It's Not the Beat, It's the Groove

Join Kelly and Dave as we look back over the last two years and relive some of the most fun and most surprising moments of It's The Groove. And of course, we give thanks to those of you who have listened, supported and participated in the show. Don't miss our 2nd anniversary party!

Join Kelly and Dave as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Wham!'s Music From the Edge of Heaven. This album was simultaneously the end of one of the 80's most unforgettable bands AND the beginning of an amazing solo career for George Michael. We unpack the magic of this album and dig deep into the swan song for the electrifying duo of Andrew and George.

Join Kelly and Dave for a special edition of It's The Groove, where we talk with singer/songwriter Bill Champlin, who has penned songs like After The Love Has Gone, and Turn Your Love Around. A Grammy-winning artist, Bill has sang with Chicago on some of their highest charting songs, and has a long career of solo and ensemble work as well. Stay tuned for some terrific stories, as well as insight into some of the musicians he shared the studio with!

It's The Groove Podcast is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Peter Gabriel's So album. We are celebrating 80s music history of one of the most influential albums of all time with special guest Faith Pennick. We explore the stories behind the songs, the groundbreaking music videos, and the cultural impact that still resonates today.

Join Kelly & Dave as we dive into Steely Dan's The Royal Scam album. Go behind the scenes and discover the stories behind the songs. We help uncover a few of the musicians who helped Donald Fagen and Walter Becker craft this album. And we discuss how the process of recording The Royal Scam built the bridge to Steely Dan's next albums.

Join Kelly and Dave as we unpack The Brothers Johnson hit "Strawberry Letter 23." Learn about the genesis of the song, as well as the musicians who played it. Join Kelly as she discovers something new about the song even after nearly 50 years. And learn about why she feels this song is special to her.

Join Kelly and Dave as we unpack Anita Baker's amazing album Rapture, celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. Go back and time and relive the songs, the stories and the memories of that era. And we discuss some of the musicians who helped Anita make this album timeless.

Join Kelly and Dave for Part II of our conversation with legendary drummer Tris Imboden. In this episode, Tris shares how he found his way behind the drum kit for Chicago—and why that seat became home for the next 28 years. He takes us inside life on the road, the energy of those unforgettable live performances, and the musicianship that kept the band’s engine running night after night.Stick around through the end as Tris opens up about his newest musical projects and where his creative journey is taking him now.

Join Kelly and Dave as we are visited by Rob Mounsey, the relatively unheralded genius behinds such hits as Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), Crazy for You, and You Can Call Me Al, as well as countless others. Hear the stories behind those iconic Steely Dan sessions, and learn how Rob made arrangements for some of the most famous songs of the 80s.

Join your co-hosts Kelly and Dave as they uncover the "secret" behind Janet Jackson's Control album: an album that simultaneously launched Janet into stardom and also changed the sound of Funk/R & B. The artists responsible? Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who would go on to produce so much great music in the decades to follow.

Join Kelly, Dave and Special Guest Roy to uncover the "hidden connection" between so many great songs! Keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, who worked with Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and more to create the amazing songs we all love. Who else played on Songs in the Key of Life, Thriller, and Anita Baker's Rapture? And hear the amazing story of Roy's connection with Greg.

Join Kelly and Dave as we journey back to the days of MTV, Ferris Bueller, Top Gun, and Pretty in Pink. Hard to believe that 1986 was 40 years ago! The It's The Groove team is all over celebrating our top songs from that incredible year in popular music. Which songs made the cut? Join us as we uncover the songs that dominated our playlists back then, and are STILL on heavy rotation today!

Join Kelly and Dave and special guest Shari B Ellis to discuss Duran Duran's Big Thing album. Learn why this album is really a soundtrack album, as we go track by track to uncover the hidden wonders. And stay tuned to hear Duranies Kelly and Shari tell their stories about their Close Encounters of the Duran kind! You won't want to miss this episode.

Join Kelly, Dave and Special Guest Phil Wood to uncover the magic behind the grooves of Jeff Porcaro. What made him such an incredible drummer? Why was he so universally loved? We look back at his catalog and cover 10 of our favorite songs on which he played. You will recognize every song, although you might not know Jeff was behind the kit. Jeff Porcaro, one of the most beloved and accomplished drummers, who laid down the groove for the soundtrack of our lives!

Kelly and Dave have loved Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love" for a very long time. Imagine our delight at being able to chat with Bobby's wife Mary, and his stepdaughter Katie to hear the stories behind the songs! Listen as they tell us wonderful stories about his legacy, the music, and the artists that he worked with. This is a wonderful and touching tribute to one of the best-loved figures in popular music.

Join Kelly and Dave as we have a fun conversation with Tris Imboden, legendary drummer on so many tracks you love. Follow his career as he auditioned for Kenny Loggins, and played on some of those magical tracks. Then, he moved to work with artists like Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan and Anita Baker.This is Part One of a two-part series on his 50 years behind the kit for so many amazing songs.

