Surf/Music V. 1

Selecting music to get amped before a session is a ritual observed by surfy types for decades. Have the wrong music in your head and a session can go badly. For example, as other dads may know, the award for stickiest music on the planet goes to every kids' recording ever made. Hear a children's CD once and it burrows into your brain like a relentless earwig (just go with it). And let me tell you, there is nothing like getting pounded on a good size day with Elmo's theme song pumping loudly between your ears. It can just make things extra frustrating. The Eagles do the same thing to me (sorry fans).

Anyway, keeping things on a positive note, I thought I'd list some of my choice music/surf pairings. Since there are so many possibilities, I'm going to keep it quick and simple. So, here's Volume 1 in an ongoing series.

Maybe it's the early Bruce Brown movies with classsic Bud Shank soundtracks, but it's clear that stylish surfing and jazz just work together. For example, if you're in the mood for this kind of session:
(Dickie Moon at Blacks by Ron Stoner)



Then this is one example of a record you may want to check out:



Herbie Hancock's jazz catalog consists of several classic recordings made for Blue Note Records. Check out more about him if you're interested. A lot of people know him mainly from his 80's classic "Rockit," but there's a whole lot more to this master. Any of his Blue Note records are foolproof. And if you're into funk, check out his stuff on Columbia through the mid-70's.



This was the second of his records I bought. Inventions and Dimensions has a Latin tinge that never gets overbearing. It is a beautiful mix of a master composer playing with a few master percussionists, all supported by Paul Chambers on bass. Mr. PC played bass for Miles Davis and John Coltrane (to give you an indication of what a badass he was himself). This title is undoubtedly my favorite pre-70's Herbie record.

So, what are you listening to before a surf?