Since we usually look at classic album anniversaries on the first Saturday of the month, this week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we’ll do the same but look at the entire year!

In 2026, it’ll be the 50th anniversary for 2 classic Seger albums, a 30th for the late Aaliyah, a 20th for J Dilla’s “Donuts,” a 10th for The Raconteurs… plus debuts from The Ramones, Corrine Bailey Rae and many more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for January 3, 2026

HOUR ONE: CLASSIC ALBUM ANNIVERSARIES IN 2026

• “Rock And Roll Never Forgets” – Bob Seger ’76
• “Put Your Records On” – Corrine Bailey Rae ’06
• “Hold On I’m Coming” – Sam & Dave ’66
• “Wrap It Up” – The Fabulous Thinderbirds ’86
• “6th Avenue Heartache” – The Wallflowers ’96
  
• “Have A Talk With God” – Stevie Wonder ’76
• “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ In My Heart” – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles ’66
  
• “These Boots Are Made For Walking” – The Supremes ’66
  
• “Push It” – Salt N Pepa ’86
• “So Much To Say” – Dave Matthews Band ’96
• “Don’t Cry” – J Dilla ’06
  
• “Help Save The Youth Of America” – Billy Bragg ’86
  
• “SOS” – Rihanna ’06
  
• “Hasten Down The Wind” – Warren Zevon ’76
  

• “(I’m A) Road Runner” – Jr. Walker & The All Stars ’66
• “Roadrunner” – The Modern Lovers ’76
• “She Cries Your Name” – Beth Orton ’96
• “Tomorrow Never Knows” – The Beatles
• “Our Song” – Taylor Swift ’06
• “All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side)” – Peter Frampton ’76
  
• “Where Did Our Love Go” – J Geils Band ’76
• “Traveling Man/Beautiful Loser” – Bob Seger ’76
• “Hot Like Fire” – Aaliyah ’96
  
• “Tears Dry On Their Own” – Amy Winehouse ’06
• “A Simple Desultory Phillipic” – Simon & Garfunkel ’66
• “Blitzkrieg Bop” – The Ramones ’76
• “Guitar Town” – Steve Earle ’86
• “Love Hangover” – Diana Ross ’76

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, as Hanukkah ends and Christmas week begins, naturally it’s time for the annual holiday music extravaganza!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for December 20, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 1)” – David Sedaris
• “Mi La Gozo” – Cheo Feliciano
• “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas” – Roland Gift
• “The Christmas Song” – Roberta Flack
• “Christmas Time Is Here” – Jill Jack
  
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 2)” – David Sedaris
• “I’ll Be Your Santa Baby” – Rufus Thomas
  
• “Happy Joyous Hanukkah” – The Klezmatics
  
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 3)” – David Sedaris
• “It’s Christmas” – Cory Henry
• “This Christmas I’m Coming Home” – Leon Bridges & Norah Jones
  
• “Mele Kalikimaka” – Jake Shimabukuro & Jimmy Buffet
  
• “At The Holiday Party” – St. Vincent
• “Happy Kwanza” – Teddy Pendergrass
  

• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 4)” – David Sedaris
• “Someday At Christmas” – The Accidentals
• “No So Merry Christmas” – Michigander
• “No So Merry Christmas” – Raul Malo
• “Christmastime Is Here” – Spoon
• “8 Days” – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
  
• “Driving Home For Christmas” – Kathy Kosins
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 5)” – David Sedaris
• “Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas” – Staples Singers
  
• “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Ella Fitzgerald
• “Mistletoe And Holly” – aron!
• “Hanukkah Blessings” – Barenaked Ladies
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 6)” – David Sedaris
• “What Are You Doing New year’s Eve?” – Herb Alpert

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

Looking back at 2025, Rob Reinhart from Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music and Acoustic Cafe reflects on the music that cut through the noise and brought moments of joy during a challenging year.

From the infectious energy of Jon Batiste’s “Big Money” — a delightful track from an album famously created in just 12 days — to “After I’m Dead” by Detroit rocker Ryan Allen, a sharp, compact song from one of three albums released by Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms in 2025, Rob’s picks celebrate humor, heart, and creativity at its most human.

