COOL AS ICE

There’s a scientific theory that suggests you can cool yourself down by listening to certain music. Actually, there isn’t—I made that up. But I’m convinced it’s entirely feasible to modulate your perception of temperature through music. And since it’s hot today here in the United Kingdom, I’m carefully choosing a soundtrack—alongside adding extra ice cubes to a cordial or something stronger—to keep things chill.

Frank Sinatra’s two albums on Reprise with Brazilian composer and arranger Antônio Carlos Jobim are classics when it comes to creating a tropical, sultry mood. With eyes closed, you’ll feel the occasional breeze rustle through the coconut palms of your mind as the sun beats down—only occasionally remembering that you’re actually leaning against a park bench in the southwest of England, next to a crackhead or two, who remain in suspense about whether you’re looking to score.

It’s surprisingly easy to drift into a soft-focus meditation on the bossa nova rhythms of these tracks and become semi-enlightened (or drunk) on the vibes, as if you’ve spent too much time sipping cocktails in a beach bar in Rio—just in time for a late-afternoon Brazilian barbecue (churrasco), where you can savour some Zebu hump meat or grilled pineapple.

Anyway, I’d better go—these crackheads want their spot back.