added jul 18 in inthemix | read more »
Music Reviews: Music Reviews: Phil Asher pres. Phlash + Friends: "Look at What We've Done" | 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...
added jul 18 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: Andre Harris: "10 Things Not to Say to a DJ" | 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...
added jul 17 in musicreviews | read more »
DJ Charts: Minx | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Minx from Women on Wax, Detroit from our June 2008 issue...
added jul 17 in djcharts | read more »
Mark Farina: The Art of the Mix | 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...
added jul 16 in features | read more »
Maurice Joshua Mix | A new mix from Maurice Joshua as part of our July 2008 cover story...
added jul 14 in audio | listen »
5 Magazine eBlast for July 11, 2008 | New 5 Mag Radio Show + new events for this weekend...
added jul 11 in eblasts | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: Crazy July 4th Weekend | 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...
added jul 11 in blog | read more »
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...
added jul 10 in podcast | listen »
5 Magazine eBlast for July 9, 2008 | Gene Hunt Mix online + new events for this week...
added jul 9 in eblasts | read more »
DJ Charts: Paul Johnson | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Paul Johnson...
added jul 8 in djcharts | read more »
Music Reviews: Hott 22 featuring Bonnie Bailey: "No Promises" | 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...
added jul 8 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: Jay West: Into the Land of Funk EP | 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...
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5 Magazine DJ Series presents: Gene Hunt | This month's DJ Series mix featuring Mr. Gene Hunt!
added jul 7 in djseries | listen »
5 Magazine eBlast for July 2, 2008 | July 2008 issue out and final 4th of July week event listings...
added jul 2 in eblasts | read more »
Househeads Calendar | Updated with Chicago House Music Residencies + Events for July 2008.
added jul 2 in cal | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: Must Slow Down! | 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...
added jul 1 in blog | read more »
July 2008 Issue Released | Login to read here
added jul 1 in members' area | what's this? | read more »
Latest Chosen Few Picnic Info | Updated with the latest party info...
added jun 28 in the index | read more »
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...
added jun 28 in podcast | listen »
5 Magazine eBlast for June 27, 2008 | Pride weekend events + beyond...
added jun 27 in eblasts | read more »
5 Mag in Time Out Chicago | In which the question is asked, "Why am I not on the cover?"...
added jun 27 | read more »
Members: The Death of Hi-Fi | Login to read here
added jun 27 in members' area | what's this? | read more »
Cz's Night Out Column | Photos from the Winter Music Conference + Chicago House Music Scene...
added jun 27 in czno | read more »
DJ Charts: Rees Urban | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Rees Urban...
added jun 27 in djcharts | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: Shows and Sick Girl | 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...
added jun 26 in blog | read more »
Music Reviews: Danism and Kathy Brown: "Light Up My Life" | 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...
added jun 25 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: Funky Transport: "Love Garden" | 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...
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Music Reviews: The Samc Project: "Lift Him Up" | 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...
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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...
added jun 20 in podcast | listen »
Music Reviews: The Rurals: "I'm Lost" (Ananda Project Remixes) | 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...
added jun 18 in musicreviews | read more »
Love Sex Etc: Is Your Man on the Down-Low? | 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!"...
added jun 18 in lovesexetc | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: Fiesta Fiesta! | 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...
added jun 17 in blog | read more »
Gadget Reviews: Sony Walkman NWZ-S718 | 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...
added jun 17 in gadgets | read more »
Mike Dunn Interview | 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...
added jun 16 in features | read more »
DJ Charts: Master Kev | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Master Kev...
added jun 16 in djcharts | read more »
Music Reviews: Zlemtree: "I.C.U." | 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...
added jun 16 in musicreviews | read more »
Strobelight Revival @ Kstarke Records Tonight! | 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...
added jun 14 in features | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: Drugged, Robbed and Other Fun Weekend Stuff | 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...
added jun 13 in blog | read more »
In the Mix: Phonic Helix Board 24 FW | 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...
