For 19 years Mark Manning has served as Coordinator of the KCK Organic Teaching Gardens, an Initiative of The University of Kansas School of Medicine, Office of Cultural Enhancement and Diversity, Health Careers Pathways Program, K-12. Each year Mark works with 1000 to 2000 students, between K through 8th grades, with organic, "raised bed" gardens built directly on the school grounds of three Middle Schools and four Elementary Schools in the inner city of the Kansas City, Kansas school district. Mark conducts over 440 workshops annually in classrooms at these schools. He started the project under the guidance of Marcia Pomeroy, in 1999, after working in a literacy program. The KCK Organic Teaching Gardens has been financially supported through grants from The Kauffman Foundation, and The University of Kansas Medical Center. The project has been recognized locally and nationally by The National Gardening Association, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Community Gardens, The Green Bliss Festival, The Urban Farm & Garden Tour, and on the PBS television program America's Harvest. Mark learned about gardening from his grandmother Edna Jacobsen on the family's McCool Junction, Nebraska farm. His grandmother raised a huge garden, chickens, sheep and cattle. She preserved apples, wild berry jams, and beets and virtually everything she grew was canned for consumption in winter months. Edna raised seven children with no running water and as a child lived in a sod house. His passion for the school gardening program has been fueled by the fact that he doesn't see the lessons he learned from his grandmother passed down to kids today. Kids need to know where their food comes from, especially with the rise of diabetes, and over weight Americans. We can all learn from our gardens how to treat ourselves and the world better.
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
The Creepy Jingles + Jennifer Owen of Owen Cox Dance + Nate Holt of Asterales + New & MidCoastal Releases
Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Static Phantoms, Cuee, Miki P, The Creepy Jingles, Fritz Hutchison, Asterales with Ghostmind, and with Kirsten Paludan, The Black Creatures, Effie, Quite Frankly, and Helen Gillet.
At 10:30, Jennifer Owen, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Owen / Cox Dance Group joins us to talk about “Skin” a world premiere music and dance collaboration with New Orleans-based cellist Helen Gillet. “Skin” features choreography by Jennifer Owen and musician Brad Cox. Helen Gillet is a singer-songwriter and surrealist-archeologist exploring synthesized sounds, texture, and rhythm using an acoustic cello. For someone with her varied background, New Orleans, with its mix of cultures and musics, seemed like a natural place to call home. Gillet’s solo performance is known for its enigmatic quality as she fabricates each song with innovative use of the cello and true mastery of live looping technology. “Skin” performances include: Friday, and Saturday April 1 and 2 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 3 at 2:00 PM, at City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 W Pershing Rd, KCMO. Owen/Cox Dance Group is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation. http://www.owencoxdance.org
At 11:00 Mark welcomes The Creepy Jingles:Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, (Singer/Songwriter, Guitar, Piano); Travis McKenzie (Lead Guitar), Nick Robertson (Drums); and Andrew Woody (Bass) who will share details about their debut full-length album, TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY on High Dive Records. The Creepy Jingles are led by Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics “centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree.” Nick, Travis, and Andrew bring first class musicianship and creativity, helping Nixon paint the perfect picture of colors and sounds that don’t stay in the lines, blending Brit-Pop melodies that dance around the landscape of surf, NY garage rock, psychedelia and folk music. The Creepy Jingles play Rino, 314 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO on March 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM, for their Album Release Show with Sisterbot and Stephonne. The Creepy Jingles play Replay Lounge on March 26, 2022 at 10:00 PM with Miki P & The Swallowtails, LK Ultra, and LYXE. More info at: Instagram @thecreepyjingles
At 11:30 Mark talks with musician, producer, writer, Nate Holt who records as Astrales. In 2021, Asterales released 12 new singles and two new single remixes. Asterales is getting set to release their new album FUTURESPECTIVE on March 25, 2022 through Datura Records LLC. The album contains all 12 singles together, plus 4 new remix tracks. Nate also plays keyboards in the bands: Cory Phillips & the Light, Maria The Mexican, and Hello Biplane. Nate is also a longtime collaborator with Approach, and he works with Datura Records based in Lawrence, Kansas. Nate is also the co-host and co-creator of The Long Play Listening Party, a podcast about music that he presents with Royce Diamond and Howie Howard. More information at: https://twitter.com/thelongplaylp or https://linktr.ee/asteralesmusic
On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Matt & Melissa Weinman of Dimension Bill Edwards + Oliver Hall + Jeremiah James Gonzales of Redder Moon + and more New & MidCoastal Releases
“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks” from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979 [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
Making Movies – “Calor” from: “Calor” – Single / 3/2 Recordings / March 11, 2022. [Produced by Ben Yonas, mixed by Tchad Blake, engineered by Scotty McEwen, with cover art by Edwing Mendez. More info at: http://www.makingmovies.world. Making Movies is a Kansas City based 4-piece band and made up of : Enrique Chi on guitar and lead vocals; Diego Chi on bass & vocals; Juan-Carlos Chaurand on percussion & keyboards; and Duncan Burnett on drums. The band draws their influences from the origins of their families: Santiago, Panama, and KC Missouri, and Guadalajara, Mexico. Making Movies released the 5-song EP, EN VIVO (SIN APLAUSO) on February 4, 2022. Prior to that, Making Movies released the 6-track EP BORING BITS, on May 7, 2021, which includes their single “La Marcha.” On February 5, the band released a sneak peek of the new music they’ve been working on. The 7-song, La Cuarentena EP includes a brand new version of the first Making Movies song, “La Marcha” and the lullaby “Could You?” (both mixed by Jim Eno of Spoon and tracked at Memphis Magnetic studio), and the love ballad “Una Vida.” The EP was ranked #25 inWMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021. The EP also includes: covers of Talking Heads and Tears for Fears classics, plus bonus live acoustic tracks. This EP was made available on BandCamp for only three days on February 5 through February 7, 2021. Since then it has been made private, an is not available anywhere. Prior to the EP release Making Movies released their newest single “Could You” on January 12, 2021. In regard to the new song “Could You” Making Movies lead singer Enrique Javier Chi writes, “I was thinking about what to share for “Could You?” and I just go back to the fact that Memphis is a profound place… it is a place where you can feel what America truly is and where it comes from. I think you see and feel the reality that so much of this nation was built from exploiting people. You can see that our pop culture is driven by the Black community and yet that community is still the most oppressed in the nation. Things are still so messed up. // Memphis is the place where Elvis started singing black music with a country twang and where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. It’s a beautiful place, it’s a charming place, it feels at times downtrodden and it’s a place that reminds me of home (both Kansas City and Panamá in different ways. Our experiences going to Memphis gave us the context to create “Could You?” It was filmed originally for AMERI’KANA TV, but we feel like we needed to share it now. In its initial role, it served as a pacifier for me, something that would help me feel a little better when I felt super anxious, so hopefully, it will feel like that for you.” Making Movies released their critically acclaimed album ameri’kana through 3/2 Recordings on May 24, 2019. This was #1 on WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. Produced by Steve Berlin and Ben Yonas. The notes for this album read: “ameri’kana is a canary in a coal mine, the watchman at the tower. It is a desire to remember where we come from and assure that we better ourselves in every step along our journey. Every chapter is an example, a reason to not be silent and not accept corrupt leaders as something inevitable. ameri’kana is based on faith, faith that every person on this continent carries within themselves the ability to grow, to awaken their consciousness and merits of the same rights. We were accomplices to get ourselves to this point so we will have to be accomplices in the solutions.” This was the band’s follow up release to their critically acclaimed, I Am Another You, released May 26, 2017. The quartet has toured with Arcade Fire, Thievery Corporation, Cold War Kids, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Tennis, Sergio Mendoza of Calexico, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Hurray for the Riff Raff. Enrique Chi joined us on WMM on May 19, 2021. ]
[Making Movies play an Official Showcase of Falk Alliance International Conference. May 19, 7:30 PM]
The Elders – “We Are Same” from: “We Are Same” – Single / The Elders / January 28, 2022 [The Elders were founded in 1998 by six individuals with a passion for music rooted in Americana and Celtic folk rock. Ian Byrne, a native of Ireland’s County Wicklow, guitarist Steve Phillips (formerly of The Rainmakers), bassist Norm Dahlor, violinist and keyboardist Brent Hoad (formerly of The Secrets), drummer Kian Byrne, and fiddler Colin Farrell (Creel and Gráda). Steve Phillips, passed away due to complications from COVID-19 on Sept. 29, 2020. In addition to being an integral member of The Elders, he was also a co-founder of Steve, Bob and Rich, which later became The Rainmakers. Both of these groups have cemented international acclaim, due in part to Steve’s musicianship. The band was already working on their 10th studio album, WELL ALRIGHT THEN that will be released on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2022. More information at: The Band writes on their website, http://www.eldersmusic.com, “Steve granted us the most amazing gift by writing recording many of his parts before his passing. He began working diligently as soon as he was given his prognosis in early 2020. We cannot begin to express how special and heartwarming this is, and we know it will be for you too. Steve is as present on this album as he’s ever been. With that in mind, we knew we owed it to him and the songs to make sure they were shared with the world, which meant some touring! We’ll be playing select shows and festivals throughout the year, and will be sure to keep you updated. Our brother Brent has decided to refrain from touring for now, and we support him in his decision. We have welcomed two excellent musicians to join our ranks to help bring our songs to life, and we couldn’t be happier to have them on board. Bill Latas and Dan Loftus are incredibly talented and long-time friends of the band.” The current line up of The Elders are: Ian Byrne on vocals, drums, percussion, whistle Norm Dahlor on vocals, bass, guitar, banjo; Kian Byrne on vocals, drums, bass, mandolin, guitar; Diana Ladio on fiddle, Bill Latas on guitar; and Dan Loftus-vocals, piano, guitar.]
[The Elders return to The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 7:00 PM in Helzberg Hall, 1601 Broadway , KCMO, For more info: http://www.kauffmancenter.org]
[The Elders play Knuckleheads on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 7:00 PM, at Knuckleheads , 2715 Rochester Ave, KCMO, – SOLD OUT – More info at: http://www.knuckleheadsKC.com]
Jo MacKenzie – “Tourist” from: Tourist EP / Jordin MacKenzie / March 11, 2022 [Last year, 18 year old Jo Mackenzie (producer and songwriter) and 19 year old Dia Jane (singer/songwriter) released the EP, BRAINBABY on September 5, 2021. The two met at an open mic in Kansas City, Missouri, when Jo was in 8th grade and Dia was in 10th grade. Three years later, the two reconnected to started a musical project together that eventually turned into Baby and the Brain, a self-produced indie-pop band. In 2020 Kansas City based singer songwriter, Jo MacKenzie released this year now collected together in a 5 -song EP, written, performed and produced by Jo MacKenzie. Mixed by Harper James. Jo MacKenzie released her Debut EP Proud on November 17, 2018. Along with Proud, Jo Mackenzie released the single “Just Like Rain” on August 18, 2018; “I Should Come with a Warning Sign” on September 28, 2019; and “Alaska” on November 23, 2019 and the single “Suicide Season” on February 1, 2020, and the single “Lose My Face” on April 24, 2020. More info at http://www.jomackenzie.com]
clav – “Wrecks in the City” from: Moonchaser – EP / Big Reggie Records / February 25, 2022 [clav’s 6-track EP, MOONCHASER has 6 tracks. clav is the musical project of Calvin Haverkamp from McLouth, Kansas, now living in Tonganoxie, Kansas. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/calvin.haverkamp%5D
6. Jass – “Him” from: “Him” – Single / JASS / February 23, 2022, [Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]
7. Back Alley Brass Band – “Pass The Peas (Party People)” from: Back Alley Brass Band / Back Alley Brass Band / March 25, 2022 [This is the debut full-length studio album by Back Alley Brass Band. The Back Alley Brass Band is a Kansas City take on a funky brass band. The 9-piece band is a hard hitting music power house that starts a party wherever they play. More information at: http://www.backalleybrass.com
[The Back Alley Brass Band play an Album Release Party on March 26, 2022, at 8:00 PM at the Rino in North Kansas City, 314 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO. with Trevor Turla Opening.]
[The Back Alley Brass Band play the Jazzhaus, in Lawrence, KS., 926 Massachusetts St. Lawrence, Kansas, on April 23, 10:00 PM.]
10:30 – Underwriting
Dimension Bill Edwards – “Pillow Head” from: SUSTENANCE / Gordophonic Records / February 10, 2022 [Dimension Bill Edwards released their single,“Surrealberry Hill” on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The single was inspired by band members move from the West 39th street area to Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. The spoken word portion of the song is Matt reading from the Egyptian Book of The Dead. The release coincided with an amazing “Float House” that Melissa created for Mardi Gras in Pandemic times. Dimension Bill Edwards is a band that kind of organically formed through live performances at the Walnut Valley Folk Festival and the last set of the festival “Heavy Petting ZO0” held in the Pecan Grove an the band mameber’s association with the band KC Bearfighters. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; (John Bersuch on drums for “Surrealberry Hill”) ; Ike Golets on drums for future recordings and live performances. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson and Ike Goletz are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.bandcamp.com]
10:34 – Interview with Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman
Matt & Melissa Weinman are members of the KCK based band, Dimension Bill Edwards. We talked with them alast April after the band released their incredibly original debut single, “Surrealberry Hill” on February 16, 2021. A year later they released their debut full length album, SUSTENANCE on February 20, 2022 with a giant Mardi Gras party and parade. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin and vocal harmonies; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; and Ike Goletz on drums. More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.com
Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman thanks for being with us on WMM.
Congratulations on your new album. SUSTENANCE
“Rural sci-fi existentialists” asked by the higher powers to establish creative freedom in the most unlikely locations. Embracing a literary compost pile of poetry, history, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, and scriptures; uncoiling songs both fictional and emotional, true to life, and true to life on the astral planes, Bill Edwards clogs it all together into Dimension.
The band released their debut full length album, SUSTENANCE on February 20, 2022 with a giant Mardi Gras party and parade.
How did the band name themselves Dimension Bill Edwards?
Band members found a wooden sign that read “Dimension Bill Edwards” behind Cupini’s on West 43rd Street. No one knows what the sign was from or what it meant, but they decided to use this for the name of their band.
Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; Ike Goletz on drums.
The 13-track album was recorded at Lotus Lounge Studios
Additional Credits:
Songwriting Contributions- Clayton Smith, Davis Douglas, Wyatt Bahm (Flying Monkee) Elizabeth and Sebastian Sontheimer (Surrealberry Hill)
J. Bersuch — drums on “Surrealberry Hill” Paul Andrews– cover photo art on CD case Brie Kerschen– back cover photo
Paul Andrews did on the photo design for our debut album! Our cover art is a combination of two wooden signs that were found in the wild. The Dimension Bill Edwards sign was found behind Cupinis and the piece below that was found by Matt under the floor boards of a shed in New Mexico. Exact origins are still unknown.
Dimension Bill Edwards released SUSTENANCE on Gordophonic Records
Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady.
“Surrealberry Hill” was released on Fat Tuesday, and was inspired Matt and Melissa’s move from the West 39th street area to Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas.The Single releaseThe release coincided with an amazing “Float House” that Melissa Created for Mardi Gras in Pandemic times? The spoken word is Matt reading from the Egyptian Book of The Dead
Dimension Bill Edwards is a band that came out of the Walnut Valley Folk Festival and the last set of the festival “Heavy Petting 200” held in the Pecan Grove with the band KC Bearfighters.
Bill Edwards’ first novel, MIGHTY BLOOD MASTER, written under their spiritual pseudonym, Toseki. Dive into this 125 page comedic destruction. Part American parody, part heavy metal horror, and all parts Blood. This novel reads as fast as fire on wood with red-popping cover art by Trevor Mott. Sink your teeth into its Feel!!!! More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.bandcamp.com
Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman thanks for being with us on WMM.
The band released their debut full length album, SUSTENANCE on February 20, 2022 with a giant Mardi Gras party and parade. More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.com
10:54
Dimension Bill Edwards – “Lady Lost Love” from: SUSTENANCE / Gordophonic Records / February 10, 2022 [Dimension Bill Edwards released their single,“Surrealberry Hill” on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The single was inspired by band members move from the West 39th street area to Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. The spoken word portion of the song is Matt reading from the Egyptian Book of The Dead. The release coincided with an amazing “Float House” that Melissa created for Mardi Gras in Pandemic times. Dimension Bill Edwards is a band that kind of organically formed through live performances at the Walnut Valley Folk Festival and the last set of the festival “Heavy Petting ZO0” held in the Pecan Grove an the band mameber’s association with the band KC Bearfighters. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; (John Bersuch on drums for “Surrealberry Hill”) ; Ike Golets on drums for future recordings and live performances. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson and Ike Goletz are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.bandcamp.com]
Amble Haunt – “Jump Across The Pool” from: Empty Lot EP / Amble Haunt / April 1, 2022 [5-track EP. The Kansas City band includes: Bryce Veazey, Brandon Woodall, Ara Woodall, and Jake Briscoe. More info at: http://www.amblehaunt.bandcamp.com
11:00 – Station ID
11:00– Interview with Ollie Hall
Musician, writer, film director, & photographer, Ollie Hall joins us to talk about his 2-CD album release, SONGS OF THE PLANETS a collection of digital recordings using special instruments designed by N.A.S.A. that record electromagnetic vibrations from the planets and transfers them into sounds that can be heard by the human ear. The music celebrates NASA’s 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Ollie Hall worked as a photographer and journalist for the KAW VALLEY INDEPENDENT Newspaper. Oliver Hall also has extensive film work include collaborations and work with Academy Award Winners, Spike Lee and Kevin Willmot
Ollie Hall, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
Oliver Hall devoted two years to produce, engineer, remix in surround sound this N.A.S.A. approved project, Songs Of The Planets.
Oliver Hall’s CD Release for SONGS OF THE PLANETS was help on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Josey Records in the Crossroads.
Ollie told us that he uses the recordings to meditate to at night. He writes: “Song of Earth and Voice of Earth are my meditation pieces.” “I have never heard anything like it in my life and I feel so blessed to have been able to do such a one of a kind project.”
11:05
Oliver Hall – “Sun” from: Songs Of The Planets / Oliver Hall / July 13, 2019 [SONGS OF THE PLANETS a collection of digital recordings using special instruments designed by N.A.S.A. that record electromagnetic vibrations from the planets and transfers them into sounds that can be heard by the human ear. The music celebrates NASA’s 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing.]
11:09 – Interview with Ollie Hall (continued)
Musician, writer, film director, & photographer, Ollie Hall joins us to talk about his 2-CD album release, SONGS OF THE PLANETS a collection of digital recordings using special instruments designed by N.A.S.A. that record electromagnetic vibrations from the planets and transfers them into sounds that can be heard by the human ear. The music celebrates NASA’s 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Ollie Hall worked as a photographer and journalist for the KAW VALLEY INDEPENDENT Newspaper.
Ollie Hall, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.
2 years to produce, engineer, remix in surround sound this N.A.S.A. approved project. Oliver Hall’s CD Release for Songs of the Planets
Oliver Hall is the former Director/Producer/Writer at Global Hall Productions
Oliver Hall was born and raised in Kansas and worked for Herman Hall construction company for 10 years, which was his father’s construction company. iDuring this time Oliver went to College for two years and became a certified medical aide (CMA). He worked as a medical aide for five years. He worked at various nursing homes including a state home for American soldiers.
Oliver Hall Coordinated art festivals for four years in southwestern Kansas that we use to raise money for charities. (100% of the money went to various charities).
Oliver first experience working with photography in 1995, working for the Kaw Valley Independent newspaper as a Graphic Artist and Photographer.
Oliver Hall has photographed:
Former first lady of France, Dainelle Mitterand
Nobel Peace prize winners, Archbishop Tutu, Rigaberta Menchu
Pulitzer Prize winner author Alice Walker
Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush
Wilma Mankiller, first woman president of the Cherokee Nation
Buck O’Neil, first African-American coach in the major leagues/Chicago Cubs
Jazz Legends: T.S. Monk, Claude (Fiddler) Williams, and Oliver Lake
Tibetan Monk, Palden Gyatso
and Ralph Nader, Robert Kennedy Jr.
Oliver Hall created with his children SUPERCLAY HEROS OF THE UNIVERSE which is the only comic strip created using Nintendo Gameboy and printer.
Oliver Hall created a character called, (Tungston Turtle) also suggested by his kids. The costume cost $50.00 and it was finished in 2 weeks. Not being able to find an actor, Mr. Hall reluctantly became Tungston Turtle. It got sponsorship from Pepsi Cola and Wal-mart. The series ran on the local PBS station.
Ollie Hall Film Resume:
WHIRLING DERVISHES OF RUMI:2022 (Director, Producer, Cinematographer)
DON QUIXOTE:2023 (Director, Producer, Cinematographer)
BARACK OBAMA: PORTRAIT OF A VISIONARY 2008 (producer and editor) – Youtube video: Stan Herd artist
Part 1: A COMMUNITY OF HOPE REBUILDS, GREENSBURG TORNADO DISASTER 2007 (Director, Director of Photography, Producer, Editor) PBS
FLOOD a Darkhorse Novel 2005 (Director, Producer, and Co-writer)
C.S.A.: CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA 2005 (Academy Award Winners, Spike Lee and Kevin Willmott) Associate Producer Still Photographer, Oliver Hall IFC films
DECIDING BROWN (Screenplay), Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education (Co-wrote with Academy Award Winner Kevin Willmott) 2004 PBS
TUNGSTON TURTLE: 1996-2000 (Director, Writer, Producer) – children television series: PBS
GODZILLA: DEFENDER OF EARTH 2000 (Producer/Co. Writer) – sci-fi channel screenplay pilot
ULTRAMAN: IMAX 2001 (Co writer screenplay)
SUPER CLAY HEROES OF THE UNIVERSE : 1999 (Producer/Editor/Co-writer) First comic strip created on a Nintendo Gameboy and printer
Oliver Hall’s side gig is Herman’s Place celebrates a year serving food to those in need in Lawrence, in memory of namesake.
11:22
Ollie Hall, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.
Ollie Hall’s 2-CD album release, SONGS OF THE PLANETS is available at Josey Records.
11:22
Oliver Hall – “Rings of Saturn” from: Songs Of The Planets / Oliver Hall / July 13, 2019 [SONGS OF THE PLANETS a collection of digital recordings using special instruments designed by N.A.S.A. that record electromagnetic vibrations from the planets and transfers them into sounds that can be heard by the human ear. The music celebrates NASA’s 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing.]
Monta At Odds – “When I’m Gone (The Republic Tigers Remix)” from: When I’m Gone – Single / The Record Machine / May 14, 2021 [Kenn Jankowski of The Republic Tigers wrote: My band The Republic Tigers released a new remix/reimagined song yesterday. It’s a Monta At Odds song featuring Teri Quinn. I got to sing on it with her.” Teri Quinn’s vocals soar, driven into the air by The Republic Tigers’ full sound explosion without betraying Monta At Odds’ cosmic vibe. The two bands are label mates on The Record Machine. Monta At Odds released the original version of this single, “When I’m Gone. (feat. Teri Quinn)” on March 5, 2021. Since this remix, Kenn joined the band, and the band plays as The Republic Tigers for Kenn. Coming soon Monta At Odds will bereleasing an album called PEAKED that has remixes and alternative versions of Monta AT Odds’ 2021 album, PEAK OF ETERNAL LIGHT. The current line up of Monta At Odds is: Dedric Moore on synths & programming, Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Matthew Heinrich on drums, Lucas Behrens on baritone guitar, Krysztof Nemeth on baritone guitar, and Kenn Jankowski on synths. // Monta At Odds released their 7th album PEAK OF ETERNAL LIGHT on July 23, 2021.. // Monta At Odds is a Kansas City combo led by the brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore. The two have played music together all their lives and have been exploring the Monta At Odds sound since the band’s debut in 2000. Dedric’s pulsing, melodic bass and Delaney’s artfully unhinged synthesizers frame the band’s central character, which is fleshed out by a talented cast of musicians and collaborators. The result is a heady sonic pool that has been inscrutably referred to as ‘Ummagumma meets Arthur Russell’s mutant disco at Vangelis’s house.’ // In 2020 the band added acclaimed vocalists, guitarists, and songwriters Mikal Shapiro and Teri Quinn to the lineup. With Mikal and Teri’s otherworldly vocal contributions, Monta At Odds continued to push their alternate reality into streamlined consciousness. With Lucas Behrens on guitar and synth and Matthew Heinrich on drums both rounds out the stellar lineup. The nad releaased a remix of their single “When I’m Gone” mixed by The Record Machine label mate Kenn Jankowski, lead singer, co-founder of The Republic Tigers. The remix featured Kenn’s voice singing with Teri’s voice. The collaboration led to Kenn joining Monta At Odds as a voclist and synth player. And when Kenn plays out as The Republic Tigers the members of Monta At Odds become The Republic Tigers. On December 18, 2020 Monta At Odds released A GREAT CONJUNCTION their 5-song EP released just in to coincide with the ‘double-planet’ convergence of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21 2020, which last occurred in 1226. These tunes form a soundtrack to the planetary event, five songs linked together by the vastness of space and as a meditation on our infinitesimal place in the universe. The EP featured Krystof Nemeth, Teri Quinn, Alexander Thomas, Dedric Moore and Matthew Heinrich. // In late 2020 Monta At Odds released the single “When Stars Grow Old.” // Monta At Odds released their 4-song EP Zen Diagram on May 1, 2020. The album was a more post-punk leaning follow-up to Argentum Dreams. Expect minimal rhythms set to maximum noise, shoegazed guitar signals, slo-mo psychedelic darkwave, endless dub echo, and extended-cut warped disco. Live musicians manipulating time and space via knob turning, cymbal cracking, and pedal pushing as they interlock into hypnotic moments of heavenly bliss that seem to hold forever, captivating the mind. // Monta At Odds released their 6th full length album Argentum Dreams on Oct 19, 2018. Dedric Moore and Teri Quinn joined us on WMM on August 18, 2021 where Teri announced she was leaving the band. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/montaatodds%5D
[Monta At Odds will play the Redder Moon Vinyl Release Show for their album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE on Friday, March 18, 2022 at recordBar with and Meyadi. More info at http://www.therecordbar.com]
[Monta At Odds will play this song at the Treefort Fest in Boise, Idaho on March 23- 27, 2022]
[Monta At Odds will play the Brick 1727 Mcgee, KCMO. on Friday April 8, with Mensa Deathsquad as a small welcome home party.]
[Monta At Odds will play the official vinyl release party for Peak of Eternal Light on June 25 with The Philistines making a live return.]
[Members of Monta At Odds will join us on WMM on June 22, at 11:00 AM]
11:28 – Underwriting
Redder Moon – “If the Mountain Doesn’t Want You” from: Hell Is Other People / GLM Records / Nov. 5, 2021 (Digital Release) March 18, 2022 (Vinyl) [Music by Jeremiah James Gonzales and Brody Lowe. Vocals, Lyrics by Jill McKeever (additional/bg vocals: Brody Lowe, Jeremiah James Gonzales) Mixed by Ross Brown. Mastered by Eureka Mastering. The band uses layered synths & production with live bass, drums, guitars, and vocals. Redder Moon tends to skirt the line between traditional electronic act and indie avant garde. With washed out guitars, thick bass grooves, and distant reverb soaked vocals, the songs beam with the almost tactile feel of a sound track to a lost movie but with enough dance-ability to pull you out of your seat. In the last few months of 2020, the band has written and recorded an album’s with of songs, over 20 actually, without playing together, and with each member individually recording their parts at home. This was a welcome channel of creation in a time of restraint. The result is a collection that explores everything from synth pop shoegaze, to dark wave indie sounds More info at http://www.reddermoon.bandcamp.com.]
[Redder Moon plays a Vinyl Release Show for their album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE on Friday, March 18, 2022 in a show at recordBar with Monta At Odds and Meyadi. More info at http://www.therecordbar.com]
11:35 – Interview with Jeremiah James Gonzales
Jeremiah James Gonzales is the founder of the Kansas City based band Redder Moon. The band began as one of Gonzales’ many music projects, although more electronic than his other work with Knife Crime, Be/Non, Rhunes, Elevator Division, Umberto. Brody Lowe moved to KC from Portland, and met Jeremiah in 2019. Just as Gonzales and Lowe began collaborating on new material, Jill McKeever joined as a vocalist/lyricist during 2020. A violinist in her early projects led her to a degree in Electronic Art where she explored video & music recording. McKeever’s perfume brand, For Strange Women induced a 13-year detour from music before she found her way back during the quiet of quarantine. Last year the band released their EP, LAND OF THE BLIND on June 13, followed by an album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE, eleased digitally on November 5, 2021.
Redder Moon is presenting a Vinyl Release Show for their album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE on Friday, March 18, 2022 in a show at recordBar with Monta At Odds and Meyadi. More info at http://www.therecordbar.com
Jeremiah James Gonzales thanks for being with us on WMM.
Jeremiah James Gonzales & Jill McKeever joined us back on July 14, 2021 to talk about Redder Moon. Their first EP, LAND OF THE BLIND, was released June 13, 2021, to be followed by an album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE.
Redder Moon began as one of Jeremiah James Gonzales’ many music projects. A more electronic and obscure sound than much of his other work (including Knife Crime, Be/Non, Rhunes, Elevator Division, Umberto), the sentiment of a melodic post-apocalypse slowly developed for the first seven years, also involving past members Matthew Naquin (original collaborator) Nick Banister (drums) and Jon VanSickle (live drums)
Brody Lowe moved to Kansas City from Portland, in 2019 met Jeremiah and quickly found his place in reviving the layered synths and dance undertones of the moody, mostly instrumental music. Lowe is a quiet presence behind a large scope of music videos, album art, and other creative content, his music ranging from video game scores and band collaborations to his solo project, Loqsa.
Just as Gonzales and Lowe began collaborating on new material ranging from darkwave to shoegaze to synthpop genres, Jill McKeever joined as a vocalist/lyricist during the uncertain year of 2020. A violinist in her early music projects led her to a degree in Electronic Art where she explored video and music recording. McKeever’s perfume brand, For Strange Women induced a 13-year detour from music before she found her way back during the quiet of quarantine.
During Covid -19 and for their EP release Each of this trio recorded their parts from their separate home studios. The result is a constant divergence from a single genre or style while consistently exploring dark themes articulated by a soft and sullen voice. Their first EP, Land of the Blind, will be released on digital and cassette on (date), to be followed by an album release on digital and vinyl in Fall 2021. Their music videos can be found on the Redder Moon YouTube channel.
In the last few months of 2020, and into 2021 the band had written and recorded an album’s worth of songs, over 20 actually, without playing together, and with each member individually recording their parts at home. The result is a collection that explores synth pop shoegaze, to dark wave indie sounds, with dance undertones and haunting lyrics. More info at http://www.reddermoon.bandcamp.com
The current line-up consists of: Jeremiah James Gonzales on guitar, bass and analog drums, and producing, arranging and composing with my two new collaborators; Brody LOWE on synths and Jill McKeever (of the band For Strange Women) on vocals and lyrics. The band uses layered synths and production with live bass,drums, guitars, and vocals the Redder Moon tends to skirt the line between traditional electronic act and indie avant garde. With washed out guitars, thick bass grooves, and distant reverb soaked vocals, the songs beam with the almost tactile feel of a sound track to a lost movie but with enough dance-ability to pull you out of your seat.
