KAFM Music Blog

KAFM Music Blog

The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Alexa's selections

January 13, 2017
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  Up next, Alexa, who hosts KAFM's "Puttin' Down Roots".  Alexa notes that these are not in any particular order.


1   Kaleo | A/B

"...Screams Black Keys/Cage the Elephant/Gary Clark Jr....give these Icelandic-Texan transplants a listen...every song is great for airplay..."

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#2   Ryan Shupe | We Rode On

"...Mix of adult alternative, rock, reggae and more all infused with a wee bit of bluegrass..."




#3   Kishi Bashi | Sonderlust

"...master of blending pop, classical training and beauty...gorgeous vocals, looping instrumentals that blend so well together and create poppy, fantastic soundscapes..."




#4   Grouplove | Big Mess

"...so much going on, it's like being hugged by a giant-wave of pop backgrounds. Male and female vocals with pretty solid harmonies. ...upbeat, energetic, and creative. Neat instrumentals & arrangements..."




#5   How to Dress Well | Care

"...gorgeous vocals...R&B stylings, pop song structures and swirling melodies...pretty, fun, and soulful tunes scattered all over this record..."




Alexa's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Hayes Carll | Lovers and Leavers
2. Avett Brothers | True Sadness
3. The Wood Brothers | Paradise
4. Bon Iver | 22, A Million
5. Balkan Beat Box | Shout It Out

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
 
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Tori's selections:

January 9, 2017
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  And up next, our very own, fantastic Music Director and "Champion of New Music", Tori, who hosts KAFM's "Fresh Tracks".  


#1   Kyle Craft | Dolls of Highland

"...an album full of riveting story songs, glam rock, twang, harmonica, and surprisingly fantastic Quick read more or view full article vocals...Great use of piano and horns on this album..."



#2   Whitney | Light Upon the Lake

"...A few horns here and there, easy going guitar (little bit of slide), great vocals, great lyrics, modern day americana with a bit of indie rock thrown in there. I can't get enough of this album..."




#3   LVL Up | Return to Love

"...Great lo-fi vocals and melodies, full feeling instrumentals, and the mid-tempo driving style of Pavement. I love this. LOVE it..."




#4   Bon Iver | 22, a Million

"...electronic elements, extreme emotions and beautiful/tragic melodies to create his songs...features his GORGEOUS voice, and he uses seemingly-iffy audio quality the same way someone might use an instrument to add layers..."




#5   Flock of Dimes | If You See Me, Say Yes

"...Jenn Wasner has the most feeling, expressive, beautiful voice in Indie rock these days...where she gets to expand more onto her pop-ideals and creative rhythmic habits...it gives me chills..."




 Tori's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Blood Orange | Freetown Sound
2. Marlon Williams | Marlon Williams
3. Carseat Headrest | Teens of Denial
4. Empty Houses | Daydream
5. Andrew Bird | Are You Serious

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
 
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - The Beat Junky selection's:

January 5, 2017
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  Next up, The Beat Junky, who hosts KAFM's "The Eclectic Ear".  


#1   Balkun Brothers | Balkun Brothers

"...hard hitting guitars & monstrous drums in this fusion of blues, funk and rock n' roll. Influenced by Led Zep, Johnny Winter, Black Keys Quick read more or view full article and Hendrix..."



#2   Moreland & Arbuckle | Promised Land Or Bust

"...gritty heartland and delta blues from roots trio.  Propulsive percussion, killer guitar rifts and frenetic harp playing characterize their almost primal garage band quality...Dirty and raw music with attitude."                                        




#3   Cage The Elephant | Tell Me I'm Pretty

"...catchy hooks...in a more raw, unfiltered way. Bluesy at times, channeling feelings of Crosby Stills & Nash on "That's Right", even throwing in a latin feel "Cold Cold Cold"...pulls influences from all across the board leaving a feeling of Rock-through-the-ages..."




#4   Ned And The Dirt | Wild Pack: Haunt These Woods

"...southern rock and New England alt. rock fusion.  Commanding, euphoric band centric tracks with driving six string chords, solos, bass, and big, powerful percussion...solo and choral vocals..."




#5   The Marcus King Band | The Marcus King Band

"...rough-hewn vocalist, soaring guitar wunderkind, songwriter and bandleader...influences of jazz, blues, and soul.  Good horn section...A band definitely on the rise..."

 


The Beat Junky's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Curse Of Lono | Curse Of Lono 
2. Altered Sky | Without Wonderland
3. People's Blues Of Richmond | Quit Or Die
4. Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight | Paradise City
5. Augustines | This Is Your Life

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!

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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Lance's selections:

January 1, 2017
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  Next up, Lance, who hosts KAFM's "Radio Rapture".


#1   Rogue Valley | Radiate / Dissolve

"...near perfect fifth release for Mpls. MN quartet.  Band centered indie rock\ pop fusion built around the perfectly pure lead and harmony vocals...featuring ambient western guitar riffs, unexpected Quick read more or view full article melody turns,  background brass chorus, and meticulous yet prudent production..."



