Needle Drop Record

Fannie Lou Hamer once said, "Sometimes it seems like to tell the truth today is to run the risk of being killed. But if I fall, I'll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I'm not backing off."

John Lennon once said, “Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it.” It's good he thought that, considering how many albums have built on his sound over the decades, including this week's Needle Drop Record.

Author Oliver Cadam once said, “To would-be writers, don't worry about imagination; real-life and human nature will provide you with more shocks and surprises than you could ever conjure in your head. Just look around and observe.”

Ziggy Marley once said, “Reggae has a philosophy, you know? ... It was my dad’s idea that music is supposed to be more than simply about entertainment and making a living, but about being of service as an integral part of the consciousness of the world.”

Celia Cruz once said, “Music is a gift that should be shared with the world.” She also said, "Music has no borders, no nationality. It speaks to everyone." This week's Needle Drop Record embodies both of those philosophies.

After visiting Dr. King's Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Pops Staples said to his kids, “Now if he can preach this, we can sing it. That could be our way of helping towards this movement.” This week's Needle Drop Record finds the lone Staples still standing, still singing for freedom.

Aretha Franklin once said, “We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right.” Indeed. This week's Needle Drop Record declares that same sentiment in no uncertain terms and they are no less groovy for their efforts.

United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor once said, “The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.” And what a fire hers is. This week's Needle Drop Record comes from a Latina artist who burns just as brightly.