Heat Rocks

Latest Episodes:

Xenia Rubinos on Abbey Lincoln's "Abbey is Blue" (1959) Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Multi-instrumentalist & songwriter Xenia Rubinos joins Oliver and guest co-host Jocelyn Brown to discuss Abbey Lincoln's underrated jazz LP, Abbey is Blue. We discuss Abbey's melancholy voice, her work in the civil rights movement, and how her work has influenced Xenia's own music.

More on Xenia Rubinos

More on Abbey Lincoln

Show Tracklisting (all songs from Abbey is Blue unless otherwise indicated):

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
Come Sunday
Xenia Rubinos: Lonely Lover
Lost In The Stars
Max Roach & Abbey Lincoln: Triptych: Prayer/Protest/Peace
Brother Where are You?
Afro Blue
Thursday's Child
Laugh, Clown, Laugh
Lost In The Stars
Xenia Rubinos: Laugh Clown
Let Up
Long As You're Living
Mongo Santamaria: Afro Blue
Afro Blue
Lonely House
Let Up
Lonely House
Laugh, Clown, Laugh
Come Sunday
Long As You're Living
Laugh, Clown, Laugh
Max Roach & Abbey Lincoln: Driva' Man
Nina Simone: I Loves Your Porgy
Charles Mingus: Fables of Faubus
Duke Ellington: Warm Valley

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

MF DOOM Special with Dante Ross Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

This week marks the 17th anniversary of Madvillainy and we invited A&R man and producer Dante Ross to discuss working with KMD, Dumile's move from Zev Love X to MF DOOM, and the stories behind the production of Mr. Hood and Black Bastards. Buckle up, we go deep on this one.

Rest in power, Villain

More on Dante Ross

More on DOOM

ALL CAPS: The Legacy of MF DOOM, Rap’s Greatest Supervillain (Mancunion)
The Wondrous Rhymes of MF DOOM (The New Yorker)
For DOOM by Open Mike Eagle

Show Tracklisting:

MF DOOM: Figaro
Grand Puba: 360° (What Goes Around) - SD50 Remix
3rd Bass: The Gas Face
KMD: Peachfuzz
KMD: Boy Who Cried Wolf
KMD: Peachfuzz
KMD: Bananapeel Blues
KMD: Humrush
Little Wink & Eddie's 25th Century Band: Peacock
KMD: Soulflexin'
KMD: F*@# Wit' Ya Head!!
KMD: Get-U-Now
Kain: I Ain't Black
KMD: Black Bastards!
KMD: Constipated Monkey
Shazzy: Gigahoe
Brand Nubian: Wake Up - Stimulated Dummies Mix
Everlast: What It's Like
Grand Puba: Step to the Rear
KMD: Plummskinz (Loose Hoe, God and Cupid)
KMD: Black Bastards!
KMD: What A N**** Know - Q3 Version
KMD: What A N**** Know?
KMD: Sweet Premium Wine
The Five Stairsteps: New Dance Craze
KMD: Sweet Premium Wine
KMD: Suspended Animation
MF DOOM: Rhymes Like Dimes
Madvillain: Meat Grinder
Madvillain: All Caps
Madvillain: Accordion
Madvillain: Rhinestone Cowboy
Madvillain: All Caps
MF DOOM & Ghostface Killah: Lively Hood
Madvillain: Rainbows
MF DOOM: Rap Snitch Knishes
MF DOOM: Hoe Cakes
MF DOOM: Potholderz
MF DOOM: LIGHTWORKS

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Megan Pattison on Teena Marie's "It Must Be Magic" (1981) Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

DJ and record collector Megan Pattison AKA DJ Mamabear sits down with Oliver and guest co-host Jocelyn Brown to discuss Teena Marie's It Must Be Magic. They get into Teena's growth as an artist and producer, the growing rift between her and Motown Records, and how roller skating was the best way to get into new music

More on Megan Pattison

More on Teena Marie

Show Tracklisting (all songs from It Must Be Magic unless otherwise indicated)

The Ballad of Cradle Rob and Me
Revolution
Vaughan Mason & Crew: Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll
It Must Be Magic
Teena Marie: Lovergirl
365
Opus III (Does Anybody Care)
Square Biz - Instrumental - 12" B Side
Revolution
Portuguese Love
Where's California
7 Days of Funk: Let It Go
It Must Be Magic
Square Biz
It Must Be Magic
365
Yes Indeed
Where's California
Square Biz
Change: Hold Tight
Annette Peacock: Pony
Ozone: (Our Hearts) Will Always Shine
Ozone: Strutt My Thang

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Sheila Burgel on The Ronettes' "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica" (1964) Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

Writer and DJ Sheila Burgel sits down with Oliver and guest co-host Jocelyn Brown to discuss The Ronettes' Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica. We talk about impact of girl groups through the decades, the "wall of sound" formula, and the influence of girl groups across the globe.

