5 Magazine

5 Magazine Radio Show - August 28, 2008

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:40:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

August 28, 2008

A new show from 5 Magazine, the only House Music magazine in the United States, with DJ Rees Urban and hostess Czarina Mirani. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

Latest 5 Magazine Anniversary Party Info

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:50:00 CDT

Latest 5 Magazine Anniversary Party Info

August 27, 2008

Updated party info for this year's 5 Magazine Anniversary Party featuring very special guest Sandy Rivera...

Features: Beautiful People - An Interview with Frederick Dunson

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:55:00 CDT

Features: Beautiful People - An Interview with Frederick Dunson

August 27, 2008

"YOU MAY NOT KNOW who he is, and that would be just fine if you attend a party by Frederick Dunson. One half of D/E Entertainment, Frederick has been behind some of the most wonderful parties in Chicago in the last decade, rarely straying into the spotlight as he handles the behind-the-scenes business. Working with Frankie Knuckles and business partner Dennis Evans, Frederick throws but two parties a year, with a dedication and fine attention to detail that many would be surprised by. As long as you have a good time, Frederick and Dennis are content to remain off-stage, letting the DJs, the performers and the crowd (the true stars of any House Music event) shine..."

Music Reviews: Mass Destruction ft. Terisa Griffin: "Stressed Out"

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:55:00 CDT

Mass Destruction ft. Terisa Griffin: "Stressed Out"

August 27, 2008

"Terry Hunter & Kenny Dope return in their Mass Destruction guise with what is likely to be one of the hottest vocal tracks of the year. I have been playing this in the majority of my sets since I got this at..."

Cz's Night Out Blog: Happy Anniversary 5!

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:50:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Happy Anniversary 5!

August 26, 2008

I know I've been quite absent from my blog lately, and it's basically because my life is at a standstill of sorts. I've been working hard at promoting URBAN'S HOUSE (which by the way has been an awesome party with lots of love from our REAL friends!)... not to mention gearing up for our 3-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY! It will be next Friday, Sept. 5th @ Zentra, and we will have this month's cover story Sandy Rivera (aka Kings of Tomorrow) as our guest DJ along with Rees and David Sabat. I'm very excited because Sandy lives in England now and hasn't been to the States in like 7 years. His music is incredible, so all of you who live in Chicago please come through. Email me at czarina@5chicago.com and I can put you and as many of your friends down for my all night long guest list. This year me and my dancers won't be doing a dance performance, which is a first for us. I just think the space at Zentra is too hard to pull off a show where everyone can see properly. They used to rope off a section for us right in front of the DJ booth, but everyone would crowd the front so no one behind could see, plus the lights were just too dark. I can't tell you how many times I've jumped or turned or flipped and had to sit there discombobulated for 10 seconds trying to figure out where I was in spac...

Leonard Part Sixx Mix - August 26, 2008

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:23:00 CDT

Leonard Part Sixx Mix

August 26, 2008

For this week's 5 Magazine mix, we're pleased to feature a DJ set by Chicago's own Leonard Part Sixx. Leonard is one of our favorite DJs and producers, with a deep love for disco and fine ear for good music that goes beyond a mere catalog of the classics. He's become well-known in the underground for his acclaimed "Underdog Edits", and also contributed his brooding Italo-influenced track "Strobe Light Revival Part 1" to Blended, our 5 Magazine new music sampler distributed at 2008's Winter Music Conference in Miami. The track was later released on T's Box Records; check it out here on traxsource.com...

5 Magazine eBlast for August 20, 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:30:00 CDT

5 Magazine eBlast

August 20, 2008

RSVP for free entry to our anniversary party + this week's House Music events...

Features: Maurice Joshua Interview

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:17:00 CDT

Features: Maurice Joshua Interview

August 18, 2008

"MAURICE JOSHUA IS A Chicago native that's been circling the limelighted House block since his pupil-dilating classic anthem, "This is Acid" in 1988. Hot Hands Hula's vocals on the track, "Once you hear it, there will be no going back," foreshadowed the launch of Maurice's no holds barred career. He went from learning tips and tricks with Steve Hurley and E-Smoove to a Grammy Award-winning colleague that would redefine the way people remix music. From R. Kelly, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake to Kim English, Curtis Mayfield and CeCe Peniston, for years he's been a go-to-guy for major labels to break their mainstream artists into the House dance clubs"...

