PSYCHEDELIC PERNAMBUCO

70s psychedelia from the northeastern state of Pernambuco, Brazil – incredible stuff that combines rawly percussive tropical sounds with a world of psychedelic creativity and possibilities – one of the best compilations ever put together by Mr Bongo! Lula Cortes was a pivotal figure in the scene and he's pretty well represented here, including his influential recordings with Ze Remalho. Even more exciting, though, is the stuff we've never been fortunate enough to hear before now – and there's a pretty good deal of it! The fusion of global psyche and folk sounds into a distinctly Brazilian sound is nothing short of amazing – regional and traditional percussion underneath sitars, lutes, keyboards and more. It features songs by the great Lula Cortes & Ze Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo & Alceu Valenca, Marconi Notaro, Flaviola E O Bando Do Sol and The Gentleman.

Lifted from Dustygroove Buy it there on LP or CD!

STONEFACE & LIFE EVERLASTING (on 45!)

Rare Afro psych funk from Nigeria – the one-and-only single ever cut by Stoneface & Life Everlasting as a group, even though the members are largely made up of Nigerian scene veterans – an incredible 45! "Love Is Free" is totally killer. It's got some raw electric guitar and funky percussion, blending Afro Funk and global psychedelia in a way that's really not a whole lot like anything we've heard before. The electric guitar helps kick this one into the stratosphere, and the gritty vocals are great, too. "Agawalam Mba" on the flip might be even more amazing, with this rumbing funky bottom end that serves an insistent guitar groove – but the growly lead and group shout backup vocals drive it just as heavily. Amazing stuff – one of the greatest records yet reintroduced via Academy & Voodoo Funk – even if it is just a 45! (Limited to 1000 copies. Bound to disappear quickly, too. . . don't sleep on this one!)

Lifted from DUSTYGROOVE

MYSTERON INVASION!

Soul Jazz brilliantly bridges pioneering Jamaican digital dancehall to contemporary and future funk practitioners schooled in the style – the epic Invasion Of The Killer Mysteron Sounds compiled by The Bug and Stuart Baker! Mysteron Killer Sounds comes with a loose, comic book theme – "Alien Sound Lord Abductors" come to capture souls while the "Digital Defenders" have arrived to protect them – and it's fitting! The material here cherishes the hertiage of Jamaican and other points tropical dance music with sweaty, feverish rhythms – be they first wave Jamaican dancehall revolutionaries or next phase innovators. Fantastic material on Soul Jazz – work that will stand the test of time! Vol 1 is compiled by Kevin Martin (The Bug) and is heavy with modern innovators like Diplo, Harmonic 313, The Bug himself and many more.


Soul Jazz brilliantly bridges pioneering Jamaican digital dancehall to contemporary and future funk practitioners schooled in the style – the epic Invasion Of The Killer Mysteron Sounds compiled by The Bug and Stuart Baker! Mysteron Killer Sounds comes with a loose, comic book theme – "Alien Sound Lord Abductors" come to capture souls while the "Digital Defenders" have arrived to protect them – and it's fitting! The material here cherishes the hertiage of Jamaican and other points tropical dance music with sweaty, feverish rhythms – be they first wave Jamaican dancehall revolutionaries or next phase innovators. Fantastic material on Soul Jazz – work that will stand the test of time! Volume 2 is compiled by Stuart Baker of Soul Jazz Records – a set that includes masters like King Tubby, Prince Jazzbo and Sly Dunbar as well as newer, top shelf innovators.

LIFTED FROM DUSTYGROOVE GO BUY THE VINYL OR CD!

BABY CHAM @ THE SHRINE! (SAT JULY 30)

Saturday, July 30 The Shrine hosts dancehall giant Baby Cham! Before Cham hits the stage, a who's who of Chicago DJs will be bringing fire to the dance floor. Get your tickets now as they will not last! BUY NOW The show celebrates the return of UPR!SE.

