It's been a while but I am back to give you, the readers, a listing of tunes, happenings and plugs that are going down. Let me begin by setting the record correct, beginning this month on Sundays, Grammy award winner, the Godfather of House, Frankie Knuckles will be spinning at Hydrate on Halsted in the heart of boystown. Yes, he returns to give a much needed presence for the children so please come out and support this night.
Bored on a Saturday night and looking to listen to some great house music? Well tune your radio to WLUW 88.7 FM and listen to The Groove Temple, hosted by DJ Shani from 11:30pm to 2am. Underground deep house featuring guest DJs Heather, Oscar McMillan and Darrell Woodson. If you are unable to pick up the station on your radio, connect via web by clicking on www.wluw.org and be sure to tell your friends. Visit also: www.groovetemple.com
When you need to get ovah the hump, come seek Refuge@Trace, 3714 N Clark St. Presented by Five Star Boogie Productions and hosted by the lovely Czarina. Deep and soulful house, disco and breaks, music lovers, b-boys and b-girls. Yours truly will be making guest appearances on occasion and the best part of the night is there is no cover!
Recommended Listening
Back To Love 03/03 (Hed Kandi) Various Artists
One of my favorite labels strikes back again featuring lost and rare classics in dance and urban soul. What better way to open this 2-CD set than with 'The Whistle Song' by Frankie Knuckles? Other classics include 'Show Me Love' by Robin S, 'We Got Our own Thang' by Heavy D. & The Boyz and old school classic, 'Think (About It)' by Lyn Collins (The Female Preacher).
Roger Sanchez presents Release Yourself 2003 (Defected)
Grammy Award winner Roger Sanchez delivers the second installment of his mix series, based on the same of his residency night. This 2-CD set offers a beautiful pre-party mix of smooth, Latin-flavoured vocals and house grooves then switches gears on CD two, taking it up another notch. Outstanding tracks include 'What You Are To Me' by Kaskade featuring Mellisa, 'La Noche y El Dia' by Susana Baca and 'Supersax' by Gattaca. Look for updates and more on his website: www.releaseyourself.com
Naked Music presents Lost On Arrival (Naked Music/Astralwerks)
Their latest adventure takes a different route from past releases and reflects on more dub-house, electro-funk and dirty disco. Exposing our ears to new and unfamiliar names and a few already known. Highlights on the album come from Chicken Lips presents Zeefungk ('Hey What You Doin?'), Trentemoller ('Le Champagne'), Ray Mang ('Aphreako') and Switch ('Get Ya Dub On'). For more information on this release and others, check their Website: www.naked-music.com
Sunset Sessions – Various Artists (Sunswept)
I picked up this release while roaming in Virgin Megastore downtown looking for downtempo, chill house and Latin-flavoured jazz. Talk about a winner and this is their first CD release for the label. Full of lush vocals, dubby jazz and a touch of electro-funk. The tracks that grabbed my attention the most were 'End of Me' by Mimosa, 'Brazilian Soul' by DJ Rhythm, 'I Feel Love' by Kluster and a clever dance remake of the Bobby Caldwell classic, 'What You Won't Do For Love' by The Gutter Boys presents Gwendolyn. Just the perfect compliment for a moonlight night, a glass of wine and some close friends. For more information, visit their Web site: www.sunsweptmusic.com
Maysa – Out Of The Blue (N-Coded Music)
Beautiful jazz vocals and well written melodies capture her dynamic range, as this is her second solo release from the former lead vocalist of Incognito and for the label as well. Contemporary and stylish, Maysa talks about relationships on 'Mr. So Damn Fine' and of being in love with 'Right Here, Right Now.' She also blesses us with her own rendition of two R& B classics, Earth, Wind and Fire 'Head To The Sky' and closes the CD with Sly & The Family Stone 'Family Affair.'
DJ Harry T Playlist
Disco Queen — Jesto Funk
Behind The Groove — Loveslap
Say Yes — Floetry
Feel The Music — Grant Nelson
Mas Alto — Mateo & Matos
Get On The Dancefloor — Johnny Fiasco
All Night Long '03 — Lionel Richie
Break It Down — DJ Sneak
