This week on The Progressive Underground, we’re tuning in to rising UK powerhouse Olivia Dean.

With a voice that’s pure and expressive, and a songwriting style that cuts deep, she’s been making waves in the global R&B and soul scenes. Her live performances are the stuff of legend, and her debut album “Messy” is filled with gems. One of them is this beautiful acoustic-driven number “Touching Toes” which is my Pick of the Week.

“Touching Toes” proves why Olivia Dean is one of the most exciting new voices in music. If you love discovering fresh, forward-thinking artists, tune into The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6p.m. on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org. For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Keep your ears open and your soul tuned in!  Peace.

More from The Progressive Underground: 

• Zo!, Tall Black Guy transcend genres with synergetic ‘Abstractions’
• Pick of the Week (Mar. 29): ‘2 Step in the Living Room’ by Terrace Martin & Alex Isley
• Pick of the Week (Mar. 22): ‘Good Vibes’ by The Pocket Queen ft. Duckwrth

This week’s pick comes off of the album “I Left My Heart in Ladera” by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Terrace Martin and songstress and music royalty Alex Isley, daughter of Ernie Isley of R&B funk pioneers The Isley Brothers.

The album is considered a modern soul classic in various circles of soul pundits, and with each listen there’s a new layer of lush R&B and soul to be discovered.

We’ll sample a track that has the hallmarks of classic soul groovers — an infectious rhythm and bassline, angelic vocals and that nostalgic “Blue Lights in the Basement,” roller skating vibe from back in the day.

It’s grown folks’ music at its finest. Let’s check out the track “2 Step in the Living Room,” my Pick of the Week.

If you dig artists at the apex of the future soul music movement, be sure to check out The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org, where we take you through soul, nu-jazz, nu-funk and everything else in between. For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell and we’ll see you next time.

More from The Progressive Underground: 

• Pick of the Week (Mar. 22): ‘Good Vibes’ by The Pocket Queen ft. Duckwrth
• Snoh Aalegra, the cinematic songstress who feels every note
• Pick of the Week (Mar. 15): ‘Society’s Man’ by Spiral Deluxe

New Orleans native, now Los Angeles-based, drummer and producer Taylor Gordon aka The Pocket Queen brings us this week’s pick on The Progressive Underground. Heavily influenced by jazz/funk and acts like Earth, Wind & Fire and the Doobie Brothers, she became an internet sensation as her highly creative and energetic videos created a buzz on social media.

Gordon has caught the attention of musicians around the nation and performed with several prominent artists including Robert Glasper, Stevie Wonder, Musiq Soulchild and Beyoncé. Her performance aesthetic and style have drawn comparisons to Anderson Paak, with many pundits calling her the female version of him. Let’s listen to a recent single release from her as we sample the track “Good Vibes”— my Pick of the Week.

That was The Pocket Queen with “Good Vibes” from her upcoming album “Introducing: Pocket Queen and the Royal Flush”.

If you dig cuts like this one, make sure you tune into The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6p.m. on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org, where we take you on a global journey through the worlds of future soul, deep house, nu-jazz, b-sides and rare grooves. For The Progressive Underground, my name is Chris Campbell. We’ll see you next time.

More from The Progressive Underground:

• Snoh Aalegra, the cinematic songstress who feels every note
• Pick of the Week (Mar. 15): ‘Society’s Man’ by Spiral Deluxe
• ‘Control’ is Janet Jackson’s Declaration of Independence

This week’s pick is from one of Detroit’s most iconic figures in electronic music. 

Jeff Mills, whose most recent music excursions have revealed a transformative music journey — leaning into his jazzier instincts and pushing the boundaries of electronic fusion. 

He founded a group called Spiral Deluxe, a super-group level electronic jazz quartet comprised of legendary keyboardist Gerald Mitchell (Underground Resistance/ Los Hermanos), Japanese rocker Yumiko Ohno (Buffalo Daughter/Cornelius) on Moog synthesizer and the Japanese bassist, adopted New Yorker, Kenji “Jino” Hino — son of Terumasa Hino, the world famous jazz trumpeter.

This dedicated band of musicians are committed to making music that stretches the boundaries of jazz and electronic fusion. They are set to release a new album later this week titled, “The Love Pretender,” and we’ll hear the cut “Society’s Man” — my Pick of the Week — from that upcoming release.