added jun 13 in inthemix | read more »
DJ Charts: DJ Spider | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from DJ Spider...
added jun 13 in djcharts | read more »
Music Reviews: Steve Soulbasics: "Kuchwa" Remixes | 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...
added jun 13 in musicreviews | read more »
5 Magazine Radio Show - June 12, 2008 | New music and commentary on the Chicago House Music scene from Czarina Mirani and Rees Urban - 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...
added jun 12 in podcast | listen »
Gadget Reviews: Lasonix X Famous i931 | For the extremely ironic hipster in your life that rollerskates (not rollerblades) to work and grew up beating Run-DMC in the ghettoes of Rolling Meadows comes this modern version of the old school boombox from boutique electronics company Lasonic...
added jun 11 in gadgets | read more »
DJ Charts: Jamie 3:26 | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Jamie 3:26...
added jun 11 in djcharts | read more »
Music Reviews: Telepaticos: Carpe Sativa EP | This is the first record I've ever reviewed from an Irish label, though the duo that put this together, Telepaticos, are actually Belgian... with a Spanish moniker. Got that straight? It's okay, you don't need to. Just listen...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] George Jackson: Ruff'N'Tuff'N'Ready | ...
added jun 11 in features | read more »
[Archives] Jojo Baby | ...
added jun 11 in features | read more »
[Archives] E-Man - "Not For You" | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Groove Junkies + Andy Caldwell ft. Alexander Sky - "I Believe in Dreams" | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] John Julius Knight - Trax for My Head EP | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] K-Alexi + Jivaro - Twisted House EP | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Little Louie Vega - Mix the Vibe: For the Love of King Street EP | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Lucy Hawkins - "Gotta Get Out of Here" | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Robert Strauss - Mr. Feelings EP 1/5 | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Sam McQueen - Wicker Park EP | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Stacy Kidd ft. Terrance Parker - "Too the Limit" | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
[Archives] Vick Lavender ft. Carla Prather - "Respect Our Love" | ...
added jun 11 in musicreviews | read more »
Master Kev Interview | Master Kev is part of the second generation of New York's top deep house DJs. Following in the footsteps of Timmy Regisford, Tony Humphries and Louie Vega, Kev is becoming known around the world as the face of New York soulful house...
added jun 10 in features | read more »
Latest Chosen Few Picnic Info | History, location, the afterparty, driving directions and more - more to come...
added jun 9 in the index | read more »
DJ Charts: Sunshine Jones | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Sunshine Jones...
added jun 6 in djcharts | read more »
Music Reviews: Tarek: "Desabafo" | Grooveland is back with their first release since last year's "So Lonely" and related remixes. These guys take their House seriously, and "Desabafo" by Rio de Janeiro...
added jun 6 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: Chico Hamilton: "Mysterious Maiden" | Hopefully, somewhere before, in the middle, or after DJs bang us out with the latest sample/filter music-stuff, they will treat us to something musically that will...
added jun 6 in musicreviews | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: DJ Booth Whore | So a few nights ago while watching a very well known DJ playing up on a high (and tiny) booth, I saw his girlfriend (or girl for the night) standing right next to him, looking like one of those dead model posers in hiphop music videos. She literally just stood there, occasionally looking around the room to show that she was with the DJ. I so wanted to laugh...
added jun 6 in blog | read more »
Chosen Few Move Picnic Date | This year's Chosen Few Picnic - estimated by many to be the largest House Music festival in North America, and certainly in the Midwest - has changed dates. Chosen Few founder Wayne Williams has informed us that the all-day outdoor event will now be held on Saturday, July 5th (not July 4th) in the park at 63rd and Hayes Drive on the Southside of Chicago...
added jun 5 in features | read more »
5 Magazine Radio Show - June 5, 2008 | New music and commentary on the Chicago House Music scene from Czarina Mirani and Rees Urban - New Glenn Lewis track on T's Box, 5 Mag Party @ Kstarke Records, DJ Series contest, Frankie Knuckles' free party, lots of music and commentary...
