This weekend on The Progressive Underground, we dropped anchor in the world of Yacht Rock — that smooth, soulful, and yes, sometimes delightfully corny blend of soft rock, blue-eyed soul, and jazz-pop that soundtracked many a sunset in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

From Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, and Christopher Cross to deeper cuts from the California studio scene, we explore the polished grooves, lush arrangements, and the studio legends behind the music. Think creamy synths, tight harmonies and lyrics that make you chuckle while you vibe.

In this special episode, we navigate the genre’s cultural roots, its surprising resurgence and the smooth sounds that still go down easy, whether you’re sailing the coast or just cruising down memory lane.

This program coincides with a special performance by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as they present “Sailing: Soft Rock Hits of the 70s and 80s” on Tuesday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Orchestra Hall. For more information, visit dso.org.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

The Progressive Underground: Yacht Rock Edition playlist (aired July 19, 2025)

• “Taking it to the Streets” by The Doobie Brothers
• “Tin Man” by America
• “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is” by Chicago
• “Baby Come Back” by Player
• “Moonlight Feels Right” by Starbuck
• “Crazy Love” by Poco
• “Ride Like The Wind” by Christopher Cross
• “Free Man in Paris” by Joni Mitchell
• “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes
• “Baker Street” by Gerry Raferty
• “Time Passages” by Al Stewart
• “What A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers
• “You Can’t Change That” by Raydio
• “Hello It’s Me” by Todd Rungren
• “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John
• “Magic” by Olivia Newton John
• “Midnight at the Oasis” by Maria Malduar
• “Reminiscing” by The Little River Band
• “Peg” by Steely Dan
• “Africa” by Toto
• “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago
• “How Much I Feel” by Ambrosia
• “This Is It” by Kenny Loggins
• “Sailing” by Christopher Cross
• “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
• “Sarah Smile” by Hall & Oates
• “I Keep Forgetting” by Michael McDonald
• “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille
• “Cool Night” by Paul Davis
• “Goodnight, Tonight” by Paul McCartney
• “Love Will Find A Way” by Pablo Cruise
• “Hey 19” by Steely Dan
• “Lowdown” by Boz Scaggs
• “My Best Friend” by Queen
• “Show You The Way (feat. Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins)” by Thundercat
• “Only The Beginning” by Chicago

Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground, bringing you this week’s Pick of the Week — and let me tell you, this one is spiritual electricity. 

We’re tapping into the genre-defying brilliance of SAULT, the elusive UK collective led by producer Inflo and powerhouse vocalist Cleo Sol — who also happen to be husband and wife. Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, SAULT has released a staggering 11 albums in just a few short years, each one digging deeper into the soul of Black music and culture with a defiant edge and minimal media presence. No press tours. No interviews. Just message and music. 

This year, they hit us with their 12th studio release, simply titled “10.” And true to form, it’s a kaleidoscopic ride — an audacious fusion of R&B, punk, gospel, funk, soul, rock, and pop, delivered in SAULT’s signature raw-yet-refined aesthetic. 

The track we’re about to get into is called “KTYWS,” an acronym for “Know That You Will Survive.” And it’s exactly what it sounds like — a sonic affirmation. This one rides a thick groove with gritty basslines, layered vocals, and a rebellious spirit that hits somewhere between a sermon and a rallying cry. It’s healing music. It’s resistance music. It’s survival music. 

Let’s get into it, SAULT with “KTYWS,” my Pick of the Week. 

That was SAULT with “KTYWS,” a defiant, groove-laced proclamation from a group that refuses to play by the industry’s rules. No names in lights, no faces on magazine covers, just deep, soul-drenched music that hits where it matters. 

If that moved you like it moved me, then lock in with The Progressive Underground every Saturday night at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET. We dig for the bold, the brilliant, and the next wave of future classics, from nu-jazz to deep house, b-sides to broken beat. 

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Stay elevated, and we’ll catch you next time. 

This summer has been hot — perfect for enjoying a cool beverage and an even cooler playlist. To mark the halfway point of 2025, we asked our award-winning DJs to share their top five tracks of the year so far so we could create the ultimate summer soundtrack.

Below is a well-balanced mix of genres, energies and artists.

