HOUSE NATION CHICAGO

K’ Alexi Shelby – Chicago House Music

1. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH K’ALEXI SHELBY WAS THROUGH THE RHYTHM BEAT LABEL WITH ALIASES: CLUB MCM, MIND CONTROL MUSIC. TELL US ABOUT THE BEGINNINGS OF YOUR YOUNG CAREER AS A PRODUCER AND DJ.

As far as my young career goes, I was very much so blessed day and as I am now to have started with the pioneers of this thing called “house” and what Chicago knows to be techno, I started off of the inside like drum machine and was making beach tracks, because that was all we made back then and was more than happy with just that. I don’t even think we understood how much the rhythm played a part in what we would come to be no now, about this thing of hours, but it definitely helped.

I find myself, even though today, looking for the perfect date always: the hunt continues.

2. CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC SCENE. CHICAGO’S LEGENDARY WBMX AM & FM. TALK ABOUT THIS RADIO AND THE INCREDIBLE MUSIC SHARED ON THEIR RADIO SHOWS

BMX was at the tone of the type of music that was kool to play, but My mom would win these “dance contest” and she would bring me home the records. At first I just thought it was cool getting gifts for my mom, but before I know it, I ended up with quite the collection. But after losing my collection, over the years to flood damage, I would say about three times, that was it my heart couldn’t take being broken anymore, plus maturing and moving around, made it hard to keep up with such things. So, I was more than happy seeing my teacher/friend Big brother Frankie Knuckles Dj on a flash drive. I was all too amazed to see someone of his caliber doing such a thing and to know, that you can carry all that music on such a tiny thing, with all the information about the record that you needed. Technology, such a wonderful thing.

3. YOUR MUSIC EXPERIENCE DRUM MACHINES, SYNTHESIZERS, SEQUENCERS

Yes, then sonic drum machine well actually REAL Drums first and then the end sonic and then whatever drum machine that was that came before. The SP 12, then moving on to the whole road and family the 303 and the cast of others that would help shape my career. I think no drum machine to help me more than I would say: the 909 to 727 in the MPC 60.

4. RON HARDY AND MUSIC BOX, THE KEY, THE ONLY GODFATHER OF HOUSE MUSIC

He was definitely one of the godfathers, another one of my friends/big brothers, another one of my lucky encounters that I was blessed to even took the time tonight only listen to my little tracks, I was making but play them and play them, so well and so much, that people thought they were his. I miss him very much, I miss them both.

5. FRANKIE KNUCKLES “WAREHOUSE”

Big brother Frankie was then and now a big influence, but when I think of him, music isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind, his musical intellect Wasn’t doubtable, but I really just missed a genuine conversations, he and I, would have things happening in the singing out, but just life conversations.

6. HOW ITALO-DISCO INFLUENCED CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC

There was a record store in Chicago downtown called “Imports” and they would have all the latest Italiano disco I know. What a joy it was to hear that style, even now, I enjoy a good Italian disco cut because of the skill and I imagine what a wonderful joy those sessions must’ve been.

7. WHEN EUROPEAN, ITALIAN SOUND APPEAR IN US CHICAGO RECORD STORES

As I said Import Records baby was undoubtably hands-down the best store for that type of music.

8. FROM THE SEMINAL LABELS OF THE 90S: D.J. INTERNATIONAL RECORDS, TRAX RECORDS, ACV .. HOW THE WAYS OF ENJOYING MUSIC HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME. TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGIES, SOFTWARE, NEW MACHINERY FOR MAKING MUSIC.

I didn’t catch Sean and fully give to digital for a while. I was really happy with regular pianos and drum machines or should I say life drumming until I realized how much I can get done by myself with everything going digital. I just made it easier for me being a kid back, then making noise they were later be turned into music dare I even say classics.

9. ONE YEAR OF PANDEMIC, SOCIAL DISTANCE ETC. HOW DO YOU THINK THE WORLD OF CLUBBING WILL CHANGE? THE DANCE?

I would hope they would weed out those people who were only in it for the money, but I see right now the jacking off positions being done, to keep those people in power. Sad, really how the people have become so into things of the moment, instead of thinking long-term. No one really cares anymore, it seems about how the record was made, where it came from and what else that artist have done. This is now and always has been, a culture those who don’t respect, that are doomed to fail.

10. ENLIGHTEN US ON YOUR DREAM PROJECT

To get my music in as many films and other visual projects as possible.

The goal has always been to reach and teach as many as possible. I have always been one with the music & the people & NEVER thought I was bigger than ether, I am forever a fan of the culture.

