In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some cool September albums released from 1965-1995. Also, new tunes from Spoon, Trombone Shorty, David Byrne, Fall Out Boy and much more.

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for September 6, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Guess I’m Fallin’ In Love” – Spoon
• “Soak Up The Sun” – Sheryl Crow w/Surf Mesa
• “The Power” – Curtis Harding
• “What Is The Reason For It” – David Byrne w/Hayley Williams
  
• “Say Yes” – Apropos
  
• “Respect” – Otis Redding (released September 1965)
• “Part Time Lover” – Stevie Wonder (released September 1985)
• “Lakeside Park” – Rush (released September 1975)
• “Asshole” – The Lumineers
• “Believe” – Kashus Culpepper
• “Another Life” – Alabama Shakes
• “FLA” – Kathleen Edwards
• “Ben Franklin’s Song” – The Decemberists
  

• “Meeting Across The River” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Born In The U.S.A. (Electric Nebraska)” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Rock The Boat” – Trombone Shorty
• “Rock The Boat” – Aaliyah
• “Wild And Clear And Blue” – I’m With Her (Acoustic Cafe preview)
  
• “I Hate U” – Prince (released September 1995)
• “Oh Sheila” – Ready For The World (released September 1985)
• “Tracks Of My Tears” – Linda Ronstadt (released September 1975)
• “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
• “Start Today” – Fall Out Boy
• “Horses Through A Rainstorm” – Graham Nash
• “Live Life” – Terry Reid (RIP, 8/4/25)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, it’s a return visit from the trio I’m With Her. Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins and Sarah Jarosz have all been guests individually many times, but they’re back as the trio I’m With Her to talk about their new album “Wild And Clear And Blue.”

Also, we dip into the archives for songs from Bernard Allison, Robbie Fulks, Southern Avenue and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for September 7, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “1901 (acoustic)” – Phoenix
• “Born In A Cage” – Patty Griffin
• “Never Felt Better” – Everything Is Recorded
• “Everything” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “Upside” – Southern Avenue (in-studio performance)
• “Always On My Mind” – Chrissie Hynde w/Rufus Wainwright
• “Wild And Clear And Blue” – I’m With Her (in-studio guests)
• “Ancient Light” – I’m With Her (in-studio guests)
• “Room On The Porch” – Taj Mahal 7 Keb’ Mo’
• “Misplaced” – TORS
• “Nobody Cares” – Robbie Fulks
• “Every Kind Of Music But Country” – Robbie Fulks (in-studio performance)
• “Still” – Ben Folds and The National Symphony Orchestra
• “When The Lavender Blooms” – The Paper Kites
• “The Story Of My So Called Life” – Molly Tuttle
• “New To This Town” – Brittney Spencer
• “Best Of Luck” – Nickel Creek (in-studio performance)
• “Beg Steal Borrow (acoustic)” – The Head & The Heart
• “Oh Wide World” – Mon Rovia
• “Sarah” – Folk Bitch Trio
• “Change Your Way Of Living” – Bernard Allison (in-studio performance)
• “Standing On the Fault Line” – I’m With Her (in-studio guests)
• “Mother Eagle” – I’m With Her (in-studio guests)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, we’re honoring Jazz Fest by revisiting an Acoustic Cafe interview from 2024 with festival performer Keyon Harrold and his Detroiter filled band!

Also, lots more jazz from Robert Glasper, Trombone Shorty, Brad Mehldau, plus some other music of interest this final week of Summer ’25!

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 30, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Don’t Lie” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “Beautiful Day” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “The End Of Our Road” – Gladys Knight & The Pips
• “Dandelions” – Whitney
  
• “Petrichor” – Jon Batiste
  
• “Same Old Song” – The Lumineers (coming to Comerica Park, 9/13)
  
• “Between The Bars” – Brad Mehldau
  
• “Love On Your Side” – Adam Plomaritas
  
• “Listen To The Music” – The Isley Brothers
  

• “The Intellectual” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “Foreverland” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “Travelin’ Band” – John Fogerty
• “I Just Want To Celebrate” – Marshall Crenshaw
• “Rm 112” – Robert Glasper (flipped by Karriem Riggins)
  
• “Optimistic” – August Greene
• “Thirteen” – Brad Mehldau
• “The Stuff” – Rachael & Vilray
  
• “Earth” – Stratos (w/Santino Jones)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, our guest is Ketch Secor, who has fronted Old Crow Medicine Show for 25+ years. This summer, Ketch finally made an autobiographical solo debut called “Story The Crow Told Me.”

