Producer/composer/arranger David Axelrod graces the cover of our fall issue. Part 1 of the interview explores Axelrod’s years at Capitol Records, working with drummers Earl Palmer and Johnny Guerin. We also bring you features on Mulatu of Ethiopia, drummer James Gadson, Blowfly, and the classic hip-hop hangout Disco Fever.

re:Discovery Charles May and Annette May Thomas, Hugh Mundell, Charalambides, Captain Rapp, Class A Felony Of Mice and Men The Best Laid Schemes of MF Doom and Danger Mouse Purple Reign Purple Ribbon is the New Generation of Southern Soul Your Brain on Edan Edan Gilles Peterson DJ Finds Dance-Floor Fillers in All Things Vinyl Record Fiend Jazzy Jay Manipulated the Old to Come with the New Clancy Eccles: Reggae Originator He Gave the Music His Soul and its Name, But Few Recognize His Face The Autofocus Run-Up Street Photographer Ricky Powell on the Frozen Beverage, the Perfect Tackle, and Why His Hometown of NYC is Turning into Middle America Return to the East Brooklyn Reclaims the Black Art Form Known as Jazz 12×12 12 Electro-Funk Picks by U.K. DJ Greg Wilson Essential Beats ’82-83 100 biggeset tunes played at Legend in Manchester and Wigan Pier during ’82 and ’83 Mulatu of Ethiopia Ethiopia’s Most Famous Musician Left the Imperial Plateau Only to Return with a Musical Revolution David Axelrod: Seriously Deep David Axelrod When the Fever Was the Mecca The Fever The Gospel According to Blowfly The World’s Nastiest Proto-Rapper is One of Soul Music’s Greatest Songwriters- The Gentle Giant Drummer James Gadson Looms Large Over the Beat Quantic Soul Orchestra Armed witih a Guitar, a Sequencer, and a Can of Rice, Will Holland Makes “Live” Funk