Groove Line
By DJ Plez

Halloween Reprise
One last word about Halloween: With October 31st being on a Sunday this year, that meant a jam packed weekend full of events and parties, culminating with the Parade down the strip on Halsted Street, RuPaul at Crobar and DJ Peter Rauhofer at Sound-Bar. Wow! Some creative souls even had different costumes for each three nights of the weekend. When Monday, November 1st rolled around there were some very tired folks in this city and quite a few calls into work claiming sick days. It was a very fun weekend and the Chicago Bears even won their football game, giving the guys who hang out at the new bar Crew much to cheer about.

The Monday Night Boom!
Monday night is proving to be one of the hottest for those truly interested in house music and looking for fun way to start off the week. It requires an escape from Boystown ­ probably a needed and welcomed diversion after a weekend of frivolity on Halsted Street.

On the north branch of the Chicago River at the intersection of Ashland and Webster sits Green Dolphin Street, host of Monday night's Boom Boom Room, presented by Music 101. Long-time Chicago favorites, DJs Lego (formerly at Hydrate on Sundays) and Michael Serafini (he's been everywhere including Cocktail and Berlin), guide the musical journey in the Main Room while Uncle Milty and JustJoey man the decks in the Green Room. Since its start at Red Dog Nightclub in 1992, Boom Boom Room has been a highlight on the weekly nightlife calendar featuring the best in Chicago house music. Its current home at Green Dolphin Street is a terrific venue: a unique restaurant and entertainment complex with plenty of space to dance, multiple bars, late night dining, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The crowd ­ and it does get crowded ­ is a great mix of Chicagoans from all walks of life. You name it and you'll probaby see it at the Boom Boom Room!

Ladies Night Out ­ A Review of some new music from the gals!
Be on the look out for the following tracks to possible rock your world in the near future.

"They" by Jem (ATO Records) ­ You have probably heard Jem's songs played on the hit television show, The OC, and may have even purchased her debut full-length album, Finally Woken, when it was released earlier in the summer. Five mixes of the track "They" have been released with the Cut Chemist Remix having the most accessible groove among the bunch. The MDK and Ayesha Mix has some progressive elements to it while the Photek Remix is a bold, daring, and energetic techno mix of exceptional quality. This last mix is the best of the bunch in my opinion but will probably appeal to the least number of listeners.

"Free Me" by Emma (19 Recordings/UMVD) ­ Emma does have a last name and it's Bunton. That may not still ring a bell with you so you should also know that she was Baby Spice of the Spice Girls phenomenon on the 1990s. Her album Free Me was released last spring to much acclaim (domestic release here in the U.S. is scheduled for January 2005). The remixes of the title track "Free Me" by Full Intention and Dr. Octavio are infectious and should be well received on dance floors where vocals are a premium. The Full Intention mix has a groovin' bass line supporting Emma's lyrical wanting to be able to love and to seduce the object of her desire. Dr. Octavio's mix is a bit more deliberately paced with a Euro-progressive feel that makes it perfect for a music video. The Spice Girls are proving over time - with the success of Gerri Halliwell Melanie C and now Emma - that the sum of their parts in deed may have been greater than the whole.

"What You Waiting For" by Gwen Stefani (Universal International)
The most beautiful girl in rock music has struck out on her own (Stefani is best known as the lead singer of the group No Doubt) and is about to release her debut solo album Love, Angel, Music, Baby (in stores on November 23, 2004). "What You Waiting For" is the first single from the new album and should please current Stefani/No Doubt fans as well as resonate in new ears unfamiliar with her or the group. On the hard charging original track, Stefani's voice is backed by an infectious electro beat that harkens back to the 1980s new wave/punk vibe. The Jacques Lu Cont Twd Remix is less exciting than the original version, but is more dance friendly. (More dance remixes may be on the way.) This is a terrific first effort for the solo Stefani, a woman with real talent to back up her gorgeous looks.

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