Not to toot my own horn or nothing, but this is one of the best shows we’ve done here in 2015. Nothing to do with me really, it’s the music, and it kind of dawned on me all of the sudden that virtually all of the new releases on this week’s show are all strong contenders for the end of year “Best Of” special. I know it’s only May, but I have a good sense for these things, so don’t be surprised when Annabel (Lee), Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators, Nosaj Thing, The Sandwitches, Oddisee, and Haitus Kaiyote show in that list. Those artists are featured, along with classic material from the Flamin’ Groovies, Outkast, The Ensemble Al-Salaam and James Brown, on what would have been his 82nd birthday. The second hour is dedicated to an artist who might just have put out the best release of the year, Kamasi Washington, who is about to release his 3-part 172 minute masterpiece “The Epic.” The interview here is edited for airplay, there’ll be a separate post soon with the full version. If you’re in LA and you got the time, make sure to hustle down to the Regent tonight for the release show celebration featuring Kamasi and essentially every player of consequence in the Los Angeles area. This is likely to be the last Melting Pot for a while, as KPFK is going into fundraiser mode for the next month and I’ve got a mountain of grading to do…until we meet again, enjoy the show!
Melting Pot on KPFK #196: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #196: Second Hour