SWEETDRAM'S MONTHLY LISTENING (PART 6)

Jamie Wightman looking through vinyls from wall of records

As late summer begins to give way towards early autumn, my listening habits become a little more quiet and introspective.

Gone are most of the bright and breezy selections; music bristling with energy, optimism and exuberance to soundtrack those long sun-drenched evenings. In their place come more mysterious sounds, coloured by a sense of change and flux.

Music reflects my mood as much as it dictates it and September has always felt like the most transitional time of the year for me. As the weather begins to change and the days grow shorter, the month begins to feel like one long intake of breath, as if steeling itself for the inevitable turning of the leaves, the chill in the air and the long winter ahead.

With that in mind, this month I’ve picked a selection of ten tracks that evoke feelings of anticipation and transformation; from the sinuous, Sufi-inspired sounds of Pakistani composer and vocalist Arooj Aftab to the haunting synthesiser work of New Age pioneer, JD Emmanuel; the uplifting collective prayer of renewal by percussionist Kahil El’Zabar to the cathartic and cinematic arrangements of the mighty David Axelrod.

I hope you find something of value that resonates within these selections.