World Music

The best of midsummer new releases, with music from Africa, Brazil, Cuba, and the latest in jazz.

from Music News

Franco, the “Congo Colossus,” fronted one of the most popular Congolese rumba groups from the 50’s to the 80’s.

from Music News

Music magazine Creem was a tastemaker for rock and roll during the 1970s. The publication built that reputation because it wasn't afraid to go after some of rock's sacred cows.

'Creem': New documentary about the 1970s rock and roll magazine

Music magazine Creem was a tastemaker for rock and roll during the 1970s. The publication built that reputation because it wasn't afraid to go after some of rock's sacred cows.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Eddie Daniels’s new album is a soulful and heartfelt tribute to the music of Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins.

An album about the heart — 'Night Kisses: A Tribute to Ivan Lins'

Eddie Daniels’s new album is a soulful and heartfelt tribute to the music of Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins.

from Music News

Amy Madrigali, the Troubadour’s talent buyer, says many venues will close permanently if there's no financial relief.

Troubadour, Zebulon, other music venues could permanently close if there’s no financial relief

Amy Madrigali, the Troubadour’s talent buyer, says many venues will close permanently if there's no financial relief.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

People are listening to a lot of new music during this pandemic, according to a study from Billboard. KCRW DJ Valida gives recommendations for some new tracks.

Jessie Ware, Jyoti, Daniel Blake: New summer music recommendations

People are listening to a lot of new music during this pandemic, according to a study from Billboard. KCRW DJ Valida gives recommendations for some new tracks.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Many Saturdays in the 1970s and 1980s meant morning cartoons and then a ride on the hippest train in America. Soul Train ran for 35 years.

‘American Soul’ gives inside look at how Don Cornelius built ‘Soul Train’

Many Saturdays in the 1970s and 1980s meant morning cartoons and then a ride on the hippest train in America. Soul Train ran for 35 years.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

New and vintage sounds from Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Latin America, and more.

Rhythm Planet: July Playlist Potpourri

New and vintage sounds from Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Latin America, and more.

from Music News

Iconic West African group Orchestra Baobab celebrates the Golden Anniversary of its formation with new vinyl release of their 2002 reunion album, Specialist in All Styles .

Orchestra Baobab Celebrates 50 Years

Iconic West African group Orchestra Baobab celebrates the Golden Anniversary of its formation with new vinyl release of their 2002 reunion album, Specialist in All Styles .

from Music News

Bob Dylan has chronicled generations of American life. At nearly 80 years old, Dylan still has a lot more to say. His new album, “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” came out in late June.

‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ is one of Bob Dylan’s best albums of his career, says Eric J. Lawrence

Bob Dylan has chronicled generations of American life. At nearly 80 years old, Dylan still has a lot more to say. His new album, “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” came out in late June.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Tom Schnabel considers Alan Geik his Latin music godfather. This week, Geik presents his Latin favorites in ten epic songs, with a nice slice of personal history mixed in, too

Rhythm Planet: Exploring 'Latin Dimensions' with Cal Tjader and Eddie Palmieri

Tom Schnabel considers Alan Geik his Latin music godfather. This week, Geik presents his Latin favorites in ten epic songs, with a nice slice of personal history mixed in, too

from Music News

New music from Mali’s Oumou Sangaré, Malaysian singer Yuna, Cameroonian-American singer Vagabon, the East-West fusion of guitarist Sharon Isbin and sarod master Amjad Ali Khan, and…

Music for Long Summer Days

New music from Mali’s Oumou Sangaré, Malaysian singer Yuna, Cameroonian-American singer Vagabon, the East-West fusion of guitarist Sharon Isbin and sarod master Amjad Ali Khan, and…

from Music News

The Indigo Girls have been intertwining politics and songwriting since they began making music 35 years ago.

The Indigo Girls on marrying music with political activism, learning from Black leaders

The Indigo Girls have been intertwining politics and songwriting since they began making music 35 years ago.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Music to celebrate fathers and fatherhood this week on Rhythm Planet

Songs to Celebrate Dads

Music to celebrate fathers and fatherhood this week on Rhythm Planet

from Music News

Press Play is taking a moment from the near-constant news cycle to listen to new music from all sorts of artists. KCRW DJ Novena Carmel shares her favorite summer songs.

Summer music picks: Celia Cruz, Nikko Gray, Rotary Connection

Press Play is taking a moment from the near-constant news cycle to listen to new music from all sorts of artists. KCRW DJ Novena Carmel shares her favorite summer songs.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Terence Blanchard talks with KCRW about how he composed music for “Da 5 Bloods” and his experiences living as a Black father in America.

Jazz musician Terence Blanchard on ‘Da 5 Bloods,’ Spike Lee, and the current civil unrest

Terence Blanchard talks with KCRW about how he composed music for “Da 5 Bloods” and his experiences living as a Black father in America.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

John can’t come to the phone right now, but his message machine is overflowing with music recommendations from special guests across the creative spectrum.

John Moses' Message Machine - Episode 2

John can’t come to the phone right now, but his message machine is overflowing with music recommendations from special guests across the creative spectrum.

from The Lab

Growing up in LA, musician Mikel Jollett did not have it easy. He escaped from a cult at a young age, and he struggled to maintain a relationship with his father.

‘Hollywood Park:’ How Mikel Jollett left a cult, got into Stanford, became a lead singer

Growing up in LA, musician Mikel Jollett did not have it easy. He escaped from a cult at a young age, and he struggled to maintain a relationship with his father.

from Greater LA

For the first time in 30 years, KROQ 106.7 FM is under new management, which fired morning host Kevin Ryder of “Kevin & Bean” fame.

KROQ was an alt-music leader for decades. Now it faces big changes, loses listeners

For the first time in 30 years, KROQ 106.7 FM is under new management, which fired morning host Kevin Ryder of “Kevin & Bean” fame.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Rhythm Planet's signature eclectic mix of new and old – from silk road electronica to Puerto Rican pop, plus the latest in jazz, classical, and world.

Tunes to Spring into Summer

Rhythm Planet's signature eclectic mix of new and old – from silk road electronica to Puerto Rican pop, plus the latest in jazz, classical, and world.

from Music News