Jeremiah wrote that this “was a welcome channel of creation in a time of restraint.”
Jeremiah James Gonzale is originally from in rural Idaho. After a couple years spinning his wheels at community college he discovered an outlet playing top 40 rock tunes with a non-profit organization that led him to spend months touring places like Brazil, India, Poland, as well as in the United States, from 1998 to 2001. Making many friends around the world, Jeremiah kept in touch with a drummer friend from Nigeria who had somehow landed in Kansas City. In March of 2001 Jeremiah James accepted what was supposed to be a 3-month tour of the Midwest playing bass in a hard rock band. One thing led to another and now it’s been 20 years in KC.
The Bands of Jeremiah James Gonzales (* All on guitar unless otherwise noted.) Elevator Division (2001 – 2006 , Reunited 2020) Lovers In Transit (Founder, 2006 – 2008) Monta At Odds (2008 – 2010) Be/Non (2009 – current) Mannequin Skywalker (solo project 2009 – 2010) Umberto (2010 – 2013 *drummer) Redder Moon (Founder 2013 – current) RHUNES (Founder 2014 – current) Knife Crime (2018 – current)
Jeremiah James writes, “My passion is and always has been and will be forever, to create and share music.”
Jill McKeever grew up in Kansas City and gradated from Oak Park High in 2002. She studied Video, Music/Audio design at Missouri State University where she also studied electronic arts. And graduated in 2006. She also studied at Earthship Biotecture Academy.
Jill McKeever is the author of The Spirit of Botany, Aromatic Recipes and Rituals, Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing; First Edition (October 13, 2020)
Jill McKeever founded For Strange Women Perfume in 2009. Combining her backgrounds in graphic/web design, video and audio production, photography, and music, she has developed a unique, synesthetic method of perfume construction. A passionate advocate for animals and the environment, Jill loves spending time in her garden with her cat, Onyx, and chickens, Patsy and Edina.
A visually entrancing and esoteric guide to connecting with plants through the senses. In The Spirit of Botany, artist and perfumer Jill McKeever reveals her personal rituals and creative methods of using aromatic botanical materials in incense, perfume, tisanes, ritual baths, and much more.
Jill McKeever joined Redder Moon in August 2020.
Brody Lowe is originally from from Portland, Oregon. He also recently joined the band on synthesizers. Brody Lowe studied Design at Oregon State University. He founded the company Brody Lowe Design. Along with multiple projects in print, video, space, artwork for companies, banks, artists, podcasts, and others, Brody has designed over 100 album covers.
Their first EP, LAND OF THE BLIND, was released June 13, 2021, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE, was released on November 5, 2021, Digitally and March 18, 2022 on Vinyl.
Redder Moon is presenting a Vinyl Release Show for their album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE on Friday, March 18, 2022 in a show at recordBar with Monta At Odds and Meyadi. More info at http://www.therecordbar.com
Jeremiah James Gonzales thanks for being on WMM.
11:53
Redder Moon – “It Should Have Been a Sign” from: Hell Is Other People / GLM Records / Nov. 5, 2021 (Digital Release) March 18, 2022 (Vinyl) [Music by Jeremiah James Gonzales and Brody Lowe. Vocals, Lyrics by Jill McKeever (additional/bg vocals: Brody Lowe, Jeremiah James Gonzales) Mixed by Ross Brown. Mastered by Eureka Mastering. The band uses layered synths & production with live bass, drums, guitars, and vocals. Redder Moon tends to skirt the line between traditional electronic act and indie avant garde. With washed out guitars, thick bass grooves, and distant reverb soaked vocals, the songs beam with the almost tactile feel of a sound track to a lost movie but with enough dance-ability to pull you out of your seat. In the last few months of 2020, the band has written and recorded an album’s with of songs, over 20 actually, without playing together, and with each member individually recording their parts at home. This was a welcome channel of creation in a time of restraint. The result is a collection that explores everything from synth pop shoegaze, to dark wave indie sounds More info at http://www.reddermoon.bandcamp.com.]
[Redder Moon plays a Vinyl Release Show for their album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE on Friday, March 18, 2022 in a show at recordBar with Monta At Odds and Meyadi. More info at http://www.therecordbar.com]
Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now” from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Next week on Wednesday, March 23, Jen Owen of Owen Cox Dance Group joins us to talk about “Skin” is a world premiere music and dance collaboration with New Orleans-based cellist Helen Gillet. Featuring choreography by Jennifer Owen and musician Brad Cox. Friday, and Saturday April 1 and 2 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 3 at 2:00 PM, at City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 W Pershing Rd, KCMO http://www.owencoxdance.org
Also next week Jocelyn Olivia Nixon joins us to share music and information about The Creepy Jingles new album TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY on High Dive Records.
The Creepy Jingles Play Rino, 314 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO on March 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM, for their Album Release Show with Sisterbot and Stephonne
The Creepy Jingles play Replay Lounge on March 26, 2022 at 10:00 PM with Miki P & The Swallowtails, LK Ultra, and LYXE
And also we talk with musician producer writer Nate Holt who records as Astrales.
Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information. Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Matt & Melissa Weinman of Dimension Bill Edwards + Oliver Hall + Jeremiah James Gonzales of Redder Moon + and more New & MidCoastal Releases
Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Making Movies, Jass, Buck Alley Brass Band, Jo MacKenzie, Amble Haunt, Redder Moon, The Elders, Oliver Hall, clav, Monta At Odds, and Dimension Bill Edwards.
Dimension Bill Edwards
At 10:30 Mark talks with Matt & Melissa Weinman of the KCK based band, Dimension Bill Edwards. The band released their incredibly original debut single, “Surrealberry Hill” on February 16, 2021. Less than a year later they released their debut full length album, SUSTENANCE on February 20, 2022 with a giant Mardi Gras party and parade. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin and vocal harmonies; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; and Ike Goletz on drums. John Bersuch played drums on their debut single. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.com
Ollie Hall
At 11:00 musician, writer, film director, & photographer, Ollie Hall joins us to talk about his 2-CD album release, SONGS OF THE PLANETS a collection of digital recordings using special instruments designed by N.A.S.A. that record electromagnetic vibrations from the planets and transfers them into sounds that can be heard by the human ear. The music celebrates NASA’s 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Ollie Hall worked as a photographer and journalist for the KAW VALLEY INDEPENDENT Newspaper. His film work includes: WHIRLING DERVISHES OF RUMI:2022 (Director, Producer, Cinematographer); DON QUIXOTE:2023 (Director, Producer, Cinematographer; BARACK OBAMA: PORTRAIT OF A VISIONARY 2008 (producer and editor) Youtube video: Stan Herd artist; Part 1: A COMMUNITY OF HOPE REBUILDS, GREENSBURG TORNADO DISASTER 2007 (Director, Director of Photography, Producer, Editor) PBS; FLOOD a Darkhorse Novel 2005 (Director, Producer, and Co-writer); C.S.A.: CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA 2005 (Academy Award Winners, Spike Lee and Kevin Willmott) Associate Producer Still Photographer, Oliver Hall IFC films ; DECIDING BROWN (Screenplay), Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education (Co-wrote with Academy Award Winner Kevin Willmott) 2004 PBS.
Redder Moon
At 11:30 Mark talks with Jeremiah James Gonzales & Brodie Lowe of Redder Moon. The band began as one of Gonzales’ many music projects, although more electronic than his other work with Knife Crime, Be/Non, Rhunes, Elevator Division, Umberto. Brody Lowe moved to KC from Portland, and met Jeremiah in 2019. Just as Gonzales and Lowe began collaborating on new material, Jill McKeever joined as a vocalist/lyricist during 2020. A violinist in her early projects led her to a degree in Electronic Art where she explored video & music recording. McKeever’s perfume brand, For Strange Women induced a 13-year detour from music before she found her way back during the quiet of quarantine. Last year the band released their EP, LAND OF THE BLIND on June 13, followed by an album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE, on November 5, 2021. Redder Moon is presenting a Vinyl Release Show for their album, HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE on Friday, March 18, 2022 in a show at recordBar with Monta At Odds and Meyadi. More info at http://www.therecordbar.com
On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
New & MidCoastal Releases + Ernest James & Julia Othmer & Midwest Innocence Project & Guest DJ Lesley Pories
“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks” from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979 [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
Kevin Morby – “This is a Photograph” from: THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH / Dead Oceans / May 13, 2022 [A single release from Kevin Morby’s upcoming 7th album. From http://www.rollingstone.com: “In January 2020, songwriter Kevin Morby witnessed his father collapse from a medical event while visiting his childhood home in Kansas. In a state of shock, the singer spent the evening looking at old family photos and fixated on an image of his father as a young man, looking, as Morby states, ‘full of confidence.’ The experience forced Morby to confront both the idea of mortality and the passage of time — and, after an extended sojourn in Tennessee, these reflections came together in the form of his upcoming album, This Is a Photograph. To mark the announcement, the singer released the record’s eponymous single, accompanied by a music video directed by Chantal Anderson. Produced by frequent Morby collaborator Sam Cohen, This Is a Photograph was primarily written in Memphis’ historic Peabody Hotel, where the singer-songwriter holed up in search of inspiration and self-realization amongst the city’s dark past.” Morby will also embark on a 65 City tour of Europe and North America through the majority of 2022, which starts May 20 in Madrid, Spain and wraps Nov. 12 in Vancouver, BC. On October 16, 2020 Kevin Morby released SUNDOWNER, ranked #20 on WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2020 and was the 6th release from Kevin Robert Morby born April 2, 1988. SUNDOWNER was the follow up to his 2019 release OH MY GOD. Kevin Morby released CITY MUSIC in 2017. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native Kansas City to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 and 2012. He began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut album HARLEM RIVER. His 2nd album STILL LIFE was released in 2014. His album SINGING SAW was in WMM’s The 116 Best Recordings of 2016. His album CITY MUSIC was in WMM’s The 118 Best Recordings of 2018.]
[Presale tickets become available tomorrow March 10 at 10:00 AM at http://www.knuckleheadskc.com and available on Friday, March 11 to the public, for Kevin Morby at Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester, KCMO, on Thursday, November 3 at 8:00 PM with Coco.]
10:07
Lily B Moonflower – “Wild n Free” from: Moonflower / Lost Cowgirl Records / February 12, 2021 [This was the second single, from her debut album, Moonflower. 23 year old Lawrence, Kansas / Kansas City, Missouri based singer songwriter Lily B Moonflower was originally from Desoto Kansas. MOONFLOWER was produced by Martin Farrell Jr. and features: Jake Keegan on dobro, Colby Allen Walter on mandolin, Michael Turnbo & Shannon O’Shea on fiddle, Miki P on drums, Jenna Rae on saxophone & back up vocals, and Martin Farrell Jr. on back up vocals, pedal steel, piano, telecaster guitar, tambourine, & bells. Songwriters & musicians that have heavily influenced Lily’s songwriting are Sturgill Simpson, Brent Cobb, The Wood Brothers, Chris & Morgane Stapleton, Grateful Dead, Samantha Fish, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, The Band, Allman Brothers, Waylon, Nicki Bluhm & many many many more. Her entire life is dedicated to music. // Lily B is a ray of sunshine on and off the stage and her passion for roots music is apparent at her live shows and through her music. This debut album gives you a peek into the mind of a young songwriter who longs to be connected to people and nature, loves searching for crystals and arrowheads, has experienced love and heartbreak, and brings the party to every show. She has shared the stage with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Jim Lauderdale, The Hillbenders, and many more. Lily is on a lifelong journey of creating music and this debut release will be one of many more to come. // Lily B Moonflower’s album was reviewed by Max Paley of Americana Music Academy (http://www.americanamusicacademy.com/press): “Lily has some advantages over your average country singer. First, her musical heritage is not hurting anything. But, more importantly, she has surrounded herself with the right people, particularly her life partner Jake Keegan (of the nationally touring bluegrass act Grassfed) and the good people at Lost Cowgirl Records. The new album sounds straight out of Nashville in terms of quality. // This is due mostly to the musical mind of Martin Farrell, Jr. Farrell retains his heavyweight Kansas country producer belt that he acquired with 2018’s Cosmic Western Duos, defended with 2020’s Coffee & Laundry and more than holds on to with Moonflower. Farrell demands authenticity from his artists, performing very little post-production work on the album and absolutely no auto-tuning. This means that Lily is actually as good as she sounds on these recordings. // Moonflower makes for such an exciting listen because it solidifies both Lily B. Moonflower as a true Country singer-songwriter and and the Eastern Kansas Country scene as a legitimate one worth paying attention to. It is so refreshing to hear a woman telling her stories in such a digestible way and accompanied by an amazing slate of backing musicians. Plans are already in motion for a new duo album with Lily and Keegan and even a second solo album and we cannot wait!” More info at: http://www.lilybmoonflower.com and https://www.thelostcowgirl.com Lily B. Moonflower joined is LIVE on WMM on January 27, 2021.]
[Lily B. Moonflower plays Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester, KCMO, on Thursday, March 10, at 8:00 PM with The Burney Sisters. More info at http://www.knuckleheadskc.com ]
10:13
Monta At Odds – “The Perfect Kiss” from: “The Perfect Kiss” / The Record Machine / March 18, 2022 [This cover of the New Order classic will eventually be part of a companion album called PEAKED that has remixes and alternative versions of Monta AT Odds’ 2021 album, PEAK OF ETERNAL LIGHT. On the track the band is: Dedric Moore on synths & programming, Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Matthew Heinrich on drums, Lucas Behrens on baritone guitar, Krysztof Nemeth on baritone guitar, and Kenn Jankowski on synths. // The Perfect Kiss” is a song by the English band New Order. It was recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London and released on May 13, 1985. It was included on a studio album, Low-Life. // The song’s themes include love “We believe in a land of love” and death “the perfect kiss is the kiss of death”. The overall meaning of the song is unclear to its writer today. In an interview with GQ magazine Bernard Sumner said “I haven’t a clue what this is about.” He agreed with the interviewer that his best known lyric is in the song: “Pretending not to see his gun/I said, ‘Let’s go out and have some fun'”. The lyrics, he added, came about after the band was visiting a man’s house in the United States who showed his guns under his bed before they went out for an enjoyable night. It had been quickly written, recorded and mixed without sleep before the band went on tour in Australia. // The song’s complex arrangement includes a number of instruments and methods not normally used by New Order. For example, a bridge features frogs croaking melodically. The band reportedly included them because Morris loved the effect and was looking for any excuse to use it. At the end of the track, the faint bleating of a (synthesized) sheep can be heard. Sheep samples would reappear in later New Order singles “Fine Time” and “Ruined in a Day”. //Despite being a fan favorite, the song was not performed live between 1993 and 2006 due to the complexity of converting the programs from the E-mu Emulator to the new Roland synthesizer. However, it returned to the live set at a performance in Athens on June 3, 2006. // Monta At Odds released their 7th album PEAK OF ETERNAL LIGHT on July 23, 2021. // Monta At Odds is a Kansas City combo led by the brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore. The two have played music together all their lives and have been exploring the Monta At Odds sound since the band’s debut in 2000. Dedric’s pulsing, melodic bass and Delaney’s artfully unhinged synthesizers frame the band’s central character, which is fleshed out by a talented cast of musicians and collaborators. The result is a heady sonic pool that has been inscrutably referred to as ‘Ummagumma meets Arthur Russell’s mutant disco at Vangelis’s house.’ // In 2020 the band added acclaimed vocalists, guitarists, and songwriters Mikal Shapiro and Teri Quinn to the lineup. With Mikal and Teri’s otherworldly vocal contributions, Monta At Odds continued to push their alternate reality into streamlined consciousness. With Lucas Behrens on guitar and synth and Matthew Heinrich on drums both rounds out the stellar lineup. The nad releaased a remix of their single “When I’m Gone” mixed by The Record Machine label mate Kenn Jankowski, lead singer, co-founder of The Republic Tigers. The remix featured Kenn’s voice singing with Teri’s voice. The collaboration led to Kenn joining Monta At Odds as a voclist and synth player. And when Kenn plays out as The Republic Tigers the members of Monta At Odds become The Republic Tigers. On December 18, 2020 Monta At Odds released A GREAT CONJUNCTION their 5-song EP released just in to coincide with the ‘double-planet’ convergence of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21 2020, which last occurred in 1226. These tunes form a soundtrack to the planetary event, five songs linked together by the vastness of space and as a meditation on our infinitesimal place in the universe. The EP featured Krystof Nemeth, Teri Quinn, Alexander Thomas, Dedric Moore and Matthew Heinrich. // In late 2020 Monta At Odds released the single “When Stars Grow Old.” // Monta At Odds released their 4-song EP Zen Diagram on May 1, 2020. The album was a more post-punk leaning follow-up to Argentum Dreams. Expect minimal rhythms set to maximum noise, shoegazed guitar signals, slo-mo psychedelic darkwave, endless dub echo, and extended-cut warped disco. Live musicians manipulating time and space via knob turning, cymbal cracking, and pedal pushing as they interlock into hypnotic moments of heavenly bliss that seem to hold forever, captivating the mind. // Monta At Odds released their 6th full length album Argentum Dreams on Oct 19, 2018. Dedric Moore and Teri Quinn joined us on WMM on August 18, 2021 where Teri announced she was leaving the band. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/montaatodds%5D
[Monta At Odds will play this song at the Treefort Fest in Boise, Idaho on March 18, 2022.]
[Monta At Odds will play the Brick 1727 Mcgee, KCMO. on Friday April 8, with Mensa Deathsquad as a small welcome home party.]
[Monta At Odds will play the official vinyl release party for Peak of Eternal Light on June 25 with The Philistines making a live return.]
[Members of Monta At Odds will join us on WMM on June 22, at 11:00 AM]
JNabe – “Can’t Stop Me (Feat. Julia Reynolds)” from: “Can’t Stop Me (Feat. Julia Reynolds)” – Single / JNabe / February 18, 2022 [Julia Reynolds plays n the Lawrence/Kansas City band. Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral. One of 5 singles JNabe has released so far this year. JNabe is Kansas City’s premiere Indie Asian Rapper. JNabe started rapping in 2020. He loves making music and strives to make songs that connect with people. // From jnabeofficial.com: “JNabe is a reputable Rapper who began their exciting musical voyage of artistic discovery in 2020. Since then, they’ve used constant collaboration and experimental sound exploration to shape the signature sound that echoes with their inspiration from the streets of Kansas City. In the music world, there’s no standing still. You must constantly learn about new techniques and continue honing your musical craft.” // JNabe released the single.”On a Mission (Feat. Brose Royce (The Real Tez)” on January 14, 2022. // JNabe released the single, “KC Throwdown (Feat. NuSince)” on February 11, 2022. // JNabe released the single.”Can’t Stop Me (Feat. Julia Reynolds)” on February 18, 2022. // JNabe released the single, “You Know Me” on February 25, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Quarantine Time” on March 4, 2022. More info at: http://www.jnabeofficial.com]
Julia Reynolds Photo by Ian Noah Photography
10:21
Nina Simone – “Backlash Blues (Summer of Soul Soundtrack – Live at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival)” from: Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Live at the Harlem Cultural Festival, 1969] / Sony / January 28, 2022 [The Roots’ drummer Questlove is nominated for Best Original Documentary for his debut film, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which captured the performances of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The documentary is also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Film. Questlove’s Summer of Soul won Best Documentary at the 2022 Independent Spirit Awards and won the 2021 Sundance Grand Jury Prize. “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” will have a prime-time broadcast premiere on ABC. The network announced that the acclaimed film, documenting the six-week-long, star-studded 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, will air Feb 20 at 7:00 PM. Known as “Black Woodstock,” the festival featured stars of R&B, gospel, blues, Latin, jazz and soul, including Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The 5th Dimension, The Staple Singers, B.B. King and Sly and the Family Stone. Culled from tapes that were sitting on shelves for decades. It marks the first time an Oscar-nominated documentary to get a prime-time network premiere leading up to the big night. The 94th annual Academy Awards will air live on ABC on March 27. // Eunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), known professionally as Nina Simone, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel and pop. // The sixth of eight children born to a poor family in Tryon, North Carolina, Simone initially aspired to be a concert pianist. With the help of a few supporters in her hometown, she enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. She then applied for a scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she was denied admission despite a well received audition, which she attributed to racism. In 2003, just days before her death, the Institute awarded her an honorary degree. // To make a living, Simone started playing piano at a nightclub in Atlantic City. She changed her name to “Nina Simone” to disguise herself from family members, having chosen to play “the devil’s music” or so-called “cocktail piano”. She was told in the nightclub that she would have to sing to her own accompaniment, which effectively launched her career as a jazz vocalist. She went on to record more than 40 albums between 1958 and 1974, making her debut with Little Girl Blue. She had a hit single in the United States in 1958 with “I Loves You, Porgy”. Her musical style fused gospel and pop with classical music, in particular Johann Sebastian Bach, and accompanied expressive, jazz-like singing in her contralto voice. // Simone was born on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina. The sixth of eight children in a poor family, she began playing piano at the age of three or four; the first song she learned was “God Be With You, Till We Meet Again”. Demonstrating a talent with the piano, she performed at her local church. Her concert debut, a classical recital, was given when she was 12. Simone later said that during this performance, her parents, who had taken seats in the front row, were forced to move to the back of the hall to make way for white people. She said that she refused to play until her parents were moved back to the front, and that the incident contributed to her later involvement in the civil rights movement. Simone’s mother, Mary Kate Waymon (née Irvin, November 20, 1901 – April 30, 2001), was a Methodist minister and a housemaid. Her father, Rev. John Devan Waymon (June 24, 1898 – October 23, 1972), was a handyman who at one time owned a dry-cleaning business, but also suffered bouts of ill health. Simone’s music teacher helped establish a special fund to pay for her education. Subsequently, a local fund was set up to assist her continued education. With the help of this scholarship money, she was able to attend Allen High School for Girls in Asheville, North Carolina. // After her graduation, Simone spent the summer of 1950 at the Juilliard School as a student of Carl Friedberg, preparing for an audition at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Her application, however, was denied. Only 3 of 72 applicants were accepted that year, but as her family had relocated to Philadelphia in the expectation of her entry to Curtis, the blow to her aspirations was particularly heavy. For the rest of her life, she suspected that her application had been denied because of racial prejudice, a charge the staff at Curtis have denied. Discouraged, she took private piano lessons with Vladimir Sokoloff, a professor at Curtis, but never could re-apply due to the fact that at the time the Curtis institute did not accept students over 21. She took a job as a photographer’s assistant, but also found work as an accompanist at Arlene Smith’s vocal studio and taught piano from her home in Philadelphia. // In order to fund her private lessons, Simone performed at the Midtown Bar & Grill on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey, whose owner insisted that she sing as well as play the piano, which increased her income to $90 a week. In 1954, she adopted the stage name “Nina Simone”. “Nina”, derived from niña, was a nickname given to her by a boyfriend named Chico, and “Simone” was taken from the French actress Simone Signoret, whom she had seen in the 1952 movie Casque d’Or. Knowing her mother would not approve of playing “the Devil’s music”, she used her new stage name to remain undetected. Simone’s mixture of jazz, blues, and classical music in her performances at the bar earned her a small but loyal fan base. // In 1958, she befriended and married Don Ross, a beatnik who worked as a fairground barker, but quickly regretted their marriage. Playing in small clubs in the same year, she recorded George Gershwin’s “I Loves You, Porgy” (from Porgy and Bess), which she learned from a Billie Holiday album and performed as a favor to a friend. It became her only Billboard top 20 success in the United States, and her debut album Little Girl Blue followed in February 1959 on Bethlehem Records. Because she had sold her rights outright for $3,000, Simone lost more than $1 million in royalties (notably for the 1980s re-release of her version of the jazz standard “My Baby Just Cares for Me”) and never benefited financially from the album’s sales. // After the success of Little Girl Blue, Simone signed a contract with Colpix Records and recorded a multitude of studio and live albums. Colpix relinquished all creative control to her, including the choice of material that would be recorded, in exchange for her signing the contract with them. After the release of her live album Nina Simone at Town Hall, Simone became a favorite performer in Greenwich Village. By this time, Simone performed pop music only to make money to continue her classical music studies, and was indifferent about having a recording contract. She kept this attitude toward the record industry for most of her career. // Simone married a New York police detective, Andrew Stroud, in December 1961. In a few years he became her manager and the father of her daughter Lisa, but later he abused Simone psychologically and physically. // In 1964, Simone changed record distributors from Colpix, an American company, to the Dutch Philips Records, which meant a change in the content of her recordings. She had always included songs in her repertoire that drew on her African-American heritage, such as “Brown Baby” by Oscar Brown and “Zungo” by Michael Olatunji on her album Nina at the Village Gate in 1962. On her debut album for Philips, Nina Simone in Concert (1964), for the first time she addressed racial inequality in the United States in the song “Mississippi Goddam”. This was her response to the June 12, 1963, murder of Medgar Evers and the September 15, 1963, bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four young black girls and partly blinded a fifth. She said that the song was “like throwing ten bullets back at them”, becoming one of many other protest songs written by Simone. The song was released as a single, and it was boycotted in some[vague] southern states. Promotional copies were smashed by a Carolina radio station and returned to Philips. She later recalled how “Mississippi Goddam” was her “first civil rights song” and that the song came to her “in a rush of fury, hatred and determination”. The song challenged the belief that race relations could change gradually and called for more immediate developments: “me and my people are just about due”. It was a key moment in her path to Civil Rights activism. “Old Jim Crow”, on the same album, addressed the Jim Crow laws. After “Mississippi Goddam”, a civil rights message was the norm in Simone’s recordings and became part of her concerts. As her political activism rose, the rate of release of her music slowed. // Simone performed and spoke at civil rights meetings, such as at the Selma to Montgomery marches. Like Malcolm X, her neighbor in Mount Vernon, New York, she supported black nationalism and advocated violent revolution rather than Martin Luther King Jr.’s non-violent approach. She hoped that African Americans could use armed combat to form a separate state, though she wrote in her autobiography that she and her family regarded all races as equal. // In 1967, Simone moved from Philips to RCA Victor. She sang “Backlash Blues” written by her friend, Harlem Renaissance leader Langston Hughes, on her first RCA album, Nina Simone Sings the Blues (1967). On Silk & Soul (1967), she recorded Billy Taylor’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” and “Turning Point”. The album ‘Nuff Said! (1968) contained live recordings from the Westbury Music Fair of April 7, 1968, three days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. She dedicated the performance to him and sang “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)”, a song written by her bass player, Gene Taylor. In 1969, she performed at the Harlem Cultural Festival in Harlem’s Mount Morris Park, immortalized in Questlove’s 2021 documentary Summer of Soul. // Simone and Weldon Irvine turned the unfinished play To Be Young, Gifted and Black by Lorraine Hansberry into a civil rights song of the same name. She credited her friend Hansberry with cultivating her social and political consciousness. She performed the song live on the album Black Gold (1970). A studio recording was released as a single, and renditions of the song have been recorded by Aretha Franklin (on her 1972 album Young, Gifted and Black) and Donny Hathaway. When reflecting on this period, she wrote in her autobiography, “I felt more alive then than I feel now because I was needed, and I could sing something to help my people”.]
Flare Tha Rebel & Bob Pulliam – “Child’s Play (Radio) feat. Joe Miquelon” from: The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged / Shafer / July 9, 2021 [The first single from The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged EP. “Child’s Play” takes a holistic approach in describing gun violence, which was ranked 4th by voters for 90.9 The Bridge’s Top 90 Songs of 2021. The song showcases the intersectionality between police brutality, mass shootings, violence within systemically oppressed communities, and the United States’ usage of guns. // Career and love brought hip-hop MC Flare Tha Rebel back to his hometown of Kansas City, MO, which created a second wind of new music. Noted by The Pitch, “As a member of hip-hop collective Anti-Crew, Flare Tha Rebel made quite an impact on the Kansas City hip-hop scene. After making the leap from KC to Chicago in the late ‘00s, he’s now back…” Known for a highly energetic live performance, Flare has shared the stage with artists such as Chance the Rapper, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Mac Lethal, Nappy Roots, and CES Cru. Although hip-hop at the core, Flare Tha Rebel’s versatility remains as he balances music with socially progressive themes that are still enjoyable enough to raise a glass to at a party. There’s also a duality to Flare’s approach. Many of his songs are connected to his Art to Empower initiative, raising awareness and funds for a variety of social justice causes and nonprofits. Flare Tha Rebel & Bob Pullian were guests on WMM, Aug. 11, 2021. The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged was #9 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021. Info at: http://www.flaretharebel.com]
[Flare Tha Rebel plays recordBar, at 1520 Grand Blvd. on Thursday, March 31, with Ubi of CES Cru and a full live band, with opening acts: Oboi Kong, Aaron Alexander and The Belief Cycle. Hosted by Steddy P. in a fundraiser & awareness raiser for Change The Ref and a local nonprofit founded by Manuel & Patricia Oliver in memory of their son Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 victims of the MSD High School shooting in Parkland, FL. The animated lyric video for “Child’s Play” can be watched at; FlareThaRebel.com]
10:28 – Underwriting
Julia Othmer – “Frickin Awesome” from: Sound / Frickin Awesome Records / April 12, 2019 [Julia Othmer’s second album took three years to complete and was produced with James Lundie, who married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School and studied at Columbia University in New York City. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her first full-length album, “Oasis Motel.”]
10:34 – Interview with Julia Othmer, Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, & Julie Bennett Hume
Last year Julia Othmer released SEEDS VOLUME 2, her 4th album with live recordings and a followup to her 2020 release SEEDS VOLUME 1 both albums contained tracks from her 30-day “Songs of September Project”, where Julia covered songs of protest & hope, to inspire people to vote in 2020. Julia Othmer released “Sound,” on April 12, 2019, her second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st album, OASIS MOTEL. In 2018 and 2019 Julia toured with The Alarm in U.S. and United Kingdom. In 2021 Julia and her husband James relocated to Kansas City. More info at: http://www.juliaothmer.com
Ernest James grew up in Oakland, California. His father was originally from Pineville, Louisiana. Like many Creoles and Cajuns, his father left Louisiana in the 50s and 60s and moved to California looking for work and a better life. Ernest James is Kansas City’s “Zydeco Man.” Ernest James swims deep in the musical waters of Southwest Louisiana: Zydeco, Cajun and Creole music. He is also the band leader of “Ernest James Zydeco,” and has released four studio albums. His albums have been up for Grammy consideration. An accordionist and slide guitar player, he is a passionate lover of roots music. Ernest James honors the giants that have come before him. He provides an hour of Zydeco and Cajun music each third Tuesday from 5 to 6pm on Beautician Blues with Luscious Lynn here on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio. His local radio show glorifies the great artists of Zydeco music.
Mikal Shapiro is founder of State City Films creating documentary and experimental filmmaking practices. Mikal studied Film History, Film, & Writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She received her MFA in Film/Video/New Media/Animation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. Artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, ring-leader, Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the United States and has recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums Mikal also performs with Shapiro Brothers, and Monta At Odds. Mikal is also the host and producer of Siren Song, Saturdays at 11:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI KC Community Radio.
