RED HOT + FELA (BRATION) 2013

     Ah yes FELA lovers, it's that time of year again... When we say happy birthday to the one-and-only FELA KUTI!

     FELABRATION goes down once again at The Shrine on Saturday, October 12, 2013. Stay tuned for a surprise DJ to be announced... Also, we will have a performance by Ugochi and the Ayodele Drum and Dance Ensemble. The Chicago Film Festival will also be celebrating with an after-party for its Spotlight Africa film series. Perhaps some famous actors in the house...?! Going to be an amazing party you don't want to miss...!

     To get you in the mood let's listen to the new RED HOT + FELA compilation. The good peeps over at NPR have it streaming live. CLICK HERE

 

THE TRACKLIST:

01 Baloji & L’Orchestre de la Katuba [ft. Kuku]: “Buy Africa”
02 tUnE-yArDs, ?uestlove, Angelique Kidjo, & Akua Naru: “Lady”
03 Spoek Mathambo & Zaki Ibrahim: “Yellow Fever”
04 Nneka, Sinkane, Amayo & Superhuman Happiness: “No Buredi”
05 Just a Band & Childish Gambino: “Who No Know Go No”
06 My Morning Jacket, Merrill Garbus, Brittany Howard: “Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am”
07 Kyp Malone, Tunde Adebimpe, Kronos Quartet, Stuart Bogie: “Sorrow Tears and Blood”
08 Superhuman Happiness, Sahr Ngaujah, Abena Koomson, Rubblebucket: “ITT”
09 Tony Allen, M1, Baloji: “Afrodisco Beat 2013″
10 Just A Band, Bajah, Chance the Rapper: “Gentleman”
11 GendEr Infinity: “Hi Life Time”
12 Spoek Mathambo, Cerebral Cortex, Frown: “Zombie”
13 King: “Go Slow”

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR: FREEDOM FAMILY

Academy Records and Frank from Voodoo Funk are back with another heavy slab o' West African Funk. Freedom Family hailed from Ghana, where they spent a number of years as the backing band for Geraldo Pino. The time they spent backing Pino shines through, as the group is super tight. Guitar, funky drums and Hammond organ dominate the record - it's Street tough Afro Funk all the way. Record includes a cool booklet with notes by notes by singer Albert Jones. Also come with download card.

'Lil taste? Sure.... Dig it!

BUY IT HERE

WELCOME TO THE HIGHLIFE!

     It's no secret that The Shrine has a deep love for African music, old and new. The name alone should be enough of a hint... Well things are about to get real! The Highlife is a new weekly Saturday night party dedicated to modern African club music, with a focus on music from Nigeria. Well, Nigeria is merely a jumping off point. DJs/promoters and brothers Dee Money and 3K spin tunes from across the diaspora. Hip Hop has long gone international, and good music is universal, regardless of the language in which it is sung. Their parties attract dancers from all nations who want to come out and have a great time. Party goers take their fashion sense as serious as their moves on the floor. Folks simply get decked out to get down.

     But the brothers have more surprises up their sleeves... Not only do they want to turn up the dance floor heat, they want to bring an amazing series of live concerts showcasing some the the artists that they dig. Check out the videos below of the artists slated to perform:

Nigerian/American rapper elDee performs Saturday, August 31st.

                     

Parisian sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart aka Les Nubians perform Saturday, September 7th.

                     

Nigerian singer/songwriter Timaya performs Saturday, October 5th. The concert also celebrates Nigerian Independence day.

                     

Grammy-nominated Ethiopian born singer/songwriter Wayna performs Saturday, November 16th

                     

It all starts August 31st!

 WELCOME TO THE HIGHLIFE!

Get tickets now! CLICK HERE

RASTAPALOOZA! Walshy Fire of Major Lazer 8.4.13 In Coup.

Lollapalooza hits Chicago in a couple weeks and we are super excited to announce an official after-party with WALSHY FIRE of Major Lazer. Right down the street, so the party goes straight into the night. IRIE HEIGHTS!! JAH!!!!!

Little ting ting to get you ready...



GET TICKETS: CLICK

ONE NATION UNDER A GROOVE! GEORGE CLINTON + P-FUNK! 4.28.13

We can't wait for Uncle Jam to land the mothership at The Shrine this Sunday! So to get ready, peep this documentary on the origin of PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC. So dope! These motherf*ckers were straight crazy!

