Travis Atria, longtime Wax Poetics contributor and writer of Issue 01's cover story, "The Fire from Within – The Conflicted Journey and Spiritual Trials of Marvin Gaye," speaks to Marvin collaborator and biographer David Ritz, whose landmark Divided Soul offers key insights into the artist's psyche.

#marvingaye #waxpoetics

Wax Poetics Podcast - Episode 03: Marvin Gaye

a sturdy chicago steppers set...perfect for a summertime cruise down lsd

Keep Smilin'

Summer Blends

An amazing record recently landed in my post office box, an absolute classic of an album I honestly never thought I’d see in person let alone get a copy of: Winston Mankunku Ngozi’s quartet masterpiece “Yakhal Inkomo” - I insist everyone at least take a listen to this on Spotify or elsewhere. On this episode I've included the title track to start off the set. There is also an excellent interview with South African jazz scholars Percy Mabandu, Kevin Davidson, Nduduzo Makhathini and Salim Washington discussing the importance of this recording, available at: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/yakhal-inkomo-a-south-african-masterpiece-at-fifty-winston-mankunku-ngozi-by-seton-hawkins

Anyway, I decided to partner it on this podcast with a few other horn-heavy selections. Hope you dig!

Tracklist: Mankunku Quartet, Azar Lawrence, Lee Morgan, Sahib Shihab, John Coltrane

October 20 2021

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 179

Tune into Across 110th Street live every week on 89.9 FM (NYC) or via WKCR.org from 12-2 PM EST!

Tracklist
“Happiness Togetherness” Heatwave
“Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)” Gladys Knight & The Pips
“Quiet Storm” Smokey Robinson
“Love Changes” Mother’s Finest
“Sweet Thing” Rufus, Chaka Khan
“Work To Do” The Isley Brothers
~Break
“Soon I’ll Be Loving You Again” Marvin Gaye
“Your Love Is Rated X” Johnnie Taylor
“I Choose You” Willie Hutch
“Still Water (Love)” Four Tops
“You Know How To Make Me Feel so Good” Harold Melvin  & The Blue Notes, Sharon Paige
“Sexy Mama” The Moments
“Woman’s Gotta Have It” Bobby Womack
~Break
“Golden Time of Day” Maze, Frankie Beverly
“While I’m Alone” Maze, Frankie Beverly
“I Need You” Maze, Frankie Beverly
“Never Had A Love Like This Before” Tavares
“Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” The Dramatics
~Break
“Central Heating” Heatwave
“Keep It Up” Milton Wright
“How About Love” Chocolate Mix
“I’d Find You Anywhere” Creative Source
“Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby” The O'Jays
“Riding High” Faze-O

Pictured: Bobby Womack

Across 110th Street 3/12/22

Back at it with a bunch of new digs! Starting this set off with a few pieces that just dropped into the PO box from Cuba, then moving into some private press jazz that I just scooped up in Portland, ending with a classic from the master Herbie Hancock. Enjoy!

Tracklist: Ricardo Eddy y Expreso Ritmico, Felipe Dulzaides, Hilton Ruiz Trio, King James Version, Jan Deneau Trio, Bob Szainer Triad, Herbie Hancock

March 16 2022

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 192

Recorded live on a Sunday evening in front of a small Twitch audience, an hour of jazz joints make up the latest episode of Pullin from the Stacks! Stay tuned for future episodes to be streamed live as well starting in May. No episode next week as I'll be traveling but a new Knowledge Breaks before the month is out...thanks for tuning in!

Tracklist: Donald Byrd, Hampton Hawes, Jazz Traficantes, George Shearing, Frank Cunimondo, Steve Grossman, Stanley Turrentine, Michel Sardaby, Clare Fischer, Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, Mutual Attraction, Build An Ark

April 13 2022

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 195

Recorded this episode right after the Supreme Court leak of the opinion turning back Roe v. Wade, so I had to start it off with an old spoken-word piece from Digable Planets. "The facists are some heavy dudes / they don't really give a damn about life." Words that continue to ring true. If you're able please donate to these abortion funds listed here (rather than Planned Parenthood): https://defector.com/here-are-some-abortion-funds-you-can-donate-to/

Photo credit: http://instagram.com/radicalgraffiti

Tracklist: Digable Planets, Azimuth, T. Takahashi, Gojkovic-Kovacev, Skymark, Raffy Bushman, New Haven Women's Liberation Rock Band

May 4 2022

Abortion Funds

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 197

My first tribute to the great Ramsey Lewis, one of my absolute favorite pianists and musicians, who passed today (September 12, 2022). Thought I'd re-up this. Salute!!

May 2009

More Mixes

Throwback Mix: A Tribute to Ramsey (2009 Mixtape)

Solshine Radio With Nina Sol | December 7, 2022

Tune in to Across 110th Street live every week on 89.9 FM (NYC) or via WKCR.org from 12-2 PM EST!

Tracklist:
"Sparrow" Marvin Gaye
~Talk
"Betcha By Golly Wow" The Stylistics
"Betcha By Golly Wow" Phyllis Hyman & Norman Connors
"La La Means I Love You" The Delfonics
"I'll Be Around" Spinners
"Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" Spinners
"It's Gonna Take A Miracle" Deneice Williams
"Your Move, My Heart" Phyllis Hyman
~Talk
"Is It Something I Said" MFSB
"Crawshay" Cymande
"Bra" Cymande
"Zion I" Cymande
"Funky Nassau Pt. 1" The Beginning of the End
"Funky Nassau Pt. 2" The Beginning of the End
"When She Made Me Promise" The Beginning of the End
~Talk
"Family Affair" Sly & The Family Stone
"Last Night Changed It All" Esther Williams
"Seven Minutes of Funk" The Whole Darn Family
"Fencewalk" Mandrill
~Talk
"Yes We Can Can" The Pointer Sisters
"How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On the Side)" The Pointer Sisters
~Talk
"Close Your Eyes & Look Within" Donald Byrd
"Tripping Out" Curtis Mayfield

Photo: Thom Bell

Across 110th Street 1/15/23

When I'm not at the dayjob, I'm probably at a record store. Pullin from the Stacks podcast most Wednesdays, available here, Apple Pods (please subscribe!) and elsewhere.

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 192

DJ Ian Head