“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

This week’s show starts off in a bit of a “chamber” jazz vein, into a slightly more bop segment. Then there’s some funk, soul, gospel, a pair of reggae tunes, and then I hit a latin groove which I was enjoying, but for which I hadn’t brought enough of my own music. The last half hour or so is based on me quickly rifling through the “Continental Drift” stacks to keep the vibe alive… it wasn’t quite what I had in mind, but it worked out OK. The audio file here only has the first minute or so of Vonski’s “Have No Fear” before time ran out…

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (142MB, 2 hrs 35 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Bar Kokhba: “Abdiel” – Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10 (Tzadik)
Jenny Scheinman: “American Dipper” – Shalagaster (Tzadik)
Thomas Dvorak: “Mr. Handagote” – Machinarium (Soundtrack) (Amanita Design)
Andrew Bird: “Carrion Suite” – Useless Creatures (Fat Possum)
Tin Hat Trio: “A Life in East Poultney” – Helium (Angel)
Alvin Batiste: “Picou” – Bayou Magic (India Navigation)
João Donato: “Little Boat” – New Sound of Brazil (RCA Victor)
Billie Holiday: “Blue Turning Grey Over You” – Billie’s Blues (Blue Note)
Oliver Nelson: “Doxy” – Taking Care of Business (Prestige New Jazz)
Mario Schiano: “Gambrinus” – Sud (Splasc(h))
Nicole Mitchell: “Center of the Earth” – Awakening (Delmark)
Steve Reid Ensemble: “Which One?” – Spirit Walk (Soul Jazz)
Herculaneum: “Dynasty” – Olives and Orchids (EF)
Karl Hector and the Malcouns: “Tamanrasset” – Tamanrasset (Stones Throw)
Incredible Bongo Band: “Okey Dokey” – Bongo Rock (Mr Bongo)
Kashmere Stage Band: “Kashmere” – The Funky 16 Corners (Stones Throw)
Gospel Soul Revivals: “If Jesus Came Today” – Good God! Born Again Funk (Numero Group)
Rose Davis: “Yes I’ve Been Crying” – 7″ (Play 101) (Play)
Melvin Davis: “It’s No News” – Detroit Soul Ambassador (Vampi Soul)
Max Romeo and the Upsetters: “Smile Out a Style” – War Ina Babylon (Island)
Beverley All Stars: “The Monster” – Funky Chicken (Trojan)
Rolling Stone and His Traditional Aces: “Igha Suo Gamwen” – Marvellous Boy: Calypso from West Africa (Honest Jon’s)
Orchestre Yaya Mas: “Rampa Rampa” – African Boogaloo: The Latinization of West Africa (Honest Jon’s)
Fruko y sus Tesos: “Manyoma” – The Afrosound of Colombia, Vol. 1 (Vampi Soul)
Puerto Rico y Su Combo: “La Cumbia del Pescador” – Cartagena! Curro Fuentes & The Big Band Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia 1962-72 (Soundway)
Wganda Kenya: “Fiebre de Lepa” – The Afrosound of Colombia, Vol. 1 (Vampi Soul)
Afrosound: “Salsa con tabaco” – The Afrosound of Colombia, Vol. 1 (Vampi Soul)
Systema Solar: “Ya Veras” – Cumbia! Bestial: Urban Soundlab of the Latin Diaspora (Chusma)
Orquesta Original de Manzanillo: “A La Hora Que Me Llamen Voy” – El Son de Cuba (Milan Latino)
Papi Oviedo y sus Soneros: “Si te vas” – Encuentro entre Soneros (Candela)
Barbarito Torres: “El Amor de mi bohio” – Havana Cafe (Atlantic)
Armando Garzon with the Quinteto Oriente: “Pensamiento” – Boleros (Corason)
Chico Trujillo: “Loca” – Plato Unico Bailable (Oveja Negra)
Chicha Libre: “Indian Summer” – Sonido Amazonico (Barbes)
Von Freeman: “Have No Fear, Soul is Here” – Have No Fear (Nessa)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2012-01-17 (complete) [ 2:34:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

No overarching themes or gimmicks to this week’s show. Just music: a fairly diverse mix, I guess, although in blocks without too many whiplash transitions. Not too much talking, for what it’s worth.

