Nov 21st, 2008 · For Speak Low, blue-eyed-soul legend Boz Scaggs had a sound in mind long before recording his interpretation of jazz standards. But the concept was blurry until he pinpointed the instrumentation: a combination of strings, horns and vibes.
Nov 17th, 2008 · Jazz is the only genre of music that uses the vibes as a lead or improvisational instrument. It's been a process in helping to save this beautiful-sounding and versatile instrument from extinction. Leading off with Lionel Hampton, here are five examples of that beauty and versatility.
Oct 30th, 2008 · Released last month, Willoughby's I Know What You're Up To is an entirely alluring album with a decidedly retro vibe to it. Imagine a 1960s-era lounge, the sort that James Bond would casually visit for his shaken-not-stirred vodka martini, and you might start to get a feel for what frontman Gus Seyffert has created.
Sep 24th, 2008 · This next report brings to mind the saying: If you don't want to read about it in the news, don't do it. Maria Kristina Dominguez attended a party thrown by rapper Sean Combs. She wore a mermaid costume. Then her photo showed up in Vibe magazine. She sued. But a judge threw out her $3 million claim: You can't claim invasion of privacy when you show up at a party topless. Now she returns to her day job, which is managing a Wall Street hedge fund.
Sep 8th, 2008 · Led by Congo-born singer Marie Dualne, Zap Mama combines musical styles from throughout the African diaspora to create an earthy R&B vibe. Here, the group brings its soulful multicultural mashup to a live performance on Mountain Stage.
Aug 18th, 2008 · Steve Inskeep has more on why Mad Men is a popular show on the cable channel AMC.
Aug 18th, 2008 · American sports fans have many traditions, but one bit of fan Americana that hasn't translated in Beijing is the beach volleyball's "party vibe." So two longtime announcers did some Olympics training of their own: working with Chinese DJs to pump up the sound and get the fans up and dancing.
May 27th, 2008 · Fresh Air critic-at-large John Powers spent some time at the Cannes Film Festival this month, and today he reports back on what he saw. He says this year's movies weren't half bad — but for Americans, at least, the festival had a gloomy, fatalistic vibe.