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Cotton Jones is a young band still going through a lot of transitions. But its debut LP, Paranoid Cocoon, has the confidence and ingenuity of a well-seasoned act, due in no small part to the contributions of singers Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw. Both were in a previous group called Page France, a band from Baltimore, MD that drew a devoted following for its distinctive blend of folk-pop and rock.

Mendelssohn was born 200 years ago Tuesday. Although the composer is sometimes criticized for "peaking early," critic Ted Libbey points to Mendelssohn's long-lasting legacy. Hear the composer's "Scottish Symphony," an essential recording in the NPR Classical 50.

After 67 years, the dreadlocked king of funk can still bring the house down. Clinton's new album ditches his signature Funkadelic style for Motown-influenced covers of old love songs. Here, he discusses his life on the road with some special guests, including Sly Stone.

When R&B singer Nikka Costa came to WFUV to record a studio session, she brought with her a wealth of experience and international fame. Yet when she sat down for the interview, Costa didn't display any of the qualities of a person living a charmed life. She performs with a seven-piece band from WFUV.

In the midst of hundreds of artists, McCarley still stood out at the 2008 South by Southwest music festival. Her debut album, Love, Save the Empty, pulls off a key element of pop greatness, marrying reflective lyrics with memorable tunes. She performs songs from the album in a session from WXPN.

The folk-pop duo of John Hermanson and Chris Cunningham, friends since middle school, built a strong grassroots following with tight vocal harmonies and guitar interplay. After a lengthy hiatus, the group is recording together again.

While her band Rilo Kiley is known for its downbeat indie-rock sound, Jenny Lewis finds her foundation in country coming to the fore on her sophomore solo effort, Acid Tongue. Though she recorded the album in just three weeks, Lewis infuses her voice with a hint of jazzy soul without losing her grip on her country-rock roots.

The band Fiction Family may be new, but its members are old hands at the music business. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek collaborated on the new album. Ken Tucker has a review.

You probably haven't heard the band Freezepop on the radio. But if you've played the games Guitar HeroM or Rock Band, you've probably played along to its music. The Boston band spoke about playing for crowds and playing for Playstation.

Pianist Robert Glasper wrote the hypnotic "Enoch's Meditation" years ago, for his 2005 album Canvas. He conceived it as a tribute to his colleague, drummer Enoch Jamal Strickland, but reconditioned it in time for Inauguration Day 2009. Hear Glasper perform the repurposed song at the studios of WBGO.