In a recent episode of the viral music quiz show Track Star, I was a makeshift "Reggae 101" instructor. The playlist picked by Track Star host Jack Coyne matched the music I play every other Friday afternoon on our local college radio station, WWSP 90FM. The format is Jamaican and Jamaican-influenced music—focusing particularly on how Jamaican, British, and American artists influenced each other (my partner Chad Dally hosts a more wide-ranging world music show on his Fridays). Scroll down for videos of my special shows on London's the Hempolics; the history of Britain's 2 Tone label in the late-1970s; and the storied career of Jamaica's greatest ever producer: Lee "Scratch "Perry." Further down this page is an archive of playlists from of all shows. Better yet, listen live online on alternating Friday afternoons from 3-6 (Central) via the 90FM website.
Ever since their first releases appeared in 2017, London-based collective The Hempolics have issued a string of gorgeous tracks across an impressive range ofJamaican-rooted styles. On my show, I play more of their music than any other artists. So when the final installment of the Kiss, Cuddle & Torture trilogy came out in late-2024, it was a real treat to interview Hempolics producer and ringleader Grippa Laybourne. Click on the image above to hear Grippa explain his concept for the KCT trilogy; the very personal significance of a couple tracks; and the origin stories of his love of Jamaican music, his career at the controls, and his nickname.

Music writer Daniel Rachel has written the definitive history of 2 Tone, the music label and generational movement: Too Much Too Young. In researching the book, he was fortunate to have the cooperation of 2 Tone founder Jerry Dammers. I was fortunate to have Daniel as my guest for a special show on 2 Tone. Check out the stories he shared about The Specials, The Selecter, English Beat, Madness, and the Bodysnatchers.

Lee 'Scratch' Perry biographer David Katz takes listeners on a tour through Perry's six-decade career, from "People Funny Boy" to his late-career collaboration with producer Adrian Sherwood. Katz knew Perry for over thirty years after being deemed official "ghost writer"—a story Katz shared in our interview. Perry's annointment of Katz resulted in an excellent biography titled People Funny Boy. On this Connecting Flights special, Katz shares fascinating details about many of the Upsetter's key career highlights and musical partnerships. Click on the image to the right to check out the YouTube video and hear about Perry's work with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Max Romeo, the Heptones, Marcia Griffiths, the Congos, Junior Byles, and Junior Murvin.