HOT HALF DOZEN 7.25.23

It’s good to be back. 158 songs waiting for me. Here are my best 6, including a trip to Oz and a new one by Nancy Sanchez

158 songs submitted this week so far.  

Hi, sorry I missed you last week. I had to go to California for a memorial service for a friend from my music community who died recently. But HHD is back now.  

Yo Espararé, single/videos by Daniel, Me Estás Matando.  A “boleroglam”  – a love song with illusion  and pathos and pain, and a bit nostalgia. Swoon and sway to this. From the forthcoming album  Cómo Ruinarte La Vida. Stream on Spotify. Video on YouTube. Spanish

Dame una señal, single by Lika Nova. The second single from what will be their third studio album. Funk guitars, vintage synthesizer sounds and catchy riffs on top of a groovy base for happy dancing. Bouncy, fun, but with a bit of seriousness in the lyrics. On all major music platforms. Spanish.  

Blue Collar Blues, single by 3LH. Plain old funky blues – but not quite. With a bit of echo, a lot of low-end surf guitar and even little “Ghost Riders in the Sky” sound this is so much fun. These SoCal Latino garage surf punks have a winner.  Stream on major music platforms.

It’s easy, single by NinaSophia Pacheco. Pacheco blends her Dominican heritage and natural talent into a neo-soul ballad that showcases her honey smooth voice and feel for unique composition. Just pure pleasure to listen to. Nina currently serves in the Air National Guard Band of the South.  Stream on Spotify. Catch her on the streaming video service Artisan Air. https://www.aflive.tv/series/artisan-air-207020

Tornado, single/video by Havana Winter. LA-based, Norwegian 17-year old singer, actress and TikTok influencer takes us to Oz with this happy, bouncy take off on Dorothy’s  travel in a tornado Fun and a great way to forget her toxic boyfriend.  Stream on all major platforms. Video on YouTube.

Alma Perdida,  single  by Nancy Sanchez. A powerful song that pushes Sanchez’s musical envelope while it makes us feel close and at home with her voice.  Ama Perdido (Lost Soul) is urgent, filled with pathos, and yet is framed in music that is familiar –  a simple Mexican guitar strum and piano is rich with feeling. Whether you understand Spanish or not, this song will go right to your heart and make you cry. Stream on Spotify.

BONUS. Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy. 1961 live recording of their residency at the Village Gate just released by Impulse!  Amateur recording but if you are a Coltrane fan…  

Patrick O’Heffernan