On today’s 5-on-5, we dive into the world of Terry Dexter — a Detroit native, now Los Angeles-based musical powerhouse, whose journey speaks to the soul of the city. From a very young age, Dexter was captivated by music. Growing up in a family that embraced creative expression, she started singing in Detroit’s rich gospel circuit. Her influences included the legends — Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Whitney Houston — whose sounds inspired her to develop a voice that blends strength with sensitivity.

Dexter’s talent emerged early. By the time she was nine, she was fronting a local band, Tristar, gaining experience that laid the foundation for her career. As a teenager, she recorded with artists like Simply Red, sharpening her skills and immersing herself in Detroit’s vibrant music scene.

5 essential tracks by Terry Dexter

1. “Yeah”

Starting with her self-titled debut album, Dexter’s entrance into the industry was marked by a unique mix of gospel roots and contemporary R&B. Released by Warner Bros. in 1999, the song “Yeah” signaled her as a force to be reckoned with.

The release introduced audiences to her soulful vocal range and storytelling – a reflection of her Detroit upbringing and a nod to the Motown spirit that raised her.  The industry took note as Dexter would also become an in-demand vocalist on various other producer projects.

2. “Lay Me Down”

Dexter’s voice was later featured on “Lay Me Down” from Lost Change, a project by Black Eyed Peas producer and frontman Will.i.am. The 2001 album brought Dexter’s voice into hip-hop’s evolving landscape, showcasing her innate adaptability and passion for collaboration. The song explored themes of vulnerability and resilience, making it a standout tune on the eclectic album.

3. “Sister”

Dexter would release a sophomore album in 2008 called Listen, which represented one of her most personal works. Created in honor of her late mentor Sami McKinney, who introduced her to icons like Patti LaBelle, this masterwork was a healing journey for Dexter. The project’s soulful depth and poignant lyrics revealed her as an artist committed to creating music that uplifts and connects. The album’s track “Sister” is a testament to friendship, loss and resilience.

4. “No Maybe”

Having been raised in Detroit, Dexter was exposed to the city’s R&B-infused techno and house sound. It was just a matter of time before she would meld her soulful delivery over the driving beats of the house music genre, proving her versatility and connection to the house music tradition that also emerged from the city. “No Maybe” is one of her more recent deep house music selections, this time done in collaboration with producer Frankie Feliciano.

5. “With You (Reelsoul Vocal Mix)”

“With You” is her latest release, and another example of her Detroit deep house connection.

Dexter’s career is a testament to the power of versatility. In addition to her musical exploits, she is also an accomplished actress having acted in a range of film, television and theatrical/stage projects, most recently in the Lawrence Hilton Jacobs/Paula Jai Parker series, A House Divided (2019–2023). She is celebrated as a multi-faceted artist, whose achievements in R&B, film and theater reflect her resilience and adaptability.

Her artistry speaks to Detroit’s soul as a creator unbound by genre, whose work in music, film, and theater reflects resilience, authenticity, and a fearless commitment to self-expression. Her voice carries the rhythm of her hometown, blending its grit, history and hope.

If you dig artists who embody the spirit of true musical evolution, keep listening to The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. on 101.9 WDET-FM and wdet.org.

On this installment of 5 on 5, we’re diving into the music of Rebekka Ling to explore her soulful sound in five key tracks that paint a portrait of her journey as both an artist and storyteller.

Born in a musical home in Amsterdam with a gospel-singing mother and a percussionist father, Ling absorbed a variety of influences, from soul to jazz, gospel to hip-hop. She studied classical flute for seven years but found her voice was her true calling. Ling’s early career began as a backing vocalist with the hip-hop group The Proov, contributing to their EP and album, Traditions.

Shortly after, Dutch soul singer Berget Lewis invited her to join her tour, expanding Ling’s exposure to live performance. She would briefly study jazz at Amsterdam’s conservatory but soon followed her own creative path, collaborating with artists like Benny Sings and Sandra St. Victor in jazz and pop. Her own solo debut album, Travel Light would soon follow.

5 essential tracks by Rebekka Ling

1. “Travel Light”

“Travel Light” is the title track from her debut album, whose message to listeners was an invitation to shed our burdens and embrace the lightness of life. Released in 2012 on Phoenix Wood Records, Travel Light fused NuJazz, soul and R&B with hip-hop and gospel, capturing an uplifting, whimsical feel.

