A special guest-mix series where DJs are invited to create a soundtrack for tomorrow's days. Next up: It is Lewis Smart, resident from London's Voices Radio, delivering a very smooth blend of soulful, jazzy, warm sounds to soothe your ears while the sun is starting to show its presence more and more these days. From older jazz standards to newer hiphop - it's all in there, a truly beautiful insight into Lewis' vibrant musical taste.
Every Mixed Feelings podcast is accompanied by a few questions that provide a little insight into the DJ and the mix they've prepared for us and for you.
Which feelings do we find bottled in this mix?
As the days grow lighter and spring begins to radiate through the weakening winter temperatures, I wanted to create a mix that acts as a comfort blanket, full of tender melodies and silky smooth sounds. Perfect to soundtrack those sunny spring mornings or those late evenings, sat listening to the crackle of an open fire in your favorite late night watering hole.
What message does the music you play convey?
Music for me is all about emotion and feeling, therefore I’m a massive fan of music which sits firmly on the softer side of the spectrum.
We’re all majorly busy in our everyday lives, so I try to provide a little bit of escapism from those every day struggles. A chance to hit re-set if you will.
How is the mix reflecting your current music taste?
I’d say its quite eclectic and varied. It’s definitely a journey through various, yet similar sounds. I try not to stick to genre’s too closely. For me it’s all about finding music that sounds unique, something that’s going to stop me in my tracks and think "hold on… what’s this". Music that’s intriguing and stands out amongst the tough competition.
I do tend to however sway more towards soul, jazz and hip-hop genres, with a focus always on music coming out of the UK. The UK music scene is such a diverse and special place and always should be celebrated.
Who should release a new album/EP already?
To be honest I’m quite satisfied at the moment with a steady backlog of album’s and EP’s that I’m still trying to get through. UK Jazz outfit Gotts Street Park released a delicious album last year that I’m loving, as well as albums from Sampha and Cleo Sol too. However I would never say no to a new project from London collective Sault or new projects from queen’s Lauryn Hill or Erykah Badu.
I’d love to hear one last album from someone like the late Amy Winehouse or even Bob Marley for example. I’d love to see how their music would have grown and transitioned to suit our modern times.
What's magical about music?
Music’s one to one connection has always fascinated me…. I love the idea how we could all listen to the exact same song but take something completely different away from it, whether that’s a specific lyric that might evoke a past memory or a certain instrumental that makes us feel a certain way.
I love music’s open interpretation and it’s way of awakening the imagination.
What is your main source for finding new music?
Community radio. There's so many great DJ's and taste makers putting out monthly shows across loads of different stations, it's hard not to tune in and discover something new and maybe out of your comfort zone.
If the mix would be a soundtrack, what (kind of) movie/video/audio-visual content would support it best?
Definitely one of those 12 hour cozy fireplace videos off YouTube, something to help provide some ambience.
If you like what you hear you can listen to me spinning similar sounds every second Tuesday of the month on London Community station Voices Radio.
Lewis Smart
Tracklist:
Sadao Watanabe - Samba Do Marcos
Berlioz - Jazz Is For Ordinary People
Sarah Vaughan - Misty
Shirley Horn - Do it again
Joss Moog - Hours In The Morning
Dizkar - Lonely Fire
33.3 - Only Gonna Let You Down
Eddie Kendricks - Intimate Friends
Adi Oasis - Le Départ
Gotts Street Park - Fool For Love ft Pip Millett
Yussef Dayes - Birds of Paradise
Erykah Badu - I'll Call U Back
Yazmin Lacey - Legacy
Makèz - Phases ft dreamcastmoe (Dego Remix)
Vhoor - Jabo
ENNY - 2am In Central
Layfullstop - Act Right
Wavey Singh - Mew Two
TRIBEZ. - Back in the Days (Melodiesinfonie Remix)
Joseph Shabason - Zero / Donny Barley
The Zenmenn and John Moods - Into The Heart Of The Matter
Skinshape - Dreams of Panama
Sault - Envious
Kamaal Williams - Magnolia II ft Theo Croker, Corey Fonville & Henry Gilbert Williams
Mansur Brown - Reflections
Sofia Grant - Storm
Summer-Pearl - What You Want
Muva Of Earth - High
Saudade Experiment - L.F.M
Melo-Zed - Back Home
Vanilla - Dreams
Greg Spero - S&M ft Lindsey Webster, Davonte “Deuce” Harris & Ledaris ""LJ"" Joneses
Kokoroko - Dide O
Cleo Sol - Know That You Are Loved
Gotts Street Park - Walk Away
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