We lost one of the funkiest drummers of all time last week—the legendary James Gadson passed away on April 2 at the age of 86.

You may not have known his name, but you certainly know the tracks he played on, including cuts from Bill Withers, Diana Ross and so many others, like Beck who helped introduce him to a new generation of musicians. In the first hour of the show, we dedicate the whole hour to Gadson and his contributions to music. Rest in rhythm to the legend.

Today’s playlist moves between soul, funk, and indie, with tracks from Marvin Gaye, D’Angelo and The Vanguard, alongside tracks from Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile, and New Order. 

Newer and more experimental sounds come from artists like SBTRKT, Ela Minus, and Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill, with additional moments from Jeff Parker and Nation of Language, plus more throughout the set. 

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 April 7, 2026 

• “Use Me (Live)” – Bill Withers 

• “Think I’m in Love” – Beck 

• “Sugah Daddy” – D’Angelo and The Vanguard 

• “Got to Be Real” – Cheryl Lynn 

• “Dancing Machine” – Jackson 5 

• “Paper Tiger” – Beck 

• “Back To Manhattan” – Norah Jones 

• “Love Hangover” – Diana Ross 

• “Remind Me” – Patrice Rushen 

• “I Want You” – Marvin Gaye 

• “Where to Start” – Bully 

• “Chance to Bleed” – Kurt Vile 

• “Site Unseen (feat. Waxahatchee)” – Courtney Barnett 

• “Six O’clock News” – Brennan Wedl & Waxahatchee 

• “Dance For You” – Dirty Projectors 

• “Jewel” – T. Rex 

• “Greatest Dancer” – Nadine Shah 

• “Hell Is Near (Live)” – St. Vincent & Jules Buckley 

• “Punishers” – Die Spitz 

• “Across That Fine Line (Working Men’s Club Remix)” – Nation of Language 

• “Ceremony” – New Order 

• “Vanishing Point” – Tanlines 

• “Sungazing” – Fluoretro 

• “Thinkin Bout You” – Flea 

• “Like Swimwear (part one) [feat. Anna Butterss, Jay Bellerose & Josh Johnson]” – Jeff Parker & ETA IVtet 

• “Build a Nest (feat. Ruby Parker)” – Jeff Parker 

• “Diane Charlemagne (Iman Houssein Remix)” – LEFTO EARLY BIRD 

• “Animals” – Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill 

• “Back On” – SBTRKT 

• “Berlin (Godblesscomputers Remix)” – Alexander Flood 

• “dominique” – Ela Minus 

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.