Tagged: Sweet Sixteen

While there was much more conversation than usual on 89.1 from the 8th through the 11th of April during the spring on-air pledge drive, we did play some good music. We are pleased to report that the most played new recording for the week ending April 14th was the excellent regional Latin jazz CD Elemental by Aguankó. We hold the leader of Aguankó, conga-player Alberto Nacif in the highest regard. As the original host of Cuban Fantasy, Alberto established WEMU’s Latin jazz credibility, now sustained by Marc Taras every Saturday evening from 7 to 9PM.

New / old school soul sensation James Hunter tops WEMU’s Sweet Sixteen with Minute By Minute from March 18th through the 24th. It’s been five years since Hunter released a new CD.

WEMU listener favorite Harry Connick, Jr. was staff favorite from March 11th through the 17th.

Each week we track how many times we play a new CD. Between March 11th and the 17th, pianist and singer Harry Connick, Jr. claimed the top spot of our Sweet 16. We first premiered the disc on Mardi Gras 2013 (February 12th). The disc’s presence at the top of the list a month later is a testament to the authenticity of Harry Connick, Jr’s joyful New Orleans funk grooves.

One of the pleasures of working with the talented team of WEMU music hosts is discovering what the weekly consensus of the “most-played” recording will be. Each Sweet 16 list topper reveals another aspect of the WEMU variety. During the week of March 4th through the 10th, the most played recording was Ciudad De Los Reyes by Gabriel Alegría and his Afro-Peruvian Sextet. 

José James is simply beyond category. No Beginning No End is a culmination of his career and life weaving threads of jazz, balladry, R&B, classic and neo-soul plus hip-hop into a sensual stream of consciousness.

Given the repertoire, it was only natural that Aaron Neville’s “My True Story” would be the most-played CD on WEMU. 

 It is his stroll down memory lane from the “doo wop era”, but it is also the soundtrack of so many of our lives cast through the prism of the pristine voice of Aaron Neville.  

We received many requests for it plus we wanted to call attention to Neville’s interviews on “Morning Edition” from NPR and “Bob Edwards Weekend” about the authentic music and Neville’s undeniable soul.  Pristine is also a way I’d describe the recording’s production values. 

No expense was spared in the mix or mastering.  

Producers Don Was and Keith Richards have created an American treasure with “My True Story”.  If you’re looking for special Valentine’s Day dinner music, this would be perfect.

More:  aaronneville.com/video/