It’s been a long time since I made a mix since I've been doing more live DJ and radio sets. But music curation is a form of expression, creative outlet and catharsis for me. Having been in a space of grief, healing and feeling totally outside of my body at times since my dad died, I decided to share some music that has helped ground, comfort or uplift me over the past few months. I hope it wraps you tightly, makes you feel free and soothes your spirit as it has for me. From my heart to yours. Track list below:

Daniela Andradae – Alone
Nick Hakim – Let It Out
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Child of the Sun
Badbadnotgood – Fall in Love
Nai Palm – Homebody
Rosie Lowe – Afterlife Pt. 1
Emanative f/ Ahu – Turn Your Lights On
Flying Lotus f/ Devin Tracy – The Room
Bjork – I Miss You (Dobie Rub Remix)
TOWA TEI -Technova
HaHa Sounds Collective f/ Latetia Sadier – Silk Rock
Kadhja Bonet – Joy
Helado Negro – Aguas Frias
Dal f/ Leah Yeger – Those Days
Vbnd f/ Katie Tupper and Justice Der – Daughter of the Sun
Dudley Perkins f/ Declaime – Flowers
Pete Kuzma f/ Bilal – High and Dry
Mos Def – May-December
Hiroshi Suzuki – Romance
Tarika Blue – Dreamflower
Mandrill – Chutney
Jamiroquai – Morning Glory
Koop f/ Yukimi Nagano – Whenever There Is You
Betty Carter – Open The Door
Dorothy Ashby – Little Sunflower
Roy Ayers – Sunshine (Demo)
Michael White – The Blessing Song
Sons and Daughters of Lite – Let the Sun Shine In

Outofbody

If you know me, you know I love sharing music more than anything in the world. I've done dozens of compilations for blogs and music sites, but wanted to create a fresh, new platform. 

This is the first volume of a new series, The Sweet Spot, which aims to highlight music that falls within a particular category. In this case, classic and rare gems that came out during a special 3-year moment in musical history (99-01). From Mama's Gun to Supreme Clientele to In Search of...so many memorable albums made during that time.

Each volume will highlight a new artist or photographer, DJ and blend together for your listening pleasure. Play it loud and send it to friends. Enjoy.

1.	Common- Time Travelin’ (A Tribute to Fela)
2.	The Roots f/ Common- Act Too (Love of My Life)
3.	Mos Def- Love
4.	Jill Scott f/ Mos Def- Love Rain (Head Nod mix)
5.	India Aire f/ Talib Kweli- Simple (Love 360 mix)
6.	Lucy Pearl- Dance Tonight
7.	Slum Village- Climax (Girl Shit)
8.	Common- Nag Champa (Afrodisiac For The World)
9.	Musiq Soulchild- Settle for My Love
10.	Jazzyfatnastees- Unconventional Ways
11.	Erykah Badu- Didn’t Cha Know
12.	Amel Larrieux- Get Up
13.	Mos Def-Umi Says
14.	D’Angelo-Spanish Joint
15.	Res-Let Love
16.	N.E.R.D.-Run to the Sun

The Sweet Spot Vol. 1: Honeycuts 99-01

And here we are again! The response to the first volume was so positive and warmly received. I am very appreciative of everyone who listened, shared, and posted it to their own sites!
I was nearly done with this one around the time I shared the first, but the more I listened, I decided I wanted it to rework it a bit. It picks up right where Vol.1 left off and then it slows downnnnn and transitions from neo-soul and hip-hop to a bit more of R&B.
All of the material falls within the classic and rare gems that came out during a special 3-year moment in musical history (99-01). Enjoy, and share my loves!

1.	Q-Tip Things You Do
2.	OutKast-Slum Beautiful
3.	Dead Prez-Mind Sex (the end can be cut short it’s long with all the poetry)
4.	Bilal-Soul Sista
5.	Pharoahe Monche- The Light
6.	Slum Village- The Look of Love (Remix)
7.	Talib Kweli f/ Les Nubians – Love Language
8.	Mary J Blige- Beautiful Ones
9.	India Aire- Strength, Courage + Wisdom
10.	Lucy Pearl- Everday
11.	Donnell Jones- Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)
12.	R. Kelly- Strip For You
13.	AAliyah- It’s Whatever (Chopped and Screwed)
14.	Ginuwine- None Of Your Friends Business 
15.	Carl Thomas – Hey Now

The Sweet Spot Vol. 2: Honeycuts(99-01)

The first of a monthly series of music I have in heavy rotation. Tracklist below:

