The Major Lift Haiti ep. 1

Here's a collection of pictures taken on the JDC Enwine: Inside Haiti 2013 trip. The song is "Aloral" by Brother's Posse. It talks about the government doing everything "Aloral" aka talking the talk, but not walking the walk. The song plays on the Creole expression "you pa kita, you pa nago", which implies not being able to move.

However, Kita Nago is also the name of a march that happen on the anniversary of the earthquake. A group of people decided that they would carry a heavy log across the country, something that could only be down by working together. The chorus is "the Haitian people want to live" in French and Creole. Despite it's negative themes, the song is a call to action and dreams of a better future. It was the most popular song of the 2013 carnival, but the group was banned from having a festival float by the government (run by a former musician famous for writting carnival songs critical of the government....Welcome to Haiti.

The Major Lift Burundi, episodes 1-3

Episode 1 features music from The Dave Brubeck Quartet and Alemayehu Fanta. I arrived in Burundi to confusion, but ended in a good place, ready to begin my adventure.
The Major Lift Burundi ep1 by Danny Schwartz 1

Episode 2 features music from Chick Corea and Hiromi Uehara, Paul Simon and The Carolina Chocolate Drops. My first week in Kigutu was an exciting one. Fitting in and starting projects and relaxing...lots of relaxing.


Episode 3 features music from The Kandinsky Effect, The Gossip and The Vijay Ayer Trio. Having settled into life in Kigutu, I start to learn more about Lake Tanganyika and hear about the communities stand against the corruption of the road construction company.

S02E08: Robert Glasper, Matt MacKinnon and the Recipe

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This week, jazz was the name of the game as I played the brilliant new album "Double Booked" from Robert Glasper. Featuring sic tracks by the Robert Glasper Trio and six tracks from the Robert Glasper Experiment, the album fused old and new styles of jazz into one great collection. I also played Ottawa-born Matt MacKinnon's debut release "Bean Green Over Blue" which is filled with odd time signatures that swing and great instrumentation. To round out the program, I played a couple poems by the 2009 Canadian Poetry Slam champions, The Recipe. This quartet hails from Ottawa and is a must see if you get the chance, check out their schedule on Facebook if you can.

I'll have the show, "Bean Green Over Blue" and The Recipe's Mixtape uploaded soon. Stay Tuned.

Robert Glasper - Double Booked

S02EP08: Jay Reatard, Black Keys, Lhasa De Sela

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This week I'll be paying tribute to Jay Reatard who recently died. I'll be playing his 2009 album "Watch Me Fail" and follow that with the Black Keys' 2006 release "Magic Potion". To round out the show, I'll be playing some Lhasa De Sela who also died in recent months.

Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall



Lhasa de Sela - Lhasa



The Black Keys - Magic Potion

S02EP07: Blakroc, Matisyahu

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I was super excited to play the Blakroc album this week. I've been a fan of the Black Keys since hearing Thickfreakness a few years ago and a bluesy hip hop album with heavyweights like Mos Def, RZA, Pharoah Monch and more was almost too much to handle. Following Blakroc, I streamed some Matisyahu and put on some great Canadian jazz trumpet. I have misplaced the jazz album and have forgotten the name of the artist, but if you listen to the show, you'll get all the info.

Blakroc - Blakroc

S02EP06: Calle 13 and Stylust Beats

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I thought I'd play some Latin rhythms this week and so turned to Calle 13. I'l also be playing Stylust Beats from Vancouver, BC. Stylust Beats recently made the foray into dubstep from hip hop and, it is good! Link to download the mix and below for the Calle 13 album. Listen up for more shows in the coming months.

Calle 13 - Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo

S02E05: The Grateful Dead, Phish

This week, I will play for you perhaps the two greatest jam bands of the rock and roll era. I will start off the show by giving you an idea of what going to a Grateful Dead show would be like. From their 1969 album Live/Dead, I have selected a few tracks set the tone. Live/Dead was compiled from recordings taken from a series of concerts between January and March, 1969. This was the Grateful Dead's first official live release, and as Jerry Garcia said, it reflects what the band was playing in their live shows at the time.

I will also be playing the entire second set from a Phish concert recorded in 1994 in Columbus, Ohio and released as Live Phish Vol. 10. Taking up where the Dead left off, Phish carries the jam torch to this day. Listen up during the Phish set for references to Game 7 of the NBA finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks.

Keep your ears peeled for classic songs and amazing improvisations. Sit back, relax, maybe indulge in your favourite narcortic and imagine you're in the crowd, a part of the spirit.

Download the full albums:
The Grateful Dead - Live/Dead


Live Phish Vol.10 - Live in Columbus, Ohio (June 22, 1994)