The Love & The Music Jay Bell

As I journey through life, I imagine creating mixes as a backdrop for an array of environments and moments. Everything from dreaming at home in morning solitude to an afternoon workout. From a relaxed and intimate moment with a friend over tea to hosting a larger group for dinner. From groovin' at a cocktail lounge to the dance floor at the night club. From the journey back home to the bedroom. A soundtrack for life. This year in particular, I really enjoyed creating more chillout and lounge mixes. The Love & The Music continues to breathe new life and learn more about itself.

For those of you who have been following this podcast for many years, and who are likely a little more accustomed to the funky house mixes, your patience has paid off. On the eve of a departure for some extended travel and adventure, we give you a pumpin' 2-hour follow-up to the 2010 original (which is by far the most downloaded episode of this podcast to date). I hope this will quench your thirst; it will be the last mix I post for some time now.

Remember, this is not a mix of classic disco songs. Rather, these tracks are the seeds of the disco tree that have sprouted new life. They are the children and grandchildren of disco. Indeed they have a style and spirit all their own, yet their roots in disco are undeniable (to me at least). Disco is not dead, it continues to live through yet another generation of artists. In metaphorical fashion, I dedicate this mix to each of my 4 grandparents. "I know how much that means to me"

Special thanks again to Aslisu who was the artist behind the original cover photo. It was just so perfect I had to use it again for Volume II. More of her art can be found here: https://tarcinrengi.deviantart.com/ or https://tarcinrengidrawings.deviantart.com/

Thank you to all artists featured below. If you enjoy any song in particular, please support the artist and purchase the track through the artist's online shop (iTunes, Beatport, Soundcloud, etc).

TRACKLIST:
01 Tensnake - Love Sublime feat. Nile Rodgers & Fiora
02 Rabo & Snob - Everybody Knows It (Whiskey Disco 32)
03 The Silver Rider - Good Luvin' Baby (Editor's Kutz #6)
04 Else - Northway
05 Crazy P - The Hit
06 Patrick Alavi - How Much That Means To Me (Miguel Campbell Re-Edit)
07 Daft Punk - Get Lucky feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers
08 Tensnake - Coma Cat (Mark Knight Remix)
09 Boris Werner - Let's Boogie
10 Jayl Funk - Washed Car (Disco Rework)
11 Soul Revenger - Bad Girls (Vocal Mix)
12 Skingz - Take It Higher (Agent Stereo's Not Dead Remix)
13 DJ Zimmo & Shaunyboy - On The Floor
14 Sugarstarr - Hey Sunshine feat. Alexander (Antonio Giacca Remix)
15 Agent Stereo - Sexy Lady
16 Alex BPM - Hold Me Tight
17 Chocolate Puma - For Your Love 2011
18 Disco Freaks feat Rob Li - Take Me 2 The Sun (Freemasons 2009 Remix)
19 Rockefeller - Do It 2 Nite (Club Mix)
20 Stars on 45 - 45 (Addy Van Der Zwan Remix)
21 Discobump vs Triple X (XXX) - Discosound (David Jones Remix)
22 Louis La Roche - Sunshine Hotel
23 Jon Craig - Breakin Up
24 JL & Afterman - Everyman
25 Neon Cat - Love Me Right
26 Flanders - By My Side (Callea & Rispoli Vocal Club Mix)
27 Dimitri from Stoke on Trent (aka Paris) - I Wanna Be Your Lobster

I had the privilege of being asked to play at a Calgary wedding during cocktail hour this summer. This was great timing since I was just putting the final touches on a lounge mix I had been planning for several years. This was just the inspiration I needed to complete the mix and play live. The set was visioned as this subtle, uplifting background which kept the focus of the cocktail hour on guests connecting with each other. The music would not overpower the lively conversations happening in the room. There would be a vast array of instruments. An undercurrent of grooves would warm up the hips for the dance floor later on. Lyrics would be subtle; although they might captivate a select few.

This mix is dedicated to the inspirational couple of the evening, Bik and Alisha. And to all friends and lovers connecting across the world amidst the ambient beat of sexy lounge music.

Cover art on this mix provided by Seth Drallitoc. More of Seth’s photography can be found here: https://sethdrallitoc.deviantart.com/

Thank you to all artists featured below. If you enjoy any song in particular, please support the artist and purchase the track through the artist's online shop (iTunes, Beatport, Soundcloud, etc). Special thanks to Akshin Alizadeh and Mark Farina (with Mushroom Jazz) who find themselves on this mix multiple times.

