Happy Friday “Drivers” fam!
Welcome to this week’s show!
Seasonal greetings to you all and hope you’ve all had some time to unwind a bit and spend some time with loved ones or simply have some time to yourselves.
Here we are with the final Friday Drive of 2025 so I figured it would be a great opportunity to spin some of my favourites from the year.
It’s been a pretty incredible year on a lot of fronts but quite exceptional musically as you’ll probably gather from this week’s playlist.
In hindsight this show should have probably been stretched over two weeks but I figure why not give a little gift to the on demand gang and fit as much as possible all in one shot.
This is far from a top ten releases type amalgamation and more of a subjective exploration of some of the musical acquisitions that moved me over the year.
We’ll be starting things off slowly and taking it up over the course of the show to both unwind you from the year and wind you up for what will shortly be 2026.
Happy listening, thank you all for taking the time and hope you enjoy this week’s offering.
| What Is It We Need? Amanda Whiting feat. Alice Russell - Can You See Me Now? Album - First Word Records 
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| Love Warrior’s Anthem Kwashibu Area Band - Love Warrior’s Anthem Album - Soundway Records |
| Nothing We Could Do Soothsayers - Fly Higher Album - Wah Wah 45s
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| Ku Den Kaidi Tathem - Miles Away Album - First Word Records |
| Tough Swagger The Flying Hats - The Return Of Album - ATA Records |
| Fare Evader Surprise Chef - Superb Album - Big Crown Records |
| Simulation Alexander Flood - Artifactual Rhythm Album - Atjazz Record Company |
| Folding Footshooter feat. Allysha Joy - The Oasis Album - Tru Thoughts |
| bottom of first broadcast hour 17h30 EDT |
| Merry Go Round (Nik Nak Remix) Takumi Moriya Black Nation - Single - Jazz Room Records |
| Find Your Flame (Jungle Version) Nubiyan Twist - NT Soundsystem Album - Strut Records |
| Sarabaa Sono Rhizmo’ - Resense 058 Single - Agogo Records |
| Saffron Sahara Swing Sunbörn Meets Clap! Clap! - Earth Is Begging Album - Wah Wah 45s
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| Mizu The Circling Sun - Orbits Album - Soundway Records |
| Love Is Like The Ghetto Yazmin Lacey - Teal Dreams Album - AMF Records
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| Holler For The Dolla Magic In Threes - Palm Sway / Holler For The Dollar Single - G.E.D. Soul Records |
| end of first broadcast hour 18h EDT |
| on demand exclusive |
| The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Brian Jackson feat. Black Thought - Single - BBE
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| Never Lost Kokoroko - Tuff Times Never Last Album - Brownswood Recordings |
| Love On My Side Mo’ Horizons feat. Ecto Maver - Love & Joy Single - Agogo Records |
| Brand New Feeling (Yoruba Soul Mix Part 1) Roy Ayers feat. Merry Clayton & Sylvia Cox - Roy Ayers - Brand New Feeling - Yoruba Soul Remixes Single - BBE
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| It's Our World Reginald Omas Mamode IV - Single - Melting Pot Music |
| Moments The Soulfulists - Faded Signs and Familiar Streets Album - The Soulfulists |
| Sunclap Sunbörn Meets Clap! Clap! - Earth Is Begging Album - Wah Wah 45s
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| Lemenjá (Digei De Barrio Re-Edit) Duo Ouro Negro - Single - Mad About Records |
| Spiritual War Immy Owusu - Spiritual War Album - Hopestreet Recordings |
| Pharaoh’s Letter Ajak Kwai - Music Is Everything: Music In Exile’s 5th Birthday Compilation v/a Album - Music In Exile |
| Arabuta (Daniel Maunick Extended Mix) Azymuth - Marca Passo Album - Far-Out Recordings |
| Pot-Pourri De Sambas Akim Bamboo - Forró De Dois Amigos / Pot-Pourri De Sambas Single - Local Dish 
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| Sandalia Deal Clementine - Jazz Room Present: “Covers” - Jazz Room Records |
| Souljah Celia Wa - Fasadé Album - Heavenly Sweetness |
| Yebo Edi Pachanga (Izem Remix) Guts feat. José Padilla - Best Of Heavenly Sweetness 2025 - Heavenly Sweetness
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| Angel Dust (Kyoto Jazz Massive Remix) Ludivine Issambourg feat. Wolfgang Valbrun & Brian Jackson - Above The Laws Remixed Single - Heavenly Sweetness
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| Agouti Turn Back Panman Pat - Panman 80: “Bobolee In Town Single - Local Dish
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| Playa Embrujadas Son Bayou - Flor Campestre Single - Names You Can Trust |
| Aker The Lion God (Extended 12” Version) Auntie Flo - Green City + In My Dreams Club Versions Single - A State Of Flo |
| Danse Divine DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson - Danses Divines Album - Hot Casa |
