Cerrone - "Supernature (Instrumental 'Climax' Edit)"

There are several versions of this 1977 disco track floating around. But I chose the one used in Gaspar Noe's Climax. (Thanks to Christine and the Queens for reminding me of it.)

Quincy Jones - "Soul Bossa Nova"

Right, the Austin Powers song. Sorry, I'm gonna stick to thinking of it as the Quincy Jones song.

Funkadelic - "Maggot Brain"

As the story goes, Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel was told to play "like his mom had died" by band leader George Clinton. This is what came out. Definitely feels like a eulogy for something or someone. And right now, it seems as good a song as any to lament the fall of America.

Angelo Badalamenti - "Twin Peaks Theme"

What else would I have picked? Rest in peace, David Lynch (and Angelo Badalamenti).

 

Mulatu Astatke - "Tezeta (Nostalgia)"

Been playing this a lot lately.

The Art of Noise (featuring Duane Eddy) - "Peter Gunn"

Hey there. Have a good weekend.

The Story Behind "Axel F"

How did an instrumental that was stitched together at the last minute end up being the indelible theme song to Beverly Hills Cop? For Cracked, I wrote about Harold Faltermeyer, synth-pop and "Axel F." Hope you enjoy.

Ludwig Goransson - "Can You Hear the Music"

This is a very good soundtrack.

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - "A Taste of Honey"

I forget which one, but some radio station used this song when it was doing its "community calendar" segment. So now when I hear "A Taste of Honey," I always mentally prepare to hear what's going on at the arts and crafts fair this weekend.

Aphex Twin - "Avril 14th"

Everybody have a chill Fourth.

Vladimir Spivakov & Sergej Bezrodny - "Spiegel im Spiegel"

I haven't watched Gerry in a while. I forgot how beautiful the opening is with the use of Arvo Pärt's music.

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - "PIMP"

Every Cannes, there's an unofficial honor given out called the Palm Dog, which is bestowed on the best dog performance at the festival. In that same spirit, I do my own prize for the best use of a song in a film. This year, that award goes to a cover that plays an important part in one of the Competition movies.

Ryuichi Sakamoto - "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"

"Generally, I dislike the process of making music based on a blueprint or purpose or aim. If I was an architect, I would be a bad one, because I don’t like having blueprints. Of course, without blueprints, nobody knows what the building will be. But that’s exactly what I like to do. I shouldn’t know what I’m making, or what it will be. I want to make something I don’t know, and that I’ve never done or never known. Hopefully, for me, it’s going to be a surprise, and a new experience." -- Ryuichi Sakamoto 

Ramsey Lewis - "Wade in the Water"

Happy Friday, everybody.

Vince Guaraldi Trio - "Cast Your Fate to the Wind"

Good luck getting all your work done before the holidays, everybody. Remember to stay chill.

My Tribute to John Carpenter's "Halloween Theme"

Happy Halloween, everyone: I wrote about the 1978 banger for MEL.

Norman Connors - "The Creator Has a Master Plan"

Everybody, just chill out.

Chromatics - "Tick of the Clock"

After a 20-year run, Chromatics is calling it a day. I'll always remember them for this song, which was used so well in Drive.

Dinner Party - "First Responders"

Supergroups are usually best ignored, but I've been digging last year's collaboration between Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin and 9th Wonder called Dinner Party. Their self-titled debut is about 23 minutes long and just the right length. Check out this jazzy instrumental.

A Salute to Alan Parsons and "Sirius"

The Last Dance is a deep dive into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. So how come it doesn't spend any time talking about the team's unofficial theme song? For MEL, I went into the history of "Sirius."