K FRIMPONG ON WAX - ROUND 2 (BLUE)

The great K Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas self-titled set from 1976 – trailblazing work that helped cement Frimpong's legend! The singer is backed on it by the group Vis-a-Vis, as he would be on the equally great and similarly titled album from the following year, appearing as his Cubano Fiestas. The opening track, "Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'Awu" is positively revelatory, and pretty much the starting point for Frimpong discovery and fandom for many of us. Just for that, the full album can be considered something of a lost treasure, so it's wonderful to be able to say that it's just as great from beginning-to-end! Soul shaking lead and chorus vocals, funky drums and keyboards, feverish rhythms, guitar, percussion, sax and some flute.

Lifted from & available at Dustygroove on CD

BACK IN BLACK! (The Return of Banda Black Rio)

A brilliant new vision for the legendary Banda Black Rio – the pioneering samba, soul and funk combo that broke so much ground in the 70s and remain vital to this day – led here by William Magalhaes, in a mode that celebrates decades of the best Brazilian music, while fearlessly moving it forward! William's father Oberdan Magalhaes was a driving force behind the original Banda Black Rio, and we couldn't really imagine a more appropriate new vision for the group than his son's. William wrote or co-wrote each track and he sings, plays keys and synth, guitar, bass, drums and more. The expansive group brings a depth of percussion, horns, strings and vocals – delivering timeless and dexterous jazzy Brazilian funk and dancefloor soul. The guest list includes classic and contemporary greats like Seu Jorge, Elza Soares, Marcio Local and others.


Lifted from & available at Dustygroove
On LP or CD

DODO GOES TO AFRICA IN JULY

“Potjiekos Café”, a celebration of the unique cuisine of Africa. The “potjieko”, an old fashioned South African three legged cast iron pot, is an apt metaphor for Africa’s true “melting pot” cuisine. Chef Jeremy Brewington is back with an exciting menu that highlights the fascinating confluence of cultures in different the different regions of Africa: indigenous, European and South Asian.

Brewington’s menu will follow a small-plate format to encourage diners to share and sample. The first week will feature dishes typical of South Africa including babotie casserole, droewors sausages, chakalaka white beans, grilled meats from the “braai”, South Africa’s ubiquitous outdoor barbeque, and klappertert coconut pie.

Of course, Dodo will feature some delicious wines from South Africa’s Stellenbosch and Paarl regions in addition to our regular list of super classic cocktails.

Finally, D.J. Clark Quente will provide a feast for your ears with an exciting soundtrack selected from the vast musical treasures of Africa.

DODO - 954 W FULTON - RESERVATIONS: 312.226.5300

HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE

THE HOMECOMING!!!!

Fresh off a tour with the Gorillaz and what looks like a new record with with Tony Allen, Flea and more, so stay tuned. Massive!

CHOCQUIBTOWN @ THE SHRINE! THURSDAY, JULY 7

Chocquibtown are coming to The Shrine! The Hip Hop/Afro/Salsa/ Roots crew from Colombia will bring the fuego! With DJs David Chavez and Leo Suarez.

ON SALE NOW! CLICK HERE TO BUY

THE NEW SHINE T SHIRT ARRIVES

Dope new shirt designed by Clark "Quente" Nelson. In MENS sizes M-4X, WOMENS 'baby doll' SM-L. With red lettering (shown) and grey.

On sale now at the venue and online very soon, so check back!

Mad props to Bradley Murray for the super fly promo video and our model Miss Cristina (The girl is even sweeter than she looks!)

AWILO LONGOMBA LIVE AT THE SHRINE

To celebrate the kick-off of Afrodisiac, The Shrine welcomes Congolese superstar Awilo Longomba. He will be performing live on Saturday, July 9th. Following the show, DJ Top Donn will spin the finest in Couper Decaller, Makossa, Ndombolo, Kwaito, Hip Life, Zouk & much more... Doors open for the concert at 8pm. Dance until 3am!

Get your ticket now: CLICK HERE

NEW SEUN KUTI VIDEO

First single off of Seun's new Brian Eno produced album, From Africa With Fury: Rise, which drops June, 21. Backed by his father's band, the mighty Africa 80!