The Congressional Report -
While the U.S. Congress may be in the midst of their summer vacation, Chicago's Congress Theater (at 2135 North Milwaukee Avenue) is busy prepping for two huge dance events next month. The world's #1 ranked DJ, trancemaster Tiësto, brings his 2007 North American Tour in support of his artist album, ELEMENTS OF LIFE (reviewed by me a few issues ago), to the northwest side venue on Saturday, September 8. I checked out Tiësto when he headlined last year's Pure Nation Global Dance Music Festival at the Charter One Pavilion and was thoroughly impressed with his inventive and energetic set. This guy is a true dance music superstar and puts on one hell of a show. For more info go to www.visionnightclub.com .

The following week on Saturday, September 15, the "Biggest Concert & Dance Party In The History Of Chicago House Music" takes place at the Congress featuring many of the true pioneers and superstars of the genre. There are 30 artists and DJs scheduled to perform including Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ron Carroll, Maurice Joshua, Shawn Christopher, Lego, Roy Davis, Jr., Fast Eddie, and Steve "Silk" Hurley. This megawatt party is sure to be THE house-head event of the year. For more info go to www.housemusicshow.com .

These two huge events at the Congress Theater are really quite impressive. If only we could get the men and women in Congress in Washington, DC to work as hard.

Houston: We Have No Problems -
Disco diva Thelma Houston is back with a brand new spanking CD, her first in 17 years, called A WOMAN'S TOUCH (Shout! Factory / Sony BMG). The 10-track long-player features soulful, jazzy, and bluesy versions of Houston's favorite songs recorded by R&B and pop male singers, including Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much," Sting's "Brand New Day," and Al Green's "Love & Happiness." My personal favorite moment of the CD is Houston's presentation of a Sylvester medley: "Dance (Disco Heat)" and "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)." It's an inspirational marriage of gospel stylings and that classic disco "feel good" vibe. Houston has a really wonderful voice that will always and rightfully be associated with her disco days stardom. A WOMAN'S TOUCH demonstrates that her vocal talents translate well into other genres.

Shuffle. <Press Play>
There are three singles I'm recommending for immediate addition to your MP3 Playlist. First up is "Stay" by Simply Red. Remixer Grant Nelson transforms the album version ballad into a soulful groovy house track while the 7th Heaven treatments have a bit more energy and a "T-Dance on the terrace" appeal. The red hot Rihanna has just released another single from her new CD GOOD GIRL GONE BAD (Island Def Jam). "Don't Stop The Music" is sure to please her many fans and three sets of remixes by Jody den Broeder, Wideboys, and Solitaire is sure to lead to wide-spread iPod and club play. The final iPod addition is Valeria's "Girl I Told Ya" featuring Aria. A tad bit annoying in its album form, it becomes an infectious piece of electro-pop-dance once remixers Dave Aude and Trent Cantrelle get their hands on it. This has Berlin on a Friday night with DJ Greg Haus written all over it.

True Colors: The Reprise
The True Colors Tour featuring Cyndi Lauper was a fantastic success this summer and now, in record time, they have come out with THE TRUE COLORS SOUNDTRACK (Tommy Boy). The CD includes tracks by The Cliks, Cazwell, Rufus Wainright, Debbie Harry, and Indigo Girls as well as songs by Lauper and Erasure that are exclusive to this release. $1 from the profit of each CD and full-length album download will be donated to the Human Right Campaign (HRC.) Great music for a great cause!