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Soundcheck

Wednesday, January 11, 2006
  • jazz drawing

    The Jazz Event of the Year

    The world's largest jazz conference gets underway today in midtown. We'll tell you what you need to know amidst all of the round-tables, research papers, and awards ceremonies. Also: Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the now-banned hallucinogenic drug LSD, celebrates his 100th birthday today. We look at it shaped music of the Hippy movement and beyond. And, a conversation with Thandiswa, an South African pop star whose gained a reputation for being the voice of a new generation of young people in South Africa. Finally, a look at "Backmasking." That's the practice of inserting hidden messages in songs that are revealed when played backwards.

LSD Inventor Turns 100

The Swiss chemist who discovered LSD celebrates his 100th birthday today. We look at its influence on music and '60s pop culture.
» Father of LSD Celebrating 100th Birthday

Also: Backmasking is the practice of inserting hidden messages in songs that are revealed when played backwards. We speak with master backmasker, Jeff Milner.
» Jeff Millner on backmasking

Voice of a New Generation

Thandiswa is a young South African pop star who is being hailed as the voice of a new, post-apartheid generation.
» Thandiswa's Website

International Association for Jazz Education

Eugene Holley, jazz writer for the Philadelphia Weekly, surveys the scene at the world's biggest jazz conference.
» IAJE Website

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.