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

Stephonne Singleton + Heath Church
+ New & MidCoastal Releases

Today’s show features tracks from French Exit Records – Black Lives Matter Compilation, of 22 acts from the area, with proceeds donated to One Struggle KC‘s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally.

And from: Kansas City Syzygy, a compilation of 19 songs created during the quarantine of 2020 with proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, & truly affordable home.

1. “It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / Dec. 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. UpKeep – “Burnt Hands”
from: Black Lives Matter Compilation / French Exit Records / July 6, 2020
[Electronic dream pop band from Springfield, Missouri formed in January 2017 by Spencer Pearson and Anna Redmond. “Burnt Hands” was mastered by Jordan Bleau. “Burnt Hands” was originally released as a single on March 1, 2019. Spencer Pearson also performs and records ambient music under the name, faulter. (https://faulter.bandcamp.com/album/regain). Anna also releases music as a solo artist and has played keyboards with Buckle Up Baby (https://anna-music.bandcamp.com/track/reason).French Exit Records launched two years ago and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: https://frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-lives-matter-compilation. Black Lives Matter Compilation is 22 acts from the area, with all proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally.]

3. Sam Wells – “Dear Black People” (Radio Edit)
from: Black Lives Matter Compilation / French Exit Records / July 6, 2020
[Earlier this year on April 21, 2020, Sam Wells released her single “Sugar” produced at the Lawrence Kansas Public Library recording studio. It was only a decade ago, Sam Wells sat in her bedroom learning the Corrine Bailey Ray classic “Put Your Records On”. This was all it took to ignite a lifetime love affair with music. Now based in Lawrence KS, the singer-songwriter brings her Folk-Americana sound to the greater Kansas City area. With her smooth and sultry voice and the warm tones of a baritone ukulele, she shares stories of love, loss and everything in between. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Wells is now based in Lawrence, Kansas where she is bringing her music to the greater Kansas City area, in many venues, and now in live stream shows. Folk Americana singer and songwriter Sam Wells joins us to talk about her first two singles, “Lesson Learned” (her debut) and “Sugar” (her latest) that is “full of energy and funk.” These two tracks are leading up to the release of Sam’s first EP, “Not Too Broken,” be released in August, 2020. More info at: http://www.whoissamwells.com. French Exit Records launched two years ago and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: https://frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-lives-matter-compilation. Black Lives Matter Compilation is 22 acts from the area, with all proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally.]

4. Crystal Rose – “Not Leaving (Stripped)”
from: Black Lives Matter Compilation / French Exit Records / July 6, 2020
[Earlier this year Crystal Rose released, “Not Leaving (Stripped)” on January 30, 2020. Crystal Rose released her debut single “Come Alive” on May 6, 2016. Crystal is a Kansas City based singer songwriter and UMKC journalism student who has played solo and also with Paige Turner on guitar, Peter Marten on guitar, and Robert Castillo on bass. Crystal Rose is a singer song-writer based in heart of Kansas City. At a young age she was influenced by powerhouse vocals like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Christina Aguilera. She has since drawn much inspiration from blues and folk centered artist like James Bay, James Vincent McMorrow and Johnny Swim. To listen to more Crystal Rose please visit: http://www.crystalro.se. French Exit Records launched two years ago and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: https://frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-lives-matter-compilation. Black Lives Matter Compilation is 22 acts from the area, with all proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally.]

5. The Mammals – “If You Could Hear Me Now”
from: Nonet / Humble Abode Music / May 22, 2020
[Nonet may refer to a composition which requires nine musicians for a performance. The Mammals “Nonet” band is nine musicians: Ruth Ungar on fiddle, guitar, ukulele, vocals; Mike Merenda on guitar, banjo, vocals; Konrad Meissner on drums; Lee Falco on drums; Jacob Silver on upright & electric bass; Brandon Morrison on electric bass, baritone guitar, high-strung guitar, vocals; Ken Maiuri on piano, Wurlitzer, high-strung guitar, vocals; Will Bryant on Hammond organ, clavinet, vocals; and Charlie Rose om pedal steel, banjo, vocals. Special guests included: Lindsay Lou, Kate Pierson, Connor Kennedy, Jayla Kai Smith, Gail Ann Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Joan Henry, and Will Puck Merenda on handclaps. All songs © 2020 M. Merenda / R. Ungar, Shake Sugaree Music, ASCAP. Recorded by Adam Armstrong at The Clubhouse, Rhinebeck, NY and Humble Abode Music, West Hurley, NY. Mixed by Adam Armstrong except “Coming Down Off Summer,” “Radio Signal,” and “Someone’s Hurtin” mixed by Paul Antonell & Shubham Mondal; “Beyond Civilization” and “You Gotta Believe” mixed by Mike Merenda. Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound. Indie-roots trailblazers, The Mammals, bring politically-infused string-band fervor to their re-emergent new album and US tour in 2018. In an era of disconnect, The Mammals enjoy re-connecting generations thru their truth-telling lyrics, off-the-cuff storytelling and euphoric instrumentals, and by organizing a hometown community folk festival (The Hoot) near Woodstock, NY. Founded in 2001 by Seeger’s grandson, Tao, second generation fiddler/singer, Ruth Ungar, and multi-instrumental wordsmith, Mike Merenda, the original trio enjoyed a remarkable 7 year run that brought them to the largest folk festivals across North America, Australia and Denmark, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium New York’s Carnegie Hall as the special guest of folk legend Arlo Guthrie, and to the pages of numerous publications lauding their unique “traditional-music-in-combat-boots-sound” including a feature in The New York Times handpicking them as a leader in a pack of new-wave stringbands “updating that old-time sound.” After a considerable break from the project during which time Merenda and Ungar married and started a family, a bi-annual folk festival, and a musical duo aptly called, Mike + Ruthy, and Seeger pursuing a solo career before retiring from music all together to start a family of his own, The Mammals returned fronted by Merenda and Ungar in 2017 “stronger than ever” (Folk Alley) with a pair of politically charged singles, “Culture War” and “My Baby Drinks Water,” and the The lineup includes some former Mammal members including Jacob Silver and Ken Maiuri when they are not touring with Lee Fields and the B-52’s respectively. “It’s a blessing to have a connection to the past and such great new players too,” says Mike. “The alchemy of fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass and drums is magic… and when keys, pedal steel, and horns are in the mix we leap to the next level.”] [The Mammals played Folk Alliance International Conference February 17, 2018 .]

