Revolutions Per Minute

Matt Howard joins us in round two of our exploration of hip-hop. This time we learn how hip-hop and jazz traditions converse with each other in challenging societal norms and representing black ingenuity. We explore the influence of jazz on hip-hop and hip-hop in jazz through artists just as Madlib, A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick Lamar, and Makaya McCraven.

Playlist

1. "Quintessenz Und Ihre Nuance" - Jazz Dialogue & Philanthrope 

2. “Mystic Bounce” - Madlib

3.  Jazzmatazz - Guru

4.  Excursions - A Tribe Called Quest

5.  For Free (Interlude) - Kendrick Lamar 

6. Alright - Kendrick Lamar

7. Chocolate Chip - Miles Davis 

8.  Afro Blue - Robert Glasper Experience (featuring Erykah Badu)

9. Lonely -  Makaya McCraven (with Jeff Parker, Marquis Hill, Junius Paul, Justefan)

10.  Si te Busca - La Brígida Orquesta

11.  Underworld - L’orange

Matt Howard joins us in our virtual studio to discuss the role of hip-hop in the larger Black Lives Matter movement, from the 1990s to now. We discuss NWA and Run the Jewels' commentary on police brutality and unequal monetary fiscal policy. This is followed by a discussion about feminism within the hip-hop genre in the UK and the USA with Little Simz and Queen Latifah, how to engage within the present BLM movement with the debate between J. Cole and Noname,  and representations of black capitalism and black marxism with Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Keys, Quelle Chris, L'orange, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, & DJ Q-bert. 

1. Fuck tha police - N.W.A. 

2. Ooh la la - Run the Jewels

3. Offense - Little Simz 

4. Ladies First - Queen Latifah and Monie Love

5. Blaxploitation - Noname

6. Snow on the Bluff - J Cole

7. Song 33 - Noname 

8. The Blacker the Berry - Kendrick Lamar

9. Black Parade - Beyoncé 

10. Mirage - Chris Keys and Quelle Chris

11. The Scribe  - L'orange & Mr.Lif (Feat. Akrobatik & Dj Q-bert)

Historian Michael Reagan joins us in our remote studio to discuss the history, legacy, and relevance of Max Roach's revolutionary collaboration called "We Insist!" We discuss what makes jazz, jazz, Max Roach's exploration of pan-African identity, and the ties that bind the early Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter today.

Join us as we pay tribute to legendary drummer Tony Allen's innovative Afrobeat rhythms and politics. We start by rooting ourselves in Africa '70's poly-rhythms and Art Blakey. We then journey with Tony Allen through a babbling river of grooves spanning various solo projects and collaborations with Sebastien Tellier, Oumou Sangare, Chicago Afrobeat Project, The Good, the Bad & the Queen, and Rocket Juice & the Moon. 

1. Roforofo Fight - Fela Kuti

2. Moanin' - Tony Allen

3. Get Together - Tony Allen

4. La ritournelle - Sebastien Tellier

5. Yere faga - Oumou Sangare, Tony Allen

6. No Bad News - Chicago Afrobeat Project, Tony Allen

7. The Good, The Bad, And The Queen - The Good, The Bad, And The Queen

8. Benko - Rocket Juice & The Moon 

9. Dirty Money - Antibalas

A native Texan, Justis Phillips joins us as we discuss the foundations and the future of country music. We start with artists such as Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette as they sing about love and heartbreak. We move towards the Dixie Chicks and Kacey Musgraves, who challenge gender norms with strength and tenderness, and then hint at the future of country music with black artists such as Beyonce and Lil Nas X, who highlight country music's new trajectory.  

1. Crazy - Willie Nelson

2. Hungry For Love - Patsy Cline

3. I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

4. Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette

5. D-I-V-O-R-C-E - Tammy Wynette

6. Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks

7. Pageant Material - Kacey Musgraves

8. Daddy Lessons - Beyonce

9. Old Town Road (Remix) - Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus

Lan Nguyen joins us in our virtual studio to discuss disasters and recovery. We cover celebrity aid concerts, community first responders, empathy for loved ones and strangers, the exacerbation of existing societal inequities, and building resilience through music and grassroots creativity and capacity building. All alongside a tour of artists as varied as Lionel Richie, Fleetwood Mac, Rihanna, Rage Against the Machine and an all-female taiko drumming group. An eclectic ride, indeed!