| Yemamaya (David Walters Remix) Luizga & iZem - Yemamaya Album - Elis Records |
| La Piña Madura (Voilaaa Remix) Abelardo Carbono & Quantic - AfroColumbia Remix Vol. 3 EP - Galletas Calientes Records |
| Yildiz (Estrelar) Peki Momés - Yildiz (Estrelar) / Bahar Single - Mocambo Records |
| Take Your Time Lucas Moinet Trio - Time Travel Album - Betino's Records |
| bottom of second broadcast hour 18h30 EDT |
| K.T.Y.W.S. Sault - 10 Album - Forever Living Originals |
| Something Blue Aflex Combo - Hibaros Single - Jazz Room Records |
| Twang Quantic & Sly5thAve - DJ-Kicks: Quantic v/a Album - !K7 Records |
| Another New Day (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session) Jazzanova - In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live Album - Sonar Kollektiv |
| Better Days Magic In Threes - Single - G.E.D. Soul Records |
| Runnin'* Turbulance - Single - CoOperation Records |
| end of on air broadcast 19h EDT |
| on demand exclusive |
| Navigate Your Soul Shokazulu - Navigate Your Soul / Peace To The Puzzle Single - 2000 Black
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| Party People Ron Juan - Club Coco: New Dimensions In Latin Music v/a Album - Club Coco
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| That Night (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session) Jazzanova feat. Wayne Snow - In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live Album - Sonar Kollektiv |
| Shine Your Light Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange - INSPIRE // RADICALISE Album - Energy Exchange Records |
| Tony Anthony Joseph - Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back Album - Heavenly Sweetness |
| Dzatsu Drama On The Corner feat. K.O.G - Orixa EP - Tangential Music |
| El Nuevo Prometeo Los Pirañas - Una Oportunidad más de Triunfar En La Vida Album - Glitterbeat Records
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| Don’t Get Back No More Sai Galaxy - All Day Cool EP - Soundway Records
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| Move (Keep Moving Version) Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 feat. Kamasi Washington - Single - Record Kicks |
| Didn't I Gil.sm - Dancing With Sol Album - Brighter Days |
| Unfold Shur-I-Kan & Juliet Mendoza - Single - Lazy Days Recordings
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| Stints Marc Decho - Forget The World Album - Colin Curtis Presents
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| Extra Curriculars:
EVERY TUESDAY AT 7 - 11 PM Open Mic Night hosted by Jess Cole & Ketura Johnson @Cassette Listening Bar 2557 Baseline Road Come jam! EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10 PM - CLOSE lifeboogie presents: [Why Not] w/ Trevor Walker @27 Club 27 York St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Zy6cc6XWv/ No Cover | 19+ Every Wednesday @27clubottawa everyone’s welcome to pass through for my weekly jam where I stretch out and drop a diverse open format soundtrack of solid vibes for Ottawa’s music lovers. You can expect all the favourite tunes you’ve never heard before. Always trying to keep if fresh with vinyl + digital sets ranging from Funk, Soul, Boogie, dance floor Jazz, Breaks, House, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass, Bruk, Afro, Latin, Brazilian, Reggae and whatever moves our souls selected for dancers. Always trying for a taste of what I didn't know we're all missing. Trust the DJ! Also been live streaming for the global fam and couch clubbers! twitch.tv/lifeboogie You can also find archived sets on my SoundCloud page: https://soundcloud.com/trevorlifeboogiewalker Vibes to get you past the midweek hump! Hope to see you out making moves. EVERY THURSDAY AT 10 PM - 2 AM Take Off Thursday w/ DJ Nauty Nice + Selekta Shells on weekly rotation @27 Club Ottawa 27 York St. No Cover | 19+ The gateway to your weekend! EVERY FRIDAY AT 7:30 - 10:30 PM Ten Toes Trivia hosted by Floydeeee @Ten Toes Coffee Co. 837 Somerset St. W. Join host Floydeeeee at Ten Toes Somerset every Friday to put your knowledge to the test. Three rounds, free to play with prizes galore. No reservations, first come first serve. