Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'rb'

Raphael Saadiq's Album Recreates R&B World

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:46:00 EDT

Raphael Saadiq, the lead vocalist in the late-1980s R&B band Tony! Toni! Tone!, has emerged as solo artist with his new album The Way I See It. Rock critic Ken Tucker has a review.

Nancy Wilson On Piano Jazz

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:06:00 EDT

The brilliant song stylist Nancy Wilson has recorded over 60 albums and moved effortlessly between jazz, pop, and R&B. Most recently, Wilson hosted NPR's popular program, Jazz Profiles. She joins McPartland to swap stories and sing songs, including "Easy Living" and "The Nearness of You."

Burning Spear: Reggae On Course

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EDT

Reggae music has gone a lot of places over the years, from minimalist dub to culture-warring dancehall. Almost forty years on, Spear still hews to the reggae basics: a deep, easy groove, the brassy R&B flavorings, and a mystical take on history. His new CD is Jah is Real.

Stanley Turrentine: Saxophone 'Sugar Man'

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:12:00 EDT

Known for his big, warm sound, Turrentine found inspiration in the blues and turned it into a hugely successful career in music. The saxophonist played and made frequent recordings across the entire spectrum of R&B and groove-heavy jazz.

Zap Mama On Mountain Stage

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:02:00 EDT

Led by Congo-born singer Marie Dualne, Zap Mama combines musical styles from throughout the African diaspora to create an earthy R&B vibe. Here, the group brings its soulful multicultural mashup to a live performance on Mountain Stage.

The Staples Singers: Gospel Greats

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward tells the story of the Staples Singers, an American gospel, soul and R&B group.

George Duke Puts His Stamp On Funk

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:22:00 EDT

Duke has put out more than 30 albums, which have incorporated jazz, pop, Latin and R&B to critical and commercial success. On his latest album, Dukey Treats, the legendary keyboard player, composer, arranger and bandleader pays tribute to funk, soul and Sly Stone.

Tracy Nelson On Mountain Stage

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:17:00 EDT

For nearly five decades, the powerful and expressive singer has freely traversed the boundaries of blues, R&B, gospel, country and pop. Nelson performs a country-tinged set live with the Mountain Stage band.

Soulive With Fred Wesley, Live At Newport

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:52:00 EDT

The popular funk band teams up with James Brown's arranger and trombonist in a collaboration between two different generations of groove musicians. Hear them perform a set of original jams and classic R&B numbers, live at the Newport Jazz Festival

Smiling Over Irma Thomas

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Music critic David Was is all smiles over After The Rain, the new CD by veteran R&B singer Irma Thomas. It features duets with an all-star roster of piano players including Dr. John, Ellis Marsalis and Norah Jones.

Catherine Russell Revisits The Classics

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:02:00 EDT

Catherine Russell embodies a voice so versatile, she transcends genres with each song. Showcasing a repertoire of blues, jazz, swing and R&B, Russell's new album Sentimental Streak is both powerful and vulnerable.

James Hunter Delves Into '60s Soul

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:46:00 EDT

On his new album, The Hard Way, the British singer and guitarist delves deep into old-fashioned soul and R&B, channeling the influence and spirit of Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson.

Amos Lee At The Studio 4A 'Lodge'

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Before pursuing a career in music, Lee was a Philadelphia schoolteacher. Then he started going to open-mic nights with a car stereo full of classic R&B records. He recently brought his folky, soulful style to NPR headquarters for a solo performance.

The Blues Redemption Of Janiva Magness

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

On the streets by age 16, Magness had experienced more sadness than most do in a lifetime. But after a memorable Otis Rush concert, and seven of her own albums, she's emerged on the other side of 50 as a powerful R&B singer.

Atlanta Soul Scene Reborn

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:09:00 EDT

The capital of Georgia is home to some of the biggest stars in hip-hop and R&B. Since the 1990s, though, the city has also nurtured a very different scene — indie soul. Clubs like the shuttered Yin Yang Cafe and Sugarhill have birthed an intimate scene that gives musicians room to experiment and grow.

A Deeper Sort Of 'Soul'

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:58:00 EDT

A new "best of" collection, The Soul Years, showcases the soulful vocals and composing skills of soul and R&B singer and composer Bobby Womack — and has become a favorite of many critics.

Lyrics Born Is 'Everywhere at Once'

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:23:00 EDT

Lyrics Born is a Japanese-American musician making waves in the world of hip hop, by fusing funk, rock, and R&B. But he doesn't like to talk about his ethnic background — except in his songs. He talks with Farai Chideya about his music and new album.

Obama's Father's Day Speech Stirs Reaction

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EDT

The guys in this week's barbershop — Jimi Izrael, Arsalan Iftikhar, Nick Charles and Gustavo Arrellano — comb through the latest headlines. This week, they talk about Senator Obama's Father's Day message, reaction to the trial verdict of R&B singer R. Kelly, and the NBA's Celtics big win over the Lakers to clinch the national title.

James Hunter and the Sound of '60s Soul

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:03:00 EDT

"Carina" further cements Hunter's place among great U.K. interpreters of American soul music. This is mod soul that sounds as enticing on the first play as it does on the 100th, and thankfully the late-blooming crooner isn't about to overhaul his brand of R&B at this point.

The Ups and Downs of the R. Kelly Trial

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Today a Chicago jury is deliberating the fate of R&B singer R. Kelly on child pornography charges. Madeleine Brand talks to Chicago Public Radio's Natalie Moore about the ups — and considerable downs — of the highly anticipated trial.

Closing Arguments Begin at R. Kelly Trial

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:10:00 EDT

Time Magazine and Time.com reporter Steven Gray is covering the child pornography trial of R&B superstar R. Kelly in Chicago. He talks about Thursday's closing arguments and what a conviction might mean for the singer.

Laila Hathay Returns with New Music, Message

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Soul singer Lailah Hathaway is back on the scene with a new album, Self Portrait. The daughter of the late R&B legend Donnie Hathaway talks about her music, her legacy and why this album challenged her in very different ways. (5. ) Hockey: Not Just for Whites — While many in the sports world have been consumed with the NBA finals, hockey fans are also closely watching their sport. Bill Douglas, a Washington, D.C., reporter, talks about his love for hockey as an African-American sports fan, and why he shouldn't be in the minority.

Al Green: A Classic Gets Modern

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:58:00 EDT

The great soul singer recorded his new album, Lay It Down, with some of today's biggest R&B artists and hip-hop producers. But he says the music is still about "love, love, love."

Gnarls Barkley Craft An 'Odd' Masterpiece

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:40:00 EDT

Gnarls Barkley is best known for its massive 2006 summer hit "Crazy" from their debut album St. Elsewhere. The duo's follow-up The Odd Couple meshes classic R&B with infectious hip-hop grooves and cinematic production. Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse speak with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about crafting their new album.

R&B Star R. Kelly Faces Child Porn Charges

Thu, 22 May 2008 10:00:00 EDT

For more than a decade, R. Kelly has topped the charts as one of R&B's most successful artists. But he is also known for his repeated scrapes with the law. On Thursday, he'll be in a Chicago courtroom, facing 14 counts of child pornography.