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Soundcheck / May 11, 2007

Soundcheck

Friday, May 11, 2007
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  • A still from "The Hip Hop Project"
    A still from "The Hip Hop Project"

    Extracurricular Hero

    When a Brooklyn hip-hop artist started an after-school program for teens, his students thought it was just a chance to cut a record. Today on Soundcheck, discover how beats and rhymes changed their lives. Plus, Canadian alt-rock band Sloan’s new album boasts a whopping 30 songs. Find out which one they’ll perform live.

The Hip Hop Project

Once a homeless teenager in Brooklyn, Chris "Kazi" Rolle was determined to help other kids avoid the pitfalls of street life. He founded an after-school program called The Hip Hop Project that works with young people aspiring to be rappers. We talk with Rolle and Matt Ruskin, director of a new documentary about the program.

The Hip Hop Project site

Sloan

The eighth album from Canadian rock stars Sloan is appropriately titled Never Hear the End of It. Clocking in at over 75 minutes, the disc features 30 songs filled with insight from a veteran indie group that formed in 1991. We ask members Chris Murphy and Jay Ferguson how they created a catchy pop behemoth that another group might have turned out as three separate releases.

Sloan's web site

Arcade Fire

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

johnny flynn

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.

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