6. Curtis Mayfield – “Superfly”
from: Superfly (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) / Curtom Records / July 1972
[[We hear in the bridge Curtis singing, “Trying to get over” the theme we hear in so many of Curtis Mayfield’s incredible recordings. Super Fly is the third studio album by American soul musician Curtis Mayfield. It was released as the soundtrack for the Blaxploitation film of the same name. Widely considered a classic of 1970s soul and funk music, Super Fly was a nearly immediate hit. Its sales were bolstered by two million-selling singles, “Freddie’s Dead” (#2 R&B, #4 Pop) and the title track (#5 R&B, #8 Pop). Super Fly is one of the few soundtracks to out-gross the film it accompanied. Super Fly, along with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, was one of the pioneering soul concept albums, with its then-unique socially aware lyrics about poverty and drug abuse making the album stand out. The film and the soundtrack may be perceived as dissonant, since the film holds rather ambiguous views on drug dealers, whereas Curtis Mayfield’s position is far more critical. Like What’s Going On, the album was a surprise hit that record executives felt had little chance at significant sales. Due to its success, Mayfield was tapped for several film soundtracks over the course of the decade. Curtis Lee Mayfield was born in Chicago on June 3, 1942, He died on December 26, 1999. An American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music, he first achieved success and recognition with The Impressions during the civil rights movement of the late 1950s and 1960s, and later worked as a solo artist. Mayfield started his musical career in a gospel choir. Moving to the North Side, he met Jerry Butler in 1956 at the age of 14, and joined the vocal group The Impressions. As a songwriter, Mayfield became noted as one of the first musicians to bring more prevalent themes of social awareness into soul music. In 1965, he wrote “People Get Ready” for the Impressions, which displayed his more politically charged songwriting. Ranked at no. 24 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the song received numerous other awards, and was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, as well as being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. After leaving the Impressions in 1970 in the pursuit of a solo career, Mayfield released several albums, including the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film Super Fly in 1972. The soundtrack was noted for its socially conscious themes, mostly addressing problems surrounding inner city minorities such as crime, poverty and drug abuse. The album was ranked at no. 72 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down after lighting equipment fell on him during a live performance at Wingate Field in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, on August 13, 1990. Despite this, he continued his career as a recording artist, releasing his final album New World Order in 1996. Mayfield won a Grammy Legend Award in 1994 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995, and was a double inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of the Impressions in 1991, and again in 1999 as a solo artist. He was also a two-time Grammy Hall of Fame inductee. He died from complications of type 2 diabetes in 1999 at the age of 57. In my tween years my mother’s record collection was changing, her second husband Al drove a van, and listened to 8-track tapes. My mom was in the RCA Music Club where they would automatically send you the new release, that’s how she ended up with the soundtrack to the film “Superfly” from Curtis Mayfield. The movie never played our town. But the soundtrack tells the story, of “Trying to get over.”]

10:28 – Underwriting

7. Stephonne Singleton – “Want Me”
from: SIS: Side A / Stephonne Singleton / August 7, 2020
[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne grew up in KCK. He released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.” A video for “Want Me” was just released. “Want Me” is part of a new 4-song EP.]

[Stephonne plays Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 7, at 7:00 PM, with Dustin Rapier, and Lava Dreams. More info at: http://www.stephonne.com]

Stephonne Singleton on the July 15, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

10:33 – Interview with Stephonne Singleton

Singer songwriter, & actor, Stephonne Singleton talks about his new EP, SIS: Side A, to be released August 7, and the single “Deep,” released July 14, 2020. Stephonne co-produced his EP with Justin Mantooth who also engineered & mixed, at Westend Studios. Joining Stephonne was Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar, & Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne describes himself as the lovechild of Prince & Billie Holiday. He grew up in KCK and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Benedictine College, and Masters in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. His debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard” was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018.

