Today's Top Tune

AM: It's Been So Long

L.A.-based AM may not be an easy artist to Google but his music is contagious. His love of pop is palpable on his latest release and is tinged with a cool Brazilian feel. Today's Top Tune is from the album Future Sons & Daughters features his talented friend, Angela Correa, on "It's Been So Long."

Four Tet: This Unfolds

Kieran Hebden's Four Tet project is an organic blend of programmed sounds. A pioneer on the electronic scene, he's able to distill wildly diverse elements into a cohesive mix. Today's Top Tune is from There is Love in You and it's called "This Unfolds."

Galactic: Heart of Steel

New Orleans-based jazz-funk ensemble Galactic fell in love with the local funk scene while watching legendary artists like Professor Longhair, The Meters and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. They're also inspired by hip-hop and electronica which they incorporate into their mix. Their latest release, Ya-Ka-May, features a bevy of greats, including The Soul Queen of New Orleans Irma Thomas, on "Heart of Steel" which is Today's Top Tune.

Patty Griffin: Wade In The Water

On her 7th full length release, Patty Griffin celebrates the soul of American music with a tribute to Gospel. The CD, Downtown Church features 14 inspiring songs recorded in a Presbyterian Church in downtown Nashville, with appearances from Emmylou Harris, Buddy and Julie Miller, and Raul Malo. Today's Top Tune features Mike Farris and "gospel royalty" Regina McCrary on "Wade In The Water."

Pepi Ginsberg: Shake This

Vocal acrobat Pepi Ginsberg explored a fuller band sound on her second release East is East. Our own Henry Rollins is a fan of her distinctive voice and you can hear it for yourself on Today's Top Tune "Shake This."

Angela McCluskey: So Good

Scottish songwriter Angela McCluskey first came on the scene with her L.A. based band The Wild Colonials and is the voice for Telepopmusik's popular song "Breathe," which garnered a Grammy nomination. Her solo release captures her honey-toned vocals and features Today's Top Tune "So Good."

Yeasayer: O.N.E.

Tune-Yards: Sunlight

Merrill Garbus is an unusual artist. She studied in Kenya, loves puppet theater and is immersed in her folk-based project as Tune-Yards. While her music was created in a modern way -- utilizing her laptop and a digital voice recorder -- her sound is parallel to the field recordings once made by the American folklorist and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. Today's Top Tune is from the album Bird-Brains and it is called "Sunlight."

The Living Sisters: Double Knots

The Living Sisters is the side project of The Bird & The Bee's Inara George, Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark and singer Eleni Mandell, a trio of L.A.-based artists that love to harmonize. They've been playing occasional shows in town, but have finally committed their music to tape and will release their debut in March. Here's a taste of what's to come with Today's Top Tune, "Double Knots."

Nikki and Rich: December

Kate Maki: In Comes The Light

Indie artist Kate Maki creates candid, bare-boned songs. On her 4th solo release, she's accompanied by Arcade Fire drummer Jeremy Gara, as well as Giant Sand's Howe Gelb. Today's Top Tune is from the album Two Song Wedding and it's called "In Comes The Light."

Quadron: Average Fruit

Danish duo Quadron provide a soulful mix of downtempo beats with beautiful arrangements and orchestrations. Our intrepid DJ Anthony Valadez got his hands on an early copy and started slipping it into the mix here at KCRW. Soon enough, just about every DJ here got behind it. Thanks to Anthony, a U.S. release of their debut is coming soon. Today's Top Tune is from the self-titled release, and is called "Average Fruit.”

Simone White: Train Song

The subtle stylings of Simone White captured the attention of Blur frontman Damon Albarn. He invited her to be a part of the Honest Jons Revue tour, which included a triumphant appearance at NYC's Lincoln Center in 2008. Her third album, Yakiimo is an intimate collection of songs, including Today's Top Tune "Train Song."

The Low Anthem: Charlie Darwin

The Low Anthem marry a hybrid of musical traditions, covering all the bases of Americana — some times quiet and acoustic, other times raucous and bluesy. Their new recording made many Top 10 lists for 2009 and we agree that they are a band to keep an eye on. Today’s Top Tune is a stunner from the album Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, it’s “Charlie Darwin.”

Run Run Run: Pico

The 5 young men that make up Run Run Run are based in L.A. Their new year's resolution is to pen new songs for a release later in the year and to gig as much as possible. Today's Top Tune is an exclusive, only available to KCRW listeners. It's so local it's called "Pico," the street KCRW is located on!

Ludovico Einaudi: Lady Labyrinth

Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi specializes in minimal, cinematic compositions that absorb elements of popular music. These wordless narratives provide compelling soundtracks as they free the imagination. Today's Top Tune is from the new album Nightbook, and it's called "Lady Labyrinth."