soulshowmike.org Posts

WYEP’s edition of The Soul Show remembered Clarence Williams III, aka the counterculture cop Linc Hayes on The Mod Squad (’68-’73). Later he was Prince’s tormented dad in Purple Rain. The title track weaves the memories of the two together, with a Prince birthday this week.

Three Rivers at Three, the Pittsburgh music showcase, was jumbo-sized. There were eight tracks over 40 minutes, including a new gem from Slam Band & Sam. Also, more from Miss Freddye’s new release.

Rasheed Ali’s final(?) installment of the ‘1968’ series just dropped. It’s called ‘Hindsight is 20/20.’ Another hard-funk single from Dumpstaphunk’s latest album was also featured. For the ongoing fiftieth-anniversary lookbacks of this year, Eddie Palmieri’s ‘Harlem River Drive’ masterpiece was spotlighted. The newest music from Rhiannon Giddens, George Benson and Cameron Graves was on tap.

The syndicated, weeklong edition of The Soul Show jumps off with Brian Edwards, the one-time percussionist of Jesse Johnson. JJ, of course, was The Time’s guitarist in their Minneapolis heyday. I play the other new D-Phunk single, and everything from Alberta Hunter to Heatwave to Black Pumas. Chicago Soul Jazz Collective closes out the evening.

The archives of both shows will be available on demand soon. Enjoy.

The Soul Show will present Miss Freddye’s music for the first time. Her album is called ‘Lady Of The Blues.’ Also, I’ll crack open Rasheed Ali’s 2021 ‘Hindsight Is 20/20.’ His music is always socially conscious and historically driven.

Bob Dylan turned 80 on Monday, so I will spin R&B covers of his vast songbook. You’ll hear Patti LaBelle, Nina Simone, Babyface, The Isleys and a host of others perform Bob’s music.

To celebrate Miles Davis’ 95th birthday, I’ll play something from his fusion masterpiece ‘Bitches Brew.” Also, listen to a track from his wife Betty, who pointed him in the direction of blending jazz with rock. She’ll be on Three Rivers at Three.

For Memorial Day weekend, there will be The Whispers, John Legend & The Roots, plus something out of genre that might be the most touching and vivid war song that I know.

The syndicated edition of TSS takes you deeper into Miss Freddye’s 2021 release. Also, get to know 24-Carat Black, the 1970s soul collective, and enjoy some extended instrumental Donny Hathaway.

The Soul Show celebrates Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” 50 years after its release. WYEP featured the album yesterday, and presented listener reflections all week. I’ll play some music from WGO, and you’ll hear several of those pre-recorded reflections. If you saw the CNN special, you’ll appreciate that we selected listeners who recalled their time as teenagers and young adults.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge continue their ‘Jazz Is Dead’ series. This time, it’s in collaboration with João Donation. I’ll introduce JID #7 on TSS this afternoon.

‘Three Rivers at Three’ will feature another track from Soulful Femme’s new full release. We’ll swing back around to George Heid’s world album. Also, something from Anita Levels on Dwayne Dolphin’s ‘Indigenous’ CD.

Have you checked out Vibin’ yet? It’s a new 90s-centric R&B program hosted by George T. He and I have produced the first few shows at his place. I inserted a short clip of the upcoming episode into TSS. Enjoy the sneak peek. It’s good to hear his George’s voice on the air again.

The syndicated Soul Show, distributed through the African American Public Radio Consortium, complements the WYEP program every week. Its content is more “evergreen,” meaning any episode can be played anytime, anywhere. If you listen this week, you’ll hear hints of the upcoming 80th Bob Dylan birthday (via Hendrix, and not explicitly stated) and of the Marvin Gaye anniversary. From the Sa-Roc album that I reviewed in City Paper, I debut a powerful piece called ‘Rocwell’s America.’ Daughter/father Syleena and Syl Johnson have back-to-back tracks. I return to Adrian Younge’s ‘The American Negro’ that was introduced in time for BHM 2021. We’ll close with an expansive track by Kamasi Washington from his second release, ‘Harmony of Difference.’ (Wow….does that exist?)

