By BT Fasmer – June 16, 2021
Fresh as a cup of coffee, the “Morning Café” compilation offers an awakening and stimulating mix of music. Its genre-defying style guarantees that everyone will find something to their liking. It is like a buffet, filled with inspiring and eclectic songs – from Luis Villegas’s guitar and Dave Eggar’s reggae to Dub by Peas – and much more. Bon Appétit!
If you are not used to listening to music in the morning, you really miss out on something good, something that doesn’t have the negative aspects of caffeine. Tami Walker on Lifehack.org writes: “Start your day by listening to positive music or reading a motivational book. This sets you up to have a better day because you’ll have a positive mindset and a good attitude.” So put on “Morning Café” – and perhaps grab a book or two – and you are well on your way to a new and healthy morning habit!
Noches Guitanas
The album opener, “Noches Guitanas”, is by Luis Villegas. It is taken from another restaurant-inspired release, “Café Olé” (1998). The piece has everything; life, movement, warmth, and a cool attitude. It is the perfect soundtrack for a restaurant or wherever you spend your morning. Next out is the extremely talented Dave Eggar’s “Earth’s Paradise” (from “Kingston Morning”, 2010). The reggae vibe further underlines the atmosphere and tells us to adjust our ears and expect variation.
We are still in paradise as “Looks Like Heaven”, by Peas and Vanessa Britting, comes on. Its smooth jazz arrangement and the fast beat are delightful. Luna is represented with two pieces on the compilation. The first is a nice version of Air’s “Alone In Kyoto”, one of the hit band’s most popular tracks. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
Follow Me to the Sun
Dave Eggar’s second appearance is “Follow Me to the Sun”. It is very different from “Earth’s Paradise”, with some world-class cello segments. Also, notice the mixing. Wow, what a treat it is! Talking about mixing, each track has a “remixed” on them, ensuring that the compilation is mastered to perfection.
The last part of the compilation is a bit more dreamy and reflective. “The Field” by Tao of Sound has a nice flute and rhythm. New Age music fans will feel right at home, or should I say – in the field. It is always easy to envision being out in nature when listening to Tao of Sound’s music. Then there are Spanish guitars on the menu; Benedetti & Svoboda’s “Moresca”, before Luna’s second piece comes on, easily one of the best here: “Back to You”.
Peas’ “Low Pass Dub” binds this part of the compilation together, adding that coolness that “Morning Café” is all about. Another winner is Dino Malito’s “Tienshan”, the second track on his highly popular 2018 EP. If you are listening on Spotify, notice the inspiring Song Canvas – as seen to your right. Fantastic!!
The last dish on the menu is something quite different. Steve Anderson’s “Beau Soir, L. 6” rounds off the album beautifully and prepares you for the day ahead.
In conclusion: You know the feeling when you are sitting in a café and enjoying a surprisingly tasty meal – and you think; in this kitchen, they are doing everything right? I had the same feeling the first time I heard Domo Music’s “Morning Café”. It is a caffeine and fat-free, 100 % positive start to your day. The word eclectic is often overused, but here it is spot on. The mix of reggae with chill, dub with New Age music and classical, is just that. Eclectic, in the best sense of the word. “Morning Café” also shows the value of expertly curated playlists and not something put together by a CPU.
There is no shortage of album and playlists which promise to make your mornings better – but the winning formula here is the mix of upbeat AND meditative pieces. It is a little bit of everything, yet its core is not pop or reggae but instrumental pieces. It is cool, but it is also relaxing. Not many releases have this quality. You don’t want your mornings to be too loud or high energy either, making your batteries run out long before lunch.
You know what they say; breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Accompanied by “Morning Café”, your day is off to a great start. Highly recommended!
