UPR!SE is a blog dedicated to The Shrine's Patron Saint and inspiration, Fela Anikulpo Kuti.

The blog focuses on music, fashion, art, design, politics and culture. It is a celebration of trailblazing souls who rise up without compromise.

THE SHRINE, CHICAGO

Saturday, June 26, 2010

FELA BIO BACK IN PRINT!

First published in French and then in English back in 1982, this recently re-issued authorized biography of the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti by Carlos Moore IS FINALLY BACK IN PRINT!

A biography of Fela based many hours of first-hand conversation with the Afrobeat superstar and firebrand political presence -- written by Carlos Moore and featuring a forward by Gilberto Gil! It's an authorized biography of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti -- the fearless international musical figure whose legend has only increased since his passing and rightly so -- and it's essentially told in his own voice! Paperback, 290 pages. Available at Dusty Groove.

DIGGIN' CHICAGO - WINDY CITY CRATES: COMMON X DILLA X TONY ALLEN = HEAT

Dilla lifted the drums from a then one year old Tony Allen cut ('Asiko') for 'Heat', from Common's 2000 album, Like Water For Chocolate. Heat is right, damn! If you don't know the original cut by Allen, do yourself a favor and click the link above. It comes from Tony Allen's 'comeback' Black Voices album from 1999 - a classic in its own right. (Well you know Dilla was always on some real sh*t!)

Classic Common. Classic Hip Hop. Classic Chi-tilla Crates.

Friday, June 18, 2010

TINARIWEN LIVE IN CHICAGO 06/17/10

Hailing from northern Mali, Tinariwen played their blistering blues-styled Arabic music on Thursday June 6 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion for the 'Music Without Borders' series. Showcasing their guitar-driven in the style known as assouf; Tinariwen set the mood for the upcoming Blues Festival in Chicago.






CHECK OUT THE PROMO VIDEO FOR THEIR NEW ALBUM.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Master in the House, Mr Tony Allen!

We were truly blessed Monday night by the presence of Tony Allen and his entire band! No secret The Shrine is named after Fela's original Lagos nightclub, so to have Tony in the building was an honor and sort of brings it full circle. The Shrine hosted the official after-party and the crowd and the band were on the dance floor getting down! Of course the battery died on the camera...! Hopefully we can dig up a few more shots.



Monday, June 14, 2010

TONY ALLEN LIVE IN CHICAGO 06/14/10

Tony Allen with his explosive band headlined for the 'Monday Night In The Park/Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays' at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Monday, June 14. Afterwards, Tony and his band visited The Shrine for the Official Afterparty that showcased his latest cd 'Secret Agent' on Nonesuch.








Sunday, June 13, 2010

TONY ALLEN AT THE SHRINE!


The man who is the beat of Afrobeat, former Fela Kuti drummer and bandleader, will AT at The Shrine tonight Monday, June 14th. Right after his show in Millenium Park, Tony will be our very special guest for the official after-party! DJs Tone B. Nimble, King Scratch and Clark Quente spin the best of Tony and the heaviest in Nigerian sounds. Loads of giveaways, including posters, CDs and more. This is really history in the making. We couldn't be more honored to have Tony Allen bless us with a visit! Doors open at 9pm.



Rare PSYCO ON THE BUS track 2001