Missed Opportunity?
On a recent trip to a coffee shop, I ran into a friend of mine and in response to my simple "hi there" he began to bitterly and vociferously complain about the recently released official Chicago Gay Games CD produced by Centaur Records. This person wondered why a Boston DJ ­ Joe Bermudez - was used to mix the CD instead of one of the many talented Chicago DJs. This person, who by the way is not a DJ, droned on and on about how the Games should "serve as a showcase of all the wonderful things in and about Chicago" and that not having a local DJ mix the official CD was "a travesty" and a "tragically missed opportunity" and that complaints should "rain down on both the Organizing Committee and Centaur." Jeez, all I wanted was a hot cocoa with a little bit of whip cream and some chocolate sprinkles.

I figuratively pulled him in from off the ledge by telling him how appreciative the collective of Chicago DJs was for his ardent support, but that he should still purchase the CD since it really is quite good (definitely a worthy addition to one's dance compilation collection) and because it benefits the Games. I also informed him that there is a second official Chicago Gay Games CD yet to be produced and that maybe - hopefully ­ a Chicago DJ will be used. He calmed down and went on his merry way with a large mocha latte, but when I got home there was an irate message on my voice mail. Apparently my friend had just found out that Los Angeles-based Atlantis Events was in charge of the Games' Opening and Closing Parties and to the best of his knowledge they had "NEVER!" used a Chicago DJ for any of their cruises or vacations. I think maybe my friend needs to switch to decaf.

Tidbits!
Congrats to Circuit Nightclub on celebrating it's ninth birthday. It's been a wild ride for this Halsted Street danceteria over the years, but the future surely looks bright for Mike, Patrick, and the rest of the Circuit family. Defected Records is soon to release new remixes of 2005's chart-topping house track "Most Precious Love" by Blaze featuring Barbara Tucker. Re-rubs from the likes of the Freemasons, Ian Carey, Chocolate Puma, and Sergio Flores will undoubtedly extend the "essential-ness" of this song well into 2006. .. I heard DJ Joe Gauthreaux spin recently and he was just clicking on all cylinders. Not just a pretty face in the booth, he's a DJ with true talent. Be sure to check him out the next time he's in town.

Music You Can Use
The legendary Cevin Fisher is out with a 5-track maxi single of "Love You Some More" (Star 69) which includes remixes by Steve Lawler and Peter Rauhofer. This song will satisfy those late night electro-proggy tribal cravings.

One's musical life should not revolve solely around dance music, and so if you are looking to get off of the 4/4 path, I highly recommend the new cover CD, All The Way (RCA Victor) by the incomparable jazz-R&B-Blues songstress Etta James. The 3-time Grammy Award winner presents pure easy listening magic on this 11-track long-player, tackling a diverse range of hits, including Prince's "Purple Rain," John Lennon's "Imagine," Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years," Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." Very stuff here!