By Henry Thomas
In my humble opinion, there isn’t a better pairing in the world than good tunes and a delicious meal. Some of my favorite Spotify curated playlists are best enjoyed with the smell of simmering veggies and other treats. Hungry? You’d better give these a follow and heat up those burners!
(In no particular order!)
- Global Funk
I’ve been listening to this one for a while, and it has never failed to entertain. It kicks things off with the Talking Heads “I Zimbra” and takes us on a global journey deep into the pocket. My personal favorites are Cymande’s “Brothers on the Slide”, Kiki Gyan’s “Disco Dancer”, and the eternal classic “Fantastic Man” by William Onyeabor. Not a bad place to start your culinary journey!
- Rare Soul Grooves
I found this one a few weeks ago, and it truly blew my socks off. I definitely consider myself to be a fan of obscure RnB from the 60s and 70s, but most of these tracks were brand new to me. What makes this playlist so awesome is the inclusion of deep cuts from iconic artists that compliment the other gems from less famous acts. For example, the one Aretha Franklin track is an outtake of “Talk to Me, Talk to Me” from a 1969 session that wasn’t released until 2007. Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas, and Donny Hathaway also make appearances here, but the real stars are the gems that you find on shuffle. Dig in!
- Badass Women
This one is a little less up to date, with most of the tracks being uploaded last winter. Nevertheless, it seems like all of my favorite indie artists are included here, such as Chastity Belt, Hatchie, Phoebe Bridgers, Pageants, and many more. With a wide variety of genres present, this playlist makes for a varied and engaging listening experience. From the folky songwriting of Lucy Dacus to the axe wielding badassery of Courtney Barnett, there is really something in here for everyone.
- Early Alternative
Feeling nostalgic? Want to unleash your inner punk? I think I have the playlist for you. This one isn’t explicitly punk, but that attitude drives these songs forward. Jumping around the decades, the variety of this playlist keeps bringing me back. The weird humor of Jonathan Richman’s “I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar” combined with the raw power of The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog”? Forget about it. I’m hooked. Put on some sunglasses, wear some black leather, get fired up.
- Low-Key
I know, I know. I came in a little hot with Global Funk up top. All of the other playlists included here are mostly up-tempo, so I’ve decided to settle y’all down with this smooth mix. There’s a little bit of everything here. Some Hip-Hop, some RnB, some Bedroom Pop, and lots of other good stuff. If I were you, I’d turn this on right when the wine gets poured and the table is set. Happy eating folks!
Sept 27, 2019
Featured image: Talking Heads