James Brown’s infectious charisma helped skyrocket the Flames from their beginnings, to the top of the Billboard R&B charts. Brown’s insistence to record their 1962 performance at the historic Harlem theatre was adamantly opposed by their record label management, but after 66 weeks atop the pop album charts, its success was undeniable.

A collaboration between the finest two guitar players that Mali and the US have to offer. Though neither Toure nor Ry Cooder spoke the other’s language, the recording proves that some sort of deeper, more fundamental communication was going on. TALKING TIMBUKTU was originally released on March 29th, 1994, and holds the distinction of being the longest-running #1 album in the history of Billboard Magazine’s world music charts.

That the Clash proved both commercially viable and significant in popular culture is a testament to their fortitude and uncompromising style. With so much self-induced adversity, the Clash were destined to fall apart, but not before recording seven original albums- all of which are worth owning for different reasons. Here’s the first.

Public radio stations feel the need to experiment with the latest technological trends in order to raise more money. Is it worth it?

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A few short years ago, companies made their money off of selling phone units. Along came the iPhone and the claims of network superiority. Now, a little $1 iPhone app, Line 2 has the potential to shake up the entire industry.

Link to NYT article:

Nina Simone’s Sings The Blues stands up as a landmark album in an amazing career that spanned half a century and is a reminder of the legacy of this veritable musical genius and what she’s left behind for us to cherish and enjoy.

American Public Media’s show Marketplace spoofs today’s announcement from American Airlines that they will charge economy class customers $8 for a pillow and blanket.

Listen here…

There is bad and there is…

Hear 2.0 presents nominations for the Ed Wood Award for Worst Radio Station Website.

LINK to article.

Here is my nomination: Four Corners Broadcasting perhaps the biggest laugher I’ve ever seen.

“There is no such thing as radio anymore,” said Tom.  There’s no such thing as radio or TV or newspaper or magazines or even ad agencies.  There is only media.  And all media is now in competition with all other media because the firm lines once separating audio from video from print are no more.

LINK