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Baker's Dozen

Ancient Rhythms, Global Rhythms: Pete Wareham's Favourite Records
Adam Quarshie , April 1st, 2020 09:28

Via his ensemble Melt Yourself Down, saxophonist Pete Wareham reimagines the rhythms and melodies of Nubia. Adam Quarshie caught up with him to discuss some of his influences, from the music of Egypt and Sudan to the music of East London.

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Love – 'A House Is Not A Motel'
I noticed that the Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, Love and Miles Davis were all from 1967. I wonder if that was another coincidence or was that an era you were drawn to?

Like I say, it all happened at the same time when I was 18, when I suddenly discovered all of that 60s culture. Really, The Beatles should be there as well but I wanted to avoid putting stuff on the list that was too obvious. Also with this list, I wanted some stuff that was formative, as opposed to just the stuff I listen to a lot and there's something about that album, Forever Changes. I don't know what it is about 1967, I hadn't really thought about that. 69's a good year as well. 64 was a really good year, 59 was a good year. 73 was a good year.

I guess this is one of the softer tracks one your list, a lot of the other stuff is a bit more intense or in your face.

Yeah, I do listen to quite a lot of gentle music, I've noticed. The other album that should be on here is Anderson Paak, Malibu. I was obsessed with that album. It's not gentle but it's not in your face either. Also there's no Stevie Wonder on here either. Sometimes the music I play is quite intense but the music I listen to isn't necessarily. There's something about this Love album that's really intoxicating and it never seems to lose its colour. It never fades. It's a bit like the Velvet Underground, the colour hit you get when you first listen to it, it stays.