IN THE MIX
BEN LAMAR GAY | DOWNTOWN CASTLES CAN NEVER BLOCK THE SUN | INTERNATIONAL ANTHEM
"Downtown Castles Can Never Block The Sun" is as much a 'greatest hits' as it is a 'debut album' for Ben LaMar Gay. It's a collection of music composed, performed & produced by the anomalous Southside Chicago-born, sometimes Brazil-residing artist, compiled from 7 albums he made over the last 7 years but never made the effort to actually release. With its title taken from the mantra Ben repeats across several tracks on "Grapes" (1 of the 7 aforementioned albums), "Downtown Castles Can Never Block The Sun" is our effort to channel the rainbow of sonic expressions, art & poetry beaming from the ark of his unreleased catalogue into a cohesive & communicable compilation. It's as good of an introduction to Ben LaMar Gay as we could fit onto a single LP. To call it "eclectic" would only scratch the surface. This music is everything.
CHICAGO HUSTLE
ASHINA HAMILTON | TROPICALIA AND MELLOW MIX
She's one of our favorites for a reason. Ashina heading down South, Brazil way. Selections are from Hermeto Pascoal, MPB4, Gal Costa, Alex and Sabrina Malheiros and Banda Utopia, Jorge Ben, Joyce, Ivan Conti (Max Graef remix). Continuing in the mellow, downtempo spirit, other selections include music from Moppy, Rufus ft. Chaka Khan, King Coya, Rob and other music from Ghana Sounds.
Shazam Bangles | New Jack Swing | 2018
90s Kid Starter Pack courtesy of Boogie Munster Bangles.
FRESH ROASTED | NOVEMBER 2017
"Fresh Roasted" live from Chicago! Two record collectors present samples to 4 beat-makers who have 90 mins to make a beat on the spot, and the audience decides who wins. This is one of the illest concepts for an event in the city and it goes down every 1st Thursday of the month at the Whistler in Logan Square. Peace to King Hippo for hosting 606 Records!