#2   The Lumineers | Cleopatra

"...brilliant second effort from Denver folk/rock band...picking up where they left off, with perhaps a bit more polish, it leaves me wondering...what drives this phenomenon...purity and simplicity?...the easy warmth and intensity of the music?...does it matter?" 




#3   Ryan Sheridan | Ryan Sheridan

"...assertive, infectious, high energy roots influenced acoustic centric rock/pop from Irish s/s...Sheridan started on the fiddle at age 7 and at 16 toured the US four years with the 'Riverdance' ensemble, later taking up the guitar and forming bands in Dublin..."




#4   The Bones of J.R. Jones | Spirit’s Furnace

"...uncorrupted, stripped down tracks of rootsy mountain folk and dirty blues incorporating stomp percussion, picked and slide frets occasionally spiced up with additional keys, drums, and bass backing Linaberry's earthy, bobbing and soaring baritone..."




#5  Vaudeville Etiquette | Aura Vista Motel

"...Killer... sophomore release from Seattle quintet...band centered country rock featuring some fantastic paired frets (six string and pedal steel) and terrifically strong, tight and gritty m/f harmony vocals...nice production and tempo mix..."  




Lance's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Nate Currin | The Madman and the Poet
2. Parker Millsap | The Very Last Day
3. Smooth Hound Smith | Sweet Tennessee Honey
4. Skinny Lister | The Devil, The Heart & The Fight
5. Mick Lynch | Aliens, Ghosts and Lovers  

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
 
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Alan's selections:

December 28, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  Up next is Alan who hosts KAFM's "The Fuzz Garage" and "Saturday Night Showcase".  He also does quite a bit of subbing for other programmers.  Here is what he and others had to say:


#1   Fruition - Labor of Love

 "Great Quick read more or view full article 3 part harmonies and some inspired guitar and mandolin picking. These folks can play..."


Note:  Fruition's "Labor of Love" was Alan's favorite song of the year.


#2   Rogue Valley - Radiate / Dissolve

"...near perfect fifth release for Mpls. MN quartet.  Band centered indie rock\ pop fusion built around the perfectly pure lead and harmony vocals...featuring ambient western guitar riffs, unexpected melody turns,  background brass chorus, and meticulous yet prudent production..."




#3   The Congress - The Game

"...very strong album...formed in  Denver but now based in Richmond...beautiful harmonies, infectious melodies..." 




#4   Suzanne Dean - Come To Paradise

"...very listenable album that cuts across the genres of jazz, folk and funk.  All originals.  Dean is an educator, composer, keyboardist and guitarist....happy music...very good..."



#5   The Westies - Six On The Out

"...bold and broad in scope...masterful and exquisite storytelling...stories not for the faint of heart...The Westies will take you on a journey of an America in desperate times - one that few people see, yet everyone knows exists..."


 

The Alan's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Switchfoot | Where The Light Shines Through
2. Gonzalo Bergara | Zalo's Blues
3. Baked Potatoes | Loaded
4. Nora Jones | Day Breaks
5. The Head And The Heart | Sign Of Light

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!

 

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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Veta Bluegrass selections:

December 24, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  Up next is Veta Bluegrass who hosts KAFM's "Bluegrass and Beyond".   


#1    Bryan Sutton | The More I Learn  

"...finest record yet 3... sounds like a well worn pair of jeans...you dont want it to wear out...co-writers include Tim Quick read more or view full article O'Brien, Nick Forster, Mike Barnett."

 

#2   Irene Kelley | These Hills

"...sweet voice and has added a great lineup of supporting musicians...she will be winning awards with this record."




#3   Sam Bush | Storyman

"Its been  several years since Sam "King of Telluride" and Father of Newgrass has released an album...Great lyrics...great songs..."




#4   Del & Dawg (Del McCoury and David Dawg Grisman) | Del & Dawg

"...friends since 1963 these bluegrass icons sing, play, and tell stories about each other. David Dawg Grisman (mandolin) and Del McCoury (guitar) both sing.Recodred live in Maine in 11/15. Excellent!..."




#5   Earls of Leicester | Rattle & Roar

"Second CD by The Earls of Leicester (play on names Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt). The Earls sound like Flatt and Scruggs with top musicians playing Flatt and Scruggs songs."




Veta Bluegrass Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Giri Peters | Just Whittlin' Around 
2. Section House | A Collection of Instrumentals
3. Jordan Tice | Horse County
4. The New Kentucky Colonels | Live in Sweden 1973
5. Gathering Time | When One Door Closes

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
 
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - PJ's selections:

December 20, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016.  Up next, PJ, who hosts KAFM's "Desert Canyon Music".  


#1   Three Beards | Lessons Learned

"...good old-fashion Rock Music; refreshingly so. The songwriting, instrumentation, and vocals are all good throughout. Too bad there are only 5 Quick read more or view full article songs..."

 

#2   Toronzo Canyon | The Chicago Way  

"...Searing guitar licks, expressive vocals, and original contemporary lyrics... exhilarating tracks...raw and soulful...TC has styles reminiscent of the best of Buddy Guy, Gary Clark, Jr. and the 3 King...good horns and B3 action in all the right places...A hidden jewel of the Chicago blues scene..."

