Back in the day, there was no greater gift than the humble mixed tape.

The labor-intensive cassette meant so much to the giver and to the receiver. Hours spent astride double decks, fingers poised above the pause button, timing each song (juuust right), with a little MC magic added to the mix.

When the blank tape died, a small part of you did, too. But with the International Mixtape Project, you can tune into a growing community of global headphone hipsters who trade old-school tapes (and compilation discs) via snail mail.

Every month you swap your precious song compilations with music-minded pen pals around the world. Imagine! Your mix prowess heard from Helsinki to Beijing! And it’s just a few stamps away.

At the moment, 30 countries are exchanging beats: Israeli microhouse, Nova Scotia neo-soul, Bay Area hip-hop, and Congolese electro-folk.

Joining is simple and membership responsibilities are few (thank goodness, because summer heat makes us l-a-z-y). Cover art isn’t a must — but hello! — it’s, like, totally the best part.

And it just might save your life.

For reel.

International Mixtape Project (myspace.com/mixtapeproject or international.mixtape.project@gmail.com).