In The Groove: Staying warm with Nina Simone, Moodymann and modern soul

Bundling up against the cold and easing into the work week with a wide-ranging mix that stretches from the spiritual soul of Nina Simone and Ann Peebles to deep grooves from Moodymann, Ramsey Lewis, and Ry Cooder.

Along the way, timeless cuts from Leon Russell, Sade, and J.J. Cale sit comfortably beside newer sounds from Magdalena Bay, Arlo Parks, and Working Men’s Club—keeping things warm, grounded, and gently forward-moving as the afternoon rolls on. 

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 January 27, 2026 

• “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” – Nina Simone 

• “The Thief That Stole My Sad Days (Ya Blessin Me)” – Moodymann 

• “Fallen Again” – Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill 

• “Out in the Woods” – Leon Russell 

• “Come to Mama” – Ann Peebles 

• “Nobody Knows” – Pastor T.L. Barrett and The Youth for Christ Choir 

• “I Wish You Would” – JD McPherson 

• “Easy Street” – Amanaz 

• “Oh Louisiana” – Chuck Berry 

• “Drume Negrita” – Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban 

• “Slick” – Ramsey Lewis 

• “Impressions” – Straight Ahead 

• “Maureen” – Sade 

• “On a Better Day I’m Dreaming (Tall Black Guy Remix)” – Colman Brothers 

• “The Spirit” – Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke 

• “Watching T.V.” Magdalena Bay 

• “U” – Jadu Heart 

• “John Cooper Clarke” – Working Men’s Club 

• “Los Angeles (feat. James Murphy)” – Jacknife Lee, Budgie & Lol Tolhurst 

• “Dragon Queen” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs 

• “I Don’t Wanna” – Fcukers 

• “Selfish” – Charlotte Day Wilson 

• “Death of Love” – James Blake 

• “The Path Less Travelled” – Vegyn 

• “2SIDED” – Arlo Parks 

• “You got time and I got money” – Smerz 

• “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – The Verve 

• “The Cedar Room” – Doves 

• “Where’s My Phone?” – Mitski 

• “No Joy” – The Beths 

• “Guess I’m Fallin In Love” – Spoon 

• “Cherry” – J.J. Cale 

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.