5 Magazine

Gadget Reviews: Ibiza Rhapsody MP3 Player

Mon, 12 May 2008 07:36:00 CST

Gadget Reviews: Ibiza Rhapsody MP3 Player

May 12, 2008

It's amazing: how many years ago was the iPod released? And how long did it take to clone it? And how sad is it that competitors are still making products that look just like the standard-issue iPod, throwing a bunch of features in the box while still not getting at the device's soul?...

Music Reviews: Ashford + Simpson - The Warner Years

Mon, 12 May 2008 07:35:00 CST

Music Reviews: Ashford + Simpson - The Warner Years

May 12, 2008

Warner Bros./Rhino. "You can't go wrong with this double disc set. On Disc One you'll find most of their dance music classics, including hard to find original 12" mixes of "Don't Cost You Nothing," "Found A Cure" "Love Don't Make It Right" and "It Seems to Hang On" to name a few..."

DJ Charts: DJ Deeon

Mon, 12 May 2008 07:34:00 CST

DJ Charts: DJ Deeon

May 12, 2008

House Music playlist from DJ Deeon from the April 2008 issue of 5...

Members: tech.nerd: I Read the Trades So You Don't Have To

Sat, 10 May 2008 19:56:00 CST

Members: tech.nerd: I Read the Trades So You Don't Have To

May 10, 2008

Welcome to the TechNerd blog. This is something of an experimental idea, this blog here, which will keep an eye on the latest sites and ideas popping up and being slung about on the web, with some practical tips and commentary on using the crazy internet world to your advantage both as an artist and a music fan. I remember some years ago, a friend involved in investment banking told me that all of the real news in the paper could be found in the Business section. I don't think that's totally accurate, but you can find a lot of information on where the world is going through serious study of the stuff between reports of rising soybean prices and the pages and pages of tiny stock quotes. Of course... that stuff is boring. That's why I'm here. I dedicate my time sorting through this dreck - more particularly, the high tech dreck - so you don't have to...

[Archives] Vick Lavender Interview

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:06:00 CST

[Archives] Vick Lavender Interview

May 10, 2008

Originally published in our December 2006 issue...

[Archives] Groove Junkies Interview

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:05:00 CST

[Archives] Groove Junkies Interview

May 10, 2008

Originally published in our February 2007 issue...

[Archives] Midwest/Mideast: Haneef Raisani and Raisani Records

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:05:00 CST

[Archives] Midwest/Mideast: Haneef Raisani and Raisani Records

May 10, 2008

Originally published in our December 2006 issue...

5 Magazine EBlast for May 9, 2008

Fri, 9 May 2008 16:28:00 CST

May 9, 2008

May Issue Released, Gene Farris Mix and more...

Music Reviews: Vick Lavender - "The Chase" (Tribute to Fred Hampton)

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:51 CST

Music Reviews: Vick Lavender - "The Chase" (Tribute to Fred Hampton)

May 9, 2008

April 2008: Unified. "Vick's The Chase features what sound like live instruments - a little bit of a Latin swing, but with an inspired piano solo..."

[Archives] Stacy Kidd Interview: House 4 Life

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:50 CST

[Archives] Stacy Kidd Interview: House 4 Life

May 9, 2008

Originally published in our December 2006 issue...

[Archives] Stormin' the CHI: Cameron da DJ

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:50 CST

[Archives] Stormin' the CHI: Cameron da DJ

May 9, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Mark Grant ft. Russoul: Guessin' Again

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:50 CST

[Archives] Mark Grant ft. Russoul: Guessin' Again

May 9, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Raquet Ball Club: "Gravy"

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:50 CST

[Archives] Raquet Ball Club: "Gravy"

May 9, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Scott Wozniak - "Breathe"

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:50 CST

[Archives] Scott Wozniak - "Breathe"

May 9, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

Features: Gene Farris Interview

Thu, 8 May 2008 04:12:00 CST

Features: Gene Farris Interview

May 8, 2008

One of the most accomplished DJs and producers of House Music's "second wave" of the 1990s, Gene Farris picked up himself and his Farris Wheel Recordings imprint last October and returned to Chicago, the city of his birth and the the city that propels his distinctive sound. Personal preferences may have compelled the return, but to hear it, it's like he never really left. Farris Wheel always billed itself as a "Chicago house music label in Amsterdam", and Gene is more eager than ever to take his label - and the distinctive sound of Chicago House - to the next level...