Kaytranada f/ Rochelle Jordan - Lover/Friend
Naomi Sharon - If This is Love
Live East - Lve Unlimited
Wain - Funds
Duckwrth - 007 Jersey
Arin Ray - Save it All
Destin Conrad, Jordan Ward - One Thing
Ego Ella May - Higher Self
Tomike, 1000 Beasts - Cherry Delight
Romderful - Primetime
Amaria - Day by Day
Anaiis - Vanishing
Coco O. - Choral
Daniela Andradae, R U Off, Swayvay - Jordan
Shay Lia, Buddy - Ego
Mndsgn, Devin Morrison - Hours After Interlude
Orion Sun - Dirty Dancer
Smino, Enny - Charge it to The Game
Madkeys, Donald Williams - Big Open Spaces
Westside Gunn, Conway, The Alchemist - Fuck & GetHhigh

NoSkips Vol. 1

This time of year is made for music. It’s cold out and we spend more time indoors, with loved ones, gathering and sharing whatever is important to us. 

This mix initially started as very psychedelic and then segued into more of a funk/disco/soul blend. Most people who know my taste in music know I’m drawn to the 70s. It’s why I collect vinyl. I’m just an old soul. Eddie Kendricks’ “Intimate Friends” is one of the last songs I decided to add, but probably the most critical in the overall theme. It helped me arrive at the name HIGHER — thinking of the two things that give me a natural high: love and music. I played it for a friend who described it perfectly "It's like waking up, having a dope day with your lady, going to a disco and heading into a late, sexy night."  Hope you’ll let this one ride out and warm you up on a cold day, share and enjoy. xoxo

1.	Ramp- Daylight
2.	Johnny Hammond- Why Can’t We Smile
3.	Isaac Hayes- Hung Up on My Baby
4.	Roy Ayers- Get On Up, Get on Down
5.	Bobbi Humphrey- Blacks and Blues
6.	Sly and the Family Stone- Family Affair
7.	Curtis Mayfield- Give Me Your Love
8.	Deneice Williams- Free
9.	Sylvia Robinson- Give Me A Little Action
10.	Leon Haywood- I Want’a Do Something Freaky to You
11.	Marvin Gaye- Since I Had You
12.	Heatwave- Star of the Story
13.	The Moments- Sexy Mama
14.	Tom Brock- More and More


The Sweet Spot Vol. 3: Higher

A monthly series of music I have in heavy rotation. Tracklist below:
1.	Moon Soul – Baby I Won’t
2.	Akemi Fox – So Fine
3.	Nick Hakim – M1
4.	Matt Martians – Rushback
5.	Lil Yachty – A Cold Sunday
6.	Dave East, Harry Fraud – Bacc 2 Harlem 
7.	Cash Cobain, Bay Swag - Fisherrr
8.	Schoolboy Q – Bluesides
9.	Liv East – So Badly
10.	Rose Gold – Soon As I Get Home (Remi Oz Remix)
11.	Ashley Iman - MARSEILLE
12.	BINA. – Do Not Disturb
13.	Lucy Park – All Roads
14.	Dylan Guy, Edaja - Garden
15.	Sango f/ Rochelle Jordan – Show
16.	TrvplawdBeats – Persian Rug (Jersey Club)
17.	GROOVY – Platonic
18.	Smino, Lil Uzi Vert - Pudgy
19.	Muhammad Smith f/ Dancingwater – Slowly is the Fastest Way
20.	Kelela – Enough for Love
21.	Sabrina Claudio – Modo Avion
22.	BOSO f/ Dana Willams – Greenlight
23.	Donkeychote – Easy Seed
24.	Khruangbin – A Love International

NoSkips Vol. 2

Another round of NoSkips, this time an all R&B edition. Tracklist below. Enjoy!

1. IAMDDB - iBiZA
2. Leon Thomas - Vibes Don’t Lie
3. LARA f/ Ambré - Like Dat
4. Shenie Fogo - Sublime
5. Amaria - Beggin’
6. Rayana Jay - Garden
7. Jean Deux - Situations
8. Ambré - SWV
9. Pip Millett f/ Mariah the Scientist - Have Your Babies
10. Kehlani f/ DIXSON - Slow Dance
11. Xavier Omar f/ ELHAE - It’s All There (Secrets)
12. THEHONESTGUY- SKIN TO SKIN
13. Nippa f/ Larry June - Sugar
14. Kenyon Dixon - Freaky
15. Foggieraw f/ Ari Lennox - Stay A While
16. Bathe - Avalon
17. Shae Universe - OOTW
18. Nia Smith - Personal
19. Liv East - Freak
20. Demae - Speechless
21. DESTIN CONRAD f/ Alex Isley - SAME MISTAKE
22. UNA MIA - Lose You
23. Sophie Marks - Let Me In
24. Jorja Smith - Greatest Gift (Reimagined)
25. MADELEINE - See Me Too
26. Laila! - Coupé DeVille