Features: Attigo Touchtables Videos

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:17:00 CDT

Features: Attigo Touchtables Videos

August 18, 2008

"YouTube has made celebrities out of more than the sneezing panda and the bulldog on a skateboard. Three months ago, Scott Hobbs, an engineering student at the University of Dundee, UK, posted video clips of a revolutionary new product he was working on, which projects audio waveforms on to two touchscreen turntables and allows a DJ to directly manipulate them. Three months later, his internet fame (or rather that of his initial prototype featured in the videos) has been written up in DJ Magazine, URB and, of course, 5 Magazine's website"...

5 Magazine Radio Show - August 15, 2008

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:47:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

August 15, 2008

A new show from 5 Magazine, the only House Music magazine in the United States, with DJ Rees Urban and hostess Czarina Mirani. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

Music Reviews: Deepbleu ft. Anika: "Monday to Sunday"

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:48:00 CDT

Deepbleu ft. Anika: "Monday to Sunday"

August 15, 2008

"This track generated some heat at WMC, and Feelin Music appears to be putting a full-court press on to get this track on the world's dancefloors before summer is out..."

Music Reviews: Stephen Rigmaiden ft. Darryl D' Bonneau: "Sent from Above"

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:48:00 CDT

Stephen Rigmaiden ft. Darryl D' Bonneau: "Sent from Above"

August 13, 2008

"Stephen Rigmaiden is causing a stir in the underground community with his new single "Sent from Above". Mr. Rigmaiden has had previous releases on Chez Records..."

Audio: Ultra Nate Mix

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:17:00 CDT

Audio: Ultra Nate Mix

August 14, 2008

"As you read in our August 2008 issue on the street now, one of our favorite artists in the House Music community, Ultra Nate, has been stepping out lately as a DJ in addition to her vocal work. Her latest full album release, Alchemy: GST Reloaded is a two-disc set of remixes from last year's Grime, Silk and Thunder album, featuring edits from the likes of Kenny Dope, Quentin Harris, Craig C and more as well as a full disc of edits mixed by Ultra Nate herself. Alchemy goes on sale on August 19th; you can find out more, preview some of the tracks and keep up with the busy Ms. Ultra at myspace.com/ultranatemusic"...

Love, Sex, Etc: Is She Faking It?

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:00 CDT

Love, Sex, Etc: Is She Faking It?

August 13, 2008

I know this can be an incredibly sensitive topic to the fragile male sexual ego, but let me explain a few things. First off, just because we fake it doesn't mean you aren't good...

DJ Charts: Freddie Bain

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Freddie Bain

August 13, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Freddie Bain from our June 2008 issue...

Music Reviews: Dennis Ferrer: "Change the World"

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:00 CDT

Dennis Ferrer: "Change the World"

August 13, 2008

"We're treated to a meaner side of Jihad Muhammand here - no jazzy stuff going on. Not that we don't appreciate..."

Music Reviews: Darryl D'Bonneau: "Miracles" (Jon Culter Remixes)

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:00 CDT

Darryl D'Bonneau: "Miracles" (Jon Culter Remixes)

August 13, 2008

"Darryl D'Bonneau's Miracles LP was released in March 207 on Jellybean Soul, but Jon Cutler's remixes of the title track were worth the wait. Marlon D. was the producer of the LP..."

Music Reviews: Converge: Converge EP

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:00 CDT

Converge: Converge EP

August 13, 2008

"Deep House artists Converge (aka Stephen Brown and Ray Fenwick) have this five track EP to offer from the UK. The sound varies intensely from song to song. "Come On Over" is deep and loungey..."

Gadgets: Netflix Roku Movie Player

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:54:00 CDT

Gadgets: Netflix Roku Movie Player

August 11, 2008

Remember ON-TV? How about Spectrum? These were early pioneers in cable TV - or figuring out a way to bring movies into your living room without destroying the motion picture industry as we know it. Since those dark ages of non-stop re-runs of C.H.U.D. and Cheech and Chong's oeuvre, there has been remarkably little evolution in on demand movie delivery...

DJ Charts: Vick Lavender

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:54:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Vick Lavender

August 11, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Vick Lavender of Mr. ALI, Lava Jam, the Vick Lavender Ensemble and Strictly Jaz Unit from our June 2008 issue...

