Music & Culture

Left to right: Jon Weisberger, Chris Jones and Ned Luberecki perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Music & Culture

A Bigger Tent: A Frank Conversation About Diversity And The Future Of Bluegrass

4:57pm December 28, 2017

by Jewly Hight

In the eyes of bluegrass musician and advocate Jon Weisberger, the fight for his music's survival is not one between preservation and progress, but to ensure that both have a home in the genre.

Tropicalia Music Still Speaks To Young Marginalized Urban Brazilians

4:39pm December 28, 2017

by Philip Reeves

In Brazil, there's been a resurgence of Tropicalia — the anti-authoritarian, anarchic music that emerged under the military junta of the 1960s. It's back and fused with rap and lyrics fighting for Brazil's poor and marginalized.

Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #106 - Wayne Henderson & Presley Barker, Guitar Wizards

4:00pm December 28, 2017

by Paul Brown

We kick off the new year with a great selection of old time and bluegrass songs and tunes.

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Music & Culture

21 Hip-Hop Albums That Reflected The Politics Of Race, Space And Place In 2017

3:07pm December 28, 2017

Many of the year's best challenged America's record on race, critiqued widespread cultural erasure, or broke conventions of genre, gender and identity within the space of rap itself.

Music & Culture

Marta Sánchez Creates A Truly International Sound With 'Danza Imposible'

3:00pm December 28, 2017

by Kevin Whitehead

You might think that Sánchez's Spanish-French-Cuban-Canadian-Israeli quintet would go haywire with so many rhythmic accents in play, but critic Kevin Whitehead says the composer pulls it all together.

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Music & Culture

5 R&B Albums You Slept On In 2017

2:41pm December 28, 2017

by Bobby Carter

From PJ Morton to Moonchild, these projects didn't get enough shine this year but were exceptional nonetheless.

Overdoz's debut album 2008 is available now.

Music & Culture

5 Hip-Hop Albums You Slept On In 2017

2:12pm December 28, 2017

by Bobby Carter

In a year when big albums from hip-hop stars dominated the charts and streaming services, a few fire projects undoubtedly flew under the radar.

Brent Faiyaz went to the Dominican Republic for the recording of Sonder Son.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Brent Faiyaz, 'So Far Gone / Fast Life Bluez'

8:00am December 28, 2017

by Sydnee Monday

At 22, Brent Faiyaz sang the bouncy hook to GoldLink's summer-defining, Grammy-nominated "Crew." But the tone here is different.

Music & Culture

Iron & Wine, 'Call It Dreaming,' (Live)

5:00am December 28, 2017

by Jason Bentley

Watch Sam Beam perform a track from his Grammy-nominated album Beast Epic in a moving performance at the KCRW studio.

Though officially retired from touring, guitarist John Williams, now 76, continues to record for his own record label.

Music & Culture

John Williams, Classical Guitar's Standard-Bearer, Still Recording In Retirement

5:54pm December 27, 2017

by Tom Cole

His precise technique and big ears made him the "Michael Jordan" of his instrument. These days, he doesn't tour any more, but he's still making albums for his own label.

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