Celebrating the contributions of African-American musicians

Celebrating the contributions of African-American musicians

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Eight Forty-Eight and Radio M host Tony Sarabia grew up in a household that celebrated musical diversity. His parents took him to concerts by the likes of Sly and the Family Stone, the Fifth Dimension and Chaka Khan.

As a boy, Sarabia listened to WBEZ’s Richard Steele, then the “Real Steele” on WBMX, which later became V-103. Every Thursday in February, he and Steele will take the last half hour of Eight Forty-Eight to listen to some deep cuts from the African-American catalog.

Richard’s picks:
Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson on Soul Train, “Ooh Baby Baby”
Ramsey Lewis, James Mack and the Philharmonia Orchestra, “The Earle Of Salisbury Pavane”

Tony’s picks:
Gil Scott Heron, “Liberation Song”
Linda Martell, “Color Him Father-Color Him Country”