1. Chopin – Nocturne no.20 IN c-sharp minor
Pretty funny, as I get older I have come to appreciate classical music more and more. Not only this song, but also other classical songs are a key to relaxation for me in this busy and hectic world.
2. Carlos Santana – Samba Pa Ti
Such a classic, timeless song. Every note and every part is perfect. My father raised me with Carlos Santana and I am very grateful to him for that.
3. Hans Zimmer – S.T.A.Y.
“Love isn’t something that we invented. It’s observable. Powerful. It has to mean something. Maybe it means something more, something we can’t yet understand. Maybe it’s some evidence, some artifact of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. Love is the one thing that we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.”
I’m still trying to figure out how a few simple notes can evoke so much emotion.
4. Moby – Porcelain
No words needed.
5. Kane – Dreamer
Kane wrote this song for his wife Guusje Nederhorst who passed away. I am very precise about listening to this song. Not too often, but sometimes, at the right time.
6. Jimmy Jazz Presents King Rut – A Persian Romance
A very unknown song that in my opinion has not received the attention it deserves (also not on Spotify). This song was on a compilation CD that my father bought in Ibiza. For me, it’s a unique piece of music.
7. Rampa, Adam Port, &ME – Muyè
I think this song made me go in a certain direction as a musician, towards who I am today. I have very good memories of this song, especially when it was played live by Black Coffee, and also the remix. For me, this song has it all: the groove, the feel and the melodies. And the vocal…amazing.
8. Toni Braxton – I Wanna Be
It reminds me of one of the best moments of my life. This was the song that played when I first saw my wife in her wedding dress walking towards me with her mother and father by her side during our wedding. My wife is the sweetest, prettiest, and best wife I could have wished for.
9. Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
I think this is probably one of the greatest songs ever written and recorded. I’ve listened to this version where the singer wears a pink suit about a 1000 times with my best friend Dennis. Dennis is a professional music lover, so if he thinks it is one of the best songs ever, it is.
![Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody [Live - Best Quality] (1965)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IYj2hex99gY/0.jpg)
10. Twenty One Pilots – Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Cover)
Covering one of the most successful songs ever is incredibly difficult. Man, what a cover… it really touches your soul.
Various Artists connectedbeats edition2 (connected)
To mark the release of their 18 track connectedbeats edition2, the Stereo MCs’ label offers up a fantastic six tracker sampler EP featuring some associates both old and new. Continuing on from last year’s first edition, new faces gather, with some more familiar, but each one explores a wide range of atmospheres and emotions, many of which were captured over the last six months. Da Mike opens with the deep, zoned out vibes of ‘Introspection’ while LevyM serves up ‘Autrement’ which is an epic eight minute journey into late night melodic house with a real sense of serenity. Kieran Apter’s ‘Dungeon Disco’ is as dark and sweaty as the name implies, with pounding kicks and crashing hits making you move. Nikos Diamantopoulos’s ‘Broken’ is built on bendy bass, with glassy melodic sounds and finger clicks bringing an upbeat yet emotional feeling. The excellent ‘Vivo And Kickin’’ from Carlos Francisco gets more bumpy, but retains the textbook warmth and soul of all Connected releases, and Nipkos & Lvcivs close things down with the moody yet melodic late night charm of ‘Hakama’ and its gorgeous piano chords.