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2025 AT 10 PM - CLOSE DiscoLab: [“Disco Fights” Boxing Day Edition] With Trevor Walker & Alex “Magnificent” Edwards” @Beyond The Pale 250 City Centre Avenue, Unit 106 Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ah3uXTQzD/ Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/discolab-disco-fights-boxing-day-edition-tickets-1972718292517 Hey DiscoLab fam we’re back at Beyond The Pale for our first time celebrating Boxing Day with a boogie boxing match between heavy weights DJ Magnificent and lifeboogie swinging the tunes at you all for what promises to be a match up for the books! DiscoLab is a 100% vinyl throw down ’75 - ’83 + Funky Disco Boogie Soul vibes all night. Dress to impress for the get down & make sure to sharpen up those boogie moves! DiscoLab is people coming together and feeling free to the funk in the spirit of the mid 1970’s - 1980’s. We encourage everyone to take it to the next level by dressing up in your finest disco gear with a Halloween twist and get ready to GET DOWN to some of the best music and vibes Ottawa has to offer. Combined, Alex & Trevor have been rocking dancefloors and collecting music for more than 60 years! We have been and will continue to bring that experience and understanding of the era to enhance the DiscoLab experience trying to introduce and play lesser known underground classics coupled with a dash of your favourite anthems. DiscoLab has had the very good fortune to be partnered with Parlour as one of Ottawa’s premiere venues giving the party a unique and magical vibe. We hope to see you out on the dance floor dressed to the hilt throwing down the moves. LET’S GO!!! SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2025 AT 8 PM StankFest: Soul Funk Night @The Rainbow 76 Murray St Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/17WhwoHVHm/ Tickets: Ticketstherainbow.ca/event/6329764/742261308/stankfest-the-groove-bug-10-piece-band-mecca-of-stank Behold the 3rd annual StankFest in Ottawa, showcasing the best soul/funk music in the Capital region! 10-piece ensemble The Groovebug will kick things off, followed by Mecca of Stank for an evening that is guaranteed to get you moving and give you a stank face. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2025 AT 9 PM - 3 AM White Rabbit: Disco Delight & Funk At Night @City At Night 222 Slater St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FWrcDoG3v/ Tickets: Ticketssairyo.live/event/3999/white-rabbit-disco-delight-funk-at-night-gcoefz * * * SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOPPY HOUR PRICING! * * * FREE COVER + $4 DRINKS from 9pm to 10pm! By popular demand, on Saturday December 27th we're launching the newest recurring theme event by White Rabbit Ottawa in City At Night... featuring disco-house and funky grooves all night long: "DISCO DELIGHT & FUNK AT NIGHT!" We'll be dropping funky beats for both your feets, including disco-house selections, classic disco remixes, funky tech-house, and the freshest nudisco sounds. w/ DJs: WIZARD KELLY SIR DIGBY BRIXTON III (1/2 of dj duo Brickhouse) LITTLE FEVER (HoppyHour) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025 AT 9 PM - 4 AM A White Rabbit New Years Eve 2026 @City At Night 222 Slater St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SJzKW5DL7/ Tickets: Ticketssairyo.live/event/3997/a-white-rabbit-new-years-eve-2026-f4ytyj On Wednesday December 31st, White Rabbit and City At Night are happy to host... A WHITE RABBIT NEW YEAR'S EVE 2026 Start your night off right with some affordable holiday cheer during Hoppy Hour from 9-10pm, offering $4 drinks!! We're serving until 3am, dancing until 4:00am! Taking us out of the old year and into 2026 with the best house and tech-house, your White Rabbit resident DJs: RICK LAPLANTE https://soundcloud.com/whiterabbitottawa/sets/rick-laplante TONE A https://soundcloud.com/tone-a-1 BRINK https://soundcloud.com/djbrink1 ... and our featured Hoppy Hour DJ is: QUEENYY https://soundcloud.com/queenyymusic _ * * * Securing your tickets or table packages ASAP is HIGHLY recommended as this event ALWAYS sells out. * * * EVERY 1st FRIDAY of the month, 2026 7:30 - 10:30 *Jan 2nd The Ed Lister Group @The Night Oat 750 Gladstone Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/19U5Ym6w6g/ Tonight you can join us the The Ed Lister Group, a quintet featuring a revolving cast of the finest jazz messengers in Ottawa, Montreal and sometimes Toronto sets at 7:30pm and 9:30pm $15 cover FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2026 AT 10 PM - 2:30 AM Substance At Night: Jares + Alain M b2b Boraa + Steve Finney @City At Night 222 Slater St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1awvErpTdk/ Tickets: Ticketsticketscandy.com/e/jares-at-city-at-night-substance-14248 City and Ottawa Prog Vibes present Substance on Friday, January 2 at City at Night, featuring Montreal-based DJ and producer Jares, with support from Alain M b2b Boraa and Steve Finney; A night to come together, reset, and ease back into the flow of the new year... Rooted in progressive house, this event focuses on depth, atmosphere, and emotional flow rather than peaks alone. Jares is known for blending ethereal and orchestral elements with detailed, driving rhythms, creating immersive sets that lean into both euphoria and introspection. His music has been released on labels such as Katermukke, Steyoyoke, ICONYC, Beatfreak