The Rhythm Lab features not just one type of music, but rather showcases the entire rhythm diaspora: soul, neo-soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, nu jazz, world beat, go-go, latin, broken beat, and reggae. Tune in on Fridays at 10pm to Midnight and then catch a re-airing on Sundays 10pm-Midnight on 88Nine RadioMilwaukee, and then on The Current (89.3FM) in Minneapolis/St. Paul Saturdays at Midnight.  

CITYPAGES BEST OF 2006: BEST RADIO PROGAM AFTER MIDNIGHT

From Echo Chamber’s magisterial dub to Root of All Evil’s mirthful metal marathon, KFAI pretty much owns the local airwaves after midnight—with one exception: The Rhythm Lab. True, the Current stole co-host Tarik Moody from its aforementioned competitor, where he performed similar chores on Groove Garden and Local Sound Department. Still, Moody and DJ partner Don Cuco’s planet-spanning mix of hip hop, Afrobeat, reggae, grime, and countless other genres (including indie pop) has no antecedent in the known universe. From 12:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. each Sunday, The Rhythm Lab creates a world where racial, national, and cultural boundaries don’t exist, and where unabashed joy is thicker than water. Much of the show’s jaw-dropping luster comes from the likes of Yummy Bingham and Rodney Hunter. But the duo’s utopia isn’t built on recent stuff alone. Quincy Jones, Nightmares on Wax, and a host of other once and future masters add depth and range to a party that never seems to last long enough.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Tarik Moody, a graduate of Howard University in Washington DC, got his first taste of the music industry back in the mid 90’s as an intern for a cable access music video show called Sonic Ignition in Washington D.C. He met and talked to artists such as Chuck D from Public Enemy, Republica, and Cypress Hill. He moved to Minneapolis in 1998 and started volunteering at KFAI in 1999. Eventually he hooked up with DJ Jennifer and became co-host of the long-running show Groove Garden. In 2003, he became one of four hosts for KFAI’s Local Sound Department. Now he is a DJ and Digital Manager for 88Nine RadioMilwaukee.

DJ Don Cuco started his musical journey at the fresh age of ten. With Influences from Latin Rock to Afro Cuban jazz, Funk to Hip Hop, Electronica to Salsa, Reggae to Cumbia, Mendez has always been ahead of his time. He also plays guitar, and was featured on Los Nativos’ first full length album, Dia de Los Muertos. 

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