John Forte: The Playlist

SARAH HALL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

"And while I don't speak French well enough to be able to translate the song, it's further evidence that music transcends language."

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in June 2012.

Every week, we are highlighting the rad, the bad and the straight-up sad in music. This week, special guest contributor John Forté lets us in on his latest project and reveals five tracks he thinks we should add to our playlist right now. Check out last week's Playlist here.

Editor's Pick: "Your Traveling Light" by John Forté

John Forté, recognized for his work with The Fugees, is the embodiment of a Better Man. After completing a drug-related prison sentence, he returned to the music and entertainment industry stronger than ever, creating inspirational projects. Brooklyn Castle, for example, is a documentary his production company co-executive produced, which looks at the lives of inner city kids in Brooklyn who win national chess competitions. It's since received the Audience Award at SXSW. He's also released "Your Traveling Light" (featured here), which is the first track off of the album Light, the second installment in a three-series album titled called Water, Light, Sound. Look for collaborations with John Legend, Talib Kweli, HD Fre, AZ, Colin Munroe, Firehorse and more.

--> John Forté's Playlist

"Oh La La" by Brigitte

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Aurelie Saada from the French pop duo Brigitte. It's great to connect good music with the people behind it. The video clip for "Oh La La" looks like a trailer to some classic American cult film. In all honesty, after seeing the video, I went scrambling online to find the full-length film (perhaps you'll be inspired to do the same)! And while I don't speak French well enough to be able to translate the song, it's further evidence that music transcends language. The song is sexy and provocative. The ladies of Brigitte are beautiful and stylish. Who could resist?

"Man on Fire" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

I posted this video on my Facebook page immediately after watching it for the first time. The vocal performance and lyrics are right out of a Johnny Cash playbook. And that's OK! The band's willingness to star an ensemble cast of youthful urban dancers (from multifarious genres) in lieu of themselves is a refreshing change to the current paradigm of look-at-me narcissism. Admittedly, I was biased from the very first frame of the video. It shows the facade of the Brownsville Recreation Center -- I grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn!

"Make It N.Y." by Ghostfunk (produced by Max Tannone)

Max Tannone is a beast of a producer. Look up his past efforts. Go ahead, I dare you! This particular mashup of African psychedelic rock music and Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah is nothing short of spectacular. This is the perfect song to get you moving -- treadmill, pull-up bar, pre-clubbing shot of whisky at home. If only hip-hop were as creative as this song on a regular basis. If only...

"Reckoner" by Radiohead

Thom Yorke and his troupe can do no wrong by me. Radiohead was one of the first groups to interactively engage their fan base on a regular basis. The video for "Reckoner" was the product of crowd sourcing. The song is rife with percussion, warped guitars, lush strings and Yorke's ethereal vocals. The video is apocalyptic and prophetic (released in March 2008).

"Why" by Carly Simon

This is a timeless track. The groove is infectious enough to wake the dead. Carly, my spiritual godmother and mentor, kills on this track (and brings them back to life)! Do yourself a favor and get back to basics -- remind yourself of the beauty of the "less is more" principle. Caution: If watching/listening in the office, you will be compelled to get up and dance!