Music
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Maybe the oldest rap music you’ll ever hear…
Cadillac Jack by Andre Williams Andre Williams rapping about the Southside of Chicago with doo-wop backing by the Dells back in 1968. Produced by Charles Stepney. Local Chicago Chess Records magic. Dig it.
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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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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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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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Hi-Fi White: Foodstamps, Bulldogs, and Hollywood
Wilbur White was a nightclub singer on the South Side of Chicago whose bluesy growl wielded so much power that he was nicknamed Hi-Fi. He’d been in the clubs since the 1950s, and although I hear he put on a knockout of a show, that never translated into record sales. Speaking of knockouts, he…
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B.J. the Chicago Kid’s in “Denial”
I am a sucker for samples of “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys. Seriously. I love that song. Anyway, “Denial” by B.J. the Chicago Kid is another fresh local record that has got the Darkjive seal of approval (the track was produced by Scoop Deville, and was originally used for a record by “Hot Dollar”…
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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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