Music

The city of Ypsilanti  will be in the spotlight in a new Pure Michigan ad, and city residents can get in on the fun this Wednesday.

It was a bittersweet occasion when Detroit blues great Johnnie Bassett's new CD "I Can Make That Happen" once again topped WEMU's "Sweet 16" of most-played CDs for the week.  Just after the disc was released nationally, Johnnie passed away on August 4th due to cancer. 

"Rebirth" by living reggae legend, Jimmy Cliff is a fully rewarding listening experience.  He has lost none of his supple vocal quality and range.  Time has deepened his lower range imbuing his words with deeper meaning and insight.  His Jamaican message remains consistent - that love, peace and truth will conquer all.  The production of this date is immaculate, but the music is free flowing and relaxed.  You can see why WEMU hosts collectively wanted to share this excellent new music with you. 

Once again, WEMU hosts and listeners realized the depth and mastery of our regional musicians by awarding the Latin jazz band, Tumbao Bravo, the coveted number one spot on the "Sweet 16".  This marks the fourth week in a row for that theirs was the most played CD on 89.1.  This disc deserves the distinction not just because it is music from local performers, but because it is totally original, beautifully produced and recorded with the highest audio quality.  "Casa Versailles" by Tumbao Bravo deserved national accolades and WEMU is leading the way.

For the third week in a row, the local all-star Latin jazz band, Tumbao Bravo has topped WEMU's airplay list with "Casa Versailles".  Their CD release concert will be this Saturday at Kerrytown Concert House.  We have details about the show in the "events" and "datebook" section of this website.  This group is just one example of the outstanding musicians who live and work in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and the Detroit area.  It is an honor to play their music on WEMU and support our fantastic music community.

Congratulations are in order once again for conga player Alberto Nacif, saxophonist/flutist Paul Vornhagen,  trumpeter Bob Mojica, pianist Brian DiBlassio, percussionist Javier Barrios and bassist Patrick Prouty with special guest percussionist Pepe Espinosa for gaining the coveted top spot on WEMU's "Sweet Sixteen" for the new CD "Casa Versailles" two weeks in a row.  The members of Tumbao Bravo are based in communities all over Southeastern Michigan and record for bassist Paul Keller's PKO Records label, now operating in Saline, Michigan.  Featuring their music dovetails perfectly with WE

Perhaps their "Top Of The Park" show for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival on July 4th helped propel them to the number one spot in WEMU's "Sweet Sixteen", but they likely would have achieved the spot without the show.

We at WEMU love highlighting local artists, and this ensemble of musicians from Ann Arbor, Brighton and Detroit is simply one of the best. Every member is a leader in his own right.

We are especially proud of their conga player, Dr. Alberto Nacif, former host of "Cuban Fantasy" until Marc Taras took over for him.

Once again, the WEMU staff and listener favorite, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band top our "Sweet Sixteen".

WEMU “SWEET SIXTEEN” AIRPLAY June 25 to July 1, 2012: 

LINDA YOHN, MUSIC DIRECTOR 

1.    DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND  "Twenty Dozen"  (Savoy Jazz)

2.    JOHNNIE BASSETT  “I Can Make That Happen”   (Sly Dog Records)

3.    BÉLA FLECK AND THE MARCUS ROBERTS TRIO   “Across The Imaginary Divide”  (Rounder)

4.    ESPERANZA SPALDING   “Radio Music Society”  (Heads Up/Montuno)

A WEMU listener favorite since 1984 - The Dirty Dozen Brass Band claims the top spot on this week's "Sweet 16".  This is encouraging news as "Twenty Dozen" is their first release on a brand new record label.  WEMU is proud to support this band which started the international trend of contemporary music arranged for traditional brass band instrumentation. 

WEMU “SWEET SIXTEEN” AIRPLAY June 18 to June 24, 2012: 

LINDA YOHN, MUSIC DIRECTOR 

1.    DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND  "Twenty Dozen"  (Savoy Jazz)