More on Sheila Burgel

Check out Sophisticated Boom Boom on WFMU
Sheila's astonishing record collection (Dust & Grooves)
Website

More on The Ronettes

It's Time To Recognize The Ronettes As Rock And Roll Pioneers (NPR)
Classic Tracks: The Ronettes 'Be My Baby' (Sound On Sound)
The Ronettes on American Bandstand

Show Tracklisting (all songs from Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica unless otherwise indicated):

Chapel of Love
Baby, I Love You
Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
BLACKPINK: Ice Cream
Be My Baby
What I'd Say
(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up
I Wonder
Do I Love You?
So Young
You Baby
C. Jérôme: Da Dou Ron Ron
Eiichi Ohtaki: Kimiwa Tennenshoku
Adrienne Posta: Shang A Doo Lang
The Pipettes: Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)
Walking in the Rain
(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up
Baby, I Love You
Be My Baby
How Does It Feel
When I Saw You
Be My Baby
The Shangri-Las: Give Him A Great Big Kiss
Laura Nyro & Labelle: The Bells
The Dixie Cups: I'm Gonna Get You Yet
Reparata and the Delrons: I Can Hear The Rain
Lesley Gore: You Don't Own Me

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Jeff Parker on John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" (1965) Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

It doesn't get much more classic than this, John Coltrane's A Love Supreme is a bonafide heat rock. Musician/DJ Jeff Parker sits down with Oliver and guest co-host Jocelyn Brown to discuss this truly iconic album, it's unexpected gospel leanings, and the intentionality behind every aspect of this album.

More on Jeff

More on A Love Supreme

The Story of A Love Supreme (NPR)
Seeing Through A Love Supreme to Find John Coltrane (The New Yorker)
A Love Supreme's entry in the Library of Congress

Show tracklisting (all songs from A Love Supreme unless otherwise indicated):

A Love Supreme Pt. I - Acknowledgment
A Love Supreme Pt. IV - Psalm
Tortoise: TNT
Jeff Parker: Fusion Swirl
A Love Supreme Pt. II Resolution
A Love Supreme Pt. IV - Psalm
John Coltrane: Alabama
A Love Supreme Pt. I - Acknowledgment
A Love Supreme Pt. III - Pursuance
A Love Supreme Pt. IV - Psalm
A Love Supreme Pt. III - Pursuance
A Love Supreme Pt. IV - Psalm
A Love Supreme Pt. I - Acknowledgment
A Love Supreme Pt. II - Resolution
A Love Supreme Pt. I - Acknowledgment
A Love Supreme Pt. II - Resolution
A Love Supreme Pt. IV - Psalm
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane: In A Sentimental Mood
Alice Coltrane: The Sun
John Coltrane: Spiral

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Samm Henshaw on Kirk Franklin's "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" (2002) Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Singer/songwriter Samm Henshaw sits down with us remotely to discuss Kirk Franklin's gospel masterpiece, The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. The blending of secular music and gospel, Kirk Franklin's role in the gospel music scene, and how his own work has been influenced by Kirk's work.

More on Samm Henshaw

Check out Samm's new single All Good
Instagram | Website

More on Kirk Franklin

Show Tracklisting (all songs from The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin unless otherwise indicated):

When I Get There
Samm Henshaw: Church
Samm Henshaw: Broke
Kirk Franklin: Why We Sing
Lauryn Hill: Joyful Joyful
Kirk Franklin: Stomp (Remix)
Funkadelic: One Nation Under A Groove
He Reigns/Awesome God
Intro
Hosanna
Don't Cry
My Life, My Love, My All
When I Get There
The Blood Song
Samm Henshaw: All Good
Hosanna
Brighter Day
Don't Cry
Caught Up
Intro
911
Hosanna
My Life, My Love, My All
Don't Cry
Kirk Frankin: Declaration (This Is It!)
Charles May & Annette May Thomas: Keep My Baby Warm
Kirk Franklin: Silver and Gold
Altered Natives: Heavenly Melodies (Remix)

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Take Two #8: Mary J Blige's "What's the 411?" with Naima Cochrane Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

We wrap up another edition of Take Two and discuss Mary J Blige's debut album What's The 411? We get into Mary's role in hip-hop soul, the story of Uptown Records, and Mary's image at the time.

More on Naima

More on What's the 411?

