In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, a new month brings a new set of album anniversaries, including classics from The Miracles, Four Tops, L.L. Cool J and more.

Also, lots of new music from Brandi Carlile, Jalen Ngonda, Lucinda Williams with Brittney Spencer and Sloan!

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 November 1, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “What Good” – Arkells
• “Call On Me” – Daniel Caesar
• “Keeper” – Courtney Marie Andrews
• “All About Me” – Jalen Ngonda
  
• “What It Is” – Will Sessions ft. Dames Brown
  
• “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” – LL Cool J (November 1985)
  
• “Something About You” – The Four Tops (November 1965)
• “You Sexy Thing” – Hot Chocolate (November 1985)
• “Unpopular Ideas” – The Mammals
  
• “k.i.s.s.” – keiyaA
• “The Bridge” – Mike Reid & Joe Henry (Acoustic Cafe preview)
• “Ain’t Nobody Making Me High” – Bartees Strange
  
• “Let It Bleed” – Rolling Stones (November 1995)

• “Unshielded Desire” – John Abercrombie, Dave Holland & Jack DeJohnette
  
• “Straight, No Chaser” – Bruce Hornsby, Christian McBride & Jack DeJohnette
• “If You Want Me” – The Womack Sisters
  
• “Chicken Wings” – Samm Henshaw
• “Back To The Land” – JR JR
• “Hey Lover” – LL Cool J ft. Boyz II Men (November 1995)
• “Good Day” – Tally Hall (November 2005)
• “Give Me One Reason” – Tracy Chapman (November 1995)
• “Witch Dance” – Florence & The Machine
• “Heathcliff” – Snocaps (Katie & Allison Crutchfield)
• “The World’s Gone Wrong” – Lucinda Williams ft. Brittney Spencer
  
• “Night In” – Brittney Spencer
• “shut up” – Royel Otis
• “Going To A Go-Go” – Smokey & The Miracles (November 1965)

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, Brandi Carlile returns to self, and Cautious Clay returns with late night songs.

Also, tons of re-issues from Smashing Pumpkins, Elton John, Ringo Starr 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 October 25, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “5th Floor (10 PM)” – Cautious Clay
• “Dracula” – Tame Impala
• “Dearborn” – Bahamas
• “Misled” – Kool & The Gang
  
• “The Day is Long” – The Whiskey Charmers
  
• “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” – Smashing Pumpkins
  
• “Tonight, Tonight” – Leslie Odum Jr.
• “Norwegian Wood” – Jacob Collier
  
• “Nothing More Lonely” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
  
• “Church And State” – Brandi Carlile
• “Run It Back” – Madison McFerrin
• “Let’s Do It Again” – The Staple Singers
• “Tell Me When The Whistle Blows” – Elton John

• “Rubberband Man” – Mumford & Sons + Hozier
  
• “The Rubberband Man” – The Detroit Spinners
• “Way Out, Way Down” – Peter Litvin
• “Dans Un Moment D’errance” – The Midnight Hour
• “Thieves In The Temple” – Herbie Hancock
• “Thieves In The Temple” – Prince
• “Fatal Optimist” – Madi Diaz
• “Early 1970” – Ringo Starr
• “Snookeroo” – Ringo Starr
• “By the End Of The Night” – Amber Mark
• “Cruisin'” – D’Angelo

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, a fond farewell to D’Angelo, with cool Detroit connections.

Also, brand new St. Paul, Courtney Barnett, Oklou ft. FKA Twigs, Amber Mark, 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 October 18, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “viscus” – Oklou ft. FKA Twigs
• “Tie You Down” – HAIM ft. Bon Iver
• “Get Back Again” – The Tragically Hip
• “Stay In Your Lane” – Courtney Barnett
  
• “Pleasure Zone” – Laura Rain & The Caesars
  
• “Lady” – D’Angelo
• “Be Here” – Raphael Saadiq ft. D’Angelo
• “Over” – Robert Glasper ft. Yebba
  
• “Close To Home” – Flock Of Dimes
• “Big Money” – Jon Batiste
• “So Far To Go” – J Dilla ft. Common, D’Angelo
  

• “Stars Above” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
  
• “Doing Now” – Hannah Jagadu
• “6th Ward” – Trombone Shorty
• “You Won’t Dig My Grave” – Josh Ritter
• “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody” – John Prine (Acoustic Cafe performance, 1995)
  
• “Feel Like Making Love” – D’Angelo
• “Sugah Daddy” – D’Angelo
• “I’ll Stay” – RH Factor ft. D’Angelo
• “The Highway Knows” – Molly Tuttle
• “Let Me Love You” – Amber Mark
• “She’s Always In My Hair” – D’Angelo

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, lots of interesting new pairings from Robert Plant to Robert Glasper, Oklou to Donny Hathaway…

Also, brand new Detroit music from Peter Litvin, Don Was, 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 October 11, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Up” – Danger Mouse, Black Thought, Rag n’ Bone Man
• “Aquamarine” – Danger Mouse, Black Thought, Michael Kiwanuka
• “Everybody’s Song” – Robert Plant and Suzi Dian
• “Rock & Roll” – Langhorne Slim
  
• “Highway Tune” – Greta Van Fleet
• “Hold On To You” – Belle Canyon
• “Midnight Rider” – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
• “I Just Don’t Want You” – The Womack Sisters
  
• “This Is My Country” – Don Was (Pan Detroit Ensemble)
  
• “Disarray” – Lianne La Havas
  
• “Break The Jaw” – Madison Cunningham
  
• “Where Is The Love” – Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack
• “Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic (happy 40th birthday Bruno Mars!)
  