TRACKLIST:
01 Moontricks - Soul Baby
02 Guru Sax - People Can't Stop Chillin
03 Avalounge - Confessions On A Lounge Flow (Smooth Sax edit)
04 Orsten - Fleur Blanche
05 Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Take The L Train (To Brooklyn)
06 One Self - Bluebird (Instrumental Version)
07 Spice Girls - Last Time Lover
08 Akshin Alizadeh - Southern Man
09 Krishan - Har Ji feat Gurunam Singh (Liquid Mix)
10 Aim - Northwest
11 Monolog - Still Not A Player
12 Bennson - Can't Get Enough
13 DJ Drez - For What It's Worth feat Joey Lugassy (India Dub)
14 Fdel - Let It Go feat Rae
15 Akshin Alizadeh - Inner Struggle
16 Moontricks - Midnight Groove
17 Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Bop Hop
18 Emapea - Best Believe
19 Kero One - Groovin'
20 QSTN - Crawfish & Chips
21 Smoma - Give Me The Night
22 Sunner Soul - Body Boogie
23 Tommy Largo - It's The Beat
24 Akshin Alizadeh - Wash Away feat Chesqua
25 Jazz Spastiks - Amber Leaf
26 Marlena Shaw - Woman of the Ghetto (Akshin Alizadeh Remix)
27 Monolog - Creep feat Loyvie

As the leaves on the trees begin to change colours and the temperatures start to cool down over night here in Canada, we are reminded of the constant changing of the seasons and how this reflects our inner world. As the autumn season approaches slowly in Canada, we are encouraged to slow down and reflect. This mix is a musical backdrop created for relaxing and connecting with a friend or two. A follow-up mix from 2009's original Tea House Sessions.

'Dedicated to all the herbs and mushrooms that fill our tea cups with their medicine and wisdom. "A time will come when you won't notice where the time goes. Be honest with yourself, step back, head up, chest out…open"

Custom cover art by Julian Tejada (who you might recognize from Tea House Vol I). More of Julian's photography can be found at http://www.procrasnow.com/ or on instagram @jc_tejada. JAAM!

Special thanks to all artists featured below. If you enjoy any song in particular, please support the artist and purchase the track through the artist's online shop.

TRACKLIST:
01 Triangle Sun - Tonight
02 Spice Girls - 2 Become 1
03 Ben Onono - Small World
04 Nightmares on Wax - Soul Purpose
05 Kinobe - Slip Into Something More Comfortable
06 Oh Mercy - Let Me Go
07 Gelka - Soon
08 Lemon Jelly - Come
09 Ganga feat. Helle Chirholm - Hi-Fi Love
10 Boombox - Midnight on the Run
11 Afterlife - Sleazebag
12 Blank & Jones - City Lights (Relax Remix)
13 OneRepublic - Apologize (Cafe Buddha Del Mar Bar Remix)
14 Blank & Jones - Chilled Cream
15 Telepopmusik - Breathe
16 A Man Called Adam - Barefoot in the Head (Fug Remix)
17 Stonebridge feat. Therese - Put 'Em High (Claues Rosen Lounge Remix)

During this last year I have been called to create mixes that explore my edges; mixes that span many different genres. This mix really pushes on my edge for "darker" electronic music. I fell in love with Chillstep when I was first introduced to the sound; a perfect blend of beautiful vocals and deep, deep bass. With Chillstep, there also seems to have this subtle spirituality flowing throughout it as well. After all, it is the home to Alan Watts.

This mix is dedicated to our friend Belle who brought Chillstep to us at a very important time. Music is a healer.

"Spirituality is not the path of milk & honey; it's about going into the darkness to get to the light." - B. G. Rickhi

Following what seems to be a trend in Chillstep album covers, I decided to use digital artwork. A huge thank you to Leroy Van Vliet for the beautiful cover, which I find to be so symbolic of the mix. More of Leroy's work can be found at http://leroyart.com/ or https://catbib.deviantart.com/

Special thanks to all artists featured below. If you enjoy any song in particular, please support the artist and purchase the track through the artist's online shop.