Julie Bennett Hume is a singer-songwriter from Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has been playing folk music for over 35 years in the Lawrence/Kansas City area. She has played bass, guitar, banjo and performed as a vocalist in numerous folk ensembles such as The Alferd Packer Memorial String Band, The Kansas City Cajun Band, The All Night Fiddlers, the Afro- Cuban ensemble Manos , The Euphoria String Band and Table for Three. She currently performs solo and with the duos The Stray Grays (with Leslie Giggler) aas well as the group Lost Cowgirl Revue, which recently toured Germany and the Netherlands. Julie also teaches German at a local high school and is the producer and host of the KKFI program “River City Chautauqua“. She is a board member of the “Heartland Song Network”. Her solo CD, Vinegar, was released in Nov of 2019. With Chris Hudson she perfoms as The Multiverse, who released Songs Of Latter Days on November 1, 2020.
Julia Othmer, Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, and Julie Bennett Hume, join us to share details on the Benefit for The Midwest Innocence Project, Friday, March 11, 2022, 6:00 to 10:00 pm, at The Brick Bar, 1727 Mcgee, KCMO. MIP assisted in the release of a life-sentence in prison of Kevin Strickland, a Black man wrongfully convicted by an all-white jury in 1979 of killing three people in Kansas City. No physical evidence linked him to the scene and the only witness later recanted her testimony. In 2021, he garnered national attention after former prosecutors said he was very likely innocent and called for his release. MIP is a not-for-profit dedicated to the investigation, litigation & exoneration of wrongfully convicted people in the region of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, & Nebraska. The benefit will feature live music by singer/songwriter Julia Othmer and traditional Louisiana style band Ernest James Zydeco with accordionist Ernest James, Barry “Washboard” Barnes on percussion, Mike Stover on bass, and Aryana Nemati on saxophone. For more info: http://www.themip.org
Julia Othmer, Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, and Julie Bennett Hume, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
Congratulations to all of you for all the music you make, record and perform live.
Benefit for The Midwest Innocence Project – Featuring music by Ernest James Zydeco & singer-songwriter Julia Othmer Friday, March 11, 2022, 6-10pm at The Brick, 1727 Mcgee, Kansas City, MO 64108
The benefit will feature guest speaker Ricky Kidd who was entenced to life in prison for a 1996 double murder he didn’t commit, Ricky Kidd was exonerated in August of 2019. Kidd, works for the Midwest Innocence Project, wants to see legislative action to prevent others from going through what he’s experienced.
The benefit features a raffle, silent auction, and (currently running) online auction. For more informations you can visit: http://www.themip.org
Recently, the Midwest Innocence Project was in the news assisting in the release from prison of Kevin Strickland, an African-American man who was wrongfully convicted by an all-white jury in 1979 of killing three people in Kansas City, Missouri. No physical evidence linked him to the scene of the crime and the only alleged witness later recanted her testimony that Strickland was involved. Strickland was given a life sentence. In 2021, he garnered national attention after former prosecutors in his case said he was very likely innocent and called for his release.
The Midwest Innocence Project is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the investigation, litigation and exoneration of wrongfully convicted people in the five-state region of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Your donation supports the mission to investigate, litigate and exonerate individuals convicted in the five-state area. For more info: themip.org
The benefit will feature live music by traditional Louisiana style band Ernest James Zydeco. Members include accordionist Ernest James and Barry “Washboard” Barnes on percussion, Mike Stover on bass and Aryana Nemati on saxophone. With Jaisson Taylor. For more info: ejzydeco.com
Julia Othmer is a “captivating” piano-playing singer/songwriter known for her energetic live performances. Passionate and engaging, Othmer creates intimate warmth with her audiences. Using music to connect to people and social issues inspires her. For more info: juliaothmer.com/
10:45
Ernest James Zydeco – “Automatic” from: Automatic Harvester / Jam Rat Records / July 13, 2015 [From KCMO, the band lineup has been constant since 2008: Ernest James on accordion and vocals, Barry Barnes on washboard, Jaisson Taylor on drums, Mike Stover on bass guitar, and Tony LaCroix on guitar. Recorded and mixed in KC at Markosa Studios, with Mark Thies. The album was mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago. Ernest James and Jaisson Taylor co-wrote and co-produced the songs.]
10:49 – More Interview with Julia Othmer,Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, & Julie Bennett Hume
Julia Othmer, Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, and Julie Bennett Hume, join us to share details on the Benefit for The Midwest Innocence Project, Friday, March 11, 2022, 6:00 to 10:00 pm, at The Brick, 1727 Mcgee, KCMO. MIP is a not-for-profit dedicated to the investigation, litigation & exoneration of wrongfully convicted people in the region of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, & Nebraska. The benefit will feature live music by Julia Othmer and Ernest James Zydeco with accordionist Ernest James, Barry “Washboard” Barnes on percussion, Mike Stover on bass, and Aryana Nemati on saxophone and Jaisson Taylor. For more info: http://www.themip.org
Julia Othmer, Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, and Julie Bennett Hume, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
Julia, Since your album “Sound” all of your following releases SEEDS VOLUME 1 and SEEDS VOLUME 2 have been produced with your husband James Lundie. Julia recently participated in Global Music Match that included 78 artists, from 17 countries who were divided into 14 groups. Julia covered a song from each artist in her team, and collaborated with Jessica Pearson and East Wind from Ottawa, Canada.
Ernest James Bio : Ernest James bought his first accordion in the dark recesses of a greasy Texas bar. “It’s a damn good accordion for German Polkas” the old man said, handing it over. Ernest instantly felt the accordion’s magnetic pull as he tried it on for the first time. “No Polkas for me” he replied. Determined to play his blues and rock and roll on the accordion, Ernest’s relationship with Zydeco music had just begun.
Ernest James’ innovative career of mixing traditional Louisiana-style Zydeco with unique production has created a sound that has a deep groove and bursts with new energy.
Ernest honors the giants that have come before him in the Zydeco world by clarifying the roots of the music—where it originated, the people who originated it, and the differences between Cajun and zydeco music—at each Ernest James Zydeco show. His local radio show glorifies the great artists of Zydeco music.
Ernest’s albums rely on a deep steady groove; though stylistically they do not fit neatly into the Zydeco mold. He embraces the Zydeco tradition and faces questions about his authenticity straight on, with honesty and clarity. Turning a song into a dub, or using the accordion for something other than a straight up two-step are testaments to his artistry and genre-bending genius. As a musician, he sees his place in a greater tradition born from his ancestry and the people who built this country.
“My daddy’s family comes from Pineville, Louisiana, where the dogwoods grow flowers out in the woods,” Ernest says. Like many Creoles and Cajuns, his father left Louisiana in the 50s and 60s and moved to California looking for work and a better life.
“I grew up in a Zydeco oasis in Oakland, California, but I have revisited my family’s ties with Louisiana throughout my life, trying to understand why my daddy left it long ago. In the process, I have found my music fits into the Zydeco tradition, bringing a strong past of blues to the accordion-based band. Now, Zydeco is just a part of who I am and how I express what I see in life.”
View photos, hear songs, and learn more about the band at http://www.EJZydeco.com Contact the band at jamrat@hotmail.com. Purchase EJZ albums, at amazon.com or wherever you purchase your music.
Julia Othmer, Ernest James, Mikal Shapiro, and Julie Bennett Hume, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
The Benefit for The Midwest Innocence Project, Friday, March 11, 2022, 6:00 to 10:00 pm, at The Brick Bar, 1727 Mcgee, KCMO. MIP is a not-for-profit dedicated to the investigation, litigation & exoneration of wrongfully convicted people in the region of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, & Nebraska. The benefit will feature live music by singer/songwriter Julia Othmer and traditional Louisiana style band Ernest James Zydeco with accordionist Ernest James, Barry “Washboard” Barnes on percussion, Mike Stover on bass, and Aryana Nemati on saxophone. For more info: http://www.themip.org
10:56
Julia Othmer – ” I Want To Be Free” from: SEEDS, Volume 2 (LIVE) / Frickin’ Awesome Records / March 20, 2021 [This is Julia’s 4th full length and contains 10 live songs selected from her 30-day Songs of September Project, where Julia performed live covers of her favorite songs of protest and hope, broadcast through streaming social platforms to inspire people to vote on November 3. Julia’s fans democratically selected their favorite tracks to be included on SEEDS. Julia Othmer released “Sound,” on April 12, 2019, her second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st full-length album, “Oasis Motel.” In 2018 to 2019 Julia Othmer toured with and opened for The Alarm in US show and shows in the United Kingdom. When Julia Othmer is in Kansas City she plays with Johnny Hamil on bass, Chris Tady on guitar, John Floyd Whitaker on drums. More info at http://www.juliaothmer.com. Julia Othmer was our guest on WMM on September 1, 2021]
11:00 – Station ID
11:00 – Guest DJ Lesley Pories
Lesley Pories our outgoing MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, oins us a “Guest DJ” to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Stockholm, Sweden for her new job. Lesley moved to Kansas City eight years ago and has been volunteering at 90.1 FM for most of that time. Lesley served on the Board of Directors for six years. A Washington DC native, Lesley has a Masters in Urban Planning from UNC Chapel Hill and a Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Lesley has lived and worked in Uzbekistan, India and Guinea. Lesley most recently served on the Board of BikeWalkKC and as Manager of Sector Strategy at water and sanitation non-profit, Water.org.
Lesley Pories, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley as guest DJ!
Architecture In Helsinki – “Hold Music” from: Places Like This / Architecture In Helsinki / July 28, 2007 [Architecture in Helsinki were an Australian indie pop band which consisted of Cameron Bird, Gus Franklin, Jamie Mildren, Sam Perry, and Kellie Sutherland. The band released five studio albums before going on hiatus: Fingers Crossed (2003), In Case We Die (2005), Places Like This (2007), Moment Bends (2011), and Now + 4eva (2014). The band has been inactive since 2018. // Places Like This is the third studio album by Architecture in Helsinki, which was released in Australia on July 27, 2007 at the launch of their Australian tour. It was also released in Japan on July 18, Europe on August 8, and in the United States on August 21. It debuted at No. 31 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and dropped to No. 49 in its second week. Architecture in Helsinki developed from a short-lived high school music experiment in Albury, New South Wales, by childhood friends Cameron Bird (lead singer), Jamie Mildren and Sam Perry. By 1999, the trio had moved to the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, where they used the name Architecture in Helsinki for Bird’s first collection of self-penned songs. Bird got the new band’s name after cutting up a newspaper and re-arranging words. They played a small number of gigs before going into hiatus. In 2000, while studying photography at art school, Bird met James Cecil, the two developed a musical connection and within months Cecil joined the band on drums. Around that time Bird took up guitar, he also met Kellie Sutherland at a party and invited her to play clarinet for the band. // The five-member group began to work on their debut album, Fingers Crossed, at Super Melody World, Cecil’s recording studio built in a church hall in a south-eastern suburb. Recording was halted when Bird left for an extended holiday in the US, leaving the album unfinished. Upon return from Portland, Oregon, Bird was inspired to write short, catchy pop songs, which marked a new direction for the band. At art school, Bird met members of The Rhinestone Horns, a brass ensemble, and he recruited Isobel Knowles, Tara Shackell and Gus Franklin – all three originally from Victoria’s Western District – to complete Architecture in Helsinki’s eight-member line-up. In 2002, the group signed with independent record label, Trifekta, which released their debut single, “Like a Call” in December. Nearly two years after starting work, Fingers Crossed was issued on February 9, 2003. Most of the group’s members play multiple instruments and their music makes use of a wide range of instruments, from analog synthesizers, samplers, the glockenspiel and handclaps; to concert band instruments like the trumpet, tuba, trombone, saxophone, clarinet and recorder; and the more standard guitars, bass guitar and drums.]
11:04 – Guest DJ Lesley Pories
Lesley grew up in Vienna, Virgina. She holds two Masters Degrees. She served in the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan. She served with The Carter Center observing political elections in Guinea. She worked for Water.org – Kansas City for over 8 years.
Lesley Pories Thanks for being with us as guest DJ.
11:10
M.I.A. – “Jimmy” from: Kala / Maya Arulpragasam – Interscope / January 1, 2013 [Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam MBE (born 18 July 1975), known by her stage name M.I.A. (an acronym of “Missing in Acton”), is a British rapper, singer, record producer and activist. Her songs contain evocative political and social commentary regarding immigration, warfare and identity in a globalised world. Her music combines elements of alternative[disambiguation needed], dance, electronic, hip hop and world music with eclectic instruments and samples. // Born in London to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, M.I.A. and her family moved to Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka when she was six months old. As a child, she experienced displacement caused by the Sri Lankan Civil War, which made the family return to London as refugees when M.I.A. was 11 years old; the war had a defining influence on M.I.A.’s artistry. She started out as a visual artist, filmmaker and designer in 2000, and began her recording career in 2002. One of the first acts to come to public attention through the Internet, she saw early fame as an underground artist in early 2004 with her singles “Sunshowers” and “Galang”. // M.I.A.’s first two albums, Arular (2005) and Kala (2007), received widespread critical acclaim for their experimentation with hip hop and electronic fusion. The single “Paper Planes” from Kala reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and sold over four million copies. Her third album Maya (2010) was preceded by the controversial single-short film “Born Free”. Maya was her best-charting effort, reaching the top 10 on several charts. Her fourth studio album, Matangi (2013), included the single “Bad Girls”, which won accolades at the MTV Video Music Awards. M.I.A. released her fifth studio album, AIM, in 2016. She scored her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single as a featured artist on Travis Scott’s “Franchise” (2020). // M.I.A.’s accolades include two American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) awards and two MTV Video Music Awards. She is the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for an Academy Award and Grammy Award in the same year. She was named one of the defining artists of the 2000s decade by Rolling Stone, and one of the 100 most influential people of 2009 by Time. Esquire ranked M.I.A. on its list of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century. According to Billboard, she was one of the “Top 50 Dance/Electronic Artists of the 2010s”. M.I.A. was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for her services to music.]
11:14 – Guest DJ Lesley Pories
Our outgoing MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, Lesley Pories joins us a “Guest DJ” to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Stockholm, Sweden for her new job.
11:16
Ani DiFranco – “I’m No Heroine” from: Imperfectly / Righteous Babe Records / June 19, 1992 [Imperfectly is the third studio album by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco. Angela Maria “Ani” DiFranco was born September 23, 1970. She is an American singer-songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums. DiFranco’s music has been classified as folk rock and alternative rock, although it has additional influences from punk, funk, hip hop and jazz. She has released all her albums on her own record label, Righteous Babe. DiFranco supports many social and political movements by performing benefit concerts, appearing on benefit albums and speaking at rallies. Through the Righteous Babe Foundation, DiFranco has backed grassroots cultural and political organizations supporting causes including abortion rights and LGBT visibility. She counts American folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger among her mentors. // DiFranco released a memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream, on May 7, 2019, via Viking Books and made The New York Times Best Seller List. // DiFranco was born in Buffalo, New York,[11] on September 23, 1970, the daughter of Elizabeth (Ross) and Dante Americo DiFranco, who had met while attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her father was of Italian descent, and her mother was from Montreal. DiFranco started playing Beatles covers at local bars and busking with her guitar teacher, Michael Meldrum,[16] at the age of nine. By 14 she was writing her own songs. She played them at bars and coffee houses throughout her teens. DiFranco graduated from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts high school at 16 and began attending classes at Buffalo State College. She was living by herself, having moved out of her mother’s apartment after she became an emancipated minor when she was 15. // DiFranco started her own record company, Righteous Babe Records, in 1989 at age 19. She released her self-titled debut album in the winter of 1990, shortly after relocating to New York City. There, she took poetry classes at The New School, where she met poet Sekou Sundiata, who was to become a friend and mentor. She toured steadily for the next 15 years, pausing only to record albums. Appearances at Canadian folk festivals and increasingly larger venues in the U.S. reflected her increasing popularity on the North American folk and roots scene. Throughout the early and mid-1990s DiFranco toured solo and also as a duo with Canadian drummer Andy Stochansky. // In September 1995, DiFranco participated in a concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio, inaugurating the opening of the Woody Guthrie Archives in New York City. She later released a CD on Righteous Babe of the concert Til We Outnumber Em featuring artists such as DiFranco, Billy Bragg, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, Indigo Girls, Dave Pirner, Tim Robbins, and Bruce Springsteen with 100 percent of proceeds going to the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum educational department. // In 1996, bassist Sara Lee joined the touring group, whose live rapport is showcased on the 1997 album Living in Clip. DiFranco would later release Lee’s solo album Make It Beautiful on Righteous Babe. In 1998, Stochansky left to pursue a solo career as a singer-songwriter. A new touring ensemble consisting of Jason Mercer on bass, Julie Wolf on keyboards, and Daren Hahn on drums, augmented at times by a horn section, accompanied DiFranco on tour between 1998 and 2002. // The 1990s were a period of heightened exposure for DiFranco, as she continued playing ever larger venues around the world and attracted international attention of the press, including cover stories in Spin, Ms., and Magnet, among others, as well as appearances on MTV and VH1. Her playfully ironic cover of the Bacharach/David song “Wishin’ and Hopin'” appeared under the opening titles of the film My Best Friend’s Wedding. She guest starred on a 1998 episode of the Fox sitcom King of the Hill, as the voice of Peggy’s feminist guitar teacher, Emily.[22] Beginning in 1999, Righteous Babe Records began releasing albums by other artists including Sara Lee, Sekou Sundiata, Arto Lindsay, Bitch and Animal, That One Guy, Utah Phillips, Hamell on Trial, Andrew Bird, Kurt Swinghammer, Buddy Wakefield, Anaïs Mitchell and Nona Hendryx. // On September 11, 2001, DiFranco was in Manhattan and later penned the poem “Self Evident” about the experience. The poem was featured in the book It’s a Free Country: Personal Freedom in America After September 11. The poem’s title also became the name of DiFranco’s first book of poetry released exclusively in Italy by Minimum Fax. It was later also featured in Verses, a book of her poetry published in the U.S. by Seven Stories press.[23] DiFranco has written and performed many spoken-word pieces throughout her career and was showcased as a poet on the HBO series Def Poetry in 2005. // Since her 2005 release Knuckle Down (co-produced by Joe Henry) DiFranco’s touring band and recordings have featured bass player Todd Sickafoose and in turns other musicians such as Allison Miller, Andy Borger, Herlin Riley, and Terence Higgins on drums and Mike Dillon on percussion and vibes. // On September 11, 2007, she released the first retrospective of her career, a two disc compilation entitled Canon and simultaneously a retrospective collection of poetry book Verses. On September 30, 2008, she released Red Letter Year. // In 2009, DiFranco appeared at Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, debuting her revamped version of the 1930s labor anthem “Which Side Are You On?” in a duet with Bruce Cockburn and also duetting with Kris Kristofferson on the folk classic “There’s a Hole in the Bucket”. // DiFranco released an album on January 17, 2012, ¿Which Side Are You On?. It includes collaborations with Pete Seeger, Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville, Skerik, Adam Levy, Righteous Babe recording artist Anaïs Mitchell, CC Adcock, and a host of New Orleans-based horn players known for their work in such outfits as Galactic, Bonerama, and Rebirth Brass Band. // In 2014, she released her eighteenth album, Allergic to Water. In 2017, she released her nineteenth, Binary. // On May 7, 2019, DiFranco released a memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream, via Viking Books. It is described as a “coming-of-age story”. // In 2021, DiFranco released the album Revolutionary Love which was largely inspired by Valarie Kaur’s book See No Stranger. // Ani DiFranco, RZA, and Steve Albini at The New Yorker festival in September 2005. // DiFranco came out as bisexual in her twenties, and has written songs about love and sex with women and men. She addressed the controversy about her sexuality in the song “In or Out” on the album Imperfectly (1992). In 1998, she married her sound engineer Andrew Gilchrist[ in a Unitarian Universalist service in Canada. DiFranco and Gilchrist divorced in 2003.]
11:20 – Guest DJ Lesley Pories
MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, Lesley Pories joins us a “Guest DJ” to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Stockholm, Sweden for her new job. Lesley most recently served on the Board of BikeWalkKC and as Manager of Sector Strategy at water and sanitation non-profit, Water.org.
11:27
Ali Farka Touré – “Lasidan (with Ry Cooder)” from: Talking Timbuktu (with Ry Cooder) / World Circuit Ltd – BMG / March 28, 1994 [Talking Timbuktu is the 1994 collaboration album between Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré and American guitarist/producer Ry Cooder. The guitar riff from the song “Diaraby” was selected for the Geo-quiz segment of The World PRI-BBC radio program and was retained by popular demand when put to a vote by the listeners. In 2009, the album was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association which indicated sales of at least 100,000 copies throughout Europe. // Ali Ibrahim “Ali Farka” Touré was born October 31, 1939 and died March 6, 2006. He was a Malian singer and multi-instrumentalist, and one of the African continent’s most internationally renowned musicians. His music blends traditional Malian music and its derivative, North American blues and is considered a pioneer of African desert blues. Touré was ranked number 76 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and number 37 on Spin magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. // Touré was born in 1939 in the village of Kanau, on the banks of the Niger River in Gourma-Rharous Cercle in the northwestern Malian region of Tombouctou. His family belonged to the Arma community and moved to the nearby village of Niafunké when he was still an infant. His father died serving in the French Army in 1940. He was the tenth son of his mother but the only one to survive past infancy. “The name I was given was Ali Ibrahim, but it’s a custom in Africa to give a child a strange nickname if you have had other children who have died”, Touré was quoted as saying in a biography on his record label, World Circuit Records. His nickname, “Farka”, chosen by his parents, means “donkey”, an animal admired for its tenacity and stubbornness: “Let me make one thing clear. I’m the donkey that nobody climbs on!” Ethnically, he was part Songhai, part Fula. // In Malian society, musical performance was the duty of a lower caste known as the ‘Griot’. Since Touré was from the ‘Nobel’ caste he was forbidden to play any musical instruments. He disregarded this and secretly built a monochord from a tin can and played it with his friends. // Having worked various jobs as a young adult including as a chauffeur and an ambulance boatman, it was a performance by the national ballet of Guinea in 1956 that would influence Touré to pursue a career in music. It was the guitar playing during this performance that made Ali determined to learn the instrument. During the 1960s, Mali hosted and held national talent competitions aimed at bringing together the various diverse groups of people that lived within the newly independent nation such as the Bambara in the south, the nomadic Tuareg in the North and the Fula and Songhay in the Sahel. It was at these competitions that Touré soaked up the music of all these different cultures and learned to sing in seven languages. // Naturally Touré was a great success at these competitions and ended up heading to Bulgaria to represent Mali internationally. It was during this trip that he bought his first guitar, and it was also the first time that he heard the music that was being produced in the USA during the 1960s, of which Touré instantly became a fan. He was particularly fond of the music of John Lee Hooker and has stated that, “The first time I heard John Lee Hooker, I heard his music but I said ‘I don’t understand this, where did they come up with this culture? This is something that belongs to us.” // Although Touré has been described as ‘The African Bluesman’, he insists that his music is not blues having stated that “To me blues is a type of soap powder, my music is older than the blues”. // As the first African bluesman to achieve widespread popularity on his home continent, Touré was often known as “the African John Lee Hooker”.[14] Musically, the many superpositions of guitars and rhythms in his music were similar to John Lee Hooker’s hypnotic blues style. He usually sang in one of several African languages, mostly Songhay, Fulfulde, Tamasheq or Bambara as on his breakthrough album, Ali Farka Touré, which established his reputation in the world music community. // Touré’s first job in the music industry was as a sound engineer at Radio Mali in Bamako. This job allowed him the opportunity to use the radio station’s recording studio, which at the time was the only recording studio in Mali. Touré sent tapes of his recordings to various record labels in France and eventually ended up releasing a series of albums simply titled ‘Ali Farka Touré’ in the late 70s and early 80s. in 1986 Touré captured the attention of the British market when tracks from one of his albums referred to as ‘the red album’ was played on British radio. // British DJ Andy Kershaw discovered ‘the red album’ whilst in Paris looking for albums that were difficult to find in the UK. He recalls how he purchased the album at random amongst a pile of others as the album cover had stood out to him. Upon listening to the album after he had returned home to North London he realised that he had found something special. Upon playing a few tracks on his segment on BBC Radio One it provoked an extraordinary reaction from his listeners. // It was this that grasped the attention of Anne Hunt of ‘World Circuit Records’. In the mid-1980s, Hunt travelled to Mali to track down Ali Farka Touré, she eventually found him by broadcasting a message on Radio Mali seeking information about his whereabouts. World Circuit records brought him to Britain for the first time in 1987 and Touré went on to record seven records with them. The first few of these albums included some interesting collaborations such as with Seán Keane and Kevin Conneff of The Chieftains on The River in 1990 and Nitin Sawhney and the American blues player Taj Mahal on The Source in 1992. Although, his most high-profile collaboration of the early 90s was 1994’s Talking Timbuktu with Ry Cooder. Cooder later recalled how Touré didn’t like recording the album in the Hollywood studio and described it as a place of ‘bad energy’ and The USA in general as a ‘spiritual car park’. // Touré’s first North American concert was in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia[citation needed]. 1994’s Talking Timbuktu, a collaboration with Ry Cooder, sold promisingly well in Western markets, but was followed by a hiatus from releases in America and Europe. He reappeared in 1999 with the release of Niafunké, a more traditional album focusing on African rhythms and beats. Touré was the mentor and uncle of popular Malian musician Afel Bocoum[citation needed]. // Some of Touré’s songs and tunes have been used in different programmes, films and documentaries. For instance, his guitar riff on the song “Diaraby”, from the album Talking Timbuktu, was selected for the Geo-quiz segment of The World PRI-BBC program, and was retained by popular demand when put to a vote of the listeners. This song is likewise used in 1998 as a soundtrack for the film L’Assedio (Besieged) by the Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci. His songs Cinquante six, Goye Kur and Hawa Dolo from the album The Source are also used as a soundtrack in the French film Fin août, début septembre (Late August, Early September) directed in 1998 by Olivier Assayas. The song “Lasidan” was featured in the award winning documentary “Sharkwater” by Rob Stewart. // In 2002 Touré appeared with Black American blues and reggae performer Corey Harris, on an album called Mississippi to Mali (Rounder Records). Toure and Harris also appeared together in Martin Scorsese’s 2003 documentary film Feel Like Going Home,[20] which traced the roots of blues back to its genesis in West Africa. The film was narrated by Harris and features Ali’s performances on guitar and njarka. // In September 2005, Touré released the album In the Heart of the Moon, a collaboration with Toumani Diabaté, for which he received a second Grammy award.[8] His last album, Savane, was posthumously released in July 2006. It was received with wide acclaim by professionals and fans alike and has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category “Best Contemporary World Music Album”. The panel of experts from the World Music Chart Europe (WMCE), a chart voted by the leading World Music specialists around Europe, chose Savane as their Album of the Year 2006, with the album topping the chart for three consecutive months (September to November 2006). The album has also been listed as No. 1 in the influential Metacritic’s “Best Albums of 2006” poll, and No. 5 in its all-time best reviewed albums. Ali Farka Touré has also been nominated for the BBC Radio 3 awards 2007. // In February 2018 Idrissa Soumaoro’s song Bèrèbèrè, featuring Touré, was used in Black Panther. // In 2020, Touré featured in the book ‘Greenlights’ by Matthew McConaughey. In part five, McConaughey recalls how in 1999 he was inspired to visit the African continent by a dream that he had. He goes on to reveal that Ali Farka Touré was one of his favourite musicians and that it was listening to Touré’s music that inspired him to choose the country of Mali for his visit to the African continent. He spent four days travelling to Niafunké from Bamako and spend the day with Touré and his wife before continuing his journey along the Niger River. // In 2004 Touré became mayor of Niafunké and spent his own money grading the roads, putting in sewer canals and fuelling a generator that provided the impoverished town with electricity. // On March 6, 2006, the Ministry of Culture of Mali announced Touré’s death at age 66 in Bamako from bone cancer, which he had been battling for some time. His record label, World Circuit, said that he had recorded several tracks with his son, Vieux Farka Touré, for Vieux’s debut album which was released in late 2006
11:33 – Underwriting
11:35 – Guest DJ Lesley Pories
Our outgoing MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, Lesley Pories joins us a “Guest DJ” to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Stockholm, Sweden for her new job. Lesley moved to Kansas City eight years ago and has been volunteering at 90.1 FM for most of that time. Lesley served on the Board of Directors for six years. A Washington DC native, Lesley has a Masters in Urban Planning from UNC Chapel Hill and a Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Lesley has lived and worked in Uzbekistan, India and Guinea. Lesley most recently served on the Board of BikeWalkKC and as Manager of Sector Strategy at water and sanitation non-profit, Water.org.
11:39
Kaÿn Lab – “You for Me (Live)” from: Live at Fendika / Kaÿn Lab / March 30, 2020 [Kaÿn Lab is an experimental jazz fusion band focusing on Ethiopian rhythms & modes, hence the name. Kaÿn – The Long Awaited One; Lab – Laboratory. KAŸN LAB was formed out of a desire to have an outlet of creativity not normally found in other musical situations. Being a group of composers, we wanted to write music as well as play. Our focus is more on jazz with heavy Ethiopian influences. As we continue to experiment with new sounds and especially new applications of the modes and rhythms of Ethiopia, we just hope we can create something enjoyable for our audience as well as for us. Everything being experimental we expect to have some positive and negative reactions to the music. Our aim, however, is always to be innovative in the most positive way possible. We hope you will join us on our journey! More info at: https://kayenlab.wixsite.com/jazz%5D
11:48
Our MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, Lesley Pories joined us a “Guest DJ” to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Stockholm, Sweden for her new job. Lesley moved to Kansas City eight years ago and has been volunteering at 90.1 FM for most of that time. Lesley served on the Board of Directors for six years. A Washington DC native, Lesley has a Masters in Urban Planning from UNC Chapel Hill and a Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Lesley has lived and worked in Uzbekistan, India and Guinea. Lesley most recently served on the Board of BikeWalkKC and as Manager of Sector Strategy at water and sanitation non-profit, Water.org.
Lesley Pories, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley as guest DJ!
For WMM, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!
