Welcome to the November 2016 issue of Black Grooves, sponsored by the Indiana University Archives of African American Music and Culture.

Since November brings Election Day we’re featuring projects with political themes including Make America Great Again! by Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra and The Transformations Suite by Samora Pinderhughes, in addition to jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith’s America’s National Parks celebrating the centennial of the National Park Service.

Under the umbrella of rock, rap and soul there’s Timothy Bloom’s The Beginning, Melissa Etheridge’s Stax tribute Memphis Rock and Soul, Nashville duo Muddy Magnolias’ Broken People, Pigeon John’s Good Sinner, Ashleigh Smith’s Sunkissed, teenage punk trio Unlocking the Truth’s debut album Chaos, and the Afrofuturist concept album Splendor & Misery from experimental rap group clipping., fronted by Hamilton star Daveed Diggs.

We’re also pleased to be promoting two projects with Indiana University ties: Allegro io son, the latest release from bel canto tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and Timeless from the popular R&B group After 7 featuring IU Soul Revue alums Melvin and Kevon Edmonds.

Notable historic releases include Marian Anderson’s Let Freedom Ring! and Mahalia Jackson’s Moving On Up a Little Higher which both feature previously unreleased material. Jazz releases include Joshua Breakstone’s cello quartet on 88, Quincy Jones & His Orchestra Live in Ludwigshafen 1961, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra on All My Yesterdays. Under folk and world music we’re featuring the Afro-Colombian group M.A.K.U Soundsystem’s Mezcla, South African singer Lorraine Klaasen’s Nouvelle Journee, a reissue of Josh White’s Josh at Midnight, and the compilation Space Echo: Mystery Behind the Cosmic Sound of Cabo Verde.

Wrapping up this issue is our list of October 2016 releases of note.