 


#3   Eric Lindell | Matters of the Heart 

...if you like blues, soul, doo wop, R&B, MT, even a little country, this is for you...give this whole thing a good listen - it will not disappoint..."

 


#4   Waydown Wailers | Empty Promises

"...bluesy and more laid back..."




#5   Gnarly Feat | Gnarly Feat

"...good ol' fashioned Southern Rock with good, vocals, song writing, rhythm section, keyboards, and excellent guitars..."

 
*Note - Gnarly Feat's "Rita" is PJ's Song of the Year.


PJ's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:

1. Coral Creek | Coral Creek                    
2. Jim Duffey | Pale Afternoon                  
3. Bay Station | Go Out and Make Some  
4. Bob Rasero | Not Gonna Worry            
5. Darcy Malone and the Tangle | Still Life

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
 
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - The H-man's selections:

December 16, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music!  We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner.  It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016, starting with The H-man who hosts KAFM's "The Divided Sky" and "Enjoy The Ride".  


# 1   The Record Company | "Give It Back To You"

"...moving bluesy roots music lead by the expressive vocals of front man guitarist and harp Quick read more or view full article player Chris Vos and drummer Marc Cazoria...this thing sizzles from top to bottom and the buzz about them is justified..."



#2   Stewart Lindsey | Spitballin' 

"....what a find Lindsey is: his voice is pure magic with a vibrato and range off the charts as well as emotion usually reserved for more polished singers...a phenomenal eclectic mix of rock, blues, gospel, and country..." 




# 3   The Soul Of John Black | Early In The Moanin' 

"...soul-roots blues is cool for its beats and rhythms. Great storytelling lyrics. Super vocals and guitar playing, with backup singers and accompaniment ....this one is a total guilty pleasure..."




#4   Joe Bonamassa | Blues Of Desperation

"...contemporary rock/blues guitarist reaches new heights in song writing, vocals and of course guitar mastery. JB's epic guitar playing reaches unheard of levels...Best studio album he has ever done, which is saying something...."




# 5   Switchfoot | Where The Light Shines Through

"...the lyrics are inspirational, insightful, and creative with bombs away music that's catchy and superbly crafted..."
 




The H-man's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
 
1. Rogue Valley | Radiate/Dissolve
2. Crushed Out | Alien Ocean
3. The Rides | Pierced Arrow
4. The Stumbellas | Hope
5. The Motet | Totem

Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
 
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Debuting Now! Photo Ops - Vacation

February 1, 2016


Sometimes you just fall in love with a record.
That is exactly what happened to me with Photo Ops new album, Vacation. (Bad Friend Records)

This album is deep and dreamy, full of pop melodies The Beach Boys would applaud. In fact, a lot of the production and vocals sound as if they could have come from Brian Wilson himself, which I believe is one of the highest compliments a pop song could receive. The amount of pain channeled through these songs is immense, almost hidden beneath the gorgeous voice of Terry Price. If you simply listen at the surface of this album, you will undoubtably dance around your house or Quick read more or view full article tap your desk, much to the annoyance of your cubicle mate.
But, give it a second listen. Hear Price's words, and not only will you be dancing, you'll be connecting. Understanding. 
This is certainly a body of work that hits the heart, but it's a good pain. It's the feeling of release.
My favorite tracks are "Memories that Glow," "Maybe We'll Change," "You Could Be Great," "I'd Be Dead," and "To Move On."
I honestly could list every song off the album though, it's magical as a complete work. I do love the Indiana/Chicago reference in "You and Me Driving Cross Country." Nothing like an I-65 reference to remind me of my home state and my 3.5 hour monthly trips up and down that interstate.

I've been listening this album on repeat for a full week now and I simply cannot stop. 

This album enters the KAFM on-air studio this week, so tune in for some spins off of Photo Ops - Vacation


Track List:
1. Once Around the Town Square
2. Old Lullabies
3. I'd Be Dead
4. You Could Be Great
5. Memories That Glow
6. Maybe We'll Change
7. You and Me Driving Cross Country
8. Kathleen
9. To Move On
10. It Isn't Mine


Tori Miner
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Charts for November 1-7

November 7, 2014
A bit of a change up this week! A few new number ones, and a few triumphant returns...

Jazz - A brand new number one, and Al Jarreau moves back up the chart!



1. Connie Evingson - All the Cats Join In (Minnehaha)
2. Al Jarreau - My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke (Concord)
3. Stanley Clarke Band - Up (Mack Avenue)
4. Singer and the Songwriter - What A Difference A Melody Makes (Self)
5. Rebirth Brass Band - Move Your Body (Basin Street)
6. Annie Lennox - Nostalgia (Blue Note)
7. Kat Edmonson - The Big Picture (Sony)
8. Chick Corea Trio - Trilogy (Concord)
9. Bobby Quick read more or view full article Hutcherson - Enjoy the Blue (BlueNote)
10. Lenny Pickett with Umo Jazz Orchestra - The Prescription (Random Act)

World - A new number one here as well!



