This week we are tapping in with GENA, a new project from Dallas-born, now L.A.-based vocalist Liv.e and legendary Detroit drummer and producer Karriem Riggins. The name is loosely inspired by Gina from the classic sitcom “Martin,” and the music moves in that same playful but grown lane, blurring jazz, R&B and left-of-center soul.

“Circlesz” is the first single from their collaboration, and it plays like a late-night loop: dusty drums, fluid keys and Liv.e’s floating vocal lines all orbiting each other in motion.

Here is GENA with “Circlesz,” and it is my Pick of the Week.

That was “Circlesz” from GENA, the duo of vocalist Liv.e and artist-drummer Karriem Riggins.

If jazzy, future-soul cuts like this are your lane, tune in to The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and at wdet.org. 

This week we are rocking with the legendary De La Soul, who just dropped a new album called “Cabin In The Sky.” It is part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It series, which links up classic rap crews with new projects for a new era.

De La steps back into the spotlight missing a core voice. Trugoy the Dove, also known as Dave, passed two years ago, but he is here posthumously alongside Pos and Mase, trading verses with a who’s who from progressive hip hop and beyond: Nas, Killer Mike, Black Thought, Q-Tip, Yukimi from Little Dragon and more, with production from heavyweights like Pete Rock and DJ Premier.

The cut we are about to get into is classic De La: laid-back, witty, conversational and groove-centered. Here is De La Soul with “The Package” off “Cabin In The Sky” and it is my Pick of the Week.

That was “The Package” from De La Soul, the lead single from their new album “Cabin In The Sky.”

If progressive hip hop like this moves you, lock in with The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and online at wdet.org.

Thanks for listening, and we will see you next time.

On this episode of Visions, I expand how I usually think about jazz to include cuts I don’t typically play on the show. I venture into soul with artists like Tower of Power, Aretha Franklin, and Roberta Flack.

I also play a classic blues cut from Lightnin’ Hopkins, plus incredible organ players Charles Earlund and Richard “Groove” Holmes.

To me and many others, these artists are part of the same continuum that jazz falls on, which is Black Music. I’m hoping to continue expanding beyond just playing “jazz” and include Black Music more broadly!

On the more straight-ahead end of the jazz spectrum, I include cuts from Herbie Hancock, the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Hutcherson, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Rouse, Miles Davis, Larry Young, and a few others.

I hope you like the twists and turns this episode takes!

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

Visions Playlist for Nov. 24, 2025

• “Biafra” – Nat Adderely
• “Beyond All Limits” – Larry Young
• “Hey Harold (feat. Billy Hart)” – Bobby Hutcherson
• “Soul Vaccination” – Tower of Power
• “Bitchin'” – Charlie Rouse
• “Rock Steady” – Aretha Franklin*
• “Ostinato (Suite for Angela)” – Herbie Hancock
• “Yes Lord” – The Detroit Jazz Composers Ltd.*
• “To Love Somebody” – Roberta Flack
• “The Shadow of Your Smile” – Oscar Peterson
• “Misty” – Richard “Groove” Holmes
• “More Today Than Yesterday” – Charles Earlund
• “Woke Up This Morning” – Lightnin’ Hopkins
• “Compensation (Live at the Village Vanguard)” – The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
• “Freedom Jazz Dance (Evolution of the Groove)” – Miles Davis

*indicates Detroit artists

Hey, what’s going on, Detroit. Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week. This week’s feature comes from Swedish vocalist Yukimi, best known as the frontwoman and creative engine of the Gothenberg-based band Little Dragon.

Fresh off her solo debut “For You,” Yukimi follows up with a new EP titled “Yume,” which means dream in Japanese. It’s a genre-bending collection weaving together jazz, soul, electronic pop, hip hop, roots, and psychedelia across four immersive tracks.

We’re tuning into one of its standouts, a song that moves through love, loss, and renewal. Here’s Yukimi with “All Over Me,” and it’s my Pick of the Week.

That was Yukimi with “All Over Me,” from her recently released EP “Yume,” out now on Ninja Tune Records.

If you’re drawn to the deeper shades of acoustic soul and left-of-center sound, join us every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. for The Progressive Underground. We explore soul, nu-jazz, deep house, electronica, B-sides, and rare groove through a Detroit-centered, global lens.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Until next time, stay inspired and keep grooving. Peace.

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