"Let Freedom Ring" for the Birthday Boys
The MLK weekend turned out to be a fun one with several power DJs in town. I grooved the night away on Friday, January 14, at Hydrate as DJ Escape celebrated his birthday with his loyal Chicago fans. He was working that DJ booth to death, using both turntables, the two CD players with their on­board FX capabilities, and the sampler machine. The net result was a twistedly fun audio presentation.

On Sunday night, January 16, at Sound-Bar, Frankie Knuckles and David Morales turned the place out for Knuckles' 50th birthday celebration. Morales was up first and had the whole club groovin' to a sexy beat by midnight. His set was spiced up with a few classics house tracks and of course included his own current hit song "How Would U You Feel." Knuckles came on after Morales and had the diverse appreciative crowd - gay, straight, black, white, brown, and yellow - clapping their hands and stomping their feet to a joyous beat. When he played Soul Central's "Strings Of Life," smiles lit up on faces, bodies began to jack, and fists were pumping in the air. The party was then in high gear and it was a sight to behold. To those who think that dance floor energy can only be attained with a tribal-based rhythmic attack or with the latest hip-hop cut, Morales and Knuckles continue to prove that a house groove is more than enough . and actually it's really all you need.

Going Deep Life will soon get better for Chicago's dance music connoisseurs as Sound-Bar has snared Deep Dish for a quarterly residence that begins Friday, February 11. Ali and Sharam, the duo that make up Deep Dish, are arguable the most important American figures on the dance music scene today. They own the highly regarded Yoshitoshi record label and regularly produce critcally acclaimed remixes and mixed compilation CDs that have significant influence on the creative direction of progressive house music in the U.S. and abroad. Most importantly, when these guys are in the DJ booth, they pack in a huge crowd and rock the dance floor. This is a real coup: big ups to John Curley and the the folks at Sound-Bar and Pure Music for making it happen.

 

Fireballing The Midwest
At next month's Fireball one of the traditions is being presented this year with a twist. The DJ Showcase is back on Sunday night, February 20, sharing the Excalibur/Vision Nightclub complex with the Fraterni Tea/Closing Party. In addition to local DJ talent with rising profiles, Fireball's DJ Showcase will for the first time include up and coming talent from throughout the Midwest. DJs John Murges (Milwaukee), Josh Gram (Witchita/Houston), and Jerry Griffith (KC) will join Chicagoans Luis M, Tom McBride, and Matthew Harvat (Circuit Mom) in the Dome Room and The Lair at Vision. Additional extensions of the Fireball welcome mat has DJs Jon Herseth (Minneapolis) and Adrian Fox (St. Louis) joining DJ Dr. K and me at the after-hours Oasis Lounge at the Renaissance Hotel on the mornings of February 19 and 20. Finally, Chad Johnson (KC), Jason Lanoux (Minneapolis), and Deanne (Indy) will share Welcome Center DJing duties with Brad M. and Zach Stowers on the afternoons of February 18 and 19 at the Renaissance. Fireball has long been considered THE essential gathering for Midwestern circuiteers, and so it's only fitting that DJs from throughout the region be included as well.

 

miniMusic Reviews ­ Dance Singles

"Call Me" ­ Anna Vissi (Moda Records) Called the "Madonna of Greece," Vissi is making herself known in American with "Call Me." A group of strong remixes on the maxi-single ensure that Vissi's crooning for another chance at love will reach a wide audience. My personal favorites were the Mike Cruz and Lee Cabrera mixes.

"Maybe" ­ Emma
(19 Recordings/UMVD)
This is the next single off of this Posh Girl's Free Me CD and it comes at you from three different directions. The poppish hi-NRG Illicit Mix and the electro-trancey Almighty mix will satisfy more mainstream ear. The Bini & Martini Mix is quite good as its seductive dubby quality is geared more toward a progressive house audience.

"Give It Back" ­ Gaelle
(Naked Music)
This first single from the Transient CD aptly demonstrates why I think Gaelle has the most alluring and captivating voice on today's dance music scene. This is a deep house groover that will find favor with many.

"I Like It" ­ Decibel feat. Leveetra
(Star 69)
There's a lot to like about "I Like It," a very strong hard house tribal track from Rauhofer's label. It's got a touch of campiness, effective drop-outs, a put-your-hand-in-the-air peak moment, and most importantly a solid and infectious groove.

"DJ Plez is the Music Editor of ChicagoPride.com. He DJs throughout the Midwest and has a residency at PUMP! in Milwaukee, WI. "