Sit listening to my music collection on party shuffle  for an hour and you'll find I'm all for jarring sound transitions. Follow me closely here. Music is about movement. It's about the flowing, swaying, and gyrating movement of bodies rocking harmoniously on packed dancehall floors in places with little ventilation. Sometimes it's sudden and spur of the moment while others it's calculated. Most of us find music takes away in the comfort of our homes allowing our limbs the freedom to burst out in the most unlikely body gestures and some will set adrift to discover music exotic places. I'm for the later idea.

Here's a few of my own top music picks to help you skip to the islands this summer including concert and festival happenings around the area:

5. Sail to: Portugal's Azores islands, Europe
When: July & August - several music events happening throughout the islands.
Song: Island of Wonder - Nelly Furtado (album: Folklore)

4. Sail to: Barbados, West Indies
When: July & August - for the island's popular five-week Crop Over festival with origins tracing back to the 1780's.
Song: A Girl Like Me - Rihanna (album: A Girl Like Me)

3. Sail to: Oahu, Hawaii
When: August 4-5, 2006 - 13th Annual Hawaiian International Jazz Festival.
Song: Moana Chimes - Jon Brion (album: Punch Drunk Love sdtk)

2. Sail to: Ibiza, Spain
When: July & August - Clubs and clubs galore! Dance in the day or dance at night. If you're a bit on the mellow side, lay out in the sun at Playa de Ses Salines where DJ is sure to be spinning a record or more.
Song: Wake Up With Me - Be Noir (album: Undiscovered Ibiza)

1. Sail to: Jamaica, West Indies
When: August 3-6, 2006 - The world's greatest Reggae festival, Reggae Sunsplash, returns and the roster looks as promising as ever.  What better island to be jammin' on than Jamaica?
Song: Sun is Shining - Bob Marley & the Wailers (album: Kaya)

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Europe, North America, Portugal, Spain, Barbados, Jamaica