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About The Beat Authority

The Beat Authority with David Sommerstein is a Friday show. It's a kick into the weekend, a bounce for your afternoon, a swing for your end-of-the-week step. A fresh, eclectic choice of dance music from all over the world. You may hear cumbia or bluegrass or afrobeat or jazz, but it'll keep your head a-noddin' and your spirits up. Join in the groove and enjoy. And if you have suggestions, e-mail 'em in!

About The Host

David Sommerstein
Ever since I got a Fisher Price record player for Chanukkah when I was four, I've been a musical sponge. My favorite stuff is music that ventures across genres, and music that makes you dance.

Globalization has been a mixed bag, but it's sure invigorated the world of music. Salsa from Israel, flamenco from east L.A., Algerian rai from Paris, hip-hop from Senegal, reggae from Morocco--artists are borrowing at will, threading the sounds they hear on TV and radio into their own traditions.

David Sommerstein

The Beat Authority
with David Sommerstein

The Beat Authority with David Sommerstein airs Fridays from 3-5 pm.

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The Beat Authority (latest edition)
Phat beats, dope rhymes, global grooves. Here's your place to listen to the latest edition of The Beat Authority, hosted by David Sommerstein, anytime you want. This edition is the lead segment of this stream. This archive will only be available until next week's show is posted. (updates Friday at 8 pm.)
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Mr. Something Something: Afrobeat with a message
John McLean
John McLean
(10/13/09) Deep African beats and environmental activism make a special appearance in Potsdam this week. Toronto-based band Mr. Something Something is playing at La Casbah Moroccan restaurant Thursday night at 8:30 pm. The band's music is rooted in Afrobeat. It's a style created by the legendary musician and political activist Fela Kuti of Nigeria. It features lots of drums playing hypnotic grooves, horns punctuating phrases, and lyrics with a message. The band describes its music as "the soundtrack to a joyful revolution." Mr. Something Something was co-founded by John McLean, who's actually a Potsdam native. He hasn't been here since he was little, and he told David Sommerstein he's excited to return. McLean says he and childhood friend Larry Graves have played together since they were in first grade. Advance tickets are $8, $10 at the door. You can get yours by calling 315-274-9696 or e-mailing derekmaus@gmail.com.

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Swimming in Speakers live on The Beat Authority
(08/28/09) The Adirondack electric/acoustic band Swimming in Speakers were live guests on The Beat Authority. Chris Clarke and his fellow band member, Meadow, brought a cellist, a viloinist and a drummer into the NCPR studios for a special live set on the show. Hear the whole interview/music segment as they perform "Nevergreen," "Near My Ear," "Mind Does Take," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Svoboda."
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Urban and world Music
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the hosts of NPR Music's <em>Alt. Latino</em> share Latin love songs from a time-honored tradition.
 
Football players outside America have their own anthem, a Brazilian pop song about hitting on girls.
 
The host and creator of the long-running TV show <em>Soul Train</em> died Wednesday morning. His show proved a truism about America and race that so few people, even today, understand: Black culture, expressed in undiluted form and ...
 
Sample a variety of fiddle flavors from the wide world of Celtic music.
 
The instrumental duo's new album, <em>Area 52</em>, was recorded in Havana with a full Cuban orchestra.
 


Finding Music

You can find or special order any of the music heard on this program from local music stores, including:
Northern Music & Video, Potsdam: 315-265-8100
Strawberry Fields, Potsdam: 315-265-7700
Ampersound, Saranac Lake:
518-891-3114
Peacock Music, Plattsburgh:
518-561-0555