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (144MB, 2 hrs 37 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Indigo Trio with Michel Edelin: “Call Back” – The Ethiopian Princess Meets the Tantric Priest (Rogueart)
Nomo: “The Seams” – Nomo (Ypsilanti)
Kenny Burrell: “Wavy Gravy” – Midnight Blue (Blue Note)
Bobbi Humphrey: “Jasper Country Man” – Blue Break Beats, vol. 2 (Blue Note)
The Positive Force with Ade Olatunji: “The Afrikan in Winter” – Spiritual Jazz: Esoteric, modal and Deep Jazz from the Underground 1968-77 (Jazzman)
Dudu Pukwana and Spear: “Ezilaini” – In The Townships (Earthworks)
Art Ensemble of Chicago: “Thème de Céline” – Americans Swinging in Paris (EMI)
Quantic & his Combo Barbaro: “Mambo Los Quantic” – Tradition in Transition (Tru Thoughts)
Franco et l’OK Jazz: “Yamba Leo” – Merveilles du Passe, Vol 3 (Frochot Music)
Ensemble Aux Calebasses: “Donnez Moi la Main” – Meringue! (Cook)
Attila the Hun: “Man Man Biscoe” – The Golden Age of Calypso (Buda Musique)
Dennis Alcapone: “Teach the Children” – Trojan DJ Box Set (Trojan)
Diamond Joe: “Wait a Minute” – Get Low Down: The Soul of New Orleans 1965-67 (Sundazed )
Martha and the Vandellas: “Nowhere to Run” – Dance Party (Motown)
The Pilgrim Jubilee Singers of Chicago, Illinois: “Pearly Gates” – The Old Ship of Zion (Mobile Fidelity)
The Staple Singers: “Oh La De Da” – Wattstax: the Living Word (soundtrack) (Stax)
Black On White Affair: “Bold Soul Sister, Bold Soul Brother” – Wheedle’s Groove: Seattle’s Finest in Funk & Soul 1965-1975 (Light in the Attic)
Eddie Bo: “Check Your Bucket” – New Orleans Funk (Soul Jazz)
Calypso King & the Soul Investigators: “Some Funk” – Soul Strike! (Soul Fire)
Soulsations: “Broadway Shing-a-Ling, Pt. 1” – Eccentric Soul: Mighty Mike Lenaburg (Numero Group)
Blind Lemon Jefferson: “Prison Cell Blues” – Anthology of American Folk Music (Smithsonian Folkways)
Dave Van Ronk: “Please See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” – The Folkways Years, 1959-1961 (Smithsonian Folkways)
Fred McDowell/Johnny Woods: “Shake ‘em On Down” – Arhoolie 40th Anniversary Box Set (Arhoolie)
Prisoners at the Ramsey and Retrieve State Farms, Texas: “I Need More Power” – Negro Prison Camp Worksongs (Smithsonian Folkways)
Vester Jones: “Cluck Old Hen” – Traditional Music from Grayson and Carroll Counties, Virginia: Songs, Tunes with Fiddle, Banjo and Band (Smithsonian Folkways)
Bayta Ag Bay: “Aicha” – Music from Saharan Cellphones (Sahel Sounds)
Rasha: “Aguis Mahasnik Biman” – The Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan (Rough Guide)
Haruna Ishola and his Apala Group: “Kosi Ninu Eiye” – Apala Messenger (Indigedisc)
Johnny Hodges: “You Need to Rock” – Side by Side (Verve)
Atomic: “Nära Grensen” – Feet Music (Jazzland)
Gamelan Pacifica: “Rain” – Trance Gong (What Next)
Shivkumar Sharma, Brij Bushan Kabra, Hariprasad Chaurasia: “Dhun – Mishra Kirwani” – Call of the Valley (EMI)
Plaw: “Briing (Tube Zither)” – Bamboo on the Mountains: Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the United States (Smithsonian Folkways)
Matana Roberts, Josh Abrams & Chad Taylor: “Sons of Slaves” – Sticks & Stones (482 Music)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2012-01-10 (complete) [ 2:37:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

Today’s show begins with a memorial for the late Sam Rivers, who among other accomplishments, performs on the namesake album for the show. I’m no Sam Rivers expert, but it was a pleasure to spend 45 minutes going over some of his music.

