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:

¿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. 

NowListening

The Lemons - "Hello, We're The Lemons"

Infectously bouncy and hook heavy pop tunes that marry lo-fi audio style with 1960s flower pop. The Lemons constantly bring happy vibes by making their songs about eveything that makes them happy and for them that includes: "animals, friends, and food."

 Ahh, the simple things. 

For The Lemons, keeping it simple and fun works. While their happiness and cheer verges on kiddie or cult pop status from time to time, I think it's a part of their charm.

Buy the tape from Gnar Tapes

NowListening

OSHWA - Tigers

"Tigers" is the follow up EP of OSHWA's first full legnth LP  "Chamomile Crush". Bringing dreamy hints of pop influence paired with airy folk driven vocals and experimental instrumental work, OSHWA brings something out of the ordinary to the Chicago scene. For  tUnE-yArD and Dirty Projector fans the "Tigers" EP may be your new favorite tunes to add to your everyday playlist.

Jump to Chicago Mixtape to hear OSHWA on Chicago Mixtape's latest release "Captain Fluffy"
Or, just click below for a download of the EP

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NowListening

Hot Bagels - "Toasted"

Craig Woods a.k.a. Hot Bagels unleashes his raw vocals partnered with a distorted and distant recording style that easily pushes "Toasted" into the realm kick ass lo-fi album. Stripped down, raw, emotional, and noisy indie Punk can be found throughout this 15 track release.

Cop the digital release at Hot Bagels Bandcamp page or wait for the LP to be released via Be Happy Records on Feb 25th.

¿Music Videos?

I thoroughly enjoy every opportunity to watch Chicago suburbanite hooligans, The Orwells show off their performance skills and their new music video is a prime opportunity to get the front screen experience.


Weird, loud, melodic, throbbing, thrashing, pleading-screeching musical fun. The video for "The Righteous One" grows in simple and clean chaos mirroring the music of the song.
Watch below and party on.