Music Reviews: Nick Holder: "Time" (Wahoo Mix)

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:54:00 CDT

Nick Holder: "Time" (Wahoo Mix)

August 11, 2008

"For those who don't know, Nick Holder from Toronto has been producing since the early 1990s on his label DNH as well as for many of the top House labels from around the world..."

Music Reviews: Diva Down Ent. ft. Su Su Bobien: "Praise Always"

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:54:00 CDT

Diva Down Ent. ft. Su Su Bobien: "Praise Always"

August 11, 2008

"Nice inspirational garage track remixed by Italian producer Ciappy DJ, featuring the ever-talented diva vocalist Su Su Bobien..."

5 Magazine eBlast for August 8, 2008

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 19:23:00 CDT

5 Magazine eBlast

August 8, 2008

Frankie Knuckles mix online + new events for this weekend...

5 Magazine DJ Series presents: Frankie Knuckles - The Gift

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 16:58:00 CDT

5 Magazine DJ Series presents: Frankie Knuckles - The Gift

August 8, 2008

"Last month, D/E Entertainment and 5 Magazine gave away 500 free copies of a new Frankie Knuckles' mix CD to patrons at D/E's free party, The Gift, which kicked off one of the greatest July 4th holiday weekends that anyone can remember. And now for the month of August, 5 Magazine with the permission of Frankie Knuckles and D/E will be distributing Frankie's mix as the latest installment of the 5 Magazine DJ Series. This special mix will be available in an extremely limited edition of 500 additional copies on CD, available this month at parties throughout Chicago as well as at Kstarke Records (1109 N. Western and at myspace.com/kstarke). You can also listen to the mix on our website (along with past installments of the DJ Series) at 5chicago.com/djseries"...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Bitchapalooza (Read At Your Own Risk)

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 14:56:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Bitchapalooza (Read At Your Own Risk)

August 6, 2008

Why don't people read 5 Magazine? I'm talking about the so-called Househeads that I see every night who usually don't bother to read the articles and reviews that me and other writers take a lot of care and time to do... instead they go straight to the pictures section and see if they're in it... and then they read the sex column. (Yeah you, I'm talking about you.) The ones I observe who really take the time and READ the valuable information that we hope to spread about HOUSE MUSIC are usually the ones who don't get to go out that much...

Members: 5 Magazine August 2008 Issue Released

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 11:55:00 CDT

August 4, 2008

Interviews with Sandy Rivera, Fred Everything, Ultra Nate and... oh yeah... a Frankie Knuckles DJ Mix...

5 Magazine Radio Show - August 1, 2008

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 13:58:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

August 1, 2008

A new show from 5 Magazine, the only House Music magazine in the United States, with DJ Rees Urban and hostess Czarina Mirani. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

Bear Who - Mental Mixtape Volume 2

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:14:00 CDT

Bear Who - Mental Mixtape Volume 2

July 30, 2008

A new mix from Chicago House Music Producer and DJ Bear Who? as part of our July 2008 story on his House on the BLVD crew...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Urban's House

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:07:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Urban's House

July 30, 2008

I know it's been a while since I've written, but I felt that it was getting boring repeating the same Mon-Sun going out events I was doing. Same clubs, different DJs, blah blah blah. Rees' and my new night URBAN'S HOUSE started...

DJ Charts: Wayne Gardiner

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:12:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Wayne Gardiner

July 29, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Wayne Gardiner (CIMA) from our June 2008 issue...

Music Reviews: Black Coffee: "Turn Me On"/"Come To Me"

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:12:00 CDT

Black Coffee: "Turn Me On"/"Come To Me"

July 29, 2008

"I received this track in Miami from Mr. Black Coffee himself. I already knew of Mr. Coffee through his hit "Even Though" on Real Tone, but what I didn't know is that this man is one of South Africa's biggest House music DJ/producer superstars..."

Music Reviews: Trizonna McClendon: "Trizonna"

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:12:00 CDT

Trizonna McClendon: "Trizonna"

July 29, 2008

"Steel Vybe has been lighting up clubland with hot music for a while now: fast or slow, smooth or techy or whatever you're into on the soulful end..."

