ayanacontreras
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Iconic Johnson Hair Products back in Black Hands….
Johnson Products started a half-century ago in Chicago as an innovator in black hair care. The black-owned business sold to a white company (Proctor & Gamble), but it’s now back in black hands…. from Chicago Public Radio’s Natalie Moore: click here for the rest of the story…
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Representations: A Letter, An Essay, and Five Questions
from the Experimental Station: On Friday, April 10 at 6 pm, at the Experimental Station, Lee Ann Norman and Theaster Gates (below) will be presenting the next happening in their year-long series entitled “Representations: A series on Culture, Politics and Aesthetics.” Please join Lee Ann and Theaster at the Experimental Station for “A Letter, an Essay, and…
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Ain’t No Love Lost…a lost Curtis Mayfield gem
The year was 1972. The Year of his “Superfly” soundtrack (arguably, one of the best albums ever to come out of Chicago), and Curtis Mayfield could do no wrong…including this record, produced by Mayfield (and arranged by Rich Tufo). A sixteen year old Nashvillian named Patti Jo says to some Cassanova, “ain’t no love lost“. …
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Come With Khari Lemuel
Local artist/instrumentalist Khari Lemuel performing his song “Come With Me” with Yaw (video by Bobby Rocwell)….Super talented brother who I’ve seen perform live multiple times. His voice combines some of the best elements of Chicago Soul’s legacy: rootsiness, spirituality, truth, and beauty. Below, Khari’s composition “Good Morning Love” summons the power of Curtis Mayfield (and…
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Harlem Shuffled to Paris
For those of you who are new to this ride, I’ll let you know now: I have a thing for Black Francophones. Random, perhaps. Anyway, I present to you a Moroccan singer named Vigon (pictured left with Stevie Wonder). Vigon performed in France starting in the mid 1960s, and at one time performed with a…
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Nothing wrong with a little Sweat….
I’ve been grooving to this in the whip for a while now, but I haven’t posted it….. for shame. Hope you like it. A bit about Peter Hadar: “With just the right amount of heart, soul and edge, Peter Hadar IS the Coolest Weirdo” – Rahsaan Patterson Born Peter Winstead, Jr. in New Jersey, Peter…
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Thirsty for More….
Bloody awesome rock and roll is what this music is….and I’m Thirsty for more… The Thirst are an afro-punk-rock band based in Brixton, London. The band consists of brothers Mensah (vocals/guitar) and Kwame Cofi-Agyeman (bass), Mark Lenihan (guitar) and Marcus Harris (drums/backing vocals). I’m going to be racist for a moment and say that Rock…
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Jive on Icon: Naomi Sims
It was 1967. While “Black is Beautiful” sounded a vigorous call to confront and love our authentic African selves, Naomi became “the first black woman accepted as a beauty in her own right,” as she was later described. Her image of authoritative ebony inspired all women of color to pride. Never had a model so dark-skinned…
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The Shrine is coming…
(n.): A new music venue bringing entertainment back to Chicago nightlife, expected to open Memorial Day weekend 2009. Joseph Russo, The Shrine’s founder and principal, has a number of legendary nightlife establishments in Chicago, including: The Funky Buddha, Thyme Restaurant, and its upscale lounge component Sinibar. The Shrine’s Myspace page promises: “A fusion of a…
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an Afro-Punk mixtape, mon amour
featuring: 1. Whole Wheat Bread – Throw Yo Sets Up 2. Dallas Austin – Children of the Revolution 3. Janelle Monae – Violet Stars Happy Hunting 4. The London Souls – Someday 5. Irradio – Call The Nation 6. Amercian Fangs – LeKick 7. The Smyrk – The Ballad of Fletcher Reede 8. J.U.S Evolution…
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