wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
  • Moby
    Danny Clinch

    Moby Returns to the Dance Floor

    On his latest album, Moby surveys his vast dance music past, cramming disco, house, rap and more onto one 63-minute CD. Today, the ubiquitous DJ and songwriter reflects on 25 years of nightclubbing in New York. Plus: Pianist Helio Alves and drummer Duduka da Fonseca are New York-based Brazilian musicians who have been friends for 15 years. They talk about their first album together and the state of samba jazz.

Last Night a Vegan Saved My Life

Moby says his new album is "me trying to take 25 years of going out in NYC and condensing it into a 65-minute record." The longtime DJ and eclectic songwriter joins us to explain how he crammed disco, house, rave, and rap onto the new CD "Last Night."

Moby's Website

Helio Alves and Duduka da Fonseca

Pianist Helio Alves and drummer Duduka da Fonseca are Brazilian musicians who play in the New York jazz scene. They've been friends for 15 years. They join us talk about their first album together, "Songs from the Last Century."

Helio Alves' Website

The Ghost of Trip-Hop Past

In the 1990s, the English group Portishead released two stunning, slightly creepy albums that helped define the sound of trip hop. Then, it virtually disappeared for the next 10 years. Fresh from a well-received slot at last weekend's Coachella festival, Portishead just released a new album, "Third." Music critic Michaelangelo Matos explains how the band sheds the trip-hop tag on the CD, but preserves its signature sound.

Michaelango Matos' review of 'Third'
Portishead 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.