Dave Van Ronk performs onstage in 1970 in New York.

Remembering The Singing ‘Mayor Of MacDougal Street’

While the latest Coen brothers movie, Inside Llewyn Davis, isn’t a biopic, it is inspired by the life of a real person: the late Dave Van Ronk. He was a folk and blues singer and a central figure in the folk revival of the early 1960s. NPR’s Joel Rose has the story of the musician, who was known for his avuncular presence on the Greenwich Village scene.

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The gospel/folk singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe was accompanied by a jazz orchestra on her debut recording.

Wade In The Water: 5 Jazz Takes On Spirituals

The songs were a byproduct of slavery in the U.S. But after being passed along by generations of African-American musicians, they were later embraced by a variety of improvisers, including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Grant Green and John Coltrane.

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Keith Jarrett circa 1986.

27 Years Ago, Keith Jarrett Was A One-Man Band

In 1986, the iconic jazz pianist experimented with drums, bass and electric guitar in his home studio. Decades later, he’s finally released the tapes. Reviewer Banning Eyre says that on No End, Jarrett seems to cherish rediscovering a side of his younger self.

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The Dismemberment Plan performs a Tiny Desk concert in October 2013.

The Dismemberment Plan: Tiny Desk Concert

The recently reunited band’s funky, fleshed-out sound wouldn’t seem to lend itself to vastly stripped-down arrangements. But The Dismemberment Plan exudes playfulness and wry charm throughout these three songs from this year’s Uncanney Valley.

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Todd Terje's "Q" is featured on this week's edition of Metropolis.

Metropolis: 11/30/13

This week’s two-hour mix from Metropolis host Jason Bentley features an epic new tune from Todd Terje, the latest from ambient producer Tycho, the Mat Zo anthem “Easy” and much more.

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This week's show features "Hot's Groove" by Hot Since 82.

Metropolis: 11/23/13

This week’s two-hour mix by Metropolis host Jason Bentley features new music by British house star Hot Since 82, a Diplo remix of Grizzly Bear, Boys Noise remixing Chromeo, and much more.

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Marvin Gaye walks ahead of his Rolls Royce in Notting Hill, London, in 1976.

The Mix: Northern Soul Radio

Fifteen years before the first East London warehouse party, young Brits congregated in dancehalls and partied all night to rare American R&B music. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Northern Soul all-nighter with a 24/7 channel devoted to the best R&B you’ve likely never heard.

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MK's remix of Sky Ferreira's "Everything Is Embarrassing" is featured on this week's episode of Metropolis.

Metropolis: 11/16/13

This week’s two-hour mix includes a brand-new Disclosure song, Rudimental remixed by Maya Jane Coles, an extended remix of Basement Jaxx’s latest jam, MK remixing Sky Ferreira, and the U.K. chart-topping hit by Morgan Geist’s Storm Queen.

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French techno star Gesaffelstein.

Metropolis: 11/9/13

This week’s show features new music from French techno star Gesaffelstein, drum ‘n’ bass veteran Photek, Paul Woolford’s alias Special Request, and much more.

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Disclosure's Guy and Howard Lawrence with Jason Bentley.

Interview: Disclosure

Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence visit KCRW’s studios in Los Angeles to speak with Metropolis host Jason Bentley about the stunning success of their debut album, Settle.

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