Archive for the 'Culture' Category

15
Jun
10

Rhymefest’s Prosperity….

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Chicago-based Rhymefest has a lot to say behind beats and when the needle isn’t down, too. The man is a conscious poet – one who comes across sincerely concerned for what’s happening around him. Recently he sat down with the Chicago Reader and made me respect him that much more.

It’s funny because I live in the hood near Barack, you’d think we’re doing good—but the amount of violence that happens in a ten-mile radius of here, it should be embarrassing to him. He should have more to say about the violence around his hood.
They were fixing things up around here for the Olympics and were going to gentrify the area. I just wonder: How do we get so much money for an Olympic bid, for this Olympic committee, but there is no money for teachers? How is there money for all these new police trucks, money for assault rifles, when we don’t even have enough police in the city? . . .

Chicago Reader interview featuring Rhymefest

And finally, his follow-up to Blue Collar, El Che is upon us. Get funkdafied with his qualms on preying upon the less fortunate on Prosperity…

25
Mar
10

In the Lab With Lidell…

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

I’m really comfortable now with the idea that I am this many styles….and this many directions….I feel like I can rightfully hold a compass….and feel like I’m not lost; I’m going where I want to be going…..

The soulful German, Jamie Lidell, not scared to experiment with his sound, either on record or in front of a live audience, is preppin’ Compass – his follow up to ’08′s Jim.

If the two tracks below are any indication, we’ll have more slow burners and funky cuts on the blues-tip.

Compass & The Ring

Below, step into the lab for a making and introspective face-time with Jamie, Beck, and Feist as they put it down….

16
Mar
10

Nuthin’ But a Hood Thang…

By Dave 3 Comments
Categories: Culture, Hood Internet, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Skeptics beware: This one burns – on the very smooth tip.

The mixologists with patience and respect for a track to let it ride, The Hood Internet, have proved less is more when re-creating 1992…

Hood Internet :: Nuthin’ But a Journal Thang (Dr. Dre vs Class Actress)

Hood,

Want to put me on the guest list at the Bottle on 4/3?

15
Mar
10

Wanna Be My Suitcase Pimp?

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Chicago 90s, Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

I made a mistake when composing my best of ’09 list. Like anyone who listens to many records in the course of 12 months, this end-of-the-year ritual – for some – is a challenge; like a post here, one could always go back and make changes, improve upon a previous draft, per se.

Prairie Cartel,the super group of the past few years – in awesomeness and the makeup of the members – unleashed, after many troubling events, Where Did All My People Go – an amalgamation of their former selves, with a serious, mature evolution of the dance meets spacey enthusiasts this quartet has become. 2009 was no joke when it came to records; but if I had to go in and edit, I’d realize, I made a huge mistake.

Prairie Cartel :: Suitcase Pimp

10
Mar
10

Autolux’s Joy Factory…

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Building up anticipation is a good thing. There is a reason the headlining act takes that additional 15 minutes to grace the stage. When they do, finally, all that buildup impatiently waiting around, becomes for something. Never do I condone it – but the wait is almost always worth it.

Here I am discussing minutes, where some bands think in other units – like years. Autolux, the treacherous trio armed with a wall of dirty, fuzzy sound capable of erupting, have yet to follow up their debut Future Perfect. Sure, Autolux, continue to wait behind the curtain and keep us salivating. If they do unleash their sophomore LP, and I am holding my breath, 2010 will solidify itself as one hell of a strong year.

So we don’t forget, and I won’t after previous gigs, they are baiting us along with the rumored to be 2010 release of Transit Transit. The latest news:

TRANSIT TRANSIT is going to be released on the following record labels:

U.S. & JAPAN —- tbd records (yes that is actually the name of the label) = tbdrecords.com
 U.K. & THE REST —- ATP Recordings = atpfestival.com/recordings
RECORD RELEASE DATE —- (YOU DON’T ACTUALLY THINK WE’D HAVE THAT YET, DO YOU??)
but we do have this:

Transit Transit tracklist:

1. Transit Transit
2. Census
3. Highchair
4. Supertoys
5. Spots
6. The Bouncing Wall
7. Audience No. 2
8. Kissproof
9. Headless Sky
10. The Science Of Imaginary Solutions

UNKLE, the London-based act not scared to experiment with all moods, has enlisted Autolux – again – for Joy Factory, a spacey and tripnotic, slow moving dance number.

