A fearless pioneer of R&B and a precursor to the raw honesty of hip-hop, Millie Jackson candidly discusses her accidental rise to stardom, the power of self-management, and her unapologetic commitment to “real talk” and dual perspectives in music.

Rhythm Machine’s self-titled 1976 album, once an obscure regional artifact, has evolved into a coveted funk masterpiece, capturing the raw, telepathic chemistry of a band that poured their souls into every groove despite the era’s crushing industry challenges.

In this installment of Liner Notes, flutist/composer Michael Gentile discusses his album album Light Of Day, which features his ensemble “Flow” performing complex, evocative compositions designed to foster a state of energized focus through rich, varied instrumental interplay.

Mario Caldato Jr. reveals how he built hip-hop history using discarded gear and DIY ingenuity, proving that revolutionary records are made by trusting your gut rather than following the book.

The legendary jazz saxophonist reflects on his upbringing during the Harlem Renaissance, his civil rights activism and milestone recordings, and how his embrace of yoga and meditation ultimately transformed his approach to musical improvisation.

From navigating a chaotic New York studio internship to collaborating with hip-hop icons, producer Marco Polo explains how his relentless hustle, dedication to analog aesthetics, and recent pivot into original compositions have shaped his journey in classic hip-hop.

From a backstage gopher boy for jazz legends to Philly’s lone synthesizer wizard, Dexter Wansel weaponized the ARP 2600 to sculpt a space-age blueprint for disco, hip-hop, and R&B.

George Porter Jr. traces his evolution from a young classical guitar student to a pioneer of New Orleans funk, detailing the chance encounters and deep-seated grooves that defined the legendary sound of The Meters.

From the smoke-filled pubs of Croydon to the prestigious stages of Cambridge and Broadway, John Cameron has navigated an amazing career by saying “yes” to every sonic adventure—whether that meant reimagining Shakespeare through the lens of Tudor court music or defining the funky, “in-your-face” grit of the 1960s library music scene.

Al Burton Jr. started out “riding the horse” on a plastic bucket in Durham before anchoring the teenage funk of Duralcha. Recorded when he was just a teenager, his raw “Ghet-To Funk” break transformed from a local high school session into a classic funk 45 and a staple for hip-hop’s elite.