5 tracks for Friday (week4)
Every Friday, we’ll be posting "5 tracks for Friday". Tracks from past and present that caught our ears during the week in terms of quality and vibe…as simple as that.
Freedom (Make It Funky) - Black Magic
Year - 1992
Label - Strictly Rhythm.
A cornerstone of early 90s NYC house music, this track is an absolute classic in terms of the "Strictly Rhythm sound” a raw, driving, and heavily sample-based aesthetic that defined the city's club scene during that era. Produced by the prolific Chicago house veteran Lil Louis, the track is built around a heavy, swinging drum machine rhythm and an infectious, chopped-up vocal loop that is complemented by crashing symbols while nodding towards classic disco and gospel. Legend, "Little" Louie Vega, one half of Masters At Work, was on drum programming duties.
Doing Our Thing With Pride - Al-Dos Band
Year - 1977
Label - Warmer Productions
Al-Dos Band was a talented, tight-knit soul, funk, and gospel ensemble founded by husband-and-wife duo William and Mary Robinson. The track itself is a quintessential example of independent 70s soul—a vibrant, uplifting anthem defined by its infectious, percolating bassline, sparkling electric piano chords, and powerful, multi-layered vocal harmonies. The song’s message centred on self-respect, community, and the dignity of "doing your thing"—is delivered with a sense of pure, unadulterated joy that feels both deeply intimate and broadly celebratory.
Sonder - Barry Can't Swim
Year - 2022
Label - Technicolour
Hailing from Scotland, Joshua Mannie (who performs as Barry Can't Swim) has quickly gained acclaim for his ability to blend organic jazz-inspired instrumentation with driving, contemporary dance rhythms.
"Sonder" is a perfect example of his signature sound, a vibrant, synth-heavy house track that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. It features a bright, interlocking melodic structure driven by bubbling synths and sharp, rhythmic percussion. The track leans heavily into a "sun-drenched" production style, utilising warm, percussive stabs and a complex, layered arrangement that keeps the listener engaged throughout.
San Juan Sunset - Eumir Deodato
Year - 1978
Label - Warner Bros
San Juan Sunset is a sophisticated, breezy jazz-fusion track by the legendary Brazilian composer and producer Eumir Deodato. It was featured on his 1978 album Love Island. The track epitomises the late-70s "crossover" sound that Deodato pioneered, a seamless, polished blend of jazz, bossa nova, and lush, cinematic orchestral arrangements. It is characterised by its smooth, relaxed groove, sparkling electric piano melodies, and intricate, layered instrumentation that perfectly evokes the tropical, sun-drenched atmosphere implied by the album's title.
Little Feet - Mykki Blanco
Year - 2026
Label -Transgressive Records
The track serves as an exuberant, late-night anthem that blurs the lines between dance-pop, queer club culture, and modern R&B. The song's lyrical focus, capturing the intimacy and uninhibited joy of street life and late-night connection, creates a cinematic, urban atmosphere, resulting in a track that is as much about the physical act of dancing as it is about the emotional liberation found on the dance floor.