The rest of the show was solidly in the jazz vein, including an old track by DKV trio, who I saw put on a great show at Hideout last week, and a track from Herculaneum, who celebrate the release of their next album tomorrow night. (Unfortunately I didn’t have that album to play, but hopefully we’ll get it at the station soon.) Several other tracks I played today are either new to me or rediscoveries—it felt fresh to me, and hopefully it will to you as well.

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (133MB, 2 hrs 25 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Dave Holland Quartet: “Conference of the Birds” – Conference of the Birds (ECM)
Sam Rivers: “Dawn” – Sizzle (Impulse)
Sam Rivers Rivbea Orchestra: “Arcs” – Aurora (Rivbea Sound Company)
Sam Rivers Trio: “Smoke” – Firestorm (Rivbea Sound Company)
Steven Bernstein w/the Sam Rivers Trio: “Lucky” – Diaspora Blues (Tzadik)
William Parker Raining on the Moon: “James Baldwin to the Rescue” – Raining on the Moon (Thirsty Ear)
Letta Mbulu: “Aredze” – Letta Mbulu Sings (EMI Import)
Mary Lou Williams: “Medi I” – Zoning (Smithsonian Folkways)
Oscar Pettiford: “Titoro” – Another One (Bethlehem)
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: “Brother Malcolm” – Three Gentlemen from Chikago (Moers)
Jason Stein Quartet: “Little Big Horse” – The Story This Time (Delmark)
World Saxophone Quartet: “Picasso” – Breath of Life (Nonesuch)
Vijay Iyer: “Epistrophy” – Solo (ACT)
Trevor Watts & Veryan Weston: “Exchanged Frequencies” – 5 More Dialogues (Emanem)
DKV Trio: “Double Holiday” – Baraka (Okkadisk)
Herculaneum: “Puerto Jimenez” – Olives and Orchids (EF)
Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Strings: “Mama Found Out” – Renegades (Delmark)
Eastern Blok: “Tesla” – Eastern Blok (self-released)
Ibsen’s Ghosts: “Improvisation #1” – Ibsen’s Ghosts (Not Two)
Darren Johnston’s Gone to Chicago: “Two Ways of Running” – The Big Lift (Porto Franco)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2012-01-03 (complete) [ 2:25:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

This week’s show went a little long because my successor was late to the station. The archive cuts off after the Kronos Quartet take on Bill Evans’ “Five.” Thanks to the caller who made a request, as well as the couple of other folks who rang in late in the show. It’s always a treat to talk to folks who are listening real time. (But of course, you podcast listeners are welcome to provide feedback here in the comments or via Twitter.)

Despite the lack of holiday themed music, this is the last Conference of the Birds for 2011. Here’s hoping that 2012 is the BEST YEAR EVER for all of the listeners.

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (146MB, 2 hrs 40 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Rahim Alhaj: “Taqsim Maqam Hijaz” – When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq (Smithsonian Folkways)
William Parker & Hamid Drake: “Sky” – Summer Snow (AUMFidelity)
Pedro Mestre & Chico Lobo: “Agreste” – The New Brazilian Music (BM&A)
Elis Regina: “Upa Neguinho” – In London (Philips)
Extra Golden: “Ok-Oyot System” – Ok-Oyot System (Thrill Jockey)
Prince Nico Mbarga: “Nature” – Aki Special (Rounder Select)
Montgomery Express: “Montgomery Movement” – Does ‘Party Fever’ & Other Songs Of The Montgomery Movement (Ikef)
Beverly Crosby: “That Didn’t Stop Me” – Keb Darge’s Legendary Deep Funk, Vol 2 (BBE)
Winston Wright: “Moon Invader” – Greater Jamaica Moon Walk Reggay (Culture Press/Jet Set)
Talking Heads: “Slippery People” – Speaking in Tongues (Sire)
Laurie Anderson: “Sharkey’s Day” – Mister Heartbreak (Warner Brothers)
Lotz of Music: “Begoña Blues” – Puasong Daffriek (Laika Records)
Nick Drake: “Saturday Sun” – Five Leaves Left (Island)
Muhal Richard Abrams with Malachi Favors: “Sightsong/Two Over One” – Sightsong (Black Saint)
Johnny Lewis Quartet: “Chitlins Con Carne” – Shuckin’ and Jivin’ (Ubiquity)
Jackie Brenston And His Delta Cats: “Rocket 88” – Sun Records Story (Charly)
The Wellis Band: “Bindiga” – Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds, Ghanaian Blues 1968 – 1981 (Soundway)
Sun Ra: “Hours After” – The Singles (Evidence)
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: “Black as Vera Cruz” – Hot ‘n Heavy (Delmark)
Eastern Blok: “Hubble” – Eastern Blok (self-released)
Indigo Trio with Michel Edelin: “Top Secret” – The Ethiopian Princess Meets the Tantric Priest (Rogueart)
Lee Konitz: “Foolin’ Myself” – Motion (Verve)
Warne Marsh: “I’ll Remember April” – Live in Hollywood (Xanadu)
Vijay Iyer: “One for Blount” – Solo (Act)
Kronos Quartet (with Jim Hall): “Five” – Music of Bill Evans (Landmark)
Andrew Hill: “Mahogany” – Mosaic Select (Mosaic)
Amir Elsaffar Two Rivers Ensemble: “Venus, the Evening Star” – Inana (Pi)
Von Freeman: “Boomerang” – Have No Fear (Nessa)
Paul Chambers: “We Six” – Mosaic Select (Mosaic)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-12-20 (mostly complete) [ 2:39:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