Danny Krivit Interview

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:21:00 CDT

Danny Krivit Interview

July 28, 2008

"A BOY SURROUNDED by legendary rock stars, treating them as the neighborhood patron at his father's restaurant. A teen whose DJ career launched at the age of 14 after being handed a James Brown promo. A young man inspired by and associated with the likes of the Paradise Garage and The Loft. A musical patriarch whose Body and Soul parties have left a worldwide impression. A master of manipulating recorded music to move the masses. A four-decade participant, observer and forecaster of some of the most exciting times in American music. This is Danny Krivit. And in this interview, you'll read about why he thinks the cycle of music has been breached, who to call upon to DJ a DJ's wedding, and if soulful House is indeed dying on the vine..."

5 Magazine DJ Series Contest Ends July 31st

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:21:00 CDT

5 Magazine DJ Series Contest Ends July 31st

July 28, 2008

"This is the final call - there won�t be another! July 31st, 2008 is the cut off date for submissions from Chicago-area DJs for 5 Magazine�s DJ Series Contest, our search for the next great DJ talent. The winner will be featured in the October 2008 edition of the 5 Magazine DJ Series, with a full page write-up in the October issue and their mix pressed on limited quantities of CDs around town as well as on our website. Briefly, here are the rules..."

Music Reviews: Leonard Part Sixx: "Strobelight Revival"

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:21:00 CDT

Leonard Part Sixx :: "Strobelight Revival"

July 28, 2008

"Terry Hunter's T's Box label is back in full force. This track has been working dancefloors for the past couple months since being promoted at WMC in March..."

5 Magazine Radio Show - July 25, 2008

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:03:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

July 25, 2008

A new show from 5 Magazine, the only House Music magazine in the United States, with DJ Rees Urban and hostess Czarina Mirani. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

In the Mix: Numark CDN-90 CD Player

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:39:00 CDT

In the Mix: Numark CDN-90 CD Player

July 18, 2008

"Here's a great kit if you're struck dumb in the face of CDJs. Numark's CDN dual CD player is out there now for a great price and, typical for Numark, works right out the box..."

Music Reviews: Phil Asher pres. Phlash + Friends: "Look at What We've Done"

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:39:00 CDT

Phil Asher pres. Phlash + Friends: "Look at What We've Done"

July 18, 2008

"Phil Asher records a soothing piece of deep House bliss at it's finest under his "Phlash & Friends" moniker for Italian label Archive, following up his "Revolution = Solution" release..."

Music Reviews: Andre Harris: "10 Things Not to Say to a DJ"

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:36:00 CDT

Andre Harris: "10 Things Not to Say to a DJ"

July 17, 2008

"Chicago's Andre Harris is at it again with a new track that finally voices the questions and remarks that DJs get from some self-centered patrons. I must say that the things mentioned by Mr. Harris are definitely things all seasoned DJs have heard at one time or another..."

DJ Charts: Minx

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:36:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Minx

July 17, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Minx from Women on Wax, Detroit from our June 2008 issue...

Mark Farina: The Art of the Mix

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:02:00 CDT

Mark Farina: The Art of the Mix

July 16, 2008

THERE'S NOT A DJ in House Music that's had more success with commercial mix CDs than Mark Farina. And despite the worldwide slump in record sales and the wide assortment of mixes online, a new Mark Farina CD is still an "event" � for the fans who line up to buy them, and for the artists who have told me over the years how exposure in one of Mark's mixes can blow up a good tune. Few take the art of the recorded mix as seriously � and even fewer have the ear and the turntable chops to capture the magic experienced in the clubs on tape, and to do it so consistently...

Maurice Joshua Mix

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:36:00 CDT

Maurice Joshua Mix

July 14, 2008

A new mix from Chicago House Music Producer and DJ Maurice Joshua as part of our July 2008 issue cover story...

5 Magazine eBlast for July 11, 2008

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:33:00 CDT

5 Magazine eBlast

July 11, 2008

5 Mag Radio Show + new events for this weekend...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Crazy July 4th Weekend

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:55:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Crazy July 4th Weekend

July 11, 2008

What a long, tiring holiday weekend! Thursday was The Gift, Frankie Knuckles' free party to all his fans. We at 5 Mag got there early to help D/E's Frederick and Dennis set up, and there were free t-shirts and cds to be given out to everyone. Green Dolphin was decorated beautifully, and by 1am there were so many people that I thought I was going to hyperventilate...