NoSkips Vol. 3

I have ideas for mixes all the time. I’ve done more than I can remember. I began working on one after Sweet Spot Vol.3: Higher was complete. I was trying to commit to doing an alternative/rock mix since I skew really heavily towards soul music. I listen to everything though, and that’s not always represented in my projects. However, something about it wasn’t clicking. Sometimes, you just need to put things down when you hit a creative block.

While putting that one on the shelf, one Saturday, I was just playing what I felt like hearing in that moment, with no rhyme or reason. Collectively, those songs just felt good and I kept dragging them into an iTunes folder called “No Theme.” And that is how Saturday came together. Very electronic and mellow with lots of remixes from rising producers. I learn something about myself each time I do one of these. In this case, less (thinking) is more (fun). Play it, enjoy it and share it. Appreciate the support as always.
xM

1.	Hiatus Kaiyote - Laputa
2.	D’Angelgo - Betray My Heart [Remix]
3.	Knx.- Rownmywai
4.	AlunaGeorge- Supernatural
5.	HXNS - Good Girl
6.	Knx. - Parti
7.	Knx. - Vallyofthusknz
8.	Shakehips - I’m Gone
9.	Jazmine Sullivan- Mascara
10.	Kaytranada- Drive Me Crazy
11.	Les Sins - Grind (Aphelion Edit)
12.	Kelela- Guns & Synths
13.	Empress Of - Hat Trick
14.	Little Dragon - Cat Rider
15.	Frank Ocean - At Your Best


The Sweet Spot Vol. 4: Saturday

Here's the 4th round of No Skips. Tracklist below. Enjoy!

Budgie – Forecast
Kaytranada – Don’t Worry Babe / I Got You
ELHAE – Touch f/ Goldlink
DHANYA – To Be Found f/ Azekiel and anaiis
Odeal – Miami f/ Leon Thomas
Amaria – All I’d Ever Known
Venna - Myself f/ Jorja Smith
Anaiis – My World (Beyond)
Alex Isley – Thank You For A Lovely Time
kwn – back of the club
Isaia Huron – THROUGH YOU? (INTERLUDE)
DESTIN CONRAD - WASH U AWAY f/ Terrance Martin
Nolais – Shouldn’t Have
Nyah Grace – Only Mine
ELHAE - I Choose You f/ Ambre
India Shawn -Cotton Candy Blvd f/ Lucky Daye
KAIRO – Placeholder f/ Amelia Moore
SAILORR- ITADAKIMASU
Jenevieve – Crysalis
RUBII – No Love
Sasha Keable – Can’t Stop
bLAck pARTy – Sweet f/ Mack Keane
Edbl - Final Round f/ Maya Law
Venna – Twisting f/ Leon Thomas


NoSkips Vol. 4

This photo is of my grandmother, Robbie Cook, holding my dad. A few weeks back, emotions were high as I was thinking about the violence exhibited towards people of color. This photo represents that combination of emotions for me. Protective. Feeling the need to reaffirm our value and our lives. Holding tightly. Loving harder. 

I play music every day, but I definitely took solace in certain songs, and decided to mix them up and add a few to the list. Some of them uplifted people during the Civil Rights era (The Revolution Will Not Be Televised). Others represent unity (People Everyday). The celebration and the struggle (Sinnerman) of being black in America, and the one thing that pigments our skin: melanin. Open your mind, listen, share, and enjoy.

Tracklist: 
1.	Gil Scott Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
2.	Gil Scott Heron – Home Is Where The Hatred Is
3.	Marvin Gaye – What’s Happening Brother
4.	The Stylistics – People Make The World Go Round
5.	Joe Bataan – Young, Gifted and Brown
6.	James Brown – Say It Loud
7.	Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
8.	Arrested Development – People Everyday 
9.	Kendrick Lamar – Untitled 03
10.	Flying Lotus f/ Kendrick Lamar – Never Catch Me
11.	Erykah Badu – Soldier
12.	Black Star – Brown Skin Lady 
13.	D’Angelo – Africa
14.	Goodie Mob – Free
15.	Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul
16.	OutKast – Liberation
17.	Etta Jones – Good Morning Heartache
18.	Nina Simone – Sinnerman


Melanin

I visited Amsterdam and Stockholm a few months back and one of the things I was looking forward to most was the music. Having been a fan of many artists from both areas, London and across Europe, I was inspired to make a mix of some old and new favorites as well as some American artists who blend into the sound. It’s a sexy, sultry mix, aptly named Red Light after the district. Track list below. Enjoy.

