There’s a certain group out there, a faction of sorts, who continue to insist I make playlists for this newsletter. Not just any playlists but *gasp*… Spotify playlists. In fact, one particular friend / fan / malcontent has even gone so far as to create said playlists, documenting each issue of Music Regular. You won’t find me promoting them here. Truthfully, you won’t find me promoting much of anything here. I’m more inclined towards a digression. A meander. Some lite musing.
My distaste for Spotify aside, I don’t feel like The Reg is curated in a way that suits playlisting. Each issue is intentionally broad and eclectic, yet each issue hangs—somehow—together. In trying to make sense of this vector of my own curation, I’m reminded of something songwriter Mick Jones says in the documentary Westway To The World. In defense of Sandanista! (The Clash’s bloated, genre-hopping fourth album), Jones explains that he envisioned the triple LP as “a record for people who were, like, on oil rigs, or Arctic stations; people that weren't able to get to the record shops regularly.” It’s a hilarious idea. And a noble, albeit somewhat misguided, pursuit.
The hope, I suppose, is that each issue of Music Regular could conceivably be stretched out and savoured. That the selections herein could really last, and open onto many lifetimes of listening (as opposed to being cued up all automated and bingey-like). Anyway, I bring all this up because I actually think this particular issue would make a pretty bangin’ playlist. Whado I know?
click the cover to listen or go your own way ~~
3 Chairs - Collection 1997-2013
Four of Detroit’s finest producers serving up inventive, soulful, detail-oriented house jamz. The whole thing feels intrinsic—seductive on a lizard-brain level. Like there’s some force inside me, larger than me, connected to my humanness, compelling me toward these chunes.
Raincoats - Moving (1984)
Due to a troubling obsession with The Cannon™ as a young lad, I never bothered to listen beyond the first two Raincoats albums (if you’ve not heard them, you simply must: it’s the law.) This gem of a third album only came into my life recently. It’s cleaner, brighter and decidedly more linear than the albums preceding it. Sure, you lose some of the sudden thrills and murky diversions that make those first two really special - but Moving is a very good and nice thing in its own right.
Gov Lewis & Jimmy Ranks - Dub Rise (1993)
Might be the edible talking, but I think this is one of my favorite dub LPs of all time? 100% dialed-in digital bizness from the early 90s. Is dub the only genre wherein one can riff on the James Bond theme and be taken seriously? Is dub the only genre? IS ALL MUSIC DUB MUSIC??
Okonski - Magnolia (2023)
Profoundly tuneful, laid back jazz best suited for evenings. Magnolia is somber yet balmy. There’s an ease to it, a sweetness. The trio had apparently set out to make quite a different, more beat-oriented album. Then, late into the studio session, struck this magical mood while improvising. Subsequently, they booked an entirely separate session dedicated to improv and this is what unfurled. Just lovely.
Joel Andrews - Paradise Bird (1985)
Some days, I think I might finally be through the ambient / new age moment we’ve all been collectively manifesting for the past 7 years or so. Other days, I put on Paradise Bird and listen to a man with Disney-level enthusiasm dialogue with a fictitious bird over the cheeriest harp song I’ve ever heard. The song proceeds for 20 minutes. Absolutely none of its unfettered joy diminishes. It lifts me up. It lifts us all up.
*Paradise Bird was reissued by Yoga Records at the tail end of last year, on the very day I published my 2024 reissue and archival edition (oh well)
ICYMI, I started a donations page. All the money I receive will go back towards music (eg. purchasing physical/digital music, merch, concert tickets, supporting other music outlets, etc.). If you’re not able to support the newsletter financially (no presh!), you might also consider liking / sharing / following on Instagram.
ALSO, I started a ~*fun*~ tracking sheet that provides transparency on donations and spending. It also includes links to my Bandcamp + Discogs profiles. This is as much about accountability as it is an experiment in tracking my own financial investments in music over a calendar year.
I’m super interested in feedback / dialogue / suggestions. If you have ideas about the newsletter, want to share music with me, have specific questions / requests, don’t hesitate to get in touch. And please: share this newsletter with a pal if you feel so inspired!
Yrs.,
Andrew P.
andrewdanielpatterson [at] gmail [dot] com
Hola , Los Albunes Mencionados Son Un Diamante Musical. Aquí Te Dejo Dos Albunes Que Llevo Escuchando Unos Días. 1- https://sockettrecords.bandcamp.com/album/old-school-revisited-15-track-cd. 2- https://neoouija1.bandcamp.com/album/cottage-industries-11