1. ''SUMMERTIME,'' DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Fire up the grill to a classic, as Will Smith sets the scene: ''Break to
ya crib, change your clothes once more/'Cause you're invited to a
barbecue that's starting at 4!''
2. ''ATLIENS,'' OutKast
Lots of tracks encourage listeners to ''throw ya hands in the air/And
wave 'em like you just don't care,'' but this one has the grooviest bass
line.
3. ''TROPICALIA,'' Beck
Keep things hopping with an alt-rocker that boasts tasty Brazilian
rhythms.
4. ''HOUSE BY THE SEA,'' Iron and Wine
Listen to a rollicking folk-rock song about the ideal setting for an
eat-athon, even if yours is elsewhere.
5. ''LIVE AT THE BARBEQUE,'' Main Source
The '91 cut deserves a spot for obvious reasons — and because it features
a cameo from a little-known kid named Nas.
6. ''DROP,'' the Pharcyde
A laid-back West Coast hip-hop jam that'll keep everyone cool as the
temperature peaks.
7. ''OVER AND OVER,'' Nelly feat. Tim McGraw
Sensitive-guy country and singsong rap go great together on this
easygoing duet.
8. ''THE LOVELY UNIVERSE,'' Circulatory System
The warm psychedelic orchestration is ideally suited to a lazy afternoon
spent outdoors...
9. ''TROPICAL ICE-LAND,'' the Fiery Furnaces
...just ramp up the energy again with a breezy indie tune.
10. ''SHE'S NOT ME,'' Madonna
Ease your guests out the door with a taste of Madge's latest music.
Supercatchy yet chilled out, it's tailor-made for the comedown from a
sweltering shindig.
(All songs available on iTunes)
You Might Also Like
- Music News New music-release strategies | Simon Vozick-Levinson
- Book News Turning heartache into art | Whitney Pastorek
- Download This ''Timebomb'' is Beck at his best | Simon Vozick-Levinson
- All About Beck