TRACKLIST:
01 Therese - Shed My Skin (Out of Sight Chill Mix)
02 Paloma Faith - Picking Up The Pieces (Ouch! Remix)
03 CMA - Caught In Our Thoughts
04 Jacoo - Waiting For You (feat. Madi Larson)
05 TwoThirds - Epiphany (Ghosts of Paraguay Remix)
06 Rameses B - Moonlight
07 Blackmill - Evil Beauty
08 Killigrew - Hurt
09 Blackmill - Let It Be (feat. Veela)
10 Blackmill - Miracle
11 AZEDIA - Something (Rameses B Remix)
12 The One Hundred - Break Me Down (Robsta & Oxide Remix)
13 Emancipator - First Snow (Ooah Remix)
14 Trifonic - Parks On Fire
15 Dubdiver - Dotted Diary
16 Edamame - Echinacea
17 Trifonic - Sooner or Later
18 KOAN Sound & ASA - This Time Around
19 Mitis - Mirags
20 Azari & III - Into The Night (Nocolas Jaar Remix)

With you is a 90min continuous yoga flow mix. The mix was imagined to work well for a 50, 60, 75 and 90 minute class. The mix begins and ends slow, with some heat in the middle. Long loops and enchanting grooves lay a subtle ambience for an inspired practice where the practitioner is encouraged to journey inward. Traditional yogic sounds are blended with a new age style of electronic music. Cycling from light and dark sounds, a spiritual path is reflected. My own spiritual journey has drawn me to blend First Nations teachings with Yoga; and so you will find that influence splashed in there as well. It is my hope that it will be a helpful backdrop to a meaningful experience on the mat for you or your students.

This mix is dedicated to my wife Kimberly who first introduced me to yoga back in 2010, and to all the teachers that have helped me deepen my practice along the way. There are too many teachers to name individually - you know who you are. I've collected most of these songs from classes that were taught by all of you :) Namaste.

Special thanks to all artists featured below. If you enjoy any song in particular, please support the artist and purchase the track through the artist's online shop.

TRACKLIST:
01 1 Giant Leap feat Baaba Maal - Dunya Salam
02 Niall - The Salmon
03 SaReGaMa feat Manish Vyas - Water
04 Sol Rising - Chill Swag
05 Jai Uttal - Dina Dayal
06 Snatam Kaur - Ong Namo (DJ Nartak & Five Seasons Remix)
07 Electus - Just Believe
08 Bonobo - Sapphire
09 Edamame - Birdsongs
10 Sean Mackey - You Are The Sun (Electus Remix)
11 Girish - Diamonds In The Sun (Omstep Remix)
12 Emancipator - First Snow (Ooah Remix)
13 Jon Hopkins - Circle
14 Tulku - Rahda Ramana
15 Govinda - Calm
16 Dj Drez - Eagle Feather Remix
17 Krishan feat. Jai-Jagdeesh - Invocation (Krishan Liquid Remix)
18 Manish Vyas - Tumi Bhaja Re Mana
19 Jon Hopkins - Immunity

Most of these mixes stir in the imagination for years before their songs bond together to form something complete. But this set of tunes seemed to coalesce out from nowhere, seemingly from the ether itself in a strangely quick and unexpected way.

Music that lays a gentle and inspiring background for any journey. Maybe a physical experience of endurance or strength. Or maybe a nonphysical exploration of your inner landscape, riding on the back of your turtle totem into the far edges of the sea and your imagination. In a subtle way there was a teaching that came with this mix; to remember how important integration and reflection is with every journey. If we continue to forget to make time and space to integrate, then integration becomes the great odyssey.

Inspirational cover art of the Harvest Moon by Patrick Latter. More of Patrick's photography can be found at http://www.hikingphoto.com/ or on instagram @patricklatter.

Special thanks to all artists featured below. If you enjoy any song in particular, please support the artist and purchase the track through the artist's online shop.

TRACKLIST:
01 Liquid Memoirs - Escape
02 Project - Sadness
03 Bombay Dub Orchestra - Feel (Thievery Corporation Remix)
04 Beat Foundation - My Freedom
05 Manyus Joan Eta - Space Life
06 Coastline - Adriatic Sea (Milews remix)
07 Tom Day & Monsoonsiren - Elegiac
08 Glide & Swerve - Y Mor
09 Rob D - Clubbed to Death
10 Mylo - Valley of the Dolls
11 Thievery Corporation - Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Govinda Remix)
12 Mylo - Emotion 98.6
13 Erik De Koning - Dream Flight (Chill Master)
14 Lamb - Angelica