The album charted well on the Dutch R&B/soul charts and earned Ling an invite to perform at the North Sea Jazz Club.

2. “Fly Away”

“Fly Away” is another track from the same album that showcases Ling’s smooth, laid-back vocal style and her embrace of the ’60s-’70s soul and jazz sound. The production was helmed by Glenn Gaddum Jr, bassist for artists like Frank McComb and Matt Simons, and brought another subtle groove and nuanced texture to Ling’s voice.

3. “Keep Rising”

“Keep Rising,” released in 2021, was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic and speaks to life’s challenges with resilience. The track would be a pandemic anthem, reflecting on the importance of perseverance and spiritual connection. It’s a soulful testament to finding strength in struggle, with Ling’s unique sound deeply resonating. 

4. “Be Alright”

“Be Alright” is not only a fan favorite, but also part of the soundtrack to the British indie film, “Crown.” Filmed in London, this song underscored a pivotal theme in the movie: staying grounded through life’s turbulent moments. In this track, Ling’s soulful and hopeful delivery shines to the degree that it has become one of her signature songs, reminding listeners to maintain inner peace amid external chaos. 

5. “Dynamite”

“Dynamite” is a special single release that shows off Ling’s versatility, blending her jazz roots with a more soulful pop-infused sound.

Ling stands as a true force in the Amsterdam music scene and beyond. Her soulful sound, steeped in jazz, gospel and hip-hop influences, resonates with a profound sense of resilience and authenticity. With each release, she captures the heart of classic soul while pushing boundaries that bring her style into the modern era. From her roots in Amsterdam to a growing global audience, Ling’s artistry and upward momentum reflect an artist deeply committed to her craft and connected to her audience. Her journey is one to watch. 

If you’re into genre-blending soulful music artists like Rebekka Ling, tune in to The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. on 101.9 WDET-FM and wdet.org.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, Melanie Charles grew up in a one-bedroom apartment in the projects before her family of 10 moved to Bushwick. From those humble beginnings, she found her way to jazz, studying at LaGuardia High School and later at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Her path was unconventional, but she honed her craft and developed a penchant for blending jazz fundamentals with innovative beat-making, reimagining classics through a modern, exploratory lens.

1. “Without Us”

Her breakthrough came with her independent release The Girl With The Green Shoes — a criminally underrated album where she wove together her voice, flute, sampler and a variety of effects to create a deep, immersive, lo-fi quasi-mixtape experience. 

2. “Detour Ahead”

The Girl With The Green Shoes caught the attention of Verve Records, leading to her signing with the label. As she began work on her debut, however, tragedy struck: Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker, was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Ky. during a botched raid on her apartment, touching off wide-scale demonstrations that erupted that year over policing and racial injustice in America.

Taylor’s death served as a harsh reminder of the fragility of Black women’s lives in America. Charles channeled her pain and passion into her music, titling her Verve debut, Y’all Don’t (Really) Care About Black Women. It was a bold statement that made Verve hesitate, but she stood firm, and they ultimately backed her.

3. “Jazz (Ain’t Nothing But Soul)”

In addition to making a poignant statement on racial injustice, Charles also pays tribute to the underappreciated Black women in jazz, reimagining the works of legends like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter while making a powerful statement about the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect.

This album became a manifesto for fair treatment and recognition of Black women in the music industry. It didn’t just resonate within the jazz community — it sparked a movement. Her fearless approach earned her collaborations with legends like Wynton Marsalis and solidified her place in the new and emergent jazz vanguard.

4. “I Need Time”

Her innovative style, combined with her commitment to activism, places her among a new generation of artists, such as Theo Croker, Ego Ella May, Kamasi Washington and various others who are redefining jazz. She’s not just making music — she’s making a statement, whether it’s through her work with her podcast project “Make Jazz Trill Again,” or through her electrifying performances. Melanie’s music is a call to empower and uplift Black women, celebrating their resilience and creativity.

5. “Damballa Wedo”

Melanie Charles will be performing at this year’s Detroit Jazz Fest on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 7:15-8:30 p.m. on the Carhartt Stage.