NPR Music

Brett Dennen appears on this episode of Mountain Stage, recorded live at the Cultural Center Theater in Charleston, W.V. Capable of cranking out big, beautiful pop songs complete with splashy keyboards, catchy hooks and danceable beats, Dennen can strip the same songs down to just his voice and a guitar with equally captivating results.

When NPR Music started inviting musicians to perform at Bob Boilen's desk back in 2008, we never could have expected that we'd one day host The Dismemberment Plan. For one, the D.C.-area group had long since disbanded; for another, its fleshed-out and periodically funky sound wouldn't seem to lend itself to vastly stripped-down arrangements.

You might remember Jimmie "J.J." Walker from his starring role on the legendary sitcom Good Times. But there's more to him than his signature tagline. For Tell Me More's "In Your Ear" series, he talks about some of the songs that mean something to him.

This week's two-hour mix from Metropolis host Jason Bentley features an epic new tune from Todd Terje, drum-and-bass legend Goldie remixing Joker, the Mat Zo anthem "Easy" and much more.

Playlist

• Grizzly Bear, "Will Calls (Diplo Remix)"
• Joker, "On My Mind (Goldie Remix)"
• Flume, "Sleepless (feat. Twin Shadow & Jezzabell Doran)"
• Basement Jaxx, "Mermaid Of Salinas (Original)"
• Shadow Child, "So High (Hot Since 82 Remix)"