Also, we dip into the vast ACafe archives for songs from Beck, Jensen McRae, Old 97’s and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for August 31, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “A Lesson In Leavin'” – kissing other ppl
• “In Love With Me” – Maren Morris
• “I Can See The devil” – S.G. Goodman
• “Everything” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “Cancel Culture” – Crys Matthews (in-studio performance)
• “Unravelling (acoustic)” – MUSE
• “Talkin’ Doc Blues” – Ketch Secor (in-studio guest)
• “Destination Road” – Ketch Secor (in-studio guest)
• “Manhattan Serenade” – Rachael & Vilray
• “Eventime” – Uwade
• “Come As You Are” – Rhett Miller
• “Ivy” – Old 97’s (in-studio performance)
• “Heaven With You” – Michael Franti & Spearhead
• “Pray God Listens” – The Wood Brothers
• “Gravity” – Sarah McLachlan
• “Guess I’m Doing Fine” – Beck (in-studio performance)
• “Luther” – Iron & Wine, Ben Bridwell
• “Everybody’s Trying To Figure Me Out” – HAIM
• “People Lead” – Ben Harper
• “Let Me Be Wrong” – Jensen McRae (in-studio performance)
• “A World Away” – Old Crow Medicine Show
• “Old Man River” – Ketch Secor (in-studio guest)
• “Thanks Again” – Ketch Secor (in-studio guest)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some cool music from and around the 50th anniversary of Springsteen’s “Born To Run” album. It turns 50 on Monday, August 25.

Also, Chance the Rapper with Jazmine Sullivan, The City Lines with new Motor City Music, Jack White punches back hard and more!

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 23, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Finest Worksong” – R.E.M.
  
• “Daria” – Toro y Moi
  
• “Everybody Scream” – Florence & The Machine
• “‘Running Boy” – Mon Rovia (at The Ark 11/19)
• “That’s How I Feel'” – Jack White
• “Born To Run” – Bruce Springsteen
  
• “Thunder Road” – Matt Nathanson
  
• “So Young And In Love” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Moody” – Royel Otis
• “Sushi & Coca Cola” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
• “Found A Friend” – Southern Avenue (at The Leon Loft, Ann Arbor)
• “Gethsemane” – Ian Gillan (turned 80 this week)
  

• “Lisztomania” – Phoenix
  
• “Old Me, New Wig” – Molly Tuttle (9/11 at Masonic)
• “Speed Of Love” – Chance The Rapper w/Jazmine Sullivan
• “People” – Patrick Adams
• “Do It All” – The City Lines
• “Janey Needs A Shooter” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Jeannie Needs A Shooter” – Warren Zevon
  
• “You Were Wrong” – Roomful Of Blues
• “Walking The Dog” – Rufus Thomas
• “Watch Me Go” – Lord Huron
• “She’s The One” – Bruce Springsteen

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, our guest is the band Southern Avenue, the family band from Memphis. In July, they absolutely brought the house down at The Leon Loft, playing songs from their new album “Family.”

