Luminary reed man Gary Bartz has been a pioneering figure in progressive Black music, paving the way for a wide variety of artists over the last six decades. For the sixth output on the Jazz Is Dead label, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge join...

Gary Bartz: ‘Day By Day’

A free weekday download of standout songs, including advance releases, exclusive live tracks recorded at KCRW, remixes, and an introduction to new artists on our radar.

Music

Let’s check out the jazz-leaning, organic sound structures and beautiful arrangements of Apifera.. The quartet’s new work, “Theodor Marmalade,” takes a new approach to delve into and meld psychedelic rock with alternative jazz, and is their first attempt at incorporating lyrics into their sound.

Apifera: ‘Theodor Marmalade’

The Past Is Still Alive, is the next phase in Hurray for the Riff Raff ’s progression as a raconteur. 
 Born in the Bronx and of Puerto Rican descent, Alynda Segarra molds their lyrics into snapshots that hold memories, process their trauma, and makes sense of loss. The country-tinged “Alibi” comes in the form of a plea, one last effort to get through to someone you know you’re going to lose.

Hurray For the Riff Raff: ‘Alibi’

Always centered at night is the next pillar anchoring Moby ’s extensive body of work. A constant collaborator, Moby’s next page includes some of his favorite vocalists, including the late Benjamin Zephaniah, serpentwithfeet, Gaidaa, and on “dark days,” the soul-infused, jazz-inflected vocals of Lady Blackbird.

Moby: ‘dark days’ (Feat. Lady Blackbird)

Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist Conor J O’Brien, best known for heading up Villagers , recently announced their sixth studio album, That Golden Time, dropping May 10. It’s an apt title for a warm and romantic recording that extends to his work style. After sketching out and composing the work, Conor invites his band of hand-picked musicians to sprinkle their magic dust. “You Lucky One” delves into the masks we wear.

Villagers: ‘You Lucky One’

Today we celebrate the release of LA-based R&B singer (and KCRW’s Breakthrough Artist of 2023 ) Baby Rose’s new project Slow Burn, produced by the stellar outfit BADBADNOTGOOD. With a wide sonic realm rooted in psych-rock and alternative styles, we turn to a stand-out, “One Last Dance,” a vulnerable country ballad harkening back to the ‘70s.

Gary Bartz: ‘Day By Day’

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