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When pop stars collaborated with African musicians in the 1980s and '90s, they embraced sounds once heard as foreign and exotic. Now a new generation of American musicians is creating homegrown rock music with a West African twist.

For WNYC's Soundcheck host John Schaefer, the best classical music of the year came not from new releases, but from the news in the classical music world. The biggest story was the New York Philharmonic's performance in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Mick Jones, former lead guitarist of The Clash, and Tony James, once of the Billy Idol-fronted Generation X, promoted their latest project by giving music away on the Web. They released their first CD in January.

Thomas performs stand-up comedy in her spare time, and sometimes between songs. But her new album, A Very Rosie Christmas, is often thoughtful — even reverent. Her music is gentle, sincere and just right for those who wish the holidays were a little less noisy.

Her father was Louis Armstrong's musical director in the 1930s. Her mother still plays the bass. So it's no surprise that Russell has chops. She sings a set of bluesy numbers and standards for Mountain Stage.

For a musician, essential tremor disorder can be devastating. The disease affects fine motor coordination, causing hands to shake. But guitarist Richard Crandell has found a new way to continue composing and performing.

Justin Townes Earle went into the same business as his father, country-rock singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who taught his son a lot about rebellion and making music. Together, they talk about the parallels between their lives growing up.

On his new album, Young Jeezy uses his motivational rasp to raise the spirits of people facing rising gas prices and unemployment rates. Though he's not a great rapper by traditional standards, the young Atlanta MC pads his raps with what he does best: big, clunky punchlines and inspirational refrains.

Long a singer, songwriter, session guitarist and member of the band Green on Red, Prophet plays songs from his latest solo album, Soap & Water, with a Telecaster guitar, a deadpan delivery and a distorted bullhorn microphone.

With virtuoso technique and overwhelming energy, the young Hawaiian coaxes many unconventional styles, from jazz to rock and flamenco, out of the ukulele. He talks to World Cafe's David Dye in between live performances.