🖤👑🔥

Be on the lookout for my new music & label “Blueprint Klassik”.

Oh What A Lil Smoke Can Do – K ‘Alexi Shelby AKa El Chocalata

1. Make Me Wanna – Marvin Gaye ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
2. Trance Europe Express – Kraft Work ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
3. I Need Somebody 2 Luv – Sylvester ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
4. You Stepped Into My Life – Melba Moore ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
5. My Hart Heat Begins 2 Beat ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
6. Lady Bug -Bumble Bee Unlimited ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
7. You Gonna make me Luv Somebody else – The Jones Girls ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
8. We Got the Funk – Positive force ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
9. Just An Illusion – Imagination ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
10. I Got A Big Bee – Bumble Bee Unlimited ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
11. Native new Yorker – Odyssey ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
12. Run Away Luv – Loleatta Holloway
13. Miss Broadway – Belle Epoque ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
14. Give Me Ya Love – Sylvia Stripling ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
15. Body Heat – James Brown ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
16. Sing Sing Sing – Charlie Calello Orchesta ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
17. Miss You – Rolling Stones ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
18. Shack Yo Tambourine – Universal Robot ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
19. Last Song <3

 K' Alexi Shelby Chicago House Music
~ K’ Alexi Shelby
www.instagram.com/iamkalexishelby
kalexishelby.bandcamp.com
 My 3 Labels:
#KKlassik #BLACK13
#TecSoulDEEP

www.traxsource.com/artist/169747/k-alexi-shelby
RESPECT the Klassik as you become the best
NEW Style…
Risqué III - Essence Of A Dream - Dark Entries
Risqué III – Essence Of A Dream – Dark Entries

From RH:

Repress from essential Chicago house anthem by K-Alexi ! K-Alexi’s musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. In high school, he began to write songs and hone his poetic craft. “I recognized I had a gift to say what I was thinking. I would study Prince and Marvin Gaye, figure out what they meant and put my spin on it. The power of the word. I was writing love notes for all my boys in high school and making a killing. I would know what to say and what they should do.” In 1987, Shelby’s first solo release, Risqué III’s “Essence of a Dream” b/w “Risqué Madness,” was to be cemented in Chicago dance history. He was accompanied in the studio by his cousin and production mentor, Mr. Lee. The track’s effortlessly propulsive house rhythms (courtesy of the Roland TR-727, TR-707, and TR-909), salsa-inflected bassline, and oneiric strings fuse magnificently with K’Alexi’s steamy, Prince-esque verse. Due to tight studio schedule times, his vocals were almost omitted. Says Shelby: “The session was coming to an end and I said I wanted to put the vocals on there. They said, ‘We got no time unless you can get your vocals right in one take’. I said, ‘Let it rip’ and went into the vocal booth…they just stood there with their mouths open. The look on their faces was priceless.” The B-side’s “Risqué Madness” is a tribute to Ron Hardy, DJ at the Music Box and one of K’Alexi’s formative influences. The track opens with Shelby’s processed voice announcing “I’d like to talk to you about escape. Let me take you away, away to a place where rhythm is life, and life is a never ending sound.” This introduction captures how he felt dancing to disco every week at the Music Box. Hardy was known for playing an edit of Kikrokos’ “Life is a Jungle,” in which he looped the track’s lysergic breakdown. Shelby utilizes the same delirious loop but builds upon it with additional percussion, melodies, samples from Hardy favorite “Let No Man Put Asunder” by First Choice, and manipulated vocals taken from The Madam’s “The Sensuous Black Woman”, a recording used often in early Chicago house DJ sets and recordings. Both sides of this record perfectly reflect the spirit of Chicago house music. The sleeve was designed by Eloise Leigh, and features a never-before-seen photo of a teenage Shelby taken at his high school, with a bold font evoking 80’s house music covers. Also included is a postcard with lyrics, an additional photo from the same session as the cover artwork, and liner notes from Shelby.

www.darkentriesrecords.com/store/vinyl/ep/risque-iii-essence-of-a-dream/

Marcus Mixx interview

1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF, WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION

Hello! My name is Marcus Mixx & I’ve been making House music since 1987. I get my vibes & inspirations from any & everywhere. Since I grew up in a very diverse middle class setting here in Chicago, I love all forms & styles of music. When I record a lot of times it’s a blend of different flavors of sounds. Up until around 2013, I was drinking heavily everyday & that played a big factor too. I love to experiment & play around with sounds & effects regardless of where they’re based from. I do also get pushed by classic House tracks from the 1980’s & ’90’s as well.

2. CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC SCENE PAST/PRESENT

I was very fortunate to be able to witness the planting of the seeds of House not from the very beginning, i.e., the original Frankie & Ronnie days in their venues. For one, I was in my early teens & I’d heard tons of rumors about it being a “Gay” thing only. But, when I starting finding out about their mixtapes in the streets & the whole concept of mixing songs together & never stopping the music @ parties, I got hooked very fast. I eventually didn’t care if my peers didn’t like the “Gay” aspect of it, because, the music was so outstanding & it took me over. As the years went on & was djing small parties & gigs, as well as, going to the big events 2 hours ahead of time just to meet & beg a lot of the legends in the making of House to let me open up for them for free. Back then, I was willing to carry their records in & out of their car, by them drinks, food, hang posters, pass out plggers, etc.

It was an amazing experience to beat & bang crowds of people that I’ve never met before. Very powerful & meaningful. Lastly, it was mega awesum to have some of the big boys play my records & seeing all of the folks jackin’ & slammin’ to them. That really helped sell my vinyl in the early stages. It was so pure & unstained by today’s commercialization of House. But, even today, House is mainly in my veins & arteries than any other form of music.

3. I HEARD FROM MIKE HUCKABY (DEEP TRANSPORTATION – DETROIT) THAT SEVERAL DETROIT DJS MOVED TO CHICAGO WITH THEIR CAR ALMOST EVERY WEEK TO LISTEN TO CHICAGO’S LEGENDARY WBMX AM & FM. TALK ABOUT THIS RADIO AND THE INCREDIBLE MUSIC SHARED ON THEIR RADIO SHOWS.

When WBMX started letting dj’s mix live on the air (& then on tape), it was the one & only thing to do get prepared for on Friday & Saturday nights regardless of the weather! The Hot Mix Five was perfect too, because, of the diverse styles & songs played by the different jocks. Some would scratch vinyl a little, some would blend right @ the breaks, some would remix two records for five minutes, some would play only the top club stuff, etc. Even in the most racist areas @ the time when it was warm/hot, every bodies car windows were down & crankin’ up WMBX & The Hot Mix Five. @ the beach, the parks, the neighborhoods, even the rival gangs would pump & push the sounds for a while & forget about the bull crap of fighting all of the time! I also noticed that in the clubs. WBMX ran the city for a long wonderful time & even people who hated R&B, slow jams & rap during the regular week, would definetly tune in on Fridays & Saturdays! People also recorded those mixes to whomp on boom boxes & cars, as well as, trade them around & make copies. People from outside of Chicago would pay & beg to get Hot Mix Five tapes.

The Best Of Ron Hardy Volume I – Streetfire Records

4. RON HARDY AND MUSIC BOX, THE KEY, THE ONLY GODFATHER OF HOUSE MUSIC

Ron Hardy was not only a House music legend, but, he was really cool to me & he always played my test pressing as soon as i gave them to him in the clubs. I was very lucky to have him give his input & suggestions on a couple of my most popular tracks. He always liked the deepest versions of my music & I paid him for his advise & gave him mixing credits for them all with his permission. I never went to the original Music Box in the early days, due to be underage & not ever being in a “Gay” atmosphere. Once again, name calling back then to a high school kid was redundant like it is now. But, when I turned 18, I was taken over by his style & knowledge of what it took to please & romance a House crowd!


www.letspetpuppies.com

5. FRANKIE KNUCKLES “WAREHOUSE”

Frankie, just like Ronnie was so fuckin’ great to me! He was more open & fun in a sense that he would sometimes joke around. I have a great sense of humor too, but, when I first met him & was next to him, I was shaking like a little kid. One time I asked him could I carry some of the records from the he came into the a venue. he said “O.K.!” As I was stuggling carrying 2 rates he said “If you drop my records, I’m gonna kill you!” I then got really nervous & he started laughing with his friends & said “I’m not worried about you doing anything bad!” – “Thank you!” He, like Ronnie had a unique style of spinnin’, but, Frankie took it way beyond belief some nights by playing The Doors, Zepplen, Pink Floyd & everybody in the club might pause for a second in the beginning of hearing something like that way of out left field, but, we all jacked up up even harder & truly loved whatever he played! He was like a big teddy bear & I didn’t care who saw me drooling of this god with a small g! Simply the best!

6. HOW ITALO-DISCO INFLUENCED CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC

The Italo Disco & Italian House was very influential in so many ways! One key factor was the simple fact that it was Italian based.