Cz's Night Out Blog: New York, Chicago

Thu, 8 May 2008 04:11:00 CST

Czs Night Out Blog: New York, Chicago

May 8, 2008

My New York weekend trip has been very pleasant and low-key... lots of Chinese massages and Filipino and Indian food eating. I didn't even go to my favorite Saturday night Shelter party. The only event I went to was Danny Krivit's monthly 718 Sessions party and that was more of a business thing. Danny will be on the cover of our June issue, and the Martinez Brothers (who were his guests that Sunday) will be gracing the August issue. It was a Sunday tea party (6pm-12am), and everyone looked like they had been up from the night before. TMB and Danny were amazing...

DJ Charts: Grant Nelson

Wed, 7 May 2008 14:12:00 CST

DJ Charts: Grant Nelson

May 7, 2008

DJ Chart from our April 2008 issue from London UK DJ and producer Grant Nelson...

5 Magazine DJ Series presents Jamie 3:26

Wed, 7 May 2008 03:28:00 CST

5 Magazine DJ Series presents Jamie 3:26

May 7, 2008

Dancers are the only judges any DJ should care about. These are words more DJs should probably live by. Who matters more than the person dancing or feeling the music? An unsung hero of Chicago House Music, Jamie 3:26 was known early on as Jamie Lust, and he's played venues worldwide for over twenty years. Many people abroad may recognize him from Chip E.'s documentary, The UnUsual Suspects, where he was a key interviewee. Having his first residency at the ripe old age of eighteen at A.K.A.'s, and a five year run with underground promoters The Way We Were, Jamie...

[Archives] Michael Ezebukwu Interview

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] Ron Trent Interview

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] In the Mix: Mixed in Key

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] In the Mix: Mixed in Key

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Vick Lavender - "Kaylynn's Thing"

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] Vick Lavender - "Kaylynn's Thing"

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] The Face ft. Nicki Richards - "Keep It Coming"

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] The Face ft. Nicki Richards - "Keep It Coming"

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Leela James - "Good Time"

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] Leela James - "Good Time"

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Karu - Enter Part 1 EP

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] Karu - Enter Part 1 EP

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Dennis Ferrer - The World As I See It LP

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] Dennis Ferrer - The World As I See It LP

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

[Archives] Cheyenne - "It's In My Heart"

Sun, 4 May 2008 22:12:00 CST

[Archives] Cheyenne - "It's In My Heart"

May 4, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 issue...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Crash, Boom!

Sat, 3 May 2008 16:21:00 CST

Czs Night Out Blog: Crash, Boom!

May 3, 2008

On my way to taking Luigi to his doggie agility class, I got into a car accident. A bad one. Both cars undriveable, smashed, towed away to who-knows-where. It's very traumatic reliving the incident, because you keep seeing it over and over again, hearing that awful sound of metal hitting metal. It was totally my fault, and I feel awful because the girl driving the other car was so nice about it. Her parents came and took her away, and I called Terry my 5 Mag cohort to come pretend to be my mom. After my defaced SUV was taken away and the fat-ass cop left...

[Archives] Ron Trent Interview

Sat, 3 May 2008 16:12:00 CST

[Archives] Ron Trent Interview

May 3, 2008

Originally published in our January 2007 interview - one of the best interviews ever from 5 Magazine...

5 Magazine EBlast for May 2, 2008

Fri, 2 May 2008 18:33:00 CST

May 2, 2008

May Issue Released, Gene Farris Mix and more...

Members: Lament for the Record Store

Fri, 2 May 2008 08:22:00 CST

Members: Lament for the Record Store

May 2, 2008

It's one thing to write about digital music and new media outlets and make a flip quip that brick-and-mortar record shops are going the way of the dinosaurs. It's very different when you can match a name and a face to yet another mom + pop record store closing. Record Time in Ferndale, Michigan closed down in late March, though I just learned about it last week. The Record Time stores were a big deal in Detroit (and, of course, still are for a lot of people), stocking the early Detroit techno artists like Jeff Mills, Carl Craig and Juan Atkins. I don't think a comparison to departed Chicago institutions like Loop Records or Importes is out of the question - they were that important...