Also, the late Flaco Jimenez, cool new covers from Maia Sharp (U2) and kissing other ppl (Lennon Stella), Warren Zevon and Lianne La Havas from our in-studio archives and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for August 24, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “And So It Goes” – Billy Joel
• “No Champagne (6 AM)” – Cautious Clay
• “How About A Drink” – Billy Raffoul
• “What’s It All For” – Noah Cyrus
• “Paperthin” – Lianne La Havas (in-studio performance)
• “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – Maia Sharp
• “Upside” – Southern Avenue (in-studio guests)
• “Found A Friend” – Southern Avenue (in-studio guests)
• “Forever Never Lasts” – Rachael & Vilray
• “I Don’t Want Your Garden” – Hazlett
• “Carmelita” – Flaco Jimenez & Dwight Yoakam
• “Lawyers, Guns & Money” – Warren Zevon (in-studio performance)
• “God Sent You” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Avalanche” – Jade Bird
• “The Way I Tell The Story” – David Wilcox
• “Dinner” – Indigo De Souza
• “Driver Education” – Indigo Girls (in-studio performance)
• “Kissing Other People” – kissing other ppl
• “Self Made Man” – Rachel Baiman
• “What If” – TORS
• “Treason” – Nilufer Yanya
• “Sisters” – Southern Avenue (in-studio guests)
• “Long Is The Road” – Southern Avenue (in-studio guests)
• “So Much Love” – Southern Avenue (in-studio guests)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, what’s the point of the Dream Cruise without cruising music? We’ll provide.

Also, a lovely new duet from Detroit’s Lilly Macphee with Mike Leslie, new music from IVY, Durand Jones & The Indications, Chance the Rapper with Jazmine Sullivan and more!

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 16, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “If She Could See Me Now” – Lorde
  
• “Lucky Stars” – HAIM
  
• “Flower Moon” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “‘Heartbreak” – IVY
• “Someone I Knew” – Lilly Macphee & Mike Leslie
• “White Mustang” – Lana Del Ray
• “My Mustang Ford” – Chuck Berry
  
• “Mustang Sally” – Wilson Pickett
• “Mustang Sally & GTO” – John Lee Hooker
  
• “Peaceful Place” – Leon Bridges
• “Lonestar” – Charley Crockett
  
• “Southern Man” – Kashus Culpepper w/Marcus King
  
• “Save Your Tears” – Jade Bird
• “Immigration Man” – The Roamers
• “Immigration Man” – David Crosby & Graham Nash
  

• “Express Yourself” – N.W.A.
• “Foreign Bird” – Folk Bitch Trio
• “Always On My Mind” – Chrissie Hynde
• “Boots Of Chinese Plastic” – The Pretenders
  
• “Muddy Shores'” – Moonrisers
  
• “Sunday Driver” – The Raconteurs
  
• “Baby Driver” – Simon & Garfunkel
  
• “One Piece At A Time” – Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Three
• “Motor City” – The Satintones
• “Being A Woman” – Lake Street Dive
• “I Want You Back” – Lake Street Dive
• “All My Ex’s Live In Texas” – George Strait
• “Motor City Steel” – The Dandy Warhols

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, it’s Jon Muq telling an amazing story of coming from Uganda, to Austin, TX, then on to Nashville to work with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach on his debut album.

