Chicago, IL -
No New Intro –
You’ll be glad to know that we’ve kept the same name for this column. Groove Line is it and thus there is no need for an Intro this time around.
My Sunday Night -
A last minute, but welcomed, visit by out-of-town friends led us first to Nookies Tree for dinner, where they filled me in on their exploits down in Miami for Winter Party. These two “I want my music hi-energy and with lots of diva vocals” party boys had a good time overall saying that DJ Tony Moran (Interview with Tony Moran) seemed to hit the right balance with his music on the beach. They also really enjoyed the first part of DJ Abel’s set at Space that included many classic disco and circuit anthems.
Next stop for us was the Get Lucky Spring-T at Crobar Chicago with DJ Roland Belmares who was providing his signature energetic and fun musical style. The new re-make/re-mix of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Colton Ford and Pepper Mashay brought big smiles to all. After a few hours there, I headed to Hydrate Chicago to hear DJ Frankie Knuckles again prove why he is a true legend. His set was full of luscious, well orchestrated house music with an incredibly deep and sexy groove. On my way home I smiled brightly and relished the fact that Chicago provides such quality Sunday night options for the dancing set.
Here Comes That Sound -
Speaking of options, more seem to be on their way to Chicago. Sound-Bar appears to be opening with the general public finally able to gain access during the Grand Opening Weekend, March 26th and 27th. Quality music programming was always going to be a trademark of this club and with the smoking April line-up - Deep Dish, Junkie XL, Jimmy Van M, Seb Fontaine, Sander Kleinenberg, Laurent Garnier - that fact is quite evident. No official word on the resident DJs, but my sources have thrown the names of local favorites Lego and John Curley my way. Also, Chicago legend Derrick Carter may be making regular appearances. As for a special night for the dancing boyz, that’s apparently still in development, but probably scheduled for Sundays.
Concert Line -
Interesting shows of note coming up in Chicago: The one and only Al Green this coming weekend, March 26th and 27th at the House of Blues. … Next weekend it’s a huge line-up of talent as Missy Elliot, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys heat up Allstate Arena on Friday, April 2nd. … Van Morrison on Wednesday, April 7th at the Chicago Theatre. … Slipknot is in the area at the Congress Theatre on Friday, April 23rd . … Jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves at Orchestra Hall on May 8th and 11th. … Those of you who are fans of Blink 182 and No Doubt can catch them at the Tweeter Center on Sunday, June 13th . … His Royal Purple Badness, Prince, might be a very interesting way to start off Pride weekend on Friday, June 25th at the Allstate Arena. … I’m sure that Sting and Annie Lennox together in concert at the Tweeter Center on Sunday, July 18 is going to be a memorable event.
It’s All About The Music -
That incredibly beautiful voice you hear coming out of the speakers at your favorite club is Astrid Suryanto. Her dance hit “Rainwater” is one I never get tired of hearing. I promise a review of the vinyl double pack the next time around.
Dance music trend I hope goes away soon (or at least starts producing worthwhile quality stuff): Electro. This hot hot genre basically leaves me cold cold cold. I admit that Benny Benassi’s huge hit from last year, “Satisfaction,” was a breakthrough track and that there have been other tracks and remixes with notable electro appeal (the Micronauts remix of Madonna’s “Hollywood” comes to mind). However, much in this genre comes across to me as just horrid noise devoid of any groove or soul. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say that electro in and of itself is a bad dance “art form,” it’s just that much of the crap that’s produced in the name of electro is indeed crap.
Could that be India I hear singing on the new Masters At Work house cut “Voices In My Mind?” And those of you who “God only knows for what reasons” are still sporting a Gheri curl hair style, a new anthem is out there on Yoshitoshi Records by Whatever Girl: “Activator (You Need Some).” The remixes are on point.
Bye!
Comments? Questions? Need more information? Check out www.djplez.com or email djplez@aol.com.
You can hear DJ Plez at Ezuli on Mondays for the Recovery Supper Club (6pm – 2 am).
