KBCS (Bellevue, WA)
- Blessed With Your Curse-Nikki Yanofsky (A strong voice carries off an upbeat that blends elements of pop, jazz, and R&B.)
- I Could Never Get Involved-Heroes Of The Dancefloor (Segues well with "Blessed With Your Curse," and maintains an even jazzier vibe.)
- Long Walk Back-Barbara Jean (Endearing lyrics and vocals from last year's "Darker Than Blue" release. Also recommended: "Wishing Well," "Siren Song," "Stone City Waltz," and "Blackest Crow." I look forward to seeing what's next for this singer-songwriter.)
- Where Is The Love-Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (Is there another duet in which the breezy vocals are this appealingly at odds with such ominous lyrics?)
- Unstoppable-Lianne La Havas (Impressively jazzy, hypnotic vocals on this midtempo track from July. Also recommended: "Midnight" and "Ghosts.")
- Dance To The Music (Oct. 4, 1968, "Live At The Fillmore East" version)-Sly & The Family Stone (An expansive take, with resounding horns and vocals that live up to the studio version.)
- Then I Met You-Kenny Burrell (The DJ offered qualified praise for this track and its album, "Blue Muse." Burrell is so identified as a renowned guitarist, so it's unusual to hear him sing. I think his vocals and the accompanying ensemble do the song justice, though.)
