This time we are going to talk about a singer/songwriter who went from one of the most promising cutting-edge artists to an almost mythological figure within the music industry. On today's episode of Excellent Reception, we are going to tell the story of Jai Paul.

We'll focus on these songs:

Jai Paul - BTSTU

Jai Paul - Jasmine

Big Boi feat. Little Dragon & Jai Paul - Higher Res

Jai Paul - Str8 Outta Mumbai

Jai Paul -Do You Love Her Now

We're looking at a classic song that brings about joy with just the uttering of a few lyrics and gets you dancing with the second your hear it's bare bones rhythm.  On this episode of we are looking at the 1965 hit from The Dixie Cup called "Iko Iko" and it's connection to New Orlean's culture.

Sugar Boy and his Cane Cutters - Jock-A-Mo

Dr. John - Iko Iko

Professor Longhair - Big Chief

On this episode of Excellent Reception, we are looking at some MC's from the UK who can hold their own on a microphone and have used their music as a platform to push the sound of hiphop in new directions

On this episode, we feature these songs:

Roots Manuva - Witness (1 Hope)

Wiley - 100% Publishing

Little Simz - Offense

TY - Eyes Open

Lewis Parker - Hard Endeavour

We are taking a quick stop to visit the 50th state... Hawaii.  When it comes to modern music, Hawaii has not just been been in a bubble all these years.  The artists and musicians here have been hard at work to put their own stamp on genres like jazz, rock, reggae, hiphop, and soul music. 

On this episode of Excellent Reception, we are focusing on one of my favorite Hawaiian soul songs... "Lihue" by Nohelani Cypriano.

For today's show, we are going to talk about the ground breaking nu-jazz/future soul production crew known as Jazzanova.  Mainly we are going to focus on one of their most well constructed songs "L.O.V.E and You & I", which took sampling to a whole new level.

On this episode, we are talking about these songs

Shaun Escoffery - "Let It Go (Jazzanova remix)"

Jazzanova -  "L.O.V.E. and You and I"

Jazzanova - "L.O.V.E. and You and I (Madlib remix)"

Jazzanova - "L.O.V.E. and You and I (DJ Ghe remix)"

Sonar Kollectiv Orchester - "L.O.V.E. and You and I"

On this episode, we are continuing our musical world tour in the East Asian country of Japan.  We are following the careers of a handfull of music artists that draw their personal style from a variety of sources.  They take these genres to new heights all while including elements that are uniquely Japanese.

On this episode, we are talking about these songs:

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Firecracker (Computer Games)

Towa Tei -  Technova

Kiki Hitomi - Yellow Story 

Mariya Takeuchi - Plastic Love

United Future Organization - Flying Saucer

This episode is produced in honor of the Blackstar Film Festival, which has taken place here in Philadelphia every summer for the past 7 years. As they describe themselves, The BlackStar Film Festival is an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global indigenous communities, showcasing films by black people from around the world.

With the festival coming up in a few days, I felt inspired to produce some content that explores the film scores and soundtracks. For today's show, we are just going to focus on one of the most misunderstood and highly underrated soundtracks in music history... Stevie Wonder's 1979 album "Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants".

The First Garden

Send One Your Love (Music)

Power Flower

Outside My Window

Find more info about the BlackStar Film Festival here:  https://www.blackstarfest.org/

On this episode, we are continuing our musical world tour down in South America by taking a look at the ever evolving sounds of Brazil.  We are focusing on a group of artists who got their start during the late 60’s and early 70’s and made huge contributions to the Brazilian songbook.

On this episode, we are talking about these songs:

On this episode of Excellent Reception, we are talking about a group of songs by artists that take on Western musical influences and combine them with sounds that come from their African musical heritage.  

Featured songs:

The Lijadu Sisters - Life Is Gone Down Low

William Onyeabor - Body & Soul

Rim & Kasa - Love Me For Real

Oby Onyioha - Enjoy your life

Voilaaa feat Sir Jean - Spies Are Watching Me