1. Peliroja - Injusticia (Chulo)
2. Saor Patrol - Outlander (Arc)
3. Melaza - Melaza (Chulo)
4. Campo - Remixes and Rarezas (Self)
5. Geoffrey Gurrumul - Gurrumul (Skinny Fish)
6. The Rua - The Rua (FOD)
7. Silva - Ocean View (Six Degrees)
8. Salsa de la Bahia - Vol. 2, Hoy y Ayer (Patios)
9. Bombay Royale - The Island of Dr. Electrico (Hope)
10. Fela Kuti - The Very Best of Black President 2 (Knitting Factory

College - Some new names up on these charts, but Ryan Adams climbs his way back up!



1. Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams (Paxamericana)
2. Streets of Laredo - Volume I & II (Dine Alone)
3. Immigrant Union - Anyway (The Musebox)
4. Banks - Goddess (Harvest)
5. Jenny Lewis - Voyager (Warner)
6. Young Statues - The Flatlands are Your Friend (Run For Cover)
7. Lily and Madeleine - Fumes (Asthmatic Kitty)
8. Gary Clark Jr. - Live (Warner)
9. Blake Mills - Heigh Ho (Verve)
10. Sondre Lerche - Please (Mona)

Roots - A bunch of new names, including a brand new number 1!



1. Lucinda Williams - Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone (Highway 20 Records)
2. Johnny Winter - Step Back (Megaforce)
3. Deak Harp - Clarksdale Breakdown (Self)
4. Jackson Browne - Standing in the Breach (Inside Recordings)
5. Devon Allman - Ragged & Dirty (Ruf Records)
6. Eric Gates - Good For Sumthin' (Cleopatra)
7. Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company Reissue (Concord)
8. Nils Lofgren - Face the Music (Fantasy)
9. Benny Turner - Journey (Nola Blues
10. Popa Chubby - I'm Feelin' Lucky (Cleopatra)

We've always got great new music coming out - so keep it tuned to KAFM!
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Charts for May 17-23

May 23, 2014
We have all new charts this week! All new number ones!

Jazz - Almost all new names, with a few familiar ones thrown in.



1. Catherine Russell - Bring It Back (Jazz Village)
2. Lalama Brothers - Erie Avenue (Lalama)
3. Fat Babies - 18th and Racine (Delmark)
4. David "Fathead" Newman - Cellar Groove (Cellar Live)
5. Triology - Triology (Cellar Live)
6. Regina Carter - Southern Comfort (Masterworks)
7. Mike Allen Quartet - Panorama (Cellar Live)
8. Roosevelt Dime - Full Head of Steam (Self)
9. Rebekah Bell - To Watch Over Me (Self)
10. Mark Egan - About Now (Wavetone)

World - Ziggy Marley can't Quick read more or view full article be stopped, but there are some titles catching up...


1. Ziggy Marley - Fly Rasta (Tuff Gong)
2. Pacifika - Amor Planeta (Six Degrees)
3. Caetano Veloso - Abracaco (Nonesuch)
4. Karol Conka - Batuk Freak (Mr. Bongo)
5. Palo! - Live (Rolling Pin)
6. Techung - Lam La Che-On the Road (Arc)
7. La Misa Negra - Misa De Medianoche (NAM)
8. Tinariwen - Emmaar (Anti-)
9. Thievery Corporation - Saudade (ESL)
10. Las Cafeteras - It's Time (Self)

College - A strong debut for our number one, and fora few other titles on the College Charts.



1. Nikki Lane - All or Nothin' (New West)
2. Beck - Morning Phase (Capitol)
3. Euforquestra - Fire (Self)
4. Nickel Creek - A Dotted Line (Nonesuch)
5. Sister Speak - Rise Up For Love (Self)
6. Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness (Jagjaguwar)
7. Run River North - Run River North (Nettwerk)
8. Old 97s - Most Messed Up (ATO)
9. War On Drugs - Lost in the Dream (Secretly Canadian)
10. City of Glass - The Modern Age (Un-Famous)

Roots - A lot of new and big names up this week!



1. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band - Goin' Home (Concord)
2. Big Head Todd & The Monsters - Black Beehive (Shout Factory)
3. Gregg Allman - All My Friends (Concord)
4. Little Mike and the Tornadoes - All te Right Moves (ELROB)
5. Red Molly - The Red Album (Self)
6. Honey Don't - Heart Likea Wheel (2DOLLA)
7. The Amigos - Diner in the Sky (Self)
8. Bob Corritore - Fifth (Delta Groove)
9. Ben Harper & Ellen Harper - Childhood Home (Concord)
10. Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke (Sony Masterworks)

Awesome charts this week! Keep listening to KAFM!
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Charts May 9 - 16

May 16, 2014
Our new charts! Keep tuning in!

Jazz - Pretty similar to last week, Pete Mills is still on top!



1. Pete Mills - Sweet Shadow (Cellar Live)
2. Motet - The Motet (Motet)
3. Mike Ferro - Django By Ferro (Self)
4. Roosevelt Dime - Full Head of Steam (Self)
5. Catherine Russell - Bring It Back (Jazz Village)
6. Tim Warfield - Inspire Me! (Herb Harris)
7. Pat Metheny Unity Group - Kin (Nonesuch)
8. Monty Alexander - Harlem Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls On (Motema)
9. Lenny Marcus Trio - Second Set (Self)
10. Rebekah Bell - To Watch Over Me (Self)

World - Quick read more or view full article Ziggy Marley and Thievery Corporation still dominate the World Charts, but there are a few new names...



