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- Blogs, Bleader Aug 22, 2017
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A new compilation uncovers soulful treasures from 70s and 80s Somalia
Sweet as Broken Dates reveals a dazzling world of Somali pop, much of which was stashed away nearly three decades ago to help it survive the country's oncoming civil war.
- Blogs, Bleader Aug 7, 2017
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Chicago hip-hop producer Ikon throws a party with his friends on ‘Believe That’
Private Stock producer Ikon works with New York MC Ishmael Raps and Chicago beat maker Rob Lyrical on his euphoric new single.
- Blogs, Bleader Aug 1, 2017
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Rediscovering the genius of the early B-52s
Absurd, fun, and sad all at once, "Dance This Mess Around" is a highlight from the B-52s' 1979 debut album.
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 25, 2017
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West African stars Orchestra Baobob and Oumou Sangaré head in opposite directions on their first albums in years
On strong new recordings, Orchestra Baobab look to their past while Oumou Sangaré heads toward the future.
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 24, 2017
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Chicago rapper Duffle Bag Buru finds his voice—and earns a cosign from hip-hop outlet Lyrical Lemonade
On Friday at the Portage Theater, rising local rapper Duffle Bag Buru plays a big summer showcase for Lyrical Lemonade, a powerful voice for the newest wave of Chicago hip-hop.
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 20, 2017
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With his new GSPL, Phoelix may stop being one of Chicago hip-hop’s best-kept secrets
Phoelix coproduced two of the best Chicago hip-hop releases of 2016, but he saved plenty of magic for his own new debut EP.
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 18, 2017
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Chill summertime pop from a 1968 Steve Miller Band album
"Quicksilver Girl" sounded familiar when I heard it a few weeks ago, but I never would've guessed it's from the Steve Miller Band's Sailor.
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 12, 2017
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On ‘Lay Down,’ rising rapper OMB Peezy balances his native Alabama with his adopted home in California
Recent 300 signee OMB Peezy, who plays Reggie's on Thursday, is being hailed as a new avatar of regional rap—and his breakout single shows how distinctive he can be.
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 11, 2017
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Revisit the soulful hypnosis of the late Kelan Phil Cohran’s Artistic Heritage Ensemble
Phil Cohran recorded the Artistic Heritage Ensemble's dazzling, multifaceted debut with some of the most important musicians in Chicago history.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 21, 2017
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Chicago harpist Yomi makes carefree pop collages perfect for summer Sundays
Yomi plays an early-afternoon set on the third and final day of this weekend's Logan Square Arts Festival.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 20, 2017
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Century-straddling Icelandic ensemble Nordic Affect play new music with Baroque instruments and electronics
Contemporary classical quartet Nordic Affect beautifully blend past and future on their recent second album, Raindamage.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 13, 2017
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Los Angeles trio Meatbodies add their glammy hard rock to the city’s garage explosion
Led by Chad Ubovich of Ty Segall's Fuzz, Meatbodies are playing their part in LA's renaissance of scuzzy rock.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 7, 2017
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Chicago rapper Adamn Killa deflects insults by turning them into jokes
On "Roof Roof" from the new I Am Adamn, Adamn Killa flips criticisms of his unorthodox style into a playful statement of defiance.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 6, 2017
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Tompkins Square celebrates a lost classic of fingerstyle guitar with new music by Harry Tausig and Max Ochs
Max Ochs and Harry Taussig share a new split release in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Takoma Records compilation Contemporary Guitar—Spring '67.
- Blogs, Bleader May 31, 2017
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With ‘Off the Clock,’ Chicago rapper Jayaire Woods demonstrates why he deserves a bigger audience
“Off the Clock” is the first single from Jayaire Woods’s imminent third mixtape, Big Wood.
- Blogs, Bleader May 24, 2017
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Charming indie-pop duo Water From Your Eyes help celebrate the first year of Our Music My Body
Water From Your Eyes play a benefit tonight for Our Music My Body, a campaign by Chicago nonprofits Between Friends and Rape Victim Advocates to fight harassment in the music scene.
- Blogs, Bleader May 23, 2017
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At long last the African music from Ali and Foreman’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ sees release
The dazzling two-CD set Zaire 74: The African Artists presents electric performances from Congolese musical royalty and South African legend Miriam Makeba.
- Blogs, Bleader May 10, 2017
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Chicago rapper Lucki sounds like he knows there’s no time to waste
On Watch My Back and Days Be4 Storm, Lucki tightens up his drowsy flow to fit his more succinct songs.
- Blogs, Bleader May 3, 2017
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Chicago art-rock band Crown Larks juggle joy and darkness on the new ‘React’
The shape-shifting Crown Larks wrangle contrasting fragments of Krautrock and psychedelia on the new single from their forthcoming second album, Population.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 26, 2017
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Chicago rapper Roy French paints more vividly with fewer colors on ‘Tommy Pickles’
Roy French demonstrates the virtue of restraint by adopting a minimalist approach for the brand-new mixtape Vroom.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 18, 2017
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Chicago trio Bottle Tree warp cosmic R&B into a distinctive shape of their own
Chicago trio Bottle Tree is one of many projects on the long and varied resumé of cornetist Ben Lamar Gay.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 12, 2017
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Chicago rapper Melo Makes Music blurs the line between current hip-hop and 90s alt-rock
Melo Makes Music's latest single, "Sleepless," feels as familiar as an alt-rock hit that's been on the radio for decades.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 11, 2017
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Britain’s Far Out label resurrects another deserving Brazilian obscurity from the early 70s
The 1970 debut of little-known Brazilian singer Piry Reis is the latest release from the Quartin label reissued by Far Out.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 5, 2017
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Raunchy Chicago rapper Cupcakke goes all-in for body positivity on ‘Biggie Smalls’
Cupcakke's first album of the year, the new Queen Elizabitch, demonstrates that her power extends beyond rapping about sex.
- Blogs, Bleader Mar 22, 2017
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Smino raps like he’s from his own planet on his debut album, Blkswn
Rising Chicago rap star Smino grew up in Saint Louis, but the idiosyncratic sound on his new debut album can't be pinpointed on any map.
