PIXTAPE is a sonic tale. The Blues Project invites select artists to take us on a journey into their musical mind-frame. A playlist of the music they gravitate to, that shapes them, the music that soundtracks their lives. This week, JAEL shares his picks...
The incredible JAEL can not be summed up by one discipline. As an artist, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer – his talents seamlessly blend together to produce fresh and timeless music. Through his many avenues, it’s not hard to hear how many different sounds and genres have influenced JAEL. Just by listening to his solo music, DJ sets, or even his multi instrumental live performance videos, you can feel the richness of inspiration that create his signature sound – ranging from soulful R&B to Heavy Bass future beats. This can be heard on his most recent album “Half as Much” – the album which tells a vivid story of loving someone while also demonstrating JAEL’s intricate lyricism.
This week JAEL shared his PIXTAPE picks and we loved getting to know his favourite songs for a variety of moods. JAEL also gives raw insight into how much of a music-lover he is through his selections, alongside the fun. His picture-painting descriptions show a deep appreciation of the variety of tracks he selected. It is inspiring to see just how far JAEL’s music knowledge goes into informing us of his own artistry, within the much-loved classics as well as some sick new discoveries.
Whilst we can’t stop spinning JAEL’s most recent project, we are so excited to see what music he’s got in the pipeline. Dive into JAEL’s PIXTATE as we challenge you *not* to listen to these songs with a pair of fresh eyes and enthusiasm inspired by his emotions towards them. Stank faces, engineer shoutouts, and all….
JAEL x PIXTAPE Interview
Pick to wake up to: “BJ The Chicago Kid – Turnin’ Me Up”
“This song has really good vibes, super soulful, a bit funky. Imagine waking up, you grab your coffee or getting ready for the day, and you hear this playing. I’ll bet you’ll dance in your living room if you hear this. Good vibes only!”
Pick to sing in the shower: “D’Angelo – Spanish Joint”
“This artist means THE WORLD to me. He is really one of my biggest inspirations. His songwriting, musical touches, the sound, the mix, literally everything about his music is SO amazing. I truly admire him as my king of R&B with the influence of Hip Hop & Soul. This song makes me feel like i’m at a bar in Manhattan, where they play pure bossa nova mixed with R&B influences and i’m drinking my whiskey. A great song to shower to and to sing along”
Pick for the work out: “Ezreaux Damari – J.M.X”
“This song gives me two feelings. Feeling like playing a high energy Soulection DJ set at a small venue but it’s PACKED. I miss these shows a lot. And i feel like working out, getting pumped up! Hype me up! That feeling when you feel like burning up but you still need to do 3 more reps or when you still need to do 2 more laps! I always get super hyped when I listen to music whilst working out. It really gives me that extra push that i need to push my limits. This producer Ezreaux Damari has many of these hype beats. I discovered him on SoundCloud a year ago and think he’s super dope!”
Pick for creative inspiration: “Efe Erdem – Catching Fire”
“When i listen to instrumental music that is rich in chord progressions, beat skips and intense solos, i instantly feel super inspired and creative. this artist called Efe Erdem is an amazing well known Turkish trombonist / componist from Rotterdam. Efe Erdem got to play as sideman for artists such as Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, Bilal, Marcus Miller and many more! The way he play in this song is amazing”
Pick to afterparty to: “Ari PenSmith – City Girl Feat. Jonah Christian”
“I absolutely love everything about this song. Imagine hearing this song at an afterparty at a lovely crib on a hot summers night. Super intimate, everybody is in a lovely vibe and still not ready to leave yet. Chilling and partying until the morning comes”
Pick to romance to: “D’Angelo – Untitled (How Does It Feel)”
“I mean, come on. Do i really have to explain myself on this song?? This song is just EVERYTHING. The harmonies, the lyrics, the tempo, the tension and chemistry, is insanely intimate. D’Angelo for president. 100% pure vibes. always getting chills when i listen to this and i can never skip this song. i even tried to cover this song and i was sweating because of everything that’s happening in this song. so many layers, and in the background there even more layers. The way the bassline flows thru this song is too smooth. The great Pino Palladino knows how to play on whatever, the talent of that man is insane. Also a major shout out to the recording engineer Russel Elevado for engineering and mixing the whole record. if you haven’t listen to D’Angelo’s “Voodoo”, please go check it out, like, RIGHT NOW”
Pick from your childhood: “Santana – Song Of The Wind”
“My dad always played this song for years when I was young, and he still does. While this song was playing, he always played along on his congas. To me this is pure Nostalgia. Because of Santana’s guitar sound i really love the 70’s & 80’s guitar style solos. So sharp and warm. growing up listening to this made me have so much soul and color. alongside Santana, my dad was also listening a lot to Casiopea, a Japanese based Jazz Fusion band what really inspired and motivated me to analyse music from top to bottom. There is just so much rich elements in music from the 70’s/80’s Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion era. This song will be forever in my heart. When my end of days is there, this song has to be played on my funeral, as a tribute to my parents, a thank you for raising me with such good music taste and giving me the right tools to be the man that i am today”
Pick you play when no one else is around: “AFTA-1 – 4nia”
“This is an instrumental song i love to travel with. One time i was flying from Amsterdam to Tokyo with this song on repeat. That’s 11 hours listening to this beat like an endless loop. This song also reminds me of driving a bike in Bali, Indonesia. 37 degrees celsius, cruising down the rice fields with my sunnies on. Catching a breeze. AFTA-1 always comes with that warm drum sounds”
Pick for the long drive: “Butcher Brown – Tidal Wave”
“Ouh!!! This takes me back to Usher’s “Think Of You” (1994) I was only 1 year old haha. But luckily i grew up listening to this song. Sampled Ronnie Laws’s “Tidal Wave” (1975) and it got covered by the amazing band Butcher Brown in 2020. This new colored version of the song has so many new warm and rich elements, and also the DJ Harrison signature sound. I think this is a great song in a playlist for a long drive. I’d be stank facing and head bobbing whilst driving. Sheesh!”
Pick for healing: “Moonchild – Too Much To Ask”
“This song is giving me goosebumps every time i listen to it. The chord progressions are so wild! The voice of Amber Navran is so unique, smooth and silk. i absolutely love the mix of this song too. everything is falling into place. i remember i was so feeling not like myself and really sad about some deep personal stuff at an airport whilst traveling. I played this song, and instantly i felt so good. it really healed my troubles and negative thoughts away. Music is really therapy and meditation to me. sometimes i feel like i’m listening to real magic, just like when i listen to this song by Moonchild”
Get JAEL’s PIXTAPE playlist, by becoming a member.
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Listen to JAEL’s new album ‘Half as much‘ out on all platforms now. Listen to the lead single, an absolute banger called, ‘Red Dots’ below.
