I think I have quite a knack for anthologizing. While I’ll always be an ‘album-first’ music listener, I am a huge fan of the mix tape (or, as I should probably start calling it, the mix CD). In fact, I love them so much, I think that’s going to be the subject of a new [...]
The All Seeing No Evil Speaking Schizophrenic Juju Dreamer Soothsayer Adam’s Apple
As my music collection continues to balloon to an unwieldly weight with new suggestions and discoveries pouring in from all genres, I find myself more and more thankful for the bedrock albums and artists who I can always turn to. I hear considerable amounts of clutter and a lot of music that fails to move [...]
Rainy Days, Rainy Thoughts
Quite a rainy weekend. Chicago has very inadequate drainage and consequently the streets are filled with enormous puddles and, if one drives by at exactly the right moment, the eyes can revel in the sidewalk tsunamis CTA buses launch upon curb-hugging pedestrians.
I can’t speak for my other two roommates, but I am relieved the rain [...]
What’s Left of Jazz
Chicago’s Jazz Festival turned 30 this year, news you couldn’t miss if you attended, because someone made sure to remind us every chance they had. This was imperative because this festival is one of the last pillars of jazz in the country, but as always, the organization that runs it needs money.
There was a [...]
There Is A Nebraska
A recording from February 26, 1973, confirms what many social scientists and historians have long suspected: Nebraska’s existence is integral to the unity and culture of our nation.
Many had wondered whether Nebraska was a true necessity, citing its turbulent history, inconsistent position in the civil war, and endless miles of useless cornfields. It had been [...]
Showcasing Jazz
Accomplished 2 things over the weekend: seeing Corey Wilkes and checking out the newly reopened Jazz Showcase.
Wilkes is incredible. The new Showcase… not so much. Acoustically superb, but the cover costs are exorbitant, the drink prices are at the brim of tolerance (and taste suspiciously watered down), the chairs are horribly uncomfortable, and the tables [...]
Psychadelic Days Are Here Again
I consider myself a pretty lucky guy for plenty of reasons, not least among them suddenly finding out that The Black Angels were coming through Philadelphia while I’m staying here. I was also surprised that they were playing in so small of a venue, just another stroke of luck for me.
I got my hands on [...]
Death Cab’s Surprise
Ah, I am not alone. Greg Kot, writing for the Chicago Tribune, also found Death Cab’s new album to be full of surprises. I feel less silly about it now that someone in a position of authority feels the same way.
Mecca and the Soul Brother
School ends soon and then, alas, so too will my project.
The list of music to put on this DVD is enormous and difficult to narrow down, but there was never a question about this: Mecca and the Soul Brother had to find a place on it.
So many great duos have graced hip-hop–Gang Starr and Atmosphere [...]
Daily Operation
I’ve been mining hip-hop lately to put get some suggestions for a student of mine and one of the best parts of this project is revisiting Gang Starr. Daily Operation is their third release (1992… jeez!), continuing to deliver what the duo of DJ Premier and Guru is best known for: lines with street cred [...]
