Sun Records R&B, Part 1 - 1952-53. This week salutes the most influential and important record label of all-time, Sun Records. Sam Phillips started the legendary label in Memphis, TN in March, 1952 after successfully recording the debut sides from B.B. King, Ike Turner, Phineas Newborn and Howlin' Wolf and selling the masters to RPM Records in LA and Chess Records in Chicago. This is part one of a two-part feature, leading up to Phillips' groundbreaking, pop culture shifting discovery of Elvis Presley in July, 1954. Matt The Cat examines nearly every rhythm & blues side that Sun Released during 1952 and '53 on this in-depth look into one of America's most treasured music catalogs. That little yellow label from Memphis is in the spotlight as America's showcase for 1940s and '50s Rhythm & Blues.

In honor of John Coltrane’s centennial we’ll air the 5-Part series produced by Steve Rowland, the acclaimed oral historian, educator, and documentary producer, “Tell Me How Long Trane’s Been Gone.” Widely regarded as the most comprehensive documentary ever produced for radio (or television), it is unhurried, rigorous, and deeply intimate, tracing John Coltrane’s career from his North Carolina roots through the classic quartet years, the spiritual breakthrough of “A Love Supreme”, and into his avant-garde explorations. The documentary features rare interviews, archival recordings, from Coltrane’s contemporaries and collaborators including Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, Rashied Ali, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, and many others.

Strata East: How a revolutionary record label put the control in the artist's hands. In the 1970s, Strata-East Records took a revolutionary approach empowering musicians with complete artistic control and the majority of the record sales profit. Take a dive with us into their discography, impact and legacy.

In honor of John Coltrane’s centennial we’ll air the 5-Part series produced by Steve Rowland, the acclaimed oral historian, educator, and documentary producer, “Tell Me How Long Trane’s Been Gone.” Widely regarded as the most comprehensive documentary ever produced for radio (or television), it is unhurried, rigorous, and deeply intimate, tracing John Coltrane’s career from his North Carolina roots through the classic quartet years, the spiritual breakthrough of “A Love Supreme”, and into his avant-garde explorations. The documentary features rare interviews, archival recordings, from Coltrane’s contemporaries and collaborators including Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, Rashied Ali, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, and many others.

Coming Soon.

In honor of John Coltrane’s centennial we’ll air the 5-Part series produced by Steve Rowland, the acclaimed oral historian, educator, and documentary producer, “Tell Me How Long Trane’s Been Gone.” Widely regarded as the most comprehensive documentary ever produced for radio (or television), it is unhurried, rigorous, and deeply intimate, tracing John Coltrane’s career from his North Carolina roots through the classic quartet years, the spiritual breakthrough of “A Love Supreme”, and into his avant-garde explorations. The documentary features rare interviews, archival recordings, from Coltrane’s contemporaries and collaborators including Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, Rashied Ali, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, and many others.

Vocalist Stella Cole is a romantic and not afraid to show it. In our time when so much is slick or ironic, Stella chooses to be sincere and sing from the heart, digging deep into the emotional journey of a song, always with a bit of hope shining through, reflecting the classic musicals of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s that she loved as a child. Stella has toured with Post Modern Jukebox, with her own band, and now, three albums later, she’s off and running with loads of fans who include her twenty-something contemporaries, those who heard some of those songs originally, and everyone in between.

Joshua Smith Quartet, Set 1. For over 20 years as a professional jazz pianist and 7 full-length album appearances (3 as leader), Keigo Hirakawa has transformed himself from a student of the jazz masters to an artist with vision and unique sense of expressions. His jazz piano trio is well-known throughout the Midwest for their willingness to be musically spontaneous on stage, exploring original compositions and redefining jazz standards to make it their own.Cleveland native Joshua Smith is a saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist who has been playing for the past 25 years with a Who's Who of creative music and jazz, from Joe Lovano to Chris Jonas and Scott Amendola. Now based in San Francisco, Joshua is one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after collaborators.This August 3rd, 2024 performance features the quartet working out material in advance of Joshua and Keiho heading into the studio to record new music. Featuring Joshua Smith on Saxophone, Keigo Hirakawa on Piano, Connor Smith on Bass and Jeff Mellott on Drums, Daniel Peck is your host for the Joshua Smith Quartet…Live at the Bop Stop.

Sun Records R&B, Pt. 2: 1954-55. On Part 2 of on Sun Records' early R&B releases, Matt The Cat spotlights 1954 and '55. This was the most important year and a half in Sun's history. In July, 1954, a young former truck driver named Elvis Presley entered 706 Union Avenue in Memphis and laid down a song that would lead to the rock n' roll explosion of the mid-1950s. Sun founder, the late Sam Phillips recalls that historic recording as Matt The Cat spins classic Sun R&B from the likes of Billy "The Kid" Emerson, Little Milton, James Cotton and Roscoe Gordon. This is the thrilling conclusion to the tribute to the most important and influential label in the history of rock n' roll.

Flea in conversation with Christian McBride. Flea's first musical love wasn't rock. It was jazz. The iconic bassist joins Christian McBride to talk about his debut solo album, Honora, and his return to the music that started it all.