In some ways, this is a typical Conference of the Birds show. I didn’t have any overarching themes, but I found a good number of nice tunes to share.

Enjoy!

PS once again, you can download any of the several volumes of “The New Brazilian Music” from Brasil Music Exchange on BandCamp, if you’re so inclined. You may also want to check out DJ ByLamplight’s Majestic Coal Chute, vol. 4 mix, where I first heard the Robbs cut which is on this week’s show

Listen:

download program (142MB, 2 hrs 35 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Jackie Wilson: “Baby Workout” – Beg, Scream & Shout: the Big Ol’ Box of 60′s Soul (Rhino)
Papo Felix & Ray Rodriguez: “Work Out (Part 2)” – Papo Felix Meets Ray Rodriguez (Ghetto Records)
Speedometer: “Work It Out” – Hot, Funky & Sweaty: The Sound of Heavy Funk & Soul Today (Hard Soul Records)
Betty Davis: “They Say I’m Different” – This Is It (Vampi Soul)
Greyboy with Quantic & Sharon Jones: “Got To Be a Love” – Soul Mosaic (Ubiquity)
Nina Simone: “It Be’s That Way Sometime” – Silk & Soul (RCA Victor)
Eliana Pittman: “Nem Saudade” – Eliana Pittman (Odeon)
Lecuona Cuban Boys: “Rumbas Cubanas” – Congas & Rumbas from the Unforgettable Band (Yoyo Music)
Lloyd Glenn: “Rompin’ Rumba” – Essential Masters 1947-1957 (Master Classics)
Tito Puente: “Guaguanco Margarito” – Mambo Birdland (RMM)
Rail Band: “Demba” – Belle Epoque, Vol. 2: Mansa (Sterns)
Ignace de Souza: “Adan Egbomi” – The Great Unknowns (Original Music)
Akwaboa’s Guitar Band: “Anyina Boa” – I’ve Found My Love: 1960′s Guitar Band Highlife (Original Music)
Digable Planets: “Graffiti” – Blowout Comb (Pendulum)
Hamid Drake & Bindu: “Hymn of Solidarity” – Reggaeology (Rogueart)
Linton Kwesi Johnson: “Story” – Tings An’ Times (Shanachie)
Mighty Sparrow: “Sweet Loving” – Hugo Mendez Presents Tropical Funk Experience: Island Jump-Up: Hot Sounds From The Caribbean 1968-75 (Nascente)
Banda Black Rio: “Mr. Funky Samba” – Maria Fumaca (WEA Brazil)
DJ Guga de Castro y su Iracema: “Compositor da Rale” – The New Brazilian Music, Vol. 4 (BM&A)
Anzala, Dolor, Velo: “Ti Fi La Ou Te Madam” – Tumbélé!: Biguine, afro & latin sounds from the French Caribbean, 1963-74 (Soundway)
Jay Mitchell: “Goombay Bump” – Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay (Numero Group)
The Robbs: “Last of the Wine” – 7″ (Dunhill)
Art Neville: “Bo Diddley” – Get Low Down: The Soul of New Orleans 1965-67 (Sundazed )
Syl Johnson: “Come On Sock It To Me” – Complete Mythology (Numero Group)
Hollywood Flames: “Buzz-Buzz-Buzz” – The Doo-Wop Box (Rhino)
Roy Hogsed: “Snake Dance Boogie” – Hillbilly Boogie (Proper)
Chuck Wagon Gang: “I’m Headed For the Promised Land” – The Gospel Tradition: The Roots & the Branches, Vol 1 (Legacy/Columbia)
The Skylarks: “Holilili” – Township Jazz ‘n Jive (Music Club)
Sun Ra Arkestra: “S’Wonderful” – Music from Tomorrow’s World (Unheard Music/Atavistic)
Mark Helias’ Open Loose: “Cinematic” – Atomic Clock (Radio Legs)
Indigo Trio + Michel Edelin: “Return of the Sun” – The Ethiopian Princess Meets the Tantric Priest (Rogueart)
Kidd Jordan: “Harrison Carries Out the Coffin” – On Fire (Engine)
Joe McPhee/Michael Zerang: “Crescent City Lullaby” – Creole Gardens (A New Orleans Suite) (NoBusiness)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-12-13 (complete) [ 2:34:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