1.	JONES – Bring Me Down
2.	Katy B + Kaytranada – Honey 
3.	Dpat – Bodyheat 
4.	Xavier Omar – If This is Love
5.	Sango – Soon Enough
6.	Abhi//Dijon – Red Light 
7.	Electric Wire Hustle – Red Window
8.	Robin Hannibal – Transit 
9.	Boom Clap Bachelors – Combiner 
10.	Le Son – Without A Sound
11.	Kissey Asplund – Move Me
12.	Disclosure – Feel Like I Do 
13.	Golden Vessel – Before Sleep
14.	Boom Clap Bachelors – Love

The Sweet Spot Vol 5: Red Light

The best collaborations come together organically. I had been a fan of the art, creative vision and community that the Very Black Project represents for a while. And they shared their appreciation for previous mixes and musical projects of mine. So naturally, the idea of a joint compilation came to mind. Mix 01 “Renew” was birthed – the soundtrack to self-discovery, love, reflection and ultimately healing. The music I selected is an emotional journey of relatable messages and moments, and the art visualizes those very feelings and ideas. From our hearts to yours, enjoy. Track list below:

1.	Kindred The Family Soul – “Love Is… Pt. 1” 
2.	James Tillman – “And Then” 
3.	Common – “Moment In the Sun (Interlude) 
4.	Lauryn Hill – “Intro”
5.	The Foreign Exchange – “Eyes to the Sky”
6.	Jorja Smith – “Where Did I Go?”
7.	OutKast – “God (Interlude)”
8.	Kendrick Lamar – “FEEL”
9.	KLLO – “Make Me Wonder”
10.	The Internet – “Missing You”
11.	Jordan Rakei – “My Time” 
12.	FKJ – “Vibin’ Out” 
13.	Q Tip f. Norah Jones – “Life is Better” 
14.	Iman Omari – “Energy”
15.	Sango f. Xavier Omar – “The Motive Used to Be the Melody” 
16.	Kilo Kish – “Distractions I: The Opposite Sex”
17.	Nia Long – “I Am Looking at Music (Nina’s Poem)”
18.	Erykah Badu – “Ye-Yo (Live)” 
19.	Amel Larrieux – “Gills & Tails”
20.	Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop That Thing (Interlude)”
21.	Jill Scott – “I Keep” 
22.	Georgia Anne Muldrow – “Never A Day In Vain” 
23.	Lauryn Hill – “Interlude 4”
24.	Moses Sumney – “Plastic”
25.	Nick Hakim – “I Don’t Know”
26.	Meshell Ndegeocello – “Oysters”
27.	Kindred The Family Soul – “Love Is… (Outro)”

Maiya Norton x The Very Black Project: Mix 01

Summer Love is the best kind of love, right? I decided to make this mix with a whirlwind romance in mind — songs about infatuation, sex, love and heartbreak. I listened to a ton of music poolside and on the beach in LA to get into the mood, and these fit so nicely together. Enjoy <3. Track list below:

1 Steve Lacy – “Ryd”
2 Matt Martians – “Diamond In Da Rough” 
3 Phony Ppl – “End of the Night” 
4 Joyce Wrice – “Ain’t No Need”
5 Little Dragon – “High”
6 Leisure Suite – “Don’t Wait”
7 BOSCO f/ Anna Wise - “We Cool”
8 Jon Bap – “Marissa” 
9 SG Lewis f/ Louis Mattrs -  "No Less"
10 Sabrina Claudio – “Belong To You”
11 Anna Wise – “Free From the Normal” 
12 Tiffany Gouché – “Red Rum Melody”
13 Nick Hakim – “Needy Bees”
14 Soft Glas – “Sky in the Lake”
15 BadBadNotGood f/ Charlotte Day Wilson - “In Your Eyes”
16 H.E.R. - “I Won’t” 
17 Abhi//Dijon - “Often”
18 Mac Ayres - “Lonely”
19 SiR - “Crashing Down”

The Sweet Spot Vol 6: Summer Love

Winter is here and it's the best time to enjoy those quiet, intimate moments with the special person in your life. This is an eclectic, soft and soulful mix of songs that have either been my go-tos for a minute or sultry new additions to my rotation. This is the kind of music I love to listen to most often. Share and enjoy. xoxo

