providing a range of tastes.


1) Public Enemy – show ‘em what you got


This choice is simply based off one comment made last night. When discussing repetition, Marc used the simile of hip hop to compare it, saying it was “repetitious, and uses sampling.” Does an understanding mean an appreciation?

Hip hop didn’t hit the mainstream until the mid-eighties, and probably took a few years longer to reach Canadian suburbia. Public Enemies “It takes a nation of millions to hold us back” (released in 1988, age 21) presented a more aggressive style of hip hop (as opposed to the growing popularity of jazz infused hip hop), and had a theme of oppression which the youth of then (and now) could relate to.

I picked this song because it doesn’t have lyrics, and is only 2 minutes long: just enough time to experience some nostalgia without getting turned off. I am a fiend of hip hop from the late eighties/early nineties, so this was a really tough choice. Runners up included Slick Rick, KRS ONE, De la Soul, and Big daddy kane.

2) Bob Marley – Concrete jungle

While Roots reggae was in its peak in the late seventies, the vibes of Marley remained popular in North America throughout the eighties. Marley projected feelings of unity and peace, and his worldwide popularity means that inevitably most Canadians will be exposed to his music at some point in their lives.

Not all his songs were of the upbeat nature. Concrete jungle speaks of the hardships of living in the Trenchtown ghettos, yet its words can relate to anyone feeling bummed out.

“No sun will shine in my day today, the high yellow moon won’t come out to play.
Darkness has covered my light, and it’s changed my day into night.
Where is this love to be found?”

Where indeed.


3) The Traveling Wilburys – Heading for the light

Released in ’88, this super group of artists put out an album which was immensely popular when introduced. While Orbison, Harrison and Dylan were likely more popular with the generation before Marc, Tom Petty was gaining more exposure in the eighties.

To me this is a song of ambition. “My shoes are wearing out from walking down this same highway. I don’t see nothing new but I feel a lot of change.” The depth of all the songs on this album makes it easy to go back and listen to again.


4) Jack Johnson – staple it together

Something new. A Hawaiian with a diverse taste in music, Jack Johnson’s albums offers an acoustic, mellow, reggae type sounds, with self-confessed influences of the Beatles and A Tribe Called Quest. Some tracks are classic love songs that could have been written by McCartney, while other tracks are more abstract, and he adapts a flow not dissimilar from Q-tip of Tribe Called Quest.

To be honest, I haven’t really analyzed the lyrical content of Johnson. This track, along with most of his songs, have a musical depth that is worth appreciating on its own. The bass and drums in this track feel slightly hip-hop inspired, and Johnson’s flow overshadows a slight reggae sound.

5) Miles Davis – blue in green

Had to throw some jazz in the mix. Obviously well before Marc’s time, jazz is a genre that is style that is easy to listen to, and is not distracting (perfect when working on assignments.) While I have yet to grasp an understanding of jazz, I think Davis’ music is easy to swallow.