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Cult Movie of the Week: Sparkle
Not unlike many movies that are labeled as “Blaxploitation”, the soundtrack to Sparkle (1976) is often regarded more highly than the film itself. A Curtis Mayfield-produced gem sung by Aretha Franklin, the soundtrack to the movie is glorious… but laden with its share of controversy. What’s controversial? First, the film is a pre-Dreamgirls rags-to-riches story…
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Dream Big.
It’s easy to feel disheartened in these staunch economic times, but consider a chair with a dozen layers of paint. It’s full potential is only evident once that paint is stripped away, allowing pure possibility. That said, one of my favorite television shows right now is nextTV, a local program produced by the Chicago Urban…
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Mingus Awareness Project TONIGHT!
Tonight, a group of musicians will gather at The Hideout to celebrate the life and music of Charles Mingus, and to benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Mingus, an American musical hero who died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), is one of the greatest figures in jazz history. His bass playing, compositions and philosophy have…
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Studies on Soul from Johnny Spencer
Johnny Spencer is a British visual artist who has turned the sleeves of his 45rpm records (most of them American Soul from the 1960s) into hand-drawn studies (in ink, watercolor, pencil, and collage, et al). Amazing stuff. I wonder if he works on commission…
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The Five Stairsteps… in a World of Fantasy
Produced by Curtis Mayfield, the Burke brood had a number of hits years before the Jacksons hit the scene. Have a listen to an early television appearance… Chicago’s own….I dare you to step to this underage smoothness… more about “The Five Stairsteps“, posted with vodpod
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Art Comes Alive Tonight in Chicago
First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Tonight, Fri. May 1st) Happy hour takes on a new meaning with First Fridays at the MCA. Cash bar featuring specialty drinks and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers. Enjoy live music from local DJs, the world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar, creation stations, and more. Each month features…
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Portraits of Black Chicago: The Beat Goes On
Black bongo player performs at the International Amphitheater in Chicago as part of the annual PUSH [People United to Save Humanity] ‘Black Expo’ in the fall of 1973. October 1973 Chicago’s PUSH Black Expo was a powerful tour de force for Black Businesses nationwide at the time this photo was shot. Time magazine stated in…
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Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” Video
The news of my day is that Maxwell’s LONG-awaited new single, “Pretty Wings” has been officially linked (broadcast Wednesday morning on The Tom Joyner Morning Show). Of course, the show doesn’t broadcast here in Chicago (the #3 market in the country) anymore. So this is a Public Service, courtesy of Darkjive, with love. Maxwell has…
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i miss van hunt… THE UPDATE!
So, Van Hunt’s folks have graciously passed me this note with the following EXCELLENT news…“I’m thankful for your patience during the wait for new music. I’ve been working on a brand new collection. It’s close, but not quite ready. In the meantime, I’m offering a salve, a few rare items from the vault. I picked…
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Daykeeper by Foreign Exchange: Black and Blue
A couple of color-coordinated music videos for you… enjoy. First up, out of North Carolina, it’s Foreign Exchange. You just don’t see such beautiful videos on the tube anymore (great track, as well)… When I saw the above lusciousness, I was reminded of this one. Black and blue, Black and Blue. Still a visual stunner,…
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