added jun 5 in podcast | read more »
5 Magazine DJ Series presents YOU! | The 5 Magazine DJ Series will return next month with Volume 16 and a mix from and profile of legendary House DJ and producer Gene Hunt. But this month, we're taking a break to announce our city-wide search for the next great DJ talent. Whether you've played for an audience of thousands or an audience of one, we're inviting you to participate in 5 Magazine's DJ Series Search, a contest opening June 1st and concluding July 31, 2008...
added jun 5 in djseries | read more »
Cz's Night Out Blog: Stuff | Friday night the 3rd floor of Club 720 (which has been renamed Religion) the Martinez Brothers come from New York to make their first Chicago appearance. They are so amazing to hear... their mixing is flawless, the music dope. At a mere 16 and 19, they spin like seasoned veterans, yet they have the most childlike and unassuming personas...
added jun 4 in blog | read more »
DJ Charts: Bryan Jones | House Music Playlist and Top 10 from Bryan Jones...
added jun 4 in djcharts | read more »
TuneCore: Getting Rid of the Gatekeepers | Login to read here
added jun 4 in members' area | what's this? | read more »
Cz's Night Out Column | Photos from the NYC and Chicago House Music scenes...
added jun 3 in czno | read more »
Music Reviews: DJ Motion: "Extranatural Notions" | This three song release by DJ Motion features a pretty wide range of sounds. "Born in Summer" is a classic jack track - perfect for the lull between two crowd slayers...
added jun 2 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: J-Groove: "Disco 9000" | This interesting electro single from J-Groove of Toronto features a funkier beat than you'd expect from most electro releases...
added jun 2 in musicreviews | read more »
Househeads Calendar | Updated with Chicago House Music Residencies + Events for June 2008.
added jun 1 in cal | read more »
June 2008 Issue Released | In our members' area; Login to read here
added may 30 in members' area | what's this?
This Week's 5 Magazine Radio Show | New episode for the week added May 30 2008 with Czarina Mirani and Rees Urban...
added may 30 in audio | listen »
tech.nerd: ATTIGO TouchTable: And You Thought CDJs Were the Future? | Login to read here
added may 29 in members' area | what's this? | read more »
Music Reviews: Marc Romboy vs. Tyree Cooper: Lost EP | So much stuff that advertises itself as "minimal" really means "incomplete". Leave it to Tyree and Marc to do it right. They bring the sound home to the early Chicago jack track days or some of the darker moods of Detroit...
added may 29 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: Scott Wozniak ft. Ambrosia: "Now I Know" | The Scott Wozniak Club Mix is a nice bit of mid-tempo House. While the drums won't blow your ears out, don't underestimate this one: it has an irresistible beat...
added may 29 in musicreviews | read more »
Drag Queen Hell | My trip to Dallas dancing for Miss Gay USA was so-so fun, then not so fun. There were 4 girls and 2 guys dancing for the drag queen, Miss Tennessee. The first night we had to do an Indian Bollywood style number, and wouldn't you know it we were the only ones out of the 44 acts that got a standing ovation. They were screaming and yelling for us before the dance ended, and we got perfect scores from the judges...
added may 28 in blog | read more »
DJ Charts: Karol XVII + MB Valence | House Music playlist from Karol XVII + MB Valence...
added may 28 in djcharts | read more »
DJ Charts: Aaron Dae | House Music playlist from Aaron Dae...
added may 28 in djcharts | read more »
Music Reviews: Gene Farris: "Visions of the Future" | If I'm hearing the word on the street correctly, I'm going to buck conventional wisdom and say that the original mix of this release is the must-have track of the three outstanding mixes...
added may 28 in musicreviews | read more »
Music Reviews: Organic Groove Continuum - "Bello's Bell" | This is a song of many moods, starting out with a harsh and gritty industrial loop that immediately made me think of Spencer Kinsey, sweaty walls and the perilous fire escape up to the 500 W. Cermak lofts circa 1995...
added may 28 in musicreviews | read more »
