You Can’t Understand Black Music Without Sly Stone You Can’t Understand Black Music Without Sly Stone
His songs, for generations of listeners, provided community, solace, and a sense of understanding.
Jun 13, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
The Visions of Alice Coltrane The Visions of Alice Coltrane
In the years after her husband John’s death, the harpist discovered a sound all her own, a jazz rooted in acts of spirit and will.
Mar 21, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
The Story of Sun Ra’s Egyptian Adventure The Story of Sun Ra’s Egyptian Adventure
How a 1971 trip changed the course of the free jazz icon’s career.
Jun 2, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
Pharoah Sanders’s Grand Return Pharoah Sanders’s Grand Return
A new collaboration with electronic producer Floating Points has led to a modern-day masterpiece for the jazz master.
Mar 30, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
Kendrick Lamar’s Poetic Awakening Kendrick Lamar’s Poetic Awakening
How an encounter with a creative writing teacher changed the LA rapper’s life.
Oct 8, 2020 / Marcus J. Moore
The Culture Is Still Catching Up With Georgia Anne Muldrow The Culture Is Still Catching Up With Georgia Anne Muldrow
Whether in jazz, rap, or R&B, she has made music out of liberation.
Aug 31, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
Run the Jewels’ Wake-up Call Run the Jewels’ Wake-up Call
While other mainstream rappers might create one song or one album dedicated to the unrest, Killer Mike and El-P have carried that torch for six years.
Jun 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
Funk for the Future Funk for the Future
Nick Hakim’s bracing and politically urgent new album Will This Make Me Good is a different kind of love music.
May 27, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore
Reinventing the Sound of Protest Reinventing the Sound of Protest
Jazz quintet Irreversible Entanglements’ fearless music takes to task the police, American politics, capitalism, and racism.
Apr 1, 2020 / Marcus J. Moore
Tame Impala Is Feeling Serenity Now Tame Impala Is Feeling Serenity Now
The Australian band’s contemplative new album finds calm in its stadium rock ambitions.
Feb 14, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore