Author Archives: Lucky Mike

Smooth Summer R&B

By Lucky Mike | Published: May 24, 2010

Smooth Summer R&B Mixtape (21 Songs):

Boyz II Men – Motownphilly (Original Version)
Bobby Brown – My Prerogative
Chromeo – Opening Up (Ce Soir On Danse)
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince – Summertime
Bel Biv DeVoe – Poison
Usher – Truth Hurts
Ralph Tresvant – Do What I Gotta Do
Eamon – I Want You So Bad
Next – Too Close
Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin’ (Tough Guys)
Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday
Bel Biv DeVoe – When Will I See You Smile Again?
Keith Sweat – Whatever You Want
Zapp – Computer Love
Ralph Tresvant – Sensitivity
Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing (Long Version)
Another Bad Creation – Iesha
Usher – Bad Girl
Chromeo – Momma’s Boy
Do Me! (WBBD – Bootcity! Remix)
Boyz II Men – In The Still Of The Nite

The Man Walks Into A Bar

By Lucky Mike | Published: December 8, 2009

One of my greatest discoveries this year was an appreciation for bitter apéritifs. It all started with a glass of Cynar, a bitter—but at the same time sweet—Italian liqueur made from artichoke leaves. According to the bottle, Cynar is traditionally enjoyed neat or on the rocks, possibly with an orange slice. I’ve had it this way, and it took me a very long time to get to the bottom of the glass. Cynar begins sweet, but quickly presents a strong, lasting bitterness that dissuades one from taking another sip immediately.

Portland’s great, new restaurant/bar, Beaker and Flask, features a lot of drinks using Cynar, along with other bitter liqueurs. Their cocktail list is very eye-opening, with much less citrus and sugar than any bar you’ve probably been in, and bitterness is often a delicious feature of their concoctions. I’m really not a fan of much sweetness or citrus in beverages, so I love what Kevin and his team do. It’s led to me picking up a few more European liqueurs for our home bar.

Last night, I built a cocktail around Cynar and Becherovka, and arrived at a surprisingly good recipe that I’ve dubbed the Man Walks Into A Bar. It has a slightly bitter, woody flavor with a light sweetness. It’s an excellent pre-dinner drink, with an elegant, light walnut color. This recipe makes 2 at once, for sharing with a barmate or your bartender.

The Man Walks Into A Bar:

1.5 oz each of Cynar, Becherovka, Limoncello and Vodka
3/4 oz Lillet Blanc
2 dashes Angustura Bitters in each glass

Place two dashes Angustura Bitters each in two cocktail glasses.
Combine Cynar, Becherovka, Limoncello, Vodka and Lillet Blanc in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into glasses.

Camera Obscura’s My Maudlin Career

By Lucky Mike | Published: April 13, 2009

This is a heads-up for probable awesomeness. As they did with Neko Case’s Middle Cyclone, NPR will be streaming Camera Obscura’s new album, My Maudlin Career, beginning at 11:59pm tonight. Based on the sample track, French Navy, this should be another great album from Camera Obscura, whose last album, Let’s Get Out of This Country, reminded me of a pop re-imagining of the Good the Bad and the Ugly score.

*Update*

Well, as expected, it’s a solid album. I think I prefer Let’s Get Out of This Country a bit, largely for its more ethereal instrumentation. That may be my peculiar taste, and I could see many people preferring this album, because the individual songs seem to stand out a little more on their own.

Comparisons aside, I’m certain this album will be entering our household soon, and will be played frequently when we’re kicking back.