• “Collect Yourself” – Sloan
• “Fascination In The Dark” – Vance Joy
• “Lonestar” – Charley Crockett
• “Sand Into Stone” – Tuneyards
• “Not Over You” – Peter Litvin
  
• “Just For Pleasure” – Young Gun Silver Fox
• “We Are One” – Maze
• “You Need A Hero” – Pages
• “Yard Sale” – Priscilla Block
• “Pour The Wine” – Sons Of The East (next week at The Majestic)
• “Candle Of Life” – The Moody Blues (RIP John Lodge)
• “I’m Just A Singer In A Rock 7 Roll Band” – The Moody Blues (RIP John Lodge)

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, a new month means a new look back in history with October releases from 1965-2005.

Also, brand new Detroit music from Peter Litvin, Masha Marjieh and Joe Jaber, plus TuneYards, Trombone Shorty’s deep dive into Second Line music, John Batiste (coming to The Fox on October 24) and tons 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 October 4, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Siren” – Tune Yards
• “Man On A Mission” – The Black Keys
• “Circle Of The Seasons” – Moonrisers (Acoustic Cafe preview)
• “Secret Island” – Jon Muq
  
• “Okay Alright” – Peter Litvin
  
• “Slave To The Rhythm” – Grace Jones (October 1985)
• “Mr DJ (5 For The DJ)” – Aretha Franklin (October 1975)
• “Don’t Look Back in Anger” – Oasis (October 1995)
• “Here We Go Again” – Sloan
  
• “Heartbreak” – IVY
• “Parting Gift” – Fiona Apple (October 2005)
• “Science Fiction/Double Feature” – Richard O’Brien, 50th Anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show
  

• “Street Music” – Trombone Shorty
  
• “Children Of The Baked Potato” – Thundercat
• “Get Down” – Masha Marjieh
• “Pinnacle” – Jon Batiste
• “I Found Home When I Found You” – Joe Jaber
  
• “If I Were You” – k.d. lang (October 1995)
• “All The Things She Said” – Simple Minds (October 1985)
• “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon (October 1975)
• “Mack The Knife” – Rufus Wainright
• “I Believe In You” – Count Basie & Frank Sinatra
• “Better Broken” – Sarah McLachlan
• “Tonight Tonight” – Smashing Pumpkins (October 1995)
• “You Send Me” – Sam Cooke (October 1965)

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, as a HUGE “thank you” to all who supported us during the fundraiser, we’re getting back to “normal” this week with SONGS… In fact, 2 hours of Songs About Songs (and songwriting)! From Aretha to Weezer, EWF to Shaboozey 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 September 27, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Sing A Song” – Earth Wind & Fire
• “Rap Song” – Black Eyed Peas
• “Wrote A Song For Everyone” – John Fogerty
• “I Wrote This Song For You” – Willie Nelson
  
• “A Song” – Apropos
  
• “Life Is A Song Worth Singing” – Teddy Pendergrass
• “Sing A Simple Song” – Sly & The Family Stone
  
• “Sing My Song” – Langhorne Slim
  
• “Border Song” – Aretha Franklin
  
• “Radio Song” – Esperanza Spalding
  
• “Radio Song” – R.E.M.
• “Radio Songs” – Jack Spivey
• “Redemption Song” – Bob Marley & The Wailers
  
• “Love Song” – Lesley Duncan
  

• “A Great Idea For A Song” – Artichoke
• “Same Old Song” – The Lumineers
• “It’s The Same Old Song” – The Four Tops
• “Crappy Love Song” – Theo Katzman
• “Silly Love Songs” – Wings
  
• “Love You Like A Love Song” – Selena Gomez
• “Love Song For No One” – John Mayer
• “No More Love Songs” – Bette Smith
• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
• “Prison Song” – Graham Nash
• “A Song For You” – Merry Clayton
• “Look What They Done To My Song” – Ray Charles
• “All My Favorite Songs” – Weezer
• “I’ll Write A Song For You” – Earth Wind & Fire

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 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

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

This Detroit Jazz Festival weekend, Rob Reinhart brings something special to Essential Music. On Friday, August 30, Rob will re-air his interview and live performance with trumpeter Keyon Harrold, recorded earlier this year on his nationally syndicated show Acoustic Café.

Keyon Harrold, performing at this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival, joined Rob back in May to talk about his latest album, “Foreverland”. During that session, Harrold performed selections from the record and shared insights into his creative process, life on the road, and the stories behind the music.

