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On Rebalancing Life
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Hey there,
It’s been a while, I know, but I am very happy to finally reconnect over here. I owe you an explanation for my disappearing act so this newsletter will be a bit longer than usual.
My last communication dates back to March 2023. Apologies for going MIA; last year was a whirlwind, I found myself stretched thin, and side projects took a backseat (more on this next month).
After compiling 33 consecutive mixtapes, skipping the APR 2023 one felt weird. The perfectionist in me didn’t like it. For the first time, I did not stick to my monthly commitment. I eventually moved on, telling myself I would not skip the next one. But then the next month rolled around, I was knee-deep in work, and the MAY 2023 mixtape never saw the light of day.
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This pattern of ‘convincing myself and failing’ went on for a few months, and I abandoned the project, telling myself I’d get back to it when I have more time. “Be open to change; it’s okay; things are not meant to last forever,” I scribbled in my notebook in September.
Despite the break, I never stopped listening to music and kept saving standout tracks in a playlist; a pool of songs that might come in handy at some point.
During that time, I also found myself reminiscing about the process of compiling the mixtapes. The research and writing exercises it enabled, the thrill of finally getting the sequencing right after many iterations, the simple act of sharing music, the exchanges and new connections it fostered, and the joy of discovering a great song, knowing it might eventually find its place in the mixtapes archive.
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Some things are not meant to last forever, but others will call you back at some point. You find yourself pulled towards them, unable to dive back just yet, but you know deep down that the door is not completely shut. The timing is just not right.
2024 began with a strong desire to reconsider what I was allocating time to in my life, and whether that was truly aligned with my priorities, interests and aspirations. For a while, I’ve contemplated reducing my work hours to give other projects a fair shot. I’ve recently decided to shift gears and switch to part-time work from June onwards to experiment with a different way of managing my time.
New phase. More time for various projects. Let’s see what the second half of the year brings.
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With that, I am happy to kick off the mixtapes again! Hopefully, you’ll hear from me again at the end of June. By the way, I'll be skipping the track descriptions on the website to keep the process lightweight.
Featuring deep bass lines, soulful arrangements and catchy grooves, the MAY 2024 selection is undeniably anchored in the 70s and 80s. With songs by Crown Heights Affair, Jana Koubková, The Doors, Frankie Smith, James Brown, Parliament and other great musicians from that era, it's edgy, energetic, playful and funky. Greg Foat, Tutankhamun and Golf Trip bring a modern twist to the mix, while Andrea Laszlo de Simone and Lucio Battisti do what they do best: infusing emotional depth with their distinctive Italian flair and rich instrumentation.
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Also, going forward, I will end these newsletters with a short prompt to connect with you more and get to know you on a deeper level. A conversation starter designed to encourage reflection on various topics.
This month’s prompt: what is the most exciting thing that happened to you in the last 12 months?
If you feel inspired to write, hit the reply button. I would love to hear from you. I will read all your messages and write back.
I hope you enjoy the selection. Special mention goes to Curtis Mayfield.
Happy to be back,
Choucri
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SOUL • FUNK • BALEARIC HOUSE • SYNTH-POP
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Featuring James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Parliament, The Floaters, Lucio Battisti and others.
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You're gathered with friends around a bonfire on an empty beach, the sun is setting, the sound of laughter's mixing with the melodies and the music's carrying you away as you move effortlessly.
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