Powered by 855SOULJAM.COM is a podcast that breaks down a song, complete works and/or artists, weaving them together with prior songs, works and artists by going through the music history rabbit hole.
Erykah Badu “Baduizm” This 1997 session catapulted Ms. Badu into the pop/hiphop spotlight, and a star was born. She sings lead and most of the background vocals, and did a lot of the drum programming. RHS’s Robert Bush managed a sit-down interview with vocalist Rebecca Jade to dig deep into this session. Rebecca sings with Sheila E. and recently performed with Sir Elton John.
Etta James “Tell Mama” Ms. James traveled from Chicago to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to record this visceral document back in 1967 at the renown Fame studios, producing one of her finest records to date. RHS managed to book some time with sterling vocalist Whitney Shay, whose new album “Stand Up” is currently positioned at #1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Whitney isn’t afraid to dive into this Rabbit Hole…
Jan Garbarek/Bobo Stenson “Witchi Tai To” (Mark Lessman) This iconic 1974 session shattered the myth that European jazz musicians were somehow inferior to their American counterparts. Saxophone master Garbarek has his finest day and pianist Stenson is not far behind. RHS welcomes saxophonist Mark Lessman who shares an affinity to this session with host Robert Bush. This episode is dedicated to the memory of the drummer on the session Jon Christensen, who recently passed.
Geri Allen “The Life Of A Song” Geri Allen’s 2004 tour-de-force featured the young piano master leading a magnificent trio showcasing the sterling rhythm section of Dave Holland on double bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Allen played with everyone from Marcus Belgrave to Ornette Coleman. Piano virtuoso Joshua White joins Robert Bush to dive deep into this classic session by the late Ms. Allen….
Pat Metheny Group Their self-titled 1978 masterpiece on the ECM record label made stars out of the young jazz group, who followed up by touring the world relentlessly. RHS celebrates this album with the multifaceted Dave Blackburn, who shares an affinity for that document. Sadly, one of the principle contributors to the session, pianist Lyle Mays, passed away last week. This show is dedicated to him…
Joni Mitchell “Hejira” Joni released her 8th studio album in 1976, a masterpiece ode to wanderlust and travel, inspired by a cross-country trip she took by automobile by herself just prior to writing these songs. At the last minute she added bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius, whose input transformed the album. Robin Adler and Dave Blackburn return to RHS to delve deeply into this session…
Wes Montgomery “Portrait of Wes” (with Bob Boss) Wes Montgomery was perhaps the most innovative guitarist in the history of modern jazz. Everyone who followed owes something to the master, who died too young at the age of 45 in 1968. RHS welcomes guitar master Bob Boss to dive into the Wes Montgomery Rabbit Hole.
Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra In 1966, pianist Evans brought his jazz trio into the recording studio to collaborate with a full symphony orchestra conducted by Claus Ogerman, for producer Creed Taylor. Young piano master Danny Green drops by to talk about the joys and challenges of working with strings.
Kamau Kenyatta “The Elegant Sadness” A conversation with multi-Grammy-award winning producer Kamau Kenyatta—a friend of the RHS show. This episode we dive into his latest album, “The Elegant Sadness,” and find out what stories lie behind this compelling session…
Jackie McLean “Swing, Swang, Swinging’” Alto sax master McLean hit an early stride back in 1959 with this classic Blue Note release recorded at the age of 28. Christopher Hollyday drops in to discuss his favorite McLean album and away we go!
Miles Davis, “Bitches Brew.” Still controversial more than 50 years after it’s release, “Bitches Brew” spawned a movement, and changed the course of jazz forever. With drummer/composer Nathan Hubbard, drummer disc jockey Barry Farrar, and trumpeter Stephanie Richards. Down that Rabbit Hole we go…
Steely Dan “Royal Scam” (Hank Easton) This 1976 classic is often overlooked, but it just might represent Steely Dan at their finest. Robert Bush welcomes jazz guitarist Hank Easton to the show, for an in-depth exploration and a thoroughly enjoyable romp down this Rabbit Hole….
Herbie Hancock, “Maiden Voyage.” This album was recorded in 1965, and it still sounds fresh and relevant today. We have a special guest, piano virtuoso Joshua White, on board to discuss this classic album in detail. Let’s dive into this Rabbit Hole….
Joni Mitchell, “Court & Spark.” This 1974 masterpiece paired the monstrous talent of Mitchell with saxophonist Tom Scott’s fusion unit the L.A. Express. We talk with the prime Joni Mitchell interpreters in the United States, vocalist Robin Adler, and guitarist/producer Dave Blackburn about all things Joni. Lets dive down this Rabbit Hole, shall we?
Charles Lloyd “Forest Flower” 1967 was a pivotal year in American music, and when tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd released his live album “Forest Flower,” the world took notice. Southern California bassist Rob Thorsen drops by the RHS studio for an in-depth look at this classic album.
