Well, folks, we’re finally back after a seasonal hiatus. Instead of featuring just the Men’s Folio team’s weekly playlists (you can catch up here), however, we’ve opened up the column to friends, industry mates, and people who we think have the right groove.
Here is Chef Brandon Teo’s playlist of classic rhythms and blues, with a note from the man himself below:
“This playlist was curated for Akanoya Robatayaki & Bar when we relaunched it in January this year. Music was important to us as the new team wanted to also present a new perspective of robatayaki, on top of the traditional presentation. We have been ageing our seafood and meat and experimenting with fermentation techniques. Music really helps communicate this somehow.”
“We also open till 1 am for supper every Tuesday to Saturday, and having the right music helps build up the ambience and buzz as the night gets on.”
Time — Pink Floyd
For as long as I can remember, I’ve heard the name Pink Floyd countless times where I saw the synonymous prism rainbow on countless band tees and wondered what was the big deal in my teens. Then you grow older and properly discover this historic album before the journey to the dark side of the moon begins which, in my interpretation, is one’s inner insanity and gripping with issues like mental health, life expectations and fears.
This track encapsulates the essence of the album to me: lyrical simplicity that touches on the human struggle. It’s something that will resonate with anyone and hence it stayed on the Billboard charts for over 950 consecutive weeks.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) — Jimi Hendrix
I used to play in a band back in the day and blues was a big thing for me. This is certainly a blues anthem for most listeners and players fom the iconic rocking intro on the Wah Wah Pedal to the heavy pentatonic riffs, explosive solo and crazy improvisatio. This song has everything.
It’s also a perfect “woke up late hungover and rushing to work” soundtrack.
Sir Psycho Sexy — Red Hot Chili Peppers
Released in 1991 and most agree that this is their Magnum Opus Album. I’ve always considered this track as the one that ties up the album at the end. Anthony’s testosterone-heavy lyrical work, Flea’s thumping bass lines, and Smith’s pounding beats laid over by Frusciante’s magnificent guitar work that goes from dirty single coil funk tenacity to the outro’s soulful almost ethereal chord progression.
This track always gets me in the right mood.
Paranoid Android — Radiohead
Possibly my generation’s dark side of the moon. Listening to this song for the first time was mind-opening for me as it combined all elements of rock that I grew up with arranged in a way that was very new to me. Definitely made me a lifelong fan throughout Radiohead’s evolution.
Fistful Of Steel — Rage Against The Machine
Listening to this in my early teens was mind-blowing due to its its aggression and hard-hitting rifts and 30 years later this album is as relevant as before. Tracks rebelling against commercialism, corporatism, and exploitation of the poor still ring true today.
Deep Cover — Dr Dre, Snoop
When one of the West Coast’s greatest hip hop producers leaves one of West Coast’s biggest hip hop group, the industry was left with a big gap and Dre filled it with a bang with this track to introduce to us for the very first time, Snoop Doggy Dog himself.
N.Y State of Mind — Nas
A debut hip-hop album like no other and an opening track like no other: thumping Beats by the legendary Premier sampling Kool and the Gang, Donald Byrd and Joe Chambers. A daily listen for me which gets me in a proper state of mind for pre-services all the time.
Wu Tang Clan — C.R.E.A.M
Voted the number 1 hip hop song of all time by The Rolling Stones and I definitely agree: the soothing sample of The Charmels rapped over legends Rza, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, and Method man. In these days of Crypto and NFTs, cash rules everything around me.
Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone — The Temptations
Funk music always place emphasis on the first or “one”, and there’s no funkier “one” note than this. So good, that’s all the song needs. Who would have thought a song about a useless philandering father would be so cool?
Concrete Jungle — Bob Marley & The Wailers
The very first track to Bob Marley & The Wailers’ introduction to the international stage: from the tight beats of Carlton Barrett, Peter Tosh’s melancholic guitar rhythm and Bob Marley’s message of freedom from oppression and poverty.
40 years after his passing, you still see his image and hear his lyrics everywhere.
Listen to Brandon Teo’s classic rhythms & blues playlist on Spotify here. Then, click here to catch up with our September 2022 issue!
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