 1. The Stuyvesants – Fatal Attraction
 2. Umii f/ Reva DeVito and B.Bravo – The One
 3. Iman Omari – Take You There
 4. NxWorries – Kutless
 5. Kelela – S.O.S. 
 6. J*DaVey – Finer Things (Bossin’ Up)
 7. Herrick & Hooley – Up & Down 
 8. Julien Dyne f. Parks – Fallin’ Down 
 9. Joyce Wright – Good Morning (Mndsgn Remix)
 10. Lion Babe f. Moe Monks - Rockets  
 11. Jimi Tents – Domino Effect
 12. Abhi/Dijon – We're Alone 
 13. Melat f. Xavier Omar – We Don’t Have To
 14. Sabrina Claudio – Wait 
 15. Mac Ayres – Show Me
 16. The Stuyvesants – Mind Traveling

The Sweet Spot Vol. 7: Cuffing Season

Back at it with our second mix. This was inspired by that summertime feeling, when you're falling for someone, navigating all the newness and the butterflies...and sometimes wanting clarity. When you're just totally smitten and enjoying the moment and the new bond forming with you and someone amazing. Play it loud at home, play it for your bae, and enjoy. Tracklist below:

01 IAMNOBODI f/ Emmavie Zacari & Josh J - “An Idea”
02 Ravyn Lenae f/ Steve Lacy - “Computer Luv”
03 The Internet - “Come Over” 
04 Iman Omari f/ Quelle Chris - “So Real”
05 NxWorries - “Best One (Remix)” 
06 Kali Uchis f/ Tyler the Creator & Bootsy Collins - “After the Storm”
07 Summer Walker - “CPR”
08 DJ Harrison & Sir Froderick - “Way”
09 Mac DeMarco - “For the First Time”
10 Omar Apollo - “Unbothered”
11 Joyce Wrice f/ Kay Franklin - “Rocket Science”
12 Galimatias - “South”
13 Alina Baraz f/ Jada - “The One”
14 India Shawn f/ Ré Lxuise & Alex Isley - “Water Me”
15 Sonder - “One Night Only”
16 Alextbh f/ Sam Rui - “You”
17 Towkio f/ SZA - “Morning View”
18 Khruangbin - “Friday Morning”

Maiya Norton x The Very Black Project: Mix 02 Infatuation

My tribe over at The Very Black Project reached out with the idea to bring some sonic joy to our community right now 🖤 So many of us are experiencing hard times, and in those times, we turn to music. 

Music is our balm, our salve, our healing, our grounding and most importantly, it keeps us connected. Intuitively, we felt like creating a mix that encapsulates the vibes and the energy we want to feel right now would be meaningful. So, we did what we do. And we’re excited to bring you: Maiya Norton x The Very Black Project 03 – A Litany for Survival. 

Hopefully, you can gather with your loved ones, take some space to yourself, soak up the sounds and experience comfort and healing. Enjoy. 
 
Track list below.
1.	Cleo Sol – One Love
2.	Tom Misch f/ Yussef Dayes – Nightrider 
3.	Nick Hakim – Qadir
4.	Erykah Badu – Didn’t Cha Know
5.	Orion Sun – Lightning 
6.	Gaidaa – Morning Blue
7.	Talos f/ Poppy Ajudha – Oh Girl
8.	The Midnight Hour – So Amazing
9.	Tarika Blue – Truth is the Key
10.	Raphael Saadiq – Doing What I Can 
11.	The Pharcyde – Moment in Time 
12.	Common – Real People
13.	Ezra Collective f/ Jorja Smith – Reason in Disguise
14.	Tiombe Lockhart & Robert Glasper – G.P.
15.	 Joya Mooi – Never Be the Same Again
16.	 IAMNOBODI – Imani (Faith)
17.	 Erykah Badu -Today (The Earth Song)
18.	Jazzemia Horn – Green Eyes 
19.	The Free Nationals – Eternal Light
20.	 Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Crime Pays (Instrumental)
21.	 Oddisee – Counter-Clockwise
22.	Mereba – Black Truck
23.	 Knxwledge – Listen
24.	 Kaytranada f/ Durand Bernarr – Freefall
25.	Shaun Escoffery - Days Like This (DJ Spinna Remix)
26.	 Rocco Rodamaal – Someday

Maiya Norton x The Very Black Project: Mix 03 - A Litany for Survival

Sharing music is not a pastime, it's a lifestyle.

maiyanorton

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