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Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
All across the state, neighbors gathered Aug. 11, 2026, to participate in the primary election process: from turning on the lights, to checking voters in, to casting ballots.
In the past six years, much of what we've heard from Adrian Younge is through his Jazz is Dead (JID) collection with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, connecting listeners today with frequently sampled jazz masters. This solo release is not tied to that collection but isn't terribly far removed either.
Younge put his JID sessions with Tony Allen, co-founder of the Afrobeat genre, and Highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor to work in writing these songs, tapping into modern Afrobeat sounds mixed with disco and funk. In other words, music made for the dance floor.
Between Younge on percussion and drummer Philip Andy Biney, who has played on past JID releases, the two demand the stage in "Feel the High Life," while the trio of vocalists throughout give the songs warmth and texture. Much of the album, like in "Shake Down," has a frenetic energy, as if Younge and the other players couldn't wait one more second before dancing their faces off.
In a matter of six songs, Younge made an album that feel freshly rooted while simultaneously tapping into the genre's roots. -KH
Younge put his JID sessions with Tony Allen, co-founder of the Afrobeat genre, and Highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor to work in writing these songs, tapping into modern Afrobeat sounds mixed with disco and funk. In other words, music made for the dance floor.
Between Younge on percussion and drummer Philip Andy Biney, who has played on past JID releases, the two demand the stage in "Feel the High Life," while the trio of vocalists throughout give the songs warmth and texture. Much of the album, like in "Shake Down," has a frenetic energy, as if Younge and the other players couldn't wait one more second before dancing their faces off.
In a matter of six songs, Younge made an album that feel freshly rooted while simultaneously tapping into the genre's roots. -KH
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Contributed
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Courtney Celley/USFWS
During the Phenology Report for the week of August 4, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on ripening berries and nuts and caterpillars turning into butterflies.
Contributed
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Flickr user USFWS Midwest region
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KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
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