5 Magazine Radio Show - July 11, 2008

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:40:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

July 11, 2008

A new show from 5 Magazine, the only House Music magazine in the United States, with DJ Rees Urban and hostess Czarina Mirani. Featured this week: Chosen Few Picnic and recap of Chicago's July 4th House Music weekend, DJ Spinna, Eric Roberson, The Rurals, Maurice Joshua, Gene Hunt, David Morales and more. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

5 Magazine eBlast for July 9, 2008

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 16:48:00 CDT

5 Magazine eBlast

July 9, 2008

New Gene Hunt Mix for the 5 Mag DJ Series + new events for this week...

DJ Charts: Paul Johnson

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 10:41:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Paul Johnson

July 8, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Paul Johnson from our June 2008 issue...

Music Reviews: Hott 22 featuring Bonnie Bailey: "No Promises"

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 10:41:00 CDT

Hott 22 featuring Bonnie Bailey: "No Promises"

July 8, 2008

"This is probably one of the strangest reviews I'll ever have to write. This isn't a bad track. In fact, it's got a great sound. I'd even say it's as good as Hott 22's greatest mini-opus, 2006's "I Feel Love". It should be, because the melody for "No Promises" is lifted note for note from it..."

Music Reviews: Jay West: Into the Land of Funk EP

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 10:41:00 CDT

Jay West: Into the Land of Funk EP

July 8, 2008

"From Jay West and Drop Music comes this energy-packed 3 song EP that will leave blisters on your feet. Jay plays around a lot with samples - up to a dozen per song, it sounds like - crafting..."

5 Magazine DJ Series presents: Gene Hunt

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 13:24:00 CDT

5 Magazine DJ Series presents: Gene Hunt

July 7, 2008

"I think this mix for 5 Magazine's DJ Series has come out legendary! I went down into the basement to record, and I wanted to give you a flavor of my journey through House Music. So it's more of an educational mix, from 0:00 all the way to 69:47. When you get to the end of the mix, you might feel a little upset, so we might have to do a "Part II" down the line. I attained a certain level where I became more spiritually and emotionally involved in this mix. I put my soul into it and took you from where I started to the point where I am now"...

5 Magazine eBlast for July 2, 2008

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 19:31:00 CDT

5 Magazine eBlast

July 2, 2008

July 2008 issue relased + final 4th of July week event listings...

5 Magazine Househeads Calendar for July 2008

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 09:57:00 CDT

July 2, 2008

June Calendar of House Music residencies and events now online...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Must Slow Down!

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:30:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Must Slow Down!

July 1, 2008

Tuesday: 720, Wednesday: Dating Game, Zentra and Evil Olive, Thursday: Rees spins at Spot 6's final Thursday night then Smart Bar, Friday: STAY IN and tape current radio show. Saturday is my dear friend Rawfood Chris' birthday, and he has staked out a spot for all his friends at the Taste of Chicago for the afternoon Stevie Wonder show. I've been to the Taste twice before and swore I would never set foot in that agglutination of people and food and irritation. When we get to Grant Park it is bursting with bodies, every square inch of grass and concrete taken. I am looking for the cursed balloons...

Members: 5 Magazine July 2008 Issue Released

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:30:00 CDT

July 1, 2008

Interviews with Maurice Joshua, Frederick Dunson, Bear Who and Julio Bishop's House on the BLVD crew and more...

Latest Chosen Few Picnic Info

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:56:00 CDT

Latest Chosen Few Picnic Info

June 28, 2008

Updated party info for this year's Chosen Few Picnic, the largest House Music gathering in North America...

5 Magazine Radio Show - June 28, 2008

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:37:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

June 28, 2008

A new show from 5 Magazine, the only House Music magazine in the United States, with DJ Rees Urban and hostess Czarina Mirani. Featured this week: Josh Milan from Blaze, Monday Michiru, Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder, Ricky Bradshaw, Frankie Knuckles' free party, Chosen Few weekend and more. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

5 Magazine eBlast for June 27, 2008

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:47:00 CDT

5 Magazine eBlast

June 27, 2008

Links, new content + events...

Members: The Death of Hi-Fi

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:07:00 CDT

Members: The Death of Hi-Fi

June 27, 2008

I want to post two links, and hopefully you'll understand the relations between them. The first is this story in Rolling Stone from a few months back. The second is to the latest flavor of the month internet jukebox with a stupid name, Jogli. That artists aren't being paid - that, actually, not a tiny percentage of a dime is going to the owners, performers, producers or publishers of this music - is beside the point (or simply not the main point...

