I found out about Jackie Paris a few years ago when I got a vinyl copy of Mingus' "Changes One" and "Changes Two" as a double-album, and for the first time I heard the incredible version of "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" on "Changes Two," and read in the notes about Mingus' affection for Paris.

The next tune up on the Car Mix was Philip Glass' "Lady Day." A friend's older brother had "Glassworks" when I was in 7th grade and discovering interesting music, and I'd taped it. Later, when "Koyaanisqatsi" came out, I'd felt really hip for the first time when I recognized the composer.

Haven't heard the Escolas de Samba do Grupo 1A record but the Gilberto is predictably wonderful.

I stopped in a thrift store for something else and against what I thought was my better judgement I looked at the used vinyl. Much to my surprise, it was my day.

The next tune that came up on the Car Mix was Kraftwerk's "Transistor," from "Radio-Activity." I was lucky I first got this on cassette as a kid, because when I later bought it on vinyl, Capitol Records, as I found was a bad habit at the time, had cut this track off the release.

I went to Deadly Wax in Granada Hills to pick up my Vinyl Santa gift and this was in the newly arrived section. I've long loved "Legrand Jazz" but didn't have a copy. This is one of those records that's both artistically compelling and completely entertaining at the same time.

"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" came up next on the Car Mix. I was late to Joni's music, getting into her after I saw "The Last Waltz" in college, picking up "Hejira," which remains my favorite of her records. But this tune for whatever reason, and despite "Hejira"'s theme, feels right for driving.

Continuing my Car Mix, the next tune that came up was this, Gordon Lightfoot's "Carefree Highway." My dad had the album when I was a kid but years later when I actually looked into Lightfoot's work, I realized that I only had vague memories of "Sundown," and not the rest of the album.

This came today, or rather late yesterday. I'd heard of Pahinui from a friend's father in high school but didn't actually hear his music until about 10 years ago. Absolutely first rate, with that kind of loose but tight feeling real players have.

So the first one up on the Car Mix (on shuffle) could not be better for a drive: Earth, Wind and Fire's "September." This is one of those tunes that is simultaneously pure pop and pure art. Everything in it is perfect, but more than anything it's the response in me that is so wonderful.

On a related note I’m about 15 minutes away from hearing Gerald Clayton play, with Logan Richardson on alto 🙏