Stevie Wonder “Innervisions” This monumental 1973 document features Wonder in his most creative period, yielding masterpiece performances of “Too High,” “Golden Lady” and “Living For The City.” Virtuoso vocalist Leonard Patton drops in for an extended look at this classic. Down the Rabbit Hole we go again.... Host: Robert Bush Powered by 855SOULJAM.COM © 2020
Led Zeppelin II This 1969 hard-rock classic set the standard for much of what was to follow in the 70s and 80s. RHS welcomes award-winning drummer/composer Nathan Hubbard to the show for an in-depth discussion on this monumental album, and he isn’t shy about diving into this Rabbit Hole…
Steely Dan “Aja” Host Robert Bush engages multi-instrumentalist Tripp Sprague in an insightful dialogue about the album that many consider Steely Dan’s pinnacle. It’s a true conversation between two guys utterly unafraid to dive into this Rabbit Hole…
J .J. Johnson “Proof Positive” J.J. Johnson revolutionized the slide trombone in the 1940’s, setting a new standard for dexterity on the instrument, By 1964, when “Proof Positive” was recorded he was at the absolute height of his powers. Young trombone virtuoso Matt Hall joins us down the Rabbit Hole…
Lori Bell “Brooklyn Dreaming” Join Rabbit Hole Soul’s Robert Bush for an in-depth conversation with flute virtuoso Lori Bell, who discusses her 2016 album “Brooklyn Dreaming.” It made it to Downbeat Magazine’s “Top Twenty” discs of the year and won her a third Global Music Award. Get the whole story down this Rabbit Hole…
The Meters The state of the art in funky, danceable music was transformed forever by this raw 1969 document from the New Orleans band that backed artists like Doctor John and Robert Palmer, RHS sits down with Tim Felten of the Sure Fire Soul Ensemble to discuss the lasting impact of the Meters debut album. This is a fun dip into the Rabbit Hole…
Holly Hofmann “Low Life” Rabbit Hole Soul takes advantage of the opportunity to discuss a critically acclaimed album with the leader of the date herself. Holly Hofmann is a perennial force in the “Best Flute” category every year, and her “Low Life” album with heavy hitters Anthony Wilson, Mike Wofford, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton leads us in a gorgeous exploration of the alto flute. Join us down this Rabbit Hole…
Charles Mingus “Black Saint & The Sinner Lady” This volcanic 1963 large-ensemble Mingus session for the Impulse record label has long been considered one of his best. Host Robert Bush speaks with award-winning composer Anthony Davis about Mingus. This is a deep dive down this Rabbit Hole…
McCoy Tyner “Fly With the Wind.” Tyner’s 8th album for the Milestone record label broke serious new ground in terms of collaboration between a small jazz group and a chamber orchestra. Tyner’s innovative charts are thrilling. This album set a new standard, one that has rarely been equaled. Piano virtuoso Mikan Zlatkovich knows this material and he’s ready to explore this Rabbit Hole….
Santana - "Santana" The Santana group’s eponymous debut album was released in late August of 1969, right after their stunning performance at Woodstock. Rock music was never the same and Rabbit Hole Soul engages percussion master Tommy Aros to explain why. Get your groove on while we dive into this Rabbit Hole…
Mahavishnu Orchestra “Inner Mounting Flame.” This episode examines British guitarist John McLaughlin’s monumental 1971 album “Inner Mounting Flame,” featuring Billy Cobham, Jerry Goodman, Jan Hammer and Rick Laird. Robert Bush speaks with drummer Russell Bizzett and guitarist Bob Boss to discover what makes this album special. Down the Rabbit Hole we go…
Here you go... Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of Life” This 1976 masterpiece firmly established Wonder as a composer of the highest order. It spent months on the top of the Billboard album charts and remains a favorite of musicians and fans throughout the world. Rabbit Hole Soul speaks in depth with musician Greg Phillinganes (Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton) about working with Stevie. Let’s go down the Rabbit Hole…
Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On?” This 1973 album changed the course of soul music forever, “What’s Gong On?” was a visionary suite of music conceived by Marvin Gaye. Robert Bush and double-Grammy-Award winning producer Kamau Kenyatta discuss Marvin’s music at length before they are joined by vocalist Paulette McWilliams (who accompanied Marvin on his final tour.) Down the Rabbit Hole we go….
Keith Jarrett, “My Song.” Jarrett’s 1978 masterpiece is a triumph of beautiful melodies that doesn’t sacrifice one iota of creative development. RHS explores this ECM classic with the award-winning UC San Diego professor David Borgo, who isn’t shy about diving into this Rabbit Hole…
Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Natty Dread.” On this episode, Rabbit Hole Soul explores the music of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley through a discussion about his volcanic 1974 album Natty Dread with the current bassist for the Original Wailers, Omar Lopez. Let’s get into the Rabbit Hole…
In 1973, Chick Corea bucked against the fusion trends of the day and released a mainly acoustic record with heavy Brazilian overtones that set new trends and won several awards. Robert Bush digs deep in conversation with Corea associate Peter Sprague.
1976 was a banner year for guitarist George Benson, whose Warner Brothers debut album made him an international superstar. Piano man Barnaby Finch spent almost a decade in the Benson touring band and the bustling L.A. studio scene, which he recalls in great detail with host Robert Bush. Down the Rabbit Hole we go…
This 1959 masterpiece by trumpeter Miles Davis remains the biggest-selling record in jazz history. Two musicians who were profoundly influenced by the album are featured here: pianist Mike Wofford (Ella Fitzgerald, John Lennon); and bassist Bob Magnusson (Sarah Vaughan, Art Pepper) talk up Kind of Blue. Let’s go down the Rabbit Hole…
Rabbit Hole Soul is always looking for an “insider perspective,” and when it comes to the work of the marvelous baritone vocalist Porter, one does not come any closer than a conversation with long-time mentor/producer Kamau Kenyatta, who played with Donald Byrd and the Supremes. With radio personality Claudia Russell and trumpeter Curtis Taylor. Down the Rabbit Hole we go… Host: Robert Bush
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