11:51:42
Perpetual Groove – “Only Always” from: Live Love Die / Treeleaf Music / March 6, 2007 [Perpetual Groove (or PGroove) is an American rock band that originated in 1997 in Savannah, Georgia. PGroove incorporated a mix of traditional Southern rock, funk, jazzy improvisation, indie rock and synth loops. The members continue to work on solo and side projects. // The band’s founding members include Brock Butler on guitar and lead vocals, Adam Perry on bass, Joe Stickney on drums and Brett Hinton on keyboards. The four met at Savannah College of Art and Design during their first year. After graduation, Stickney and Hinton both left the band. [1] In 2001, drummer Albert Suttle and keyboardist Matt McDonald, both then active-duty members of the US Army, met Butler and Perry at a Savannah open-mic night and soon joined Perpetual Groove. After moving out of Savannah, they settled in the musically dominated college-town of Athens, GA – home of R.E.M., Widespread Panic, B52’s and many more musical acts over the years. // The band first attracted attention at Jake’s Roadhouse in Atlanta and JJ Cagney’s on Savannah’s Bay Street, which eventually relocated to River Street and later became The Live Wire Music Hall. They played a very notable show at J. J. Cagney’s, which was a private party for the cast and crew of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil with several other local bands, including The Eric Culberson Trio and a group called “Ciaxa” led by Joe and Eric Layden, who would later form the international jam/funk revue band “The Looters”. Actors Paul Hipp and Jack Thompson also performed with the bands. // As crowds grew, they played larger venues such as Loco’s, the [Lucas Theater] (New Year’s Eve 2003), SCAD’s [Trustees Theater], the Armstrong Center at Armstrong Atlantic State University and [The Roundhouse Railroad Museum]. In 2006, PGroove started playing hometown benefit concerts for the Jolly Foundation, in honor of Butler’s childhood friend Mary Ellen McKee. Also in 2006, PGroove relocated from Savannah to Athens, Georgia. The Georgia Theatre in Athens had become one of the band’s main venues prior to the move, prompting the idea for a new homebase. // PGroove’s first wider US tour was in 2003. They toured the country extensively, gaining a new legion of die-hard fans in New England and the Northeast, and a strong following on the West Coast, along with an ever-growing fan-base in the South. They also played in Japan, Amsterdam and aboard cruise ships at the Jam Cruise and Xingolati music festivals. Early on, PGroove began earning a reputation for their touring and hard work. // John Hruby replaced McDonald on keyboards in June 2008, making the line-up of Butler, Perry, Suttle and Hruby from 5/25/08 until 01/01/2012. McDonald played his final official show with the band their Amberland festival on May 25, 2008. He left on amicable terms to focus on his family. McDonald continued to compose and produce music independently under the name which bore his initials M.S.M. and stood for “My Subversive Media” and still occasionally played with Brock Butler and Perpetual Groove. McDonald also joined the indie-rock act SeepeopleS for a brief time and was featured on SeepeopleS’ fourth album, “Apocalypse Cow Vol. 2.” On June 16, 2008 the band announced that John Hruby, formerly of Ohio jam band “Guest”, was their new keyboard player. He is a long-time friend of the band and was part of an earlier side project, “The Ruins” with Butler, Perry, and drummer Travis Cline of Atlanta’s Captain Soularcat. Hruby had previously worked as a producer at Atlanta’s Zone Studios where worked on albums for hip-hop acts such as Ciara, Ludacris, David Banner and The Ying Yang Twins. // In November 2011, Perpetual Groove announced that John Hruby would be leaving the band, and Matt McDonald would be returning to playing full-time. The new, yet familiar lineup of Perpetual Groove was immediately dubbed as PG 2.012 by fans, referring to the reunion year and cementing the “definitive lineup” of the band.]
Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now” from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Next week on Wednesday, March 16,Melissa and Matt Weinman of Dimension Bill Edwards join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios to talk about their new debut album, SUSTENENCE.
Also next week Oliver Hall comes to KC from Lawrence, Kansas to talk about his two CD album release, SONGS OF THE PLANETS a collection of digital recordings using special instruments designed by N.A.S.A. that record electromagnetic vibrations from the planets and moons and transfer them into sounds that can be heard by the human ear.
And also next week musician Jeremiah James Gonzales returns to the show to talk about the vinyl release of the latest album from the Kansas City band, Redder Moon.
Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information. Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
New & MidCoastal Releases + Ernest James & Julia Othmer & Midwest Innocence Project + Guest DJ Lesley Pories
Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Kevin Morby, Flare Tha Rebel with Joe Miquelon, Monta At Odds, Julia Othmer, JNabe with Julia Reynolds, Ernest James Zydeco, Lily B. Moonflower, Architecture in Helsinki, M.I.A., Nina Simone, Kaÿn Lab, Ali Farka Tourė with Ry Cooder, J.J. Cale, and Ani DiFranco.
At 10:30 Ernest James & Julia Othmer share details on the Benefit for The Midwest Innocence Project, Friday, March 11, 2022, 6:00 to 10:00 pm, at The Brick Bar, 1727 Mcgee, KCMO. MIP assisted in the release of Kevin Strickland, a Black man wrongfully convicted by an all-white jury in 1979 of killing three people in Kansas City. No physical evidence linked him to the scene and the only witness later recanted her testimony. Kevin was sentenced to life in prison where he had been for over 42 years. In 2021, Kevin garnered national attention after former prosecutors said he was very likely innocent and called for his release. MIP is a not-for-profit dedicated to the investigation, litigation & exoneration of wrongfully convicted people in the region of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, & Nebraska. The benefit will feature live music by singer/songwriter Julia Othmer and traditional Louisiana style band Ernest James Zydeco with accordionist Ernest James, Barry “Washboard” Barnes on percussion, Mike Stover on bass, and Aryana Nemati on saxophone. For more info: http://www.themip.org
At 11:00 Mark talks with our outgoing MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, Lesley Pories who joins us a “Guest DJ” to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Stockholm, Sweden for her new job. Lesley moved to Kansas City eight years ago and has been volunteering at 90.1 FM for most of that time. Lesley served on the Board of Directors for six years. A Washington DC native, Lesley has a Masters in Urban Planning from UNC Chapel Hill and a Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Lesley has lived and worked in Uzbekistan, India and Guinea. Lesley most recently served on the Board of BikeWalkKC and as a Senior Sector Analyst at water and sanitation non-profit, Water.org.
On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Ivory Blue + More New & MidCoastal Releases
“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks” from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979 [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
Cynthia Erivo – “What In The World” from: Ch. 1 Vs. 1 / Verve Records – UMG / September 17, 2021 – February 25, 2022 (on vinyl) [Debut album from British singer-songwriter & actress, born Jan. 8, 1987. Erivo was the winner of the 2016 Tony Award, for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, for the Revival of The Color Purple, on Broadway// Cynthia Erivo is the recipient of several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. // Erivo began acting in a 2011 stage production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. She gained recognition for starring in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple from 2015 to 2017, for which she won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Erivo ventured into films in 2018, playing roles in the heist film Widows and the thriller Bad Times at the El Royale. For her portrayal of American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biopic Harriet (2019), Erivo received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress; she also wrote and performed the song “Stand Up” on its soundtrack, which garnered her a nomination in the Best Original Song category. // On TV, Erivo had her first role in the British series Chewing Gum (2015). She starred in the crime drama miniseries The Outsider (2020), and received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s anthology series Genius: Aretha (2021).]
Prairie Brigade – “Is This How The World Ends?” from: “Is This How The World Ends?” – Single / Prairie Brigade / February 22, 2022 [Debut single from Prairie Brigade a KC band born in late 2021 with Kristie Stremel on vocals & guitar, Chris Meck on guitar & vocals, John Hobson on guitar & bass & vocals, Ryan McCall on electric piano & vocals, and Tom Hudson on drums. Prairie Brigade’s first album will be released April 12, 2022. Info: http://www.prairiebrigade.bandcamp.com or http://www.prairiebrigademusic.con]
Big Thief – “Simulation Swarm” from: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You / 4AD / February 11, 2022 [Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You is the 5th studio album by the American band Big Thief, released as a double album through 4AD on Feb. 11, 2022. Produced by drummer James Krivchenia, the album features 20 songs which were recorded over five months in four different locations across the United States. The album’s release was preceded by 8 singles. It received acclaim from critics upon release and entered the top forty in several territories, including Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA and the UK. // In 2019, Big Thief left Saddle Creek and signed to 4AD, releasing two studio albums: U.F.O.F. in May 2019 and Two Hands in Oct. 2019. The albums were the band’s most successful and acclaimed to date: U.F.O.F. received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and both albums appeared on the Billboard 200 chart, with Two Hands peaking at 113. Their song “Not” from Two Hands was named by many publications as one of the year’s best songs and was nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Big Thief toured in support of the albums until March 2020, when their European tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drummer James Krivchenia released a solo album titled A New Found Relaxation in June 2020. In October 2020, Lenker released two solo albums: Songs and Instrumentals. Guitarist Buck Meek released his second solo album Two Saviors in January 2021. // Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You album was produced by drummer James Krivchenia, who conceived the concept behind its recording. In late 2019, while at a hotel in Copenhagen, Krivchenia presented the band with the concept that they would travel to four different locations: Upstate New York, Topanga Canyon in California, the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, and the Colorado mountains. They would record at four different studios with four separate engineers, and go to each place with a specific sonic plan in mind. Krivchenia’s intent was to capture a full expression of Lenker’s songwriting and the band onto a single album. Krivchenia’s production handling also marks the band’s first album not produced by their longtime collaborator Andrew Sarlo. // The band recorded over the span of five months, resulting in 45 complete songs which were ultimately edited down to the album’s 20 tracks. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band initially quarantined in the Vermont woods for two weeks in July 2020. The 1st session was in July and August 2020 at Sam Evian’s Flying Cloud Recordings in Upstate New York. The 2nd session was with Shawn Everett in Oct. 2020 at Five Star Studios in Topanga, California. The third session was with engineer Dom Monks, who previously engineered U.F.O.F. and Two Hands; the session took place in Nov. 2020 at MusicGardens – Studio In The Clouds in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, located just outside Telluride. The fourth and final session was in Dec. 2020 at Scott McMicken’s Press On Studio in Tucson, Arizona. Mat Davidson, a former member of the Low Anthem and a longtime friend of the band who performs under the moniker Twain, was invited to contribute to the recordings in Arizona. Davidson had previously featured on the band’s second studio album, Capacity (2017), with his vocals & fiddle performances featuring heavily throughout the Arizona Dragon New Warm Mountain recordings, marking the first time the band incorporated a fifth instrumentalist for such a substantial contribution]
5. The Creepy Jingles – “Connundrum and Bass” from: “Connundrum and Bass” – Single / High Dive Records / February 25, 2022 [This is the second single from band’s upcoming 11-track, full-length debut, TAKE ME AT MY WORD PLAY scheduled for release in March 25, 2022. “Trojan Horse Girl” was the firsr single released February 11, 2022 and this followed the stand alone single “Throwing In The Femme Fatale” released November 18, 2021. As lead singer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon Nixon, who is a transgender woman, told 90.9 The Bridge, “This is one of those songs we wanted to make space for and share because it was a favorite little oddball of ours, it’s a bit outside the box of what we normally do.” Nixon continued, “I wrote it to appear vague enough where it could be about a song, idea or a person that gets stuck inside your crawl space,” the song was about her own mindset before transitioning. “…This overwhelming thought about showing the world who I really was, because I couldn’t ignore it anymore.” The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top tenof WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. From High Dive Records website: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit. Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Adam York delivers pulsing bass lines that the compliment the songs and his partner in the rhythm section. Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. Beware The Creepy Jingles, their siren call is coming from inside the house.”]
[Jocelyn Olivia Nixon of The Creepy Jingles will join us on WMM on March 23, 2022]
[The Creepy Jingles play Replay Lounge on March 26, 2022 at 10:00 PM with Miki P & The Swallowtails, LK Ultra, and LYXE]
Hurray For The Riff Raff – “RHODODENDRON” from: LIFE ON EARTH / Nonesuch Records / February 18, 2017 [Hurray for the Riff Raff is an American folk-blues and Americana band from New Orleans, Louisiana formed by lead singer and songwriter Alynda Segarra. Segarra was raised by her aunt Nereida in the Bronx where she developed an early appreciation for doo-wop and Motown. She is of Puerto Rican descent. Her mother was former New York City Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra. Segarra became a regular attendee of hardcore punk shows at ABC No Rio when she was young. She left her home in the Bronx at age 17, spending time crossing North America, hopping freight trains. During this time, around 2007, Segarra became a part of the Dead Man Street Orchestra, a band that was documented in a photo essay by Time Magazine in 2007. After two self-released albums, 2008’s It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You and 2010’s Young Blood Blues, Hurray for the Riff Raff released a self-titled CD composed of Segarra’s favorite songs from those records on Loose Music in Europe on March 21, 2011. Tracks from the band’s debut release received airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. In February 2011, the band were featured in an article in The Times, based around the HBO TV series, Treme, with their track “Daniella” being listed in their selection of New Orleans’ essential songs. In May 2012, Hurray for the Riff Raff released Look Out Mama on their own label, Born to Win Records. Loose Music released Look Out Mama in Europe on August 20, 2012. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at The Bomb Shelter Studios and produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes).In February 2014, Hurray for the Riff Raff had their ATO Records debut, Small Town Heroes. The record features original songs written or co-written by Segarra, and features fiddler Yosi Perlstein, keyboard player Casey McAllister, and two members of The Deslondes: Sam Doores on guitar and Dan Cutler on bass. On March 10, 2017 Hurray For The Riff Raff released The Navigator onATO Records. ]
Miles Bonny & C. Scott – “Nowhere to Hide” from: “Nowhere to Hide” – Single / Innate Sounds / February 25, 2022, [Miles Bonny was born November 7, 1980, in New York City, to his parents Anne Grothe and Francis Bonny, a broadway musician. His grandmother, Helen Bonny, was a music therapist. In 1981, Bonny moved to Teaneck, New Jersey where he attended Teaneck High School. Miles Bonny is a record producer, singer-songwriter, trumpeter, and DJ. Originally from New Jersey, Bonny began producing and creating hip hop while living in the midwest in the late 1990s, and founded the hip-hop group SoundsGood with rapper Joe Good in 2000. He has released a number of solo albums, and has collaborated with musicians such as Deep Thinkers, Ces Cru, and Sage Francis. He operates the record label InnateSounds, and in 2010 Bonny won the Pitch Music Award for DJ Hip-Hop in Kansas City. Currently based in New Mexico, Bonny frequently tours as a DJ and performer. // Bonny moved to Lawrence, Kansas to attend the University of Kansas in 1999. There he began producing music and started the regional hip hop website Lawrencehiphop.com, which helped bring media attention to the region’s hip hop artists.[5] He has also worked on collaborative projects with Approach (Al Japro) and iD (The Find). During this period an internship with Sub Verse Music led Miles becoming more acquainted with the New York independent hip hop scene, which informed his ability to later start his own label, INnatesounds. // Additionally, he co-founded the hip-hop group SoundsGood in 2000 with Kansas City-based rapper Joe Good.[5] In the early years of SoundsGood the group was well known in the “house party” scene.[citation needed] After the pair released a 12-song eponymous debut LP in 2002,[5] they released Biscuits & Gravy in 2005. Miles released an instrumental version of Biscuits & Gravy in 2007, after Joe Good had left the hip-hop scene. In 2008, Miles released another SoundsGood LP using material recorded between the band’s debut and Biscuits. // Miles moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 2005. That year he produced the track “Comin For You” for rap artist Reach, which was chosen by a panel of judges including DJ Premier for Scion’s NextUp competition. That same year he received international recognition in Scratch Magazine’s Hydrosonic’s section. // In 2006, Miles released his debut solo project, Smell Smoke? According to The Pitch, the main single from the album, “Miles Gets Open,” is a “soulful, jazzy tune, on which Bonny himself plays trumpet, showcases his jazz upbringing in New Jersey, where his father, now a woodworker, used to work nights as a musician across the river in New York City.” // In 2007 he produced and recorded for musicians such as Reggie B, Deep Thinkers, and John Brewer, all of whom are members of the hip-hop collective Innate Sounds.[6] That year he also made the beat for “Call Me Francois” on Sage Francis’ album Human the Death Dance, released on Epitaph Records. // He released the “Miles Gets Open” 7″ & Closer Love EP in conjunction with the German-based Melting Pot Music in 2007.[7] Miles’ next work, Steveland, was released on December 15, 2007, and is a five-song album with Miles singing and playing the horns over a 2002 tribute to Stevie Wonder by indie producer Madlib. // In 2010, he won the Pitch Music Award for DJ Hip-Hop in Kansas City. // Bonny released Egg Black EP with producer B.Lewis on April 3, 2012, and he was nominated for a 2013 Amadeus Award (Austria) for his S3 project.[8] He has performed internationally in countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, and Austria. // In 2021 he released Lumberjack Soul 2. He is currently working on a duo album with wife Shhor in Taos, New Mexico. // In 2013 Bonny moved to Tres Piedras, New Mexico. His home is solar-paneled and handbuilt using materials such as wood, straw bales, and adobe. Bonny has a separate career as a social worker. More info at: http://www.milesbonny.com]
Faith Maddox – “Bloody Maple” from: “Bloody Maple” – Single / French Exit Records / February 18, 2022 [Faith Maddox released the 9-song album SUBTLE HAUNTINGS on February 25, 2022, Faith Maddox on vocals/guitar/bass and Jared Crowley on drums. The album was recorded by Faith Maddox, it was mixed & mastered by Joel Martin. Faith Maddox is a 21-year-old artist currently living in Lawrence, Kansas. A self-taught guitarist and writer, Maddox’s work explores themes of gender, mortality, and nature, often weaving literary references between fingerpicked melodies. Her music is not easily boxed in, taking influence from math rock, jazz, folk, and slowcore. She is an avid fan of Fleabag, Joan Didion, and anything green. Faith Maddox released the 9-song album SUBTLE HAUNTINGS on February 25, 2022, Faith Maddox on vocals/guitar/bass and Jared Crowley on drums. The album was recorded by Faith Maddox, it was mixed & mastered by Joel Martin. Info: http://www.faithmaddox.bandcamp.com]
10:28 – Underwriting
Kadesh Flow – “Future Ex (feat. Vincent Orsolini & DJ Skittlez)” from: “Future Ex (feat. Vincent Orsolini & DJ Skittlez)”– Single / Ryan Jamaal Davis / Feb. 14, 2021 [Produced: Kadesh Flow, Vincent Orsolini. Written & Performed: Kadesh Flow, Vincent Orsolini, DJ Skittlez. Mixed & Mastered: Vincent Orsolini, Kadesh Flow. This is one of over 22 new singles Kadesh Flow has released in the last 14 months: Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Soft Side,” on Jan. 21, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Assumptions feat. Shubzilla,” on Jan. 29, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Frosty,” on February 12, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Cry For Me 2,” February 12, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Not on My Watch,” on February 19, 2021, Inspired by Lord Beerus (Dragonball Super). Kadesh Flow released, “Held Me Longer,” on Marc written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Your Dream Isn’t Always Yours,” on March 12, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Forgot About Me,” on March 14, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Take Backs (feat. Ryan Heinlein),” on March 26, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “But Hope” on March 26, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single, “I Don’t Care” on April 9, 2021, written, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Produced by D. Professor. Kadesh Flow released the single, “That Way” on April 16, 2021, written, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow, and produced by Dominique “Bassman” Saunders. Kadesh Flow released the new single, “So Far” on April 23, 2021, written, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow and produced by Dominique “Bassman” Sanders. Kadesh Flow released the single, “On Target” on April 30, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single ”Lighten Up”on May 7, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single “Elegant” on May 21, 2021. Written, Produced, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is his 16th single the year, so far. Kadesh Flow released the 13-track album ROOM SERVICE 2, on July 19, 2021. Kadesh Flow released the single “Coming For Your Neck” on August 20, 2021. Written, Produced, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is his 17th single the year. Kadesh Flow released the single “Easy” on August 27, 2021. Written, Produced, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is his 18th single the year. Kadesh Flow released the single “Fiend” on Sept. 4, 2021. Written, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. Produced by Dominique Sanders. This is his 19th single the year. Kadesh Flow released the single, “No Options (feat Jamar Rose)” on Nov.12, 2021. Kadesh Flow released the single, “Gardens Out The Gutter” on Dec. 3, 2021. This is one of 22 singles and a 13 track album that Kadesh Flow has released so far this year. Written, Performed, Mixed & Mastered: Kadesh Flow. Instrumental: Dominique Sanders. Kadesh Flow released the single, “CHOICE (The Cost)” on December 17, 2021. Written, Performed, Mixed & Mastered: Kadesh Flow. Instrumental: Dominique Sanders. This is one of 22 singles and a 13 track album that Kadesh Flow has released so far this year. Kadesh Flow is Ryan Davis is a rapper with an MBA. He is an emcee, producer, & trombonist. At age 11, he began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. His music has been featured on network television in multiple countries and territories across Southeast Asia. Kadesh performs as a solo hip hop artist. He also plays with The Phantastics, and Marcus Lewis Big Band. Kadesh Flow played the 17th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, September 11, as part of Deshica Rage (with Kadesh Flow & Jessica Paige) at 10:00 PM on Community Lending of America Stage at Lemonade Park. Kadesh Flow was on WMM on Oct. 21, 2020. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.com ]
[In partnership with KKFI, Deshica Rage (Kadesh Flow & Jessica Paige) play In The Lounge at The Folly Theatre, on Tuesday.\, March 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM.]
[Kadesh Flow Plays Boulevardia Friday, June 17 with The Phantastics, Sat. June 18 as part of Deshica Rage (with Kadesh Flow & Jessica Paige), and on the same night in a closing set with Trevor Turla.]
Eiko Ishibashi – “Drive My Car (Hiroshima)” from: Drive My Car Original Soundtrack (with bonus tracks) / NEWHERE MUSIC / August 18, 2021 [Eiko Ishibashi is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She has frequently worked with Jim O’Rourke, with O’Rourke producing several of her albums and Ishibashi playing on his album Simple Songs. Together with Tatsuhisa Yamamoto they formed the band Kafka’s Ibiki. // In 2016, she released the album Kouen Kyoudai, a collaboration with the Japanese noise musician Masami Akita (better known as Merzbow). She composed the music for the 2019 anime Blade of the Immortal. In 2021, she composed the music for the film Drive My Car, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. // Drive My Car is a 2021 Japanese drama film co-written and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. It is primarily based on Haruki Murakami’s short story of the same name from his 2014 collection Men Without Women, while taking inspiration from other stories in it. The film follows Yūsuke Kafuku (played by Hidetoshi Nishijima) as he directs a multilingual production of Uncle Vanya in Hiroshima and grapples with the death of his wife, Oto. // Drive My Car had its world premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or and won three awards, including Best Screenplay. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many declaring it one of the best films of 2021. It earned four nominations at the 94th Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is the first Japanese film nominated for Best Picture. At the 79th Golden Globe Awards, the film won Best Foreign Language Film.]
Trevor Turla – “Let Go” rom: “Let Go” – Single / Trevor Turla / February 17, 2022 [Second signal his year from Trevore Turla who previously released, “And We Continue” on January 27, 2022. We first played Trevor Turla on WMM on July 29, 2020. His track “Busted” was released on a compilation titled KANSAS CITY SYZYGY that featured over 25 Kansas City-based musicians who came together to create a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. // Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Trevor Turla is now lives in Kansas City. Trevor defines himself as a musician. He started playing his first instrument, the bagpipes, at the age of 8 and hasn’t stopped the pursuit of music since. He received his Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies for trombone from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Trevor now creates music full time by playing, recording, and holding clinics around the United States. Trevor plays and sings in numerous bands, including Jake Wells, Grand Marquis, Miki P, Fritz Hutchison, and LA Jones. He is the founder, lead singer and trombonist for the band Sulu Moon. More info at http://www.trevorturla.com.]
[Trevor Turla Plays Boulevardia Friday, June 18 with Kadesh Flow in a closing set.]
Erik J. Pearson – “Scotch & Soda” from: “Scotch & Soda” – Single / Mexican Summer / January 7, 2022 [Written by: Erik J. Pearson. Produced by: Adam Bartling, Erik Pearson. Guitars & Bass: Erik J. Pearson. Drums: Adam Bartling. Recorded at Razortone Recording Company. At different points in his life, Erik J. Pearson dipped his toes into a variety of musical endeavors and worn a number of ill-fitting hats. In his youth, he joined a metal band, was later a a side-man in a church band, once the frontman for a folk-guitar duo, and even tried his hand as a singer-songwriter. Through it all, Erik’s love and talent for fingerstyle guitar stood out front, until it was no longer deniable this was his intended path. Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac served as Erik’s initial exposure to fingerstyle guitar, which paved the way for two decades of musical consumption and formal education. Aside from rockers like Buckingham and Knopfler, Erik also counts Bert Jansch, Leo Kottke, Andy McKee, Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, and Jon Gomm among his inspirations. Erik J. Pearson released the single “A Dream for Two” on February 4, 2022. More information at http://www.erikjpearson.bandcamp.com.]
Beach House – “Once Twice Melody” from: Once Twice Melody / Sub Pop Records / February 18, 2022 [In November 2021, the band announced their eighth studio album Once Twice Melody, to be released released on February 18, 2022. The 18-track double album was released in four “chapters”. The first chapter was released on November 10, 2021, with the following three chapters released on December 8, 2021, January 19, 2022, and February 18, 2022. The band will tour the album in 2022.[59Beach House is an American musical duo formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. The band consists of vocalist and keyboardist Victoria Legrand and guitarist, keyboardist, and backup vocalist Alex Scally. // Their self-titled debut album was released in 2006 to critical acclaim and has been followed by Devotion (2008), Teen Dream (2010), Bloom (2012), Depression Cherry (2015), Thank Your Lucky Stars (2015), B-sides and Rarities (2017), 7 (2018), and Once Twice Melody (2022). // Vocalist and organist Victoria Legrand, who graduated from Vassar College in 2003, and guitarist Alex Scally, who graduated from Oberlin College in 2004, formed the band in 2004 after meeting in Baltimore’s indie rock scene, producing music composed largely of organ, programmed drums, and steel guitar. Of the origins of the band name Scally said: “We’d been writing music, and we had all these songs, and then there was that moment where you say ‘what do we call ourselves?’ We tried to intellectualize it, and it didn’t work. There were different plant-names, Wisteria, that kind of thing. Stupid stuff. But, once we stopped trying, it just came out, it just happened. And it just seemed perfect.” In an interview with Pitchfork, Legrand addressed their being a two-member status thus: “It’s a way to challenge ourselves: What do you do when it’s just the two of you? … One of the reasons this has been such a fulfilling experience for me is that with two people, it’s so much easier to achieve things that feel exciting and new.” // In August 2006, their song “Apple Orchard” was featured on a Pitchfork MP3 mixtape. By October 2006 the band’s self-titled debut album, Beach House, was released through Carpark Records, and was ranked 16th on Pitchfork’s Best Albums of that year. The album was recorded on a 4-track over a two day period in Scally’s basement.]
Fritz Hutchison – “Ladder Shake (Feat. Bodacious Thang)” rom: “Ladder Shake (Feat. Bodacious Thang)”- Single / Manor Records / February 25, 2022 [Recently signed by Manor Records Multi-instrumentalist Fritz Hutchison was born May 27, 1991. His second solo album, MOVIE NIGHT will be is released on April.15, 2022 through Manor Records. A life-long resident of KC Since 2008 he’s been part of multiple bands playing drums with: She’s a Keeper, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and Grand Marquis. As a guitarist he has played along side True Lions, J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P, Calvin Arsenia. A decade of lending an ear and a hand to other musicians Fritz Hutchison released his debut solo album Wide Wild Acres on Center Cut Records on March 27, 2020. Written & performed by Fritz Hutchison. Produced by Fritz Hutchison & Joel Nanos. Recorded & mixed in KC by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studio. Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago. Fritz was our guest on WMM on March 25, 2020]
Corey Dies in the End – “Island” from: “Island” – Single / Joel Kraft / October 6, 2021 [Corey Dies in the End on vocals, programming, guitars. Nameless Beats on engineering, mixing, mastering. Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Air” o January 26, 2022. Corey Dies in the End is the solo musical project of Corey Vitt who has been playing in Kansas City and Lawrence bands since 2006 playing with Videodisk, Parents, Hidden Pictures, Rooms Without Windows, and Beautiful Bodies. More info at: http://www.coreydiesintheend.bandcamp.com]
Paul Jesse – “Stuck The Way” from: STUCK THIS WAY – EP / Paul Jesse / November 5, 2021 [Paul Jesse is a 20 year old singer songwriter based in Kansas City, MO. Paul Jesse & X-GD released the single “To The Sky” on February 25, 2022. Paul Jesse released the single, and video for the song,“Gone,” directed by @strife.studios. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/pauljessemusic/ ]
11:00 – Station ID
Mensa Deathsquad – “You Will Hear Thunder” from: You Will Hear Thunder – Single / Gran Cavalera / March 8, 2022 [This is the third single from the forthcoming album, YOU WILL HEAR THUNDER. Written, performed and produced by Mensa Deathsquad. Mastered at Element Recording and Mastering. This is a follow up to “Chin Up, Eyes Wide Open” released January 27, 2022. Brandon Phillips of Mensa Deathsquad, writes: “By the time I wrote Chin Up Eyes Wide Open, I was just this little emotional soap bubble, exploding in slow motion. I felt safe in my own skin for the first time in a really long time. This is part of trauma recovery – early on there is this identity crisis that starts in your bone marrow and extends outward into the far reaches of the galaxy and it takes a lot of effort to find yourself again in all that messy tissue and ice cold vastness. By some quirk of luck, I bumped into myself by chance when a friend made a joke about my being exactly her “tall, thin and emotionally unavailable” type. To which I shot back, “Babe, all I am is emotionally available. I am skin and emotions.” Boom. There I was, hiding in plain sight. So “Chin Up, Eyes Wide Open” is a song about my deciding to live that punch line and to just fully embody “skin and emotions” and to never mask that version of myself again. It’s a song about showing up for yourself in all your flawed, fucked up glory.” “Chin Up, Eyes Wide Open” is a follow up to “Light” released November 16, 2021. Brandon Phillips writes, “The electronic music that I daydream about, always has that Stooges layer of dirt and shop grease on it. That’s what I want.” Follow up to CYCLIST, the second album from Mensa Deathsquad released February 23, 2021. The cyclist was released with these notes: Brandon Phillips laid in a Kansas City hospital through the winter of 2019-2020 as his own album release (the unintentionally but appropriately named Patient Zero by his alt-synthwave band Mensa Deathsquad) passed by in the outside world. The first tracks from his debut album Patient Zero were premiering and, chained to a Luciferian merry-go-round of post-operative infections, Brandon strained through the pharmaceutical blur to do promotion for his record, emailing editors and scraping together the necessary pieces they needed. Since his surgery a month prior had gone sideways, and the time, energy, and planning for things like photos, videos and shows had been blown to smithereens, all he had left to look forward to beyond the IVs and the machines that go “ping” was this premiere and the street date. And then came COVID-19, like a rogue wave, to finish off the aimless Mensa Deathsquad sailboat. // But Brandon didn’t die and the boat didn’t sink. As the squall receded and the wanton eye of cruel gods passed over him, Brandon clung to the boat and swore revenge… // As the aphorism goes, “revenge is sweet” and thus Brandon and his Mensa Deathsquad will have the triumphant last laugh. Holed up in the spare bedroom of his apartment in Kansas City with an open wound in his abdomen, two surgical drains, and a severely compromised immune system, Brandon slipped back into his Mensa Deathsquad persona and began working on what would become his newest full length album, Cyclist. // The music that emerged from Brandon’s isolation and illness is a raw, nearly garage-rock take on darkwave and a perfect continuation of what he had begun on Patient Zero. Launching with the one-two punch of electro-punk noir in “Nothing Is Ever Enough” and “Therapist” before the pounding synth-rock of “The Disappointment Of The Christ,” Brandon fixes his furious eyes upon the provocative hypocrisy and violence that results from American Christianity. // A heady package of nudge nudges and intellectual ruminations (a trademark of Brandon’s past as a smartpunk upstart in such seminal bands as The Gadjits and Architects), Cyclist carries both a powerful music punch, a cultural rummaging through pop culture, and a run through his ever-evolving intellect. A knowing wink to fans of the seminal vampire flick The Lost Boy, “Join Us, Michael” is at once a seething appraisal of a world scorched and defiled by an older generation and a musical love letter to that pivotal ‘80s vampire movie soundtrack. “Leap Year (Chaos Reigns)” which began as a Siouxsie & the Banshees-inspired jam serves as Cyclist’s true north – the story of a drug-fueled wrinkle in time that brought the entire cyclical nature of existence into visibility one fateful night. “End Of The World” is dance-floor nihilist electro-rock blending angular post-punk guitar with the nostalgia of neon synths and electroclash drums, while “Takes One To Know One” slowly approaches the thunderstorm of toxic relationships, soulful vocals, tech house kick drums, and grimey-as-hell bass. // As a fitting conclusion to the tour de force through his psyche, Cyclist closes with yet another two-track charge, the swaggering post-electro sneer at celebrity social media, “Famous” followed by the throbbing Giorgio Moroder-via-Tech House cover of Iggy Pop’s classic “The Passenger.” “It was important to me that I cover ‘The Passenger’ as a letter of intent.” Says Brandon. “The electronic music that I daydream about, always has that Stooges layer of dirt and shop grease on it. That’s what I wanted for Cyclist.” The result is a triumph over the storm, as Mensa Deathsquad sails, unvanquished, into victory. More info at: https://mensadeathsquad.bandcamp.com or https://facebook.com/MensaDeathsquad.%5D
Deegan Poores – “Again” from: “Again” – Single / Deegan Poores / February 11, 2022 [Writen & produced by Deegan Poores, vocal production by Guanghao Yu. Deegan Poores will release his album “Vanishing” on February 11, 2022. Foolow up single to “Vanishing” released December 19, 2021Deegan Pooresis a singer, songwriter, and producer from Kansas City, Kansas. “Vanishing” was co-produced by Remy Styrk. To see the “Vanishing” video, directed and produced by Remy Styrk visit: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCie5UaItSkEugr7MJ6ubzvg%5D
[Deegan Poores plays Replay Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas on March 3, 2022, at 6:00 PM with Effie, Mellow Phobia, and Spencer Raymond.]
