Free Your Mind 

Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal, McLean

I am a long-time and proud member of WPFW, “Jazz and Justice Radio,” a wholly community-owned station in D.C.  While I do not agree with their extreme progressive views on justice, I appreciate wholeheartedly their jazz programming, the last vestige of a proud Washington tradition that dates from the days of Duke Ellington or even earlier. 

One thing I like is they take no money from anyone – corporate or government sponsors – and all their DJs are volunteers. The paid staff are the technicians who keep the records spinning, the transmitter working, and the lights on. 

WPFW’s overnight and early morning programs are particularly good though there are probably few people listening. Every day is different, but Thursday a.m. is one of my favorites. Here’s the playlist from Papa Wabe’s “Free Your Mind” show this morning. 

You will have a hard time finding these “songs” – a couple are really sermons — and I’m certainly not an expert on reggae or Rastafarianism, but before we were married my wife used to live one floor down from a group of Rastafarians in Brooklyn, N.Y. Smoke is supposed to rise, but let’s just say we were often wafted by more than the thumping bass of their speakers. 

What Papa Wabe has done here is truly outstanding. Here is my favorite from Niyorah. Sorry, lyrics unavailable: Spotify Link

This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.