On this episode of Visions, I primarily play music from the 1970’s. I have selections from several Black Jazz Records artists: Doug Carn, Walter Bishop, Jr., Calvin Keys, and The Awakening. Black Jazz Records was a label that only released about twenty records between 1971 and 1975, and I’m still combing through their discography. I also play 70’s selections from Alice Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Bob James. I play 60’s selections from Sonny Clark and John Coltrane, and an 80’s cut from Steve Lacy. I play my new music discovery this week from Luke Titus Quintet, plus music from Nicholas Payton & Butcher Brown, and Irreversible Entanglements. Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above. Visions Playlist for July 20, 2026

• “Mode for D.D.” – The Awakening
• “All Blues” – Nicholas Payton & Butcher Brown
• “Naima (feat. Brian Sanborn, Lenard Simpson, Julius Tucker & Parker Grogan)” – Luke Titus
• “Criss Cross” – Calvin Keys
• “Epistrophy (feat. Steve Lacy, Steve Potts, Jean-Jacques Avenel & Oliver Johnson) [Live]” – Steve Lacy Four
• “Voodoo” – Sonny Clark
• “You’ll Know When You Get There” – Herbie Hancock
• “Little B’s Poem” – Doug Carn
• “Vigil (feat. Elvin Jones*)” – John Coltrane
• “Juntos Vencemos” – Irreversible Entanglements
• “Those Who Chant” – Walter Bishop, Jr.
• “Valley of the Shadows” – Bob James
• “Isis and Osiris (feat. Pharoah Sanders) [Live]” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Beloved California Temple” – Surya Botofasina

* indicates Detroit artist

This week on Visions, I celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm X, whose birthday is May 19. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was one of the most important books I ever read. And the fact that there are jazz songs about Malcolm X means many others were impacted by him, too.

You’ll hear Malcolm X related music from Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Terence Blanchard, Archie Shepp, Leon Thomas, Billy Brooks, and Christian McBride.

I also play music from Makaya McCraven, Alice Coltrane, Mal Waldron, Yusef Lateef, Geri Allen & The Mary Lou Williams Collective, Cecil McBee, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, and Abbey Lincoln.

The music about Malcolm in this episode is powerful, political, deeply spiritual, and raw. He may have been a controversial figure to some, but his impact is still present today.

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for May 18, 2026

• “Malcolm X” – Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble
• “Black Rhythm Happening” – Makaya McCraven
• “Malcolm Makes Hajj” – Terence Blanchard
• “Retribution” – Abbey Lincoln
• “A Love Supreme” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Elmina” – Donald Byrd*
• “Taurus” – Geri Allen* & The Mary Lou Williams Collective
• “Brother Malcolm” – Christian McBride
• “Symbiosis” – Mike Nock, Bennie Maupin*, Cecil McBee & Eddie Marshall
• “Al Hajj Malik Al Shabazz – For Malcolm X (Live)” – Billy Brooks
• “Malcolm’s Theme” – Terence Blanchard
• “Warp And Woof (feat. Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin)” – Mal Waldron
• “Malcolm’s Gone” – Leon Thomas
• “Port Of Call” – Cecil Taylor
• “Malcolm, Malcolm – Semper Malcolm” – Archie Shepp
• “Love Theme From Spartacus” – Yusef Lateef*
• “Springtime Again” –  Sun Ra

* indicates Detroit artists