UNKLE featuring Autolux :: Joy Factory

08
Mar
10

Mr Field’s Ladies….

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Soul burnin’ is what Lee Fields & The Expressions bring to the mix. Last year, I delved into more modern day funk and soul; these lyrical odes to ladies and love continue to linger throughout my head, bring a smile to my face, and make me groove – as always, in my kitchen. If you missed this man and his ability to craft modern day masterpieces, maybe his passion for women can reel you in…

Lee Fields & the Expressions :: Ladies

Fuck, do I miss Schubas…

02
Feb
10

Happy House From the Double Door!

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

When you miss a show, one with a momentous closer, do you watch/listen to a live clip in awe or disgust? I’m still trying to figure out the answer to my own question – but leaning towards the latter. Juan Maclean, the spacey house creator of last year’s The Future Will Come, an album best described as if LCD’s Sound of Silver butted heads with Human League, ripped up Chicago’s Double Door last year with Happy House. The evidence, and the ability for you to quickly find your gruuuve, await you below.

Yea, I’m going to go with disgust. 21 minutes of excellence!

23
Jan
10

Hard Times with Prairie Cartel…

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Chicago 90s, Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

If I was ever going to fall for a band before I even heard a note, it was inevitably going to be Prairie Cartel. A Chicago-based, smart, electro-rock act. Sure, the location this trio (ultimately) stemmed from helps; a passion for rock and dance-based music isn’t going to hurt either; but it’s where they really come from that secured a place in my rotation. From the ashes of Fig Dish, a 90s sound, meets power-pop Chicago act; and Caviar, the reincarnation of Fig Dish as a smarter, wittier act, who like its 90s older brother, met their demise because of major label drama. Fine and good, because Blake Smith and Mike Willison, both driving members of both aforementioned acts, teamed up again to found Prairie Cartel.

This 3rd generation Fig Dish does not stop there though – what cemented a fervent interest in this act was when they recruited local Scott Lucas, who receives an occasional head nod over here. Placing these three veterans together churned out, Where Did All My People Go, a serious, potentially party-like record, one that should have ranked higher in ’09.

Recently, the China Shop began an exposé on this Chicago supergroup and its long road to finally recording last year’s dirty rock record. Blake Smith was recruited to report, in narrative form, this long and treacherous journey.

Prairie Cartel :: Jump Like Chemicals

Prairie Cartel :: 10 Feet of Snow

21
Jan
10

Canada’s Workman Dances to Yesterday….

By Dave 1 Comment
Categories: Canadian, Culture, Hawksley Workman, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Oh, 2010. It just don’t stop. The year has already unleashed greatness; more goodness awaits us. The Canadian one-man jam, Hawksley Workman, who has become a favorite as of late, is putting out two, yes, two new releases in this momentous year. (could be?) A quick blurb:

Workman will be cementing his electro-rock corner with his dual releases this year. With the albums Meat, out tomorrow on his own imprint Isadora Records, and Milk, a digital release which will premiere a track at a time on his website, Workman says he’s relocated an experimental, wild groove he hasn’t felt since 1999’s breakthrough For Him and the Girls. It took him a long time to process the fickle nature of being a pop super star.
18
Jan
10

Johnny, Cover This!

By Dave Leave a Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

It seems I’ve been in the cover mood lately? Or, is it simply: I’m always on the prowl for pure pop greatness. The source? Originally, Fine Young Cannibals – an act I never knew were so capable. This 80s/90s English trio put out the driving scorcher Johnny Come Home – why did I hear this for the first time in 2010? Junior Senior, an over-the-top Danish pop act gained some popularity for Move Your Feet. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this duo became defunct to pursue solo careers. Senior, who is going under his first name, Jeppe, has unveiled where he is headed. His cover is robust with 80s synth dance madness. If I was more literate in Fine Young Cannibals, I might have objected to touching their pop perfection; but since I’m not, I’ll bask in the glory of both versions.

Jeppe :: Johnny Come Home

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