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Want a great conversation-starter with a fan of Latin jazz? Ask, "What's your favorite pairing of conga and timbales?" Many long-standing percussion duos display seemingly telepathic interplay — the intensity of a runaway train mixed with the kind of swing that makes hips move by themselves. Picking five was a chore, but here they are.

New music from Joy Orbison, one of the leading lights of the U.K. garage and house revivals, plus more dance tracks for the waning days of summer in our monthly mix.

Attempting to make your way into jazz is never easy, but the jazz writer and cultural critic Gary Giddins has rendered it a bit more approachable. His new book, Jazz, is a new guide for novice listeners and longtime fans alike. Giddins picks five songs from his list of 101 entry-way jazz recordings.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with former federal prosecutor Brandon Van Grack about the investigation into materials seized from former President Donald Trump's Florida home.

Germany is scrambling to build infrastructure to replace its dependence on Russian gas. NPR's Rob Schmitz reports that time is not on its side.

It's been more than 10 years since the death of John Fahey, the mythical artist who helped invent the "American primitive" school of solo acoustic guitar. That tradition is alive and well thanks to a host of younger guitarists, a group that includes one of Fahey's close friends: Glenn Jones.

Hear the gorgeous voice of a young opera singer with his ears tuned to the great tenors of the past.

Many in Lebanon can't access their life savings because of the economic crisis. A hostage-taker in Beirut surrendered in exchange for some of his funds, which he needed for his father's medical bills.

Parents of a young man who pleaded guilty to trying to join ISIS met with community leaders this week. They made the case for why parents should report their kids if they suspect them of radicalizing.

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is surging in the polls. He credits his success to three numbers: 9-9-9. Tax experts say the plan would most likely cut taxes for the rich and increase the burden on the poor and middle class substantially.

The big climate and health care bill passed by the House Friday includes billions in new funding for the IRS over the next decade. Most of that money is aimed at catching wealthy tax cheats.

NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with former Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal about the FBI's investigation into classified material at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

Born 100 years ago Saturday, clarinetist Benny Goodman made jazz a listening concern for folks who thought it was only for the clubs. He was not only an innovative musician, but a forward-thinking bandleader, the first to integrate black musicians on stage with a white band.

Forty-five years after the debut of Terry Riley's IN C, the composer and his son, guitarist Gyan Riley, talk about performing the minimalist classic together.

Inflation hit a new, 40-year high in June, with consumer prices up 9.1% from a year ago. Gas prices were a big part of this, but the cost of essentials like food and shelter are also rising rapidly.

Producer Jack Perry and White worked together until the singer's death in 2003. Perry recently compiled and produced a four-disc retrospective box set spanning White's career, titled Unlimited. NPR's Steve Inskeep recently spoke with Perry about the late soul singer.

The late, great opera diva's sound could sometimes be hollow and dark, sometimes shrill, sometimes gorgeous. Callas continues to thrill and divide audiences with her distinctive voice and the raw intensity she put into it.

Indie rock and techno music don't generally find much overlap in their audiences. But the latest release from a German techno producer who goes by the name Pantha du Prince is finding success in attracting fans accustomed to songs built around lyrics.

A potential trip by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan has increased tensions between the U.S. and China. Meanwhile, growth in the world's second largest economy is not meeting expectations.

The U.S. Open Cup is the country's oldest national soccer competition, and it's coming to an exciting finish. Insiders say Sacramento's run is an indication of the growth of the men's game in the U.S.