Here in Chicago, Reclaimed Soul airs Thursdays 8-10PM (CST) on Vocalo.org 89.5fm. You can stream live at http://vocalo.org/player.

Now folks can listen anytime to radio featuring sound rich interviews and an all-vinyl playlist (courtesy of host Ayana Contreras). Reclaimed Soul is about taking old materials (records, buildings, ideas, et al) to push us all forward.

http://vocaloreclaimedsoul.tumblr.com/

click here to access the archives now!

This Friday, (aka DJ Ayana) am spinning at the Southside Community Art Center, an establishment originally founded with help from the WPA during the Great Depression. It is the nation’s oldest African American Art Center.

Also on the bill is the David Boykin Trio (featuring Marcus Evans on drums, Alex Wing on bass, and Boykin on saxophone.) More details on the flyer below. Jive on!

Someone recently described me as an Archaeologist. At first, I didn’t really see the connection, but then I thought for a moment. One of the things I love most about record collecting is how much akin it is to an Archaeological “dig”. A person finds the physical record, occasionally has to dust it off, and often there is incredible meta-data housed on the labels and sleeves that don’t make into CD liner notes or embedded into an mp3.  Case in point: above, a 1970s Roots Reggae 12 inch single I picked up at a local record store. I see that it belonged to someone named C.T. (scrawled in pen in the corner), and that it was purchased on the North Side of Chicago at a place called Studio 1 Records ["the place for Carribean Sounds and Crafts"], based on a rubber stamped logo.

This particular recording very clearly displays the ingenuity that occurred in the process of getting this record (that was pressed in Kingston, Jamaica and still smells like incense) out to the public. On the outside, it’s packed in a generic white paper sleeve with the word “disco” printed near the center hole cut out. But on the inside, it’s clear that the sleeve was made from repurposed paper. In fact, it was made from uncut flats from boxes of Jamaican Ovaltine Biscuits (a national favorite snack cookie, then and now). Dope.

So much more than I would have gotten from your garden variety download.

The 21st Century were yet another Kiddie Soul group out of the Chicago area (not unlike The Jackson 5, The Eight Minutes, Cindy & the Playmates, The Five Stairsteps, Pat & Pam, and The Brighter Side of Darkness). Many of these groups are detailed further here.

The group hailed from the West Side and were signed to RCA purportedly based on selling some 250,000 units of their 1975 single “Remember the Rain” in Chicago alone with no formal distribution. An album, titled “Ahead of our Time” followed, mostly produced by the mastermind behind that first single, Michael Smith.

Below, the classically moody “Remember the Rain”, which starts out with the prepubescent lead vocalist lamenting:

“We used to play out in the rain,

Your mother scolded us

She said that we were bad.

(she said that we were bad)

I thought I’d better go on home…

you watched till I was gone

Ooh Girl, you looked so sad.

I picked you up when you fell and cut your knee

I told you not to cry and held you close to me….

Interestingly enough, a 17 year old named David Leathers, Jr. auditioned for American Idol with the song. He went on to make it on to the show.

Another cut off the album is “Tricks are Made For Kids”, which has sort of a “Dancing Machine”-era Jackson 5 sound to it.

It’s as much a funky dance record as “Remember the Rain” is a Blue Light Slow Jam. Enjoy and Jive on.

Above, a bit of video from my Artistic Residency last year with Theaster Gates’ Dorchester Projects, in which I wax poetic about Chicago’s own Mercury Records, Jerry Butler, and the Impressions.

I love sharing the stories behind the music I love with the general public; and was reminded of that as I embark on Hosting and Producing “Reclaimed Soul” (a weekly radio show on Vocalo.org) which premieres tomorrow night at 8pm CST. The show, of course, will feature stories as well as music. For more about Reclaimed Soul, click here.

Below is an excerpt from the first episode. Jive on!

I’m not sure what exactly is revolutionary about this record, titled “Music Revolution” and released by Donald Jenkins and the Delighters in 1975, but it sure is lovely. It’s what I like to call Basement Soul. It also reminds me of how much I miss skin tight harmonies.

A local Chicago record through and through released on tiny Black Beauty Records (64th and Maryland is the address listed on the label) this record is one of a couple that Donald and the Gang put out in the mid-seventies.

