Local Chicago Soul
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Garland Green “Jealous kind of fella” 1969
A beast of a Chicago Stepper cut by Chicago’s own Garland Green. Oh, and he says, he’s not Jealous nor Violent in real life… he even released a song called “Don’t Think I’m a Violent Guy”. Good to know. more about “Garland Green “Jealous kind of fella”…“, posted with vodpod Someone who could “never lose”…
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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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This Love is Real
The Lovelites were a young female group out of Chicago featuring Patti Hamilton on lead. They gained notoriety in the late 60s for their song about teen pregnancy called “How Can I Tell My Mom and Dad (that I’ve Been Bad).” Here in Chicago, though, they are best known for “My Conscience”…a record penned by…
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This Day in Chicago Radio History
This week in 1967, at WBEE 1570-AM (out of Harvey), this was the Number One record on their BEE Line-up Chart. It’s the Radiants (on local Chess Records) with “(Don’t it make you) Feel Kind of Bad”. Also on the charts that week: 2. The Whole World is a Stage — Fantastic Four 3. The…
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Darrow Fletcher: when love calls.
Darrow Fletcher recorded his first record while still a student at Hirsch High School (77th and Ingleside); he later attended South Shore. Blessed with razor-keen phrasing and unique tone, his records stood out from the pack. Darrow toured the Chitlin’ Circuit, and appeared on Soul Train when it was in Chicago. After recording on several…
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Perfect Angel: minnie riperton stayed in love.
Minnie Riperton, native Chicagoan and Hyde Park High School alum, started her singing career as a receptionist for Chess Records (at 2120 South Michigan Avenue). There, Riperton recorded in a girl group called the Gems, and a Rock/Soul outfit called Rotary Connection (for the story of how, while in Rotary Connection, Minnie came to accept…
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This Love’s For Real
This is a Local Chicago record also recorded by The Impressions (and written by Leroy Hutson). Very obscure. Very Lincoln-Continental-with-the-suicide-doors Gangster. Enjoy.
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Danger, She’s a Stranger!
The Five can’t-say-too-much-good-stuff-about-them Stairsteps recorded this petite cherie in 1967.
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There is….Soul in Chicago
I love the Dells… Great group originally from Harvey, Illinois. They’ve recorded on various Chicago-based labels, including the Chess Records subsidiary Cadet Records. In 1967, the Dells issued the album, There Is, and the title track, a cut of baroque soul (produced by Charles Stepney) which showcased the gritty baritone of Marvin Junior and the…
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Leroy Hutson: Love the Feeling (of good old Chicago Lean)
Originally from New Jersey, Leroy Hutson attended Howard University, eventually majoring in Music. It was during those years that Hutson met Roberta Flack, Herbie Hancock, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, and Chicago’s own Donny Hathaway (who would become Hutson’s roommate). Hutson collaborated with Hathaway on “The Ghetto”, a smash 1970 hit (Hathaway’s first). In 1971, three…