Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Ben Foley- So Many Lovely Things (Live At The Brecon)
Elemental Music will release So Many Lovely Things: Live in Brecon, an interactive, inexorably swinging document of “real jazz” by Kenny Barron’s superb go-to 1990s trio with bass titan Ray Drummond and drummer Ben Riley. Captured live at the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales in 1995 and produced by Zev Feldman and Jordi Suñol from original recordings in the Jordi Suñol Archives, the never-before-released album will appear as a limited-edition 2-LP set on June 12, 2026. It will also be available June 12 as a 2-CD set, and via digital download plus streaming.
“On a personal level, it was a great trio,” Barron says. “I can’t recall a sour moment. I loved the way Ray played—solid, with great time and personality. The way he and Ben grooved together was perfect. If this concert turned into something special, it happened organically. When momentum builds, it’s because of everyone’s contribution. It was a group effort.”
The recording came to Elemental through veteran Spanish promoter Suñol, who organized Barron’s appearance at the festival. Recorded by Jed Williams, then the festival’s director, the tapes remained in private possession until 2024 when Elemental’s Jordi Soley – an old friend – met with Suñol and agreed to release the concert. They then received licensing approval from Barron and his management, with whom they remained in close contact throughout the preparation process.
The Hip Abduction- Sea Of Dreams [Ineffable Records]
Colorado by way of Florida alternative/indie outfit The Hip Abduction return with their first single of 2026, “Sea of Dreams,” released via Ineffable Records. The track continues the momentum generated by their acclaimed album A Seafarer and the Infinite Dream, a breakthrough project that more than doubled the band’s streaming audience and earned placements across major editorial playlists. Known for blending indie, alternative, reggae, and world music influences into their signature sun-soaked sound, The Hip Abduction have spent the past year steadily touring and expanding their national audience, setting the stage for an ambitious new chapter with “Sea of Dreams.”
Dr. Fairest Hill- Something Different
Detroit's own Dr. Fairest Hill’s Something Different really does bring something fresh to the table. The album has this warm, easygoing vibe that pulls you in right away, and Hill’s voice carries a kind of lived‑in sincerity that’s hard to fake. You can hear the gospel roots, the soul influences, and the heart behind every track. It’s the kind of record that feels just as good on a quiet morning as it does during a late‑night wind‑down.
What stands out most is how genuine the whole project feels. Hill leans into themes of gratitude, perseverance, and faith without ever sounding heavy‑handed. The songs move comfortably between reflective moments and grooves that make you want to tap along, creating a listening experience that feels uplifting without trying too hard. For WHFR listeners who appreciate artists with real heart and purpose, Something Different is an album that sticks with you long after it’s over.
Chicago Soul Jazz Collective- No Wind No Rain
The Chicago Soul Jazz Collective returns with No Wind & No Rain, a powerful testament to the grit and resilience of the Windy City. Featuring the legendary vocals of Dee Alexander, this 10-track collection masterfully bridges the gap between classic soul-jazz and modern blues. From the high-energy funk of "The Laughing Heart" to the soulful tribute "A Groove for Ramsey," the ensemble delivers a rich, gospel-tinged sound that is as sophisticated as it is grooving.
Jill Jack- Soulshine
We are thrilled to welcome a fresh addition to the WHFR music library: a stunning new rendition of Warren Haynes’ "Soulshine" by the incredibly talented local artist Jill Jack. A long-standing staple of the Detroit music scene, Jill brings her signature folk-rock warmth and soulful delivery to this classic anthem. It’s a beautiful tribute that honors the original’s roots while showcasing the powerful, local artistry that defines our community’s sound.
Beyond her undeniable talent on the stage, Jill Jack has always been a cherished friend of the station. She is someone we’ve come to know not just as a performer, but as what we proudly call a "loyal listener"—tuning in and supporting community radio with the same passion she puts into her music. We are honored to add this latest track to our rotation and to continue celebrating an artist who has been such an integral part of the WHFR family for so many years.
Joe Syrian and The Motor City Jazz Octet- A Blue Time
Tinkering with classic songs can be a risky disposition. But for drummer Joe Syrian and his versatile Motor City Jazz Octet it’s just another day in the office. With a band made up of veteran musicians who thrive by incorporating rock, pop, blues, and Latin music into their signature brand of Jazz, Syrian and his gifted octet are back for a new round of musical mischief with their second Circle 9 recording A Blue Time. Covering an imaginative spectrum of legendary Jazz classics, renown Latin gems and several treasured pop tunes, Syrian transforms every composition into sonic experiments that will have you experiencing familiar music with an entirely different attitude. Featuring his brilliant octet, along with musical guests, vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan and percussionist Luisito Quintero, A Blue Time aims to resonate with old and new listeners alike.
