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As an artist, Michael Franti has run the gamut from politically conscious hip-hop to a passionate blend of soul, hip-hop and R&B. But what his music has lost in harsh intensity, it has gained in emotional compassion.

Over the course of 70 years, more than 60 albums and four Grammys, The Blind Boys of Alabama's members become synonymous with gospel soul. The innovation never ends, however, as they infuse their new album, Down in New Orleans, with Dixieland jazz, funk and R&B.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) says U.S. military commanders should have requested more troops for Iraq two months ago, "when conditions were far more ripe for democratization." But McCain says the U.S. should adhere to a June 30 deadline to transfer power to Iraqis, arguing a delay would worsen the security situation. McCain speaks with NPR's Juan Williams.

The title is playful and nails the essence of this song. "Jackie and Wilson" is a nod, of course, to the great R&B singer, and Hozier has the voice and the backbeat to make it work.

Two great sounds that sound great together: The two R&B singers give each other space to shine in this acoustic version of a track from Legend's Darkness And Light.

The Stooges Brass Band got its start when members of two rival high-school marching bands in New Orleans decided to join forces. Today, the group mixes hip-hop, funk and R&B in its live performances.

Hear an intriguing program pairing John Adams' gorgeous Harmonium with an oratorio by black Canadian-American composer R. Nathaniel Dett — a work whose 1937 premiere was weirdly cut short.

As next year's mid-term elections approach, the Republican Party is trying to appeal to ever-larger numbers of African Americans. Party leaders believe many black voters side with them on values issues like the state of the family, homosexuality and abortion. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) talks about these and other issues in his new book It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good.

While most record companies of the 1940s and 1950s made money in one genre, Cincinnati-based King Records spread the love to R & B, rockabilly, bluegrass, western swing and country. Jon Hartley Fox tells the story in his new book King of the Queen City.

The alleged domestic violence incident involving R&B stars Chris Brown and Rihanna has stirred serious discussions about abusive relationships. A panel of Moms — two of whom have survived abusive relationships — explore ways to discuss abuse with youngsters who claim to be in love, and why many victims suffer in silence.

Political trouble persists for Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS). The White House is holding Lott at distance. A Jan. 6 vote will decide if Lott stays as Senate Republican leader. Many in the party are worried that a continuing focus on Lott's racially insensitive remarks will alienate minorities. NPR's Michele Norris talks to Al Bartell, a member of the Grassroots Leadership Initiative for the Georgia State Republican Party; GOP fundraiser Harold E. Doley Jr.; and Michael Brady, president of the Palm Beach county chapter of the Florida Black Republican Council.

Ceu ranks among the most innovative Brazilian artists to emerge in America in years, blending samba, jazz, soul, R&B and electro-pop into a uniquely appealing whole. Her songs range from soulful dub-funk to jazzy, horn-led numbers to sweetly tuneful reggae.

Nick Lowe's new At My Age, his first album in six years, combines amiable, little-known country covers with rangey, vaguely R&B-ified originals. The weirdest and wittiest of these is "I Trained Her to Love Me."

The Radiators' nearly three decades of prolific performing have made the New Orleans band a bona fide institution. With its fusion of blues, R&B, funk, soul and rock, the group has attracted a stable of dedicated fans — known as "fish heads" — both in its hometown and nationwide.

Jones' sound has evolved through R&B, jazz, folk, electronica and rock. Though commercial success often eludes her, she remains a beloved and highly acclaimed figure. This year's Sermon on Exposition Boulevard draws its inspiration from a spiritual text by Lee Cantelon.

Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Lyle Lovett has defied categorization for nearly two decades, bringing together the sounds of folk, jazz, gospel, blues and R&B. Lovett talks about his influences, his inspiration and his new album: It's Not Big It's Large.

NdegeOcello's name means "free like a bird," which describes her mix of funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop, reggae, rock, and jazz — as well as lyrics that explore race, sex, gender, and more. NdegeOcello gives an interview and performance on WXPN.

Best known as the lead singer of El Chicano — a '70s rock group that mixed jazz, R&B, and Latin rhythms from East L.A. — Arvizu released her first-ever solo album, Friend for Life, this week. It exists in large part due to the influence of musician and producer Ry Cooder.

Devastating, blue R&B ballad about the only two things in life that are sure, from the young Toronto singer-songwriter with vocal clout.

On this week's All Songs Considered, we share buzzing Canadian rock, lush Latin pop, dreamy Norwegian dance music, English punk and more.