From the late 70s post punk art school scene out of Leeds (that was already happening around Gang of Four and the Mekons) Delta 5 emerged with their dual bass sound, unique vocals of sung chant disaffected powerful cheekiness.

The band fronted by Chris Cohen (Deerhoof, Curtains, Chris Cohen) and Nedelle Torrisi (Nedelle, Nedelle Torrisi) with a unique sound and a penchant for horse thievery.

Norfolk, VA rapper who made himself known with notable verses on the first Clipse album and his song on the Neptunes comp. Clones. He was a vital part of the Star Trak universe and had two record deals (one with Def Jam and one with Interscope) and had two albums almost come out but get shelved. A tale as old as time in the music industry.

Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell’s 2 Bears make a super unique combo of genres from 2 step to rave to tropical chill and bring self awareness and thoughtful feeling to some genres where that can be missing

Formed in 1979 by 4 sisters in the South Bronx, ESG is one of the most influential and still relevant artists of the last 50 years. With their focus on percussion and bass lines plus catchy chanted vocals ESG were major architects for the sound of 2020

Victoria, BC, Canada based project of passionate electro pop from a leather daddy became the focus of mine and a friend groups ultimate jam fixation for a period.

This disco group who can be seen riding on the backs of jumping orca whales on the Big Fun album cover contains a future Grammy Best New Artist winner and has a somewhat unusual origin story.

This somewhat anonymous smooth jazz musician’s catalog has maybe been sampled in more hip hop songs than any other artist. He was discovered by Quincy Jones and wrote an iconic tv show theme.

MySpace buzz band of 2006 the Tampa Bay based lesbian Christian rappers made waves with their energetic live shows disappeared after being one of the most talked about new acts for a couple years.

One of the largest voices of African reggae, this artist from the Ivory Coast has consistently been political, spiritual, and looking to bring peace through music for almost 40 years

Influential hip hop and beyond producer/DJ/musician who changed the palette of hip hop with his wide range of source material for De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising and was the main creative force beyond Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School and A Prince Among Thieves.

Phil Elverum has described Orange as “an actual real-life lounging grass-grove poet who went on to write the best songs in human history.”

Joy Electric is the long running project of Ronnie Martin. It is also these things: fantastical, synth pop, Christian.

Japanese folk rock band whose short lifespan of activity is overshadowed by its powerful influence. Rolling Stone called their album Kazemachi Roman the greatest Japanese album of all time. They were the first Japanese rock band to sing in Japanese and to not cover western songs.

Afrobeat and Afro-funk from the early 70s led by Joni Haastruup who was known as Soul Brother #1 of Nigeria. He played in Ginger Baker’s band, he sang on the formative 60s Afro-beat album Super Afro Soul by OJ Ekemode and his Modern Aces. He brought protest, politics, and awareness to Afrobeat.

We listen to a 17 minute song by Chilean-German iconic DJ and minimal techno producer, Ricardo Villalobos. Children’s voices powerful pierce the persistent rhythm in this hypnotic grid of a song

DJ Screw was creator and center of the the chopped and screwed sound and scene and a big player in the greater Houston rap scene. George Floyd aka Big Floyd was a rapper and member of the S.U.C. (Screwed Up Click) in the late 90s. George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis in 2020.

Pioneering graffiti artist/crucial voice in early hip hop/performance artist/Afro-futurist — so many ways to label this person/being who seemingly radiated art at all times.

They created their own language of love. Ha. It’s true though, bringing more openness to sounds and styles than the punk rock status quo could fathom. Each song a blast of original thought. They modeled radical love and deep thought through music and their unique approach to the world and each other.

An influential radio DJ in the 70s who was also a founder and member of the Infinite Space collective was an early leader in combining electronics and jazz.