BEATS OF LOVE 

87. Long, Long, Long by The Beatles

I'VE NEVER been righteous or preachy about my Catholicism. 

Much prefer to talk about God and the Old Testament rather than Jesus with my Muslim friends. And much prefer nature to church architecture. However, it is deeply troubling that nobody except the missus in my life seems enriched by spirituality. 

The summer after my mother died, our Yucca plant bloomed for the only time. Weeks earlier, I had poured some of her ashes at its base, so I immediately saw the blossom as a sign. I felt she was at peace and wanted us to be, too. However, when I shared this thought with others, they just looked at me like I was crazy.

Sadly, most people want to see proof of miracles to even find some spirituality. Watching the smallest sparrow in the garden and the magical way it swings and darts around before flying high into the expansive sky until it disappears is truly amazing. Nothing constructed is as captivating or miraculous. This deeply spiritual song, with Ringo's inventive drum patterns swirling magically around Paul's rich Hammond, comes mighty close.

We can explain the mechanics of existence, but not its origin. The Big Bang describes how the universe heated and transformed, yet it leaves the catalyst itself a mystery. It is like explaining how a central heating system works while ignoring where the gas comes from, simply assuming the pipe will always be full.

Science is brilliant at tracking the mechanics, but it completely misses the music. And that is exactly what keeps me walking, listening to this mesmerising track in my head, and looking at the world around me. Folk can keep hunting for the "how" all they want. I'll stick to the garden, where the "why" is already blooming.

BEATS OF LOVE

86. Sun Circles : For Leo & Ziggy (Alex Kassian remix) by Gratts featuring Nathan Haines & Mr Beale

AFTER READING Emma’s wonderful book twice, I found myself down a 1960s deep soul wormhole, which has been fantastic for my body.

However, a clip of Richard Searling at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom's northern weekender, where daytime movers looked more like robotic line dancers, abruptly pulled me back to the soulful present. Dancing needs passion, and daytime dancing always looks odd, anyway.

Berlin-based Alex Kassian has just delivered three absolute summer smashes in rapid succession, so this remix was always going to catch my ear. I have to disagree with the insider who prefers the original. Personally, I love how Kassian prizes open the vocals. They are simply sublime.

This remix flutters delightfully with a beautifully ethereal quality, once again showcasing his genius use of the sampler and a marvellous piano arrangement.* Crucially, it is infinitely more danceable. Be Strong Be Free is shaping up to be another essential label; it has gained immediate momentum.

*He just sampled a chord from  BOC's Olson and recorded his own piano. - Gratts