Like dating someone new, the sense of a new thing's awesomeness is quite acute; you are often compelled to tell any and everyone about it. It really should be everyone's favorite thing. At some point, however, you realize it's no more than your own private Idaho. There's no shame in that, but it's a little dull to act as if it's for everyone. That's the danger of touting the new thing: by the time I sit down to speak on it, its "favoriteness" has invariably faded. So, instead I'm going to tout media, culture, music, art, etc., which have stood the test of time (for me) but
still does not enjoy, I believe, the audience it deserves. Call it: my favorite "old" things.
So, favorite old thing #1: NPR Microphone Check with ATCQ's Ali Shaheed Muhammad and veteran music journalist Frannie Kelley.
Microphone Check is true and golden. A hip hop history, but served up with the very grounded wisdom of Ali Shaheed, and a certain earnest, not too shy existence on Kelley's part. You could go straight to their episodes with Pete Rock, D-Nice or Hank Shocklee of P.E., but can just as easily get served up something profound in the interview of a much lesser known (and much younger) artist. So the link here is to Terrace Martin, a hip hop [music!] producer and horn player in the Los Angeles crew that includes Kamasi Washington and Thundercat. Enjoy.
http://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2016/04/08/473407997/terrace-martin-i-believe-you-should-be-yourself
