August, the last month of summer, is where the magic of the year usually happens. In the tiny rural village in the south of France where I usually spend my holidays – though not this year, thanks to you know what – they have their annual party right at the end of this month. The saying goes: “If you don’t find anyone at the fete, you’ll have a cold winter.”
So here’s wishing you a hot summer and warming winter. Perhaps this almost-two-and-a-half-hour long playlist will get you in the mood for frisky fun?
The August selection, crafted exclusively for Meet Bernard, certainly starts off in a sultry manner, with Glitter of the City (Song By Tahira), a 1977 gem from Ron Everett, followed by Jean Carn’s classic My Love Don’t Come Easy – quite right too. While third in line is the brilliant Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s newly released take on Sylvester’s I Need Somebody To Love Tonight.
There’s a heap of funky, fresh newness besides. Amsterdam beatmaker Soul Supreme serves up his ace take on Q-Tip’s Let’s Ride, while Always Fly, by Raf Rundell featuring the voice of Terry Walker is effortlessly cool. Mr Jukes’ Vibrate is also new, and I love the smokey horns.
Mato's dub take on Kool & The Gang’s Summer Madness is delicious. And Kool & The Gang feature later on in the playlist themselves, with the hazy You Don’t Have To Change. Elsewhere the incredible John Carroll Kirby’s P64 By My Side is playful and a grower. And Khruangbin’s take on David Bowie’s Right is also pretty magical.
With luck you will discover some new summer tunes to help you through your staycation!
If you enjoy this unmixed selection I would urge you to seek out my Boat Floaters Mixcloud profile (see here), where there are both upbeat (“downstream”) and more chilled (“upstream”) mixes.
Thanks for your support.
Yours in music,
Ollie (Boat Floaters)