Also, the return (for the first time) of the Buckingham/Nicks album from 1973, new songs from Folk Bitch trio, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Jade Bird and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for August 17, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “32 Flavors” – Ani DiFranco
• “God’s A Different Sword” – Folk Bitch Trio
• “Broken Wing Bird” – Kashus Culpepper & Sierra Ferrell
• “Holy” – Mac Demarco
• “For What It’s Worth” – Martin Sexton (in-studio performance)
• “Whiplash (acoustic)” – Kristen Ford
• “Hello Sunshine” – Jon Muq (in-studio guest)
• “Run Away” – Jon Muq (in-studio guest)
• “Who Wants” – Jade Bird
• “You Called Me Kid” – Pete Droge
• “Crying In The Night” – Buckingham Nicks
• “Races Are Run” – Cunningham Bird (in-studio performance)
• “Way Up To the Sky” – Patty Griffin
• “Truth #2” – The Chicks
• “16 Military Wives” – The Decemberists (20th anniversary of “Picaresque”)
• “California” – Natalie Bergman
• “This Love Is Real” – John Prine (in-studio performance)
• “Youth Gone Wild” – Alex Williams
• “One Ray Of Shine” – Alison Krauss & Union Station
• “Redemption Song” – Bob Marley
• “Old Soul” – Stephen Marley
• “Bend” – Jon Muq (in-studio guest)
• “One You Love” – Jon Muq (in-studio guest)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, it’s a special show, featuring The American Songbook classics re-interpreted by today’s artists… songs from almost 100 years ago, interpreted by folks whose grandparents weren’t even born when the songs were first popular!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for August 10, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Summertime” – Zee Avi (in-studio performance)
• “Strange Fruit” – Bettye Lavette
• “Orange Colored Sky” – Emm Gryner (in-studio performance)
• “But Not For Me” – Grant Perez
• “The Glory of Love” – Patty Griffin (in-studio performance)
• “The Nearness Of You” – Norah Jones (in-studio performance)
• “Don’t Know Why” – Pat Metheny (in-studio performance)
• “I’ve Grown Accustomed To her Face” – Andrew Bird
• “Moon River” – Melody Gardot
• “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You” – Taj Mahal
• “I Don’t Know Why (I Just Do)” – Jeff Goldblum, Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Ariana Grande
• “September Song” – Lukas Nelson (in-studio performance)
• “Night & Day” – Willie Nelson (in-studio performance)
• “Over The Rainbow” – Judy Collins (in-studio performance)
• “Both Sides Now” – Allison Moorer (in-studio performance)
• “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” – Amos Lee
• “Goodnight My Love” – Rachael & Vilray
• “What A Wonderful World” – Victoria Williams (in-studio performance)
• “I Fall In Love Too Easily” – Susan Werner (in-studio performance)
• “Old Devil Moon” – dodie
• “I Get A Kick (Out Of You)” – Jamie Cullum (in-studio performance)
• “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” – Alanis Morrisette
• “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” – Judith Owen (in-studio performance)
• “Rocks in My Bed” – Allen Toussaint & Rhiannon Giddens
• “Nature Boy” – Gregory Porter (in-studio performance)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.

Before you read any further, I just want to invite you to a little party we’re hosting at Batch Brewing Company this Thursday! The Sounds Like Detroit Showcase 2025 is sponsored by Henry Ford Health and tickets benefit WDET. Come hang out with me as we enjoy performances by Beth, Samuel Nalangira, Corazon Szell and Tariq Gardner.

Now then…

Each week on MI Local, I do my best to bring you, well, as the title of the show implies: the latest in local! Also implied by the title of the show is a fun lil’ pun that plays off of my last name—and trust me, you probably know someone who hasn’t figured that out yet, so impress them with that trivial tidbit at your next dinner party.

Anyway! I was so excited to shuffle in quite a few new tracks by Metro-area musicians that just dropped, including a fantastic and charming pop-rock cut from John Krautner off of his latest album Cinnamon Lake, along with the Northwest-Michigan-based folk-rock songwriter May Erlewine’s hopeful ballad “Lemonade.”

My guest this week were the indie-rockers known as Long Square. They joined me live in-studio to premiere a new song, “Ate,” which also just had its music video premiere online.

Long Square in studio with Jeff Milo. Photo by Mike Milo

They played their first show about a year ago, but audiences can already anticipate a high-energy performance with an intricate and often frenetic playing style, which we music journalists used to like to refer to as “math rock.” Niche-sub-genre talk aside, the reason you’ll already get a potently realized indie-rock package with a veritably new band is that several of these players have been in a handful of previous projects.

You can see Long Square live this Saturday night in Hamtramck at The High Dive with Second Body and The Feat. Follow on Instagram for more.

Also, make sure to stream the show above if you missed it, because Long Square also gave you a sneak peak of an unreleased track off of their upcoming album!