1. Ziggy Marley - Fly Rasta (Tuff Gong)
2. Thievery Corporation - Saudade (ESL)
3. Rodrigo y Gabriela - 9 Dead Alive (ATO)
4. Palo! - Live (Rolling Pin)
5. Pacifika - Amor Planeta (Six Degrees)
6. Caetano Veloso - Abracaco (Nonesuch)
7. Tinariwen - Emmaar (Anti)
8. Techung - Lam la che-On the Road (Arc)
9. La Misa Negra - Misa de Medianoche (NAM)
10. Trodrigo Costa Felix - Fados de Amor (Arc)

College - New number one, and new names coming up!



1. Euforquestra - Fire (Self)
2. Lake Street Dive - Bad Self Portraits (Signature Sounds)
3. Afghan Whigs - Do to the Beast (Sub Pop)
4. Temples - Sun Structures (Fat Possum)
5. Shook Twins - What We Do (Independent)
6. Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams (Razor and Tie)
7. Drive-By Truckers - English Oceans (ATO)
8. BadBadNotGood - III (Inovative Liesure)
9. Wye Oak - Shriek (Merge)
10. Trouble With Templeton - Rookie (Bella Union)

Roots - Gregg Allman's new one debuts at number one this week!



1. Gregg Allman - All My Friends (Rounder Records)
2. Candi Staton - Life Happens (Beracah Records)
3. String Cheese Incident - Song In My Head (Loud & Proud)
4. Bob Corritore - Taboo (Delta Groove Music)
5. Planet Full of Blues - Hard Landing (Self)
6. Tommy Malone - Poor Boy (MC Records)
7. Tweed Funk - First Name Lucky (Self)
8. Dave Mason - Future's Past (Something Music)
9. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band - Goin' Home (Concord)
10. Red Molly - The Red Album (Self)

We have more new music coming in everyday! Keep listening for more!
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Charts for May 3 - May 9

May 9, 2014
We're going to start showing our top ten here on our blog! Enjoy! This week has all new number ones, and a TON of new names!

Jazz - All new top ten, with Pete Mills moving up into the top spot!



1. Pete Mills - Sweet Shadow (Cellar Live)
2. Motet - The Motet (Motet)
3. Mike Ferro - Django By Ferro (Self)
4. Roosevelt Dime - Full Head of Steam (Self)
5. Catherine Russell - Bring It Back (Jazz Village)
6. Tim Warfield - Inspire Me! (Herb Harris)
7. Pat Metheny Unity Group - Kin (Nonesuch)
8. Monty Alexander - Harlem Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls Quick read more or view full article On (Motema)
9. Lenny Marcus Trio - Second Set (Self)
10. Rebekah Bell - To Watch Over Me (Self)

World - Ziggy Marley takes over the top spot while Thievery Corporation falls to 2...



1. Ziggy Marley - Fly Rasta (Tuff Gong)
2. Thievery Corporation - Saudade (ESL)
3. Rodrigo y Gabriela - 9 Dead Alive (ATO)
4. Caetano Veloso - Abracaco (Nonesuch)
5. Tinariwen - Emmaar (Anti-)
6. Bossacucanova - Our Kind of Bossa (Six Degrees)
7. Palo! - Live (Rolling Pin)
8. Pacifika - Amor Planeta (Six Degrees)
9. Karol Conka - Batuk Freak (Mr. Bongo)
10. Techung - Lam Le Che-On the Rod (Arc)

College- New Number one, and a few new names!



1. Ages and Ages - Divisionary (Partisan)
2. Lake Street Dive - Bad Self Portraits (Signature Sounds)
3. Nickel Creek - A Dotted Line (Nonesuch)
4. Cataldo - Gilded Oldies (Red Pepper)
5. Drive-By Truckers - English Oceans (ATO)
6. Run River North - Run River North (Nettwerk)
7. The Bamboos - Fever in the Road (Nettwerk)
8. Dum Dum Girls - Too True (Sub Pop)
9. New Mendicants - Into the Lime (Ashmont)
10. Tacocat - NVM (Hardly Art)

Roots - A lot of variation here this week...



1. Mark Hummel - The Hustle is Really On (Electro-Fi)
2. String Cheese Incident - Song In My Head (Loud & Proud)
3. Rip Lee Pryor - Nobody But Me (Electro-Fi)
4. Steve Dawson - Rattlesnake Cage (Black Hen Music)
5. John Gorka - Bright Side of Down (Blue Chalk Records)
6. Harpdog Brown - What It Is... (Dog Breath)
7. Wailin' Walker - No Regrets (Jitterbug)
8. Infamous Stringdusters - Let It Go (High Country Recordings)
9. Dudley Taft - Screamin' in the Wind (Taft)
10. Various Artists - Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne (Music Road Records)


Keep it tuned here for the best new music!
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Charts for April 26-May 2

May 2, 2014
All new charts - and a ton of new names!

Jazz - New top five all over!