Listen to the full playlist:

Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music

• “Everything’s Beautiful” — Hiatus Kaiyote
• “I Don’t” — Madison McFerrin
• “Flower Moon (feat. Aaron Frazer)” — Durand Jones & The Indications
• “Lotta Love” — Lamont Landers
• “Stealing A Kiss” — The War And Treaty

Chris Campbell, The Progressive Underground

• “20/20” — Ideeyah, Meftah
• “Your first time” — Erogenous
• “Lovers’ Holiday” — Durand Jones & The Indications
• “Sweet Danger” — Obongjayar
• “LIFE IS A RHYTHM (feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O)” — Alexander Flood

Jeff Milo, MI Local

• “Jessie” — Danny VanZandt
• “Fearless and the Pure” — Elisabeth Pixley-Fink
• “UR WORLD” — LOCAL ORGANIC
• “Power” — Neu Blume
• “The Bloodletting” — PHABIES

Jon Moshier, Modern Music

• “Alcohol” — TVOD
• “Emilina” — Bloodshot Bill
• “She’s Too Cool for You” — Audio Book Club
• “Evil People” — MIEN
• “Transmuted Matter” — Stereolab

Liz Warner, Alternate Take

• “Ibiza” — Butcher Brown
• “The Missing Piece” — Max Cooper
• “Babystar” — Herbert & Momoko
• “BROKEN” — Ela Minus
• “Gadabout Season” — Brandee Younger

Mike Latulippe, The Detroit Move

Note: Due to the retrospective nature of this show, these five songs were released before 2025.

• “Possum Belly Overalls (feat. Noble ‘Thin Man’ Watts and His Rhythm Sparks)” — June Bateman
• “I Don’t Like You That Much” — Royal Jokers
• “Dance What You Wanna” — George E. Lee
• “Way Out” — Keetie & The Kats
• “I Can’t Do The Ska” — The Zodiacs

Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music

• “I’ll Be OK” — Michigander
• “Walk This Road (feat. Mavis Staples)” — The Doobie Brothers
• “Love Is On Fire” — The War And Treaty
• “Lady Liberty” — Galactic & Irma Thomas
• “After I’m Dead” — Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms

Ryan Patrick Hooper, In The Groove

• “R B J” — LL Burns
• “Dumb Feeling” — Mei Semones
• “Elderberry Wine” — Wednesday
• “Melodie Is A Wound” — Stereolab
• “You got time and I got money” — Smerz

More best-of playlists

This is Chris Campbell from The Progressive Underground with your Pick of the Week. And trust me, this one hits deep.

This week, we spotlight Detroit’s own Ideeyah, whose latest EP on Theo Parrish’s Sound Signature label is nothing short of a spiritual sonic experience.

Produced by rising star Meftah, the project marks a bold evolution in Ideeyah’s artistry — blending ethereal vocals, spoken word reflections, and lush, transcendent production that feels like praise and meditation all in one.

One of the standout tracks is called “20/20,” a soulful, introspective groove that moves the body and stirs the spirit, and it’s my Pick of the Week.

That was Ideeyah with “20/20” off her new EP, Sweet Chariot.

If this resonated with you, pull up every Saturday at 6 p.m. for The Progressive Underground, where we explore the future of soul, nu-jazz, b-sides, and deep grooves from across the spectrum.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Catch you next time.

This is Chris Campbell from The Progressive Underground, and it’s time for my Pick of the Week.

Now this one right here? It’s for the ballroom crowd, the steppers, the late-night soul seekers. We’re diving into “1AM (Extended Groove Mix)” from Detroit’s own SiloamPool, a singer-songwriter with a voice as smooth as silk and a pen dipped in jazz and R&B.

Raised on a musical diet of Nina Simone, Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Gino Vannelli, Siloam once had plans to wear a white coat in the medical field. But after taking a few music theory and vocal courses at the University of Michigan, she caught the bug, and the stage called her name.

After a stint on the road with gospel and R&B legend Fred Hammond, she stepped out solo and hasn’t looked back. Her latest single, co-written with Markovich Drummond and produced by Sidney Howard of Mama, There Goes That Band! fame, is a lush, late-night groove layered with a slow-burn intro and vocals that slide in like velvet.

It’s sensual. It’s soulful. It’s midnight magic turned all the way up.
Let’s get into it. This is Siloam Pool with “1AM (Extended Groove Mix),”  my Pick of the Week.

That was SiloamPool with “1AM (Extended Groove Mix)” — a smooth-as-satin cut built for those moonlit dance floors and backroom lounges. 

If you love groove-heavy joints like this, catch me every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on The Progressive Underground, where we bump future soul, nu-jazz, b-sides and rare grooves.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell.  Stay soulful and uplifted and we’ll see you next time.