Aril Brikha – Deeparture in Time (1999)

by Shawn Ciavattone

Found this album (executive producer Derrick May) last weekend, a beautiful and unique collection of (Detroit) Techno / Deep House. With it’s cool & sexy vibe it reminded me of someone special…

“It’s good smooching music, isn’t it?”

That was her only reply. Tina was a clerk in my local Indie – shop and although I saw her several times, she was never really overly friendly. (although I often felt our eyes meeting). She was striking: 5’9 with massive heels, always dressed in black with deep red or black lipstick. Almost… goth? She was a bit intimidating and likely 8-10 years old than me.

My reply was ridiculously awkward: “Yes. Good kissing music.  Yes”. I could feel the blood rushing to my head as I desperately tried to look cool.  It was pointless.  She laughed out loud at me and I felt quite like a fool.  Until something amazing happened.

“You should come over and listen to the full album with me”.

I was completely and totally unprepared to that- honestly, I think I stood there with my mouth open.  She only laughed again and handed me a piece of paper with her home address. “Come over tonight after 7pm and we can listen together”. And she was actually serious!  My head was spinning as I walked to my car. 

Now, I know what happened, right?  It doesn’t matter if Tina and I listened to music and talked all night or did “smooch” and make love- my point is the same: music has connected me to the most beautiful and interesting people in my life. Some people I’ve known my entire life. Others for only a few hours. But they are all part of me. They are forever in my heart. I will forever cherish them. And more than anything else, music pushed me forward and helped me recall how wonderful this imperfect world can be. 

By the way, the featured album really is amazing smooching music.