and UV, and has received support from artists including John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Sasha and Markus Schulz. He has played at venues and events such as Stereo Afterhours, Coachella and Burning Man, and shared stages with artists like ARTBAT, Adriatique, Miss Monique and Henry Saiz. Support on the night comes from Alain M b2b BORAA and Steve Finney. SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2026 AT 7 PM - CLOSE [lifeboogie Saturdaze] @Cassette Lounge Bar 2557 Baseline Road Dropping an open format of vintage & contemporary Jazz Funk Soul Afro Latin Reggae Disco Boogie + stuff all on 100% vinyl with support from Zach Parker the first Saturday of every month at @cassette.613 Can’t wait to share some good music with you all in an intimate atmosphere where you’re free to dance, vibe, drink, eat and groove to a little taste of what we didn’t know we’ve been missing. Hope to see some fam out to enjoy the selections! SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2026 AT 10 PM - 2 AM Back With The Tracks: 56 / Overkill Jam Selekta Shells + DJ Magnificent + Rayaz + DJ Kam + DJ Nauty Nyce + Loacapone @27 Club Ottawa 27 York St. Save the date, call your pals, your baby sitters, your cousins, your sister’s BF, your boy’s GF etc! Come reminisce Bar 56! Your 2026 deserves a Kickstart! FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026 AT 9 PM - 3 AM White Rabbit + Axé Worldfest Present: Hector Romero (NYC) + Rick LaPlante + Queenyy Celebrating Claudia Balladelli’s Birthday! @City At Night 222 Slater St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G5wCxHXww/ Tickets: Ticketssairyo.live/event/4018/white-rabbit-axe-worldfest-present-hector-romero-nyc-o2f5pl FRIDAY January 30th, to help us celebrate Claudia Balladelli's birthday, WHITE RABBIT & AXÉ WORDLFEST proudly present, for his first appearance in City At Night: HECTOR ROMERO (Orianna Records/ Def Mix NYC) There have been lots of changes over the past four decades in New York Nightlife. The sounds have gone from Disco to Freestyle to House to Techno; the venues have gone from Studio 54 to Palladium to Sound Factory and Pacha to Output; and the borough to dance in has gone from Manhattan to Brooklyn. But there has been one element in the community that has been able to survive the ever–evolving landscape, and that is the DJ. Not many of course, but a few talented, Inspired DJ / Artists have remained at the forefront of the industry during this time. One of those is Hector Romero. Born and raised in The Bronx, Hector’s DJ experiences include playing legendary venues like Red Zone, Limelight, Palladium, Save The Robots, The Roxy, Cielo and Output. Over the years he has evolved into one of New York City’s prime ambassadors of House music, bringing his unique Soulful and Latin inspired House vibe to venues around the world. With 40+ years of experience this career jock is now throwing his musical diversity and eclectic taste as a sought-after A&R in the music business. Under his belt are various mix compilations that he has curated, King Street’s “Soulful House Journey”, Nervous Record’s “Weaving Genres” Vol.1 & 2. These projects showcase Hector’s abilities not only as a DJ but as an A&R exec that has an ear for quality music. He attributes his business savvy by having worked with industry legend Judy Weinstein during his 20 plus years at Def Mix Productions. This is where he matured as a record executive working alongside Grammy awards winning DJs David Morales, Frankie Knuckles and Satoshi Tomiie. Those relationships taught him essential lessons about the equal importance of a great beat and a great song. Currently Hector acts as A&R Director of Orianna Music, a Latin Electronic boutique label owned and operated by Sony Music, a position he truly loves. Although New York is still his home, Hector spends a great deal of time traveling where he can be found stirring up dance floors in Italy, Greece, Japan, Spain, Canada and various parts of the world. http://www.facebook.com/hectorromeronyc https://www.facebook.com/defmixproductions/ http://twitter.com/DJHectorRomero Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/hectorromero http://instagram.com/hectorromero/ W/ LOCAL SUPPORT FROM: RICK LAPLANTE QUEENYY Streaming, Archives & stuff! Catch me on twitch.tv/lifeboogie *when possible -Wednesday | 22h | “Why Wednesday” Remote Stream @27 Club Open format 100% vinyl or digital for dancing -open format pop ups & the occasional raid trains Socials / Archive: Instagram / Twitch: @lifeboogie Fecesbook: https://www.facebook.com/djtrevorwalker MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/trevor-walker4/ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/trevorlifeboogiewalker |
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3:11 AM, December 26th, 2025