1. Helen Sung - Anthem For a New Day (Concord)
2. Pete Mills - Sweet Shadow (Cellar Live)
3. Mike Ferro - Django by Ferro (Self)
4. Stanton Moore - Conversations (Royal Potato Family)
5. Tim Warfield - Inspire Me! (Herb Harris)

World - Thievery Corporation takes the top spot again, but there are a few new names...



1. Thievery Corporation - Saudade (ESL)
2. Sousou & Maher Cissoko - Africa Moo Baalu (ARC)
3. Techung - Lam Le Che-On the Quick read more or view full article Road (ARC)
4. Ziggy Marley - Fly Rasta (Tuff Gong)
5. Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 9 Dead Alive (ATO)

College - Completely new top 5, complete with a new number 1!



1. Nickel Creek - Dotted Line (Nonesuch)
2. Jamestown Revival - Utah (Wild Bunch)
3. Beck - Morning Phase (Capitol)
4. Shook Twins - What We Do (Independent)
5. Cody ChesnuTT - Landing on a Hundred: B Sides and Remixes (Vibration Vineyard)

Roots - A close race here, but our all new chart goes like this...



1. Carmen Grillo - A Different World (Big Surprise Music)
2. String Cheese Incident - Song In My Head (Loud & Proud)
3. John Mayall - A Special Life (Forty Below Records)
4. Leon Russell - Life Journey (Universal)
5. Rodney Crowell - Tarpaper Sky (New West)

We keep gettin a ton of great new music in - keep listening to hear who tops our charts! Read Less
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Charts for April 19-25

April 25, 2014
We're back! After a week hiatus for our Spring Member Drive, the charts are back up and running.

Thanks to everyone who supported us!

Jazz - We've got some brand new titles up for Jazz, but the one spot goes back to...



1. David "Fathead" Newman - Cellar Groove (Cellar Live)
2. Amy Cervini - Jazz Country (Anzic)
3. Mike Ferro - Django by Ferro (Denwa Jazz)
4. Stanton Moore - Conversations (Royal Potato Family)
5. Tim Warfield - Inspire Me! (Her Harris)

World - A few new names, and a whole lotta Bossa!



1. Thievery Corporation Quick read more or view full article - Saudade (ESL)
2. Damien Jurado - Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son (Secretly Canadian)
3. Ziggy Marley - Fly Rasta (Tuff Gong)
4. Sine Qua Non - Simple Pleasures (Transoul)
5. Bossacucanova - Our Kind of Bossa (Six Degrees)

College - A lot of favorites are back on top this week...



1. Drive-By Truckers - English Oceans (ATO)
2. Euforquestra - Fire (Self)
3. Nick Waterhouse - Holly (Inovative Leisure)
4. Beck - Morning Phase (Capitol)
5. Gardens and Villa - Dunes (Secretly Canadian)

Roots - Lots of Blues, and some Jam!



1. Bad Brad & The Fat Cats - Take a Walk With Me (Self)
2. Albert Castiglia - Solid Ground (Ruf)
3. Duncan Street - Baptized by the Blues (15th South Records)
4. Catherine Russell - Bring It Back (Jazz Village)
5. String Cheese Incident - Song In My Head (Loud & Proud)

We've got a TON of new music coming in, keep it tuned in to hear how the charts change! Read Less
Posted by Alicia
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Charts for March 29-April 4

April 4, 2014
It's a new month! And our charts are changing up, too!!

Jazz - Some new names getting in there, as well as a new number one - from Colorado!



1. 7 on 7 - Back When it Was Fun (Self)
2. Pete Mills - Sweet Shadow (Cellar Live)
3. David "Fathead" Newman - Cellar Groove (Cellar Live)
4. B.D. Lenz - Ready or Not (Jade Buddah)
5. Jane Ira Bloom - Sixteen Sunsets (Outline)

World - New number one, that just came out this week!



1. Thievery Corporation - Saudade (ESL)
2. Spiritual Rez - Apocalypse Whenever (Self)
Quick read more or view full article /> 3. Bossacucanova - Our Kind of Bossa (Six Degrees)
4. Tinariwen - Emmar (Anti-)
5. Sousou and Maher Cissoko - Africa Moo Baalu (Arc)

College - What's this? No Avett Brothers? Sharon Jones? Hmmm...



1. Drive By Truckers - English Oceans (ATO)
2. Desert Noises - 27 Ways (SQE)
3. St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Half the City (Single Lock)
4. Motet - The Motet (Motet)
5. Beck - Morning Phase (Capitol)

Roots - All Blues this week - just about!



1. Terry Quiett Band - Taking Sides (Lucky Bag Records)
2. Various Artist - Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne (Music Road Records)
3. Cathy Lemons - Black Crow (VizzTone)
4. Holmes Brothers - Brothers (Alligator Records)
5. Lisa Mann - Move On (Lisa Mann Music)


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Posted by Alicia
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Charts for March 22-28

March 28, 2014
March has had a lot of new names... A lot of good music coming out this month!

Jazz -  Not much different here, actually...



