For starters, I have to say rest in peace to Kaseem Ryan, aka KA, a rapper from Brownsville Brooklyn who recently passed away at the age of 52. KA’s brilliant and insightful albums like 2016’s Honor Killed The Samurai, 2022’s Woeful Studies, and The Thief Next To Jesus from earlier this year, are some of the most progressive and emotionally rich albums in rap. Fall is a time for transition, and I have spent much of it mourning the passing of one of our culture’s great poets. There are no true transitions that happen without growing pains and discomfort. In the political realm, the exchange of true power is often accompanied by violence. In a personal sense, you can’t adopt a new habit without pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. I say all of this because my hope is that the pain that we experience is a precursor to something greater. In honor of this month of change and transition, here are five Philly-related music things that shook the table for me in October.
Stevie Wonder | photo by Melissa Simpson for WXPN
John Morrison’s Philly Top Five: Riffs, legends, and potato salad
A brief glimpse into the mind of Culture Cypher Radio DJ John Morrison.
Stevie Wonder’s “Sing Your Song!” tour comes to Philadelphia
On October 12th, 2024, musical legend and gift to humankind, Stevie Wonder brought his “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Backed by a full band including a horns and strings section, Stevie played a two-hour-long, high-energy set full of classics. Indelible hits like “Sir Duke,” “I Wish,” and “Higher Ground” were revisited and reenergized as Stevie and crew poured into one of the great songbooks of pop music history. We danced in the aisles, sang, laughed, cried, and shared an evening of collective joy with one of the best to ever do it.
Dig We Must, a film about “people and the records that collect them”
Dig We Must is the forthcoming documentary film from DJ and record collector, Aaron Levenson. Focusing on vinyl record collectors, the film’s trailer premiered on October 23rd at Starbolt in Fishtown. With interviews with collectors from around the country, Dig We Must documents the rich community of collectors who keep the music of the past alive, and I can’t wait to see the full thing.
“Potato Salad” by Georgie Woods
Georgie Woods was a man of many talents. A legendary radio personality during his time here in Philly, Woods was also a concert promoter, potato chip magnate, and recording artist. “Potato Salad” is Woods’ 1968 single released on Fatback Records. Arranged by Philly Disco pioneer, Vince Montana, “Potato Salad” is a funky, horn-heavy jam that oozes with charisma. With lyrics referencing soul food dishes and shouting out major urban centers like Chicago’s Southside and Philadelphia (South Street in particular), the song is a joyous celebration of Black culture on wax.
“Keyboard Riffs for DJs Volume 1 and 2” by Dexter Wansel
A curious release from the legendary keyboardist, arranger, and producer, Dexter Wansel, “Keyboard Riffs for DJs” updated Wansel’s classic sound for the 90s. Recorded for Aaron Fuchs’ Tuff City label, the albums were intended to be used as tools for DJs and sampling producers looking to add sounds to their arsenal. Interestingly, James Brown, alumnus Maceo Parker, and Fred Wesley also recorded a horn series for Tuff City around the same time. Playing the piano, Moog, Hammond organ, and Rhodes piano, Wansel’s recordings are packed with slick riffs and chord progressions. While these records are extremely niche, they reinforce Wansel’s standing as an enduring source of inspiration for sampling musicians.
“Turn Me Away” by Ivy Sole
Recently I’ve been playing Ivy Sole’s latest single “Turn Me Away” a lot on Culture Cypher Radio. A gorgeous yet harrowing song about solidarity and fearlessness, “Turn Me Away” speaks directly to the violence in Gaza and Sudan. Without proselytizing, Ivy asks the simple but crucial question: if we turn a blind eye, what does that say about us? Brave, honest, and heavy with the weight of the moment, “Turn Me Away” does more than just speak truth to power; the song urges the listener to face Evil head-on, even if it’s dangerous and costly.