Other highlights from this week’s show include a new track from heavy-rockers Edison Hollow, who have an album release show on Friday night at Small’s. We also heard new indie-rock from singer/songwriter Taylor Brown, who writes and records under the moniker of Sock Jock! Splashing in some genre variety, we heard some reggae/ska from Detroit Riddim Crew, and a dip into post-hardcore ferocity with Big Life.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for August 12, 2025

• “Storm Clouds” – John Krautner
• “Lemonade” – May Erlewine
• “Rolling Like a Stone” – Edison Hollow
• “Sticker” – Dusty Rose Gang
• “Trained Behaivor” – Detroit Riddim Crew
• “Out of Breath” – Big Life
• “Not So Bad” – Middle Out
• “Lock & Key” – Sock Jock
• “Nothing Left to Say” – The Broken Strings
• “Butterflies Can’t Hide” – Tariq Gardner & Evening Star
• “Ate” – Long Square

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some anniversary re-issues from Common, John Prine and Natalie Cole.

Also, new music from Disclosure with Anderson Paak, Detroit’s Thornetta Davis, Kate Hinote Trio, Jack Spivey and more!

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 9, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “GO!” – Common (20th anniversary re-issue of “Be”)
  
• “Hey, Ah, Nothin'” – John Prine (30th anniversary re-issue of “Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings”)
• “I Gotta Sang The Blues” – Thornetta Davis (cover of Living Blues magazine!)
• “‘Heartthrob” – Indigo De Souza
• “Closer” – Tegan & Sara
• “luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• “luther” – Iron & Wine & Ben Bridwell
  
• “If This World Were Mine” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  
• “Fletchers” – Craig Finn
• “Kissing Other People” – kissing other ppl
  
• “Forever Never Lasts” – Rachael & Vilray
  
• “Time After Time” – Benny Sings
• “But Not For Me” – Amos Lee
  

• “Pink Cadillac” – Natalie Cole Common (75 birthday anniversary re-issue of “Everlasting”)
• “Fire” – The Pointer Sisters
• “Witness” – The Wood Brothers
• “I Can See The Devil” – S.G. Goodman
  
• “Over & Over'” – Jack Spivey
  
• “Upside” – Southern Avenue
• “Philosophy” – Ben Folds Five (debut released 30 years ago this week)
• “NO CAP” – Disclosure w/Anderson Paak
• “It’s My Toy” – Kate Hinote Trio
• “Ordinary Creature” – Of Monsters & Men
• “El Molestoso” – Eddie Palmieri
• “Revolt El Libertad Logico – Eddie Palmieri

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, we revisit our 2005 interview with Death Cab For Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard and Chris Walla to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their game-changing album Plans.

Also featured, archived stuff from Sting, Rachael & Vilray, Aimee Mann and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for August 3, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Under the Milky Way” – The Church
• “Jubilee” – The War & Treaty
• “The Farm” – HAIM
• “Love And Hate” – Natalie Jean
• “Even In The Evening” – Rachael & Vilray (2021 in-studio performance)
• “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark (acoustic)” – Molly Tuttle
• “Crooked Teeth” – Death Cab For Cutie (in-studio guests, 2005)
• “Brothers On A Hotel Bed” – Death Cab For Cutie (in-studio guests, 2005)
• “Sisters” – Southern Avenue
• “Can’t Win For Losing” – Cedric Burnside & Tierinii Jackson
• “Progress Of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)” – Hayes Carll
• “You’re With Stupid Now” – Aimee Mann (2006 in-studio performance)
• “Keep On Tryin'” – Poco
• “I Need The Answer” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “The Way Of The World” – Noah Cyrus
• “These Days” – Tanner Usrey
• “California Zephyr” – Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar (2009 in-studio performance)
• “Moon Over Bourbon Street” – Sting
• “Shape Of My Heart” – Sting (2024 in-studio performance)
• “In Good Trouble” – India Arie
• “The Flyboy & The Kid” – Willie Nelson
• “Photobooth” – Death Cab For Cutie (in-studio guests, 2005)
• “Soul Meets Body” – Death Cab For Cutie (in-studio guests, 2005)

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, more fond farewells this week for musical-comic genius Tom Lehrer and Tex-Mex legend Flaco Jimenez.

Also, new music from Detroit’s Carmel Liburdi and Ryan Allen, August album anniversaries, some Yacht Rock vinyl, and lots more!

