What songs moved you in 2023? NCPR music hosts share their Top Tens
NCPR's music hosts know you depend on them to pick the best of the best. Here are the top-tens from hosts Doyle Dean, Sarah Scafidi-McGuire, and David Sommerstein.
Program Playlists
Scroll back through recent editions of The Beat Authority
Best of The Beat Authority
Beat Authority best of 2023 - iconoclasts
The best grooves from all over the world this year.
Beat Authority best of 2022 - new voices
David Sommerstein, host of the Beat Authority, lays out his favorite music of 2022.
Beat Authority best of 2021 - music heals
Host David Sommerstein lays out the funkiest, grooviest, and most moving music from another turbulent year.
Beat Authority best of 2020: The year of no live music
In a year dominated by the coronavirus, a national reckoning over systemic racism, and no live music, artists still managed to inspire and teach us.
A year of big, deep, funky ideas: Beat Authority best of 2019
2019 was a very, very good year for music. Our favorites this year went big, tackling politics and culture and language, while always keeping the...
The 'Latin Alternative', Latin beats with Upstate roots, turns 10
A public radio show with roots in Upstate New York is celebrating its 10th anniversary with its 300th episode. The Latin Alternative, which airs...
The beat goes on: Beat Authority best of 2018!!
David Sommerstein shares his best grooves from all over the world this year
Beat this! Best of the Beat Authority 2017
I have little patience when people say music isn't like it was in [insert decade here], usually...
Beat this! Best of the Beat Authority 2016
Is there any better time to be alive for music than right now? We have access to more creative,...
Beat Authority best of 2015!!
Putting together a best of list, you always have to strike a balance between ground-breaking music...
The club where Montreal's huge African music festival was born
The huge African music festival in Montreal, the Festival Nuits D’Afrique is underway, with loads...
The sounds of the 'African Village' at Festival Nuits D'Afrique in Montreal
If you want to experience the sounds of Africa, Montreal is the place to be this week. The 29th...
Beat Authority Top 10 of 2014
Every year is a great year in music. But this year's top recordings in the world of funky,...
Beat Authority Best of 2013
Every year is a great year in music these days. Musicians take the global village and mash and mix...
Chris Morris' Top 10 Hip Hop albums of 2012
Chris Morris is one of NCPR's Adirondack correspondents, and a serious hip hop fan. He sent this...
Beat Authority Top 10 of 2012
Here are my picks for the best music of the year. Now go support these awesome artists and buy...
Mr. Something Something: Afrobeat with a message
Deep African beats and environmental activism make a special appearance in Potsdam this week. ...
Swimming in Speakers live on The Beat Authority
The Adirondack electric/acoustic band Swimming in Speakers were live guests on The Beat...
Cumbancha Records: world music with Vermont roots
Walk into a coffeehouse or boutique almost anywhere, and you may see a display of brightly-colored...
Heard Up North: James Brown in the ER
Today in New York City, mourners will gather at The Apollo Theater in Harlem to say goodbye to the...
Blessings & Beats: Passover Hip-Hop Style
Tonight is the second night of the Jewish holiday, Passover. Jews around the world will sit down...
Wide Open Groove With Medeski, Martin & Wood
Groove masters Medeski, Martin & Wood bring their unique mix of jazz, rock, funk, and...
Capoeira: "A Many-Faceted Diamond"
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that fuses dance, music, and song. Capoeira classes are...
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