San Fernando Valley native composer, bandleader, and percussionist (to name a few of his many skills) Carlos Niño has been busy. September of this year saw the release of his latest magnum opus under his Carlos Niño & Friends moniker, (I’m Just Chillin’), on fire. You’ll also find him all over LA staple Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s 13-years-in-the-making debut LP, Les Jardins Mystiques Vol.1. Oh, and he was (ahem) instrumental to the process of delivering the first recorded music from Atlanta hip-hop legend André 3000 in 17 years. You’ll find his guidance and influence all over André’s November surprise — the wordless, sprawling, exploratory, and flute-centric sonic odyssey New Blue Sun.
Though he’s taking a bit of a break from interviews across the board, Niño finds the time for a return to KCRW to make his Guest DJ debut with a carefully considered mix of far out cuts. Click in via the player above for pure aural bliss and for Niño’s sweet reminiscences of working with André, his life as a KCRW volunteer, encouraging Novena to become a DJ, how to be starstruck in a respectful way, growing into gentleness, and a whole lot more.
More: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on ‘freedom music’ and magic of silence
1. Kate Bush – "Don't Give Up" excerpt
2. A.R. Kane – "Honey Be (For Stella)" excerpt
3. Maleem Mahmoud Ghania with Pharoah Sanders – "La Allah Dayim Moulenah" excerpt
4. Franklin Kiermyer – "Greetings To Pharoah"
5. Carlos Niño & Friends – "Boom Bap Spiritual (featuring Surya Botofasina)"
6. Marina Herlop – "Busa"
7. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – "Zoticus"
8. Dilla, Questlove, Common, Miguel, Carlos – "Nag Champa" excerpt
9. Knxwledge. – "4. uphere"
10. Celia Hollander – “Receiver"
11. Thandi Ntuli with Carlos Niño – "Sunset (in California)"
12. André 3000 – "Ants To You, Gods To Who ?"
13. Nate Mercereau – "Excellent Traveler Theme (Feat. Idris Ackamoor and Carlos Niño) (Single Version)"
14. Turn On The Sunlight – "Loving Consideration, and Loving Kindness Reprise (with rain, river and birds)"