The main focus today is building out a show with a lot of global sounds in honor of Ismael Ahmed. That includes starting the show with music from Mashrou Leila, an incredible Lebanese band that Ismael introduced me to through his show “This Island Earth.” We’ll also explore new music from Owelu Dreamhouse, Elori Saxl & Henry Solomon, Dames Brown, Braxton Cook, Kylie Auldist and more, plus a fond farewell for Ghana highlife legend Ebo Taylor.

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

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for February 9, 2026

• “Aoede” – Mashrou’ Leila
• “Sadalsuud” – Mashrou’ Leila
• “Yellow Trumpet” – Owelu Dreamhouse
• “A Thousand Steps” – Elori Saxl & Henry Solomon
• “A Figure in the Surf” – Mount Kimbie
• “Suicide Demo for Kara Walker” – Destroyer
• “Birthday Boy” – Kylie Auldist
• “What Would You Do? (feat. Amp Fiddler & Andrés)” – Dames Brown
• “Once Around The Block” – Badly Drawn Boy
• “Josh’s Tune (Part 2)” – Braxton Cook & Joshua Crumbly
• “Heaven” – Ebo Taylor
• “Love & Death” – Ebo Taylor
• “Yo Viviré (I Will Survive)” – Celia Cruz
• “Rock With You (Rare Strings Only Version)” – Michael Jackson
• “I Want You (John Morales M+M Pianopella Mix)” – Marvin Gaye
• “Drume Negrita” – Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban
• “Peaches En Regalia” – Frank Zappa
• “Vitamin C” – Can
• “Heroes” – David Bowie (for Ava East)
• “Go Down The Mountain” – TAMTAM
• “Fujiyama” – Dave Brubeck Quartet
• “Plastic 100°C” – Sampha
• “Radio Silence” – James Blake
• “Mystery of Love” – Mr Fingers
• “Livin’ And Lovin’ In My Own Way (feat. Pete Rock)” – Brandee Younger
• “Stepping Into Tomorrow” – Madlib
• “Love Reveald” – Marcus Elliot

Listen to In The Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.