5 Magazine Househeads Calendar for May 2008

Thu, 1 May 2008 07:31:00 CST

May 1, 2008

May Calendar now online...

5 Magazine EBlast for April 30, 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:00:00 CST

April 30, 2008

May Events Sneak Preview + 5 Mag Release Party...

Members: 5 Magazine May 2008 Issue Released

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:47:00 CST

April 29, 2008

Interviews with Mike Dunn, Master Kev, Jamie 3:26 and more, now in our members' only section...

Audio: DJ Stoney Mix: "Beneath the Underground"

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:46:00 CST

April 28, 2008

New House Music mix from DJ Stoney, resident at Spin, Circuit and The Prop House titled Beneath the Underground...

In the Mix: Rane TTM 57SL Mixer

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:45:00 CST

In the Mix: Rane TTM 57SL Mixer

April 28, 2008

There was a moment - brief, it now seems - that there was a significant lag between DJ software (exemplified by Serato) and the hardware that we all have to use. Take a poll of House Music lovers and you'll find a lot of them employed in IT and other industries, so we became the ultimate early adapters for a lot of software that's now used by DJs from all genres. Unless you've had to sort through the spaghetti wires in the back of a mixer at a peak hour when everyone's staring at you and the room is so quiet you can hear a pin drop, you probably won't appreciate this. But due to the age of the leading hardware out there, mix software often created more problems for audioheads even while it made things easier for the DJ...

DJ Charts: Redsoul

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:44:00 CST

DJ Charts: Redsoul

April 28, 2008

DJ Charts from Dave Redsoul Wareing...

DJ Charts: Mazi

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:44:00 CST

DJ Charts: Mazi

April 28, 2008

DJ Charts from Mazi...

Music Reviews: Cesar Ramirez: Blue Light Special EP

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:43:00 CST

Music Reviews: Cesar Ramirez: Blue Light Special EP

April 27, 2008

Smooth Agent. "The title track "Blue Light Special" is probably my favorite track of the trio: jazzy, happy, melodic. It puts you in the mind of a warm Spring night in the city - wherever you live. Check out the swingin' drum pattern, sampled upright bass..."

Cz's Night Out Blog: DJ Groupie/Stage Mom

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:50:00 CST

Czs Night Out Blog: Party Pornstars

April 27, 2008

I've taken on the unofficial role of manager/booking agent/pimp/nagging gf for him, the poor thing. Btw if...

DJ Charts: Ralf Gum

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:25:00 CST

DJ Charts: Ralf Gum

April 27, 2008

DJ Charts from Germany's Ralf Gum...

Music Reviews: Green Velvet - "It's Time 2 Jack"

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:24:00 CST

Music Reviews: Green Velvet - "It's Time 2 Jack"

April 27, 2008

Cajual. "This is a bonus track off the Green Velvet featuring Russoul Walk EP..."

Music Reviews: RaShaan Houston - "Happy" (MCM Remix)

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:24:00 CST

Music Reviews: RaShaan Houston - "Happy" (MCM Remix)

April 27, 2008

Ruff'n'Tuff. "Here's a new remix of "Happy" produced by George Jackson; the original was featured..."

Music Reviews: Trizonna McClendon - "Sunshine + Lemonade" (inblueblackness rmx)

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:23:00 CST

Music Reviews: Trizonna McClendon - "Sunshine + Lemonade" (inblueblackness rmx)

April 27, 2008

4 The Soul-Reciprocity. "The dancefloor remix of this soulkissed neo-soul track is likely to find an appreciative audience when it makes the rounds..."

DJ Charts: Lawnchair Generals

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:01:00 CST

DJ Charts: Lawnchair Generals

April 25, 2008

DJ Charts from Seattle's Lawnchair Generals...

Gadget Reviews: LaCie LaCinema Premier Media Drive

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 CST

Gadget Reviews: LaCie LaCinema Premier Media Drive

April 25, 2008

The LaCinema Premier from hard disk maker LaCie is either (a) an external computer hard drive with a few bells and whistles, (b) a useful and inexpensive necessity for anyone with an entertainment center, or (c) the bane of the movie industry that will bring Hollywood whimpering to its knees...

