Music & Culture

Twin Danger's Vanessa Bley and Stuart Matthewman

Music & Culture

The Sound Of Twin Danger: Frank Sinatra Meets The Clash

6:48pm June 28, 2015

by NPR Staff

Singer Vanessa Bley and former Sade collaborator Stuart Matthewman make up the new cocktail jazz band Twin Danger, which has been causing a scene with its self-titled debut and live shows.

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Philip Cheruiyot (second from left) leans in to read the song titles on the CD booklet brought by Diane Thram. Cheruiyot's grandfather sang on Hugh Tracey's recording of "Chemirocha II."

Music & Culture

In A Kenyan Village, A 65-Year-Old Recording Comes Home

9:40am June 28, 2015

by Ryan Kailath

The "Chemirocha" song of the Kipsigis tribe has a curious American origin — and it's quite the time capsule. A group travels to the village to find those who first sang it.

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From 'My Adidas' To FUBU, Fashion And Hip-Hop Have Always Matched Beats

9:40am June 28, 2015

by Andrew Limbong

A new documentary, Fresh Dressed, explores the relationship between the clothes and the music of hip-hop — including the rise and fall of black-owned brands and black designers.

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'Fresh Air' Remembers Johnny Gimble, The 'King Of The Swing Fiddle'

1:16pm June 26, 2015

Gimble, who died Saturday at the age of 88, spent years playing fiddle with the Texas Playboys. He was regarded by critics as one of the best to ever pick up a bow. Originally broadcast April 9, 2010.

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Music & Culture

Leon Bridges Offers Retro R&B With A Twist In 'Coming Home'

3:24pm June 25, 2015

by Ken Tucker

The Texas-raised singer connects to R&B music from the past — and challenges himself to give it an updated sound — in his new album. Critic Ken Tucker says Bridges' album packs an emotional punch.

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Composer James Horner, seen here at a movie premiere in 2012, is believed to have died in a plane crash.

James Horner, A Giant Among Movie Music Composers, Is Dead, Agents Say

11:38pm June 23, 2015

by Bill Chappell

A single-engine plane registered to Horner crashed on Monday in an area 60 miles from Santa Barbara, Calif. There were no survivors.

SOAK's debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, comes out June 2.

Music & Culture

Review: SOAK, 'Before We Forgot How To Dream'

10:25pm June 23, 2015

by Stephen Thompson

The Irish singer recorded her debut at 18, so it makes sense that it would chronicle youthful uncertainty. Throughout the album, her songs command attention by burrowing deep under the skin.

Music & Culture

Review: 'Covered,' Robert Glasper

8:56pm June 23, 2015

by Tom Moon

NPR's Tom Moon reviews the new album from pianist Robert Glasper, Covered.

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In The Battle Between Taylor Swift And Apple, Swift Didn't Fight Alone

1:51pm June 23, 2015

by Sam Sanders

Swift made headlines when her Tumblr post seemed to force Apple to pay musicians for music streamed during a three-month free trial period. But other music industry players get credit as well.

Music & Culture

Musicians Deny Requests To Allow Their Music To Be Streamed

8:10am June 23, 2015

by Mandalit del Barco

Taylor Swift fought Apple, and seems to have won: It will pay royalties during the free trial period of its music streaming service. But Swift isn't the only artist to stand up to Internet services.

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