Rob says, “Looking back at 2025, I wanted to see what captured my attention the most. The music that made me laugh held the biggest sway over me this year. It helped to brighten the mood in an otherwise very dark year. Smiles count, too! In that spirit, I offer the following samples of tracks that brightened my year.”

Check out Rob’s full Best of 2025 playlist below, and listen to In the Groove to hear the tracks that brought some much-needed light to the year.

• “BIG MONEY” – Jon Batiste
• “After I’m Dead” – Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms
• “Chicago” – Mavis Staples
• “Round and Round” – Alex Williams
• “No Champagne (6am)” – Cautious Clay
• “Divide and Conquer” – The Devil Makes Three
• “If Not For Love” – Durand Jones & The Indications, Durand Jones & Aaron Frazer
• “Killer Bee” – Jack Spivey
• “Yard Sale” – Priscilla Block
• “Uptown Downtown” – Jon Cleary
• “Sleeves Up” – Crys Matthews

Tune in Friday, Dec. 12 – Friday Dec. 19 on 101.9 WDET FM, stream anytime at wdet.org — and follow along online for daily Best Of playlists and reflections from our music hosts.

See the Best of 2025 playlists »

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, remembering the sweet voice of Raul Malo in 2 studio sessions from 2009 and 2010. He died this week at age 60.

Also, new music from the duo TOMORA, Daniel Caesar, and Mavis Staples. Then we take it back to December 1965 (which is still with us every day), a Parliament classic from December 1975 and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for December 13, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Ring The Alarm” – TOMORA
• “Conqueror” – Aurora
• “Florescence” – Big Gigantic & Lady Blackbird
• “If I Told You” – Lady Blackbird
• “The Gingerbread Monster” – Emma Guzman
  
• “Think For Yourself” – The Beatles (“Rubber Soul,” Dec. 1965)
• “Get Off Of Me Cloud” – The Rolling Stones (“December’s Children,” Dec. 1965)
• “My Generation” – The Who (“My Generation,” Dec. 1965)
• “Linus & Lucy” – Vince Guaraldi Trio (“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Dec. 1965)
• “Call On Me” – Daniel Caesar
• “Satisfied Mind” – Mavis Staples
  
• “Poison In My Well” – Maggie Rose & Grace Potter
• “You Always Win” – Raul Malo (Acoustic Cafe performance, 2009)
  

• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Ella Fitzgerald
  
• “Wonderful Christmastime” – The Accidentals
• “Who’s That” – Brother Wallace
• “What Good?” – Arkells
  
• “Giving Up” – Michigander
• “Give Up The Funk” – Parliament (“Mothership Connection,” Dec. 1975)
  
• “Screwdriver” – Prince (“Hit N Run Phase 2,” Dec. 2015)
• “Looking Out For #1” – B.T.O. (“Head On,” Dec. 1975)
• “Beck N Call” – waterbaby
• “In The Saddle” – Whitney
• “Ignorance Is Bliss” – Alice Merton
• “Living For Today” – Raul Malo (Acoustic Cafe performance, 2010)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, family bands and family members making music together! From The Jackson 5 to Dolly Parton, oklou to The Brothers Johnson, Detroit’s The Jones Girls and some fun family in-studio performances from Acoustic Cafe.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 29, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “The Hard Way” – Jimmy Cliff
• “Many Rivers To Cross” – Delta Spirit (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family” – Aloe Blacc
• “Family Affair” – Sly & The Family Stone
  
• “Let’s Celebrate” – The Jones Girls
  
• “Alien” – Chris & Trixie Whitley (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “You Can’t Fail Me Now” – Loudon & Lucy Wainwright Roche (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Evona Darling” – Linda & Teddy Thompson (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family Time” – Ziggy Marley (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Upside” – Southern Avenue
• “Ode To My Family” – The Cranberries
• “Family & Friends” – The Isley Brothers
• “friends & family” – oklou
  