MusicbySkippy – “CLR” from: MY DYING WISH / Luke Harbur / Oct. 29, 2021 [musicbyskippy is Luke “Skippy” Harbur’s entertainment project. The Overland Park, Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, festivals, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups. His music passion roots in receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. His debut album, my dying wish, is now on all music streaming and purchasing platforms. He hopes you learn something new and experience songs you love.More info at http://www.musicbyskippy.com]
[Luke Harbur will join us LIVE onWednesday MidDay Medley on March 30, 2022]
[Musicbyskippy will play Boulevardia, Saturday, June 18, 2022.]
Dimension Bill Edwards – “Lady Lost Love” from: SUSTENANCE / Gordophonic Records / February 10, 2022 [Dimension Bill Edwards released their single,“Surrealberry Hill” on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The single was inspired by band members move from the West 39th street area to Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. The spoken word portion of the song is Matt reading from the Egyptian Book of The Dead. The release coincided with an amazing “Float House” that Melissa created for Mardi Gras in Pandemic times. Dimension Bill Edwards is a band that kind of organically formed through live performances at the Walnut Valley Folk Festival and the last set of the festival “Heavy Petting ZO0” held in the Pecan Grove an the band mameber’s association with the band KC Bearfighters. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; (John Bersuch on drums for “Surrealberry Hill”) ; Ike Golets on drums for future recordings and live performances. Matt and Melissa met John Bersuch when he moved in next door to them in Strawberry Hill on New Years Eve 2019. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson and Ike Goletz are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. Band members found a wooden sign that read” Dimension Bill Edwards? behinds Cupini’s on West 43rd Street. No one know what the sign was from or what it meant, but they decided to use this for the name of their band. More info at: http://www.dimensionbilledwards.bandcamp.com]
[Melissa Weinman, and Matt Weinman of Dimension Bill Edwards, join us on WMM on March 16.]
Cinnamon Trio:
Eydie Gorme & Los Panchos -“Piel Canela” from: Amour / CBS – Columbia / June, 1964 [Recorded In New York February 14, 18 and 19, 1964. Hecho en México ℗1964. Guitar – Alfredo Gil, Chucho Navarro, Johnny Albino The trio became one of the leading exponents of the bolero and the romantic ballad in Latin America. Its current members are Chucho Navarro Jr., Eduardo Beristian and Misael Reyes. A characteristic instrument of Los Panchos and other Mexican tríos románticos since the 1950s is the requinto guitar, which is smaller and tuned higher than a standard guitar and was popularized by Alfredo Gil. Requinto solos found in many bolero recordings by Los Panchos. Los Panchos first met in 1944 in New York City.[1] The three original members were Chucho Navarro, and Alfredo Gil, both from Mexico, and Hernando Avilés from Puerto Rico. All three played guitar and contributed vocally. Los Panchos reached fame with their romantic songs, especially in Latin America where they are still regarded as one of the top trios of all time. They sold millions of records in Latin America and other countries. In the 1940s they collaborated with Alfredo Antonini’s Viva America Orchestra with the orchestral accordionist John Serry Sr. in a recording of “La palma” (a cueca) and “Rosa negra” (a conga) for Pilotone Records (#45 5067, #45 5069). They also appeared in around 50 movies, mostly during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Los Panchos began touring internationally in 1946 and would relocate later that same year to Mexico City. They were welcomed with open arms and XEW-AM, the most popular radio station in Mexico City, reserved a time slot for their music. In 1951, Los Panchos launched another international tour across Latin America. Julito Rodríguez joined the group in 1952; he was replaced by Johnny Albino in 1958. Johnny Albino and Chucho Navarro—Miguel Poventud and Yomo Toro were studio musicians for CBS—famously worked with singer Eydie Gorme on a series of bestselling albums in the 1960s. The Albino era was one of the most prosperous ones for Los Panchos whose classic albums are very popular among Los Panchos fans still. His departure in 1968 was a tumultuous one, as he did not leave on good terms with the group’s management. In 1971, Ovidio Hernández joined the band as lead vocalist, a part he would fulfill until his untimely passing of complications of meningitis in 1976. Following him, Rafael Basurto Lara joined as lead singer. A very interesting note, and one that not everyone knows about, is that during the illness of Ovidio Hernández and the integration of Rafael Basurto to the trio, Alfredo Gil (the trio’s director) met the Puerto Rican singer, David Ortiz, in New York City, and amazed by the quality of his voice and style, asked him to come to Mexico and sing with Los Panchos. David Ortiz accepted the invitation and was with the Trio Los Panchos for several months. However, after fulfilling several commitments with the trio, David Ortiz returned to New York. Alfredo Gil played with Los Panchos until his retirement in 1981; he died in 1999. Chucho Navarro played with the group until his death in 1993. Currently the trio using the Los Panchos name is the Trio Los Panchos de Chucho Navarro Fundador (“Trio Los Panchos of Founder Chucho Navarro”) under the direction of Chucho Navarro Jr., the son of original Los Panchos member Chucho Navarro.][Eydie Gormé died in 2013 at age 84. Her groundbreaking career in Latin music, highlighted by the 1964 album “Amor” recorded with Trio Los Panchos. When it comes to Latin-music icons, Las Vegas veteran Eydie Gormé isn’t exactly the first name that leaps to mind. But to generations of Hispanics, Gormé is eternally linked with nostalgic sounds in Spanish. The primary reason is “Amor,” her luminous 1964 collaboration with Mexican vocal group Trio Los Panchos. “Most artists have an album or two that define them,” says Texas journalist Ramiro Burr, author of “The Billboard Guide to Tejano and Regional Mexican Music.” “The Beatles have ‘Sgt. Pepper.’ Nirvana has ‘Nevermind.’ For Eydie Gormé, that timeless album is ‘Amor.'” Since its release more than 40 years ago, the disc has never gone out of print. It’s the biggest-selling album in Gormé’s long career. In the ’90s, Sony repackaged the album along with its 1965 sequel, “More Amor,” and the disc made the Latin charts all over again. Gormé’s career in Spanish may seem surprising until one looks at her background. The New York-born singer is the daughter of Sephardic Jews and grew up speaking mainly Spanish at home. Columbia Records President Goddard Lieberson came up with the concept of recording one of his top female vocalists with Los Panchos, a big-selling trio a few years past their prime. “He was a really sophisticated, international man,” Lawrence recalls. “He knew of Eydie’s Spanish background. He thought of Los Panchos, and they were aware of Eydie. They all met in the studio, and it was like they were old friends.” Los Panchos chose the songs. Most of them were established tunes, such as “Piel Canela,” “Amor” and “Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado,” that had been recorded by scores of artists. “They were drinking a lot of wine on those sessions,” she says with a laugh. “They were lovely people. Drunk, but lovely.” Whatever the reason, the artists had a once-in-a-lifetime chemistry.]
Neil Young – “Cinnamon Girl” from: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere / Reprise / May 14, 1969 [“Cinnamon Girl” is a song by Neil Young. It debuted on the 1969 album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, which was also Young’s first album with backing band Crazy Horse. Like two other songs from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, “Cowgirl in the Sand” and “Down by the River”, Young wrote “Cinnamon Girl” while he was suffering from the flu with a high fever at his home in Topanga, California. // This song displays the very prominent role played by Danny Whitten in the sound of Young’s early recordings. The vocals are a duet, with Whitten singing the high harmony against Young’s low harmony. (The 45 rpm single mix of the song, in addition to being in mono and cutting off the guitar outro, features Whitten’s vocal more prominently than the album version.) Young performed the song on his then-recently acquired Gibson Les Paul, “Old Black”. The NME named “Cinnamon Girl” an example of “proto-grunge from 1969”. // The song was written in double drop D tuning (DADGBD). This tuning is used in several of his most famous songs, such as “The Loner”, “The Old Laughing Lady”, “When You Dance I Can Really Love”, “Ohio”, and “Cortez the Killer”. The music features a prominent descending bass guitar line. The song’s “one note guitar solo”, consisting largely of a repeating, sharply played jangling D note, has often been singled out for praise. According to Young “people say that it is a solo with only one note but, in my head, each one of those notes is different. The more you get into it, the more you can hear the differences.” // The lyrics have the singer daydreaming for a girl to love, singing that he waits “between shows” for his lover.[8] Young has said that he wrote the song “for a city girl on peeling pavement coming at me through Phil Ochs’ eyes playing finger cymbals. It was hard to explain to my wife.” The city girl playing finger cymbals is a reference to folk singer Jean Ray. Music critic Johnny Rogan described the lyrics as “exotic and allusive without really saying anything at all.” Critic Toby Creswell describes the lyrics as “cryptic love lyrics” noting that they are sung “over the crunching power of Crazy Horse.” Critic John Mendelsohn felt the song conveyed a message of “desperation begetting brutal vindictiveness,” hinted at by the “almost impenetrably subjective words” but carried strongly by the sound of Crazy Horse’s “heavy, sinister accompaniment.” Introducing the song at a performance associated with Writer’s Week at Whittier College (California) in April, 2015, Los Lobos co-founder Louie Perez said that when he first heard “Cinnamon Girl”, he was sure it was about a Mexican girl. People[according to whom?] have also speculated whether or not the song referred to Jim Morrison’s common-law wife, Pamela Courson. Jim and Pamela were part of the Topanga community around this time, and Pamela had red-brown hair reminiscent of cinnamon. She was a well-known groupie on Sunset Strip prior to meeting Jim. Young has denied, however, that the song refers to her. // According to his autobiography, “Cinnamon Girl” was the first record played by the now-legendary British DJ “Whispering Bob” Harris on his BBC Radio 1 debut in August 1970. // “Cinnamon Girl” was released as a single in 1970, where it reached No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song peaked at number 34 in Australia. // British music publication NME ranked “Cinnamon Girl”‘s opening chord progression at No. 47 on its “50 Greatest Guitar Riffs Of All Time”. // In an interview with Q, singer Beck named the “Cinnamon Girl” riff as his all-time favourite, equal to Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut”.]
Prince – “Cinnamon Girl” from: Musicology / NPG / September 7, 2004 [“Cinnamon Girl” is a song by Prince from his 2004 album Musicology. The single has been released in several formats. On September 6, 2004, the European CD single was released with four tracks: “Cinnamon Girl” (Album version), “Dear Mr. Man” (live at Webster Hall) “United States of Division” (which had been available only as a download) and an MPEG video of the “Dear Mr. Man” performance. Two weeks later, a similar single was released, but without the video. In November of the same year, Prince’s NPG Music Club online retail store sold an Enhanced CD including the audio track, its music video, the lyrics and a five-minute segment of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Despite not charting in the US, the single nearly cracked the Top 40 of the UK, reaching number 43. The music video for the song was controversial, especially among conservatives in the United States. In the video, directed by Phil Harder, a Muslim girl (played by New Zealand Māori actress Keisha Castle-Hughes) is depicted as being victimized following the September 11 attacks in 2001 and then dreaming of blowing up an airport with a bomb. While the New York Post described the video as the most tasteless ever, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee has praised the video for bringing attention to the discrimination faced by Arab-Americans since the attacks.]
11:28 – Underwriting
Ivory Blue – “Compound Heart” from: “Compound Love / Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing / February 25, 2022 [Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing of Atlanta GA on August 18, 2021. This company is managing Ivory and handling all of their publishing. For COMPOUND LOVE Ivory served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. Nick Poortman served in mixing, with Kurt Festge who also served in mixing & Mastering. KC based singer songwriter and rock & roller, Ivory Blue’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015 and had wide radio airplay on this show and multiple radio and television stations in Kansas City and across the country. Ivory Blue has played Crossroads Music Festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The Kansas City Public Library., and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families. before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying them to KC, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics. // By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and got much attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017. //Ivory entered NeXt2Rock, a nationwide talent search with over 1800 artists/bands who applied to find fresh and promising rock artists. The top 5 national bands battled it off for the win in Los Angeles CA at the legendary Viper Room, with judges Scott Borchetta (BMLG), John Varvatos (fashion designer), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox”), Desmond Child (Musician, producer), Chris Lord-Alge (producer), Ivory Blue won over the judges and became the grand prize winner! Ivory Ivory won the contest and a one-year record deal with BMLG who re-released the song Ready Get Set from the 2015 EP. Ivory’s 2018 re-release of ‘Ready Get Set’ undauntedly received National and International airplay within weeks. For their upcoming album, IVORY BLUE is producing all the tracks with the exception of Drums and Bass. // On August 18th 2021 Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing out of Atlanta GA. // Ivory released the singles: “Elite Dreamland,” on Feb. 17, 2021, “Half a Life” on Sept. 20, 2021. Ivory Blue released the video of “Family Table” directed by Mikal Shapiro, on August 21, 2021 and the audio track was released on September 7, 2021. Ivory Blue released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. Ivory Blue joined us on WMM on November 10, September 15, and July 28, in 2021. More info at: https://linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic%5D
11:34 – Interview with Ivory Blue
Musician, songwriter, and producer Ivory Blue joins us to talk about their new debut album, COMPOUND LOVE that was just released on February 25, 2022. Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing of Atlanta GA on August 18, 2021. This company is managing Ivory and handling all of their publishing. For COMPOUND LOVE Ivory served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. Nick Poortman served in mixing, with Kurt Festge who also served in mixing & Mastering.More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com
Ivory Blue thanks for being with us on WMM.
Congratulations on your new album COMPOUND LOVE that was released February 25. 2022.
IVORY BLUE lived a nomadic existence until settling in Kansas City MO and becoming part of the local musical community. After winning a nationwide talent contest in 2017 Ivory Blue started having success with some national and international radio play which continues today.
Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families. before running away at 15.
Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying them Ivory KC, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics.
By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and got much attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017. Ivory entered NeXt2Rock, a nationwide talent search with over 1800 artists/bands who applied to find fresh and promising rock artists.
The top 5 national bands battled it off for the win in Los Angeles CA at the legendary Viper Room, with judges Scott Borchetta (BMLG), John Varvatos (fashion designer), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox”), Desmond Child (Musician, producer), Chris Lord-Alge (producer), Ivory Blue won over the judges and became the grand prize winner! Ivory
Ivory won the contest and a one-year record deal with BMLG who re-released the song Ready Get Set from the 2015 EP. Ivory’s 2018 re-release of ‘Ready Get Set’ undauntedly received National and International airplay within weeks.
NeXt2Rock Judges Comments about Ivory Blue:
“You got star quality and a lot of potential” by Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox” on KLOS (95.5) Los Angeles, CA, USA)
“Giving us the diamond in the rough we can only dream of, the foundation that’s built underneath it, that’s what music is made from. by Chris Lord-Alge (Engineer/Mixer).
“I love everything about you, you sing what you live, you’re fantastic” by Desmond Child (Musician \ Songwriter and Producer).
“We’ve been waiting for the WOW, and you are the WOW”, “You’re a true artist” by John Varvatos (Fashion Designer and Record Label Head)
“You exude artistry from the minute you step on that stage” by Scott Borchetta – Big Machine Label Group president and CEO.
“There’s something special about you”, “You’re a true artist” by Gavin Rossdale (British musician, singer, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band BUSH).
Ivory Blue has played Crossroads Music festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, Kansas City Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium.
Ivory Blue has been busy in the studio putting together new music for upcoming releases of a new album COMPOUND LOVE and several EPs. In 2020 Ivory released the singles “Elite Dreamland,” (Feb. 17, 2021), “Half a Life” (Sept. 20, 2021), and “Family Tables” on September 7, 2021.
In February 2020 and after studying the craft of recording and self-producing, this amazing singer-songwriter with soaring vocals, passionate love for everyone struggling through life, released ‘Elite Dreamland’. There are no words to describe the incredible artistry behind this song. a single that hits your heart about understanding how it feels to be misunderstood in a world of people that seem to know what they are doing.
IVORY BLUE produces all the tracks with the exception of Drums and Bass. Ivory is currently working with Lester Estelle (Drummer for Kelly Clarkson), Craig Kew (Bass) KC, Kurt Festge (Mastering | Citizen Kane & Vilent Femmes) NC. and Nick Poortman (LA based Los Angeles based Producer, Engineer, Mixer, and Songwriter) Nick has worked alongside producers including Justin Gray, Gil Norton, Big Tank, and Greg Haver on sessions throughout the USA, UK, Europe, and New Zealand.
Ivory Blue released the video of ‘FAMILY TABLES’ on August 21, 2021 and the track was released on September 7, 2021. Ivory Blue is currently finishing the first full length CD/Album ‘Compound Love’ to be released in 2021 as well as the Red Light EP for 2022.
“Family Tables” hit #1 on Banks Radio in Australia the first week of the release. 23 countries have listed on Ivory’s Spotify reports and that after just 1 week released.
Kayden Gorden from The Kayden Gordon Radio Show has asked for a radio interview. The Kayden Gordon show is heard on 60+ stations (FM & Online) across the world.
IVORY BLUE signed with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing on Aug 18th, 2021. This is a new Publishing Company out of the Atlanta GA area. They have big plans for IVORY BLUE. Ben Baeumert. Founder and CEO is an artist himself with many years of experience in the music industry. He’s already been contacted by a large music supervisor company who said that IVORY BLUE’s music is amazing and that they love everything about the artist and wants to pitch the music to Music Licensees for potential TV, Film, commercials etc. That’s exciting news knowing that this will push music to a lot of listeners.
They were going to take over management for IVORY BLUE per my request, but instead partnered up with us to help the business grow and keep me as sole manager for IVORY BLUE and at their request other artists as well. I am therefore going to continue as Devin’s manager (she actually didn’t want me to hand over to another manager so was so happy about that decision) As far as the other artists, I haven’t made a final decision yet.
Ivory Blue has been on the WMM 13 times since 2015.
Ivory Blue thanks for being with us on WMM.
Ivory Blue’s new debut album, COMPOUND LOVE was just released on February 25, 2022. Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing of Atlanta GA on August 18, 2021. This company is managing Ivory and handling all of their publishing. For COMPOUND LOVE Ivory served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. Nick Poortman served in mixing, with Kurt Festge who also served in mixing & Mastering. More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com
11:53
Ivory Blue – “Bad Weather” from: “Compound Love / Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing / February 25, 2022
Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now” from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Next week on Wednesday, March 9 we welcome Ernest james Zydeco and Julia Othmer who share details about Benefit for The Midwest Innocence Project featuring music by Ernest James Zydeco and singer-songwriter Julia Othmer on Friday, March 11, 2022, 6-10pm, at The Brick Bar, 1727 Mcgee, KCMO.
Also Next week our outgoing MidCoast Radio Project – Board President, Lesley Pories joins us a Guest DJ for our second hour to play some of her favorite music before she leaves Kansas City to move to Gothenburg, Sweden to pursue her new job.
Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information. Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Ivory Blue + More New & MidCoastal Releases
Mark plays More New & MidCoastal Releases from: Prairie Brigade, The Creepy Jingles, Kadesh Flow, Trevor Turla, Faith Maddox, Fritz Hutchison, Mensa Deathsquad, Ivory Blue, MusicbySkippy, Deegan Poores, Dimension Bill Edwards, Corey Dies in the End, Erik J. Pearson, Miles Bonny & C. Scott, Paul Jesse, Eiko Ishibashi, Cynthia Erivo, Big Thief, Beach House, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Eydie Gorme & Los Panchos, Prince, and Neil Young.
At 11:30 we’ll talk with musician, songwriter, and producer Ivory Blue about their new debut album, COMPOUND LOVE that was just released on February 25, 2022. Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing of Atlanta GA on August 18, 2021. This company is managing Ivory and handling all of their publishing. For COMPOUND LOVE Ivory served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. Nick Poortman served in mixing, with Kurt Festge who also served in mixing & mastering. More at: http://www.linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic
On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Spinning Records With Marion Merritt
Mark welcomes back to the show, Marion Merritt as our special “Guest Producer.” Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM. For over 18 years now Marion has been sharing her sonic discoveries and information from her musically encyclopedic brain. Bringing music that is just not played on other radio stations. Marion grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering. After nearly two decades of managing Kansas City’s largest music department store, Marion left the corporate world and went Independent. With her partner Ann Stewart, Marion is the proprietor of Records With Merritt, a small, independent, minority owned business, at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri. More info at: http://www.recordswithmerritt.com.
Marion Merritt, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks” from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979 [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
Dimitri From Paris – “Prologue” from: Sacrebleu / Yellow Productions – Atlantic / June 11, 1996 [Debut studio albumm from Dimitri from Paris was born Dimitrios Yerasimos, on October 27, 1963. He is a French music producer and DJ of Greek descent. His musical influences are rooted in 1970s funk and disco sounds that spawned contemporary house music, as well as original soundtracks from 1950s and 1960s movies such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, La Dolce Vita and The Party, which were sampled in his album Sacrebleu. Dimitri fused these sounds with electro and block party hip hop he discovered in the 1980s. // Contrary to his musical pseudonym, Dimitri was born not in Paris but born in Peckham, South London, to Rûm parents (Greeks of Turkey), Dimitri grew up in France where he discovered DJing at home, using whatever he could find to “cut and paste” samples from disco hits or in to montages heard on the radio, blending them together to make tapes. This early experimentation helped him launch his DJ career. // He started out by DJing at the French station Radio 7, before moving on to Skyrock and finally to Radio NRJ, Europe’s largest FM radio network, in 1986. There, he introduced the first ever house music show to be broadcast in France, while simultaneously producing under the direction of sound designer Michel Gaubert, runway soundtracks for fashion houses such as Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hermès and Yves Saint-Laurent. He also released two solo EPs from 1993 to 1994 and contributed to the Yellow Productions compilation La Yellow 357. // In 1996, Dimitri gained worldwide recognition with the release of his first full album, Sacrebleu, released on Yellow Productions. A blend of diverse influences including jazz, original film soundtracks, samba, and organic house, Sacrebleu sold 300,000 copies worldwide and was named Album of the Year by UK’s Mixmag magazine. // In 2000, Dimitri followed Sacrebleu up with A Night at the Playboy Mansion (Virgin) and Disco Forever (BBE), followed by My Salsoul in 2001, After the Playboy Mansion in 2002. In 2003, Cruising Attitude was released, to be closely followed by his first outing on UK’s premier dance music label Defected: Dimitri from Paris In the House. // He has followed a somewhat glamorous musical path by recording soundtracks and advertising campaigns for fashion houses Chanel, Jean-Paul Gautier and Yves Saint Laurent and remixing hundreds of artists as diverse as Björk, The Cardigans, James Brown, Michael Jackson, New Order and Quincy Jones. He also did the music for the anime Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase and mixed the soundtrack for the French luxury dessin animé Jet Groove produced by Method Films. // 2005 saw Dimitri go back to his Funk and Disco roots, with Japanese hip hop producer and über collector DJ Muro for Super Disco Friends a double CD mixdown. In 2006 he offered his House of Love outing to Valentine’s Day’s lovers. Later on Dimitri produced Los Amigos Invisibles “Super Pop Venezuela” album which grabbed a nomination for a Grammy Award. // 2007 saw the release of the Cocktail Disco project with longtime partner BBE, a handful of disco classics remixes and other surprises down the line. // 2009 saw the release of the Night Dubbin’, a post-disco R&B compilation remix album.]
Timo Lassy – “Subtropical” from: Trio / We Jazz / August 27, 2021 [Timo Lassy was born in 1974. He is a Finnish jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader. He is best known for Timo Lassy Band with whom he has recorded 6 albums together. Prior to his solo career he was a member of U-Street All Stars and The Five Corners Quintet. Timo Lassy has had three albums on the Finnish National album charts. In with Lassy in 2012, Love Bullet in 2015 and Moves in 2018 all of which have also received nominations for Jazz album of the Year at the Emma Gaala. The album Moves reached #6 on the Physical album chart on week 18/2018. “Moves” won the Emma award for Jazz Album of the Year. Timo Lassy Band recorded a feature concert YLE Live: M1-Studiossa Timo Lassy Band which was broadcast nationally on Sunday 5 May 2013 and is available worldwide at YLE Areena. On February 3, 2018 WDR 3 broadcast a live television and radio concert by Timo Lassy from Theater Gütersloh.]
Charlie Megira – “The Girl Who Was Frightened of Ashtrays” from: The Abtomatic Miesterzinger Mambo Chic / Numero Group / 2001-2022 [The bastard love child of Elvis and Lux Interior, Israeli guitarist Charlie Megira brewed a heady amalgam of ’50s trash rock, surf tremolo, and reverb-drenched goth during his all-too-brief 44 trips around the sun. Armed with only an Eko guitar, a black tuxedo, and his signature wrap-around shades, Charlie Megira was a mold-breaking artist who disintegrated while we were all staring at our phones. // Even in this age of near-total Internet accessibility, Charlie Megira is a modern mystery. A casual search turns up little aside from a few cryptic articles. His brief career unfolded during a changing of the guard in the music industry, opening on the death of the compact disc and ending just prior to Spotify’s IPO. For an artist like Megira, living far away from a major music outpost, there was more chaos than structure for his recordings to exist and find an audience. This collection is the first attempt at putting the pieces together, compiling a life’s work of an artist whose spark almost shined unto the world. // His was a music both familiar and entirely alien at once. It touches on corners of darkness, an isolation both lonely and sweet, all wrapped in a cold glow that draws the listener into each note, each melancholy melody triggering unrecorded experiences. His various projects put out music which began as a junction point between Link Wray’s surf guitar and the theatrical psychobilly of The Cramps, took a turn towards goth-inflected post-punk, and towards the end of his career would sojourn back into his earlier musical fascination with late 1950s and early 1960s rock ‘n’ roll. // The Israeli guitarist recorded seven albums worth of material in 15 years during his all-too-brief 44 trips around the sun.Tomorrow’s Gone collects 24 of these tracks for a double album journey across his career, accompanied by a lavish booklet that documents his tragic existence. Armed with only an Eko guitar, a black tuxedo, and his signature wrap-around shades, Charlie Megira was a mold-breaking artist who disintegrated while we were all staring at our phones.]
Charlie Megira – “Tomorrow’s Gone” from: The Abtomatic Miesterzinger Mambo Chic / Numero Group / 2001-2022
Cat Power – “I Think Of Angels” from: Flag Day (Original Soundtrack) / Republic / August 21, 2021 [Charlyn Marie “Chan” Marshall was born Jan. 21, 1972. She is known by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, occasional actress, & model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall’s first band, but has become her stage name as a solo artist. // Born in Atlanta, Marshall was raised throughout the southern U.S. and began performing in local bands in Atlanta in the early 1990s. After opening for Liz Phair in 1993, she worked with Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Tim Foljahn of Two Dollar Guitar, with whom she recorded her first two albums, Dear Sir (1995) and Myra Lee (1996), on the same day in 1994. In 1996, she signed with Matador Records, and released a third album of new material with Shelley and Foljahn, What Would the Community Think. Following this, she released the critically acclaimed Moon Pix (1998), recorded with members of Dirty Three, and The Covers Record (2000), a collection of sparsely arranged cover songs. // After a brief hiatus she released You Are Free (2003), featuring guest musicians Dave Grohl & Eddie Vedder, followed by the soul-influenced The Greatest (2006), recorded with numerous Memphis studio musicians. A second album of cover tracks, Jukebox, was released in 2008. In 2012 she released the self-produced Sun, which debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting album of her career to date. // Critics have noted the constant evolution of Cat Power’s sound, with a mix of punk, folk & blues on her earliest albums, and elements of soul and other genres more prevalent in her later material]
Cat Power – “Bad Religion” from: Covers / Domino / January 14, 2022 [Covers is the eleventh studio album by American musician Cat Power, the stage name of American singer-songwriter Chan Marshall. Her third collection of cover songs, following 2000’s The Covers Record and 2008’s Jukebox, the album was released worldwide on January 14, 2022, by Domino Recording Company. // Covers is Marshall’s third collection of cover songs, following 2000’s The Covers Record and 2008’s Jukebox. The album was recorded alongside Marshall’s live band: guitarist Adeline Jasso, bassist and keyboardist Erik Paparozzi, and drummer Alianna Kalaba. Marshall was not planning on recording a covers album, and was originally intent on recording original compositions. She explained: “I got in the studio and I wanted the band to relax, so I started composing improvisationally, just getting them to play certain things that sounded good together. For the first four songs we recorded that day, I had no idea what the vocals would be or what the song would be. They were four songs that I had no intention of covering. I just wanted the band to warm up, and when I got them to play something that I liked the sound of, I went to the vocal booth and I said, ‘Just don’t stop.’ Then I was like, ‘What cover should I sing over this music that is playing?’]
Lucinda Williams – “Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker” from: You Are Cordially Invited… A Tribute to the Rolling Stones / Highway 20 Records /2022 [Lu’s Jukebox is a six-volume series of mostly full-band performances recorded live at Ray Kennedy’s Room & Board Studio in Nashville, TN. Each volume features a themed set of songs by other artists curated by the multi-Grammy award winner, Lucinda Williams. // Lucinda Gayle Williams was born January 26, 1953. She is an American rock, folk and country music singer, songwriter and musician. She recorded her first albums, Ramblin’ on My Mind (1979) and Happy Woman Blues (1980), in a traditional country and blues style and received little public or radio attention. In 1988, she released her eponymous third album, Lucinda Williams, to critical raves. Widely regarded as “an Americana classic”, the album also features “Passionate Kisses”, a song later recorded by Mary Chapin Carpenter, which garnered Williams her first Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1994. Known for working slowly, Williams’ fourth album, Sweet Old World, appeared four years later in 1992. Sweet Old World was met with further critical acclaim, and was voted the 11th best album of 1992 in The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop, an annual poll of prominent music critics. // Williams’ commercial breakthrough came in 1998 with Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, an album presenting a broader scope of songs that fused rock, blues, country and Americana into a distinctive style that remained consistent and commercial in sound. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, which includes the singles “Right in Time” and the Grammy nominated “Can’t Let Go”, became Williams’ greatest commercial success to date. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA the following year, and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, while being universally acclaimed by critics. Williams’ follow up album, Essence, appeared three years later in 2001, to further critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming her first Top 40 album on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 28. Featuring a more downbeat musical tone, with spare, intimate arrangements, the album earned Williams three Grammy nominations in 2002, including Best Contemporary Folk Album, while the single “Get Right with God” won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. // One of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of her generation, Williams has released a string of albums since that have earned her further critical acclaim and commercial success, including World Without Tears (2003), West (2007), Little Honey (2008), Blessed (2011), and Good Souls Better Angels (2020). Among her various accolades, she has won three Grammy Awards, from 17 nominations, and has received two Americana Awards (one competitive, one honorary), from 11 nominations. Williams ranked No. 97 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll in 1999, and was named “America’s best songwriter” by Time magazine in 2002. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked her as the 79th greatest songwriter of all time. In 2017, she received the Berklee College of Music Honorary Doctor of Music Degree, and ranked No. 91 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time. In 2020, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road ranked No. 97, and Lucinda Williams ranked No. 426, on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.]
