DJ Tomas (aka fab music writer Tomas Palermo) lives in San Francisco where it has been a chilly 56-degrees most of the summer. Ah, life in the fog belt. Much earlier though, DJ Tomas started playing records in high school on a 10-watt FM radio station and spun at a few illicit after-hours clubs. Back then he loved Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sounds label, ‘80s reggae and skate punk bands. He moved to LA and did a reggae radio show on college station KXLU for seven years while DJing and promoting club nights like B-Side and Umoja Jazz ‘N Ragga Lounge. The later night gave birth in 1993 to a DJ crew called Umoja Hi-FI, which now counts seven members, all of whom still pursue music activities. In 2000 Tomas started the Voltage Music label whose motto is “Dub For The Dancefloor.” The label has issued 10 vinyl singles, one digital single and one digital comp with more broken, dubstep and ill bass business to come.

Palermo has written articles for XLR8R, Wiretap, SF Weekly and other publications and continues to do radio shows such as KUSF’s Friday Night Session. Eclectic music sets have always been his preference, with a reggae club residency in SF at Culture Corner (at Koko Cocktails) and mix sets on his blog and podcasts covering dubstep, global beats, jazzy electronic stuff and techy bits. He needs the cool weather to mellow out after all that.

Here’s a taste of what he’s been feeling this summer:

1. Duane Stephenson – Sufferer’s Eyes (VP)
2. Scuba – Eclipse (Abucs)
3. Queen Ifrica – Times Like These (2 Hard)
4. Madslinky – Make A Change (Tru Thoughts)
5. Kush Arora – Reppin & Steppin ft. Mega Banton (KAP)
6. Donso – Donso (Comet Records)
7. Al Tourettes & Appleblim – Lipsmacker (Deadboy Remix) (AUS)
8. Arp 101 – Dead Leaf (Eglo)
9. Quetzal – Vision (Still)
10. Misty In Roots – Earth (Kaz)
11. Various – Joe Gibbs 12” Reggae Discomix Vol. 4 & 5 (17 N. Parade)
12. Monaque – Butterfly (Sei A Remix) (Highway Records)
13. Atjazz – Put It On feat. Jonotan Backelie (Atjazz)
14. The Chameleons UK – One Flesh (Chrysalis)
15. Cocteau Twins – Quisquose (4AD)
16. Thomas Koner – Permafrost (Type)