You can hear the full interview and performance on Essential Music during the festival weekend. But if you’d like a preview, check it out now on Acoustic Café.

Don’t miss this chance to hear one of today’s most powerful trumpeters as Detroit comes alive with the sounds of jazz.

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

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

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

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

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, I’m thrilled to share my personal Song of the Summer!

Plus, some cool folks are celebrating milestone birthdays in July, turning 30, 40, 50, 80 and Ringo Starr who just turned 85!

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 July 12, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Summer Breeze” – The Mighty Rootsmen
  
• “The Look Of Love” – Isaac Hayes
  
• “Capable Of Anything” – Ben Folds & The National Symphony Orchestra
• “No More” – Tanika Charles
• “Sunburn” – JR JR
• “Archbishop Harold Holmes” – Jack White (turning 50)
• ” ” – The Japanese House (Amber Bain turning 30)
  
• “This Year” – Emily King (turning 40)
• “Going Solo” – Ray Davies (solo debut released 40 years ago this week)
• “Living On A Thin Line” – The Kinks
  
• “Better Broken” – Sarah McLachlan
• “My Love” – Hannah Jadagu
• “Don’t Pass Me By” – The Beatles (Ringo’s first original song)
• “Breathless” – Ringo Starr with Billy Strings (Ringo turning 85)

• “Big Money” – Jon Batiste (my Song Of The Summer)
  
• “Be Your Lady” – Galactica & Irma Thomas
• “Can’t Get Enough (Detroit Funk Mix)” – Nick Behnan
• “That Lady” – The Isley Brothers
• “Down To The River” – The War & Treaty
  
• “Time Spent In Los Angeles'” – Dawes (Taylor Goldsmith turning 40)
• “One Way Or Another” – Blondie (Debby Harry turning 80)
• “All I Really Want To Do” – Valerie June
• “You Gotta Serve Somebody” – Mavis Staples (at The Aretha next week)
• “Wreck” – Neko Case
• “Be Cool (demo)” – Joni Mitchell
• “Tea Leaf Prophecy” – Herbie Hancock w/Joni Mitchell

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 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

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, lots of new music from Detroiters Carmel Liburdi, Kate Hinote Trio and Jack Spivey,

Plus, recognizing a couple artists who recently passed, some protest songs for Fourth of July weekend 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 July 5, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Sleeves Up” – Crys Matthews
  
• “We March” – Prince
  
• “If Not For Love” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “If She Could See Me Now” – Lorde
• “Cemetery Road” – Kate Hinote Trio
• “Theme From Mannix” – Lalo Shiffrin (died June 26)
• “Ready For Love” – Mott The Hoople (Mick Ralphs, died June 23)
  
• “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” – Aretha Franklin (released 40 years ago this month)
• “Back In Time” – Huey Lewis & The News (released 40 years ago this week)
• “The Field” – Blood Orange
  
• “Devil I Know” – Kylee Phillips

• “Americans” – Janelle Monae
  
• “America” – Tracy Chapman
• “69” – Carmel Liburdi
• “Amber (11 AM)” – Cautious Clay
• “Forget My Name – Jack Spivey (ft. Sami Ray)
  
• “Cruisin'” – D’Angelo (released 30 years ago this month)
• “Chicago” – Sufjan Stevens (released 20 years ago this month)
• “From” – Bon Iver
• “Who’ll Stand With Us?” – Dropkick Murphys
• “When Will We Be Paid” – The Staple Singers
  
• “Bye Bye 25” – Kim Gordon
• “It Keeps The Lights On” – The Accidentals
• “I Need You” – Jon Batiste

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, it’s the annual Canada Day Show, ahead of the July 1 holiday.

“Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder.”

– Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy

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 June 28, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “The Canadian Dream” – Sam Roberts Band
  
• “Baseball” – Sara Dufour
  
• “Red Future” – Snotty Nose Rez Kids
• “The Cobbler” – Matt Andersen
• “Consistency” – Tanika Charles
• “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” – The Guess Who
• “Dopamine” – Jon Vinyl
• “Canadian” – Billy Raffoul
  
• “Mhepo” – Munya Mataruse
• “Total Cinema” – Ken Yates
• “Girls Like You” – Sofia Camara
  
• “Yellow” – Tegan & Sara
• “Human Nature” – Sloan
• “Rolodex” – Logan Richard
  

• “Better Broken” – Sarah McLachlan
  
• “Home” – Aysanabee
• “Listen2Me” – foxwarren
• “Poets” – Tragically Hip
• “Eleanor Rigby” – Oscar Peterson
  
• “Life Is A Highway” – Tom Cochrane
  
• “Walking In Sunshine” – Brandon Isaac
  
• “Nothing Is Perfect” – Metric
  
• “My People” – AHI
  
• “The Night Loves Us” – Alan Doyle
• Qujannamiik” – The Jerry Cans
• “Pour que tu m’aimes encore” – Celine Dion
• “Acadian Driftwood” – The Band

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.