Blogs about: Local Chicago Music
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I’m a sucker for colored wax; but this is more than just a pretty face.
I just found this lovely promo record. As you can see, it’s Curtis Mayfield’s “We Got to Have Peace”. It’s from the album Roots that he released back in 1971. The album… more →
darkjive.com
I'm a sucker for colored wax; but this is more than just a pretty face.
wrote 1 month ago: I just found this lovely promo record. As you can see, it’s Curtis Mayfield’s “W … more →
The All-Brunswick Records Blow Out (Side A and Side B)
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wrote 2 months ago: A mix of music featuring all local Chicago Soul from the Brunswick Label. The label was originally f … more →
Reclaimed Soul Episode 037: Otis Clay's Truth Is...
wrote 4 months ago: On this installment of Reclaimed Soul (my radio show), we’re be graced by Chicago vocalist Oti … more →
The Early Editions: Swinging Soul and Afro-Pop from the Windy City.
wrote 4 months ago: “People Try” b/w “What is Wrong With Grovin’” is a hip little record … more →
Fontella Bass: In Memorium.
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wrote 5 months ago: Fontella Bass was an amazing lady who passed away on December 26th, 2012. In memorium, Darkjive revi … more →
Terry Callier: You Goin' Miss Your Candyman.
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wrote 7 months ago: We lost Terry Callier on Sunday. He was an artist who melded Soul, Folk, and Jazz seamlessly. My fir … more →
Donny Hathaway: more than we could ask for.
wrote 7 months ago: A short piece on one of my favorite artists of all time. He was an amazing vocalist, as well as an e … more →
Amanda Love: You Keep Calling Me By Her Name.
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wrote 9 months ago: (above, 45 sleeve art by Johnny Spencer. for more on him, click here) Not a lot is known abo … more →
One Day I Was Walking: Soulful Gospel from the Swan Mellarks (Update!)
wrote 10 months ago: Just to give you some warning… Lynnell Harris (misspelled as Lindell Harris on the label) has … more →
McKinley Mitchell: This place ain't getting no better.
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wrote 1 year ago: Based in Chicago, McKinley Mitchell was one of the Chicago School of R&B belters I’m so fo … more →
The Buckinghams: Chicago's answer to the British Invasion.
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wrote 1 year ago: The Buckinghams were by far one of the biggest pop-rock hit makers to come out of our city. Named fo … more →
La Cade: The little hair care company that made some big waves.
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wrote 1 year ago: La Cade Products was another of many Chicago-based black hair care firms (that I detail here) during … more →
Don Cornelius: made Soul a household name.
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wrote 1 year ago: One of the most amazing things about the life of Don Cornelius (and to be clear, this post is about … more →
More and More: Little Milton's plea for more as the cost of living was skyrocketing.
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wrote 1 year ago: Whew. That was a long blogpost title, huh? I know. But, let me explain: In late 1967, Chess Records … more →
Fontella Bass: sassy soulful siren in the first degree.
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wrote 1 year ago: Fontella Bass is an amazing lady. Not only is the trajectory of her career fascinating, but she … more →
Ricky Allen: He can't stand no signifying... come to think of it, me either.
wrote 1 year ago: signifying (verb): a good-natured needling or goading especially among urban blacks by means of indi … more →
Dorothy Donegan: Chicago's own Jazz Cover Girl
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wrote 1 year ago: Darkjive focuses mainly on soul music born and bred here in Chicago during the golden era of Chicago … more →
Al-teen Records: Bill Meeks' little ships of soul
wrote 1 year ago: Bill Meeks was, in the late sixties, a jingle writer here in Chicago who started a record label call … more →
Jo Armstead: a giant among men.
wrote 1 year ago: Jo Armstead is a Mississippi-bred firecracker vocalist who is also a dynamite songwriter (a field do … more →
