Vagabon Recommends January 2025
Welcome to Vagabon Recommends, a monthly series where I recommend music, films, books, whatever I'm feeling
It’s hard to read the news so I’m here to give you reading that inspires you instead. I’m still working out if this series should come at the top of each month or at the end. Any suggestions / preferences? I’d love to know your thoughts.
January:
James Cherry: From Pollen at Tiwa Select Gallery NYC
I met my friend James Cherry a couple years ago when I was wrapping up my album, Sorry I Haven’t Called, with Rostam. Summer 2024 came and we both found ourselves in New York City. We had a night in the west village, dining to the sounds of a summer rainstorm outside. James told me he was in the city working, making lamps and lights for a new restaurant downtown. He’s a sculptor and artist who uses materials ranging from concrete to fruit, yes fruit). A couple weeks ago, I took the train downtown to see James’ first solo show at Tiwa Select Gallery and was in awe! (see below for photos) I’m a bit cruel for mentioning this on the Recommends, since the show closed on January 30. Either way, I urge you to find his work somewhere in the world. He made all the lights for Ha’s Snack Bar downtown so that’s a good place to start if you’re in New York!
James Cherry at Tiwa Select Gallery Cold Plunge
Ok, hear me out… I’m an African girl. As an African girl, I’m not meant for cold weather, cold drinks and definitely not voluntary cold water submersion. This means my recommendation of a cold plunge holds serious merit ha! Recently, I went to a sauna so hot the cold plunge sounded great. I managed to do a measly 18 seconds in and came out buzzing— I see how this becomes addictive. Have I researched any of its benefits? No. Do with this what you will and report back.
“I Really Hope You Do” - The Friends of Distinction
If you’ve watched my episode of Amoeba “What’s in my Bag?” then you’ve heard me sing praises for Friends of Distinction, an all black group from the late 60s and 70s. This song, “I Really Hope You Do” off their 1969 album “Grazin’ " is an obsession of mine. The woodwinds, the string arrangements, the vocal arrangements, the lyrics…I can’t stop. These arrangements are influencing much of the music I’m making right now for LP4. I’ve been trying to get my hand on the Grazin’ vinyl for some time now, to no avail. I tried Discogs twice but both times, the sellers refunded me and said “they can’t seem to locate the vinyl in their collection” - seems odd. Enjoy this beautiful one.
Thanks for reading! See you soon for February.
