World Cafe Playlist for 05/28/2026

Don Was joins host Stephen Kallao

It’s Producer Week on World Cafe, a whole week of sessions with the folks who are often behind-the-scenes shaping the sound of the music and bringing the best out of musicians. Don Was, the legendary bassist and president of Blue Note Records, gathered a group of musicians from his hometown to record a jazz album. They’re called the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. Coming up, the Rolling Stones’ producer talks about making Groove in the Face of Adversity.

This is an ENCORE

Today’s Playlist

Was (Not Was) “I Feel Better Than James Brown” Are You Okay?

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble “Midnight Mauraders” Groove In The Face of Adversity

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble “I Ain’t Got Nothing But Time” Groove In The Face of Adversity

John Mayer “Queen Of California” Born And Raised

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble “This Is My Country” Groove In The Face of Adversity

Hippo Campus “Souls” WC Recording

Willie Nelson “The Harder They Come” Countryman

Bonnie Raitt “Thing Called Love” Nick Of Time

Hour Two

The Blazers “Cumbia Del Sol” East Side Soul

Sharp Pins “I Don’t Have The Heart” Balloon Balloon Balloon

Phoenix “1901” Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Michigander “Giving Up” Michigander

Amy Winehouse “Rehab” Back To Black

Alabama Shakes “Gimme All Your Love” Sound & Color

Alabama Shakes “Boys & Girls” Recorded Live for the World Cafe

The xx “Heart Skipped A Beat” Recorded Live for the World Cafe

Stephen Sanchez “Sweet Love” (single)

Beastie Boys “Body Movin'” Hello Nasty

Santana “Oye Como Va” Abraxas

Santana “Yambu” Santana IV

Brandi Carlile “Church & State” Returning To Myself

Sheryl Crow “My Favorite Mistake” The Globe Sessions

My Morning Jacket “Time Waited” is

The Black Crowes “It’s Like That” A Pound Of Feathers

Big Audio Dynamite “The Globe” The Globe