Cz's Night Out Column: May 2008

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:50:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Column: May 2008

June 27, 2008

Photos from the Winter Music Conference and Chicago House Music scene.

DJ Charts: Rees Urban

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:50:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Rees Urban

June 27, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Rees Urban from our May 2008 issue...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Shows and Sick Girl

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:31:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Shows and Sick Girl

June 26, 2008

Over the weekend I catch the flu...I am feverish, restless and congested. I cannot get out of bed. Best of all, I have a big show at the Park West on Monday, with early morning dress rehearsals on Sunday. I pray I will miraculously heal. I don't. The show I'm in is called "Big Wigs Live", which stars 10 of the some of the country's biggest drag queens, and about 15 male and female dancers doing elaborate, Vegas-style numbers with them. It's a great show and all for charity...

Music Reviews: Danism and Kathy Brown: "Light Up My Life"

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:27:00 CDT

Danism and Kathy Brown: "Light Up My Life"

June 25, 2008

"I couldn't believe that Kathy Brown was covering a bubblegum ballad from Debbie ("Pat's Daughter") Boone... and thankfully, she isn't. This track features soaring vocals with a touch of disco..."

Music Reviews: The Samc Project: "Lift Him Up"

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:27:00 CDT

The Samc Project: "Lift Him Up"

June 25, 2008

"Four minutes into this tune lies a treat. What may initially sound like another Gospel House track is really an infectious groove from the middle to the end..."

Music Reviews: Funky Transport: "Love Garden"

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:27:00 CDT

Funky Transport: "Love Garden"

June 25, 2008

"This is an edited version off the Farris Wheel Spring Sampler CD released just prior to the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Out of more than a dozen tracks..."

5 Magazine Radio Show - June 20, 2008

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:07:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

June 20, 2008

New music and commentary on the Chicago House Music scene from Czarina Mirani and Rees Urban - Gene Farris, Puerto Rican Fest with inappropriate sexual overtones, Gant-Man aka General Juke, Ray Prasad, Frankie Knuckles, Chosen Few Picnic and more. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...

Music Reviews: The Rurals: "I'm Lost" (Ananda Project Remixes)

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:21:00 CDT

The Rurals: "I'm Lost" (Ananda Project Remixes)

June 18, 2008

"The homebase of The Rurals, Peng is back to its prolific ways with a number of releases coming out in rapidfire frequency. "I'm Lost" is given the remix treatment on this one..."

Love Sex Etc: Is Your Man on the Down-Low?

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:21:00 CDT

Love Sex Etc: Is Your Man on the Down-Low?

June 18, 2008

While gossiping with my hairdresser Jim, he tells me story after story of his nightclub adventures as Tina, his nocturnal alter ego. When Tina is out she is flawless, dressed to the nines in sexy body-fitting clothes and high heels. There are countless men who hit on Tina, most of whom are aware of her true sexuality. "Oh honey, all these men got wives, girlfriends, they know what they're doing! They go and get their *+*ks sucked by someone like me, then go home to their women like aint nothing happened!"...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Fiesta Fiesta!

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:09:00 CDT

Cz's Night Out Blog: Fiesta Fiesta!

June 17, 2008

Thursday I do this cute little hostess/model/smiling girl-dressed-as-a-referee gig for a huge benefit at a Soldier Field banquet hall, which allowed me not only to pose next to Mayor Daley, but whose paycheck also helped get me a lovely new Pioneer CDJ. Friday at the Puerto Rican festival, House Music got to have one stage all to itself. And unlike the one hour allotted to me last year, this time they let Ron Carroll have the whole day with several of Chicago's finest DJs playing. The star of the show was Gantman, because once he started playing all that juking and booty popping music, all the kids (and they literally were kids) ran up to the stage. They then had a "footwork" contest, which was really an ass-jacking-sex-simulation contest that had me wide-eyed and disturbed, because none of the contestants could have been more than 15. (If I ever have a daughter she will be raised by nuns in India, certainly not participating in "footwork" competitions.)...