If you dig experimental tracks like these, tune into The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org, where we take you on a global musical excursion of discovery, fascination and deep grooves.  For the Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell, we’ll see you next time.

More from The Progressive Underground:

• ‘Control’ is Janet Jackson’s Declaration of Independence
• The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week (March 10): ‘Cold & Lonely’ by sillygirlcarmen and Hallex M
• Tears for Fears’ sonic manifesto of the 1980s turns 40

What’s happening Detroit? This week on The Progressive Undergound, my Pick of the Week comes from Carmen Johnson — aka Sillygirlcarmen — a promoter, producer, singer and DJ.

Johnson is a globetrotter, introducing notable venues everywhere to her brand of electronica steeped in the aesthetic and vibe of Detroit’s rich history with electronic music. She has a new single in collaboration with internationally-renowned DJ and producer Hallex M coming out March 14.

The pairing has produced a track that is sure to light up dance floors around the world. Let’s check out the track “Cold & Lonely” — my Pick of the Week.

“Cold & Lonely” officially releases on Friday March 14, 2025. Listen to a preview on Sillygirlcarmen’s Instagram or use the media player above to hear the full track.

If you dig electronic delights like this one, tune into The Progressive Underground where we take you through the worlds of deep house, future soul and more every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org. For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. See you next time.

More from The Progressive Underground:

• Tears for Fears’ sonic manifesto of the 1980s turns 40
• Pick of the Week (Mar. 1): ‘Your First Time’ by Erogenous
• The woman who gave soul its second wind: Remembering Angie Stone 

This week on The Progressive Underground we’re tuning into a blend of deep, jazzy soulful house and neo soul by the dynamic electronic duo of Tim Ellerbee and Diamond Davis, otherwise known as Erogenous. 

Since forming Erogenous in 2021, Ellerbee and Davis have been captivating audiences around the region. They dropped an album titled “Ebb & Flow,” which has achieved several million streams across various platforms.

Erogenous brings a high energy blend of soulful melodies and pulsating house that combines deep grooves with elegant, nuanced sensuality. We’ll check out one of the cuts from the album as we listen to the track “Your First Time,” which is my Pick of the Week.

And that was the hot tune “Your First Time,” from the Detroit-based duo Erogenous.

If you dig deep dance and soulfully groovy electronic tracks like this, tune into The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6p.m. on 101.9 WDET, or stream on wdet.org. We’ll take you down a gorgeous rabbit hole of electronica and various genres like future soul, nu-jazz, b-sides and rare grooves. For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. See you next time.

More from The Progressive Underground:

• Chris Jasper: The unsung architect of the Isley Brother’s iconic sound
• Roberta Flack: The quiet fire who gave love its soundtrack
• Pick of the Week (Feb. 24): ‘Play (Like We Used To)’ by Dean Beanz

This week’s pick is a tribute to timeless artistry.

Dean Beanz, a Detroit producer, musician, and artist, has been a creative force and cornerstone of the city’s music scene for decades. Known as a renaissance man with an eclectic perspective, Beanz has shaped and influenced generations of Detroit music with his unique blend of styles and relentless creativity.

His latest track, “Play (Like We Used To),” is a nostalgic ride back to the golden age of hip-hop — a time when beats were lush, grooves were undeniable, and storytelling reigned supreme. This throwback gem is more than just a song; it’s a love letter to an era that shaped the sound of a movement. With soulful production and impeccable storytelling, Beanz reminds us why that era remains iconic and why his influence continues to ripple through the Detroit music scene.

Let’s vibe out to “Play (Like We Used To)” — my Pick of the Week.

That was Dean Beanz with “Play (Like We Used To)” — a track that blends nostalgia with mastery, taking us back to a time when hip-hop was raw, real and resonant.

If you’re into progressive, eclectic hip-hop sounds like this, make sure you tune in to The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET. From future soul to nu-jazz, b-sides to rare grooves, we’ve got your musical journey covered.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Until next time, keep the beats timeless, the vibes fresh, and your soul tuned to the music that moves you.

Read more from The Progressive Underground:

• Pick of the Week (Feb. 17): ‘Treat Me Right’ by Carl Bias feat. Miyan Bryant
• Pick of the Week (Feb. 10): ‘Aurora’s Light’ by Kathy Kosins
• Exploring the evolution of maestro Zo! in 5 tracks