Mary J. Blige, 'What's The 411?' at 20: Classic Track-By-Track Review (Billboard)
‘What’s The 411?’: When Hip-Hop And R&B Collided On Mary J. Blige’s Debut (uDiscoverMusic)

Show Tracklisting (all songs from What's the 411? unless otherwise indicated):

Slow Down
What's The 411?
Lil Louis: Club Lonely (I'm On The Guest List Mix)
My Love
Real Love
Leave A Message
Love No Limit
Mariah Carey: Emotions
Shanice: I Love Your Smile
Tracie Spencer: Tender Kisses
Lisa Fischer: How Can I Ease The Pain
Real Love
Reminisce
Love No Limit
Intro Talk
I Don't Want To Do Anything
Love No Limit
Changes I've Been Going Through
You Don't Have To Worry
What's the 411?
Leave A Message
Audio Two: Top Billin'
Real Love
Reminisce
Changes I've Been Going Through
Intro: Ribbon in the Sky
Guy: Do Me Right
SWV: Anything - Old Skool Radio Version

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Take Two #7: Mary J Blige's "Mary" with Naima Cochrane Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

Take Two is back again with another couple of iconic albums from an iconic artist. This time, Morgan is talking about Mary J Blige's album "Mary" with music industry vet Naima Cochrane. We get into Mary's shift in tone on this album, the production and talent behind the scenes, and what Mary means to New York.

More on Naima

More on Mary

Show Tracklisting (all songs from Mary unless otherwise indicated):

Give Me You
Time
Father MC: I'll Do 4 U
Destiny's Child: Jumpin' Jumpin'
Mariah Carey: Heartbreaker
Missy Elliott: She's A Bitch
Macy Gray: I Try
All That I Can Say
Sexy
Deep Inside
I'm In Love
The Love I Never Had
Your Child
All That I Can Say
The Love I Never Had
Beautiful One
The Love I Never Had
I'm In Love
Let No Man Put Asunder
Gretchen Parlato: All That I Can Say
Gretchen Parlato: Weak
Not Lookin
Beautiful Ones
Mary J Blige: My Life (Live)

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

J Dilla Special Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

In honor of J Dilla's birthday, we've put together a medley episode featuring our conversations on Donuts and Fantastic, Vol. 2 with Nate Patrin and Dan Charnas, respectively. Happy Birthday Jay Dee, we miss you.

If you like these snippets, please check out our full episodes in the archives!

Show Tracklisting

J Dilla: Two Can Win
Pharcyde: Drop
Slum Village: Players
Erykah Badu: Kiss Me On My Neck
J Dilla: One For Ghost
Pharcyde: She Said (Remix)
Motherlode: When I Die
J Dilla: Donuts (Intro)
J Dilla: Waves
10cc: Johnny Don't Do It
The Isley Brothers: Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love) Pts. 1 & 2
J Dilla: Bye
J Dilla: So Far To Go
Tarika Blue: Dreamflower
Erykah Badu: Didn't Cha Know
J Dilla: Workinonit
Galt MacDermot: Golden Apples Pt. II
J Dilla: Mash
J Dilla: Geek Down
The Jimi Entley Sound: Charlie's Theme
Jackson 5: All I Do Is Think Of You
J Dilla: Time: The Donut of the Heart
J Dilla: Don't Cry
J Dilla: U-Love
Slum Village: CB4
Prince: Lady Cab Driver
Little Beaver: A Tribute to Wes
Slum Village: Conant Gardens
The Singers Unlimited: Clair
Sugarhill Gang: Rapper's Delight
Slum Village: Players
Slum Village: Hold Tight
Slum Village: Forth and Back (original version)
Slum Village Get Dis Money
Herbie Hancock: Come Running to Me
Slum Village:: Jealousy
Slum Village: Untitled/Fantastic
Slum Village: I Don't Know
Baden Powell: É Isso Aí
Slum Village: Fall In Love
Gap Mangione: Diana In The Autumn Wind
Slum Village: Fall In Love

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!

Valerie June on Etta James' "At Last!" (1960) Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

In January 1960, 22 year-old Etta James began recording her debut album, At Last! It would go on to be her best selling record and the title track is undoubtedly one of the greatest songs ever to be put on wax. Etta lived the blues and effortlessly moved through pop, R&B, and rock. She went on to release countless more records, but never reached the commercial success of At Last, partially due to the changing musical landscape and her struggles with addiction throughout her life.

Singer/songwriter Valerie June sits down with us to talk about the legacy of Etta James, what separated Etta's voice from her contemporaries, and how khakis introduced Oliver to an Etta classic.

More on Valerie June