Stephonne plays Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 7, at 7:00 PM, with Dustin Rapier, and Lava Dreams. More info at: http://www.stephonne.com

Stephonne Singleton, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

After 2018’s Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard and the release of two singles, ‘Want Me’ and ‘Dominate’, we finally get our hands on Stephonne’s SIS: Side A EP. “With ‘Want Me’, I finally found a full confidence and strength in myself again. There were a lot of years that passed, where I really felt that I couldn’t do this independently. I stopped listening to the music and instead listened to rejection, doubt and a lot of self-sabotage.” After a 2018 New York showcase, Singleton laid in A friend’s Philadelphia bed and thought about what was next. He had taken a step he hadn’t before and it was that precise step that woke up a sleeping giant. “It all hit me at once! I got so much closer to my dream than ever before and a dream with steps and goals that I’d written down and prayed aloud for since I was 7.” ‘Want Me’ would spawn a very successful Kickstarter for its major music video and an EP that Stephonne had no idea he’d end up writing.

Stephonne Singleton photo by Paul Andrews Photograph

“‘Want Me’ had been written before my debut was released but was just sitting and, honestly, after I decided I needed to go about this alone I remembered that I was broke,” laughs the singer-songwriter. From jobs in corporate America, local theatre and drag Stephonne put his money where his dreams were. After crowdfunding success, the songs just showed up and demanded attention. SIS, in the case of this EP, actually means Summoning Insatiable Spirits.

“That is what I do every time I write a song. The spirits are my emotions, thoughts, traumas, fears and joys.” On Side A and, an upcoming, B we find those spirits. “All of these songs came to me in an instant. They are really from some relationship that I have with the ether that I can’t explain. Whole songs in 10-15 minutes that I hear over and over until I get in with the band (Johnny Hamil, Ben Byard and Adam McKee) finish writing with everyone and then record them. They are literal sprits or ghosts that demand to be heard.”

Stephonne Singleton photo by Paul Andrews Photograph

Side A’s first single, ‘Deep’, came to Stephonne on a return to MCI from SEA. “There I was… crying on the plane like a big ass baby because of some dude I fell in love with and knew it wouldn’t work out with. The melody and lyrics hit me like a brick and after trying to hide my weeping face from the two passengers next to me, I went to that tiny bathroom and got everything on my phone.” Like ‘Want Me’, the pop gem would sit and scream at Stephonne until late 2019. The influence of 90’s and early 00’s radio rock reigns supreme on ‘Deep’ and we find Stephonne in his greatest melodic and lyrical territory yet. “I feel like you are always trying, unsuccessfully, to write a hit and with every single one of these songs there was no trying. I listened to life, wrote it down and got out of my own way.” Each song holds its ground without overproduction and a desperation for chart placement that holds back many industry hopefuls. What is delivered is sincere, raw but refined, pure and honest music that is accessible no matter your love of genre. With that being said, that this is a rock record is undeniable. “The frustrating thing for me about it, is that radio and audiences look at my skin color and automatically label everything as Hip-Hop and R&B. I’d say I did music as a kid and people would ask me if I was a rapper without even a second passing… Music of every genre has BLACK origin and yet where are we on the radio? We continue to carry the industry on our backs and are still having to use the back door!”

The genre jumper doesn’t deny his R&B, Soul and Jazz influences on SIS. It’s quite the opposite. Rock and R&B collide with the sultry, silky and vocal grit of Stephonne. He is an artist who conjures up the spirits of Prince and Billie Holiday (his biggest influences) but that delivers something inimitable, visceral, strange and beautiful. Even on the sugary and hyper sexuality of ‘Sweet Tooth’ and the dark but hopeful beauty of ‘Middle Man’, there is a triumphant transcendence that was a staple of yesteryears Popular music. A time when saturation wasn’t heavy and when artist development was embraced over carbon copying. “I only have interest in being me. Sis, I’m Black, unapologetically Queer, and very sex positive. I’m at a point in my life where I embrace every single part and won’t spend energy on anything but self-love, my music and the things that I can help with to change this world for the better.” SIS: Side A reflects all of the above exclamations of Stephonne but it also puts him in position to step into the world’s radar and officially begins his legacy as one music’s greatest treasures.

Stephonne Singleton photo by Paul Andrews Photograph

SIS: Side A will soon be up for pr-order on all music/streaming platforms, worldwide with ‘Deep’ arriving on July 14th and the full EP on August 7th! SIS: Side B will arrive late this year and SIS, the full album, is slated for Spring 2021! Production comes solely from Stephonne with co-production, engineering and mixing by Westend Studio’s, Justin Mantooth. For more visit www.stephonne.com!

Stephonne Singleton slinks and slides into ears with ‘Want Me’. The dark and slickly polished track oozes of sex, confusion and tension. “Those things describe my coming of age as a black gay man. I’ve put my heart and mental health through a lot, trying to find love.” With Stephonne you find a painfully personal style of writing. Here, he delves into the point of view of an ex-lover. “I kept trying to make it work and the outcome was always the same. It was so confusing, that it haunted me. I was with a person who loved me but that didn’t want anything to do with love. I was just a body for sex and a cheerleader when he decided it was game on.” The song was his final straw and a way to make sense of what he’d been through. It also examines the hookup culture of apps like Grindr and Scruff. “The app culture feels like shopping at a butcher shop for meat. It’s a bunch of ghosts, most of the time, who appear and disappear as soon as they cum. Sex can be utility but I suddenly don’t exist after that?!” Being black, becoming fetishized and turned away from members of queer communities has been an often occurrence for the singer-songwriter.