I really like the way this week’s show came together. In a relatively rare situation, most of the first hour is programmed as I worked things out the night before, through a mildly curated shuffle-play process. I’m happy to share great tracks from a number of relatively new acquisitions, alongside a few classics.  I’m particularly keen on the first track, which comes from the recently kickstartered “Music from Saharan Cellphones” complation.

(Also, Stephen started his show off with some nice Herbie Hancock, so I left that in, as well as his first announcements on his show—consider it a little promo for a fellow DJ)

Enjoy!

PS note that some of this week’s music is available for your free, unfettered, and legal download, so check out:

• The Orchestre Novelty de Brazzaville from the Voice of America African Music Treasures blog
• The several volumes of “The New Brazilian Music” from Brasil Music Exchange on BandCamp

Listen:

download program (144MB, 2 hrs 38 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Group Anmataff: “Tinariwen” – Music from Saharan Cellphones (Sahel Sounds)
Elements of the 7th: “The Move” – Rhythm Process 2x(y) + 3 (Quadraphonic Sound Module)
Bobby Womack: “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out” – Facts of Life (The Right Stuff)
Negib Ould Ngainich: “Guetna” – Music from Saharan Cellphones (Sahel Sounds)
Soul Rebels: “Take It High Now” – No Place Like Home (Soul Rebels)
Spider Harrison: “Beautiful Day” – The Funky 16 Corners (Stones Throw)
Rev. Utah Smith: “I Want Two Wings” – Slide Guitar Gospel (1944-1964) (Document)
The Coctails: “Hip Hop” – Popcorn Box (Carrot Top Records)
Karl Hector & the Malcouns: “Koloko Pt. 1” – Sahara Swing (Stones Throw)
Corey Harris & Henry Butler: “Why Don’t You Live So God Can Use You?” – Vu-du Menz (Alligator)
Mighty Reverlaires: “You Can’t Hide” – The Pitch/Gusman Records Story (Fat Possum)
The Orchestre Novelty de Brazzaville: “Instrumental” – The Orchestre Novelty de Brazzaville (Voice of America African Music Treasures blog)
Melvin Davis: “Find a Quiet Place (And Be Lonely)” – Detroit Soul Ambassador (Vampi Soul)
Afro Soul System: “Tink Tank” – Bambara Mystic Soul – The Raw Sound of Burkina Faso 1974-1979 (Analog Africa)
Gospel Ensemble: “What You Need” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
Sound of Soul: “Gospel Train” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
South Shore Commission: “You Got Me Hummin’” – Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels (Numero Group)
Orchestre Baobab: “Utrus Horas” – Pirates Choice (Nonesuch)
Andrew Bird: “Hot Math” – Useless Creatures (Fat Possum)
Cool Chris & Vinnie Esparza: “Track 12” – Trap Door II Mystery Mix (Dis-joint)
Os Mutantes: “Bat Macumba” – Os Mutantes (Polydor)
James Taylor Quartet: “Tough Chicken” – Message from the Godfather (Ubiquity)
Davis Coen: “Mambo Chillun” – Ill Disposition (219 Records)
Buddy Lucas: “That Thang” – M-716-A 7″ (Mohawk)
Mamukueno: “Rei do Palhetinho” – Angola Soundtrack – The Unique Sound of Luanda (Analog Africa)
Balacobaco: “Funk Como Le Gusta” – The New Brazilian Music, Vol. 4 (BM&A)
Felipe Cordeiro: “Legal E Illegal” – The New Brazilian Music, Vol. 4 (BM&A)
Jumpsuit: “Walking into Sunshine” – Too Funky for the Rock and the Roll (Jumpsuit)
Actis Band: “Dulcinea” – Garibaldi (Leo)
Getatchew Mekuria & the Ex & Guests: “Aynotche terabu/Shemonmwanaye” – Moa Anbessa (Terp)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-12-06 (complete) [ 2:37:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