Kelly and Dave are joined by Tris Imboden, drummer for Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Chicago. In Part One of our conversation, hear Tris talk about joining Kenny Loggins' band, his experience playing at Live Aid, and an astonishing week at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Join Kelly and Dave for a fascinating interview with drum legend Tris Imboden. Hear his stories about playing on mega-hits like Footloose with Kenny Loggins, including being on stage for the Live Aid concert in 1985. Tris talks about playing with Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan and Anita Baker. And he gives us great insight into the magic behind the music. Stay tuned for Part II which will cover his nearly 30 years with the band Chicago.

Join Kelly and Dave for an exciting conversation with the drummer behind so many of our favorite songs: Tris Imboden. During Part One, hear about Tris' early work, including his tenure with Kenny Loggins. You've heard him on Footloose, now hear the stories behind the recordings. Hear about his work with Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan and Anita Baker.

Join Kelly, Dave and special guest author Faith Pennick to discuss the music of Steely Dan. With it's slick production, mixture of jazz and rock, and full of A-list studio musicians, the music of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker certainly hits some of the criteria for being classified as Yacht Rock. But is it? We'll debate this and stay tuned for some of our favorite tracks.

Join Kelly and Dave as they get "Physical" and discuss the landmark album by Olivia Newton John. From upbeat dancefloor songs to the soft ballads, this album had it all and launched ONJ into the stratosphere of pop stars. We uncover the hidden connections that helped make this album a major hit.

Hall & Oates fans, this one’s for you! 🎶 In this episode of It’s the Groove, Dave and Kelly take a deep dive into the music, magic, and impact of one of the most iconic duos of all time. From their Philly roots to chart-topping classics like “It’s a Laugh,” “Private Eyes,” and “Maneater,” we’re breaking down the songs that made Hall & Oates legends.💿 We’ll explore their evolution in sound, the signature mix of blue-eyed soul and pop rock, and the stories behind the hits that defined a generation. Plus, we’ll share our Top Hall & Oates songs and how their influence shaped the music industry.

Join Kelly and Dave as we unpack the amazing career and incredible catalog of Brenda Russell. From backing Elton John to writing for Rufus and Chaka Khan, to winning a Grammy for writing the score for the Broadway adaptation of The Color Purple, Brenda has continually created magic. We go deep into her catalog for some hidden gems as well as her more popular hits.

Wishing Madonna a Happy Birthday. Kelly and Dave go back to 1984, and revisit the moment Madonna became Madonna: the release of her album "Like A Virgin." We go back and cover ALL the hits, and go under the wrapper to discover how this masterpiece was created. From the influence of music magician Nile Rodgers, to the influence of Stephen Bray, we unpack those who helped put The Material Girl on the pop music map!

Join Kelly and Dave as we dive deep into Stevie Wonder's masterpiece "Songs in the Key of Life." Listen as we discuss some of our favorite tracks from this iconic album and hear the stories behind the music. This work moved us then and still makes us dance and celebrate.

Join Kelly and Dave as we uncover the secret sauce behind the hits of artists we love such as Aretha Franklin, The Bee Gees, The Average White Band, Chaka Khan, and Scritti Politti. Arif Mardin, who was a producer at Atlantic Records, and referred to as "the Man with the best ears in town," helped shape so many of the songs we love.

Join Kelly and Dave as we uncover the magic of Ashford & Simpson. From their days penning hits for Marvin Gaye and Aretha, to their own powerhouse performances, this duo has created a legacy of excellence in songwriting, performance and production.

In this episode Kelly and Dave journey across the pond to recruit a true Jamiroquai fan. Mark, who has followed the band since its inception, gives us a unique point of view, and helps us uncover the magic of this Band. Kelly, Dave and Mark each share a few of their favorite Jamiroquai songs from their early years (the first 3 albums). Join us to enjoy the confluence of music and friendship as we discover Jamiroquai together.

While searching for some Steely Dan info, we came across a book written all about the album Aja. The author: Don Breithaupt. Upon further review, not only has Don interviewed Donald Fagen (and lived to tell about it), he also is the composer and frontman of the band Monkey House. Join us for a lively discussion about music, including playing a track from Monkey House's latest album Crashbox!

In today's episode, Kelly and Dave take you back to the amazing Earth, Wind & Fire album I Am. We uncover a totally "no skip" album, listening to each track as we grow in our understanding and appreciation of a band that created a cultural statement from their combination of soul and style. From deep grooves to reflective lyrics, this album moved more than just bodies — it moved hearts.

Join Kelly and Dave as we investigate the music of David "The Hitman" Foster. Listen as we uncover songs we never knew David was behind. From Earth, Wind & Fire to Madonna, check out all the songs Foster was involved with. We will travel from Disco, to Jazz, to Funk, to Pop.

Have you ever been listening to a song, and said "That's Michael McDonald?" Well, we have! In this episode Kelly and Dave share some of their favorite songs on which Michael McDonald sang BACKING vocals. Yes, he has had a terrific career as lead singer of the Doobie Brothers, and as a solo artist, but today we focus on just those songs on which Michael is the backing singer. Some are famous, and some might surprise you!

Join Kelly and Dave as we dive deep into the wonder that is Chaka Khan. In our last episode, we covered her work with Rufus. Now we explore the hits that made her famous as a solo artist. You know the songs, but do you know the backstories?Find out how Chaka Khan rose into a supernova, singing some of the most well-loved songs ever.

