The Progressive Underground: A tribute to The Foreign Exchange
This week was a special The Foreign Exchange (TFE) tribute edition of The Progressive Underground as we celebrated the group...
Chris Campbell is a broadcast personality/nationally-renowned tastemaker and host of the multi-genre electronic music program The Progressive Underground. He is also a correspondent for NPR (National Public Radio) curating global underground music for national segments such as "Heavy Rotation" and "Songs We Love." Campbell is the host of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “Paradise Jazz Series,” “Concerts at the Cube,” and is co-host of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre’s “Jazzy Wednesdays Summer Concert Series.”
He has also hosted events including the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Charivari Detroit Electronic Music Fest and has curated/hosted Detroit Performs LIVE on WTVS-Channel 56 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), along with hosting/moderating a variety of concerts, industry showcases, artist album releases, panel discussions, movie screenings, and press unveilings.
Campbell is also an author and music journalist who has written for national and international publications such as Smooth Jazz News, Upscale, and Examiner. He is a published author as his books “The Essential Neo-Soul” and “Essential Neo-Soul 2.0” spotlight the modern-day progressive soul music movement and are the only publications of their kind to cover the history of the modern/alternative soul community.
The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week: ‘Go’ by Mahogany Jones feat. Monica Blaire
I have a track for you that is steeped in soul, grit and the tenacity of hip-hop royalty. This week’s...
Pick of the Week: ‘Sink In’ by Amber Mark
Let me tell you, this week’s pick is nothing short of a revelation. Amber Mark, the bold and unapologetic artist...
The Progressive Underground: Terry Dexter has a rhythm of resilience
On today’s 5-on-5, we dive into the world of Terry Dexter — a Detroit native, now Los Angeles-based musical powerhouse,...
Quincy Jones, the genius who rewrote the American songbook and gave music its soul, dies at 91
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. has left the building, but let’s be clear — he left it changed. And by changed,...
Pick of the Week: ‘High Class’ by GAWD
This week’s Pick of the Week is "High Class," a smooth, infectious track from the Los Angeles-based duo, GAWD, comprised...
The Progressive Underground: Rebekka Ling’s music is a soulful journey through jazz, gospel and hip-hop
On this installment of 5 on 5, we’re diving into the music of Rebekka Ling to explore her soulful sound...
Pick of the Week: ‘Ain’t No Wrong’ by Detroit CentriX
This week’s Pick of the Week is a fresh, soulful gem from Detroit CentriX, the dynamic duo of Paul Randolph...
Mic Check: Harpist Brandee Younger on pushing musical boundaries, Detroit’s influence on her sound
Following in the footsteps of legends like Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, harpist Brandee Younger has transformed one of the...
The Progressive Underground: Revisiting Alice Coltrane’s 1971 album ‘Journey into Satchidananda’
Welcome to Liner Notes, where we dive into the stories behind some of the most iconic albums you know and...
The Progressive Underground: Melanie Charles elevates voices while redefining jazz
Born and raised in Brooklyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, Melanie Charles grew up in a one-bedroom apartment in the...
The Progressive Underground: Hear music from Michael Kiwanuka, Kaytranada + more
On this episode of The Progressive Underground, I sample a beautiful remix of a classic Sade track by Kaytranada, brand new...