Seven Song Spin, Mugwump Jism Edition

Another week, another seven songs I think you should hear (or revisit).

The full playlist below is here.

Satie Piano Fix: A bit less well known and played to death than his iconic, limpid Gymnopedies, Satie's Gnossiennes (an evocative word he invented) are mostly characterized by a more angular minor-key feel, but this one, only published posthumously, feels like an expansive, discursive variation on the lilting major-seventh harmonies of the Gymnopedies, and the ornamented runs are Chopin-esque.

Trip-Hop Remix: I came by the William Burroughs-inspired drug epic "Bug Powder Dust" thanks to a record store impulse buy, The Rebirth of Cool Vol. 3, a first-rate compilation of electronica, hip-hop, and neo-soul. It's got several essential tracks but this is the one I keep coming back to for its lyrical flow; I only recently sought out the original Bomb the Bass track, which is aggressive and crowded compared to the LA Funk Mob's clear-eyed, open-aired rendition, which adds an insinuating bass line and a trip-hoppier drum pattern.

Voice and Drums: I have to credit the Chicago's Jim DeRogatis for turning me on to Chic Gamine, a Canadian group which consists of a quartet of vocalists and a drummer—and that's it. Without gimmicks, or any other musical instruments, they create a remarkably full throwback sound.

Ode to a Pineapple: I've written before about how a Hawaiian slide guitar is the thing cinched the deal on Kurt Weill for me. In "It Couldn't Please Me More" from Cabaret, it's there to punctuate references to an awkward, exotic fruit gift from a widower to a landlady—and there's a Weill connection here too, since the original cast has his widow, Lotte Lenya, in the role of Fraulein Schneider. It's all exquisite and funny and sweet, with a final guitar slide conveying a swell of emotion beyond words.

Guitar Power Pop: The algorithms led me inevitably to the great New Jersey trio Queen of Jeans, who combine slightly dreamy vocals with surging electric guitars. "UR My Guy" has an engagingly retro feel and an almost comically low opening melody for lead singer Miriam Devora.

Past Perfect: I've already raved about Le Nozze di Figaro in this space, particularly Cherubino's tunes. This version of his most achingly sincere lament, "Voi che sapete," features the peerless mezzo Cecilia Bartoli accompanied by the great pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet—an embarrassment of riches.

Guitar Power Pop II: I'm overdue for a deep dive into the greatness of the Kinks, but for now I leave you with this utterly infectious yet subtly barbed nod to nostalgia, "Picture Book."