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 2, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “New Math” – Tom Lehrer
  
• “Fresh” – Kool & The Gang + Prince Hakim
  
• “So Far Down” – Sloan
• “’92 Subaru” – Fountains Of Wayne
• “Company’s Eyes” – Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms
• “Elegantly Wasted” – Hermanos Gutierrez w/Leon Bridges
• “Elegantly Wasted” – INXS
  
• “Crush” – Indigo De Souza
  
• “Watch Me Go” – Lord Huron
• “Dime” – Silvana Estrada
• “Mind Loaded” – Blood Orange
• “Treason” – Nilufer Yanya
  
• “Carmelita” – Flaco Jimenez w/Dwight Yoakam

• “Miami 2017” – Billy Joel
  
• “Vienna” – Billy Joel
• “Big Money” – Jon Batiste
• “Can’t Get Enough (Detroit Funk Mix)” – Nick Behnan
  
• “Stupid Girl'” – Garbage (released August 1995)
  
• “R-O-C-K In The USA” – John Mellencamp (released August 1985)
• “L-O-V-E” – Al Green (released August 1975)
• “I Keep Forgetting” – Michael McDonald
  
• “If Not For Love” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “69” – Carmel Liburdi
• “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” – Alex Williams
• “Who’s Next” – Tom Lehrer

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

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

Sounds from across the globe are coming to Detroit this weekend for the 34th annual Concert of Colors music festival. The free festival, taking place now through Sunday, July 20, has continued to grow and gain momentum year after year. 

Among this year’s performers will be award-winning Detroit solo artists Victor Ghannam and Sean Blackman, who are collaborating together for a fusion of Arab, Armenian, Eastern jazz, and Detroit music.

They’ll be performing at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Detroit Historical Museum alongside Detroit jazz saxophonist David McMurray. Ghannam and Blackman joined The Metro ahead of their performance to share more about the heritage of the songs and how they were made. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

An echo-splashed guitar rises, a tender and melodic voice sails in, and a steady driving beat starts to pick up. You can feel something building, as if you’re heading to a glowing horizon that is simultaneously ominous and alluring, and that ballad-like vocal picks up into a weary yet hopeful lilt, residing perfectly between feelings of woe and uncertainty, offset by defiant optimism.

It’s “Blood and Smoke,” the new single from Ann Arbor-based power-pop group The City Lines, from their forthcoming album, “Prescribed Fires.”

Watch the music video below, capturing the band performing live, where you can see all of their signature ebullient, bright energy on display. Those visuals are mixed with vibrant imagery of The City Lines hanging out around Lake Tahquamenon, during a tour up to the Upper Peninsula to perform in Sault St. Marie. Watch until the end to see a minute-plus of candid, unscripted banter and rapport, particularly featuring the group’s frontperson, guitarist/singer and songwriter Pat Deneau.

“We wanted (‘Blood and Smoke’) to sound and feel like a rush of uncertain emotions,” Deneau confirmed. “Big questions call for big reverb, and in this case, some down-the-middle alt-rock power chords through the chorus.”

Deneau is a proud member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and he consistently imbues his propulsive ballads with unvarnished, punk-protest-inspired poetry, looking back to a troubling past of broken bonds, unfulfilled dreams, and so many hardships endured by Native Peoples, including climate catastrophe, mental health issues and coping mechanisms — all with the intent of bettering our present and the future.

Deneau, who also works as a firefighter in Ann Arbor for his day-job, maintains an optimistic disposition, powered by a passion for music. As an environmental stewardship tactic, prescribed fires involve intentionally igniting areas that must be destroyed to allow new life to thrive. That’s precisely the goal of the messaging and energy of their new album, which is set to release in September. 

“This tune,” Deneau said, “is about reckoning with a thinning native blood line. How do I pass down Indigenous culture to my daughter as time and distance work against me?” After a pause, he concluded, “I feel like (‘Blood and Smoke’) is an all-encompassing ‘City Lines’ song…in all the good ways!