Another great doc!!!! CHECK IT! CLICK HERE

 

 BUY YOUR TICKETS! CLICK HERE

BK TO JA! KRS-ONE + MYKAL ROSE + SISTER CAROL (4.22.13)

Some amazing shows coming up at The Shrine, so let's just jump right in...! The one and only KRS-ONE will be in the building on Monday, April 22. That alone would be enough to get you out on a school night, but you know how we do what we do around here... WE STACK THE DECK!!!! So we added MYKAL ROSE! What?!?!?!!? MYKAL ROSE of BLACK UHURU?! Yup. Want more?! How about SISTER CAROL, too?! This show is going to be (dare we say it...) epic!

A few clips to get you in the mood...! Jah!!!!

ROOTS BABY ROOTS (Jah Shaka and Friends "45 Disco Stylee" )

Lots of good and bad ways to waste some time on the interwebz... Well, here's a top notch way to burn an hour and some change. (Pun intended!) Puff Puff Cough Cough. No track list, but who cares. Close your eyes and turn it up. Of course we recognize a couple tracks; Eek-A-Mouse, Black Uhuru... Bust out Shazaam I guess. Rasta Pon Top! Big Ups!


 

POSTER FROM FREESTYLEE

MAXI PRIEST BLESSES THE SHRINE (3.29.13)

MAXI PRIEST  will be appearing live at The Shrine on Friday, March 29, 2013. Local heroes Gizzae are also on the bill along with DJs Papa G + Shon Dervis.

MAXI PRIEST is one of only  two British born Reggae singers to have a Billboard number one with his  'Close to You'. He also had a top ten hit with his duet with Roberta Flack - 'Set The Night to Music'.

Over the years he has collaborated with a number of artists including, UB40, Beres Hammond, Apache Indian, Jazzie B, Sly & Robbie and Shabba Ranks, among others.

Fans of Reggae and Soul Music lively up yourselves! The show is brought to you by ROCKSTEADY!, the best Reggae + Dancehall night in Chicago. Each and every Sunday with DJs Papa G + Fireworks and your host-with-the-most, Mr Greenweedz!

ROCKSTEADY! SUNDAY IN COUP (@ THE SHRINE)

NINA SIMONE: THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF SOUL LIVE IN '69

 Wandering around the internet, we came upon this amazing footage of Nina Simone live in 1969. "Save Me" (Aretha Franklin) has always been a favorite, and this live version is absolutely smoking!
Quite a bit of footage here.... Dig. Wow!

NINA SIMONE: DEEP SOUL GODDESS



 

YASIIN BEY + HYPNOTIC BRASS + FELA!

 Felabration 2012 went off! Hypnotic Brass Ensemble were joined by Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) on stage. The results were incendiary! Check the footage. Yeah yeah! We love Yassin Bey! We love Hypnotic Brass! We Love Fela Kuti. The Shrine Loves Chicago and the world.

Yasiin Bey + Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Water No Get Enemy / New World Water from Jamaar J on Vimeo.

FELABRATION Update: with Mos Def / Hypnotic Brass / Hebru Brantley After Party

A lot more heat has been added to Felabration 2012 at The Shrine, Chicago! The party just got seriously turnt up with live performances by MOS DEF (aka Yasiin Bey) and HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE. And of course, MR. RICH MEDINA on the ones and twos. Cop your tickets now: BUY It is also the official after party for Hebru Brantley! (Check him out on the cover of this week's Reader!)

 FELABRATE GOOD TIMES!

GO SEE THE SHOW! (MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN INVITE!

FELABRATION 3.0 with RICH MEDINA (10.12.12)

FELABRATION returns to The Shrine for the third year to celebrate the life and music of Afrobeat creator Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Once again, Rich Medina (Jump n' Funk) blesses the ones and twos! We are huge fans of Rich and are thrilled to have him back once again. His set will be accompanied by the visuals of The Marksmen. Peoples DJ Collective/Sonic Diaspora DJs Itch 13 and Afroqbano open up the festivities. We will also have a 'world market', with artists and artisans selling all sorts of wares. Discounted pre-tickets are on sale now! BUY