Soul Station π: Early 70's St. Louis BAG

Today we enter the orbit of BAG—the Black Artists Group, born in late-60s St. Louis and riding the edge of jazz into the early 70s. Like Chicago’s AACM, they believed in freedom, community, and sound that stretched far beyond the grid.

This show is all about that space: Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, Luther Thomas, Stoneface Richard Martin, and the Human Arts Ensemble. Two tracks in Set One, just one in Set Two—but these are journeys, not singles.

The Soul Station. Wholesome Radio. DJ π.

Always bringing you to the right height.

Read More
Soul Station π: Jazzy Out Funk

DJ π’s Jazzy Out Funk show on WholesomeRadio’sSoul Station π takes you on an exhilarating journey through the early 1970s. This hour of groovy, avant-garde, and funky music features Miles Davis’ electric masterpiece Right Off King Crimson’s jazz-infused Groon* and the high-energy Funky Donkey by the Luther Thomas Human Arts Ensemble. With every track, DJ π celebrates the bold and adventurous spirit of Jazzy Out Funk. Tune in now on WholesomeRadio and get to the right height!

Read More
Soul Station Feature: Luis "Lija" Ortiz

A Romper El Coco

Cuban singer Benny More popularized the song A Romper El Coco, but he was hardly the only singer to record it. This version by the Puerto Rican tresero (a tres player) Luis "Lija" Ortiz is in the conjunto tradition and has a tres solo as well as a very good piano solo. It was probablky recorded in 1950 for the latin label Verna. Ortiz recorded often in NYC and during the mid 1950’s made many records backing bolero singer Panchito Riset.

Read More