Johnny Pate is one of the great unsung architects of Chicago soul

Since 2004 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place.

• Johnny Pate’s soundtrack to the 1973 film Shaft in Africa

• Pate arranged the 1967 Impressions hit “We’re a Winner.”

• Pate arranged Major Lance’s version of the Curtis Mayfield tune “The Monkey Time,” which became a huge hit in 1963.

• Pate also did arrangements for the 1964 album Movin’ Wes by jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.