Zen and the Art of Playlist Curation

“When I'm weak, I draw strength from you/And when you're lost I know how to change your mood/And when I'm down you breathe life over me/Even though we're miles apart we are each other's destiny”

—“Destiny” by Zero 7 feat. Sia and Sophie Barker

Downtempo, trip hop, jazz rap, acid jazz, classical crossovers: the 90s and early Aughts were ground zero for a more quiet and contemplative sound. The response to the dark and brooding of Alternative, the political Hip Hop, or the heavy computer-generated Techno of “all night dance parties”...we needed a wind-down.

Think solemn beats from a drum pad or a 3-piece set, lullabies over groovy synthesizers, or a string section that is anything but classical. There were also poets that spat rhymes over trumpets and saxes, and cool cats that beatboxed head-bopping bass lines. It’s genre-blending and borrowing; mashups before the term “mashup” was even a thing.

Picture underground lounges where your server with the shoulder tattoo and eyebrow piercing brought you cocktails while you smoked cigarettes at your table, and discussed the implications of NAFTA and globalization with your date.

It was far from a more simpler time. If anything it was an era where no topic was universally one-sided and everything was up for debate. Our questions were best expressed through creating, and the result was some of the richest and nuanced music in modern times. The irony of it is that we while we were making everything complicated, ultimately our goal was to find zen, a place of peace.

This was my coming-of-age soundtrack, and the music I turn to for comfort. Here is a sampling from my zen playlist:

Zero 7: Destiny feat Sia and Sophie Barker

In 2001, a little up-and-comer named Sia Furler teamed up with Sophie Barker and UK Electronic duo Zero 7 on the feature track from their album Simple Things. Close your eyes and listen to the trip-hoppy beat as Sia softly croons about her destiny—or keep your eyes wide open (and mouth shut) as you take in the hypnotic animation of the music video.

A Tribe Called Quest: Low End Theory

The quintessential jazz rap album, and one of the best hip hop albums ever, period. This is not just my opinion—you will find this record on dozens of best-of lists. It was a sonic masterpiece. The distinctive fluid voice of Q-Tip contrasts with the deep and smoky poetry of Phife Dawg (rest in power) and together they harmonize raps over low-fi beats and complimentary horns. This was the album that got you into hip hop even if you thought you didn’t like hip hop. (Not me, however. I’ve been a true hip hop fan since the 4th grade.) “Check the Rime”, “Jazz (We’ve Got)” and “Scenario” are the highlights—put them on to start out your downtime session. Pairs well with a smooth indica.

Afiara Quartet and Skratch Bastid: “Skratch My Bach”

Speaking of hip hop, one of the best things about modern versions of the genre is how eclectic and experimental it can be. Makes sense, as hip hop was founded on the concept of remix.

One of the boldest and best-executed fusions of musical genres is Hip Hop and Classical. On constant replay in my library is the collab of Afiara Quartet, and Skratch Bastid, a household name in the world of Turntabalism. Though their album Spin Cycle is from 2015, I cannot write about a zen playlist without mentioning this awesome project. Skratch Bastid is a phenom on the 1s and 2s and the quartet is made up of classically trained talents.

Each member gets their own track and a chance to battle the DJ, and when it’s over I’m sure that they drop their bow to a chorus of “ohhhhh!!!!”s. Check out track 8, “Skratch My Bach” and I dare you not to feel moved.

Radiohead, Kid A

As a child of the 90s of course in my playlist I have Radiohead, but I like to group my Radiohead listening to pre- or post-Kid A.

Kid A is when the band put away the guitars for a minute to make room for classical instruments, ambient and atmospheric sounds, and electronic beats. They play with bells, drum machines, jazzy horns, ever-so-slight crash and ride cymbals and Thom Yorke applies a softer touch, yet still the same energy. This is an album to listen to with your eyes closed, so avoid operating heavy machinery.

Like The Low End Theory, this is an album that isn’t just made up of great songs here and there. This is a concept album and a must-listen from beginning to end.

Although this was the music from my youth, the sounds continue to inspire today. I hope it inspires you.

Now, open up your streaming app, put in your earbuds, close your eyes and find your zen zone.