February Monthly Mix 24

Kylan Mastro, bassist, photographer, and adventurer, grew up in New Hampshire, falling in love with forests, mountains, and open spaces. Moving to South Florida in 2021, Kylan has spent the past three years finding the culture of the sun that he always knew he was meant for. From Miami up to St. Sebastian Kylan explores mangrove forests and rivers with alligators at his side and hikes amongst the scrub palmettos, pawpaws, and sand pines. Back in the city, he plays bass in a reggae band by the name of Mangrüve, and bartends in the evenings. His love of music has only expanded, with salsa, roots reggae, Latin house, Japanese funk music, and jam bands in his current rotation. Each playlist below embodies a culture or an idea that thrives within the music.

“I hope you enjoy the vibes. One love.” -Kylan

Dance Under Caribbean Stars

Dance Under Caribbean Stars highlights some of the gems of salsa music that will always keep you moving to the rhythm of the warm winds. The playlist caps with famous Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s ode to Miami, where many Cubans fled to and created their own oasis in the sinking city of the sun. Uniquely African rhythm in songs like “Brujeria” command your movement as others like “Bemba Colorá – Live” command your heart. As long as you step with the cowbell you’ll have a great time. The poem “Jupiter” reminisces on Caribbean beaches, and the timelessness of our souls despite the finality of all else.

Good Overcome Evil

Good Overcome Evil is a tribute to roots reggae music and the struggle against Babylon. Over hundreds of years some have depleted the world’s resources, forced millions away from their homes and across oceans to be enslaved, and still enforce oppression and war around the world. This evil will fall and only love will remain. We find examples of this love and righteousness in the music. The playlist kicks off with one of Steely Dan’s most reflective tunes, followed by melancholic roots like “Big Ship” by Freddie McGregor. Mixed in listeners will find some modern Afrobeat rhythms. The playlist climaxes into a sensational “Jammin’,” from “Easy Skankin” in a Boston 78’ live recording.

Kylan’s poems “Ever in the Glades: A Matinee,” and “Rising Tide,” both address the persistence of environmental peril in South Florida. The perils are a byproduct of this endless expansion of Babylon and keep people in chains within the concrete. Ever quickly does the wild vanish and the algal blooms take over, ever quickly do the mangroves die. And yet, the tide rises ominously threatening every temporary thrill that is depicted as meaningful. 

Let Yourself Loose

Let Yourself Loose is the feel-good: a collection of songs to make anyone move. Embodying the heart of Kylan’s favorite music scenes. The bass of the Japanese funk will have you making stank faces while the jams make you sway and the house will make you jump. Miami, the world’s House Music capital, is a scene that has Kylan’s heart. Listeners will find these infectious rhythms throughout the series of jams that make him dance uncontrollably. With a sprinkle of punk and one of Phish’s hardest showstoppers to cap it, this playlist is wide ranging, but always grooving. In the spirit of movement, “Sunday South Point” depicts one of Miami’s many sunset drum circles. Glass skyscrapers bathe in solar auroras and the drums beat off these vibrant panels. It is a reminder to always say yes to an experience.

Stay tuned to see next month’s mixes and who we are listening to these days.

Are you interested in sharing a month of music with us? Send an email to [email protected] to let us know.