10:33 – Underwriting
Bill Fay – “Dust Filled Room (Still Some Light)” from: Still Some Light: Pt. 1/ Coptic Cat / January 19, 2010 / Reissued on Dead Oceans [William Fay was born in North London on December 20, 1943. He is an English singer, pianist and songwriter. His early recordings were released by Deram, but following the release of his second album in 1971, Fay was dropped by the label. His work enjoyed a growing cult status in the 1990s, and his older works were re-issued in 1998 and 2004/2005. Fay’s 2012 album, Life Is People, was his first album of all-new material since 1971. His most recent album, Countless Branches, was released on January 17, 2020. // His first single, “Some Good Advice” / “Screams in the Ears”, was issued on the Deram label in 1967, and was followed by two albums, Bill Fay in 1970 and Time of the Last Persecution in 1971. The recordings did not sell well, and Fay was dropped from Deram soon after the release of his second album. They were re-issued in 1998, and then again in 2005. //Despite returning to the recording studio in the late 1970s, the follow-up to Time of the Last Persecution was not released until January 2005, following the reissues of his earlier works. // Bill Fay’s work enjoyed a growing cult status in the 1990s. His first two albums were re-issued in 1998, an event which Bill Fay described in 2012 as follows: Up until 1998, when some people reissued my albums, as far as I was concerned, I was gone, deleted. No one was listening. But then I got the shock that people remembered my music. I was doing some gardening, and listening to some of my songs on cassette, and a part of me thought they were quite good. I thought, “Maybe somebody will hear them someday.” That same evening, 14 years ago, I got a call from a music writer telling me that my two albums were being reissued. A shock is not gonna get much bigger than that, David […] It was astonishing to me. I won’t ever really be able to believe that it happened. That’s how I feel about it. I had come to terms with the fact that I was deleted, but that I had always kept writing songs anyway and that was good enough. // In 2004, the British label Wooden Hill released a collection of demos recorded between 1966 and 1970 entitled From the Bottom of an Old Grandfather Clock. In 2005 his late 1970s recordings were released January 2005. Entitled Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow, it was credited to the Bill Fay Group and was released on the Durtro Jnana label. // The compilation album Still Some Light appeared on the Coptic Cat label in 2010, a double CD containing a mix of older material and newer, home-recorded songs. // Life is People, released 21 August 2012 on Dead Oceans, is his first new studio LP in over 40 years. // A new album by Bill Fay was released in April 2015, titled Who Is the Sender?’. The second album track, “War Machine”, came out as a single in February 2015. // A feature article entitled “Bill Fay Was a Hidden Gem. One Musician Made Finding Him a Mission” was published in the New York Times on January 15, 2020. // His most recent album, Countless Branches, was released on January 17, 2020. // The American band Wilco has played Fay’s song “Be Not So Fearful” in live performances and the band’s singer, Jeff Tweedy, can be heard singing it in the documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco. Fay has joined the band and Tweedy onstage for the rendition of the song at shows at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in 2007, and at the Union Chapel, Islington in 2010 respectively, both in London. // The English singer-songwriter and pianist John Howard recorded a cover version of the song “Be Not So Fearful” for his E.P. Songs for the Lost and Found (2008). The song “Be Not So Fearful” was also covered by Ed Harcourt on the benefit compilation album Songs to Save a Life – In Aid of Samaritans (2011). // A cover version of Fay’s “Pictures of Adolf Again”, by producer and musician Jim O’Rourke and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche, can be heard in the film from Kōji Wakamatsu, United Red Army. The title track of “Time of the Last Persecution” became a live standard of the British Apocalyptic folk group, Current 93. // The band Okkervil River covered Fay’s song “Plan D” on their Golden Opportunities 2 EP in 2011. // The American band The War on Drugs covered Fay’s song “I Hear You Calling” at shows throughout 2014. // His song “Be Not So Fearful” got a cover by A.C. Newman in 2014, and was used in the episode “Us” of The Walking Dead. // In 2008 the English singer Marc Almond recorded a live version of “Cosmic Boxer” and it was released on his album In ‘Bluegate Fields’: Live at Wilton’s Music Hall.]
Kevin Morby – “I Hear You Calling” from: I Hear You Calling – Single / Dead Oceans / December 13, 2021 [A single release with Bill Fay singing “I Hear You Calling” on Side B. On October 16, 2020 Kevin Morby released Sundowner, ranked #20 on WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2020 and the 6th release from Kevin Robert Morby born April 2, 1988. follow up to his 2019 release Oh My God. Kevin Morby released City Music in 2017. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native Kansas City to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 and 2012. He began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut album Harlem River. His 2nd album Still Life was released in 2014. His album Singing Saw was in WMM’s The 116 Best Recordings of 2016. His album City Music was in WMM’s The 118 Best Recordings of 2018].
Kenny Cox – “Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise” from: Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise / 180 Proof/ 2012 / Reissued – Barely Breaking Even / 2022 [from http://www.45turns.com: A BBE Music excavation of Detroit jazz history, in collaboration with Detroit’s 180 Proof Records and DJ Amir. // Kenny Cox was a jazz pianist from Detroit, probably most notable for two LPs on Blue Note with his Contemporary Jazz Quintet (see here and here). These records fit snugly into the post-bop picture of Blue Note’s late 60s output forged in the wake of Miles and Johns’ trailblazing modal expeditions, and they are fine records, for what they’re worth. // But if post-bop gave Kenny Cox a seat at the table of US jazz history, its the twenty-first century penchant for ‘exotic’ old recordings that brings Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise out of those proverbial Detroit warehouses and onto the reissue radar. Cox’s third album was an exploration of breezy bossa and Afro-Cuban jazz, with flourishes of fusion and the nascent soft rock jazz funk sensibilities of the mid 70s, brought out on his own evanescent imprint, Strata Records and resurfaced here by DJ Amir. // Front to back, this is a spectacular record, not least for its ability to evoke those halcyon images of the landscapes of Brazil and the Caribbean, which Cox admits he’d “never seen”. With Clap Clap! , rather than a gaudy revamp of bossa motifs na moda Americana, Cox imparts a magical imperfection that, in itself, rings true to the places and feelings he takes as inspiration. This is an endearing homage to those places and sounds so ingrained in the consciousness of devotees of this sort of music, avoiding that gushing, effusive replication that litters scores of bargain bins in the flea markets of European capitals. // The eponymous opening track is squishy reco-reco and bright, quivering keys, their infectious bossa rhythms punctuated by the sound of sea lapping over sand on the praia: an easy-going exploration that doesn’t take itself too seriously, although it has every reason to. An even-tempered track with gorgeous, fusion-inspired vocal wanderings from Ursula Walker, and seven minutes of everything being just alright. // ‘Samba De Romance’ is free-and-easy on nylon strings, a straightforward serenade to-ing and fro-ing in the balmy Carioca night, soft and understated in its elegance. // Onto the other side and third track ‘Island Song’ moves proceedings further north with its Trinidadian skank and gleeful brass reprise, swaying its way into nine-odd minutes of casual, unceremonious joy where every player gets a few minutes to let loose – that’s Buzz Jones on sax, Charles Moore on flugelhorn and of course Kenny Cox on the keys, with Ronald Johnsons and Victor Reeves laying down percussions. // Onto the other disk and we have ‘Lost My Love’, which reminds me of the sort of West Coast / AOR / Yacht Rock kitsch reissued by Charles Maurice on Favorite Recordings, and then final track ‘Beyond The Dream’. This is the masterpiece moment, the 13-minute soul searching track that seems a natural culmination of all the things that make this LP wonderful. Its a little more restrained, almost tense, moving away from that laid-back carefree joie de vivre into something a bit ritualistic as the sun gets back down under the sea. It channels that reaching out into the cosmos mood à la 1970s Miles Davis, with interjections from humans in the studio, babbling and clapping, cheering and cajoling, in cahoots to carve out the limits of their own musical world before sunrise. A singular piece of music that ties a knot around Kenny Cox’s masterful album solitaire. Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise is serious business. A recording to make some noise about. // You can pick up Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise from 180 Proof Records w/ heavyweight tip-on gatefold sleeve. // Kenny Cox (November 8, 1940 – December 19, 2008) was a jazz pianist performing in the post bop, hard bop and bebop mediums. Cox was pianist for singer Etta Jones during the 1960s and was also a member of a quintet led by trombonist George Bohannon. By the end of the late 1960s he had formed his own Kenny Cox and the Contemporary Jazz Quintet, which recorded two albums for Blue Note Records before the end of the decade. Cox has appeared as a contributor on various albums, and has also performed live with such musicians as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Eddie Harris, Jackie McLean, Roy Haynes, Ben Webster, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Dorham, Philly Joe Jones, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Roy Brooks, Charles McPherson, and Curtis Fuller. During the 1980s he formed the Detroit-based Guerilla Jam Band, a group which performed with Regina Carter, James Carter, Tani Tabbal, and Craig Taborn.Cox was responsible for the short-lived Strata Records. // He died in his Detroit home of lung cancer at the age of 68.]
12. Galactic – “Magalenha (feat. Casa Samba)” from: Carnivale Electricos / Anti / February 21, 2012 [Galactic is an American jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana. Formed in 1994 as an octet (under the name Galactic Prophylactic) and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio, drummer Stanton Moore, Hammond organist Rich Vogel, Theryl DeClouet on vocals, and later adding saxophonist Ben Ellman.// The group was started when Raines and Mercurio, childhood friends from affluent Chevy Chase, Maryland, moved to New Orleans together to attend college at Tulane and Loyola Universities,[3] became enamored of the local funk scene, populated by such legendary acts as The Meters and Dirty Dozen Brass Band and inspired by local legends such as Professor Longhair. There they teamed with noted New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore, saxophonist/harmonica (now producer) Ben Ellman, Rich Vogel, and Theryl de Clouet. In 2004, the band parted ways with vocalist DeClouet, and continued as an instrumental group until 2007 when they released From the Corner to the Block featuring rappers ranging from Juvenile, Chali 2na, Boots Riley, and Lyrics Born. They continue to tour with different vocalists: 2011 and 2012 with Cyril Neville, 2011 through 2014 with Corey Glover, 2014 with Maggie Koerner, from 2015 with Erica Falls. They have also toured with trombonist Corey Henry from 2009 through 2016 and trumpet player Shamarr Allen from 2016. They have been releasing albums consistently since 1996. // The band has developed a unique sound as a result of their influences, including: rock, funk, brass band, blues, jazz, hip hop, electronic, and world music. Many of their songs include performances by other artists of various styles of music, like hip-hop artists Boots Riley (of The Coup), Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious) and Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5), to vocalists Macy Gray, Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, David Shaw, Mystikal, Mannie Fresh, and JJ Grey & Mofro. On the European version of From the Corner to the Block there are two tracks more than on the US version. One of those tracks (“Valley Of Pain”) features the German rapper Dendemann. // The band’s sound has evolved from organic New Orleans funk to a more modern style, incorporating elements of hip hop, electronica, fusion, and jazz. This change has been largely characterized by the increased use of electronic effects on guitar, bass, saxophone, and drums. Drummer Stanton Moore uses phrase samplers to sample a rhythm which he can then play over, producing intricate and layered drum sounds. Ben Ellman, saxophonist and harmonica player, often distorts his instruments to the degree that they sound similar to an electric guitar. In 2007, the band began to produce their own albums (mainly Ben Ellman and Robert Mercurio). This opened them up to more studio experimentation and exploration resulting in their loop, edit and production heavy album Ya-Ka-May.]
13. Juan Pablo Torres y Algo Nuevo – “Y que bien” from: CUBA: Music and Revolution: Culture Clash In Havana Cuba-Experiments in Latin Music 1975-85 Vol. 2 / Soul Jazz Records / 2021 [From http://www.allmusic.com: Ten months after the initial volume of CUBA: Music and Revolution: Culture Clash in Havana: Experiments in Latin Music 1975-85, England’s Soul Jazz Records continues its excavation of material from Havana’s EGREM Studios and Areito Records with another double-disc. This volume, also compiled by Gilles Peterson and Stuart Baker, picks up where the first left off. Both are soundtracks for the coffee table book Cuba: Original Album Cover Art of Cuban Music. // After the revolution, musicians were state-employed and labels were subsidized. Music was made in a vacuum where artists could create, but performing outlets were restricted to block parties and state-sanctioned festivals; nightclubs were closed. This climate proved fertile ground for experimentation; it led many artists to innovate on traditional styles — son, songo, rhumba, mambo, guaguancó, etc. — aided by effects pedals and electronic keyboards. The renaissance of Cuban jazz during the period is reflected on these releases, as are integrations with disco, funk, soul, tropicalia, and MPB. // Check opener “Y Que Bien” by Juan Pablo Torres y Algo Nuevo. A funky salsa vamp offered by jagged synths and distorted electric guitars is framed by fingerpopping brass, fretless bass, and many layers of percussion. Interlocking circular vamps emerge in place of a melody until the middle, when Torres begins scatting near the end. The historic Los Van Van and Juan Formell are represented by a gloriously remastered “Por Que lo Haces?” juxtaposing rumbling son with strings, horns, wah-wah guitars, and bass. The multi-part vocal harmonies, swirling choruses, and Afrobeat guitars frame frenetic timbales, congas, and claves. The combined effect sounds like Mandrill jamming with Irakere. Los Papines offers “Solo de Tumba y Bongo.” It simmers with son alongside jazz, spidery funk, and Colombian cumbia in a steamy mix. Disc one closes with Grupo Raices Nuevas’ wooly “Baila Mi Guaguancó,” where guaguancó meets salsa, jazz fusion, and disco, led by killer zig-zagging synths. // Disc two offers Orquesta Riverside’s “En Casa del Trompo No Bailes.” It begins as a darkly tinged disco exercise in drum funk before erupting into an orgy of hard-swinging big-band salsa. Los Brito’s “El 4-5-6” bubbles with dueling male and female vocal choruses atop rumbling, syncopated, salsa-fied jazz. Grupo Los Yoyi contributes “Tu No Me Puedes Conquistar,” an experiment in psychedelic jazz with wonky fuzz guitars and organs leading the way over deep, rumbling percussion. Speaking of psychedelia, Grupo de Experimentacion Sonora del ICAIC’s “Cuba Va” weds distorted acoustic and electric guitars atop a shuffling rock beat; later, it morphs into danzon over a folk-pop melody. Closer “Finalizo un Amor” by Los Reyes 73 swaggers across funk, rock, jazz, and son with layered strings, spacy organ, rippling guitar, and a rubbery bassline under a loopy vocal. The booklet is annotated with copious, authoritative liner notes, discographical info, and rare photos. Like its predecessor, CUBA: Music and Revolution: Culture Clash in Havana: Experiments in Latin Music 1975-85, Vol. 2 is essential listening for fans of Afro-Latin music.]
11:00 – Station ID
Bill Callahan & Bonnie “Prince” Billy – “Od’d in Denver (feat. Matt Sweeney)” from: Blind Date Party / Drag City / December 10, 2021 / 2022 [From http://www.stereophile.com: Bill Callahan and Bonnie Prince Billy—the latter is a stage name for Will Oldham—did not set out to make an album together. They were just trying fill the long pandemic months with music. In 2020, they started singing other people’s songs together, broadcasting them to fans via Zoom. They recorded the tracks, choosing a different guest musician to contribute to each song. Eventually they amassed recordings of enough covers, plus reimaginings of some original works, to create this album for Drag City, where they’re both signed artists. It’s an endlessly interesting and clever project, full of musical exploration. Some of the covers nearly outshine the original versions. // Part of the album’s success surely stems from the yin/yang of the two driving personalities and musical approaches. Callahan’s previous releases show a quiet cynicism, sorrow wrapped in wonder, delivered in a deep, golden voice. Oldham, on the other hand, specializes in quirky humor and a sardonic worldview, backed with banjos and a smirk. That interplay led to an eclectic collection of songs full of good surprises. // For an album to stand the test of time, it needs solid bookends. Callahan and Oldham went with steel-infused marble: They open with Cat Stevens and close with John Prine. The Stevens song is “Blackness of the Night,” which has lyrics dealing with rebellion and loneliness. A plucked acoustic guitar contrasts with mournful synth chords while the duo sings in close harmony. Guest electric guitarist Azita provides a sad and angry solo at the bridge. As for the Prine, “She Is My Everything” gets a heart-tugging treatment. The decision to use Oldham’s thin, sincere voice as the lead was brilliant: Prine’s wordy, naturalistic lyrics, flecked with humor, work best with a human-scale mouthpiece. Saxes (soprano and baritone) twine around guest guitarist Sir Richard Bishop’s harmonic core. // Part of the fun of this album is the contrast from one track to the next. Billie Eilish’s “Wish You Were Gay” gets a disco pulse and deadpan backup singing from Sean O’Hagan, utterly contrasting with the dreamy, ethereal reading of Heather Summers’s “Red-Tailed Hawk,” which precedes it. Robert Wyatt, a veteran of the British prog rock and jazz fusion scene, wrote “Sea Song,” one of the album’s highlights; you would hardly expect its surreally disjointed, dissonant sounds to act as a segue into Lowell George’s “I’ve Been the One,” presented in standard folksinger-with-guitar mode. // For all the imagination behind Callahan and Oldham’s vocal arrangements and their own instrumental playing, the guests contribute much of the distinctiveness to each track. Improvisatory guitarist Bill MacKay twists the harmony of Donald Fagen’s “Deacon Blues,” which is quite an accomplish-ment considering how innovative Steely Dan is when it comes to chord progressions. Guitarist Cory Hanson, who earlier this year strayed from his usual psychedelia and acid rock to explore Americana on the album Pale Horse Rider, provides country backing on Michael Burton’s “Night Rider’s Lament.” And then there’s George Xylouris, who plays Cretan laouto (lute), the most inspired addition to this banquet of musical sounds. The haunting resonance of the instrument’s deep wooden body and gut strings adds a touch to Lou Reed’s “Rooftop Garden” that we never knew it needed (but it did). // Most often, the lead voice is Callahan’s intense baritone, with Oldham’s shaky tenor in the background. Oldham even hands over his own song, “Arise Therefore,” in a Bowie-esque electronic arrangement that distorts Callahan’s usually smooth voice. This cover arrangement is the biggest change from the original song of any on this record. What had been, in Oldham’s 1996 recording, the slow, quiet creep of an animal emerging from its hole after the nuclear winter now becomes a furious human holding the A-bomb. It’s shocking and affecting. // Oldham does have moments to show his own expressive power. The best is Leonard Cohen’s “The Night of Santiago,” a historical vignette inspired by a Lorca poem. The sensual Spanish-style melody is laid over handclaps and syncopated guitar work from David Grubbs. Dave Rich’s country waltz “I’ve Made Up My Mind” also features Oldham. His simple delivery, without vibrato but decorated with short vocal turns, has an authentic-seeming mountain gospel openness. // Anyone who has tried to make music with others in this time of remote interaction has experienced the challenges of ensemble playing. Here, the sound production, apparently the result of sharing files online and taking turns tweaking them, has ragged edges as the various participants try to fit into the musical whole. There are moments when the threads in the sound fabric become dangerously loose. But that imperfect, homemade quality gives the proceedings a pleasing intimacy, even if it’s not completely human, like a Zoom chat with an old friend.—Anne E. Johnson.]
Bill Callahan & Bonnie “Prince” Billy – “I’ve Been the One (feat. Meg Baird)” from: Blind Date Party / Drag City / December 10, 2021 / 2022
Cate Le Bon – “Dirt On The Bed” from: Pompeii / Mexican Summer / February 14, 2022 [Le Bon’s 6th album and her first album since her 2019 release REWARD (released May 23, 2019) which received a Mercury prize nomination and was #12 onWMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. “Pompeii was written and recorded in a quagmire of unease. Solo. In a time warp. In a house I had a life in 15 years ago. I grappled with existence, resignation and faith. I felt culpable for the mess but it smacked hard of the collective grit imposed by religion and original sin,” said Le Bon in a press release. // Throughout the entire album, Le Bon plays every instrument, aside from drums and saxophone. She also recorded the album herself along with long-term collaborator Samur Khouja. // Le Bon elaborates more on the meaning behind the album by stating, “The subtitle is: You will be forever connected to everything. Which, depending on the time of day, is as comforting as it is terrifying. The sense of finality has always been here. It seems strangely hopeful. Someone is playing with the focus lens. The world is on fire but the bins must go out on a Tuesday night. Political dissonance meets beauty regimes. I put a groove behind it for something to hold on to. The grief is in the saxophone.” // Cate Le Bon who was born Cate Timothy on March 4, 1983. She is a musician and producer. She sings in both English and Welsh. She has released four solo albums, three EPs and a number of singles. Le Bon has toured with artists such as St. Vincent, Perfume Genius and John Grant. In 2018, she joined John Cale on stage at The Barbican with the London Contemporary Orchestra. Le Bon was born in Penboyr, Carmarthenshire, Wales, and first gained public attention when she supported Gruff Rhys (of the Super Furry Animals) on his 2007 solo UK tour. She appeared as a guest vocalist on Neon Neon’s 2008 single “I Lust U” from their album Stainless Style. Under her original name she provided backing vocals on Richard James’s debut solo album The Seven Sleepers Den in 2006. She also appeared on his second solo album, We Went Riding, from 2010. Her first official release was a Welsh language EP, Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg (“Looking in the Eyes of a Borrowed Horse”, similar to the English expression “to look a gift horse in the mouth”), on Peski Records in 2008. She also self-released the double A-side debut single “No One Can Drag Me Down” / “Disappear” (described by Gruff Rhys as “Bobbie Gentry and Nico fight over a Casio keyboard; melody wins!”) on her website. Le Bon worked alongside Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci’s Megan Childs, who contributed violin, and Super Furry Animals and Thrills collaborator John Thomas, who added pedal steel. Her debut album, Me Oh My was released in 2009, followed by Cyrk and the Cyrk II EP in 2012. In January 2013, Le Bon moved to L A to further her career in the US. Her third album, Mug Museum, was released November 2013. It was produced by Noah Georgeson and Josiah Steinbrick in Los Angeles, and featured Stephen Black (bass) & Huw Evans (guitar). She provided guest vocals on the track “Slow Train” from Kevin Morby’s debut album Harlem River. In 2015, Le Bon collaborated with Tim Presley as DRINKS and released the album Hermits on Holiday in August 2015. DRINKS released their second album Hippo Lite in April 2018. Le Bon released her fourth studio album, Crab Day, on April 15, 2016 on Drag City to generally favourable reviews. The album was produced by Josiah Steinbrick and Noah Georgeson, and again featured Stephen Black (bass) & Huw Evans (guitar), w/ Stella Mozgawa (drums). She noted how the collaboration with Presley had made her realise “that I make music because I love to, not because I have to”. On tour she was supported by Black and Evans and on occasion by Steinbrick and Josh Klinghoffer, a five-piece that also performs instrument improvisations under the name BANANA. In January 2017, Le Bon released the four-track EP Rock Pool via Drag City. It includes her version of the track “I Just Want to Be Good” featuring Perfume Genius, which she wrote for Sweet Baboo’s 2015 album The Boombox Ballads. In the same month Leaving Records released Live by BANANA, recorded live during the band’s 2016 tour and Le Bon remixed Eleanor Friedberger’s ‘Are We Good?’ In 2018, Le Bon signed with Brooklyn based record label Mexican Summer.]
Mitski – “Working For The Knife” from: Laurel Hell / Dead Oceans / February 4, 2022 Mitski Miyawaki was born Mitsuki Laycock-Miyawaki on September 27, 1990. She is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter. Mitski self-released her first two albums, Lush (2012) and Retired from Sad, New Career in Business (2013), while studying at Purchase College’s Conservatory of Music. After graduating, she released her third studio album, Bury Me at Makeout Creek (2014), through Double Double Whammy. She then signed with Dead Oceans in 2015, where she released her critically acclaimed albums Puberty 2 (2016), Be the Cowboy (2018) and Laurel Hell (2022). The Guardian dubbed her the “best young songwriter” of the United States. // Mitski Miyawaki was born Mitsuki Laycock-Miyawaki on September 27, 1990, in Japan to American father and a Japanese mother. Her first language was Japanese, growing up in a small town in Mie Prefecture. She moved frequently while growing up due to her father’s job at the United States Department of State, living in countries such as Turkey, China, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo before settling in the United States. She sang in a choir in high school and was 18 when she wrote her first song on the piano. // After enrolling at Hunter College to study film, Mitski decided to pursue music instead and transferred to SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Music, where she studied studio composition. During her time at Purchase College, she recorded and self-released her piano-based first and second albums, Lush (2012) and Retired from Sad, New Career in Business (2013), as student projects. While there, Mitski also met Patrick Hyland, who has produced each of her albums after Lush. // After graduating, she served as the vocalist for the short-lived prog-metal band Voice Coils and began work on her third studio album, Bury Me at Makeout Creek, which was released on November 11, 2014, through Double Double Whammy. The album represented a sonic departure from Mitski’s orchestral and classical piano background found in her first two albums, exchanging it for raw, impulsive guitar. It garnered acclaim from numerous publications. // On December 22, 2015, Mitski signed with Dead Oceans before releasing new music the following year. She announced her fourth studio album, Puberty 2, on March 1, 2016, and shared the lead single, “Your Best American Girl”. She released another single, “Happy”, before the release of the album on June 17. The album was recorded over a two-week period at Acme Studios in Westchester County, New York and was produced by longtime collaborator Patrick Hyland. The album received widespread acclaim from music critics. “Your Best American Girl” was named the 13th best song of the 2010s by Rolling Stone. // In a 2016 episode of the Cartoon Network show Adventure Time, her song “Francis Forever” was covered by Olivia Olson as the character Marceline the Vampire Queen. // On February 21, 2017, the Pixies announced US tour dates with Mitski as a supporting act. On May 1, a compilation album consisting of 100 songs by different artists titled Our First 100 Days was released. It includes Mitski’s cover of One Direction’s song “Fireproof”. The compilation aims to raise funds for organizations that support causes threatened by Donald Trump’s proposed policies. Mitski played a cover of the song in 2015, but that version has since been taken down. Mitski also covered Frank Sinatra’s 1951 classic “I’m a Fool to Want You” for the 7-Inches For Planned Parenthood compilation album. On October 4, 2017 Lorde announced Mitski will be an opening act for selected dates as part of her Melodrama World Tour. On November 1, a short film starring Mitski called Sitting was released. // On April 20, 2018, Mitski teamed up with the experimental band Xiu Xiu on the song “Between the Breaths” for the soundtrack of the sci-fi comedy film How to Talk to Girls at Parties, based on the short story of the same name. // On May 14, 2018, Mitski’s fifth studio album, Be the Cowboy, was made available for pre-order without prior announcement. The lead single, “Geyser”, was released on the same day alongside its accompanying music video. The second single, “Nobody”, was released on June 26, 2018, accompanied by the music video, and the third and final single to precede the album, “Two Slow Dancers”, was released on August 9 alongside a lyric video. Be the Cowboy was released on August 17, through Dead Oceans. It was critically acclaimed and named the album of the year by publications including Pitchfork, Vulture and Consequence of Sound. // On tour in 2019, Mitski began incorporating choreography into her live performances inspired by Butoh, a form of dance theater developed in post-war Japan, in which “performers draw on chaotic internal emotions but depict them with precise, repetitive gestures.” The approach reflected her wish to “give audiences something new” on her second headlining tour since Be the Cowboy’s release, as well as a desire “to develop her own, idiosyncratic ways of maintaining a grip on an audience,” since she’d learned “that the jumping around onstage, getting everyone pumped up, doesn’t come naturally to me.” Mitski worked with performance artist Monica Mirabile to devise the tour’s “highly stylized, sometimes unsettling” movements. Butoh influenced choreography was also used in her music video for “Working for the Knife”. // In August 2019 Mitski ended her hiatus from social media to post a statement denying allegations made by a Tumblr user that she had been involved in a child trafficking ring. In the statement Mitski stated “I don’t know the accuser, and I don’t know how or why they have come to associate me with their trauma.” // In September 2019 at the final performance of her Be the Cowboy Tour in Central Park, Mitski announced that it would be her last indefinitely. She later talked about how she planned to quit music completely and “find another life.” By early 2020, Mitski had changed her mind and decided to return to music, partly because she owed her label another album and partly for her herself. She described making the decision to continue, “What it came down to was, ‘I have to do this even though it hurts me, because I love it […] This is who I am. … I’m going to keep getting hurt, and I’m still going to do it, because this is the only thing I can do.’ ”]
Aldous Harding – “Lawn” from: Warm Chris / 4AD / March 25, 2022 [Hannah Sian Topp was born in 1990. She is known professionally as Aldous Harding, is a New Zealand folk singer-songwriter, based in Cardiff, Wales. // Topp comes from a musical family in Lyttelton, New Zealand: her mother is folk singer Lorina Harding. One of the first musicians who came across her was New Zealand folk-pop singer/songwriter Anika Moa. Moa asked Harding to play support for her that night after finding her busking outside the venue she was about to play at. // She has released music through independent record labels Flying Nun, Spunk, and 4AD. She has collaborated with Marlon Williams, John Parish, Mike Hadreas and Fenne Lily. // 4AD announced Harding as a new signing in early 2017 just prior to the release of her second album, Party. Party was nominated for IMPALA’s European Album of the Year Award. Singer-songwriter Aldous Harding, released Designer is the third studio album on April 26, 2019 by 4AD. The song “The Barrel” won the 2019 APRA Silver Scroll award. // As of 2020, she is based in Cardiff, Wales, where she had previously lived with partner and collaborator H. Hawkline.]