Stephonne Singleton photo by Paul Andrews Photograph

The writing and production comes solely from the Kansas City native, with a huge helping hand from co-producer, Justin Mantooth. Recorded at Westend Recording Studios the track features Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Adam McKee on drums. Singleton continues to defy genre, but instead of dipping his toe into his alternative rock roots he takes a deep dive in. Still marked by breathy vocals, buttery falsetto, gospel rasp and innate jazz sensibilities, the track and brand new music video lift Stephonne to new heights. 

The “Want Me” video transports us into the center of a horror movie. Surrounded by candles and ancient vigil work, Stephonne is painted in a nod to Grace Jones and Kieth Haring. Artist, Ryan Wilks makes Stephonne and the set a canvas, where he resurrects someone he probably shouldn’t. From a mere snap, we travel through a film noire that is equal parts Nosferatu, The Craft and an inescapable heat and sexuality that emit from both the songwriter and featured dancer, Courtney Germany. “I needed black girl magic in this video and what was most important to me was to have someone who could express every bit of agony and yearning in the song with their body.” Courtney is breathtaking. Choreographed by Ashley Personett of Empire Dance Academy and That’s Entertainment KC, Germany turns into a lovelorn golem who will do anything for the attention of its maker. “There is a magic that BIPOC hold within us that comes from a 24/7, 365 day struggle just to survive. On top of that, we also have to live, love and try to find time to heal. We are worthy of so much more than this world gives us.” In this way, Stephonne becomes a symbol for what’s not given and for what doesn’t wish to be given in the video.

The multi-layered and cinematic masterpiece was helmed and directed by Method Media. You may know them from the critically acclaimed and TIME magazine reviewed/featured videos by Kansas City natives, SSION (Inherit, At least The Sky is Blue and Comeback). Every detail is given the utmost attention by director and editor, Jordon Rioux. Every tone, shot and transition contains an edge and sophistication that only heightens this supernatural affair. The video production is an affair of its own. A Kansas City love affair that showcases the talents, locations (filmed at Heidi Van’s Black Box) and savvy of a slept on city that has recently gained new notoriety due to shows like Queer Eye. “We are a city full of so much treasure and promise! Every part of this video was responsible because of Kansas City businesses, costume/jewelry makers, artists and more. I will always rep my city.” Over half of the funding for the musical thriller was given by KC locals through a very successful Kickstarter last year!

Stephonne Singleton photo by Paul Andrews Photograph

‘Want Me’ is currently available on all digital/streaming platforms but will also appear on the upcoming EP, SIS: Side A. SIS means Summoning Insatiable Spirits. “That is what I do every time I write a song. The spirits are my emotions, thoughts, traumas, fears and joys. It is like the ritual in the video but without blood and body paint,” laughs Stephonne. The ‘Want Me’ video ushers us into a slew of Alternative Rock tracks that are witchy, infectious, ready for radio and that bring R&B and Pop in the mix to create something inimitable but richly accessible. “I just want to make my city proud but I’ve got a lot in store for the entire world. It’s time to enter that stage.”

Stephonne Singleton, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Stephonne plays Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 7, at 7:00 PM, with Dustin Rapier, and Lava Dreams. More info at: http://www.stephonne.com

10:49

8. Stephone Singleton – “Deep”
from: SIS: Side A / Stephonne Singleton / August 7, 2020
[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne grew up in KCK. He released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonnewas born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He has performed in mutiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.” A special video for “Want Me” was just released. “Want Me” is part of a new 4-song EP to be released laterthis month]

[Stephonne plays Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 7, at 7:00 PM, with Dustin Rapier, and Lava Dreams. More info at: http://www.stephonne.com]

9. 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.]]

