R.I.P. Frankie Knuckles, Chicago House Pioneer

Chicago house music artists/producer, Frankie Knuckles, passed away yesterday (03.31.14) due to cause related to diabetes. 

Frankie Knuckles career brought him to be known as the Godfather of Chicago House music, the electronic dance wave that flourished out of Chicago in the 1980's. Knuckles is an east coast native born in the Bronx, who moved to Chicago in the 70's during the dying days of disco. Knuckles made his name by combining Soul and R&B tracks with rhythm friendly drum loops.

Knuckles was not only a heavy hitting house DJ but he made major strides in popularizing Chicago house music through his influence on DJs from the 80's until today. (I mean everyone from Daft Punk to QuestLove show mad respect for Frankie Knuckles)

Even though it is a sad time at least Frankie's legacy will always be one that keeps us dancing. 

Listen to a quick mix of Frankie Knuckles music below:

Soul Togetherness USA Grooves On With Sonorama At The Globe

Chicago DJ collective, Sonorama,  will show off soul filled Latin gems at The Globe tonight as a part of Soul Togetherness USA "Rare Soul Weekender" -- a (mostly) free weekend festival focused on rare and obscure American soul music. The weekend of epic soul-centric events span from a record fair, multiple dance parties, and even a Soulful Chicago bus tour! Who doesn't love a bus tour, especially one hosted by Reggie's Rock Club.

The festivities for Soul Night #2 start up at 8 PM and will be rockin' until the early hours of 2 AM. Sonorama will be taking us through the night as the host of "The Soul of Latin America Room," where they'll spin some tunes like the ones below and bring on fits of Latin groove drive dancing.

For a preview of some musica con soul, listen below:

(((SONORAMA))) CON SOUL ! by Sonoramachicago on MixcloudFor information on the rest of these rare soul focused events visit HERE.

¿Music Videos?

Oshwa Share "Fashions To Make" With Some Live Studio Scenes

The experimental group Oshwa show off their groove heavy, instrumentally fluttering, dreamy pop skills in their track "Fashions To Make." The video  is a live clip from their show at Observatory Studios with Boston Indie rockers Krill.

Loved what you listened to? Go See Oshwa TODAY at The Burlington with Vaya and Geronimo. Or they will be playing a Chicago Singles Club Showcase at The Empty Bottle on April 07.

NowListening: Psalm One

Psalm One: Chicago Hip Hop Heroine

Picture via https://www.facebook.com/psalmone

I must admit before I continue on,           I freaking love Psalm One.

I had the opportunity to hear her speak during a Music Business and Culture class at DePaul. Not only is Psalm One a heavy hitter when it come to smart and thoughtfully insightful lyrics, but she is an all around BADASS WOMAN.  Her story would make a great made for TV movie that I would happily watch and relate to in so many degrees. From Chicago's Engelwood she went on to study Chemistry at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne and then found herself back home and in the Hip Hop game. She's been holding her own in a male dominated genre and proves through her rhythms and tunes that great MCs have no gender or subject requirements. AND.. she mentors children through her program Charm Lab and released the album "Child Support" with all proceeds going to ASCAP Songwriter Residency. That is right people, not every popular has to be about getting bitches and making money....get your shitt together now. 

Ok now back to her current work.

Recordings of "No Problems" and "Come Meditate"  were recently released via Chicago Singles Club.  Pslam is supported in the Studio by the full band, Sexy Decoy and her long time hype woman Fluffy, making each track filled with raw talent in many oh so many forms (everything from saxophone licks to vocal spells to entice you).

Listen and download the tracks HERE.

In other news, Psalm One is also releasing music as Hologram Kizzie.
Watch her newest video below.

For more Psalm One music go HERE. 

Just want more Pslam One: Twitter & Facebook. 

Cop That: Divino Niño - Pool Jealousy

Divino Niño is a four piece band from Chicago via Bogota, Colombia/ Miami, Florida.  Estos chavos channel a classic 1960's groove, marry it with Prince meets Santana vocals and then have an affair with traditional Latin American rhythms and mystical melodies. They manage to subtly mesh these influences together to create a distinct sounds that moves everything from your mind straight down to your hips.

The release of Divino Niño's debut album has been set for April 8th via The Native Sound and will feature a few previously released tracks. Including the funk forward, "Pink Crystals" and their newest release, a whimsical tune that hints at the music of a Mr. Ritchie Valens (Valenzuela), "It's Been Like It Never Used To Be."

Listen to them both here. 


Like what you hear? Pre-order the album here.
If you do it quick you can snag a limited edition teal copy of the vinyl, oooh colors. 

Hasta Amigos.

¿Music Videos?

Chicago party rapper ShowYouSuck has been working hard this month already releasing two new music videos. First he released the visually and lyrically satircal video for "Flip Phone", a track off of one of my favorite Chicago 2013 mixtapes OMPP4: Slice After Death.
"Make-Out King" which appears on his EP "Dude Bro",  is an upbeat tune that sounds like a perfect Friday cruise and features production by the Hood Internet and Javelin. Not only do these tracks bring a carefree and fun vibe throughout  but the animation heavy videos bring the fun to a whole new level.

May your eyeballs and ears enjoy!