Uncle Ritmo and 5HOURS- Show Me Love
Released on the rising Afro House imprint 12GODS, the collaborative single "Show Me Love" by Uncle Ritmo and 5HOURS (featuring the powerful vocals of Idra Kayne) is a masterclass in modern rhythmic reimagining. Dropping in April 2026, this track transforms the iconic house anthem into a deep, organic journey characterized by polyrhythmic percussion and lush, atmospheric textures. 5HOURS brings his signature "edit" expertise to the table, while Uncle Ritmo grounds the production with a heavy, club-ready pulse that honors the original’s soulful roots while pushing it into the contemporary global house scene. With Idra Kayne’s commanding performance breathing new life into those familiar melodies, this release is already becoming a staple for sunset sets and late-night dancefloors alike.
youbet- youbet
On their new self-titled album for Hardly Art, Brooklyn-based duo youbet (comprised of Nick Llobet and Micah Prussack) deliver a stunning evolution of their "wizardly art-pop" sound. Due out May 1, 2026, the record marks a transformative chapter, shifting from Llobet’s solo bedroom-pop origins into an expansive, collaborative force. Co-produced by Katie Von Schleicher and Julian Fader, the album is a collection of what the band calls "three-dimensional musical sculptures"—songs that oscillate between the delicate, "Big Thief-esque" intimacy of lead single "Ground Kiss" and the heavy, concussive alt-rock energy of "See Thru." Lyrically, the record navigates the debris of long-term relationships and the rebuilding of self with a sense of "ecstatic possibility and grit." By weaving together influences ranging from Debussy to Japanese hard rock, youbet stands as a masterful display of meticulous craft and raw, emotional honesty.
Mikaela Davis- Graceland Way
With her latest release on Kill Rock Stars, acclaimed harpist and songwriter Mikaela Davis invites listeners into the kaleidoscopic world of Graceland Way (due April 24, 2026). Described as a "canyon country" epic, the album masterfully bridges the psychedelic folk legacy of Laurel Canyon with a sharp, neo-western edge. Co-produced by Dan Horne and marking a new songwriting partnership with guitarist John Lee Shannon, the record explores the delicate balance of light and dark through Davis’s signature ethereal harp glissandos and crystalline vocals. Featuring standout collaborations with artists like Madison Cunningham and Tim Heidecker, Graceland Way is less a physical destination and more a transformative state of mind—a lush, cosmic journey that cements Davis as one of the most inventive voices in modern indie-folk.
Ghost Funk Orchestra- Live in Europe
Fresh from the stages of Europe, Ghost Funk Orchestra delivers a powerhouse performance with their new live LP, Live in Europe. Out via Karma Chief Records, this collection strips away the studio polish to reveal the raw, psychedelic soul energy that has made them a live staple. It’s a high-octane celebration of their first international tour, featuring fan favorites and brand-new arrangements that keep the spirit of independent funk alive.
Oteil Burbridge & Lamar Williams Jr. - Hush
Drawing on their deep roots within the Allman Brothers Band orbit, Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr. deliver a powerful message of emotional clarity on "Hush." The single showcases Burbridge’s melodic bass work and Williams’ expressive vocals, anchored by a "deep pocket" groove produced by Alan Evans (Soulive). Built on years of friendship and creative synergy, this unhurried anthem is the emotional centerpiece of their forthcoming LP, The Offering, bridging the gap between improvisational rock and timeless Southern soul.
Temples- Vendetta
Temples venture into bold new territory with "Vendetta," a high-octane single out now on V2 Records. Blending their signature psychedelic-rock DNA with the pulse of late-'90s French House, the track finds the band self-producing a sound that is both gritty and club-ready. It serves as a shimmering centerpiece for their upcoming fifth album, BLISS, which the band describes as a study in "melancholic euphoria."
Meg Washington - GEM
GEM is the fifth studio album from Meg Washington. Typical of Meg's genre-defying work and her ever-expanding palette, GEM is a country-tinged record of psychedelic folk songs, and marks a turning point for the platinum-selling artist
Meg on GEM: “GEM is a concept album, set on a treasure island. It’s been a creative oasis, a beautiful and isolated dreamscape crafted with my friend and collaborator, Ben Edgar. These songs formed as notes that I wrote to myself, a journal I kept while considering the question of music in these times. The answer, when it came, was simple. I sing because it’s in my nature. In every sense, this record is about nature. Human nature, animal nature, and my own nature as an artist, parent and person. We took a simple approach to production. We used very few machines.”
The Beths - Straight Line Was A Lie
The path from The Beths’ critically celebrated and year-end-list-topping 2022 album Expert In A Dying Field to Straight Line Was A Lie was anything but straightforward. For the first time, Stokes was struggling to write new songs beyond fragments she’d recorded on her phone. She’d recently started taking an SSRI, which on one hand made her feel like she could “fix” everything broken in her life, from her mental and physical health to fraught family dynamics. At the same time, writing wasn’t coming as easily as it had before.
With Straight Line Was A Lie, Stokes and Pearce broke down the typical Beths writing process, opening themselves up to a wave of creative input, with Stokes’ free-flowing writing routine proving to be therapeutic. Already a celebrated lyricist, Stokes has long impressed fans and critics with catchy, instant-classic turns of phrase that capture the personal and ladder up to the universal. But Stokes’ intentional deconstruction and rebuilding of her relationship to writing, however, has resulted in a complete renewal. Her songwriting has achieved startling new depths of insight and vulnerability, making Straight Line Was A Lie the most sharply observant, truthful, and poetic Beths project to date.