10. Prince – “Gotta Broken Heart Again”
from: Dirty Mind / Warner Bros. / October 8, 1980
[Dirty Mind is the third album by American recording artist Prince. It was released on October 8, 1980, by Warner Bros. Records as the follow-up to his self-titled second album, Prince, (1979). It was produced, arranged, and composed entirely by Prince in his home studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota during May to June of 1980. Dirty Mind has been considered by critics as Prince’s most creative and boldest album, setting the baseline for his artistic direction in the following years. During the spring of 1980, Prince and his backing band members Dez Dickerson, André Cymone, drummer Bobby Z, and keyboardists Doctor Fink and Gayle Chapman spent nine weeks on the road opening for Rick James, a musical rival of Prince. Following the end of James’ tour, Prince returned to Minnesota and rented a house in Wayzata where he set up a 16-track studio. During the recording of the album, Doctor Fink’s jam-out during a rehearsal provided the basis for the album’s title track. A fusion of post-disco, new wave, funk and dance, Dirty Mind is more prevalent in punk sounds than Prince’s previous albums. Prince’s high and feminine vocals, along with his androgynous image during the Dirty Mind era, has been recognized for bringing attention to gaydar. Controversially, the album’s theme is fueled by explicit topics including oral sex, threesome and ejaculation, which has been credited for opening the doors for sexually explicit albums in the coming years. The first single of Dirty Mind, “Uptown” reached number five on both the Billboard Hot Soul Singles and the Billboard National Disco Action Top 30 charts. Though the album only reached number 45 on the Billboard 200, it earned widespread acclaim from music critics and crossover success. Due to its fusion of genres, critics have hailed it for setting the sound for urban black music of the early 1980s. The album has been ranked by several publications as one of the greatest albums of all time. // Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. A multi-instrumentalist who was considered a guitar virtuoso, he was well known for his eclectic work across multiple genres, flamboyant and androgynous persona, and wide vocal range which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams. Prince’s innovative music integrated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, psychedelia, pop, industrial, and hip hop. He pioneered the Minneapolis sound, a funk rock subgenre that emerged in the late 1970s. He was also known for his prolific output, releasing 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased projects left in a vault at his home after his death; it is believed that the vault contains dozens of fully produced albums and over 50 music videos that have never been released, along with various other media. He released hundreds of songs both under his own name and multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made famous by other musicians, such as “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “Manic Monday”. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19. In 1984, he and his backup band, The Revolution, released his sixth album Purple Rain, which was also the soundtrack to his hugely successful film acting debut of the same name. It quickly became his most commercially successful record, spending 24 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200.[5] The film also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, the final film to receive the award. After disbanding The Revolution, Prince released the critically acclaimed double album Sign o’ the Times (1987). In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol Logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the “Love Symbol”), and was sometimes referred to as “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” or simply “The Artist”. He signed with Arista Records in 1998 and began referring to himself by his own name again in 2000. On April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He sold over 130 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. He was honored with special awards including the Grammy President’s Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, and the Billboard Icon Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Rolling Stone placed Prince among its list of both the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. He is also ranked on the Top 100 Artists of All Time list by Billboard.]

11:00 – Station ID

11. Heath Church – “Extra Pain”
from: “Extra Pain” – Single / Heath Church / November 18, 2019
[Heath Church is an American singer-songwriter from KC who primarily plays indie-folk music. His style is inspired by Elliott Smith, John Prine, Rivers Cuomo, and The Smiths. Featuring melodies that are often melancholy but yet catchy, many of his songs include intimate vocals, poetic lyrics, and warm acoustic guitar tracks. Heath enjoys performing at many types of venues all over the Midwest and connecting with the locals at his shows. Heath enjoys playing music in smaller, intimate venues and interacting with his faudiences. Heath released his debut, The Things I’ve Tried on Dec. 23, 2017. More info at: http://www.heathchurchmusic.com]

Heath Church on the July 15, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

11:03 – Interview with Heath Church

Heath Church joins us on the phone to talk about his music and play his new single “The Stranger.” KC based singer-songwriter Heath Church grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri and performs all over the metropolitan area. Heath plays indie-folk music. His lyrics speak poetically about his own life, losses, struggles and intimate moments. His music is full of melancholy, catchy hooks, and sweet vocals. His style is inspired by artists such as Elliott Smith, John Prine, Rivers Cuomo, and The Smiths. In the last two years Heath has released two 5-song EPs and four singles. Heath is getting ready to release a new EP Cosmic Love this year. More info at http://www.heathchurchmusic.com

Heath Church, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

“Extra Pain” is the first of three new singles you have released in the last 9 months.

Heath has released two 5-song EPs and four singles.

Heath Church photo by Sean Stratton⁣

Heath Church Discography

The Stranger – Single – July 10, 2020
Echoes of You – Single – May 8, 2020
Extra Pain – Single – November 18, 2019
Chemical Optometry – 5-song EP – June 14, 2019
All Messed Up – Single – December 7, 2018
Breaking Even – Single – April 6, 2018
The Things I’ve Tried – 5-song EP – December 23, 2017

Notes from Heath Church’s debut EP The Things I’ve Learned: THEMES & CONCEPTS DISCUSSED Coping with Life in Less Than Ideal Ways And Failing Miserably

The EPs main theme is sort of a tragicomic story of trying to find ways to cope with day to day life struggles but feeling trapped by the resulting disappointment that often comes from temporary solutions such as alcoholism and materialism. Below is part of a verse from the title track “The Things I’ve Tried” that reflects this theme.

“I tried drinkin’ alcohol to forget the things I saw, but every drink just brought back memories”

Running to a Place of Comfort

In “Kansas City Train”, I used my hometown to speak to the desire that most people have to leave their regular life behind for a new and brighter future. This track is more than just the desire to jump on the train out of town – It’s about wanting a new life that is free from the stressors we encounter everyday. I have always loved my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri and remember plenty of times when I was away at college longing to return to it and start a new life. The song isn’t just about Kansas City though. It’s really about the hope of a more promising future full of new friends and people who care about you. Below is a line from “Kansas City Train”.