11:23 – Underwriting
Bonobo – “Shadows (feat. Jordan Rakei)” from: Fragments / Ninja Tune / January 14, 2022 [Simon Green (born 30 March 1976), known by his stage name Bonobo, is a British musician, producer, and DJ based in Los Angeles.[1] He debuted with a trip hop aesthetic, and has since explored more upbeat approaches as well as jazz and world music influences. His tranquil electronic sound incorporates the use of organic instrumentation, and is recreated by a full band in live performances. // Green’s work has attained a cult following, and he has collaborated with a variety of other artists. // Green debuted in 1999 on the Tru Thoughts compilation When Shapes Join Together. His stage name Bonobo is a reference to the Bonobo chimpanzee species. Following the releases of the EP Scuba, released on Brighton based label Fly Casual Recordings, and the single “Terrapin”, Bonobo was offered label deals with XL recordings and Mute records, but he chose to remain in Tru Thoughts. // His first album Animal Magic was released on the same label in 2000 to mixed reviews. Paul Cooper of Pitchfork stated that it “breaks no new ground for chill-out”, while PopMatters said Bonobo “[showcases] smooth breakbeat loops, synth sounds, and aforementioned dub effects. [And his] electronic music draws on live playing.” Reviewer Dean Carlson also said that the album “slowly takes shape as a solid debut of narcoleptic downtempo.” In spite of reactions, Animal Magic has given Bonobo a cult following. Its accompanying compilation album titled “One Offs…”, was issued in 2002 and contains reworked songs and rarities. // In 2001, Bonobo was signed to Coldcut’s label Ninja Tune and in 2003, he released Dial ‘M’ for Monkey. John Bush of AllMusic stated in a review that Bonobo’s influences were drawn more towards alternative rock and world music rather than hip-hop or trip hop. The album tracks “Pick up” and “Flutter” were featured in the snowboarding game SSX on Tour. // In 2005, Bonobo contributed to the Solid Steel series, with It Came from the Sea. The mix features several exclusive tracks as well as remixes and re-edits. His third album, entitled Days to Come, was released on October 2, 2006. An AllMusic review states that “[Bonobo] breathes new life into a well-worn genre.” With the album as well as his future work, he featured vocalists such as Bajka, thus “adding [an] organic and vibrant musicality that’s rare in electronic music.” Days to Come was voted Best Album of 2006 by Gilles Peterson’s listeners. The song “Nightlite” appeared on UEFA Champions League 2006–2007, and “Recurring” was used in a surfing film broadcast on Fuel TV/ // Bonobo’s seventh studio album Fragments was released on 14 January 2022. Five singles were released ahead of the album’s release. The first single, “Rosewood”, debuted on October 6, 2021, followed by “Tides” on October 20, 2021, a collaboration with Jamila Woods. A third single, “Otomo”, was released on 10 November 2021, a collaboration with O’Flynn, followed by “Shadows”, with Jordan Rakei, on the 1st of December. The fifth and final single, “From You”, with Joji, was released on 3 January 2022. // Bonobo’s sound is oriented on beats and samples but typically “soothing”, combining influences ranging from club music to world music. Pitchfork named him a key figure in the 2000s downtempo electronica scene while The Guardian associated him with the recent popularity of “ambient world electronica”. While his earliest work was firmly based in trip hop, his style soon became more upbeat and delved into genres such as jazz (which has led him to be described as a nu jazz artist) and traditional Indian music. He has collaborated with various artists, including Bajka, Andreya Triana, Erykah Badu, and Rhye who contributed vocals to songs on his last four albums Days to Come, Black Sands, The North Borders, and Migration, respectively. He also performed with Robert Luis of the Tru Thoughts label under the alias of Nirobi and Barakas. // Whilst often touring solo, and performing DJ sets and residencies, in 2010 Bonobo opted to start touring with a full band for the Black Sands tour. The band plays live renditions of studio material, with a singer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, string section, electronics, and drummer, often with improvisations and solos. His albums employ sampling, for example ‘Behind the Light’ (from Pick Up EP, 2003) uses a clip of ‘Judy’ from John Renbourn.]
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad – “Sunflowers (feat. Roy Ayers) [Instrumental]” from: Jazz Is Dead 009 Instrumentals / Jazz Is Dead / 2021 [Under Jazz Is Dead, younger artists are elaborating upon conversations started decades ago; jazz icons are utilizing vintage equipment to create new masters with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad; the same equipment that recorded their coveted catalogs. The vitality embedded in the new masters epitomizes our quest for new life in music: Jazz Is Dead.]
Pino Palladino & Blake Mills – “Just Wrong” from: Notes With Attachments / Impulse Records / March 12, 2021 / 2022 [Notes with Attachments is an instrumental collaboration between bassist Pino Palladino and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/producer Blake Mills. Recorded in stages over two and a half years and initially conceived as a solo project for Palladino, the album brings together a shared cohort of musicians from jazz, R&B, pop, and beyond. It also features drummer Chris Dave, keyboardist Larry Goldings, and saxophonists Sam Gendel, Marcus Strickland, and Jacques Scwartz-Bart.]
Dr. Lonnie Smith – “Bright Eyes (Live)” from: Breathe / Blue Note / March 26, 2021 [From http://www.allmusic.com: Veteran Hammond B-3 master Dr. Lonnie Smith pairs with punk icon Iggy Pop on his inspired and deeply funky 2021 album Breathe. Smith initially came into his own in the 1960s, releasing a string of groove-based albums for Blue Note, including 1968’s Think!, that helped define the sound of forward-thinking organ jazz. Over 30 years after his last album for Blue Note, he returned to the label with 2016’s vibrant Evolution and 2018’s All in My Mind; albums that found him recapturing the earthy energy of his original recordings. Continuing this latter-career resurgence, Breathe again finds him working with producer Don Was, and backed by an energetic ensemble of all-stars including guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and drummer Johnathan Blake, who make up his core trio. He also expands the group to a septet on several tracks, bringing trumpeter Sean Jones, tenor saxophonist John Ellis, baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall, and trombonist Robin Eubanks on board. Smith’s work with Pop bookends that album as they offer a smoky, Doors-esque rendition of Timmy Thomas’ 1972 soul anthem “Why Can’t We Live Together” and a relaxed, boogaloo-style work-up of Donovan’s ’60s classic “Sunshine Superman.” Both of these songs were recorded in studio and feature added percussion from Richard Bravo. They are wry, ebullient recordings that make a surprising case for Pop as a jazz crooner. The core of the album finds Smith leading his band through a series of energetic performances captured live at The Jazz Standard in New York City. Among these are several inspired Smith originals including “Bright Eyes,” a breezy 3/4 anthem that brings to mind his ’60s work. Equally engaging are the slow-grooving “Track 9,” which spotlights a fiery solo from trumpeter Jones, and the gospel-inflected “Pilgrimage,” featuring vocalist Alicia Olatuja. Smith also jumps into a bug-like take on Thelonious Monk’s “Epistrophy” that evokes the spacy sound of Herbie Hancock’s 1973 Sextant album. Few legacy artists are as capable at conjuring the urgency and youthful energy of their classic recordings as Smith has been since returning to Blue Note, and Breathe is no exception.]
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – “Pull Your Pants Up” from: Cold As Weiss / Colemine / February 11, 2022 [Over the course of the last five years, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio have established themselves as the world’s premier funky organ trio. The organ trio, along with founder and manager Amy Novo, continues to devise the perfect blend of raw, passionate music and engaging industry practices. Through a firm partnership with label Colemine Records, the trio has garnered Billboard charting albums, sold out shows, tens of thousands of albums sold, and millions of streams. Lofty accomplishments for an instrumental organ trio. // Now, with permanent drummer Dan Weiss behind the kit, DLO3 is proud to present Cold As Weiss, their third studio album to date that finds them tighter than ever, and continuing to push funky instrumental music to a new generation of fans.. // The band features organist Delvon Lamarr, a self-taught virtuosic musician, with perfect pitch who taught himself jazz and has effortlessly been able to play a multitude of instruments. On guitar is the dynamo Jimmy James who eases through Steve Cropper-style chanking guitar, volcanic acid-rock freak-out lead playing, and slinky Grant Green style jazz. From Reno, Nevada is drummer Dan Weiss (also of the powerhouse soul and funk collective The Sextones). Dan’s smoldering pocket-groove drumming locks in the trio’s explosive chemistry. // Founded by Lamarr’s wife and manager Amy Novo, the trio started from humble beginnings in 2015, but since then has released two Billboard charting albums and toured the world to sold out venues.]
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges – “B-Side” from: Texas Moon EP / Dead Oceans / 2022 [Follow up to 2020’s Texas moon EP and the 5th EP from Khruangbin a trio from Houston, Texas, with Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Ray “DJ” Johnson Jr. on drums. The band has also released 3 albums. The band is known for blending global music influences, classic soul, dub and psychedelia. Their debut studio album, The Universe Smiles Upon You (2015), draws from the history of Thai music in the 1960s, while their 2nd album, Con Todo El Mundo (2018), has influences from Spain and the Middle East. Todd Michael “Leon” Bridges was born July 13, 1989. He is an American soul singer, songwriter and record producer from Fort Worth, Texas. He is best known for his song “Coming Home”, which received regular airplay and was also a Top 10 Most Viral Track on Spotify. Bridges’ debut album, also titled Coming Home, was released on June 23, 2015, on Columbia Records and subsequently nominated for Best R&B Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Texas Sun is her 2nd EP. He has also released 2 full length records.]
Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now” from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Next week on March 2, WMM presents More New and MidCoastal Releases from the new band Prairie Brigade, plus music from: The Creepy Jingles, Erik J. Pearson, Beach House, and more. {bus we welcome Special Guest Ivory Blue who shares music from their new album COMPOUND LOVE.
Thank you to all who donated to KKFI’s Winter Fund Drive. Through our Wednesday MidDay Medley On Air Fund Drive Shows and facebook Fundraiser a total of 57 people donated a total of $3575.00. We love our listeners and welcome you!
Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information. Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Spinning Records With Marion Merritt
Mark welcomes Marion Merritt, of Records With Merritt, who joins us as “Guest Producer” to share sonic discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic-brain. Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM. She grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering. She saw Talking Heads on their first U.S. tour when they played One Block West, in KCK, in 1978. For 18 years Marion has joined us on WMM. Marion is also the proprietor of Records With Merritt, at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri. More info at: http://www.recordswithmerritt.com.
Marion will spin tracks from: Timo Lassy, Charlie Megira, Cat Power, Lucinda Williams, Bill Fay, Kevin Morby, Cate Le Bon, Mitski, Aldous Harding, Bonobo, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Pino Palladino & Blake Mills, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Khruangbin & Leon Bridges.
On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
WMM Celebrates Black History with 15 of our Favorite KC Black Artists & Bands + Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis + Rose Brown of Flooding
WMM Celebrates Black History with tracks from 15 of our favorite Kansas City Black Artists: Krystle Warren, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Calvin Arsenia, The Black Creatures, The Freedom Affair, Jass, Flare The Rebel and Bob Pulliam, We The People, The Phantastics, Radkey, Chalis O’Neal, Remy Styrk, Janelle Monaé, Kadesh Flow, and Blackstarkids.
10:00 – “Station ID” (Queen Bey)
“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks” from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979 [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
Flare Tha Rebel & Bob Pulliam – “The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged” from: The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged / Shafer / July 9, 2021 [Inspired by Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 single, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. Career and love brought hip-hop MC Flare Tha Rebel back to his hometown of Kansas City, MO, which created a second wind of new music. Noted by The Pitch, “As a member of hip-hop collective Anti-Crew, Flare Tha Rebel made quite an impact on the Kansas City hip-hop scene. After making the leap from KC to Chicago in the late ‘00s, he’s now back…” Known for a highly energetic live performance, Flare has shared the stage with artists such as Chance the Rapper, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Mac Lethal, Nappy Roots, and CES Cru. Although hip-hop at the core, Flare Tha Rebel’s versatility remains as he balances music with socially progressive themes that are still enjoyable enough to raise a glass to at a party. There’s also a duality to Flare’s approach. Many of his songs are connected to his Art to Empower initiative, raising awareness and funds for a variety of social justice causes and nonprofits. Flare Tha Rebel & Bob Pullian were guests on WMM, Aug. 11, 2021. The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged was #9 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021. Info at: http://www.flaretharebel.com]
[The other single from The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged EP is “Child’s Play,” Flare’s single that takes a holistic approach in describing gun violence, which was ranked 4th by voters for 90.9 The Bridge’s Top 90 Songs of 2021. The song showcases the intersectionality between police brutality, mass shootings, violence within systemically oppressed communities, and the United States’ usage of guns. Flare Tha Rebel plays recordBar (1520 Grand Blvd.) Thursday, March 31, in a fundraiser & awareness raiser for Change The Ref, a local nonprofit founded by Manuel & Patricia Oliver in memory of their son Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 victims of the MSD High School shooting in Parkland, FL. The animated lyric video for “Child’s Play” can be watched at; FlareThaRebel.com]
BLACKSTARKIDS – “Juno” from: Puppies Forever / Dirty Hit Records / October 15, 2021 [“Puppies Forever” is the fourth album released by Kansas City band BLACKSTARKIDS, and their second album under indie record label Dirty Hit. “Juno” was the first single. Blackstarkids are phenomenon who came out of Kansas City in 2020 became the soundtrack for the summer. Blackstarkids are a pop/R&B/hip-hop trio based in Kansas City, Missouri. Members include: TheBabeGabe, Deiondre, and TyFaizon (of the Drop Dead XX collective). The members have known each other since high school in Raytown, Missouri. Members met at Raytown South High School and formed the band in 2019. The group released its first album, Let’s Play Sports, on August 1, 2019. Blackstarkids then released their second album SURF through their own label Bedroom Records on February 28, 2020. SURF was #3 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020. B;ackstarkids was one of the most played bands on WMM in 2020. Blackstarkids caught the attention of The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy and were then signed to The 1975’s management company and UK-based label Dirty Hit Records. They were featured in Clash Magazine. Blackstarkids then released, Surf Basement Demos on Dirty Hit Records on March 5, 2020. On October 29, 2020, Blackstarkids released Whatever, Man on Dirty Hit Records, their third album release of 2020. Gabe, of Blackstarkids recently described the KC Music community to an interviewer, “The music scene here is really nice. There are a lot of bands who are super talented and do all types of genres. The jazz music here is really great as well. Kansas City is honestly a hidden gem when it comes to music. I feel like you can meet an artist anywhere and anyplace in this city.” Deiondre added, “The music scene here is getting cool now, there’s a lot of jazz musicians that go to school for music here too but you can find people from different scenes all over if around the city.” Ty wrote, “The Kansas City scene is great, the community here is so supportive and genuine. This is a really prideful city here and I think they’re finally getting the musicians they deserve.”]
[Blackstarkids Play Boulevardia on Friday, June 17, 2022.]
10:06 – Pledge Break #1
We take break to encourage YOU to support 90.1 FM KKFI. To help us is…
Betse Ellis. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Betse received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was a founding member of the acclaimed internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and records and performs with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. In 2020 they released their latest 8-song release, WINTER, which was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020
Betse Ellis, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM, She grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering, and is a avid lover of classic films and punk rock music. She saw Talking Heads on their first U.S. tour when they played One Block West in 1978. For 16 years she has been sharing her musical discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic brain on Wednesday MidDay Medley. With her partner Ann Stewart, Marion is the proprietor of Records With Merritt, a minority owned business at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, that features new vinyl releases, in-store performances,, and was once the location for a wedding. More information at: http://www.recordwithmerritt.com
Marion Merritt, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio is Non-Commercial, and that means that three times a year, we interrupt our regular programming, to ask our listeners, to help us continue our unique, 24-7 programming. For 33 years 90.1 FM KKFI has been on the air. While the spirit of this station is kept alive by hundreds of volunteers who passionately donate their time and abilities to keep the transmission of our 100,000-watt-signal alive. We are a operated by a not-for-profit organization, incorporated over 40 years ago, called The MidCoast Radio Project. We’re non-profit, but we still have to pay the electric bill, the rent on our fully accessible production studios and offices, insurance, staff, royalties, production expenses. Even though we have hundreds of committed volunteers, who donate thousands of hours every year, producing radio shows, answering phones, creating websites, producing benefits, rewiring the board, setting up our computer system, we still need YOU, our listener, to take a moment and call 888-931-0901 and donate to keep us alive! Our volunteers are waiting to hear from YOU right now.
In 2021 on WMM we conducted over 138 interviews with 160 special guests
10:14
The Black Creatures – “True Friends” from: “True Friends” – Single / Center Cut Records / September 17, 2021 The Black Creatures released their latest single “True Friends” on September 17, 2021. [After being signed to Center Cut Records the label remastered and reissued their album Wild Echoes and began releasing singles. “Wild Echoes” was #2 in WMM’s 119 Favorite Releases of 2019 (Albums & EPs). Since the release of ”Wild Echoes” the band has released seven entirely new songs, nearly one per month, all posted to their bandcamp page. The Black Creatures fuse dark-pop hip-hop, soul, jazz, and electronic music with elements from science fiction to tell inter-dimensional stories of love, community, life, culture, history. Xavier & Jade have made an impression in the KC music community with their live shows in clubs, galleries, record stores, and area music festivals. The Black Creatures released their debut single “Mouth 2 Mouth” June 5, 2016. They released the album, See No Evil, December 6, 2017. The duo released the singles, “Elements” February 14, 2018; “Silver Tears” June 19. 2018; “Dare” a Gorillaz cover August 8, 2019. They released the album “Wild Echoes” September 30, 2019. The Black Creatures released the singles “Turn” October 30, 2019; “Quartz (Twilight)” November 13, 2019; “SHINE” December 11, 2019; Ghost Bustin’ Dead Prezidentz” January 8, 2020; “To Whom It May Concern” January 22, 2020; “Arcade Love” February 5, 2020; and “Run Up” Feb. 19, 2020. The Black Creatures were last on WMM on May 26, 2021 and September 15, 2021.]
[Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott. This year, Charlotte Street’s Visual Artist Awards were given to Andrew Mcilvaine, Harold Smith Jr., and Johanna Winters. Congratulations to them all! Bravo!]
[The Black Creatures play Boulevardia on Friday, June 17, 2022]
The Freedom Affair – “Don’t Shoot” from: Freedom is Love / Sunflower Soul Records / September 25, 2020 [“Freedom Is Love” is the debut album from Kansas City’s newest soul juggernaut, The Freedom Affair. The album explores themes of love, heartache, empowerment, and togetherness through a varying landscape of hard-hitting funk, luscious soul, and everything in between. The Freedom Affair is a unique collective featuring 3 powerhouse female vocalists in front of a dynamic 6-piece band. On “Freedom Is Love”, each of the ladies get their time to shine individually, but the magic is on full display when all 3 come together in unison and harmony, symbolically embodying the messages that they sing about. The album was recorded and produced by Chris Hazelton, utilizing the best of vintage and new recording technologies to create an authentic experience, befitting of a soul record that would have been relevant 50 years ago as much as it will be 50 years from now. The Freedom Affair is: Misha Roberts on vocals; Paula Saunders on vocals; Seyko Groves on vocals; Cole Bales on guitar, sitar (Track 3); Branden Moser on guitar; Chris Hazelton on bass guitar, organ (Tracks 1, 2, 9, & 10), Tambourine (Track 1), Glockenspiel (Track 3), & Chimes (Track 4); Dave Brick on drums; Pete Carroll on trumpet; Brett Jackson on tenor sax, baritone sax (Tracks 1 & 5), & tambourine (Tracks 5, 6, & 8). Additional Musicians: Pat Conway on Congas (Tracks 1, 3, & 6), Alyssa Bell on viola (Tracks 3, 4, & 7), Elizabeth Codd on violin (Tracks 3 & 4), Matt Bennett on violin (Tracks 3 & 7), John Wickersham on timpani (Track 4), Pamela Baskin-Watson on piano (Track 10), Nick Howell on tambourine (Track 10), The Freedom Family Choir (Track 10): Misha Roberts, Erica Hazelton, Seyko Groves, Paula Saunders, Jordyn Saunders, Cole Bales, and Chris Hazelton. All Horn & String Arrangements by Chris Hazelton except: “Heartaches Don’t Come Easy” and “Give A Little Love” by Pete Carroll & Brett Jackson “Don’t Shoot” by Chris Hazelton & Allyssa Bell. Produced, Recorded, & Mixed by Chris Hazelton. Assistant Produced by Dave Brick. Rhythm Section on Track 10 recorded by Chad Meise. Mastered by JJ Golden. Cover Artwork by Matthew “Mo” Manley. Front cover photograph of civil rights protesters in Kansas City, MO (April 9th, 1968). The Freedom Affair and their track “Rise Up” were selected to be part of Colemine Records 3xLP box set, “Soul Slabs Vol. 2” a Record Store Day Exclusive, released April 13, 2019. Colemine writes: “The Freedom Affair is a freight train of KC soul! Dirty, funky drums, gritty horns, and the combined vocals of Misha Roberts, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders to put this band over the top. Politically charged soul music for the dancefloor!” Chris Hazelton joined us on WMM on September 16, 2020.]
Remy Styrk – “Boy” from: “Boy” – Single / Remy Styrk / November 5, 2020 [Written, produced, and recorded by: Remy Styrk (@remystyrk). Background vocals: Alexis Black + Danzell Capers. Bass solo: Abram Shaffer. Mixed by: Ben Soiefer of Sandblast Productions. Mastered by: Colin Bryson of The Bunker Studio. Remy writes about this new release: “The number of times someone or something washed my hands clean, stood me back up, and gave me another try is unmeasurable. throughout my life i’ve experienced death, drug addiction, anxiety, abandonment, and pure fear. some days are filled with 5 to 7 panic attacks. others are quiet, however a moment of “calm” from complete mental and physical exhaustion seems unbearable, almost more dangerous than a day of anxiety. 2020 has been a catalyst for me. igniting everything i’ve been shoving under the bed and breathing life into a debilitatingly unpredictable fire. the biggest question every time i step outside my front door is, ‘will i make it back home alive today?’” 21 year old Remy Stryk lives in Leawood, Kansas, originally from Newark, New Jersey. This multi instrumentalist has been writing & recording music for several years. Remy Styrk is a sci-fi and thriller film composer composer living in KC. His work is informed by his life experiences, and his life experiences have been a tragic journey on a compact time frame. Styrk was born in Newark, NJ to a homeless heroin addict in February 1999. He doesn’t really know who his parents were, because he wound up in a semi-closed adoption. After birth, he was in the hospital for three weeks, clinging to life. At the age of 14 months, he was adopted by a couple, the husband, a fashion photographer and wife, a creative director, Tom & Deborah. When 9/11 happened and the family wanted to get away from the East Coast. Styrk’s adopted father Tom got a job at Hallmark in Kansas City, Missouri and the family relocated here. Sadly, not long after making the move, Remy’s adopted mother Deborah passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm. Tom quit his job at Hallmark to come home and take care of his kids in this terrible time. Remy’s father was pursuing a photography gig full time during this period, and that set the tone for his kids. Push through everything. Never give up. Dedicate yourself to what you love and work towards it each and every day. Remy began pursuing music. His family that supported his goals. At an early age they got him a guitar, and by age six he was already learning the drums. Remy found folk music, thanks to the relocation into KC. Folk music was new to Remy, and based entirely in storytelling. Remy leaned into that hard, because the storytelling allowed him to process his mother’s death, and the series of other traumas in his life. Remy told Brock Wilbur of The Pitch Kansas City, “I grew up black in a predominately white school system,” Styrk says. “I felt like an outcast but it didn’t make me want to give up on who I was. It pushed me to work harder on being who I want to be. I won’t change for anyone.” Styrk started playing with local bands. He moved from the DIY scene into rock and indie, but then found the famous KC blues scene– and his place within it. This series of genre dabbles prepared him perfectly to start scoring for film. In 2020 Remy was a guest on WMM on May 27, where he talked about his latest interactive recording project, “Of My Own Design” his 9-minute interactive album structured like an “Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.” Remy create pieces of music that all fit together to tell a story both musically and visually. He is asking listeners, to imagine and create the visual story. Scene descriptions can be between 2 sentences and 2 paragraphs. All will be posted on his website: http://www.remystyrk.com/interactive. “In 2019 Remy release “Winter/Summer” In 2018 Remy released “In Too Deep” one of 5 singles Remy has released in the last 2 years. Remy Styrk released the EP Sunday, on Jan 25, 2018 a follow up to the Aug 12, 2015 full length album, Telling Stories Through The Basement Door. Remy Sryrk released the 3-song EP FOUNTAINHEAD on August 16, 2021. More info at: http://www.remystyrk.com]
Jass – “Grow” from: At the Close of a Decade / JASS / November 26, 2022, [Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. Jass writes, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]
10:26 – Pledge Break #2
Our WMM Winter Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis
Today on WMM we are celebrating Black History with music from 15 of our favorite Black MidCoastal Artists. MidCoastal is the name of 90.1 FM KKFI’s non-profit organization and governing body. MidCoastal is where we are, on the coasts of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers with a music community that spans the Kansas City Metro region and west to Lawrence and Topeka and south to Olathe and east to Columbia and North to St Joseph. Not necessarily the reach of our 100,000 watt signal but definitely the reach of our community. Wednesday MidDay Medley 90.1 FM was the first radio show and first radio station to ever play many if these amazing musical artists. WMM was the first to play the recordings of: Calvin Arsenia, and Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, and Krystle Warren, and The Black Creatures and Remy Styrk. We were the first to interview them live on the radio and bring their music to a wider audience.
10:34 – Underwriting
Radkey – “Games (Tonight)” from: Games (Tonight) – Single / Little Man Records / January 28, 2022 [On November 27, 2020 Radkey released their album, Green Room. The band served as their own producers. On April 7, 2020 Radkey released a 2 minute cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine” written by Bill Withers who died in 2020. The band released singles “Underground” on November 27, and “Seize” on November 29, 2020. Isaiah, Dee, and Solomon Radke of the critically acclaimed rock trio Radkey joined us live in our 90.1 FM studios on September 5, 2018. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City. The band has released two full-length recordings — “Dark Black Makeup” in 2015 and “Delicious Rock Noise” in 2016 — plus multiple EPs and singles, and were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national television commercial that aired during the 2018 Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. In 2018 the band went back on the road with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they went back into the studio to record with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. In early 2019 they played shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. In 2018 the band released “Basement,” “St. Elwood,” “Rock & Roll Home-school,” as well as several other singles. On Feb. 22, 2019, Radkey released “No Strange Cats…P.A.W.” a 7-song EP is essentially a collection of the band’s most recent singles. It comes after the January 11, 2019 release of No Strange cats…Spiders – EP a 6 song EP of several new songs mixed with several singles from late 2018.] [Radkey continue to tour nationally and internationally supporting bands such as Jack White, Rise Against, The Damned, WIZO, Descendents, Local H, and the Foo Fighters 26th Anniversary Tour. Radkey was also featued prominently in Dave Grohl;s documentary film “What Drives Us.”] [Radkey plays Boulevardia, Friday, June 17.]
Janelle Monáe – “Americans” from: Dirty Computer / Badboy Records / April 27, 2018 [Janelle Monáe Robinson was born on December 1, 1985 in Kansas City, Kansas and was raised in a working-class community of Kansas City, Quindaro. Her mother, Janet, worked as a janitor and a hotel maid. Her father, Michael Robinson Summers, was a truck driver. Monáe’s parents separated when Monáe was a toddler and her mother later married a postal worker. Monáe has a younger sister, Kimmy, from their mother’s remarriage. // Monáe was raised Baptist and learned to sing at a local church. Her family members were musicians and performers at the local AME church, the Baptist church, and the Church of God in Christ. Monáe dreamed of being a singer and a performer from a very young age, and has cited the fictional character of Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz as a musical influence. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which Monáe bought two copies of with her first check, was another source of inspiration. She performed songs from the album on Juneteenth talent shows, winning three years in a row. // As a teenager, Monáe was enrolled in the Coterie Theater’s Young Playwrights’ Round Table, which began writing musicals. One musical, completed when she was around the age of 12, was inspired by the 1979 Stevie Wonder album Journey Through “The Secret Life of Plants”. // Monáe attended F. L. Schlagle High School, and after high school, moved to New York City to study musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she was the only black woman in her class. Monáe enjoyed the experience, but feared that she might lose her edge and “sound, or look or feel like anybody else”. In a 2010 interview Monáe explained, “I felt like that was a home but I wanted to write my own musicals. I didn’t want to have to live vicariously through a character that had been played thousands of times – in a line with everybody wanting to play the same person.” // After a year and a half, Monáe dropped out of the academy and relocated to Atlanta, enrolling in Perimeter College at Georgia State University. She began writing her own music and performing around the campus. In 2003, Monáe self-released a demo album titled The Audition, which she sold out of the trunk of a Mitsubishi Galant. During this period, Monáe became acquainted with songwriters and producers Chuck Lightning and Nate Wonder. The three would eventually form the Wondaland Arts Collective. She worked at an Office Depot but was fired for answering a fan’s e-mail using a company computer, an incident that inspired the song “Lettin’ Go”, which in turn attracted the attention of Big Boi. // Janelle Monáe Robinson (/moʊˈneɪ/; born December 1, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. Monáe is signed to Atlantic Records, as well as to her own imprint, the Wondaland Arts Society. Monáe has received eight Grammy Award nominations. Monáe won an MTV Video Music Award and the ASCAP Vanguard Award in 2010. Monáe was also honored with the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2015 and the Trailblazer of the Year Award in 2018. In 2012, Monáe became a CoverGirl spokesperson. Boston City Council named October 16, 2013 “Janelle Monáe Day” in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, in recognition of her artistry and social leadership. // Monáe’s musical career began in 2003 upon releasing a demo album titled The Audition. In 2007, Monáe publicly debuted with a conceptual EP titled Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase). It peaked at number two on the US Top Heatseekers chart, and in 2010, through Bad Boy Records, Monáe released a first full-length studio album, The ArchAndroid, a concept album and sequel to her first EP. In 2011, Monáe was featured as a guest vocalist on fun.’s single “We Are Young”, which achieved major commercial success, topping the charts of more than ten countries and garnering Monáe a wider audience. Her second studio album, The Electric Lady, was released in 2013 and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, serving as the fourth and fifth installments of the seven-part Metropolis concept series. // In 2016, Monáe made her theatrical film debut in two high-profile productions; Monáe starred in Hidden Figures as NASA mathematician and aerospace engineer Mary Jackson, and also starred in Moonlight. Hidden Figures was a box office success, while Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 89th annual ceremony. Monáe’s third studio album, Dirty Computer, also described as a concept album, was released in 2018 to widespread critical acclaim; it was chosen as the best album of the year by several publications and earned Monáe two nominations at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and promoted by Monáe’s Dirty Computer Tour, June-Aug. 2018.]
Krystle Warren & The Crew – “Dear Landlord” from: The Crew EP / Parlour Door Music / September 15, 2020 [Through isolation came unity. The Crew is Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, Krystle Warren, and Ben Kane. They have recorded unique versions of classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of The Moment: the movement of the people. // In the lockdown of their homes, they sewed together their interpretations of “Bein’ Green” (based upon Ray Charles’ rendition); “Gimme Some Truth” (a mighty John Lennon composition); “Dear Landlord” (a scathing indictment from the blistering pen of Bob Dylan); and “Rhythm of Life”, (a timeless statement originally performed by Oleta Adams). // A portion of the proceeds from The Crew. EP will be donated to the various causes and organizations The Crew. support.From Billboard.com: Singer-songwriter Krystle Warren has made a powerful statement about the struggle for Black equality with the help of Kermit the Frog’s iconic song “Bein’ Green” (written by Joe Raposo). // The moving five-minute clip, over which Warren sings her rendition of the 1970 song — since recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and others — sprang from a covers EP she recorded during the pandemic with a group of musicians known as The Crew. Warren embarked on the project after her forthcoming album with her regular group, The Faculty, was put on hold due to COVID-19. The EP, which tackles themes of racial injustice in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests this summer, also includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.” // The “Bein’ Green” video weaves in footage of this year’s Black Lives Matter protests, and also includes a heartbreaking montage of young Black children choosing white dolls over dark-skinned ones. It additionally features archival footage of such transformative Black figures as James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Malcom X, Nina Simone, Marsha P. Johnson and Al Sharpton, as well as victims of police brutality including Sandra Bland, George Floyd and Eric Garner. It ends with a clip from a speech by civil rights activist Ella Baker. // “‘Bein’ Green,’ it’s such a gorgeous song, and it says so, so much,” says Warren. “I began thinking about what I wanted it to express visually before we started [recording the song]. Essentially — it’s not easy being Black. That’s what Ray Charles was saying, and we felt it needed to be said again.” // Warren, who now resides in Paris, began performing in her native Kansas City at the age of 16 before moving to New York City, where she started busking on the streets and later formed her regular band, The Faculty. She and the group have recorded several full-length albums, including 2009’s Circles, 2012’s Love Songs and 2017’s Three the Hard Way. Her next album is slated for release this winter. // A large percentage of proceeds from sales of the EP will be donated to the ACLU.]