Playlist:

1. We Are the World - USA For Africa

2. SOS Philippines - Armand TJ

3. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

4. Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics

5. Umbrella - Rihanna & JayZ

6. Preciosa - Marc Anthony

7. Sleep Now in the Fire - Rage Against the Machine

8. Rise - Public Enemy & Paris

9. Circulo de Bellas Artes Performance - Hono-o-Daiko 

10.  Ghen Co Vy - MIN x ERIK & Khac Hung

11. Gotta Be Patient (Confination Song VI) - Stay Homas & Judit Neddermann 

Amid the global coronavirus pandemic, massive unemployment, millions with precarious living situations, inadequate healthcare, Seba and Riddhi share the songs that provide them comfort and support. We explore new releases by Alabaster DePlume, an Italian classic, reinterpretations of classics by Gil Scott-Heron, and contemplate lingering in the sun in community with loved ones. This too shall pass. 

Playlist:

1. The Budos Band - TIBWF

2. Sandra De Sa - Conte Conmigo

3. Gil Scott-Heron & Makaya McCraven - I'll Take Care Of You

4.  Mina - Un Anno d'Amore (C'est Irreparable)

5. Lucas Santtana - Cira, Regina e Nana

6. Alabaster DePlume - Visit Croatia

7. Gaelynn Lea - Someday We'll Linger In The Sun

8. Tank and the Bangas - Oh Heart

9. Sylvan Esso - Coffee

10. Daniel Avery, Allesandro Cortini - Illusion of Time

11. Javiera Mena - Otro Era

12. Nicolas Jaar - Faith Made of Silk

13. Juana Molina - Ay, No Se Ofendan

14. Ninos Desl Cerro - Durmiendo En El Parque

While sequestered in their respective homes amidst the global spread of COVID-19, Adam Neugebauer and Alan-Michael Weatherford take us on a journey exploring the musical and political evolution of video games. We start with some nerdcore music, dip into representational struggles, game worker unionization, and end with theorizing the future of gaming.

Playlist:

1. MC Chris - Fett's Vette

2. Nitro Fun - New Game

3. Nobuo Uematsu - Other World

4. Heavens to Betsy - Terrorist

5. Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion

6. Glukoza - Schweine

7. The Rolling Stones - Paint It, Black

8. Cage the Elephant - Aint' No Rest For The Wicked

9. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra - We Are One

10. Frank Klepacki - HM2 (Hell March 2)

11. The Heavy - Short Change Hero

Caitlin Alcorn joins us to share her passion for Taylor Swift and lead us through Swift's political awakening. Journey through country ballads, heartbreak, parental affection, private equity, public pension funds,  music ownership rights, voter mobilization and feminist pop anthems.

Playlist: All Songs By Taylor Swift

1. The Best Day

2. Last Kiss

3. Dear John

4. Holy Ground

5. All Too Well

6. Clean

7. Getaway Car

8. Soon You'll Get Better (Featuring Dixie Chicks)

9. The Man

10. Only The Young

Joined by Andrew Hedden, Seba and Riddhi are introduced to wide array of electronic wonders from the 1960s and 1970s that heavily influenced sci-fi and spy movies and television shows like Dr. Who, Man from UNCLE and Star Trek. There is experimental electronic music, alien animal sounds, Tom Ze, Gil Scot-Heron, A Tribe Called Quest and plenty of discussion about the various ideas behind space exploration and spy movies.

Playlist: 

1. A Tribe Called Quest - The Space Program

2. Louis and Bebe Barron - Ancient Krell Music

3. Bob & Jerry - Ghost Satellite

4. Joe Meek & The Blue Men - I Hear A New World

5. Joe Meek & The Blue Men - The Bulblight

6. Attilio Mineo - Gayway to Heaven

7. Dick Hyman & Mary Mayo - Maid of The Moon

8. Ron Grainer, Delia Derbyshire - Orginal Theme (From "Doctor Who")

9. Jerry Goldsmith, Ron Jones -  Main Title (From "Star Trek: The New Generation")

10. Bedlam Bards - Hero of Canton

11. Fred Karlin - Robot Repair

12. Hugo Montenegro - Theme - (From "The Man From UNCLE")

13. Tom Ze & Valdez - Jimmy, Renda Se

14. Jerry Goldsmith - Never Mind, You'd Love It

15. Gill Scott-Heron - Whitey On The Moon

Seba and Riddhi are joined by Gaurav Pai to talk about Indian politics. We talk about the rise of the BJP, the Hindutva movement, demonetization, citizenship, Konkani culture, Kashmir and more. Through it all, we listen to Bombay gully music, modern twists on classic songs, and folk and indo-latin songs. Amidst all the discussion and music, please bear with some technical difficulties in the recording. 