1. David "Fathead" Newman & The Tilden Webb Trio - "Cellar Groove" (Cellar Live)
2. Ira Sullivan Presents the Jim Holman Trio - "Blue Skies" (Delmark)
3. Gregory Porter - "Liquid Spirit" (Blue Note)
4. B.D. Lenz - "Ready Or Not" (Jade Buddah)
5. Magic Sam - "Live at the Avant Garde" (Delmark)

World - No new names, but a new number one!



1. Bossacucanova - Our Kind of Bossa (Six Degrees Records)
2. Quick read more or view full article Tinariwen - Emmaar (Anti-)
3. Rokia Traore- Beautiful Africa (Nonesuch)
4. Beats Antique - A Thousand Faces, Act I (Beats Antique)
5. P-Nuckle - The System (Self)

College - A few new names up there...



1. Drive By Truckers - English Oceans (ATO)
2. Beck - Morning Phase (Capitol)
3. Dum Dum Girls - Too True (Sub Pop)
4. Euforquestra - Fire (Self)
5. Autumn Defense - Filth (Yep Roc)

Roots - A ton of new names this week!



1. Various Artists - New Arrivals Vol. 5: Artists for Hurricane Sandy Relief (MPress Records)
2. Polly O'Keary - Compass (Self)
3. Patti Parks - Cheat'n Man (Self)
4. Pam Taylor Band - Hot Mess (BMI)
5. John Gorka - Bright Side of Down (Blue Chalk Records)


Keep it tuned for more great music - only on 88.1!
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Black Keys Release New Single!

March 25, 2014



Are you as excited as we are!?

Keep it tuned to KAFM to hear "Fever," off of the upcoming album "Turn Blue" - out May 13th!
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Charts for March 15-21

March 21, 2014
Our charts are completely new this week - all around! Perfect for the change of seasons...

Jazz - All new top 5 - which includes our new number 1!



1. David "Fathead" Newman & The Tilden Webb Trio - "Cellar Groove" (Cellar Live)
2. Ira Sullivan Presents the Jim Holman Trio - "Blue Skies" (Delmark)
3. Gregory Porter - "Liquid Spirit" (Blue Note)
4. B.D. Lenz - "Ready Or Not" (Jade Buddah)
5. Magic Sam - "Live at the Avant Garde" (Delmark)

World - Still very Reggae dominated, but all new stuff.



1. Eek-A-Mouse - "Eek-Ology" (VP)
2. Quick read more or view full article Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba - "Jama Ko" (Out Here)
3. Tinariwen - "Emmaar" (Anti)
4. Spiritual Rez - "Apocalypse Whenever" (Self)
5. P-Nuckle -  "The System" (Self)

College - New number one, and a lot of the old favorites aren't here this week...



1. Motet - "The Motet" (Motet)
2. Beck - "Morning Phase" (Capitol)
3. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - "South" (File Under)
4. Drive-By Truckers - "English Oceans" (ATO)
5. Desert Noises - "27 Ways" (SQE)

Roots - Always new, and always changing!



1. John Lyons - "Sing Me Another Song" (Self)
2. Various - "Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne" (Music Road Records)
3. Cyrill Neville - "Magic Honey" (Ruf)
4. Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown - "Goin' to the Delta" (Ruf)
5. Mick Kolassa - "Michissippi Mick" (Swing Suit Records)

What'll happen next week? Keep it tuned to 88.1!
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Posted by Alicia
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Belle Brigade and Ray LaMontagne

March 20, 2014


Station favorites Belle Brigade and Ray LaMontagne will be touring this summer, with a stop at Red Rocks in August...

Hearts a-flutter.
 
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Bang on the Ear

March 17, 2014


Bang on The Ear comes recommended from Suzi Creme Cheeze - from Cry of the Celts! This Canadian group combines traditional Irish music with Folk, Rock and Country! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day, from the Music Department at KAFM!
Posted by Alicia
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Charts for March 8 - 14

March 14, 2014
New week, new charts!

Jazz - A lot of similar names, but a new Top Spot!



1. Phil Woods and the Festival Orchestra - "New Celebration" (Chiaroscuro)
2. Rene Marie - "I Wanna Be Evil: With Love To Eartha Kitt" (Motema)
3. Pete Mills - "Sweet Shadow" (Cellar Live)
4. 7 on 7  - "Back When It Was Fun" (Artist Alliance)
5. Cory Weeds Quintent - "Let's Go" (Cellar Live)

World - Katchafire is still on top, but some new names made the list!



1. Katchafire - "Best So Far" (VP)
2. Beats Antique - "A Thousand Faces, Quick read more or view full article Act I" (Beats Antique)
3. Dom La Nena - "Golondrina" (Six Degrees)
4. Rokia Traore - "Beautiful Africa" (Nonesuch)
5. P-Nuckle - "The System" (Self)

College - All new this week!



1. Drive By Truckers - "English Oceans" (ATO)
2. Asgeir - "In the Silence" (One Little Indian)
3. New Mendicants - "Into the Lime" (Ashmont)
4. Desert Noises - "27 Ways" (SQE)
5. Avett Brothers - "Magpie and the Dandelion" (Universal Republic)

Roots - A lot of Blues this week... All new, too!



