The Nialations released on Brunswick’s BRC label.  Though it was released in 1973, it’s drenched in a honey-sweet feminine doo-wop sensibility that’s as at home in as L.A. as here in Chicago.  The track is an Alonzo Tucker production (once a member of Hank Ballard’s Midnighters (on guitar), Tucker collaborated with Jackie Wilson in 1961 [...]

The get down is about to go down again.  Old Soul 45’s spun with love at the Morseland.  Selections by me (DJ Ayana) and Gaucho.  Join us this Thursday December 10 starting at 9:30pm.  No Cover.  The Morseland is located at  1218 West Morse in Chicago (just blocks from Sheridan). Here’s a sample of some [...]

Here in Chicago, music fans know Linda Clifford as a singer affiliated with Curtis Mayfield’s camp in the disco era. But Clifford, a native New Yorker, is also a former Miss New York State, and at one time worked as an actress who played minor roles in major films like The Boston Strangler with [...]

Wishing you candied yams, green bean casserole, pie and a touch of “Love and Happiness” from local group Gregory James Edition (led by keyboardist Gregory Bibb and guitarist James Norris) on Chicago’s own Dakar Records, from their album “Prophets of Soul” (1973).  Found a GJE 45 on a recent trek. Killer, off-kilter funk.
Oh, save me a plate.
[...]

It’s about to go down.  Old Soul 45’s spun with love at the Morseland.  Selections by me (DJ Ayana) and Gaucho.  Join us this Thursday November 12 starting at 9:30pm.  No Cover.  The Morseland is located at  1218 West Morse in Chicago (just blocks from Sheridan). Here’s a sample of some of the proudly local [...]

Here’s a tasty slice of funk from the Duke of Earl himself, Gene Chandler.  Masterfully dapper, ever-so-smooth, Chandler gets funky on this Checker side from 1969.  An early version of the Curtis Mayfield track titled “Hard Times” the record manifests a ’creature feature’ vibe that’s fits this time of year like a rubber mask.
An alumnus of Englewood [...]

I remember where I was when I first heard this: the local round-the-way record store.  The carpet was checkered with the maytag logo in bittersweet on brown (harkening back to the store’s past life).  There we stood in a communal experience that began with the shop owner saying, “You’ve got to hear this record”. We [...]

Now is the time of year that our minds drift towards fantastical costumes and sugary delights. Above, perhaps the sweetest costume I’ve ever seen.  The Tootsie Roll Baby Bunting costume is made out of a soft brown felt and is available at Target.com.  A bit about Tootsie Rolls (a Chicago based classic):
Tootsie Rolls were first manufactured in 1896. 
The [...]

the alternate version of the video for Common's "Universal Mind Control". Directed by Lil X, shelved in favor of Hype Williams' robo-love version. Jive on.

Summer has left our once-warm grasp.  In memorium, Darkjive presents Chess Records’ Billy Stewart with a 1966 version of the classic song ”Summertime” (from Porgy and Bess).  I love how Billy Stewart’s scats interplay with insistent horns and halting guitar licks.  The drummer on the cut is a very young Maurice White (of Earth, Wind, and Fire). 
Originally [...]

Above, enjoy DuSable High school’s own Johnny Williams with Baby Be Mine, a classically Chicago-styled mid-tempo shuffler.  A delicious record, it was recorded at Brunswick Records here in Chicago (1449 South Michigan Avenue, to be exact) for their Subsidiary label, Bashie.  Get a whif of those cheering flutes on the tail end.  A beast.  Pictured [...]

1932— 
Born in Chicago on October 27, 1932, Fair attended the public schools here. He was inspired as a young man by fellow Chicagoan Richard Wright to begin writing. one of his prime influences, and a black English teacher encouraged him to keep writing.  Fair  ultimately published various short writings in the Chicago Defender, Ebony, Chat Noir, and other publications. [...]

I am bothered by tapes that disappear, tapes that record our collective story.  The sort that get erroneously misplaced, taped over, or buried (true stories, all).  It’s happened often in Chicago to bits of media that palpably documented Chicago Cultural History.  It seems to have happened too many times for my taste.  Here’s a few times [...]

From Jerry Butler’s little brother, Billy, it’s “I’ll Bet You”.  Jerry Butler, of course, was a member of the Impressions (as well as one of the most successful solo acts in Chicago Soul history).  Billy never quite made it out from the shadow of his superstar brother, but he made a few valiant efforts: among them, “Right Track”, and [...]

Recorded at the House of Blues here in Chicago a few days back.  It’s Mos Def, and his homage to the gloved one:  a fresh interpretation of “Billie Jean”.  Somehow, it works.  Invention isn’t dead, after all. Jive on!

Below is the studio work for the upcoming Fly Boy toy line by local visual artist Hebru Brantley (pictured above). A resident artist at Bronzeville’s Little Black Pearl Art & Design Center, illustrator Hebru has created everything from T-shirts and custom Adidas to wall-bound glory.  Now comes his first toy line, as much for grown-ups as for [...]