This week we're going to party like it's 1699 -- because Jake Rudh is going to feature an instrument that was widely used in music back then: the harpsichord. No, it's not an hour of baroque and classical music (find that on Classical MPR), but Jake will feature the harpsichord used in rock and roll through the years, from the legendary artists who helped revitalize the instrument back in the 1960s to the indie acts keeping that sound alive today.

We turn to a different sound this week: It's time to set down the amped-up guitars to take you to another place and time for the sounds of bossa nova, jazz, down-tempo and lounge. The world's a rough place right now; that's why the music should not be.

This week marks the anniversaries of David Bowie's birth (Jan. 8) and sadly, his death (Jan. 10). So tonight on Transmission, Jake Rudh celebrates the career of Mr. Bowie by playing a song from each of David Bowie's albums in the order in which were released (until time runs out).

2017 was a rough year for many, which is why Jake Rudh is kicking off Transmission's first show of 2018 nice and smooth -- sophisti-pop smooth. What is sophisti-pop? It's artists who blended a mellow mix of pop, jazz, synth, bossa nova and more back in the mid to late '80s. Oh -- and dim the lights while you're tuning in; it's going to set the mood perfectly.

We look back at some of the best records released in 2017 within the Transmission wheelhouse. Whether it's new material from classic alternative artists still going strong, or newer acts carrying on that sound. Either way, we're going to hear it all.

This week on Transmission, we celebrate 1983 - a year packed with huge releases by huge artists like David Bowie, U2, New Order, and Depeche Mode. We're going to hear all of them and a whole lot more.

You got your older sister that lime-green Swatch watch; you already know Mom and Dad are giving your brother that boring Speak and Spell, so you're going to give him what he really wants this year: a Decepticon Transformer. You got Mom that belt from The County Seat, and Dad -- you really wanted to get him that car phone for the Fiero, but those things are like a thousand dollars, so you got him that Brut cologne set instead. This week on Transmission, it's Christmas 1984.

To celebrate the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, Jake Rudh takes us to a galaxy far, far away with tunes about Star Wars, space or sci-fi.

This week on Transmission, we focus on the synthesizer as two of the big names in '80s synth pop played the Twin Cities: Gary Numan at First Avenue on Tuesday, and Book of Love in the Entry on Saturday. DJ JakeRudh will keep those synthetic vibes flowing nicely right in between those shows.

Playlist