Now Playing: August 2025
In August, I turned 30, a milestone that fulfilled all the quarter-life hobby clichés and then some: a new espresso machine, running a half-marathon, and body pains I had never experienced. But what I also experienced in the past year was a shift away from popular genres and perhaps a more “mature” taste in music. While my 20-year-old self may not have been into Italian disco pop, German Schlager, or even classical music, the 30-year-old version of me has seen more corners of the world, been exposed to the deeper crevices of the music scene, and my horizons have surely been expanded.
To celebrate this year, I turned my apartment into a record cafe, where I guided my friends throughout my musical journey from jazz, soul, and hip-hop to sounds outside of the Western English-speaking world. The records that have been on repeat this month are a combination of my all-time favourite albums, but also a hint of some genres I’m just starting to explore.
Year Released: 1964
Country: Germany
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Gatefold
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bossa nova, Latin jazz
Favourite Tracks: The Girl from Ipanema, Desafinado, Corcovado
For jazz lovers, this album needs no introduction. It brought the beautiful bossa nova sound to American ears and has recently made its way to mine. This is one of my all-time favourite jazz albums, and fittingly, this was the intro record to the curated playlist of my record cafe birthday party.
It’s extremely accessible, it’s the perfect blend of American and Latin sounds, sparking the curiosity of some of my guests. The vocals from Astrud Gilberto are timeless and the perfect way to kick off a cosy afternoon or a late evening.
I picked this record up at Pure Soul in Hamburg, one of the most impressive collections of records I’ve ever seen. The shop has an impressive collection of rare singles, but also a plethora of widely acclaimed records. My only knock on this pressing is that I found it a bit quiet upon the first spin, but it’s easy to overlook considering how phenomenal the album is.
Year Released: 1976-1981
Country: Germany
Format: Vinyl, LP
Genre: Pop
Style: Schlager, Chanson, Ballad
Favourite Tracks: Guten Morgen Sonnenschein, Weiße Rosen Aus Athen (White Rose Of Athens), Für Wen Blühen Die Rosen
If you suggest playing Schlager at any party, you are likely to get eye rolls and will be hit with flashbacks to that time you drank a bit too much at Oktoberfest or put on a silly costume at Karneval. This is why it confuses me that Nana Mouskouri’s music is sometimes categorized as Schlager on Discogs. The overlap is likely because she sang in German, her choruses were catchy, and often sang about love and positive themes.
However, Mouskouri offers much more than tunes to get drunk to. More fittingly, I would characterize her style as Chanson, similar to that of Edith Piaf, Ballad, with a hint of jazz.
If you’re unfamiliar with Mouskouri, you were likely raised outside of Europe or below the age of 50. As someone who doesn’t fit that demographic, it was her Guten Morgen Sonnenschein feature in the hit German series, Cassandra, that unironically caught my attention. While the song is filled with uplifting lyrics, the ominous, dark tones in the movie gave it a whole new connotation.
I ended up learning that she is the top-selling female artist of all time, behind Madonna, a technically unofficial title, due to the inconsistency of sources. Having been born in Greece and lived in Germany and France, her polyglot skills have catalyzed her claim to fame by recording albums in over 15 languages. Upon a deeper listen and going through the rabbit holes of Kleinanzeigen, I ended up buying a collection of some of her most well-known records.
To those who smirk at the thought of German pop music from the 70s, I encourage you to take another listen and realize how talented Mouskouri actually is. Her classical training at a young age has led her to be one of the most talented female singers of all time, reaching all corners of the world.
For the full list of Nana Mouskouri records, check out my Discogs collection.
Year Released: 1981
Country: Italy
Format: Vinyl, LP
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Ballad, Europop
Favourite Tracks: Sarà Perché Ti Amo, M'Innamoro Di Te, Come Vorrei
Don’t let the attire and moustache fool you. This group is one of the most beloved pop groups from Italy. And with every group in the pop category comes a group of critics that reject some of the cheesy themes. However, with the resurgence of their hit, Sarà Perché Ti Amo, they’ve captured a new audience and a new fan in me. Beyond their catchy hit, I’ve come to thoroughly enjoy their ballad side with tracks like M'Innamoro Di Te and Come Vorrei, they’ve got me singing in a language I barely understand.
I purchased this record on a trip to Milan earlier this year at a pretty unassuming record shop, Metropolis Due. Sarà Perché Ti Amo was stuck in my head all trip, and when the record stared me right in the face and didn’t come with a hefty price tag, it satisfied my purchase craving.
The recent propensity to play this record came about when I stumbled upon the Instagram account of Disco Bambino, a self-acclaimed “music curator and scholar of Italian 70s and 80s disco culture.” The reel featuring nostalgic groovy tunes I stumbled upon captivated me and led me down a rabbit hole of Italo disco, categorized by soulful, funky grooves and the presence of synths. Additionally, I recently stumbled upon a local Italian DJ, Manu, whose setlist at Büdchentag had my hips swinging.
Year Released: 1972
Country: Germany (1980)
Format: Vinyl, LP, Reissue
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul
Favourite Tracks: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Maybe Your Baby, You And I, Superstition
Widely known as his “Classic Period” between 1972-1976, Talking Book marked a turning point in Stevie’s career, where he took full rein on the artistry of the album. His innovative use of synthesizers and electric keyboards, combined with his signature soul and funky style, led to some of his greatest hits of all time. Before you even get to his all-time hit, Superstition, you’re introduced to one of the greatest LP sides in his discography with the uplifting You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, followed by the groovy and infectious Maybe Your Baby and heartfelt You And I.
I was on a Stevie Wonder groove throughout August, perhaps due to the positive attitude I had heading into my 30s or the burst of good weather, which doesn’t come too often in this part of Germany.
Featured here is the US pressing with braille on the cover, which I find such a unique detail. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with a German reissue, but I can’t complain about having this classic in my catalogue.
Year Released: 1966
Country: Germany
Format: Vinyl, LP, Reissue
Genre: Classical
Style: Romantic
Tschaikowsky’s legacy is widely attributed to his ballets, despite composing a plethora of operas and symphonies. Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty are the ones that typically stand out, and for good reason. The poise and elegance of the pieces are timeless. Beyond the music, the waltz associated with the Swan Dance has also stood the test of time, making it a masterpiece in classical music and dance.
This recording was conducted at the Warsaw Philharmonic, one of Poland’s most esteemed musical institutions, by Witold Rowicki, a significant contributor to the Polish artistic development at the time.
I picked this up at my local donation store simply because I recognized the pieces and found the cover pleasant and graceful.
