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Though they work as a traditional African-American string band, Carolina Chocolate Drops' members throw in some modern twists. The Durham, N.C.-based trio plays a wide variety of instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, jug, bones and harmonica. All of those sounds are featured on the band's newest record, Genuine Negro Jig.

From Bach on the accordion to a full-length symphony housed on a one-bit microchip, NPR Music's Tom Huizenga and Weekend All Things Considered host Guy Raz spin an eclectic assortment of new music.

Though they work as a traditional African-American string band, Carolina Chocolate Drops' members throw in some modern twists. The Durham, N.C.-based trio plays a wide variety of instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, jug, bones and harmonica. All of those sounds are featured on the band's newest record, Genuine Negro Jig.

From the soaring voice of a young soprano on the rise to the turbulent sounds of the Berlin Philharmonic in full cry, NPR Music's Tom Huizenga and Weekend All Things Considered host Guy Raz spin new classical recordings from young musicians and composers.

The early stages of 2011 have already seen new jazz records inspired by the civil rights movement, scored for a New Orleans trio and rearranging an underrated drummer's music. Hear music from Marcus Shelby, Plunge, Joel Harrison and the Horo label.

More than so many other kinds of music, jazz takes its tradition seriously. So it makes sense that so jazz musicians feel such visceral connections to their ancestors — and honor them in song. Hear cuts from four new albums.

These days in jazz, great records are being made by hot new trumpeters, steel-lunged veterans, New Orleans stars and an "orchestra" of young French musicians. Preview new releases by Ambrose Akinmusire, The Cookers, Rebirth Brass Band and France's ONJ.

This month marks one year since Megan Piphus Peace joined the cast. She praises how the show discusses topics like race for children — and she herself is being inspired for a new chapter.

Sanders, revered as one of the avant-garde's greatest tenor saxophonists, was a member of John Coltrane's final quartet. His expressive playing laid a path for generations of musicians.

One of the effects of the war in Ukraine is a global shortage of fertilizer. Food supplies could be threatened if more fertilizer doesn't get to the world market.