A couple of years ago, I made a Christmas mixtape. This year, I made another one! Actually two! 

Some points for consideration:

First of all, it is, of course, not a tape, but rather an mp3 compilation. I’ve made just a few physical cd-r copies, perhaps you’d like one in your christmas stocking. Otherwise, just download the whole thing and enjoy it on the electronic device of your choice.

Second: it’s not a tape full of Christmas songs. It’s just a compilation I release around Christmas as a gift to all my friends and enemies. No jingle bells, no carols, promise.

Third: this compilation features most of my favourite tracks of the year. That includes tracks that were actually released this year, but also tracks that I have been listening to for 10 years or so. 

Fourth: it turned out a compilation in two parts. The first one could be called “Moonlight”, and features 13 songs that are perfect to enjoy while curled up under a comfy fleece blanket, with your loved one/reminiscing about a missed loved one, staring out at the stars/moon/fireplace/your cute sleeping kid. It features, amongst other things, the by far most beautiful song of this year, a subdued epic 11 minute jazz rock jam, a bittersweet Ethiopian piano ditty, a track by my friend Jana from Berlin (The Dropout Patrol), and some obscure shit from Australia (Aleks and the Ramps) you’ve never ever heard of unless you’re my friend Kat from Melbourne.

Part two could be called “Sunshine”, and features 13 songs that will, perhaps, put a smile on your face, make you nod your head, tap your feet, shake your booty. There’s quite a bit of tunes from Nigeria, Ghana, Congo and who knows what other African countries in there, a great De La Soul vs Fela Kuti mash-up, some Swiss white boys playing ethiojazz, some American white boys playing retro soul and funk, and some Belgian white boys trying their hand at soukous. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have a new band, we’re called Jean-Mikili, and we are playing our first gigs in January - stay tuned for that! In the meanwhile, you can find “You’re Cool LA”, our summer hit for 2012, on this compilation (albeit in a one-man Ableton version).

So, without further ado, click on this link to download the two parts of Nilo’s Christmas Mixtape 2011, and enjoy the music. 

Merry Christmas to all of you, see you in 2012!