Gadget Reviews: Sony Walkman NWZ-S718

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:09:00 CDT

Gadget Reviews: Sony Walkman NWZ-S718

June 17, 2008

"Believe it or not, Sony is still making Walkmans. Really! And they're not even meant for the hipster crowd (see my review of the Lasonic modern boombox). These might not be waterproof like the flagship Walkmans of the 1980s, but they at least are a bit sleeker than their construction-tape yellow forbearers. But check this out - not only is the Walkman NWZ a huge leap forward for Sony, but it will almost definitely kick the butt of the Apple mp3 player in a similar price range, the iPod Nano. The basic model features 4 GB of hard disk space for $149, but that's really too small these days and the 8 GB model is only $50 more. The half-inch thick body feels a little bulkier compared to the Nano, but the Walkman isn't nearly as wide. The battery life is also a dream - it lasts much longer than the iPod Nano..."

Mike Dunn Interview

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:44:00 CDT

Mike Dunn Interview

June 16, 2008

You hear it, and within a split second you know the man that made it. Mike Dunn's tracks are justifiably called "classics" - from "God Made Me Phunky" to "Let It Be House" and the underground (and up until now, usually bootlegged) "Phreaky MF". Yet few know everything he's done - pick a Chicago classic from the 1990s at random, and if Mike didn't have a hand in it, he's probably worked with the artist or producer at another time. And after several years away from House Music, Mike Dunn is back with a vengeance. With the rate that he's putting out music these days, you could say he's only making up for lost time... ...

DJ Charts: Master Kev

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:43:00 CDT

DJ Charts: Master Kev

June 16, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Master Kev from our May 2008 issue...

Music Reviews: Zlemtree: "I.C.U."

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:42:00 CDT

Music Reviews: Zlemtree: "I.C.U."

June 16, 2008

"Tyree Cooper joins up with female vocalist Oezlem Cetin (I'll trust the label's spelling!) for a dark masterpiece. Tyree's original mix has a great groove..."

Strobelight Revival @ Kstarke Records Tonight!

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:34:00 CDT

Strobelight Revival @ Kstarke Records Tonight!

June 14, 2008

It's on! Tonight, Kstarke Records, Terry Hunter's T's Box Records and 5 Magazine are celebrating our June 2008 issue, the coming of summer and the release of Leonard Part Sixx's new single of the same name at "Strobelight Revival", going on from 9pm until the lights come on at Kstarke Records (1109 N. Western Ave, just south of Western and Division - click here for maps and directions...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Drugged, Robbed and Other Fun Weekend Stuff

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:04:00 CDT

Czs Night Out Blog: Drugged, Robbed and Other Fun Weekend Stuff

June 13, 2008

Friday night after hanging out at a friend's house, a drink that we thought was just a drink left us up, hallucinating and dealing with extreme body temperature changes. I was livid. Who would do such a thing? So I started to get cranky ("I'm Hot! Cold! Hot! Cold! GET OFF OF ME!!!), while poor Rees proceeded to call his boys, stare out my 30th story window and look at the pretty cars. My carpet distracted me. My muscles were tense and no matter how much I prayed... I couldn't go to sleep. Crap. Needless to say, Saturday was a nightmare waiting for whatever evil chemical there was in our bodies to flush out...

In the Mix: Phonic Helix Board 24 FW

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:41:00 CDT

In the Mix: Phonic Helix Board 24 FW

June 13, 2008

"The Helix Board is the latest offering from Phonic, combining both digital and analog in one high-powered mixer. Among the features here is a 96 KHz interface that streams as many as 18 independent channels..."

DJ Charts: DJ Spider

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:41:00 CDT

DJ Charts: DJ Spider

June 13, 2008

House Music Playlist and Top 10 from DJ Spider from our May 2008 issue...

Music Reviews: Steve Soulbasics: "Kuchwa" Remixes

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:41:00 CDT

Music Reviews: Steve Soulbasics: "Kuchwa" Remixes

June 13, 2008

"Afro-Funk is more than just adding a tribal beat and some incomprehensible chant to the mix. It's actually sort of bothered me for a minute that so many folks have played around with really cheap effects to get that "Ron Trent" sound, without bringing any of Ron Trent's musicality or (this is the point here) appreciation for the culture..."

5 Magazine Radio Show - June 12, 2008

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:11:00 CDT

5 Magazine Radio Show

June 12, 2008

This week's edition of the 5 Magazine Radio Show with Czarina Mirani and Rees Urban - the finest House Music and commentary from Chicago - 5 Mag June party @ Kstarke Records, Gene Hunt, Frankie Knuckles party, DJ booth whores, robbery, lots of music and commentary from Chicago. Show notes at http://www.5chicago.com/podcast/index.html...