It was another jazzy week for Conference of the Birds. I hadn’t been feeling much inspiration about music in my own collection, so I decided to do the show entirely from WNUR’s considerable library. See what you think!

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (139MB, 2 hrs 32 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Ernest Dawkins New Horizons Ensemble: “Maghostut Two” – South Side Street Songs (Silkheart)
Kahil El’ Zabar’s Ritual Trio: “Fatsmo” – Renaissance of the Resistance (Delmark)
The Engines: “Trouble Distribution” – Wire and Brass (Okkadisk)
James Falzone Allos Musica: “The Tipping Point” – The Sign and the Thing Signified (AllosDocuments)
Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Strings: “By My Own Grace” – Renegades (Delmark)
Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls: “13 de Maio” – Seize the Time (Naim Jazz)
Karl E.H. Seigfried: “Ambient” – Criminal Mastermind (Imaginary Chicago)
Cooper-Moore & Assif Tsahar: “Forlorn” – Tells Untold (Hopscotch)
Ben Goldberg Quintet: “Cortege” – The Door, the Hat, the Chair, the Fact (Cryptogramophone)
Jaap Blonk/Fred Lonberg-Holm/Michael Zerang: “Stone, Woods & Brown” – First Meetings (Buzz)
Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher: “Q17” – Quartet (BBBCD)
Hal Russell NRG Ensemble: “Sinus Up” – Generation (Nessa)
Greg Ward’s Phonic Juggernaut: “Sectionate City” – Greg Ward’s Phonic Juggernaut (Thirsty Ear)
Vinny Golia Quartet: “Parambulist” – Take Your Time (Relative Pitch)
Jason Adasiewicz’s Sun Rooms: “Bees” – Spacer (Delmark)
Mingus Awareness Project: “Fables of Faubus” – Mingus Awareness Project 2010 (promo)
The Microscopic Septet: “Friday the 13th” – Friday the 13th: The Micros Play Monk (Cuneiform)
Avishai Cohen: “Ferrara Napoly” – Introducing Triveni (Anzic)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-11-29 (complete) [ 2:31:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes).

Conference of the Birds made a thorough return to jazz this week, in part since my friend Mark decided to come hang out in the studio for most of the show. It’s a return to jazz, but still pretty far-ranging, including getting into a little tiny bit of fusion (the two Isotopes) but also, bop, South African jazz, a few kinds of solo piano, the analog and earthy sounds of Hamid Drake and Joshua Abrams, a little blues and gospel, and Aretha Franklin plumb burstin’ through the boundaries of the classic songbook

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (143MB, 2 hrs 36 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Abdullah Ibrahim: “bra joe from kilimanjaro” – African Piano (ECM)
Johnny Dyani: “Dedicated Abdullah Ibrahim” – Afrika (Steeplechase)
Ed Blackwell: “Beau Regard” – What It Is? (Enja)
Hotel X: “Afro Blue” – A Random History of the Avant-Groove (SST)
Sonny Clark Memorial Quartet: “Voodoo” – Voodoo (Black Saint)
Clifford Brown & Max Roach: “Delilah” – Clifford Brown & Max Roach (Polygram)
Paul Desmond: “Take Ten” – The Best of Paul Desmond (Columbia)
Mark Whitfield: “The Blues from Way Back” – The Marksman (Warner Brothers)
Katie Jackson with the Campbell Brothers: “God is a Good God” – Sacred Steel Live! (Arhoolie)
Isotope 217: “Looking After Life on Mars” – Utonian Automatic (Thrill Jockey)
Isotope: “Illusion” – Golden Section (Cuneiform)
The Soft Machine: “Joy of a Toy” – The Soft Machine (ABC)
Eric Boeren: “Free/TTZ/Forerunner” – Joy of a Toy (BVHaast)
Ornette Coleman: “Ramblin’” – Beauty is a Rare Thing (Atlantic)
Art Tatum: “These Foolish Things” – The Tatum Solo Materpieces, Vol. 8 (Pablo)
Gonzales: “Basmati” – Solo Piano (Universal Import)
Eri Yamamoto & Federico Ughi: “Thank You” – Duologues (AUM Fidelity)
Jamie Saft: “Astaroth” – Astaroth (Book of Angels, Vol. 1) (Tzadik)
Ken Nordine: “Strollin’ Spooks” – Monster Sounds & Boppin’ Tracks (Toto)
Fred Anderson & Hamid Drake: “Leap Forward” – Back Together Again (Thrill Jockey)
Joshua Abrams: “Dolphin Cave Dazzling” – Natural Information (Eremite)
Aretha Franklin: “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” – The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (Columbia)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-11-22 (complete) [ 2:36:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes). (You can also once again see one jumbo list of my past playlists (back to 9/2008 when WNUR started online playlists), for easier searching.)