1. Blue Lunch - "Special 30th Anniversary" (Rip Cat)
2. Various - "Blind Raccoon Collection, Volume 4" (Blind Raccoon)
3. Sylvia Embry & John Embry - "Troubles" (Delmark)
4. Nick Moss - "Time Ain't Free" (Blue Bella)
5. Various - "Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne" (Music Road Records)

Keep it tuned in to KAFM for the best new music! Read Less
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New Video From Billie Joe & Norah

March 13, 2014

 )

Chart toppers Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones have released a new video for their single, "Kentucky," off their collaborative tribute album, "Foreverly." Check it out here, and keep listening to KAFM for more tunes from "Foreverly!"

Video Courtesy of Warner Brother Records.
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Music Charts for January 31st - February 6th

February 7, 2014
Each week, we go through all of our new musicand count how many plays each album gets... Here's what's hot this week at KAFM!
 
Jazz – We had a very Jazz-heavy week... And a LOT of new names, to boot - including our new #1.

  1. Sue Maskaleris - "Bring Nothing But Your Heart" (Jazilian)
  2. Pete Mills - "Sweet Shadow" (Cellar Live)
  3. Gregory Porter - "Liquid Spirit" (Blue Note)
  4. Chaise Lounge - "Dot Dot Dot" (Modern Songbook)
  5. Chris Parker Trio - "The Christ Parker Trio" (GPR)
World – Another very reggae week for our World Charts! Except our top 2 spots!

  1. Juana Molina - "Wed 21" (Crammed Discs)
  2. Bombay Dub Quick read more or view full article Orchestra - "Tales of the Grand Bazaar" (Six Degrees)
  3. Alborosie - "Sound the System" (VP)
  4. P-Nuckle – “The System” (Self-released)
  5. Katchafire - "Best So Far" (VP) 
College –  The Avetts can't stop/won't stop. Anyone surprised?

  1. The Avett Brothers – “Magpie and the Dandelion” (Universal)
  2. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - "South" (File Under Music)
  3. Mogwai - "Rave Tapes" (Sub Pop)
  4. Lucius - "Wildewoman" (Mom and Pop)
  5. Billie Joe and Norah – “Foreverly”
Roots – Well this entire chart is new this week...

  1. Roseanne Cash - "The River & The Thread" (Blue Note)
  2. Will Kimbrough - "Sideshow Love" (Daphne)
  3. Mark T. Small - "Smokin' Blues" (Lead Foot)
  4. Annika Chambers & The Houston All-Stars - "Making My Mark" (Montrose)
  5. Jennifer Nettles - "That Girl" (Universal/Nashville)

KAFM reports charts to the College Music Journal and the Roots Music Report each week.
Be sure to tune in to hear the best in new music, and keep an eye out for our weekly charts on our Facebook page!
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Posted by Alicia
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Music Charts for January!

February 6, 2014
The Avetts are taking over the station! And we aren't stopping them!

Each month, I get to go on air and bring you our top five in each genre, for that entire month. Here's what we've been absolutely loving in January at KAFM!
 
Jazz – This month, Ahmad Jamal takes the top spot again, with his release, “Saturday Morning,” while Trombone Shorty climbs back up from number five to number three. Claudette makes her way up to the second spot – her first appearance for her newest release.
  1. Ahmad Jamal – “Saturday Morning”
  2. Claudette – “Infernal Piano Plot…Hatched!”
  3. Trombone Shorty – “Say That To Say This”
  4. Dave Bennett – “Don’t Be That Way”
  5. Chaise Lounge – Quick read more or view full article “Dot Dot Dot”
 
World – Another very reggae month for our World Charts! Must be the cold weather… Or the amazing music these guys are putting out lately. Bombay Dub Orchestra is the only release that isn’t tropical, but no less popular.
  1. Katchafire – “Best So Far”
  2. Alborosie – “Sound the System”
  3. William Onyeabor – “Who is William Onyeabor?”
  4. Bombay Dub Orchestra – “Tales from the Grand Bazaar”
  5. P-Nuckle – “The System”
 
College – The Avett Brothers are unstoppable. They’ve been at the top of every chart for the past two months, also taking the honors of most played station-wide, in December and January. But Sharon Jones’ new R&B release isn’t far behind…
  1. The Avett Brothers – “Magpie and the Dandelion”
  2. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – “Give the People What They Want”
  3. Elvis Costello and the Roots – “Wise Up Thought: Remixes”
  4. Billie Joe and Norah – “Foreverly”
  5. The Head and the Heart – “Let’s Be Still”
 
Roots – Roots is the most volatile chart at the station, simply because our favorite genres are all grouped here. This month, however, these names have constantly been in the Top Ten, including Colorado natives, Elephant Revival.
  1. Tinsley Ellis – “Midnight Blue”
  2. Downchild – “Can You Hear the Music”
  3. Tommy Castro – “The Devil You Know”
  4. Becky Barksdale – “The 2120 Sessions”
  5. Elephant Revival – “These Changing Skies”
 
The charts at KAFM are always changing, and we’re always getting spectacular new music in. I’m happy to say that our charts are unlike anybody else’s because of the range of music we play. Be sure to tune in to hear the best in new music, and keep an eye out for our weekly charts on our Facebook page, and via our website, at kafmradio.org!
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