Search results for

The Latin music giant died Sunday after a long illness; he was 73. As prolific as he was influential, Cuba helped pioneer the Latin soul movement in the 1960s, and became an elder in the salsa scene.

When Berry Gordy started Motown Records, Maxine Powell was already running a modeling school in Detroit. So she was naturally suited to coach the label's legendary singers. Plus: critic Gary Graff discusses the Motown label's overlooked singles.

This week, the South by Southwest music festival brings more than 1,700 bands to Austin, Texas, for a weekend that's all about volume in more ways than one. Narrowing down the seemingly limitless options isn't easy, but here are three acts likely to win some new fans in the coming days.

The song "Brandy" by Looking Glass was No. 1 in 1972. For singer-songwriter Todd Snider, the song is a reminder of happy times. He was 6 years old when he first heard the song, but it left a lasting impression.

Okay, so Lady Gaga and The Black Eyed Peas are atop pop charts everywhere. But Talk of the Nation wants to know: What else is popular where you live? And how did you hear about it? A popular musician, a Kenyan radio DJ and an international music expert discuss.

Just about everyone has been affected by the financial crisis, directly or indirectly. Songwriter Elizabeth Ziman used it as creative inspiration. She wrote a song about the crisis on Wall Street for her band, Elizabeth and The Catapult. "Taller Children" is the title track on her new album.

Many of the innovations in today's popular Latin music are coming from younger musicians in rock, hip-hop and electronica. NPR's Felix Contreras discusses new releases from Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Novalima and CuCu Diamantes.

Day to Day asked artists to send their musical takes on the California Dream. Among dozens of submissions, one track stood out because of its unique approach: The instruments are urban sounds. Quinn Kiesow spent 80 hours piecing together an array of noises to make "Los Angeles."

From before bebop to the present day, some of the best jazz albums of all time have been issued by Blue Note Records. The label celebrates its 70th anniversary this week, and to honor the occasion, pianist Bill Charlap has chosen five of his all-time favorite Blue Note songs.

The Detroit-based band, which Kramer founded in the 1960s, is considered a forerunner of punk rock. Kramer, who died Feb. 2, spoke to Fresh Air in 2002 about the early days of the MC5.