You’ll be glad to know that we’ve kept the same name for this column. Groove Line is it and thus there is no need for an Intro this time around.
My Sunday Night -
A last minute, but welcomed, visit by out-of-town friends led us first to Nookies Tree for dinner, where they filled me in on their exploits down in Miami for Winter Party. These two “I want my music hi-energy and with lots of diva vocals” party boys had a good time overall saying that DJ Tony Moran (Interview with Tony Moran) seemed to hit the right balance with his music on the beach. They also really enjoyed the first part of DJ Abel’s set at Space that included many classic disco and circuit anthems.
Next stop for us was the Get Lucky Spring-T at Crobar Chicago with DJ Roland Belmares who was providing his signature energetic and fun musical style. The new re-make/re-mix of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Colton Ford and Pepper Mashay brought big smiles to all. After a few hours there, I headed to Hydrate Chicago to hear DJ Frankie Knuckles again prove why he is a true legend. His set was full of luscious, well orchestrated house music with an incredibly deep and sexy groove. On my way home I smiled brightly and relished the fact that Chicago provides such quality Sunday night options for the dancing set.
Here Comes That Sound -
Speaking of options, more seem to be on their way to Chicago. Sound-Bar appears to be opening with the general public finally able to gain access during the Grand Opening Weekend, March 26th and 27th. Quality music programming was always going to be a trademark of this club and with the smoking April line-up - Deep Dish, Junkie XL, Jimmy Van M, Seb Fontaine, Sander Kleinenberg, Laurent Garnier - that fact is quite evident. No official word on the resident DJs, but my sources have thrown the names of local favorites Lego and John Curley my way. Also, Chicago legend Derrick Carter may be making regular appearances. As for a special night for the dancing boyz, that’s apparently still in development, but probably scheduled for Sundays.
Concert Line -
Interesting shows of note coming up in Chicago: The one and only Al Green this coming weekend, March 26th and 27th at the House of Blues. … Next weekend it’s a huge line-up of talent as Missy Elliot, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys heat up Allstate Arena on Friday, April 2nd. … Van Morrison on Wednesday, April 7th at the Chicago Theatre. … Slipknot is in the area at the Congress Theatre on Friday, April 23rd . … Jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves at Orchestra Hall on May 8th and 11th. … Those of you who are fans of Blink 182 and No Doubt can catch them at the Tweeter Center on Sunday, June 13th . … His Royal Purple Badness, Prince, might be a very interesting way to start off Pride weekend on Friday, June 25th at the Allstate Arena. … I’m sure that Sting and Annie Lennox together in concert at the Tweeter Center on Sunday, July 18 is going to be a memorable event.
It’s All About The Music -
That incredibly beautiful voice you hear coming out of the speakers at your favorite club is Astrid Suryanto. Her dance hit “Rainwater” is one I never get tired of hearing. I promise a review of the vinyl double pack the next time around.
Dance music trend I hope goes away soon (or at least starts producing worthwhile quality stuff): Electro. This hot hot genre basically leaves me cold cold cold. I admit that Benny Benassi’s huge hit from last year, “Satisfaction,” was a breakthrough track and that there have been other tracks and remixes with notable electro appeal (the Micronauts remix of Madonna’s “Hollywood” comes to mind). However, much in this genre comes across to me as just horrid noise devoid of any groove or soul. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say that electro in and of itself is a bad dance “art form,” it’s just that much of the crap that’s produced in the name of electro is indeed crap.
Could that be India I hear singing on the new Masters At Work house cut “Voices In My Mind?” And those of you who “God only knows for what reasons” are still sporting a Gheri curl hair style, a new anthem is out there on Yoshitoshi Records by Whatever Girl: “Activator (You Need Some).” The remixes are on point.
Bye!
Comments? Questions? Need more information? Check out www.djplez.com or email djplez@aol.com.
You can hear DJ Plez at Ezuli on Mondays for the Recovery Supper Club (6pm – 2 am).
