This is Chris Campbell from The Progressive Underground with your Pick of the Week.

This week, we dive into the sonic brilliance of Headnodic & Jazz Mafia, a West Coast collective of musicians and vocalists who craft rich, layered textures around the forward-thinking productions of Headnodic. Known for his seamless fusion of hip-hop and jazz, Headnodic leads this outfit through a self-titled debut that redefines the genre’s possibilities.

Up next is their bold and beautiful reimagining of Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage”— a modern tribute that honors the classic while sailing new creative waters.

That was Headnodic & The Jazz Mafia with “Maiden Voyage,” from their brand-new self-titled release.

If this brand of hip-hop jazz fusion hits your soul, join us every Saturday night at 6 p.m. on The Progressive Underground — where we explore future soul, nu-jazz, jazz-rap, rare grooves, and b-sides from across the spectrum.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. See you next time. Peace.

What’s happening Detroit! Chris Campbell from The Progressive Underground and it’s time for our Pick of the Week. This week’s pick comes from eclectic South London British Nigerian artist Obongjayar, who has built a reputation of fusing afrobeat and electronica to great effect.

He has been working on an album set to drop this month titled “Paradise Now,” which will feature cameos and collaborations with UK rapper Little Simz and artist/producer Kwes. We’ll check out the leadoff single, which is a laid-back musical ride packed with swagger and energy called “Sweet Danger,” and its my Pick of the Week.

That was Obongjayar with “Sweet Danger,” the lead-off single from his upcoming album “Paradise Now.” If you dig elevated vibes like this, tune into the Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6 on 101.9 WDET where we drop an eclectic weekly mix of future soul, afrobeat, electronica, b-sides and rare grooves, curated just for you. For the Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell and we’ll see you next time.

Hey whatupdoe Detroit. Chris Campbell from the Progressive Underground here for my Pick of the Week. This week’s pick is a celebration, a meditation, and a tribute all in one — honoring the late and legendary Amp Fiddler as Detroit prepares to rename a street in his honor on May 16 in Conant Gardens, the neighborhood that raised him.

We’re spotlighting a soulful, soaring track from his 2003 album, “Waltz of a Ghetto Fly” — a record that blurred lines between soul, funk, electronica and cosmic jazz — and proved Amp was never just one thing. He was all things: keyboardist, composer, vocalist, visionary.

The track is “Possibilities,” and is exactly what it sounds like — a sonic reminder of what can happen when you let the groove lead and the spirit follow. Anchored by Amp’s signature Fender Rhodes textures, the song pulses with hope, elasticity, and Detroit soul grit. It’s aspirational without being naive. Funky without forcing it.

On this cut, Amp sings like a man channeling the future. His vocal phrasing is breezy but assertive, gliding over a broken-beat rhythm and elastic bassline that recall his time with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and his collaborations with Moodymann and Theo Parrish. The track manages to feel vintage and futuristic all at once — just like the city that made him. 

Amp Fiddler didn’t just play keys. He opened doors. For artists. For neighborhoods. For young talent like the late J Dilla, whom he mentored. And “Possibilities” is an anthem for that mission: to stretch boundaries, amplify joy, and believe in what comes next. 

Let’s dive in — here’s “Possibilities” from the late Amp Fiddler, and its my Pick of the Week. 

Once again, that’s “Possibilities” by the late, great Amp Fiddler, from his 2003 album “Waltz of a Ghetto Fly” — our Pick of the Week here on The Progressive Underground. 

May 16 is Amp Fiddler Day in the city of Detroit, which this year comes with a street renaming in his honor. So from now on, when you turn onto Revere in Conant Gardens, just know the possibilities are still endless. Rest in rhythm, Amp.

“Flower Moon” – Durand Jones & The Indications

What’s good family — Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground, and it’s time for our Pick of the Week.

This week, we’re giving flowers to Durand Jones & The Indications — a group that’s been steadily defining the sound of modern soul for over a decade.

Their new single “Flower Moon” is a soulful, slow-burning cut off their upcoming album “Flowers,” which drops June 27.

Now if you’ve been following these cats — Durand, Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein — you already know the vibe. They came up digging into Southern soul and gritty funk in a Bloomington, Indiana basement, and now they’re selling out shows worldwide — from Japan to the West Coast lowrider scene.

This new track pulls from everything they’ve built — solo projects, vintage grooves, modern polish — and delivers a mellow groove full of harmony, maturity, and deep-feeling soul.

Let’s get into it. Here’s “Flower Moon” by Durand Jones & The Indications — this week’s Progressive Underground Pick of the Week.

That was “Flower Moon” from Durand Jones & The Indications. If you dig deeply soulful tracks like this one, tune into The Progressive Underground — Saturday nights at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET. We serve up soulful cuts and choice selects hand-curated just for you. For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell and until next time, stay soulful and stay tuned.

What’s up family? Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground, and it’s time for this week’s Pick of the Week. We’re shining the spotlight on Irene Renee — a vocalist, songwriter, and Detroit native whose journey through music is as rich as her voice.

She’s been singing since childhood, coming up in church choirs at Northwest and Glad Tidings COGIC in Detroit. She later took that love for music to Michigan State, where she danced, performed and eventually toured with MCM and the Hype Crew. After moving to New York, she hit the Apollo stage, sang at Café Wha?, and even plaudits and props from the New York music community.

Life took a few turns — motherhood, detours, comebacks — but the music never left her. Irene Renee re-emerged on NYC’s open mic scene, claimed wins in karaoke battles, and became a featured performer at the Sugar Shack and Zuppa Lounge. All of that led to the release of her independently produced debut album, “Serendipitous Experience.”

Her sound? Think Jill Scott meets Anita Baker with a twist of Cassandra Wilson — sultry, grounded, lyrical and real. We’ll dip into her musical vault and check out one of her signature singles. Here’s Irene Renee with “Smooth Step,” and its my Pick of the Week.

That was “Smooth Step” by Detroit native and soul songstress Irene Renee. If you’re feeling music like this, don’t miss The Progressive Underground — Saturday nights at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET. We serve up soul, nu-jazz, rare grooves, and b-side magic just for you. For the Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell and until next time, stay soulful and stay tuned.