Music Reviews: Atjazz ft. Robert Owens - "Love Someone"

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 CST

Music Reviews: Atjazz ft. Robert Owens - "Love Someone"

April 25, 2008

Mantis Recordings. "Right on the heels of the exciting "Twilight People", Robert Owens is back, delivering fresh vocals..."

Music Reviews: Nomumbah ft. Nadirah Shakoor - "Like a Rainbow"

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 CST

Music Reviews: Nomumbah ft. Nadirah Shakoor - "Like a Rainbow"

April 25, 2008

Sonar Kollektiv. "Play this if you want to set the tone for the night early on, or if you're brave enough to..."

Music Reviews: Reel People feat. Tony Momrelle + Imaani - "Amazing"

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 CST

Music Reviews: Reel People feat. Tony Momrelle + Imaani - "Amazing"

April 25, 2008

PAPA. "After your endless search for the right music in record stores and download sites, this is the kind of discovery..."

Music Reviews: Wil Milton - "Rubberband"

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 CST

Music Reviews: Wil Milton - "Rubberband"

April 25, 2008

Blak Ink Music. "I'm on the fence about this project. "Rubberband" will fit nicely into one of two music bins..."

Features: Osunlade Interview

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:39:00 CST

Features: Osunlade Interview

April 24, 2008

Osunlade is not just a House Music phenomenon, but one of the true artists of any genre or artform of our time. A working musician from the age of seventeen, he's released more than twenty albums of material and worked with artists from Patti Labelle to Roy Ayers. In the realm of dance music, you'll find few who are more respected, not just for his abilities to create but his faithfulness to his ideals and his muse...

Features: Who is Ricky Bradshaw?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:38:00 CST

Features: Who is Ricky Bradshaw?

April 24, 2008

When Ricky Bradshaw's massive underground hit "Black Keys (Filtered Jazz Mix)" hit the streets in 1999, vinyl was still king among Househeads. Chicago's House scene was vibrant and ubiquitous. Karma, Mad Bar, and Red Dog were in full swing, and it was the year of the first 3 Degrees Wednesday party. It was a time when many of us believed that House Music would change the world. Along with nearly every other house DJ on the planet, I bought Ricky Bradshaw's Jump Skip EP on Bad Boy Bill's label, Moody Recordings...

Features: Grei Anatomy

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:37:00 CST

Features: Grei Anatomy: Kerri Chandler's Back with a Slew of New Releases + a New Tour

April 24, 2008

I'm going to apologize in advance for framing it like this, but Kerri Chandler is going to be the one to really bring sexy back. Lesser artists talk; true artists will show you how it's done. That's at least the line I'm taking in describing one of the strangest but most beautiful releases to come out in 2007, A Night with Dick: The Dick Dickler EP...

Features: Gant Man

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:36:00 CST

Features: Gant-Man

April 24, 2008

Cajmere caused a stir a year ago with the release of the "Shake and Pop" remixes on Relief. Among the edits by DJ Sneak, Dealer and Mark Grant was a pair of remixes by Gant Garrard who, like Cajmere/Green Velvet or Lil John/Lil John Coleman's use of separate identities for different musical styles, uses the moniker "Gant-Man" on his Juke Music releases. It wasn't the first but was definitely the most prominent show of interest by a high level House Music label in Juke...

In the Mix: M-Audio Trigger Finger

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:35:00 CST

In the Mix: M-Audio Trigger Finger

April 24, 2008

We've concentrated quite a bit on DJ equipment here, and little about machines for the at-home studio. The M-Audio Trigger Finger is a sleek and inexpensive drum machine for both programming and performing, and is compatible with Reason, Live, and a number...

In the Mix: Numarq iDJ2

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:34:00 CST

In the Mix: Numarq iDJ2

April 24, 2008

Numarq's revision of the popular iDJ software has a number of new features, but the most talked-about is the ability to mix two songs simultaneously from a single iPod. Revolutionary? It might not sound impressive, but an audio device that could simultaneously manipulate multiple sources from the same removable media...