Having released a smouldering, haunting cut called Elephant Walk in 1962, the group never had another such hit, but did put out a smattering of quality singles. By the time “Music Revolution” came out, I imagine the group had their share of wives, babies, and day jobs. That sort of backstory behind such loveliness commands even more respect.

Below, for comparison’s sake, “Elephant Walk”. It’s the story of a self-proclaimed “American Boy from the South Side of Chicago” who meets and falls in love with a “Native Girl from darkest Africa”. Interesting theme, and really interesting use of echos and animal sounds. Jive on.

from our friends at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport:

Objet Petit Ahh… is a single-evening exhibition and smashing party of artist-created piñata-sculptures.

In what could be the most destructive art exhibition in the history of Chicago, all of the artwork in the show will be obliterated by the show’s closing that evening. Whatever various and sundry contents should spill forth from the piñata sculptures will immediately be considered public property.

A User-Directed Super Raffle™ will determine the privilege of smashing each piñata, and all proceeds will go to benefit Version Festival 12. Each raffle ticket is $2. If you buy 5 tickets for $10 you will get a copy of the just released Proximity #009.

PLUS! In addition to the curated piñatas in the exhibition, the event will conclude with a Bring Your Own Piñata finale. Anyone attending the show may bring a piñata to add to the fun. Plus, all BYOP’s will be exhibited until the finale, so basically, yeah, you’re in the show. Put it on your resume… Whatever!

The beer’s free, but BYOP(iñata)!

April 14, 2012
6pm… 11pm-sih
3219 S Morgan St

Surplus of Options presents another night of sounds and sights.

HEAR:

David Boykin’s Expanse
David Boykin (reeds, v)
Jim Baker (p)
Josh Abrams (b)
Marcus Evans (d)

&
DJ Ayana Contreras
laying down solid tracks throughout the night.

SEE:

The found photography of Wilbur P. Holmes. These are the personal works of an artist who freelanced for Jet Magazine. Photos are circa 1960′s-70′s.

$10 suggested donation
20% off all antiques & art
free snacks & drinks

Saturday April 21st, 8pm til 1am

Surplus of Options

3644 North Lincoln Ave.

Chicago

for more on Wilbur Holmes, click here.

from siskelfilmcenter.org:

STONY ISLAND
(aka MY MAIN MAN FROM STONY ISLAND)
1978, Andrew Davis, USA, 97 min.
With Richard Davis, Edward Stoney Robinson

At the Siskel Center, 164 North State Street, Chicago

Wednesday April 4th (8pm-9:30pm), Thursday April 5th  (8:15pm-9:45pm)
“Stony Island has been the birthplace of great American music and amazing musical talent, nurturing the likes of my fifty year brother, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Kahn, Curtis Mayfield and Maurice White. I’m also a kid from the South side of Chicago . MUSIC MAKES US ALL ONE AND “STONY ISLAND ” IS A TESTAMENT TO MUSIC BEING THE WORLD’S COMMON LANGUAGE. THIS TIMELESS MOVIE IS FILLED WITH BIG-TIME HEART AND SOUL. From the Gene Barge tenor sax version of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”, a favorite of Dr. Martin Luther King, to the guitarist’s guitarist Phil Upchurch, one of my all time favorites – this flick is kicking!”
—Quincy Jones

For his first feature, Chicago native Andrew Davis (THE FUGITIVE) made the most of atmospheric neighborhood locations on Chicago’s South Side in this lively, funky, bluesy story of two dreamers pulling together a band from nothing. Multicultural before it was in fashion, and independent before there was a movement, STONY ISLAND became a breakout phenomenon. Richie, a Stony Island guitar player, and his best friend Kevin, recruit their undiscovered talent in Chicago’s dives and alleyways. A venal alderman, an insurance scam, and the state funeral of Da’ Boss are the icing on the cake, but the cake is music, with Gene “Daddy G” Barge, Larry Ball, Ronnie Barron, and more. Also includes appearances by Rae Dawn Chong and Dennis Franz, and the cinematography of Tak Fujimoto (FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF). 35mm. (BS)

Director Andrew Davis will be present at both screenings for audience discussion. He will be joined by Tamar Hoffs, Gene Barge and Susanna Hoffs on Wednesday and by Richie Davis, Tamar Hoffs and Susanna Hoffs on Thursday.

Stony Island comes to DVD April 24th, 2012.