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On Show #246, Jay Ray heads home to Chester, Pennsylvania, with Christopher R. Rogers, Ph.D., and DJ Naij B of the Chester Gifted Program. They talk about Engineered Grace, Vol. 1, an EP built from field recordings around the city, the Toni Morrison line behind its title, and the fight against the incinerator that burns Philadelphia's trash. This issue also covers Billy Strayhorn's catalog sale and the topics from the October 22 live show.
In this issue...
The story behind Engineered Grace, Vol. 1
Engineered Grace, Vol. 1 is, in the guests' words, a storybook EP of field recordings made in and around Chester. Its title comes from Baby Suggs' sermon in Toni Morrison's Beloved (1987): "the only grace they could have was the grace they could imagine." Rogers and Naij B talk about leaving home and coming back, and about Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, the group led by Zulene Mayfield that has fought the city's incinerator for about 30 years. The plant, run by Reworld (formerly Covanta), is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. Part 2 arrives November 2, 2026.
Song of the Week: Kendrick Lamar, "The Heart Pt. 2"
Christopher Rogers remembers being in a Chester studio and stopping everything to play "The Heart Pt. 2," a track from Kendrick Lamar's 2010 mixtape O.verly D.edicated, in the lobby.
Billy Strayhorn's catalog changes hands
Reservoir Media bought the publishing catalog of composer Billy Strayhorn, the writer of "Take the 'A' Train" and "Lush Life," and will share in his name, image and likeness rights with his estate. The terms were not disclosed. Strayhorn worked with Duke Ellington from 1939 until his death in 1967.
From the October 22nd live show
DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray went live on YouTube and Instagram to talk about Killer Mike's interview with Vic Mensa, the risks of chasing viral fame after a fatal shooting at a Zeus Network audition event, the backlash against Victoria Monét, and the money realities of independent music and podcasting.
Read the full issue below.