Lots of odds and ends this week, but also a healthy dose of music from the finally-delivered-unto-me “Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio”, a beautiful 3-disc set from Numero chronicling the output of… well, the title says it all. Here are some write-ups about the project:

• Pioneering Boddie Recording Co. drew Cleveland’s music makers, from star acts to church choirs
• BODDIE RECORDING CO. – The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
• The Tiny Record Empire in Cleveland

I also left on a bonus Orchestre Poly-Rythmo track from the beginning of Stephen’s show (not listed below) just because… why not? It’s Poly-Rythmo!

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (139MB, 2 hrs 32 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Unspecified: “Gamelan Gong Sekaha Sadha Budaya” – Music of Bali: Gamelan and Kecak (Nonesuch)
Das Racist: “hahahaha jk?” – Sit Down, Man (Mad Decent / Greedhead / Mishka)
Pato Banton: “Don’t Sniff Coke” – Never Give In (Greensleeves)
Brother Bill: “Wha’s Happ’nin?” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
Eddie & the Ant Hill Mob: “I’m a Number Runner” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
Bo & the Metros: “Moving On” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
Creations Unlimited: “Chrystal Illusion” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
Gospel Fabulators: “Read It in the Bible” – Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (Numero Group)
Unknown: “Never Let You Go” – Boddie Bonus Disc (Numero Group)
Raphael Saddiq: “Keep Marchin’” – The Way I See It (Sony)
Booker T & the MGs: “Boot-Leg” – The Complete Stax/Volt Singles (Stax)
Monguito Santamaria: “Work Out” – Hey Sister (Vampi Soul)
Jimmy Smith: “Blues for Del” – Jimmy Smith’s Finest Hour (Verve)
The Pilgrim Jubilee Singers of Chicago, Illinois: “If You Don’t Mind” – The Old Ship of Zion (Mobile Fidelity)
Rev. Johnson A.: “Run Children Run” – 1950′s Gospel Classics (Document)
Mickey & Sylvia: “No Good Lover” – Lux & Ivy’s Favorites, vol. 3 (the hive mind)
Reparata & the Delrons: “Saturday Night Didn’t Happen” – Girl Group Sounds Lost & Found: One Kiss Can Lead to Another (Rhino)
Chicha Libre: “Six Pieds Sous Terre” – Sonido Amazonico (Barbes)
Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos: “Baile Baile Baile” – Muy Divertido (Atlantic)
Joyce Williams: “The First Thing I Do In the Morning” – Eccentric Soul: the Nickel & Penny Labels (Numero Group)
Merry Clayton: “Southern Man” – Merry Clayton (Ode)
Oumou Sangare: “Iyo Djeli” – Seya (Nonesuch)
Daudi Kabaka & George Agade: “Western Shilo” – Beyond Benga, vol. 2: The Nairobi Sound (Original Music)
Baden Powell & Vinicius De Moraes w/Quarteto Em Cy: “Canto Do Ossanha” – Os Afro Sambas (Cherry Red)
Warne Marsh: “Jazz of Two Cities” – Jazz of Two Cities (Intuition) (Blue Note)
Roscoe Mitchell: “Zero” – Hey Donald (Delmark)
Jeb Bishop Trio: “11 Am Verti Marte” – 2009 (Better Animal)
Sound in Action Trio: “The Thing” – Design in Time (Delmark)
Fred Anderson Quartet: “Birdhouse” – Birdhouse (Okkadisk)
Dave Burrell Full-Blown Trio: “About Face” – Expansion (High Two)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-11-15 (complete) [ 2:32:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-5). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives. You can subscribe to the podcast with this URL (click here to subscribe in iTunes). (You can also once again see one jumbo list of my past playlists (back to 9/2008 when WNUR started online playlists), for easier searching.)