The City Lines, as you can see in the video, also features Megan Marcoux on bass and Bob Zammit on drums. In this particular video, you’ll see Megan’s husband, Bill, performing on stage, and while Bill’s not officially a member, he’s part of what Deneau deemed an artist collective — welcoming other players into the band when they are available.

The City Lines just played here in town at the Lexington, and they continually book new shows, so follow them on Instagram for more, @thecitylinesmusic. Stay tuned for updates about an inevitable album release party in September! Meanwhile, you can check out previous releases, including the uplifting full-length “Analog Memories” and the powerful single “Erased,” on their bandcamp.

New music from Mieke Miami, Annahstasia, Perfume Genius, Jadu Heart and more.

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

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for July 17, 2025

• “Côte D’ivoire” – Yoni Mayraz
• “100 years of Bill & Lil” – Joe Webb
• “Backline” – Butcher Brown
• “Are You Even Real” – Teddy Swims & GIVĒON
• “The Line” – D’Angelo
• “Black Hole Sun” – bigboihums
• “Back 2 Me (feat. Sadie Walker)” – Girls of the Internet
• “Donuts Mind If I Do” – CHAI
• “Locket” – Crumb
• “Where’s My Brain???” – The Lazy Eyes
• “I’m Glad You’re Mine” – Al Green
• “Son of a Preacher Man” – Mieke Miami
• “Believer” – Annahstasia
• “Left For Tomorrow” – Perfume Genius
• “SOS” – Jadu Heart
• “On Jupiter” – Sun Ra & Sun Ra and His Arkestra
• “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” – Kiefer & Theo Croker
• “Wind Parade” – Jordan Rakei
• “Call My Name” – Joe Bataan
• “Liquid Love (feat. Sylvia Cox)” – Roy Ayers
• “Save Me” – Britti
• “Wednesday Morning Atonement” – Curtis Harding
• “You Ain’t The Problem” – Michael Kiwanuka
• “Floating Parade” – Michael Kiwanuka
• “Someone to Love You” – SAULT
• “Last One Standing” – Monophonics
• “The World Is A Ghetto” – WAR
• “Red Clay” – Jack Wilkins
• “Blue Moon” – Billie Holiday

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

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. 

Fresh selects and first spins from Juan Wauters, Clipse, Madlib, Folk Bitch Trio and more.

Plus, a quick preview of Yo La Tengo, Asha Puthli and Shadow Show at this year’s Concert of Colors.

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

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for July 15, 2025

• “You Can Have It All” – Yo La Tengo
• “Manejando por Pando” – Juan Wauters
• “Girl from Addis Ababa” – Mulatu Astatke
• “Space Talk” – Asha Puthli
• “Radiant Hue” – Shadow Show
• “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun (feat. Jocelyn Brown) [4hero Remix]” – Nuyorican Soul
• “I Couldn’t Love You More (Jam Master’s Deep Rework)” – Sade
• “Attitude (Sascha Funke Remix)” – Lewis OfMan
• “Fuzz Jam (Harvey Sutherland X-Tra Fuzz Remix)” – Lazy Eyes
• “Delorean Dynamite” – Todd Terje
• “Run” – Leifur James
• “Royalty” – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
• “Outubro” – Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding
• “Black Disciple” – Donald Byrd
• “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City (feat. Kameron Whalum)” – Zeshan B.
• “Chains & Whips” – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice
• “Seeds (Instrumental)” – Madlib
• “Summoning the Monkey God” – The Sorcerers
• “Bright Moments” – Admin
• “Mizu” – The Circling Sun
• “I Wouldn’t Dream of It” – Joyce Heath
• “Knife” – Grizzly Bear
• “Shadows From Nowhere” – Blue Gas
• “Rainmaker” – John Carroll Kirby
• “Love/Paranoia” – Tame Impala
• “Prototype” – OutKast
• “The Meaning Of Love” – Karin Krog
• “Osaka” – Athletic Progression
• “Cathode Ray” – Folk Bitch Trio
• “Castles Made of Sand” – Jimi Hendrix
• “Revolution (Esher Demo)” – Beatles

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.