When ‘A Tuba to Cuba’ was released, I had the opportunity to interview Ben Jaffe of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. You’ll hear a track from that PHJB album, the culmination of a long project

Five years ago, long after Stef Chatman had left TSS, and before George T. became an established WYEP host, the three of us came together to honor Prince. Stef dialed in to the WYEP production room, and George and I recorded a three-way conversation that wove through topics and musical selections. The 4/23/16 presentation was a mix of live broadcast and the pre-produced pieces.

With the intensity of the event, I forgot to initiate the archive recording until 15 minutes in. The original archive posted on Mixcloud has had that gap all of these years, but I’ve now replaced it with a full 3-hour splice of WYEP archive tape and my own. It was time to get this done for the 2021 anniversary of The Purple. It is also poignant, of course, because it revives memories of Stef’s great energy.

Enjoy.

On The Soul Show on WYEP this afternoon, it’s time for some more songs for our times. Marley’s “Johnny Was,” Khris Royal’s “Song for Trayvon” and others will set the tone in the second half of Hour 2.

A-Money & The Downtown City has a new single, and I’ll continue the track-by-track dive into Afro Yaqui’s acclaimed 2021 release. Also, more from George Heid’s sophomore album. That’s all on Three Rivers at Three, 1500 Eastern.

I’ll highlight the birthdays of Robeson and Hancock. Herbie turned 81. We did a big tribute last year, but every landmark for him is special.

The City Paper featured my monthly Soulshowmike’s Album Picks this week. The editor asked if I had any interesting ties to offer for the annual Marijuana issue. Of course there was a story to tell. The story on TSS will weave from Neil Young to The Isley Brothers. I think you’ll enjoy.

The syndicated edition of The Soul Show is chock full of new music this week: Esperanza Spalding, Zo!, Gramps Morgan and Hiatus Kaiyote. Check out the broadcast grid to find a good time to air or stream.

WTJX US Virgin Islands was the first station to pick up the syndicated Soul Show. Next week, their daily morning show Analyze This will interview me. The host is a former member of the VI Legislature and a St. Croix schoolmate. Check it out.

On Saturday’s WYEP episode of The Soul Show, I’ll pay tribute to BB Dickerson, founding member of the acts War and Lowrider Band. His bandmate and uncle, Howard Scott, will tell about the bassist’s contributions to the music.

MLK’s birthday is always celebrated. April 4th, the anniversary of his young death, must also be recognized. There is music from Marcus Lewis Big Band and Gil Scott-Heron.

WYEP is recognizing National Siblings Day, and The Soul Show will have some fun with that theme. I planned to sprinkle some brother/sister acts into the mix, but got carried away (of course).

Brian Edwards and Geenpool represent Pittsburgh artists in the Three Rivers at Three segment. Also, MG’s alum Steve Cropper will get a spin of his 2021 release.

The syndicated edition of TSS on the African American Public Radio Consortium follows the style and shape of the original WYEP show, but provides an entirely different playlist each week. Afro Yaqui Music Collective and Jon Lucien represent two of the cities that broadcast the AAPRC show. Other highlights: I’ll play Valerie June with Carla Thomas, Chicago Soul Jazz Collective, Carla with Otis Redding, Raja Kasis of Antibalas, Speech Debelle, Amp Fiddler covering Jimi, Ashford & Simpson.

The archives for all recent broadcasts are posted in the Archives for your on-demand enjoyment.

The Soul Show on Saturday afternoon returns to “regular” programming after eight weekends of BHM and WHM. In case you missed any, the archives are available for your on-demand pleasure.

That was then, and this is now. On Three Rivers at Three, I’ll debut Kenny Stockard’s new single and Afro Yaqui Music Collective’s 2021 “Maroon Futures.” Also, Jon Batiste’s full “We Are” release has dropped, so now we can go beyond the introductory single. We’ll celebrate a Marvin Gaye birthday.

The syndicated edition of TSS on WTJX and Rhode Island Public Radio will present a brand new Teri Tobin track and something from Spirit Finger called “Inside.” I’ll play a 2021 release from Angelo Moore of Fishbone. It’s a bit more peace-and-love than some of his other solo material with The Brand New Step. In fact, it reminds me of Cameo’s late-career socially conscious work.

Then there’s a beautifully dark and vivid gangland story told by Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge. I’ll play consecutive tracks from “12 Reasons To Die.” I call this Black Gotham. It’s crazy.

Representing southern NE, Tavares is on tap for the WTJX listeners.