The best thing about being a skateboarder is having a common ground with all the weirdos, doodlers, stoners, dweebs, bookworms, nerds, chongos, and the rest of the lot that likes to push the plank of four wheels. It’s fun to talk about the minute details of tricks while skating, but it’s more fun to talk about books, changing diapers, or your plant-watering schedule in between tricks. What I’m rambling at it is that it’s nice to have associates and acquaintances that know a lot about shit that you know very little about, especially if you want to know more about that shit. If you can leave a session with more book suggestions than shinners, you’ve got a good buddy. So consider this a long-distance session with Mat O’Brien, a ruler on a skateboard, an inspiring doodler (as you see above), and a guy that knows just what to drop the needle on. Dig through your record store crates or whatever bits and bytes make up the music service you prefer to track some of Mat's picks down. —Jeff Thorburn
Wire, On Returning
My friend Eli made me a Wire compilation some years ago. It was mislabeled and because of that I always mix up what the actual song titles are. This has turned into my get-hyped-to-roll record. It's a poppy, post-punk record with quick jams throughout. Also worth mentioning: it's visually stunning. The cover is a mash up of 3 separate Wire album covers: 154, Chairs Missingand Pink Flag. I dig it. Just hang it on your wall even if you don't like the music. Its crazy how good it’s cropped in the square. It reminds me of Instagram and how well things look in that square format. Or could look. Or should. I wish more of us were inspired by album covers like this...you know? That square can hold anything...it's not just for your round face perfectly centered...wink emojis.
Herbie Mann, Stone Flute
In exploring all things Eric Dolphy and his flute-ness, I came across this Herbie Mann LP. It may have been a tip from Rich Jacobs. If you want to learn some shit talk to that dude. Rich is such an encyclopedia of all things music. My favorite tune is ‘In Tangier/Paradise Beach’ Part B. ‘Paradise Beach’ is so catchy. I feel like it was used in a movie before but I can't put my finger on it as to why it's so familiar. Anyone recognize it? Let me know. I guarantee you'll whistle this jam all day annoying everyone within earshot.
Morrissey, Viva Hate
Now the times are different. Our community seems open and tolerant. But there was a time in a macho and temporary world of skateboarding where it was hard to find a conversation about Moz that wasn't depicting the frail or the pale. Viva Hate, possibly your favorite? Mine too. You want to know why? Vini Reilly that's why! I discovered Vini and Durutti Column through this LP and I am forever grateful for it too. It's a perfect collab between these two epic gents. Even if Morrissey has a hard time giving Vini the credit he deserves.
Yusuf Lateef, Eastern Sounds
I think it’s a good thing I don't know much about the long and expansive world of jazz music. There’s so much to learn. What's the rush? I'll just happen upon something I like and go heavy into that direction. This album seems indelible to my listening journey. Maybe it will give you a similar reaction, one that involves not letting a week go by without playing it. It's crazy how it starts off with ‘The Plum Blossom’, which is basically written and played on a twelve hundred year old clay flute about the size of a grapefruit. Gnarly.
Cluster & Eno
The song ‘Wehrmut’; I'll put this on often at night. I quit smoking over 5 years ago. I miss it terribly. In a way this track reminds me of how it felt. Gives me the same sensation a good smoke would after accomplishing something.
The Durutti Column, A Paean To Wilson
Such a beautiful dedication from one friend to another. Intro, 'Or are you just a technician', I used in a Krooked edit for an artist guest board video. I was really into how much the bass was bumping with the action in the video. But it didn't really translate unless you listened with headphones. Vini Reilly dedicated this to his friend Tony Wilson who for many years was perhaps Vini's biggest fan. Even giving Vini his first break with releasing The Return of the Durutti Column on Factory Records. From what I've read, Tony didn't so much dig Vini's voice, often requesting him to keep his mouth shut. Given that, it's mainly sound samples, piano, and some brass. The scattered guitar riffs throughout are pure juice. They will have you scratching your head like, ‘Who is this creep?’ There's no bad way to approach this record. It's really good and so incredibly thoughtful. ‘Brother’, a Marvin Gaye sampled tune, will absolutely leave you gutted. Slayed, left for dead. Enjoy.
Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska
This is probably already in your arsenal but worth mentioning. You don't have to be a 100% fan of The Boss either to get down on this. It's solid story telling through and through. Maybe even timeless. If the street cred' on this bad boy isn't enough, rumors have it that around this time New Jersey's finest shared some studio space with then avant fuc-tards Alan Vega and Martin Rev of Suicide. Although I'd love to buy into the hearsay, when I think of the out of character and passionate hollers and yelps from Bruce I'm just not sure. When I think of Suicide I think of songs like 'Cheree’ or 'Johnny' from 1977. And this Nebraska LP came out in 1982 I think? I don't know, maybe they did share a studio, but actively? Not sure I'm buying it. Anyways, back to the story telling. These songs included are feel for your fellow man, rich, and earnest lyrics folks. Look at the song 'Highway Patrolman':
"I always done an honest job as honest as I could
I got a brother named Franky and Franky ain't no good
Now ever since we was young kids it's been the same come down
I get a call on the short wave Franky's in trouble downtown.
Well if it was any other man, I'd put him straight away.
But when it's your brother sometimes you look the other way”
Are you fucking kidding me? Amazing stuff. Reminds me of a scene out of a Coen Brothers movie.
KLF, Chill Out
Here's another record where I'm praising the importance of having friends more musically interesting then yourself. Chill Outis a 1990 concept LP designed to sooth and pad the descent from a night of dancing and drugging about within the London club scene of that time. The idea is to become one with the couch and pillows as you travel with the loops and sound samples that have been masterly woven throughout. The bites include Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Tuvan throat singers, the steel guitar playing of Graham Lee and more. My friend Brian turned me onto it and I would YouTube it for years before finding a copy I could afford. It's a bit hard to find so maybe just leave it on your want-list on Discogs and jump at it when you find one that's reasonably priced. Consider it a work of art and play it proud, it's so excellent. The whole KLF story is kind of fascinating really.
Tony Scott, Hōzan Yamamoto, Shinichi Yuize, Music for Zen Meditation
I'll put this on when I'm in need of a ‘time out' with music. It's nice as background noise where you're not paying attention to it. Maybe morning style would work well. Early Verve Records shit like this you can find in most New Age sections of your used record store. Next to the 3$ Tangerine Dream LPs. Whenever my mom comes to visit she requests this record. Most of my music seems to irritate her so it's pretty nice to share some time zoning out to together. You don't have to know about any spiritual aspects of being Zen to enjoy this. I feel that's just silly marketing anyways. What does come through on the record is both collaborative and an improvisation that seems very natural. Less contrived then some music solely targeting a spiritual audience. It's chill but not so chill you lose appreciation for the mellowness.
Bruce Langhorne, The Hired Hand Soundtrack
So this is record number 10. No epic peeks in this little collection. No hair banging. Just wanted to share some jams I find go well with life. Like the KLF Chill Out description it's meant to play from start to finish. Fittingly it listens like a film so set aside some proper escapism time. It's really pretty and deserves sunglasses while exploring. Good for bike rides around lakes or open fields kind of vibes. It's really nice and easy. I've never ridden a horse but I think the guy on the cover may have listened to it that way.
Backside Tailslide shot by Richard Hart.