NPR Music

On Feb. 21, the musical world lost a legend and pioneer of salsa: Willie Colón.

The trombonist, songwriter, producer and arranger was a key part of the transition of Afro-Caribbean dance music from regional traditions to worldwide popularity. For an insider’s perspective on that history, this week we speak to trombonist and bandleader Angel “Papo” Vázquez, a Philadelphia-born musician who was not only inspired to play the trombone by Willie Colón, but also played on some historic recordings by Colón and other Fania Records notables.

The best music tells great stories, and the same can be said about musicians. Vázquez brings along five tracks by Willie Colón that set him, and the rest of the world, on a path of deep appreciation for Colón’s contributions to salsa.

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed

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Our third installment of calming songs includes Max Richter’s tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ambient sounds from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Brazilian jazz from Wayne Shorter and more.

Note: This episode originally ran in April, 2025

Artists and songs featured on this episode:
(00:00) Intro

(02:20) The Choir: “You Don’t Have To Smile,” from ‘Translucent’

(05:58) Orbital Patterns: “Can’t Tell If I’m Awake,” from ‘Extended Impostor Syndrome’

(10:11) Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alvo Noto: “Logic Moon,” From ‘Insen’

(15:46) Lea Bertucci: “Vapours,” From ‘Of Shadow And Substance’

(20:25) Hayden Pedigo: “Long Pond Lily,” From ‘I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away’

(25:57) Max Richter: “All Human Beings,” from ‘Voices’

(31:17) Wayne Shorter: “Tarde,” From ‘Native Dancer’

(36:15) Mabe Fratti: “El Sol Sigue Ahí,” From ‘Pies Sobre La Tierra’

(41:08) Ida: “Don’t Get Sad,” from ‘Will You Find Me?’

(46:10) David Zinman, Dawn Upshaw & London Sinfonietta:  “Lento,” from Henryk Górecki’s ‘Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 - Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs’


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Bruno Mars. Mitski. Grief and celebration from Gorillaz. Robin Hilton welcomes Raina Douris from WXPN in Philadelphia to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Feb. 27. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in the lightning round.

The Starting 5

(00:00) Introduction & Bruno Mars, 'The Romantic'
(03:54) Mitski, 'Nothing's About to Happen to Me'
(09:44) Gorillaz, 'The Mountain'
(15:04) Heavenly, 'Highway To Heavenly'
(20:34) Voxtrot, 'Dreamers in Exile'
(27:12) Nothing, 'a short history of decay'

(32:52) The Lightning Round

- Buck Meek, 'The Mirror'
- Maria BC, 'Marathon'
- Bill Callahan, 'My Days of 58'
- GENA, The Pleasure is Yours'
- Sarah Kirkland Snider, 'Forward Into Light'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.

Credits:
Host: Robin Hilton
Guest: Raina Douris, WXPN
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Hazel Cills, Ann Powers, Sheldon Pearce and Tom Huizenga

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This week on Alt.Latino, it's another new music episode with a global panorama: Canary Islands merengue, Chicano soul, Afro-Brazilian roots and more. Plus, a percussion supergroup that Felix could listen to for hours.

Featured artists and albums:

(00:00) Introduction
(01:05) Quevedo, 'NI BORRACHO'
(05:12) Joey Quiñones, 'In a Soul Situation'
(12:34) Carolina Mama, 'Amina'
(15:41) Elipsis, 'Elipsis'
(19:32) Da Cruz, 'Som Sistema'
(23:56) Sofía Rei, 'Antónima'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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This week on All Songs Considered: U2 surprise-dropped a new EP that opens with a scorching critique of the government crackdown on immigration; Lana Del Rey inched closer toward releasing her long-awaited album with a haunting and strange ode to love and obsession, while singer Arlo Parks takes a bold step out onto the dance floor. All that and more as host Robin Hilton and NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce share their picks for the best new songs of the week.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:50) U2: “American Obituary,” from ‘Days Of Ash’

(10:24) Arlo Parks: “Heaven,” from ‘Ambiguous Desire’

(17:37) Lana Del Rey: “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” (Single)

(25:22) Baby Rose & Leon Thomas: “Friends Again” (Single)

(31:58) James Blake: “I Had a Dream She Took My Hand,” from ‘Trying Times’

(39:08) Bella Kay: “Steady,” from ‘a couple minutes out’

And here's a link to Sheldon's piece on Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz that was discussed during the show's intro: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5713600/jill-scott-brent-faiyaz-rnb-review

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