Arthur Alexander’s single “Mr. John” didn’t go anywhere in 1972, but it still sounds great on a recent reissue.
Tag: soul
Posted inMusic
Phil Cohran shaped the Black Arts Movement with his vision and discipline
Secret History pays tribute to its first subject, the late Phil Cohran, who cofounded the AACM, formed the Artistic Heritage Ensemble, and launched the Affro-Arts Theater.
Posted inMusic
Denise LaSalle earned her crown in southern soul—and wears it in the blues
In a career spanning 50 years, Denise LaSalle has proved herself a riveting performer and chart-topping songwriter.
Posted inMusic
William Bell makes a triumphant return to Stax after more than 40 years
Willam Bell’s 2016 album This Is Where I Live has attracted new generations of fans to his classic southern soul.
Posted inMusic
Record stores for Record Store Day heretics
Record Store Day is a great time to get acquainted with the neighborhood shops that don’t partake in the annual retail circus.
Posted inMusic
A people’s history of Kevin Coval
Louder Than a Bomb cofounder Kevin Coval in the words of people in Chicago’s poetry, spoken-word, and hip-hop scenes whose lives he’s touched
Posted inBlogs
Chicago-born Muslim Indian soul singer Zeshan B calls for black and brown unity
This week Zeshan B celebrates his debut solo album, Vetted, which blends Indo-Pakistani music and American soul.
Posted inMusic
Five local labels that had excellent years in 2016
These modest Chicago imprints have gotten so good at what they do that they’re shaping music scenes far and wide.
Posted inBlogs
Soul singer Jamila Woods makes music about black womanhood that speaks to everyone
Jamila Woods’s stunning solo debut, Heavn, offers a healing elixir of “black girl magic” to help us imagine a path through troubled times.
Posted inMusic
Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds, and the categorical denial of the sensitive black genius
Brian Wilson owes his pop preeminence in part to racial coding that says a sensitive genius can’t be black.
Posted inMusic
Who else should fans of hip-hop, R&B, and soul see at Pitchfork?
Who else should fans of hip-hop, R&B, and soul see at Pitchfork?
Posted inBest of Chicago
V103 is too good for FM radio
If it didn’t have commercials it would also be better than most satellite stations.
Posted inMusic
Irma Thomas extends her benevolent reign
New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas has been recording for almost six decades—and singing at the Blues Festival since 1989.
Posted inMusic
Twin Cities soul veteran Wee Willie Walker makes his overdue Chicago debut
Twin Cities soul veteran Wee Willie Walker finally plays Chicago on the strength of last year’s If Nothing Ever Changes.
Posted inBlogs
Celebrating the Chicago roots of Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White
Maurice White carried the influence of Chicago avant-garde elder Phil Cohran into the mainstream with Earth, Wind & Fire.