[Read in full on NHAM]

Numskulls, Harlequins & Amusing Misleaders – NHAM Mixtape 10

Released on April Fools’ Day I had to give this one a fitting title. But the tomfoolery stops there. There are no pranks below. Only more great tunes found in The Fediverse.

Last month a brilliant little album of collaborations between artists who connected via Radio Free Fedi was released, including one track featuring yours truly. It was such a top album that I’ve included five of the collaborations within this mix.

The radio show version of this mixtape (where you have to put up with me talking a bit too) can be found on Audio Interface (@audiointerface) from the first Monday of the month.

[If viewing from the Fediverse you need to click here to listen to the mixtape on NHAM]

[If viewing from the Fediverse you need to click here to listen to the mixtape on NHAM]

1. Dancing and Kissing by Bitplanes
CC BY-SA
@bazkie

Kicking off with a most uplifting of tracks for all the dancers, kissers and cuddlers out there.

2. You are not alone by C.Circo and sknob
CC-BY-NC-SA
@CCirco, @sknob

Am I only dreaming? This song is a dream in every sense. I feel like I’ve drifted off under a tree on a lovely sunny day and am dozing in and out of a lovely light dream.

3. origami universe by pulu
CC BY-NC-SA
@ahihi

Originally released on the first disc of last autumn’s 3-disc Not What I Call Bonkwave compilation, origami universe is a triumph in glitching, breaking and euphoric chanting. pulu is Miranda, a ‘computer sound worker’ from Finland.

4. collapse by control.org
CC BY-SA 4.0
@controlfreak

I get real Underworld vibes from this beast of a tune taken from the 2002 album ‘radiate’. Control yourselves!

5. Night Dad by Galaxy Brain
All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
@galaxybrain

London electronic music producer Galaxy Brain named this song after a Korg M1 patch. It comes from a four track EP of the same name which she describes as a love letter to late 80s and early 90s deep house.

6. The Space Between the Sea and the Sky (Default Media Transmitter remix) by Key13
CC BY-NC-SA
@keefmarshall

In mystic tradition ‘thin places’ are energy fields where it is said that the veil between our world and the eternal world is thin. The space on the horizon where the sky meets land or sea is often cited as one of these places. This track captures that essence magnificently.

7. Nothing Comes Around by Edith Frost
All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
@edithfrost

A gorgeous folk pop song from a brand new album by the singer-somgwriter from Austin, Texas.

8. Shame by Matt Young & Edvards
All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
@mattyoung, @EDVARDS

In this relatable tale of regretting youthful misdemeanour, Matt and Edvards combine superbly for a dose of melodic, retro pop-rock.

9. Leave the Light On by Futzle featuring Aelyth from sideSister
All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
@futzle, @elsemusic, @jimbob

Ethereal vocals, captivating chord changes and a swinging beat that you can’t help but nod, tap and groove to.

10. ZOE by Center of the Universe
All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
@counivers

RTFM! Great line. From the album COU which contains eight 3-letter-acronym titled songs, ZOE – presumably about the electric car – heaps the fun in to the funky. The deep vocal and content matter makes this a perfect sequel to Hot Chip’s Playboy (driving in a Peugeot with the top down) for the renewables generation! Although I’m not sure whether Norwegian DJ and artist Center of the Universe sees it that way, citing the album as a collection of obsolete technologies which once had promises of a brighter future.

11. DOINITRITE by Babu Menos
All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
@babumenos

Wow! Nods to Byrne, Gabriel and Bowie in this epic juxtaposition of a funky, happy-sounding groove that depicts an angry, greedy, needy, ruthless and narcissistic world leader who considers himself infallible.

12. That One Day by Default Media Transmitter/Xylander
(Words written by Deborah Pickett, read by Eivind)
CC-BY
@defaultmediatransmitter, @xylander, @eivind

Closing out with the four way collaboration that closed out the Comfy Collaborations album. A mammoth soundscape about the end of everything can really go in no other place. Enjoy it while you can.