What do you get when one of the most powerful voices in music teams up with a pioneering funk band? Pure magic — and a few behind-the-scenes twists. This week on It’s The Groove, we’re diving into the rise of Chaka Khan and Rufus — from their earliest days to the breakout success of classics like “Tell Me Something Good” and “Ain’t Nobody.”Discover how they redefined funk and R&B, created musical sparks (and a little tension), and left an unforgettable mark on music history.

Dive deep with Kelly and Dave into one of popular music's most famous albums: Aja by Steely Dan. Learn about how Donald Fagen and Walter Becker assembled an All-Star Team of studio musicians to bring their vision to life. We leverage Don Breithaupt's tome on the album for detail, and sprinkle in a few fun stories along the way. Most of all, listen to the classic tracks, and uncover something new about an album so many adore.

Kelly and Dave had a fun time discussing 8 songs that are REALLY good, and you'll know a lot of them...but they were never released as singles. One night we went down the rabbit hole and found 20+ songs that we love that were never released as singles. We had to pare this down to 8, so listen to our episode and then tell us the ones YOU think should have made the list!

They played on literally thousands of tracks. We have curated some of the very best, from albums as diverse as Boz Scaggs' Silk Degrees, Michael Jackson's Thriller and Lionel Richie's Can't Slow Down. What connects these great songs? The musicians behind them. So who are they? Listen as Kelly and Dave uncover more "hidden connections" in the music we love.

Join Kelly and Dave to examine the music of a highly underrated group of Musicians who came together to create some music magic as Toto. Learn about the origins of the band, and listen to some of our favorite Toto songs. Stay tuned because in the next episode we will cover more of the music they created with and for other artists.

Join Kelly and Dave as we celebrate the Queen of the Quiet Storm, Sade. Learn about how the band started, and how they were anything but an "overnight success." Listen as we discuss our favorite Sade tracks and play them. Groove with us as we listen to these smooth, funky tracks.

Join It's The Groove as Kelly and Dave reminisce about the year 1985 in music. From "The Greatest Night in Pop Music" to LiveAid, the year was filled with so much great music. Your Groove hosts select 10 songs from that year that highlight the diverse music scene.

As we close out 2024, Kelly and Dave reflect back on what we are grateful for. We focus on those who have encouraged, supported and guided us through our musical adventures, including beginning this podcast.

Rod Temperton was named "The Invisible Man," because, while he composed some of the best-known, and most-loved songs of our generation, many never knew who he was. In the second installment of our tribute to Rod, Kelly, Faith and Dave uncover more of the songs he wrote, for artists as diverse as George Benson and Anita Baker. And stay tuned to find out what Faith feels is a "travesty."

Co-Hosts Kelly and Dave are joined by filmmaker and author Faith Penick to uncover the history behind one of the best songwriters in history, Rod Temperton. In Volume 1, listen as Faith, Kelly and Dave discuss his beginnings with the band Heat Wave, and his subsequent collaboration with the titans of popular music, Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. And listen to a few of our favorite songs from this era.

If you haven't already listened to Saxy Songs, Part 1, check that out to find out why Dave is such a Saxophile, and how we chose the songs that are on these two podcast episodes. We had too many songs to cram into one pod, so we added a second, which is still full of great songs featuring a saxophone. Kelly even gets into the action with a few of her favorites.

Sadly, we lost Quincy Jones on November 4. However, it does give us the opportunity to celebrate a life well lived, and his amazing contributions to the world of music. We pay tribute to this amazing man and his legacy through a review of just a handful of the songs he brought into our lives and hearts. There will never be another Quincy Jones, so join us in our celebration of his life.

From Baker Street to Rio, lots of popular songs have featured the work of the saxophone artist. But which saxy songs reign supreme. Join Kelly and Dave as they sift through It's The Groove-worthy songs to select their top saxilicious songs.

In this episode, Kelly and Dave review two bands that they LOVE, that haven't had great popularity. Join them as they return to the late 80's and early 90's to explore two bands, Curiosity Killed The Cat (yes, that's the name), and The Brand New Heavies. Hear the tunes they love, and find out how they each discovered these great bands.

Join Kelly and Dave as we discuss 3 bands which should have been more popular. We have loved these artists, and think when you hear their music, you'll love them too. Kelly introduced Dave to one of these artists, and he is eternally grateful she did. Join us and maybe you'll find some great new songs to enjoy!

Let's groove to some 80's pop with the band Squeeze. Be "Tempted" by the "Hourglass," and enjoy some "Black Coffee in Bed." Listen as Groove Ambassador Kelly walks us through the historic ambiance of Massey Hall, and the crowd's excitement. Hear her describe the English Beat's opening set and relive the spotlight incident. Finally, hear her take on the performances by both bands.

Listen as Groove Ambassador Dave reviews the Steve Winwood/Doobie Brothers concert held in Tinley Park, IL. Hear clips of some of the favorite songs played during the set, and get some insight into what makes these artists still so terrific. And stay to the end where Dave talks about something "special" that occurred during the encore.