I had a scientific Russian neighbor for a while — he was trying to graft his pear tree into his apple tree — he had big plans. Never worked out.

Q: Musically, what was the richest period for American culture?

A: I think the birth of jazz and the emergence of sound recording was an incredibly rich period in American music. African American and white American musicians were influencing each other and sometimes even collaborating and playing together.

Q: What is the condition of the American music scene today?

A: Unfortunately, the money-driven side of music and music as big business seems corrupt. And this attitude seeps down from the big corporations at the top, where just a small handful of people are controlling “popular” music. Greed-filled attitudes trickle right down to the local music scenes. Of course, everyone wants to be paid fairly and respected for their work. I’m saying that chasing money can dilute the art. Actually, it has troubled people since ancient times — you know, “the love of money is the root of all evil.”

Q: What have you been listening to lately?

A: Amadou and Marium, “Dimanche a Bamako.” Their new CD is immensely popular in France, Europe and many parts of Africa right now. It’s infectious, can’t stop listening to it. Manu Chao, the producer, really popularized and hybridized their sound. Some may critique him for the production, but I liken it to Chris Blackwell’s work with the landmark recording of Bob Marley’s “Catch a Fire.” Chris introduced reggae to an international rock audience with the Wailer’s consent by using non-reggae session players and creative overdubbing.

Q: Radio stations in other countries play songs in languages other than their own (mostly American, but still). Is American radio inherently xenophobic?

A: I don’t think radio is inherently xenophobic — the corporations and businesses are trying to please shareholders. It’s about money, not xenophobia. If a hip-hop song out of Cameroon can make them money, they will play it. It’s probably easier for them to mine for gold with American “talent.” We still have NPR and local radio like WMSE.

Q: What is harder than trying to make it in the music business?

A: Raising children while trying to make it in the music business!

Q: What can you compare the feeling of playing live with?

A: I don’t know of anything else like playing live with a group. You can’t let your mind wander into the past or future, which is where the mind seeks to go naturally. The communication is deep and often non-verbal. Where else can you sit down with someone from a completely different culture and language and create together without speaking a single word?

Q: What influences your music the most: social or personal experience?

A: Both. I recently wrote a song dedicated to Wangaari Mathaai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace prize. I am so inspired by her life. But the song was personal as well. Everything is connected for me.

Q: Should the private lives of musician matter? For instance, should we

listen to Hilary Duff even if she spoke at the Republican National Convention? A: If Hilary Duff were to speak at the RNC, or the DNC for that matter, and we could learn something from her or be inspired by her than it would be a good thing.

Q: Has rap, hip-hop, R&B and pop all become the same thing?

A: I feel the separate genres are still there, yet all of them have cross-pollinated with each other to create new sounds. And some are really wonderful. I had a scientific Russian neighbor for a while — he was trying to graft his pear tree into his apple tree — he had big plans. Never worked out.

Q: Napster, Kazaa, eMule or Best Buy?

A: I still buy vinyl. Or I buy my downloads through Rhapsody. Haven’t gone back to Napster after all the big fallout.

Q: Can you make a guilty pleasure confession? Who do you listen to

sometimes that you probably shouldn’t? A: Pum Pum music. I just made up a new genre! Maybe I should produce a compilation CD, would you like to invest? “Do Your Pum Pum” by Lee Perry and the Silvertones, “Best Pum Pum” by Lady Saw and “Dip it Low” by Christina Milian would all definitely be on it.

Q: Who is the next best thing in music?

A: For pop music out there, I like the Black Eyed Peas. I’m glad Steel Pulse recently won a Grammy award for “African Holocaust.” I’m sure there is a new hybrid sound coming up on the street somewhere out there and I hope they get discovered.

Q: Who would you love to collaborate with (dead or alive)?

A: I recently had a lucid dream — I was working on a song with Bob Marley — lyrics and bass lines — it was so beautiful. I love collaborating with Tani Diakite. He is a magical ngoni gamelan player from Mali.

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