This week’s show turned out to be completely dedicated to the idea of the ‘cover’ song, the standard, the interpretation, the interesting ways in which you can triangulate between two different performances of the “same” song and how they meet in your ears and the space between. Of course, there are also some songs that aren’t covers, including one by Edith Frost which for a long time I thought was, because it just had such a timeless air about it, and a tune that is indubitably Peter Tosh, but performed by him in a way quite different from it’s original recording, and even the Jungle Brothers’ so-called cover of “I Get a Kick Out of You” which seems to have only its inclusion on the “Red Hot + Cool” sampler as a sign that it has a connection to the Cole Porter composition with the same title.

Enjoy!

Listen:

download program (143MB, 2 hrs 36 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)
Jewels and Binoculars: “Buckets of Rain” – Floater (Ramboy)
Neko Case: “Buckets of Rain” – Live From Austin, Texas (New West Records)
Edith Frost: “Easy to Love” – Wonder Wonder (Drag City)
Cat Power: “Aretha, Sing one For Me” – Jukebox (Matador)
Aretha Franklin: “Love The One You’re With” – Live at the Fillmore (Atlantic)
Peter Tosh: “Stop that Train” – WXFM Radio, Chicago 1/7/1977 (bootleg)
Bob Marley & the Wailers: “Rolling Stone” – Wailing Wailers at Studio One (Heartbeat)
Ken Boothe: “Is It Because I’m Black?” – Darker than Blue: Soul from Jamdown (Blood and Fire)
Medeski, Martin & Wood: “Bemsha Swing/Lively Up Yourself” – It’s a Jungle In Here (Gramavision)
Ivo Perelman: “Tom’s Diner” – Children of Ibeji (Enja)
Jungle Brothers: “I Get a Kick Out of You” – Red Hot + Blue (Capitol)
Sinead O’Connor: “You Do Something to Me” – Red Hot + Blue (Capitol)
Kelly Hogan and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts: “Papa was a Rodeo” – Beneath the Country Underdog (Bloodshot)
M. Ward: “You Still Believe in Me” – Transistor Radio (Merge)
Low: “Fearless” – John Peel Show, 30 January 2003 (BBC)
M. Ward: “Let’s Dance” – The Transfiguration of Vincent (Merge)
Nick Drake: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” – Tanworth In Arden 1967/68 (Anthology)
The Professionals: “The Godfather (theme)” – Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up (Numero Group)
The Cat: “Hit the Road, Jack” – Thai Beat-a-go-go (Subliminal Sounds)
The Neville Brothers: “The Ballad of Hollis Brown” – Yellow Moon (A&M)
Richie Havens: “All Along the Watchtower” – Live at the Cellar Door (Five Star)
Bonerama: “Crosstown Traffic” – Live from New York (Bonerama/CD Baby)
Brass Monkey Brass Band: “The Ocean” – The Highest Good (Brass Monkey Brass Band/CD Baby)
Rebirth Brass Band: “Just the Two of Us” – Ultimate Rebirth Brass Band (Mardi Gras Records)
Gloria Jones: “Tainted Love” – Beg Scream and Shout: The Big Ol’ Box of Sixties Soul (Rhino)
Grant Green: “Ain’t it Funky Now” – Blue Break Beats, Vol. 2 (Blue Note)
Ray Anderson: “La Vie en Rose” – It Just So Happens (Enja)
Universal Congress Of: “Bermuda Blues” – The Sad and Tragic Demise of Big Fine Hot Salty Black Wind (Enemy)
Niu Abdominaux Dangereux: “Broadway Blues” – Ghosts (ITM)
Betty Roche: “Billie’s Bounce” – Singin’ and Swingin’ (Prestige/OJC)
Art Blakey Quintet: “A Night in Tunisia” – A Night at Birdland (Blue Note)

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2011-11-08 (complete) [ 2:36:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download