In the Mix: Behringer BCD3000

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:33:00 CST

In the Mix: Behringer BCD3000

April 24, 2008

Behringer's BCD3000 is an improvement on the 2000 series and likely to give CDJs a run for the lower end of the club CD turntable market. While the experience of using...

Cz's Night Out Blog: Party Pornstars

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:01:00 CST

Czs Night Out Blog: Party Pornstars

April 17, 2008

I love Mary Carey. Ever since I watched her heartfelt attempts at sobriety on VH1's reality show "Celebrity Rehab", I've been rooting for her to get her shit together. There was something about her innocent looking face and occasional tears that made me feel for her. So when I hear she is to appear at Green Dolphin Monday night, I'm so there...

In the Mix: Korg Kaoss Mixer

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:52:00 CST

In the Mix: Korg Kaoss Mixer

April 16, 2008

For gearheads, this is enough to make you cry. Korg has come up with a combination next-generation KAOSS pad and DJ mixer and combined them into one product, beautiful in its simplicity and design. The KAOSS Mixer combines the pad's hands-on management of effects processing with a high quality 2-channel mixer. The former gives this an analog feel quite unlike most products on the market today...

In the Mix: M-Audio Fast Track Ultra Audio Interface

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:51:00 CST

In the Mix: M-Audio Fast Track Ultra Audio Interface

April 16, 2008

M-Audio is well-known for manufacturing a variety of audio gadgets, from finger triggers for drum machines to this, a USB-connected audio interface for home studios...

Features: Liquid Vinyl Review

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:24:00 CST

Features: Liquid Vinyl Review

April 16, 2008

In the past few years we've had the honor of having four movies dedicated to the subject of dance music: Maestro, The UnUsual Suspects, The Godfather of Disco, The Chicago LP/DVD and now Liquid Vinyl. The latter, directed by LA-based Taylor Neary played in February at independent film haven Facets to very little fanfare...

Audio: DJ Pap Mix: Retrospective

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:50:00 CST

Audio: DJ Pap Mix: Retrospective

April 16, 2008

Here's a great new mix sent to us by DJ Pap, right on the heels of his contribution (with Matt Kerr and Cei-Bei) to blended, our Chicago/Miami sampler. This mix takes you on a real journey, starting with a unique intro, continuing through the likes of Black Science Orchestra and concluding with one of Pap's tracks, "Don't Leave" (DJ Pap featuring Naked Soul). The full track listing is below...

Feature: Farley Jackmaster Funk Interview

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:50:00 CST

Feature: Farley Jackmaster Funk Interview

April 14, 2008

SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN underdogs. Farley Jackmaster Funk, one of the most influential figures in the history of House Music, with a career spanning three decades, clearly relishes the idea of being underestimated. More than twenty-five years since he hit the radio with the other members of the Hot Mix 5 and held down his legendary residency at The Playground, Farley is gearing up for one of the most ambitious projects to hit this city in years: more than 70 tracks ready to hit, and a new nightclub with a unique twist...

Audio: Kevin Starke Acid Mix

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:11:00 CST

Audio: Kevin Starke Acid Mix

April 11, 2008

The owner of KStarke Records, Kevin Starke, gave me this mix a few months back when I was conducting an interview with him in conjunction with The Armando Project. He wanted to play a few tracks to show me a particular acid track that he was describing in the interview, but I liked the mix so much I asked him if we could post it here...

DJ Charts: Terry Hunter

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:10:00 CST

DJ Charts: Terry Hunter

April 11, 2008

DJ Chart from Terry Hunter of T's Box and MAW Records...

Love Sex Etc: 10 Obvious Sex-Tips for Stubborn Men

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:09:00 CST

Love Sex Etc: 10 Obvious Sex-Tips for Stubborn Men

April 11, 2008

The best way to drive in a point is to repeat it over and over again. That's why women have perfected the art of nagging. We do this not to get on your nerves, but rather because you still never get it! Below are ten sex tips that I'm sure you've heard before. Maybe your bedroom game is getting rusty, your girlfriend isn't feeling you, or that hot chick you finally scored with refuses to return your calls. Whatever the case may be, here are some suggestions for you to really DO and not just read. Comprende? Good luck my stud muffin!...