“If your mind keeps yellin’ and you’re all stressed out -If your eyes keep cryin’ and they won’t slow down. You can pack your bags – you can leave right now. I hope you find yourself in my favorite town”

Heath Church photo by Sean Stratton

Heath Church has upcoming shows:

Jul 16 – Captain’s Sports Lounge – Lees Summit, MO
Jul 18 – The Corner Boutique – Belton, MO
Aug 20 – Captain’s Sports Lounge – Lees Summit, MO
Aug 29 – Tipsy Taco – Lees Summit, MO
Sep 19 – Tipsy Taco – Lees Summit, MO
Oct 08 – Captain’s Sports Lounge – Lees Summit, MO
Oct 16 – Tipsy Taco – Lees Summit, MO

Heath is getting ready to release a new EP Cosmic Love this year.

Heath Church – “The Stranger” Just released July 10

Heath Church, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Heath is getting ready to release a new EP Cosmic Love this year. More info at http://www.heathchurchmusic.com

Heath Church photo by Sean Stratton

11:17

12. Heath Church – “The Stranger”
from: “The Stranger” – Single / Heath Church / July 10, 2020
[Heath Church is a singer-songwriter from KC who plays indie-folk. His style is inspired by Elliott Smith, John Prine, Rivers Cuomo, and The Smiths, featuring melodies that are often melancholy but yet catchy, many of his songs include intimate vocals, poetic lyrics, and warm acoustic guitar tracks. Heath enjoys performing at many types of venues all over the Midwest and connecting with the locals at his shows. Heath enjoys playing music in smaller, intimate venue.. More info at: http://www.heathchurchmusic.com]

13. Brandon Phillips & The Condition – “Sunrise”
from: “Sunrise” – Single / Brandon Phillips & The Condition / July 13, 2020
[Another installment of the band’s Summer Singles 2020 Series. Brandon Phillips, Adam Phillips, Brent Kastler, Mike Alexander, Nathan Showalter, Julie Berndsen, Julia Haile, and featuring Eric Bikales on flute. Recorded and Mastered at Element Recording and Mastering with Joel Nanos. Produced and mixed by Brandon Phillips. Artwork by Jud Kite. Follow up to their June 16, 2020 single release “Contrition” and their May 28 double single: ‘C.A.R.D.I.A.C. A.R.R.E.S.T.” and “Whatever.” On April 13, 2019 Brandon Phillips and The Condition with Too Much Rock released the, “Angel Say No” / “People Talk” 7” single release. On November 14, 2017 the group rebased “Heartsick” and “Clean and Sober” as a double A-side single. The group is inspired by Elvis Costello and the “girl groups” of Motown Records. This is a project of Brandon Phillips (The Architects, The Gadjits, Other Americans) and features an ensemble cast with musicians from other bands.]

14. The Nicole Springer Band – “Birthday”
from: Birthday – Single / Nicole Springer / July 10, 2020
[Recorded, produced, mixed, & mastered by Joel Nanos of Element Recording Studios. The Nicole Springer Band’s follow-up to their debut EP, “Willing.” Nicole Springer on vocals & guitar, Mike Harper on bass, George Biggs on electric guitar, and Dane Walters on drums. Birthday is Nicole’s response to acknowledging the birthday of a family member removed from her life, is a nuanced recognition of both sorrow & joy, grief & peace, and a sincere hope that happiness rests in the heart of a loved one long gone. Last year The Nicole Springer Band released the EP Willing. On the April 10, 2019 WMM Nicole shared the radio debut of her single, “Hell.” Nicole Springer was the founder and songwriter of: The Clementines, The Good Hearts, Heart Machine, Nikki and the Rooftop Punch, and her solo projects. Nicole has performed at numerous festivals . Nicole Springer has a big amazing voice; once you hear it, you cannot ignore this voice. She defies categories because her voice sounds like so many things; Rock, Pop, Folk, Gospel, Broadway, and Blues. Nicole sings from the heart, writing every song to be a reflective piece of her life story and as a means to evolve and grow as a human. We first met Nicole as part of The Clementines, originally a duo with Tim Jenkins who played LIVE on our April 25, 2012 edition of WMM. In the true courageous spirit of DIY, she started her first band by putting an advertisement on Craigslist for a guitarist. The band added Stephanie Williams on drums, and Travis Earndshaw on bass. In 2014 she was the recipient of both a Pitch Music Award and Project Backstage Award. Nicole Springer grew up in Oak Grove, MO, and graduated high school in 2004. She studied Music-Vocal/Choral at Missouri State University, in Springfield, MO, and Special Education with Music at Metropolitan Community College, in KC. Nicole told The Pitch (Jan. 10, 2012 article): “I grew up singing in gospel choirs. I still love gospel music, though I’m not religious or anything. I did musicals throughout high school.” When she was 19, Nicole was disowned and made homeless by her family because of her sexual orientation. 15 years later she released her music video “Come Clean” dedicated to her wife Bethany Cain and the LGBTQIA Community. Nicole has recently found new confidence in her music and in telling her own story of her life. Last November Nicole was on the cover of Camp Kansas City Magazine in a feature written by John Long, where Nicole talks about being homeless, being rejected by her family for being lesbian, and overcoming her own fears while pursuing a career as a musician. More info at http://www.nicolespringersings.com]