• “We Are Family” – Sister Sledge
• “Family Reserve” – Lyle Lovett
• “Smoky Mountain DNA” – Dolly Parton & Family
• “I’ll Be Good To You” – The Brothers Johnson
  
• “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5
• “Back In Your Head” – Tegan & Sara (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Close The Door” – The Holmes Brothers (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Key To The Highway” – Phil & Dave Alvin (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family Bible” – Willie Nelson & Family
• “Family Table” – Bill Withers
• “Family Ghost” – Jeff Tweedy
• “Nothing Compares To You” – The Family
  
• “Let’s Do It Again” – The Staple Singers
  

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, “Double Fantasy” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono turned 45 this week, plus a look at the upcoming Ann Arbor Folk Festival—happening Jan. 30-31!

Also, we’ll remember the late songwriter Todd Snider with some neat in-studio performances from Acoustic Cafe.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 22, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Bitter Rivals” – Sleigh Bells
• “Piranhanana” – Shovels & Rope
• “By The End Of The Night” – Amber Mark
• “Heartbreaker” – Indigo De Souza
  
• “Wildfire Skies” – The City Lines
  
• “Talkin’ Seattle Blues” – Todd Snider
  
• “Dearborn” – Bahamas
  
• “Godspeed” – Mavis Staples
  
• “Celeste” – GoldFord
• “Witch Dance” – Florence & The Machine
• “Honeydew (No Light)” – Josh Ritter
  
• “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen (Night At The Opera turning 50)

• “Monument” – Greensky Bluegrass (A2FF, January 30)
• “Hold On Tight” – Amos Lee (A2FF, January 31)
• “Shake Shake” – Jon Muq (A2FF, January 31)
• “A Little Bit Of Everything” – Dawes (A2FF, January 31)
• “The Well” – The Crane Wives (A2FF, January 31)
• “My Generation, Pt. 2” – Todd Snider (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Black Myself” – Amythyst Kiah
• “I’m Losing You” – John Lennon & Yoko Ono (Double Fantasy is now 45 y/o)
• “Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)” – John Lennon
  
• “Everybody Knows” – The Legal Matters
  
• “Long Haired Country Boy” – Todd Snider (Acoustic Cafe performance)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some great covers  and originals from Mavis Staples’ new album “Sad And Beautiful World.” Plus some other songs Mavis chose by the original artists!

Also, the Detroiter who started the iconic Bloodshot Records in Chicago, new Sampa The Great, Detroit’s Nick Behnan, the late Motown artist Ted Lucas and lots more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 15, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Sad And Beautiful World” – Mavis Staples
• “God Speed” – Frank Ocean
• “Cold At Night” – Mountain Goats
• “Stay In Your Lane” – Courtney Barnett
  
• “The Line” – Nick Behnan
  
• “What A Racket” – Joe Jackson (as Max Champion)
  
• “Hit Single’” – Joe Jackson
  
• “Can’t Hold Us” – Sampa The Great
  
• “Hold On To The Light” – Jack Johnson & Hermanos Gutiérrez
• “Ain’t Nobody Making Me High” – Bartees Strange
• “Evelyn Wood” – The Hangabouts
• “Hater’s Anthem” – Infinity Song
• “I’ll Find A Way (To Carry It All) – Folk Bitch Trio
  
• “It’s So Easy (When You Know What You’re Doing)” – Ted Lucas
  

• “Chicago” – Mavis Staples
• “We Got To Have Peace” – Curtis Mayfield
• “Trixies, Pt. 1” – Squeeze
• “From The Cradle To The Grave” – Squeeze (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “The Last Day I Went Crazy” – Kate Hinote Trio
  
• “Ivy” – Old 97’s (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Castanets” – Alejandro Escovedo (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “To Be Young” – Ryan Adams (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Rock Bottom, Population 1” – Robbie Fulks (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “New Rochelle (1 AM)” – Cautious Clay
• “Change A Life” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
  
• “Everybody Needs Love” – Mavis Staples
• “Satisfied Mind” – Jeff Buckley & Gary Lucas
  

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org