Today's Top Tune

Today's Top Tune
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Today's Top Tune

Today's Top Tune is a free song a day, from KCRW's all Music Channel, that represents a cross section of KCRW's eclectic music format. Tracks selected are chosen from recent and upcoming releases as well as songs performed live on Morning Becomes Eclectic. Each song will be available for download and podcast. Click on MORE to stream/download the track and read more about the artist.

TODAY'S SHOW

Bettie Serveert: Mossie

Bettie Serveert: Mossie

Dutch indie-rock band Bettie Serveert are back with a new release, Pharmacy of Love. On it, they employ a "back to basics" approach highlighting shimmering guitar work as they dissect the vagaries of love and life. Today's Top Tune is "Mossie."

RECENT SHOWS

Angelique Kidjo: Kelele

Angelique Kidjo: Kelele

West African singer Angelique Kidjo reinterprets the music that influenced her life and career on her upcoming release, Oyo. Songs by Miriam Makeba, Sidney Bichet and Curtis Mayfield showcase the rich musical diet she grew up on and feeds a couple of new songs she's written. Today's Top Tune is one of her own, it's "Kelele."

Mose Allison: My Brain

Mose Allison: My Brain

Dubbed the "William Faulkner of Jazz," Mose Allison is one of the wittiest songwriters around. His music has been covered by a diverse line-up of musicians including The Clash, Leon Russell, Elvis Costello and Van Morrison. At 80 years old, his self-analysis and humor is captured with the help of producer Joe Henry and a bevy of some of L.A.'s finest session players. Today's Top Tune is from The Way of the World and it is called "My Brain."

Unkle: Natural Selection

Unkle: Natural Selection

The UNKLE team, made up of James Lavelle and Tim Goldsworthy, are about to release their 4th collaboration, Natural Selection. A dark and inspiring tour de force that finds them at the crossroads where electronica and psychedelic rock meet. Today's Top Tune features a collaboration with Texan drone rockers The Black Angels on "Natural Selection."

Carolina Chocolate Drops: Kissin' and Cussin

Carolina Chocolate Drops: Kissin' and Cussin

Carolina Chocolate Drops are a trio of multi-instrumental musicians steeped in the tradition of African-American music from the late 20's and 30's. While they cover several classics on their latest release, Genuine Negro Jig, they also forge a new direction in banjo and fiddle music as we'll hear on Today's Top Tune "Kissin' and Cussin'.

Josh Rouse: Las Voces

Josh Rouse: Las Voces

Josh Rouse is an American artist living in Spain. His new release, El Turista reflects his life in Valencia and is a globe-trotting musical journey with influences from Brazil, Cuba and Africa.  Today's Top Tune was written with his wife, Paz Suay and has him singing in Spanish, it's "Las Voces."

Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here

Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here

Gil Scott-Heron is an elusive character. A pioneer of Rap music he set the blueprint for the genre in 1971 with "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." He's a storyteller and poet with a piercing viewpoint on culture. His latest release, I'm New Here, (his first in 13 years) turns inward as he reflects on his life and this moment. For Today's Top Tune Gil Scott-Heron covers the indie band Smog, with "I'm New Here."

Mumford and Sons: The Cave

Mumford and Sons: The Cave

London-based quartet Mumford & Sons bonded over their love of roots music. They honed their skills with frequent performances in the underground folk scene and put out a couple of well-received EPs before their full length debut, Sigh No More was released late last year. Today's Top Tune is "The Cave."

Editors: The Boxer

Editors: The Boxer

In 2003, Editors signature sound was part of the post-punk revival happening in the U.K. By 2009, these Brummies took on a new direction tinkering with synthesizers and enlisting producer Flood (of Nine Inch Nail and Depeche Mode fame) to help expand their sound. Today's Top Tune is from the album In This Light and on This Evening, and is called "The Boxer."

Holly Miranda: Waves

Holly Miranda: Waves

Brought up in a strict religious household, Holly Miranda was banned from listening to secular music - so of course she went to great lengths to get it. Her varied influences, combined with the contributions of TV on the Radio's David Sitek, are captured in her ethereal new songs from The Magician's Private Library. Today's Top Tune is "Waves."

Moonrats: Good Night Blue

Moonrats: Good Night Blue

Indie label IAMSOUND is highlighting local talent by releasing a series of limited edition 7-inch records they call the "LA Collection." We will be helping them showcase the diversity of talented musicians living in Los Angeles by offering some of these tracks as Today's Top Tune. We start with Moonrats, a dreamy pop outfit to keep an eye on. They are currently working on their full length debut. Today's Top Tune is "Good Night Blue."

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore: Only A Song

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore: Only A Song

On their new Sub Pop release, Dear Companion, country-folk singers Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore asked their friend and fellow Kentucky native Jim James (Monsters of Folk/My Morning Jacket) to collaborate on a set of songs drawing attention to the environmental problems facing the people of Appalachia. While there is a serious tone, there is also a sense of humor as on Today's Top Tune, "Only A Song."
Corinne Bailey Rae: I’d Do It All Again

Corinne Bailey Rae: I’d Do It All Again

In 2006, Corinne Bailey Rae made her U.S. debut on Morning Becomes Eclectic when we broadcast from the BBC Maida Vale studios in London. Since then, she's become a platinum-selling artist with 3 Grammy nominations to her name. Today's Top Tune is culled from her stunning new release The Sea, and is offered on her birthday, the song is "I'll Do It All Again."

Jose James: Black Magic

Jose James: Black Magic

Since his international 2008 debut, Jose James has been dazzling audiences around the world with his mellifluous baritone stylings. His romantic sound recalls classic Marvin Gaye. Today’s Top Tune is the title track from the forthcoming release “Black Magic.”

Cold War Kids: Cryptomnesia

Cold War Kids: Cryptomnesia

Cold War Kids’ singer Nathan Willett has a rich and powerful voice that cannot be denied. These local favorites were recent guests on Morning Becomes Eclectic and we asked Nathan to stay and record a solo track, accompanying himself on piano, as an exclusive for Today’s Top Tune.  It’s a rarely played song off their last recording Loyalty To Loyalty. Today’s Top Tune is “Cryptomnesia.”

Neil Young: Hank to Hendrix

Neil Young: Hank to Hendrix

Neil Young has been exploring his archives and releasing a string of live solo acoustic performances. We are proud to feature a live version of a song off Harvest Moon, 17 years after the release of the seminal album. Today's Top Tune is "Hank To Hendrix."

 
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