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4:28 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

Just Some Of NPR Music's Favorite Albums Of The Year (So Far)

Originally published on Thu June 13, 2013 5:35 pm

It is only June, but NPR Music staff already has 25 albums that they consider their favorite of the year. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Frannie Kelley, Tom Huizenga, and Stephen Thompson about their favorite music of 2013.

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The Record
4:11 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

Johnny Smith, Revered Guitar Player, Has Died

Credit Album cover
The cover image of The Complete Roost Johnny Smith Small Group Sessions, a 2002 box set of work from across the jazz guitarist's career.

Originally published on Fri June 14, 2013 5:12 pm

All Songs Considered
3:04 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

First Watch: Sonny And The Sunsets, 'Green Blood'

Credit Courtesy of the artist

I adore this song, and the video makes me love it all the more. "Green Blood" is from Sonny and the Sunsets' new album, Antenna to the Afterworld. It's a record filled with cinematic tales, told simply with guitars, bass and drums. And none of those tales are told as endearingly as they are in this song and video about love on a distant planet.

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NPR Story
1:46 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

India.Arie Re-Emerges To Start A New 'SongVersation'

Credit Courtesy of the artist
India.Arie reinvents herself on her new album, SongVersation.

Originally published on Thu June 13, 2013 4:25 pm

When singer-songwriter India.Arie broke through in 2001, her debut album Acoustic Soul went double platinum, and her music and influence continued to gain momentum in the years that followed. Since her debut, she's been nominated for 21 Grammys — and won four — while selling 10 million albums worldwide.

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Alt.Latino
1:20 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

Baila Conmigo: 9 New Latin Songs That Rock

Credit Courtesy of the artist
Bosnian Rainbows, left to right: Deantoni Parks, Teri Gender Bender, Nicci Kasper, Omar Rodriguez Lopez.

Originally published on Mon June 17, 2013 9:55 am

The Checkout: Live
12:49 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

The Bridge Trio: Live From 92Y Tribeca

The trio of Joe Dyson (drums), Max Moran (bass) and Conun Pappas (piano) met in New Orleans' performing-arts high school, and have all gone on to careers in music. Together, they've worked as Donald Harrison's rhythm section before they could legally drink, and in 2012 released a self-titled debut album as The Bridge Trio. Their new-school inspirations and grounding in New Orleans' musical community result in a precociously mature sound.

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All Songs Considered
12:30 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

The Good Listener: For Music-Festival Rookies, A Survival Guide

Credit NPR
If you're going to Bonnaroo this weekend, as these folks did back in 2010, you could use a few tips.

Originally published on Thu June 13, 2013 4:26 pm

We get a lot of mail at NPR Music, and amid the American Girl catalogs we never ordered is a slew of smart questions about how music fits into our lives — and, this week, how first-time music-festival attendees can survive and thrive in an overwhelming setting.

Kendall Levinson writes: "Any advice for a young person going to his or her first music festival this summer? Any tips for preparation or survival would be appreciated."

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Music Interviews
12:27 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

Flamenco Sensation Buika Embraces Her 'Animal' Voice

Credit Javi Rojo
Buika blends flamenco with African rhythms, jazz, blues and soul.

Originally published on Thu June 13, 2013 3:20 pm

World Cafe
11:15 am
Thu June 13, 2013

José James On World Cafe

Credit Janette Beckman / Courtesy of the artist
José James.

Originally from Minneapolis, José James began chasing his dreams of jazz singing at 17. He found his way to London and New York, and eventually ended up at The New School to study jazz vocals. James was always interested in a musical place where jazz, R&B, hip-hop and more can all come together.

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All Songs Considered
8:58 am
Thu June 13, 2013

First Watch: Low, 'Plastic Cup'

Credit Courtesy of the artist

Originally published on Thu June 13, 2013 9:01 am

"Plastic Cup," the moody opening cut to Low's latest album, The Invisible Way, recalls a friend's substance abuse, a lifetime of dependence on others and a soul-crushing future of pointless drug tests. But in a strange new video for the song, director Ryley Fogg takes those themes in a dark and curious direction. Creepy, hooded figures intercut with black-and-white images of the band performing in period costumes.

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