Hummingbird by BPZ celebrates 9 trips around the sun this year, and they are are celebrating in style. The Introspective EP features new material from the label boss and records from the back catalogue. We had a chance to hear what the Hummingbird founder is playing when he takes us – Back to Mine…
1. Snark Puppy – Lingus (We Like It Here)
I don’t remember how I came across this live recording session with French jazz band Snark Puppy, but the power and magic that happens in this session is simply electrifying. Watch the expression of the other musicians as they loose their heads as the session progresses.
2. Alabama Shakes – Don’t Wonna Fight (Live from Capitol Studio recording)
I discovered the Alabama Shakes after they had already been around a while, but I quickly hooked on to their albums, Don’t Wonna Fight is amazing but hearing this live version is something special. Brittany has such a powerful and soulful voice.
3. De La Soul – A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays
It’s Saturday, Saturday, Saturday its Saturday… This was an anthem growing up, after school and later after Uni, on full rotation especially in the car. Guys like the Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest in company as well.
4. Ghost In The Shell Soundtrack
Something a little different but very influential on me, I discovered the anime growing up and was struck straight away by the opening theme and soundtrack through out the film. It wasn’t until years later with the arrival of YouTube that was I able to reconnect with it and the music of Japanese composer Kenji Kawai.
5. Gil Scott-Heron – Me And The Devil
Wow… I am just overwhelmed by this piece. Pure, raw and uncompromising. Artists like this are a rarity and if you are lucky enough to discover their art, treasure it.
6. Hans Zimmer – Interstellar Main Theme (Extra Extended) – Soundtrack
This soundtrack is so beautiful, mournful and evocative. A church organ pulsating like a supernova, crying out to the stars. This track has a special place for me and helped me over a sad moment. Music is healing.
7. Warpaint – Disco//Key
Cheating a bit here as we have two tracks combined into one, but you’ll forgive me this one time. I was a latecomer growing up to the Californian rock sounds, but the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Mars Volta caught me up and later, Warpaint. Their sound is so raw and evocative, music should be written without constraints, free to express your way.
8. Underworld – Dune (DRIFT Ep.3 Pt.1)
This band is one of the biggest influences to my own music. I had to include them in this list and decided to choose something relatively new. There are so many ground-breaking songs by Underworld to me, I could have easily done this top 10 on just them. Their albums sound tracked my youth and continue to do so long into my adult life.
9. Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
One of my favourite Soul and R&B artists, a force in song writing and creative genius in his field. There are many great songs of his but this one happens to also be the anthem for the best team in the world, so enuff said.
10. Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
I will end on a classic, and another very important band to me. I discovered MA and Underworld around the same time. They too provided the musical theme to my youth. When I first head this song, it was that shaker and bell rhythms that knocked me sideways. After that I was determined to learn how to make that, even more than the piano line or violas. And the music video, what a cool moment, I remember when it hit Rage, on Australian TV as a kid, trip hop had truly arrived.
