Wax Poetics

New this week
Funk
The Brooklyn Bridge

B.T. Express bridged the gap between funk and disco
B.T. Express bridged the gap between funk and disco
New this week
Disco
Disco Architect

Randy Muller formulated his disco sound with Brass Construction
Randy Muller formulated his disco sound with Brass Construction
New this week
Hip-Hop
Sword Play

Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA runs down every track off Liquid Swords
Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA runs down every track off Liquid Swords
New this week
Soul
Soul Auteur

Questlove brings Summer of Soul from Harlem to the world
Questlove brings Summer of Soul from Harlem to the world

Community

Insight and happenings from across the music community

R.I.P. Biz Markie (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021)

R.I.P. Biz Markie (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021)
July 16
One of our publishers outlines the new Wax Poetics with Monocle.

One of our publishers outlines the new Wax Poetics with Monocle.
July 21
More fire from Brooklyn independent Names You Can Trust

More fire from Brooklyn independent Names You Can Trust
July 21
Select back issues now available via print-on-demand at our store.

Select back issues now available via print-on-demand at our store.
July 1
The music and culture writer (and Wax Poetics contributor) Jessica Lipsky launches new book It Ain’t Retro. Daptone Records & the 21st-Century Soul Revolution.

The music and culture writer (and Wax Poetics contributor) Jessica Lipsky launches new book It Ain’t Retro. Daptone Records & the 21st-Century Soul Revolution.
July 21

R.I.P. Biz Markie (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021)

R.I.P. Biz Markie (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021)
July 16
One of our publishers outlines the new Wax Poetics with Monocle.

One of our publishers outlines the new Wax Poetics with Monocle.
July 21
More fire from Brooklyn independent Names You Can Trust

More fire from Brooklyn independent Names You Can Trust
July 21
Select back issues now available via print-on-demand at our store.

Select back issues now available via print-on-demand at our store.
July 1
The music and culture writer (and Wax Poetics contributor) Jessica Lipsky launches new book It Ain’t Retro. Daptone Records & the 21st-Century Soul Revolution.

The music and culture writer (and Wax Poetics contributor) Jessica Lipsky launches new book It Ain’t Retro. Daptone Records & the 21st-Century Soul Revolution.
July 21

Re:Discoveries

Quick reads about lost, classic and forgotten records

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Sugarman 3

Sugarman 3

Soul Donkey
USA, 1999-12-31
Biz Markie

Biz Markie

“Let Me Turn You On”
USA, 1993-05-05
Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis/Live!
USA, 1971-04-01
Bobby Hutcherson

Bobby Hutcherson

Now!
USA, 1970-06-03
Light of the World

Light of the World

Light of the World
United Kingdom, 1979-01-01
Labi Siffre

Labi Siffre

Happy
UK, 1975-01-01
Jerry González

Jerry González

Ya Yo Me Curé
USA, 1980-01-01

Features

Documenting music trailblazers, cultures and stories

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Sly and the Family Stone cofounder/guitarist Freddie Stone speaks on Stand!

Sly and the Family Stone cofounder/guitarist Freddie Stone speaks on Stand!

Sly and the Family Stone cofounding guitarist Freddie Stone talks about the making of one of their biggest albums ever, Stand!

Friday, July 16, 2021
Written by Chris Williams

Read articleRead article

The technological breakthroughs of Stevie Wonder and TONTO

Beginning 1971, Steve Wonder utilized the synth wizardry of Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff to create three of his most iconic albums.

Thursday, July 15, 2021
Written by Chris Williams

Read articleRead article

Latest Connections

Multimedia deep-dives into music stories, scenes and themes

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We Live in Brooklyn, Baby

An ongoing collection of articles about artists from and/or based in Brooklyn, New York, the spiritual home of Wax Poetics.

Hey, America

An examination of the complex, often bittersweet relationship between America and the Black Experience. The celebration of Black culture and music in the face of adversity.

Ultimate Breaks & Beats

A Rosetta Stone of rhythm, the drum breaks that make up the legendary Ultimate Breaks and Beats collection form a cornerstone of hip-hop, and, by extension, a large part of contemporary rhythmic feel. Investigate the birth of the boom bap below.

Hand picked for you view all

Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron fought for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron fought
for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Junior Marvin recounts joining Bob Marley and the Wailers and recording Exodus

Junior Marvin recounts joining Bob Marley and the Wailers and recording Exodus
John Coltrane’s evolutionary jump on the 1960 masterpiece Giant Steps

John Coltrane’s evolutionary jump on the 1960 masterpiece Giant Steps

Mixes

Scroll and select a mix while you dig through the site

View All mixes

Funk

B.T. Express
B.T. Express
Soul

Summer of Soul playlist
Summer of Soul playlist
Funk

Jazz-Funk/Brit-Funk Classics and Curios, 1970-83
Jazz-Funk/Brit-Funk Classics and Curios, 1970-83
Podcast

The Wax Poetics Podcast: Episode 04
The Wax Poetics Podcast: Episode 04

The Brooklyn Bridge

B.T. Express bridged the gap between funk and disco

Disco Architect

Randy Muller formulated his disco sound with Brass Construction

Sword Play

Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA runs down every track off Liquid Swords

Soul Auteur

Questlove brings Summer of Soul from Harlem to the world

Community

R.I.P. Biz Markie (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021)

One of our publishers outlines the new Wax Poetics with Monocle.

More fire from Brooklyn independent Names You Can Trust

Select back issues now available via print-on-demand at our store.

The music and culture writer (and Wax Poetics contributor) Jessica Lipsky launches new book It Ain’t Retro. Daptone Records & the 21st-Century Soul Revolution.

R.I.P. Biz Markie (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021)

One of our publishers outlines the new Wax Poetics with Monocle.

More fire from Brooklyn independent Names You Can Trust

Select back issues now available via print-on-demand at our store.

The music and culture writer (and Wax Poetics contributor) Jessica Lipsky launches new book It Ain’t Retro. Daptone Records & the 21st-Century Soul Revolution.

Re:Discoveries

Sugarman 3

Soul Donkey

Biz Markie

“Let Me Turn You On”

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis/Live!

Bobby Hutcherson

Now!

Light of the World

Light of the World

Labi Siffre

Happy

Jerry González

Ya Yo Me Curé

Features

Sly and the Family Stone cofounder/guitarist Freddie Stone speaks on Stand!

The technological breakthroughs of Stevie Wonder and TONTO

Latest Connections

We Live in Brooklyn, Baby

Hey, America

Ultimate Breaks & Beats

Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron foughtfor Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Junior Marvin recounts joining Bob Marley and the Wailers and recording Exodus

John Coltrane’s evolutionary jump on the 1960 masterpiece Giant Steps

Mixes

B.T. Express

Summer of Soul playlist

Jazz-Funk/Brit-Funk Classics and Curios, 1970-83

The Wax Poetics Podcast: Episode 04

Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron fought
for Martin Luther King Jr. Day