Sally de Broux (jazz singer)
Rendezvous by Jacky Terrasson and Cassandra Wilson, a 1997 recording. You know they had to be really listening to each other making this music. Wilson uses her voice ' her instrument ' so beautifully, creating shapes, shades and washes of sound. And then there is her phrasing and the lyrics and the way they intertwine with the other instruments.Lovely.
David Henzie-Skogen (Youngblood Brass Band)
Dub Trio's New Heavy. Virtuosic but unafraid to be destructive with their talents, Dub Trio evoke a post-Bad Brains world where punk, reggae and electronic music meet thrash and implode. Drummer Joe Tomino is quite possibly the baddest man alive. They also, incidentally, make other instrumental 'dub' groups seem antiquated, if not totally obsolete.
Samarah (electronic artist)
Well, it's not actually a particular album or artist but rather a mix of songs I threw on a CD to listen to in the car. The disc is a mishmash of old favorites like the Supremes and Ella Fitzgerald, and newer artists like Milosh, Terranova and Jel.
Sam Wurz (Benefits of Being Paranoid)
Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. Mainly this stems from being hit in that particular, instantly familiar way by the majority of their material. I just get it and love it. But there is enough swing stylistically to keep a listener interested regardless of his current mindset. That's the way I'd like to make music.
Tracy Jane Comer (singer-songwriter)
Nothing dominates ' I thrive on variety. I'm on the road now and loaded up the iPod for the trip. Lately, I've 'spun' tracks from Jack Williams, Willy Porter, Peter Mulvey and David LaMotte, plus old favorites Heart, Melissa Etheridge and Cheryl Wheeler. Also some classical music and tunes by personal pals.
D.L.O. (producer/MC)
I've been listening to Busta Rhymes' The Big Bang. The beats are slamming and Busta is ripping the tracks. Nas, Raekwon, and Q-Tip lend a helping hand. This is just the first CD that came to mind. My favorite changes daily' might be Lalo Schifrin tomorrow.
Mike Massey (singer/pianist)
Quite honestly, the artist that dominates my iPod and car CD player would be me. I am working all the time writing and recording new songs, and I'm listening to arrangements and performances, making revisions and listening again to see if it worked. That said, I love everything by Coldplay.
Jai (Sensuous Enemy)
When I need encouragement and an uplifting tone, I always turn to Madonna. [For] relaxation, I listen to something like the newest CDs from Banzai Republic or Michael Franti and Spearhead. When I need to hear truth about the state of the world I live in, I listen to Android Lust or my newest addition, Capsize.
OX (MC)
To be honest, there is not one particular artist's studio album that has dominated my CD player. I need variety. The mix-tapes are what I really rock! DJs like Big Mike, Kayslay, Whoo Kid, Skee, Envy, Clue, Cutmaster C and Drama keep my ears close to the street. That's where the bangers are!
