Today’s Artist
Louis Jordan 1908 – 1975
Caldonia, Caldonia, what makes your big head so hard?
Louis Jordan was the king of the jukebox. He combined swing, blues, and comedy into a sound called jump blues that paved the way for rock and roll. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie, Caldonia, and Let the Good Times Roll were hits that kept America dancing through the 40s. He was one of the most influential bandleaders of his era. More →
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Who Did It Better
Spanish Harlem
1961 Ben E. King
2014 Aretha Franklin
A rose growing through Spanish Harlem concrete. Aretha Franklin took the same love letter and turned it into a declaration of survival. The rose still bloomed anyway. The voice describing the rose carried more years of knowing what it takes to survive the hard ground.
Today’s Record
Afro Blue
Today’s Theme
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You’re Kidding, Right
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly Maze never had a pop Top 40 hit -- not one. Yet sold millions of albums and sold out arenas for 40 years. Built a massive career completely under the white mainstream radar. Every one of their nine albums went Gold on Black radio and word of mouth. Proved that you don't need pop radio.
If Black America loves you, you're set for life.
Soul in the Movies
The Blues Brothers 1980
The Blues Brothers is not a comedy with music. It's a church service that keeps cracking jokes. Cab Calloway sings 'Minnie the Moocher' and the entire room levitates. Otis Redding's 'I Can't Turn You Loose' -- a Stax classic from 1965 -- is the sound of the band warming up, all horns and hurry, the rhythm section locking in while Jake and Elwood figure out how to save the orphanage.
I can't turn you loose. The Blues Brothers couldn't either. 