11:29 – Underwriting

15. Rufus Wainwright – “Damsel In Distress”
from: Unfollow the Rules / BMG / July 24, 2020
[New York-born, Montreal-raised singer songwriter praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality.” Unfollow the Rules is Wainwright’s ninth release of original material, his first since Out of the Game (2012), and his first under BMG. The album was produced by Mitchell Froom, and other contributors include Matt Chamberlain, Jim Keltner, and Blake Mills. “Trouble in Paradise”, released in October 2019, served as the album’s lead single. “Damsel in Distress”, “Peaceful Afternoon”, and “Alone Time” were released in February, March, and April 2020, respectively. Originally scheduled to be available on April 24, the album’s release date was pushed back to July 24 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright was born July 22, 1973, He is an American-Canadian singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded nine albums of original music and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set Shakespeare sonnets to music for a theater piece by Robert Wilson. Wainwright’s self-titled debut album was released through DreamWorks Records in May 1998. His second album, Poses, was released in June 2001. Wainwright’s third and fourth studio albums, Want One (2003) and Want Two (2004), were repackaged as the double album Want in 2005. In 2007, Wainwright released his fifth studio album Release the Stars and his first live album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. His second live album Milwaukee at Last!!! was released in 2009, followed by the studio albums All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu (2010) and Out of the Game (2012). The double album Prima Donna (2015), was a recording of his opera of the same name. His ninth studio album Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets (2016), featured nine adaptions of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Wainwright is the son of musicians Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and the older brother of singer Martha Wainwright.]

16. Krystle Warren – “I Don’t Know”
from: Sing Me The Songs Celebrating The Works of Kate McGarrigle / Nonesuch / June 21, 13
[Features highlights from three concerts in honor of the late Kate McGarrigle. Proceeds from the concerts provided seed money for the Kate McGarrigle Foundation a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money in the fight against sarcoma and also to preserving her legacy through the arts. Net proceeds from the sale of Sing Me the Songs also will be donated to the Foundation. The double-disc set was produced by Joe Boyd, who curated the concerts, and features performances by Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Anna McGarrigle, Emmylou Harris, Antony, Norah Jones, and Teddy Thompson, among others. The New York concerts were filmed for a feature documentary entitled Sing Me the Songs That Say I Love You: A Concert for Kate McGarrigle, directed by Lian Lunson and produced by Luson and Teddy Wainwright. Candid interviews with McGarrigle’s family and friends are paired with rousing performances of her music.] [Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. Krystle followed up Love Songs with her 2017 album Three The Hard Way, Produced by Krystle Warren and Ben Kane (D’Angelo, Emily King, PJ Morton). Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Ben Kane. Written & performed by Krystle Warren. Mixed at The Garden, Brooklyn. Mastered & cut by Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk. Last year in Krystle Warren premiered this song and her other new songs from this album at the Middle of the Map Fest in a packed room at Californos in Westport and later at The Polsky Theatre for the Performing Arts Series of Johnsons County Community College. For this record Krystle decided to play every instrument and vocals & back up vocals, “playing bass, drums, lap steel, piano, guitar, and vocals directly to analog tape. She and Ben Kane recorded in Villetaneuse, France, a small town on the outskirts of Paris in a vintage 70s era studio that offered just the right, rich sound to suggest the musical foundation for the record, and to do justice to the duo’s carefully balanced arrangements.” On the radio show last year Krystle shared inspirations for this record, early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones.]

17. Sly & The Family Stone – “Poet”
from: There’s A Riot Goin’ On / Epic / November 20, 1971
[There’s a Riot Goin’ On is the fifth studio album by American funk and psychedelic soul band Sly and the Family Stone. It was recorded from 1970 to 1971 at Record Plant Studios in Sausalito, California and released later that year on November 20 by Epic Records. The album’s recording was dominated by band frontman Sly Stone during a period of drug use and intra-group tension. Its music embraced a darker and more challenging sound than the optimistic style of the band’s previous releases, making use of hard funk rhythms, primitive drum machines, extensive overdubbing, and a dense mix. The album’s planned title was Africa Talks to You, but it was retitled in response to Marvin Gaye’s album What’s Going On, released six months before. There’s a Riot Goin’ On reached the Billboard Pop Album and Soul Album charts at number one upon its release, while its lead single “Family Affair” topped the Pop Singles chart. By 2001, it had sold one million copies and been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[8] Received with ambivalence upon its release, the album is now praised as one of the greatest and most influential recordings of all time, and ranked at or near the top of many publications’ best album lists. In 2003, it was ranked number 99 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. // Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, it was pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. Its core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, and included Stone’s brother and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone, sister and singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Greg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham. It was the first major American rock group to have a racially integrated, male and female lineup. // Formed in 1966, the group’s music synthesized a variety of disparate musical genres to help pioneer the emerging “psychedelic soul” sound. They released a series of Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits such as “Dance to the Music” (1968), “Everyday People” (1968), and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969), as well as critically acclaimed albums such as Stand! (1969), which combined pop sensibility with social commentary. In the 1970s, it transitioned into a darker and less commercial funk sound on releases such as There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971) and Fresh (1973), proving as influential as their early work. By 1975, drug problems and interpersonal clashes led to dissolution, though Sly continued to record and tour with a new rotating lineup under the name “Sly and the Family Stone” until drug problems forced his effective retirement in 1987. The work of Sly and the Family Stone greatly influenced the sound of subsequent American funk, pop, soul, R&B, and hip hop music. Music critic Joel Selvin wrote, “there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone”. In 2010, they were ranked 43rd in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and three of their albums are included on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All

11:45 – Kansas City Syzygy

We started the show with three tracks from the new French Exit Records – Black Lives Matter Compilation of 22 acts from the area, with proceeds donated to One Struggle KC‘s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally.