Playlist: 

1. Dub Sharma - Azadi

2. The Ska Vengers - A Message To You, Modi

3. East India Comedy - The Modi Song

4. AR Rahman - Rang De Basanti

5. AR Rahman - Bombay Theme

6. Ester Noronha & Noel Sean - Despacito

7. Remo Fernandes - Maya Ya

8. Ranveer SIng & Dub Sharma - Apna Time Aayega

In honor of it being Valentine's week, Seba and Riddhi explore the various dimensions of love - love for oneself and health, for another person, for life, for a group of people, for peace, for the environment. We travel from the side-streets of Hong Kong to Cold War Germany to the mariachi bands of Mexico, with a sprinkling of Tina Turner and Marvin Gaye. 

Playlist:

1. Mercedes Sosa - Gracias A La Vida

2. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgement

3. Juan Gabriel - Ya Lo Se Que Te Vas

4. Tina Turner - The Best

5. Lido Pimienta - Quiero Jardines

6. Mos Def - New World Water

7. Victor Jara - Te Recuerdo Amanda

8. Nena - 99 Luftballons 

9. Shigeru Umebayashi - Yumeji's Theme (From "In the Mood For Love")

10. Chavela Vargas - Que Te Vaya Bonito

11. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

Seba and Riddhi explore various representations of afro-futurism, they celebrate MLK Jr. with Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu and air genre-transcending pieces from Stevie Wonder, Flying Lotus, and local Pacific Northwest band THEESatisfaction, among many others. 

Playlist:

1. Sun Ra - Interplanetary Music

2. Parliament - P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)

3. Solange - Things I Imagined

4. Stevie Wonder - Race Babbling

5. Janelle Monae - QUEEN (Featuring Erykah Badu)

6. Bombino - Akhar Zaman ("This Moment")

7. THEESatisfaction - EarthEE

8. Shabazz Palaces - Forerunner Foray

9. Tank And The Bangas - Dope Girl Magic

10. Baloji - 64 Bits

11. Flying Lotus - Never Catch Me (Featuring Kendrick Lamar)

We're joined by Andre Stephens in studio as we discuss ongoing political events taking place and what to expect in the coming year, both through sound and people in the streets. 

Playlist:

1. Ricky Martin, Residente & Bad Bunny - Cantalo

2. Balun - El Espanto

3. Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You For Talkin' To Me, Africa

4. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - This Land Is Your Land

5. MOn Laferte - El Mambo

6. Beny More - Bombon De Pollo

7. AR Rahman - The Humma Song 

8. A-WA - Habib Galbi

9. Mehrpouya - Soul Raga

10. Shadia Mansour - El Kofeyye Arabeyye (Featuring M-1 of Dead Prez)

Sebastian and Riddhi are joined by Alan-Michael Weatherford and Justis Phillips as they review 2019 politics from around the world through music.

Playlist: 

1. Leyla McCalla - Eh La Bas

2. Residente, Bad Bunny, iLe - Afilando Los Cuchillos

3. Rony Seikaly - Rajeh Yittammar

4. Luzmila Carpio - Ch'uwa Yaku Kawsaypuni

5. Liza Minnelli - Money Money

6. Helado Negro - Running

7. Jamila Woods - OCTAVIA 

8. Bessie Smith - Keep It to Yourself 

9. Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

10. João Gilberto - Aguas de Marco Antônio Carlos Jobim

11. 湯瑪仕與眾香港人 - Glory to Hong Kong

Sebastian and Riddhi are joined by Aaron Neugebauer to discuss the various pivotal contributions women have made to the genre of punk rock. 

Playlist:

1. Grace Jones - Private Life

2. Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl

3. Patti Smith Group - Because the Night

4. The Slits - Typical Girls

5. Awaaz Do - Kite Fight

6. The Ska Vengers - 011

7. Babes In Toyland - Sweet '69

8. Heavens to Betsy - Stay Away

9. L7 - Pretend We're Dead

10. Sleater-Kinney - One Beat

11. White Lung - Bag

12. Blondie - One Way Or Another 

13. Kumbia Queers - Feriado Nacional

Sebastian and Riddhi are joined by Alan-Michael Weatherford to discuss the far-reaching impacts of neoliberalism in the United States and beyond. We explore how various genres of music tackle this topic as well. 

Playlist: 

1. Public Enemy - Fight The Power

2. La Santa Cecilia - Ice El Hielo

3. Gogol Bordello - Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher)

4. The Clash - Lost In The Supermarket

5. Wu-Tang Clan - CREAM

6. Black Star, Common - Respiration 

7. Roberta Flack - Compared To What

8. Mexican Institute Of Sound - Mexico

9. Miss Bolivia - Paren De Matarnos

10. Frank Waln - What Made The Red Man Red

11. Phophets of Da City - Neva Again