Roots and Influences invites our favourite artists, local and afar, to curate a playlist of 10 songs that have inspired their career to date. After releasing her debut EP ‘Promenade’, we asked Léna for a description of 10 of her most inspiring tunes and why they are so special!
Kate Bush – Sensual World
I am a huge fan of Kate Bush’s musical genius! Sensual Word again reminds me of home as my dad is a uilleann pipe player i.e. the Irish bagpipe which you can hear in this track. Out of all the traditional celtic instruments that my dad plays, this one is definitely my favourite!
Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, The Rajasthan Express – Chala Vahi Des
I discovered this track when it was first released back in 2015 and I became obsessed with it instantly. The whole album is incredible and I also recommend the documentary made during the recording of this album in Rajasthan, it’s very interesting to see behind the scenes!
Ashra – Don’t Trust The Kids
Manuel Gottsching is one of my all time favourite German artists, with Ash Ra Tempel and then Ashra, his cosmic and spacy sounds exemplify perfectly what Krautrock is: kosmische Musik, German for “cosmic music”.
The Art of Noise – Moments In Love
When I discovered Moments in Love not that long ago (around 2017) it blew my mind! I had never heard anything like it before and it really ignited an interest in the fairlight CMI sampler which I’ve used in my own productions!
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Hane no Hayashi de
Probably my favourite track by RS! It is not one of his most well-known tracks yet it’s an absolute gem especially the outro (from 3’20)! The build-up and layout of the track is so well-thought and crafted. I’m a huge fan of Sakamoto, another great musical genius who I worship!
Mamman Sani – Dangay Kotyo
Mamman Sani takes me back to my early years of DJing back in 2016/17. This compilation by Sahel Sounds was such a revelation and is so special to me. Some of the best African synth music I got to discover in the last decade!
Brian Eno, David Byrne – Regiment
Amazing example of a track made with a sample which isn’t hip hop! An excellent sample and two phenomenal artists, this sounds like the recipe for a great track and it is! 10/10!
Kamurran Akkor – Ikimiz Bir FIdaniz
First Turkish psychedelic track I ever discovered. What a tune! It is so bittersweet and that is something I really like about Turkish music. The singing is so emotionally charged, it’s as though Kamurran Akkor was singing in tears!
Jorgen Ben Jor – Errare Humanum Est
Saudade is a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia that is an often found characteristic in Portuguese or Brazilian temperament and music. Well you don’t need to look up the definition in the dictionary, just listen to Errare Humanum Est and you’ll understand exactly what saudade means. Sublime!
Make sure you keep an eye out for Léna’s debut EP in record shops and make sure to check out her social for more updates regarding more gigs and releases!
|| LÉNA C||