We are ending the show with three tracks from another new compilation called Kansas City Syzygy, 19 musical tracks created during the quarantine in April, 2020 with proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, & truly affordable home. Robert Castillo, of The Sextet, who organized this compilation will be with us next week on WMM to share more tracks and information.

18. We The People – “Don’t Get Wrapped Up”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[On June 26, 2020 Eddie Moore’s We The People released “Misunderstood” with a music video. This was the first single from the up-coming debut record of Eddie Moore’s group We The People. We The People is a power trio stemming from the roots of Black American Music, Hip-hip, Psych-Rock, and Classical. Crafted with raw passion, and unflinching groove this “Urban Gumbo” shares the pain, joy, fear, and dreams that inspire, and celebrate our unity. Eddie Moore on Rhodes & synthesizers, Jason Emmond on bass, Zach Morrow on drums & samples. /// Though COVID-19 may have shut down innumerable business and altered our lives forever, one thing it couldn’t stop is the creative drive and spirit in the world’s artists. Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. Mastering by J Ashley Miller. Design by JC Franco. Direction by Robert Castillo. Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. “Syzygy” is a term most commonly used in astronomy and is defined as “connected or corresponding events.” Album designer JC Franco states “like planets or stars aligning, so did our lives.” The nineteen songs on the album span the entire spectrum of music. Calvin Arsenia’s “Painted Ladies” is a dreamscape sung form his voice and harp, while Seth Andrew Davis’ “No Place But Home” invokes scenes of an underground dance club. Some musicians are collaborating for the first time on this album, as demonstrated on “Abyss.” Local electronic musician Chris Crabtree and Robert Castillo, bandleader of the groove jazz ensemble The Sextet, worked together with vocalist Audrey Chopin to create an experimental piece of EDM-adjacent music. Songs like “The Virus” by KC hip-hop artist Kemet Coleman comments on the impact of the coronavirus, as well as the virus that is racial injustice in America that has received global attention during the past months. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp beginning July 17, 2020. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

19. Calvin Arsenia – “Painted Ladies”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[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 the EP, Moments, in 2014, the EP Prose in 2015, the Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016, the full length album Catastrophe on February 14, 2017, the EP Caviar in November 2017, the 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe, released 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, KC Fringe, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. // Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. Mastered by J Ashley Miller, designed by JC Franco, with compilation direction by Robert Castillo. Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in April of 2020. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

[Congratulations go out to: Calvin and his fantastic team of co-conspirators and creators: Khitam Jabr, John P. Beatty, Ignacio Galarza III, Ashlee Fairchild Jones, production assistants, and crew. And Center Cut Records with Patrick Sprehe and James Andrews. The Toxic music video earned its sixth set of laurels as an official selection of the L.A. Music Video Awards, where they were nominated for Best Music Video, Best Cover Song and Best Male Vocalist.]

20. Mikal Shapiro & The Musical – “The Distance of Elements”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[The Musical is Mikal Shapiro, on vocals & guitar, Chad Brothers on vocals & guitar, Johnny Hamil on bass, and Matt Richey on drums. Recorded separately and with social distancing. Mikal Shapiro released her critically acclaimed album The Musical II on May 26, 2018 which included “Everybody’s Baby” her pop song she wrote that got a lot of radio play, but all the songs on The Musical 11 are great. The Musical II is the sequel to Shapiro’s 2015 concept album, “The Musical.” Along with Mikal Shapiro, Chad Brothers, Johnny Hamil and Matt Richey, special guests included: Hermon Mehari on trumpet, Tina Bilberry on viola & violin, Damon Parker on keyboards, and Lauren Hughes on vocals. Engineered and co-produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording & Mastering Studios. 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 U.S. and has recorded five critically acclaimed albums. KC Star and Tim Finn declared her album “The Musical” to be one of his top five releases of 2015. A third generation storyteller, she draws inspiration from her travels, love life, and the state of the Union. Mikal Shapiro and her husband Chad Brothers also record and perform as Shapiro Brothers. Mikal is also part of the band Monta At Odds. // Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. Mastered by J Ashley Miller, designed by JC Franco, with compilation direction by Robert Castillo. Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in April of 2020. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

21. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

11:58 – Community Voices

Next week on Wednesday, July 22, musician and artist and band leader, Robert Castillo, of The Sextet, joins us to share three more tracks from the new compilation called Kansas City Syzygy, 19 songs tracks created in April 22 during the quarantine of 2020 with proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, & truly affordable home.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Stephonne Singleton photo by Paul Andrews Photograph
BLM cover art by Chicago-based Nigerian American illustrator, Unimuke Agada / Courtesy French Exit Records
Heath Church photo by Sean Stratton

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

Black Lives Matter

Show #846