There are a few movie soundtracks that stick out as favorites in my collection: “Hackers” (even though the movie, to me now, is laughable), “Valley Girl,” “Garden State,” “The Crow,” and “Run Lola Run.” As I made my way through the Chronicle Movie Soundtrack (Milan Records), going from song to song, I found myself “hearting” each one on Last.FM.

Read more: Various Artists – Chronicle Movie Soundtrack - Milan Records

Mayer Hawthorne seemed to travel forward in time, arriving in this millennium after being transported from the stage of “The !!! Beat” show in the ‘60s. After Hawthorne’s heartache R&B songs perked the ears of Mr. Manak of Stone’s Throw Records, a 7” followed, as did A Strange Arrangement. Fresh off the press is How Do You Do, still dripping with the R&B groove that initially drew new ears to this style of timeless music.

Read more: Mayer Hawthorne – How Do You Do – Stones Throw Records

From the window seat of an airplane is my favorite vantage point from which to put into words my thoughts on music. Timing and dineros doesn’t allow this scenario to be a convenient one, but on this fine Thursday morning as I fly over the buildings of downtown Denver, the circle of water that is City Park, and even my own block in the Cole ‘hood, it’s really something to know that the swirls, bleeps, heartbeats, periodic vocals and consistently addictive rhythms were all born here by Denver creatives. Compiled by Peter Black in preparation for the Denver AfterDark music festival that takes place August 26 on Larimer, this promoter, DJ, artist and cat herder has always had an ear and a passion for Denver talent.

Read more: Various Artists - Denver AfterDark (and festival on August 26)

With their sophomore release, When Fish Ride Bicycles, The Cool Kids (Green Label Sound) show off slick production and spectral sound thanks to production contributions from the likes of Pharrell Williams (Neptunes) and Travis Barker (Blink 182), as well as the duo’s own Chuck Inglish.

Read more: When Fish Ride Bicycles - The Cool Kids