10:48 – Pledge Break #3
Our WMM Winter Drive Team: Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis
Our most played artist last year was Krystle Warren. Mark first interviewed Krystle on KKFI in early 2002. During a winter snow storm, at a party where Krystle played with longtime friend Solomon Dorsey on bass, in a packed, smoke filled apartment, near Community Christian Church, Mark waited hours for a 2 song demo, that contained a song called “Chanel #5.” Krystle has since gone on to tour all over the world, but maintains contact with her hometown of KC. Krystle’s critically acclaimed album, Three The Hard Way was #1 on WMM’s 117 Best Recordings of 2017. WMM was the first to play tracks from Krystle’s album. Last month Krystle released the new 4-song EP The Crew, with unique versions of classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of The Moment: the movement of the people. Krystle has been a guest on 13 WMM Shows.
KKFI’s Mission Statement: KKFI is the Kansas City area’s independent, noncommercial community radio station. We seek to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.
KKFI’s Philosophy Statement: KKFI is committed to diversity in programming and discourse and seeks to create a climate of mutual respect and collaboration among volunteers and staff.
10:56
Flooding – “Gomez” from: Flooding / Flooding / August 29, 2021 {Physical Cassette Release Feb. 19, 2022] [Flooding’s self-titled album on Manor Records on February 19, 2022. Flooding is a three-piece band based in Lawrence, Kansas. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Rose Brown, who began releasing music in 2019 under the name Window Seat. Joining Rose Brown are Cole Billings on bass, and Zach Cunningham on drums. Brown wrote the music for the album in the spring of 2020. In early 2021 the group started playing the music to record in Cunningham’s converted shed studio in Gardner, Kansas. More information at: http://www.manorrecords.com]
[Flooding play a Cassette Release show on February 19, 2022 with OK O’Clock and Rosé Perez at Farewell, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO., 7:00 PM Doors, 8:00 PM Show. Proof of Vaccination and Masks are required.]
11:00 – Station ID
Flooding
11:00 – Interview with Rose Brown of Flooding
Flooding‘s self-titled album is being released on Cassette by Manor Records on February 19, 2022. Flooding is a three-piece band based in Lawrence, Kansas. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Rose Brown, who began releasing music in 2019 under the name Window Seat. Joining Rose Brown are Cole Billings on bass, and Zach Cunningham on drums. Brown wrote the music for the album in the spring of 2020. In early 2021 the group started playing the music to record in Cunningham’s converted shed studio in Gardner, Kansas. More information at: http://www.manorrecords.com]
Flooding play a Cassette Release show on February 19, 2022 with OK O Clock and Rosé Perez at at Farewell, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO., 7:00 PM Doors, 8:00 PM Show. Proof of Vaccination & Masks required.
With us on the phone is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Flooding, Rose Brown. Hello Rose Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.
We first became aware of your music when we played your song “If I Were Neil Armstrong I Would Have Planted a Flower on the Moon Instead” on our April 21, 2021 show with special guest Aaron Rhodes Editor of Shuttlecock Music Magazine who brought in several new tracks to play on the show. I believe Aaron featured Window Seat in the very first printed edition of Shuttlecock Music Magazine.
Around the same time we were just learning about Window Seat, Rose was already developing the music that is part of the debut album for Flooding.
Since the release of Flooding in late August 2021, that band has received critical acclaim from area music writers and the attention of other local bands and labels. Rose, you told The Bridge 90.9 in an interview that you were “ shocked by the reception of their album, especially considering how different it is from other local acts. “I was a little bit nervous, because there’s not really any, like slowcore, kind-of post rock projects in the area, so I wasn’t sure where we would fit in,” Brown said. “But I think we have a lot going on in our music to the point where we can kind of fit in anywhere.”
The Flooding debut record was written in its entirety before the band officially formed in February 2020
Rose Brown wrote the music for the album in the spring of 2020, and then brought it to Cole Billings bass player , and Zach Cunningham, drummer for the Flooding. Cole and Zach are members of the band Guest Service. In early 2021, the group started playing the music to record in a make shift studio in Gardner, Kansas that Cunningham converted from an old shed. The space originally had no heating or air condition but it held sentimental value, as Billings and Cunningham first started playing there together, in high school.
Because of the primitive quality of the recording studio, Rose Brown told 90.1 The Bridge, that “when they recorded the album, her toes would go numb from the cold. Maybe that’s why it feels perfect on a blustery, chilly October day.”
That cold shed was where Flooding pieced together the works comprising their nine-song debut. After they finished recording they decided it could be better, so they went back into the studio and re-recorded the entire album.
Flooding is a perfect storm of breathy, floating vocals and heavy, dissonant melodies.
“The band’s intuitive soft-loud dynamics are not only demonstrated through their whispers and screams, but also in moments where Brown’s slow core guitar plucking is abruptly interrupted by fuzz pedal, space rock blasts she and her band hit in unison.” – Aaron Rhodes, Shuttlecock Music Magazine
Since the album’s release Flooding has had the opportunity to play shows in Lawrence and Kansas City, sharing stages with area bands.
Rose Brown, Cole Billings, and Zach Cunningham, are currently in school at the University of Kansas. Rose Brown Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
Flooding play a Cassette Release show on February 19, 2022 with OK O clock and Rosé Perez at Farewell, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO. 7:00 PM Doors, 8:00 PM Show. Proof of Vaccination and Masks are required. More information at http://www.mnorrecords.com
11:10
Flooding – “Delayed Gratification” from: Flooding / Flooding / August 29, 2021 {Physical Cassette Release Feb. 19, 2022] [Flooding’s self-titled album on Manor Records on February 19, 2022. Flooding is a three-piece band based in Lawrence, Kansas. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Rose Brown, who began releasing music in 2019 under the name Window Seat. Joining Rose Brown are Cole Billings on bass, and Zach Cunningham on drums. Brown wrote the music for the album in the spring of 2020. In early 2021 the group started playing the music to record in Cunningham’s converted shed studio in Gardner, Kansas. More information at: http://www.manorrecords.com]
[Flooding play a Cassette Release show on February 19, 2022 with OK O clock and Rosé Perez at Farewell 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO., 7:00 PM Doors, 8:00 PM Show. Proof of Vaccination and Masks are required. ]
11:14 – Pledge Break #4
This is WMM’s Winter Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis.
Where can I find out about what is happening in my community?
LGBTQIA, Urban, Labor Rights, The Environment, The Kansas City Visual & Literary Arts , The Performing Arts, Women’s Issues, Native American Issues, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Classical, Hip Hop, Folk, Women’s Music, Indie Rock, Pop, Electronica, Punk…the answer is KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio. The Voice of The Community
KKFI is an Independent, non-commercial radio station!
Now, more than ever, Independent, Community Media is important for our world.
We are here to listen to you, to share your concerns, and offer resources and information.
Along with our National Public Affairs shows like Democracy Now and Alternative Radio we offer more locally produced public affairs programs than anywhere else on the dial.
We offer programs specifically produced for the LGBTQIA Community, Women’s Issues, Native American News and Culture, Middle Eastern Music and Information, Latino Programming, African American Public Affairs and Community News, Labor and Worker’s Unions, our prison population and justice system, environmental programming, Visual and Literary Arts, and Performing Arts.
Just remember what you don’t have to hear when you are tuned to 90.1 FM KKFI!
No commercials, we do have brief underwriting announcements, recognizing those who financially contribute to support non-profit community radio.
No automated robot playing the same 40 to 80 songs in a “rotation,” based on a formula, created by a programmer of the robot. KKFI is the opposite of a robot.
There is always human being on the other end of the phone line anytime you call.
90.1 offers 104 different radio programs. 80+ of these programs are locally, produced, hosted, engineered and written by over 100 different people, who create content, and personally handcraft each show, each week. There are 55 local music shows and 21 locally produce News, Public Affairs, Arts & Talk shows.
There are 140 hours each week of locally produced handcrafted programs.
You will not find this kind of representative diversity anywhere else on your radio dial. Or from any singular source on your computer. It is very special. It needs to be nourished and kept alive in a world of corporate, nationally owned, commercial or religious broadcasting.
Not only do we bring the most diverse and unfiltered news and information, but our musical playlists are deep, and comprehensive. In one week you can hear over 2000 different songs played, in Blues, Jazz, Folk, Hip Hop, Reggae, Classical, World, Americana, Southern Soul, Fusion, Soul, Rock, New Wave, Electronic, Native, Local, Old Timey, Rockabilly, Women’s, Children’s, Gospel, and Experimental.
With all of this, you hear the voices from the hundreds of KKFI volunteers, and thousands of guests from the community, who share their stories, broadcast live from our non-commercial, midtown studios, at 39th & Main, in the center of our metro, across two states, a collective of communities, and thousands of listeners. What is this worth to you?
11:22
Chalis O’Neal – “La Tienda de Regalos (feat. Jessica Ayala)” from: Flirting / Chalis O’Neal / November 15, 2021 [Chalis O’Neal debut album FLIRTING was #48 in WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2021. Chalis O’Neal picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse. // Chalis O’Neal is the youngest brother of Harold Mujahid O’Neal who was born March 27, 1981, and is an American pianist, composer, record producer, public speaker, dancer, and storyteller. He has recorded and performed with artists in a variety of musical genres (U2, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Damien Rice, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Z). O’Neal has been profiled and featured in numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR’s All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel. He is considered to be of this generation’s greatest pianists and composers. O’Neal has been awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, with the Patron being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and recently played a role as a creative expert for the Academy Award winning Pixar film, Soul. // Harold O’Neal was born in Arusha, Tanzania, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His great-grandfather, Ollie Harold Pennington, was a jazz pianist and composer for silent film in Kansas City, where his grandmother walked to school with Charlie Parker. O’Neal began playing the piano by ear at age four on his father’s miniature keyboard. He found his earliest inspirations in the music of Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Disney. While growing up, he spent a considerable amount of time with his grandmother exploring various creative outlets, before eventually becoming a pianist. Having spent much of his youth living in the projects (Public Housing) and surviving near-death experiences, he credits music with saving his life. O’Neal attended the Paseo Academy Of Fine And Performing Arts, with classmates Logan Richardson, Lil’ Ronnie, and Brian Kennedy, where he began his jazz piano studies while being mentored by Ahmad Alaadeen. He studied classical piano and composition with Margie Cameron-Jarrett, whose musical lineage can be traced back to Franz Liszt. // O’Neal began working with musical luminaries from a young age – touring with Bobby Watson when he was 19 after studying composition at the Berklee College of Music. He then went on to the Manhattan School of Music, to study with Kenny Barron. It was there where he met the great American jazz pianist and composer, Andrew Hill, with whom he soon became the apprentice of. Mr. Hill was an apprentice of prolific composer Paul Hindemith. Following Andrew Hill’s advice, O’Neal left the Manhattan School of Music to replace pianist Jason Moran in the influential band, the Greg Osby 4, making his major-label debut recording for Blue Note Records at the age of 21. In 2004, O’Neal premiered a jazz quartet featuring Greg Osby, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Matt Brewer. // In the following years, O’Neal released a number of critically acclaimed albums including — “Charlie’s Suite” (2006), which was a compilation of his family’s legacy, “Whirling Mantis” (2010) with a jazz quartet, and a solo piano album “Marvelous Fantasy” (2011) on Smalls Records. He then partnered with Ski Beats and Damon Dash, after being signed to Universal Music Group as a songwriter and producer, to release the albums 24 Hour Karate School 2 (2011), Twilight (2012), and Cam’Ron And Vado’s Blu Tops (2012). In 2012, O’Neal formed a partnership with producers Lil Ronnie and Jerry Wonda working with many Pop and R&B artists (Miguel, Akon, Melissa Ethridge, Raphael Saadiq, French Montana). In 2013, he released the album “Man on the Street” featuring a jazz quartet as well as solo piano for BluRoc, an at the time incarnation of Rocafella Records distributed by Def Jam Records. // O’Neal worked as a composer for a featurette and the documentaries of the 2015 Disney film Tomorrowland produced by Academy Award winning filmmaker Anthony Giacchino, which starred George Clooney and Britt Robertson. The film was directed by Brad Bird with the film-score being composed by Michael Giacchino. His solo piano album “Piano Cinema” was released in May 2018, with “Sam and Sam” serving as the lead single. Following the album release, O’Neal completed a spring tour across the U.S. with The Blk Shp with Pixar as a partner. Recently, at the suggestion of Ed Catmull, O’Neal played a role with the filmmakers (Pete Docter, Dana Murray, Kemp Powers) as a creative expert in the development of Pixar’s Soul. // As a keynote speaker and storyteller, O’Neal has been featured at Google, The World Economic Forum, TEDX, Hatch Experience, C2 Montréal, Blk Shp Power Shift, and many other leading platforms.// In 2019, O’Neal was among the 100 international individuals selected to be a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper. Goalkeepers (Gates Foundation) is an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its aim is to bring together leaders from around the world to accelerate progress toward achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Invitations are issued to global leaders and aspiring personalities who have been personally selected by the board. Previous attendees include Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron, Amina J. Mohammed, Erna Solberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Trevor Noah.// In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long event held in Aspen, Colorado in the United States. The Aspen Ideas Festival program of events includes discussions, seminars, panels, and tutorials from journalists, designers, innovators, politicians, diplomats, presidents, judges, musicians, artists, and writers. Topics covered during the festival include global politics and economics, U.S. Policy, the environment, technology, science, health, education, the arts, and economic issues. // In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts. Founded in 1754 by William Shipley, it was granted a Royal Charter in 1847, and the right to use the term “Royal” in its name by King Edward VII in 1908. Notable past fellows include Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Nelson Mandela, David Attenborough, William Hogarth, John Diefenbaker, and Tim Berners-Lee. Today, the RSA has fellows elected from 80 countries worldwide.// NPR All Things Considered: The Yule Log (TV program), Pianist Harold O’Neal and Bill Cosby’s Christmas story On 25 December 2011, O’Neal was featured along with Bill Cosby for the Christmas Day edition of NPR’s All Things Considered, with O’Neal being hosted and interviewed by Guy Raz. // Electric Burma On June 18, 2012, O’Neal performed with U2, Lupe Fiasco, Bob Geldof, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo and many other major artists for the presentation of Amnesty International’s prestigious ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ Award to Aung San Suu Kyi. The award was originally announced from the stage when U2 played Croke Park in July 2009 – while the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize recipient was still under house arrest in Burma. // Global Citizen: World on Stage On 22 September 2016, O’Neal performed with Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter for The Global Citizen Festival’s The World on Stage, a night curated by Tom Morello and Jon Batiste. The evening was dedicated to several prominent speakers who addressed various causes—such as education, the refugee crisis, gender equality, poverty, hunger, and much more—and the presentation of the inaugural George Harrison Global Citizen award, presented by Paul Simon to Olivia and Dhani Harrison (George’s widow and son). // On December 4, 2018, Herbie Hancock received the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Medal (Royal Society of Arts) from the Royal Society for the Arts at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—being recognized for his long lifetime of creative achievements and humanitarian efforts. The 264-year-old Royal Society for the Arts, based in London, includes Franklin as a founding fellow and initiated the Benjamin Franklin medal in 1956 to honor people who transcend their vocation to generally benefit mankind. The ceremony featured bassist Christian McBride and pianist O’Neal as guest star performers, each musically representing the electric and acoustic side of Hancock’s legacy. // In 2009, O’Neal appeared as an actor in Jay Z’s music video for the hit record Young Forever, from his multi-platinum album The Blueprint 3. In 2010, he was cast in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, portraying James P. Johnson. He was also featured in MTV’s Sucker Free. // Chalis O’Neal is the nephew of Felix Lindsey “Pete” O’Neal, Jr. (born 1940), was the chairman of the Kansas City chapter of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. He led implementation of many free programs, such as providing free breakfast to children around the city. // O’Neal had trouble with authority figures in high school and dropped out. Soon afterwards, he joined the military, following the steps of his father. Once done with service, he moved to Stockton, California, where in 1959 he was sentenced to 9 months in jail for theft. He escaped from jail after 3 months, traveling back to Kansas City, MO. In 1961, law enforcement caught him and he was sent back to California to serve his remaining sentence. // After completing his sentence, the felony should have been cleared as indicated by Californian law, but it was not. This significantly hindered his chances for employment. // On October 30, 1969, he was arrested again for the transporting of a gun across state lines (under a law that went into effect just two weeks prior to his arrest). A year later a court convicted him and in October 1970, he was sentenced to four years in prison. O’Neal jumped his bail and fled to Algeria, where a number of other Black Panther Party members had also absconded to in the face of imprisonment in the United States. This group became known as the “International Section” of the Black Panther Party, and was centered around Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver. A year later O’Neal moved on to Tanzania, motivated to immigrate there as the then President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, was both a Pan-Africanist and Socialist. O’Neal has remained in Tanzania ever since. // Together with his wife, Charlotte Hill O’Neal, he is the co-founder of the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in the village of Imbaseni, near the northern city of Arusha, Tanzania. The UAACC is a center focusing on healing the community by providing a diverse array of free art, music, film and other classes to members of the community. The UAACC also serves as a hostel for people travelling through the area—offering several “huts” with bunk beds. The center has been frequented by several celebrities, American politicians, study abroad programs, students, documentary film makers, and artists. Pete and Charlotte provide numerous jobs to locals of the community and the center is entirely run by local Tanzanians. // O’Neal’s family still resides in the Kansas City area. He is a third cousin to US Representative Emmanuel Cleaver. Since 1991, Cleaver and others have unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a pardon for O’Neal, and took the issue to both President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. Both declined to pardon O’Neal. // His life and exile in Tanzania is the subject of the PBS documentary ‘A Panther in Africa’, by Aaron Matthews, and a book ‘Black Panther in Exile: The Pete O’Neal Story’ by Pete’s attorney, Paul J. Magnarella. Chalis O’Neal joined us LIVE on WMM on October 20, 2021.]
Calvin Arsenia – “Constellation” from: Catastrophe / Calvin Arsenia / February 14, 2017 [Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey really began when he moved to the KC suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the harp. He learned his signature instrument at the age of 20 after he couldn’t find a harpist as determined as him to meld folk, rock, classical, rap and R&B into the irresistible fusion which has become his calling card in the Kansas City music scene and beyond. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to Kansas City reborn as a humanistic songwriter/performer whose impassioned and conceptual stage shows (regularly sold-out in Kansas City, currently catching fire on the West Coast with a diverse following across Europe), are collaborative, costumed-culture-bridging spectacles which In KC Magazine has hailed as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-6-inch harpist with a natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. His full-length album Catastrophe on February 14, 2017, His EP Caviar in Novenber 2017. Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe, was released on September 15, 2018 on Center Cut Records. On June 28, 2019 Calvin released Honeydew, an EP including a remix of three songs from Cantaloupe. On September 20, 2019 Calvin released LA Sessions. On December 13, 2019 Calvin released his full length Christmas album “all is calm.” Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Calvin was first on WMM on July 25, 2012. He has appeared live on 18 shows, (now 19) most recently on Oct 14, 2020]
[Charlotte Street announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott. This year, Charlotte Street’s Visual Artist Awards were given to Andrew Mcilvaine, Harold Smith Jr., and Johanna Winters. Congratulations to them all! Much deserved! Bravo!]
[Calvin Arsenia plays Boulevardia Friday, June 17]
11:30 – Underwriting
11:32 – Pledge Break #5
This is WMM’s Winter Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt, & Betse Ellis.
We offer loads and loads of information about what is going on in the community. Not only does this show interview 150 guest each year, not only do we play nearly 900 different songs with more than half of those being locally produced, but we also shine a light on area not-for-profit theatre companies, art museums & galleries, area festivals, service organizations, area record labels and record stores, the area music scene, arts scene, theatre scene, literary arts scene, political action scene.
In just this past year, we’ve featured segments shining a light on:, The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts, UMKC Conservatory of Music, MidCoast Takeover, Spinning Tree Theatre, Coterie Thetre, The Pitch Kansas City, Owen Cox Dance Group, Bandwaggin KC, KC Bands Together, The Green Line Initiative, Black Lives Matter, The Queer Narratives Festival, KC Bass Workshop, Kansas City Syzygy, The Record Machine, Mills Record Company, Records With Merritt, High Dive Records, Center Cut Records, Manor Records, Polyvinyl Records, Lost Cowgirl Records, Sunflower Soul Records, KC Irish Fest, The Crossroads Music fest, MixMaster Music Conference, Too Much Rock, Midwest Music Foundation, Apocalypse Meow, filmmaker Morgan Cooper, Charlotte Street Foundation, Inter Urban Arthouse, Lemonade Park, The Brick, recordBar, Weights and Measure Sound Lab, Troost Festival.
11:39
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “Never Met a Mutha” from: Started With a Family / Starts With Music, LLC / September 6. 2019 [Produced with Grammy-winner Nathan Chapman at iconic Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear have garnered international acclaim, and new fans from all over the world. They signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abiss. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and “Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville. Ruth Ward has continually performed throughout her life, mostly in coffee shops and open mics, for over 30 years, even recording a solo record. In the midst of this she got married and became a mom, and was busy raising a family. Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2007. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. They began playing Madisen’s original songs along with the occassional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performace of two voices and two guitars in harmony and orchestration. Their debut album, The Skeleton Crew, was released May 9, 2015 and was our most played record that year and was #1 on WMM’s The 115 Best Recordings of 2015. Their follow up EP Radio Winners was released July 27, 2018 and recieved critical acclaim.] [Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat., Sept 7,, Crossroads KC, with Shy Boys, Split Lip Rayfield, The Freedom Affair.]
Mark says: I had the opportunity to interview Kansas City’s very own Morgan Cooper a year ago on KKFI 90.1 FM. Morgan Cooper is a young genius film maker with a heart of gold. His short films, “U Shoot Videos” and “Room Tone” are beautiful and representative of Kansas City featuring many of Kansas City best Black Actors. We’ve also played the music of Morgan Cooper when he recorded as Barrel Maker. A few years ago Morgan shot a short film in Kansas City that reimagined the television sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” as a television Drama. Will Smith saw the short film and two years later Morgan Cooper’s amazing idea became a new television drama titled, “Bel Air” that premiered on Super Bowl Sunday – streaming on Peacock TV. Episode one was loaded with great music including a track from Eddie Moore‘s band We The People. Eddie had previously collaborated with Morgan on the short film “Room Tone.”
We The People – “Round Up” from: Misunderstood / Eddie Moore Music / September 25, 2020 [Eddie Moore on piano, Rhodes, synth, keyboards, & bass; Jason Emmond – on bass; Zach Morrow on drums; Andrew Baile on guitar; Keith Rodgers; Angle Gibson on vocals “Enough”; Rane Raps- “The Truth”; Lucero on vocals “The Truth”; Andrew McGhie on tenor sax “Round Up”. “Worst Nights” Produced by Jason Emmond/ Eddie Moore. Recorded at Make Believe Studios by Keith Rodgers. Mix & Mastered by Rick Carson. Executive Producers: Eddie Moore and Amilcar “PRO” Welton. Album Art by Adrian Truth. This is for all the times we are misunderstood and mean the best for people. This is for times pain and fear were swallowed and a unique beauty emerged. The times that struggle became a culture, a new identity for the land of the free. The idea of Freedom and the celebration of individuality. Eddie Moore is the recipient of the 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performance Award for his genre bending collaborations. Raised in Houston Texas, he began his musical journey at Texas Southern University where he later earned a Bachelors in Arts and immersed himself in the Houston music scene. Eddie relocated to Kansas City to study under Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he received a M.A in Jazz Studies. 2017’s Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art “Artist in Residence” in collaboration with Rashid Johnson. In 2018 his work with The Outer Circle was nominated for an Indie Music Award for “007”. His music has also been featured commercially for Sprint, Netflix’s “Queer Eye”, and Morgan Cooper’s short film “Room Tone”. Moore’ has shared the stage and record with distinctive artist such as Bobby Watson, Pam, Watson, Logan Richardson, Maurice Brown, Boys II Men, Brian Blade and the Fellowship, John Baptiste, Erykah Badu, Mosdef, Bilal, Ledisi, Chantae Cann, Krystal Warren, Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Andre Hayward, Tivon Pennicott, Various Blonde, Dominique Sanders, 77 Jefferson, and the Marcus Lewis Big Band. We the People is a genre-defying quartet comprised of keyboardist Eddie Moore, bassist/producer Jason Emmond, drummer Zach Morrow, and turntablist/producer Kethro. Eddie Moore joined us live on WMM on September 23, 2020.]
Kadesh Flow – “Lighten Up” from: Lighten Up – Single / Ryan Jamaal Davis / May 7, 2021 [Written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is one of over 20 new singles Kadesh Flow released on 2021: Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Soft Side,” on Jan. 21, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Assumptions feat. Shubzilla,” on Jan. 29, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Frosty,” on February 12, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Cry For Me 2,” February 12, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Not on My Watch,” on February 19, 2021, Inspired by Lord Beerus (Dragonball Super). Kadesh Flow released, “Held Me Longer,” on Marc written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Your Dream Isn’t Always Yours,” on March 12, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Forgot About Me,” on March 14, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Take Backs (feat. Ryan Heinlein),” on March 26, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “But Hope” on March 26, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single, “I Don’t Care” on April 9, 2021, written, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Produced by D. Professor. Kadesh Flow released the single, “That Way” on April 16, 2021, written, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow, and produced by Dominique “Bassman” Saunders. Kadesh Flow released the new single, “So Far” on April 23, 2021, written, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow and produced by Dominique “Bassman” Sanders. Kadesh Flow released the single, “On Target” on April 30, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single ”Lighten Up”on May 7, 2021, written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single “Elegant” on May 21, 2021. Written, Produced, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is his 16th single the year, so far. Kadesh Flow released the 13-track album ROOM SERVICE 2, on July 19, 2021. Kadesh Flow released the single “Coming For Your Neck” on August 20, 2021. Written, Produced, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is his 17th single the year. Kadesh Flow released the single “Easy” on August 27, 2021. Written, Produced, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. This is his 18th single the year. Kadesh Flow released the single “Fiend” on Sept. 4, 2021. Written, Performed, Mixed & Mastered by Kadesh Flow. Produced by Dominique Sanders. This is his 19th single the year. Kadesh Flow released the single, “No Options (feat Jamar Rose)” on Nov.12, 2021. Kadesh Flow released the single, “Gardens Out The Gutter” on Dec. 3, 2021. This is one of 22 singles and a 13 track album that Kadesh Flow has released so far this year. Written, Performed, Mixed & Mastered: Kadesh Flow. Instrumental: Dominique Sanders. Kadesh Flow released the single, “CHOICE (The Cost)” on December 17, 2021. Written, Performed, Mixed & Mastered: Kadesh Flow. Instrumental: Dominique Sanders. This is one of 22 singles and a 13 track album that Kadesh Flow has released so far this year. Kadesh Flow is Ryan Davis is a rapper with an MBA. He is an emcee, producer, & trombonist. At age 11, he began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. His music has been featured on network television in multiple countries and territories across Southeast Asia. Kadesh performs as a solo hip hop artist. He also plays with The Phantastics, and Marcus Lewis Big Band. Kadesh Flow played the 17th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, September 11, as part of Deshica Rage (with Kadesh Flow & Jessica Paige) at 10:00 PM on Community Lending of America Stage at Lemonade Park. Kadesh Flow was on WMM on Oct. 21, 2020. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.com ]
[Kadesh Flow released the single “Future Ex (feat. Vincent Orsolini & DJ Skittlez)” on February 14, 2022. Produced: Kadesh Flow, Vincent Orsolini. Written & Performed: Kadesh Flow, Vincent Orsolini, DJ Skittlez. Mixed & Mastered: Vincent Orsolini, Kadesh Flow. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.bandcamp.com]
[Kadesh Flow Plays Boulevardia Friday, June 17 with The Phantastics, Sat. June 18 as part of Deshica Rage (with Kadesh Flow & Jessica Paige), and o the same night in a closing set with Trevor Turla.]
11:47 – Pledge Break #6
This is WMM’s Winter Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt, & Betse Ellis.
KKFI offers 24-7 programming, and YOU (the listener), basically get all of this amazing programming for “free.” I, for one, love that I can turn on my radio, or computer device, and tune into the 90.1 FM’s 100, 000 watt, crystal-clear signal, and hear the music, information, news, entertainment, events, and stories, that I really cannot find anywhere else. 90.1 is my comfort, my special companion, my interesting friend, introducing me to all kinds of new & local music, as well as the news & information without the intrusion of commercials. It is radio brought to YOU by real people, who create these shows out of love, and are guided by KKFI’s noble mission that “seeks to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.”
Driving in your car, at the office, at the gym, in your garage, in your cubicle, in your artspace, on your iPod, at your construction site, in your kitchen, in your barn, YOU can take 90.1 with you, as your companion. 90.1 FM is generally a good date. Good for a few laughs, fun to dance with, always interested in good conversation. Isn’t 90.1 FM KKFI worth a few dollars a day, or a week? So many people tune in to http://www.kkfi.org everyday, but studies show, that less than 1 percent actually donate to keep this miracle of broadcasting alive. Your support means that you will help bring this programming to folks who could not donate at this time, for whatever the reason.
11:53
The Phantastics – “Heartbreaker” from: Life of the Party – EP / Kemet Creative / August 24, 2018 [8-member band from Kansas City formed in December 0f 2010 made up of: Kemet the Phantom on lead vocals; Kim “Phirst Lady” Newsome on lead vocals; JJ Cantrell on lead guitar & vocals; Danny Florez on electric bass; Ashley Thompson on drums, Ernest Melton on saxophone; Ryan Davis on Trombone and rap vocals; Austin Quick on keyboards. The Phantastics specialize in genre-blending dance floor activators. In 2015, the music group was crowned “Kansas City’s best party band” by the Kansas City Star. Musicianship and diversity are at the core of their success. Rock, Rap, Dance, Funk, Jazz and Soul are all incorporated into their music. “The band that can do it all”, according to I Heart Local Music, has shared the stage with some of music’s most legendary acts including George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic. Kemet Coleman and Kadesh Flow have been frequent guests on WMM most recently on October 21, 2020.]
[The Phantastics play Boulevardia Friday, June 17, 2022]
Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now” from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Next week on Wednesday, February 23,Marion Merritt returns at Guest Producer to share new musical discoveries from her musically encyclopedic brain.
Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information. Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org
Wednesday MidDay Medley 