![Larry Levan, who made the highlight of a new collection of DJ mixes recorded at London superclub Ministry of Sound. Levan's work at New York club Paradise Garage was the inspiration for the London club. Larry Levan, who made the highlight of a new collection of DJ mixes recorded at London superclub Ministry of Sound. Levan's work at New York club Paradise Garage was the inspiration for the London club.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154237im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/06/levan_wide.jpg?t=1323197917&s=4)
Remembering Larry Levan, 'The Jimi Hendrix Of Dance Music'
Danny Tenaglia and Justin Berkmann tell stories about Levan, widely fĂȘted as the greatest DJ of all.
![NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums Of 2011 NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums Of 2011](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154237im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/04/albums_wide.jpg?t=1323055999&s=4)
NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums of 2011
Every album on this list opened our ears to something new this year.
![Artwork from the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra's 1970 album Consummation. Artwork from the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra's 1970 album Consummation.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154237im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/05/consumation_album-cover_wide.jpg?t=1323146828&s=4)
That '70s Swing: Big Bands And Bell Bottoms
In the age of rock, big bands offered musical power from non-electric sources. Hear five examples.
![Mates of State performs a Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices on September 21, 2011. Mates of State performs a Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices on September 21, 2011.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154237im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/01/matesofstate1_wide.jpg?t=1322789853&s=4)
Mates Of State: Tiny Desk Concert
The band's performance in the NPR Music offices creates a vibe of ragged, awkward intimacy.
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