Today's standout selections:
KPRS-HD2 (Kansas City, MO)
- Stop To Love-Luther Vandross (To me, this ranks second only to "Never Too Much" as an uptempo Vandross tune.)
KWVA (Eugene, OR)
- Skyline Rocking-Kelissa (This endearing new reggae release shines with warm, sunny lyrics about appreciating one's home.)
KXLU (Los Angeles, CA)
- Fear Of Flying-Bowery Electric (This instrumental's heavy, steady beat fails to wear out its welcome, even after five and a half minutes.)
WAAI (Cambridge, MD)
- Daydream Believer-Anne Murray (Murray's voice suits this cover of the much-played Monkees hit well, striking the right balance between confidence and starry-eyed idealism.)
WCNR (Charlottesville, VA)
- Don't Save Me-Haim (In early 2013, I heard an interview with the band Haim, along with impressive tracks from their debut album, on WXPN. At the end of the interview, I thought, "Wow...There's real talent there. 'Forever,' in particular, really made me take notice. Everything these songs require--solid vocals, energy, and confidence--is there. I hope they have a successful career." And, so they have. This track from that first release is an example of how this band hit the ground running.)
WXXI (Rochester, NY)
- Kenji Bunch: Broken Music For Cello And Piano (Clancy Newman, cello; Natalie Zhu, piano) (I have to respect a piece that encompasses such divergent themes that it reminded me of a waterfall, a spy thriller, and a dirge.)
WZUM (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Close Your Eyes-Warren Vache (This is some cool, cookin', self-assured trumpet and rhythm section playing.)
- Night Train-Teddy Edwards & Houston Person (Two saxophonists sock this jazz standard home.)
