Siddhartha Mitter

This week’s year-in-review special continues with Siddhartha Mitter, a music journalist who contributes to the Boston Globe, MTV Iggy, MTV Desi and other outlets.

Acts like Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings and Eli (Paperboy) Reed present a soul sound that some cast as throwbacks to the sixties and seventies. Writer Siddhartha Mitter says that these revival acts walk a fine line between homage and pastiche. But New Yorker critic Sasha-Frere Jones, once a skeptic, says that they’re moving the genre forward.

Siddhartha Mitter joins Soundcheck on Tuesday to discuss the year's -- and decade's -- best records from around the globe.

We continue our Critics' Week coverage of the decade in music with a look at the best of world music and jazz. Siddhartha Mitter, world music critic for the Boston Globe, and Will Layman, jazz critic for PopMatters.com, give us their picks for the decade that was.

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Two summers ago, the artist Duke Riley made a splash in New York Harbor -- and got in trouble with police -- by floating a homemade submarine close to the Queen Mary ocean liner. Now Riley has another nautical project this time with the blessing ...

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Print journalism may be in trouble, but print in the arts is alive and well, and it's taking on social issues. An exhibition up now uses "book arts" - artworks based on print and the printed word - to take on race and racism in ...

In its 100th Anniversary Celebration, some African-American bloggers question how the group is reaching out to a new generation in the digital age.

>>Jack and Jill Politics

>>The Root’s Buzz

>>The Black Retort

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In its 100th Anniversary Celebration, some African-American bloggers question how the group is reaching out to a new generation in the digital age.

Jack and Jill Politics

The Root's Buzz

The Black Retort

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Asian American nerds -- it smacks of a stereotype, but now Asian American fans of comics, animation, science fiction and fantasy are flexing their muscle. The first ever comics convention, or ComiCon for Asian Americans, takes place in New York Saturday. WNYC's Siddhartha Mitter reports.

In politics, an extra-marital affair can jeopardize a career. But in music, cheating is the subject of some of the most popular songs ever, from Marvin Gaye’s "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" to the Eagles' "Lyin' Eyes" to TLC's "Creep." (Don't get us started on operas. OK, do.) We ...

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A court ruling in India has gay and lesbian activists in New York jumping for joy. The Delhi High Court ruled that India's colonial era laws against homosexuality are unconstitutional. New York activist Myna Mukherjee says it's a watershed for gay rights in the world's ...

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Spontaneous celebrations of Michael Jackson have gone on in the streets since his death last Thursday, but yesterday was the official tribute at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and New Yorkers came out en masse. WNYC's Siddhartha Mitter was there.

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The German choreographer Pina Bausch has died. Bausch had been diagnosed with cancer just a week ago. She was 68 years old. Earlier today dance critic Claudia LaRocco spoke with WNYC’s Siddhartha Mitter about Bausch and her legacy on contemporary dance. LaRocco said Bausch’s influence ...

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Throngs of people lined up outside Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater, in anticipation of its tribute to Michael jackson. WNYC talked with some of the pop icon's many, many fans.

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A Brooklyn artist sees beauty in some of the harrowing images she finds in the news - such as the plight of African migrants escaping to Europe. WNYC's Siddhartha Mitter caught up with her.

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Islam is in the air – from Barack Obama’s big speech, to a festival in New York this month of Muslim arts and ideas. Among those voices are five young women artists who have a show at the Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Art in ...

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Five black women at the top of their field. Germaine Acogny, Carmen de Lavallade, Dianne McIntyre, Bebe Miller and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar are dancer-choreographers who are pioneers in the dance world. They perform this weekend in a rare program of solo pieces, at the ...

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This afternoon at the Islamic Cultural Center on the Upper East Side, New York Jewish and Muslim leaders called for mutual understanding in the face of the alleged terror plot. Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding said he was gratified by the ...

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Sharecroppers, laborers, mothers and their children -- these people have captured the imagination of sculptor Elizabeth Catlett for over 40 years. Catlett talked about her life and work at the Museum of Modern Art earlier this week and WNYC's Siddhartha Mitter was there.

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In Newark New Jersey a local arts scene is thriving away from the Manhattan spotlight. This evening, Newark's Aljira Gallery celebrates its 25th anniversary. For the last decade Aljira has hosted a program for emerging artists. WNYC's Siddhartha Mitter spoke with some of them.

To hear ...