7. WHEN EUROPEAN, ITALIAN SOUND APPEAR IN US CHICAGO RECORD STORES

Tons of DJ’s & House heads really liked the fact that House music was getting so popular around the globe & that the sounds from Italy were adding more bricks to the foundation that started in Chicago. Also, a lot of those songs were getting tons of regular rotation & play on commercial & college radio, because, of the vocals & the easy mid & final breaks. We would remix the hell out them sometimes use them to recharge the crowds. The various tempos of a lot of those tracks also played a big card & drum beats that weren’t always your typical “Four on four” pace.

8. YOUR MUSIC EXPERIENCE DRUM MACHINES, SYNTHESIZERS, SEQUENCERS

I first had hands on experiences with drum machines, synths & sequencers thru L.I.A.M/Gitano Camero @ Head Studios. In the beginning, he only had a 707 & he never used it. His studio (Head Studio) was mainly recording rock & metal so the bands would use real drum kits. When he patched in a beat for me when I recorded my first song “I Wanna House”, he thought that I was nuts. Not only the simply foot, but, why so damn loud & thick. After my first session with him, he insisted that I keep my money & come back for free the following week so that he could learn more about House! I left him a cassette tape of one of my mixes & when we saw each other again, he was a hooked Househead. We played around with his synths & sequencers by adding lots of flange, distortion & whatever else the booze called for. These days, I mainly record on my MacBook, but, the digital versions of those components are just as cool to play around with.

9. LOST LABELS: Missing Dog Records, Missing Records (I Wanna House!)

The labels that I started mainly with LIAM weren’t taken seriously by us, especially me, because, I was getting most of the pub, praise & money for all that was going on. I didn’t focus on building a brand/solid label, mainly because, it was more like a hobby. Even though I’d get orders from the landmark Chicago record stores & distributers, I’d just party the money away & release more stuff @ unknown times & schedules. Even though we recorded scores of other really good House songs that are in the range of “The Spell” to “T.A.P.”, I was doing so many other things, like promoting parties, drinking, DJing, drinking, being with babes, drinking, & so on! I also never went to to any of the founders of House like TRAX & DL International Records, even though they wanted some of my material. I really regret not building up one of the labels that I started & let go so quickly! Pure laziness & of course the booze! All I wanted & needed was to party!

Let’s Pet Puppies – Chicago

10. ENLIGHTEN US ON YOUR DREAM PROJECT

Well, currently, I’m living out a dream project in a way, because, I’m making music for “TRAX Records” & “Let’s Pet Puppies Records” in Chicago & “WakeUp! Music Group” out of Miami. There are a lot of big House & Nu House legends like Matt Warren, Screamin’ Rachael, Joe Smooth & more that I’m not only recording with, but remixing & also making music videos. My dream project would be to continue to work with old & new skoolers in House without all of the negative crap that usually comes about. It’s too much fun & money for all who want to be “In Da House”!

– LINK
https://marcusmixxshannon1.bandcamp.com/
https://www.discogs.com/artist/167317-Marcus-Mixx
https://www.facebook.com/marcusmixx
https://www.instagram.com/marcusmixxchicago/
https://soundcloud.com/marcus-mixx
https://twitter.com/marcusmixx
https://www.youtube.com/user/MarcusMixxvideos

Marcus Mixx Shannon intw. 06.2019 Family House.

HOUSE NATION CHICAGO Chris “The Incredible” interview

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1. Introduce yourself

My Name is Chris.  I am from the south side of Chicago.  I have been DJing and collecting Chicago House records since I was 15 years old (about 23 years).  I started @House_Nation_Chicago to share my record collection and educate new people about Chicago House, Italo, and Deep House Music.  I hope to use these records to tell the stories of the evolution of Chicago House Music.

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2. Where do you get your inspiration

I have another instagram page @kanamit_mpc where I service and sell drum machines.  I follow a lot of producers and sample cats.  I would always see guys post their records and it was always soul or jazz.  I didn’t see any page dedicated to House music, so I decided to make @house_Nation_chicago. As a DJ, I get my inspiration from old WBMX mixes by Farley Jackmaster Funk.  If I’m trying to produce something I study the greats like Marshall Jefferson, Mr Fingers, Farley, DJ Pierre, etc.

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3. Chicago House Music scene past/present

Chicago House Music was able to grow because of the clubs like the Warehouse, The Playground and The Music Box.  Those were special places where Frankie, Ron, Jesse and Farley could be play the music they wanted. They could experiment and try different styles of music. Once the city of Chicago changed the laws on juice bars they could no longer operate and that almost killed the scene here.  There are always house parties going on in the city.  Of course there are certain clubs that always play house, but I don’t think anyone can duplicate the feeling or sound of the Music Box.  A few times a year there will be a big Hot Mix 5 party or Farley’s B Day bash. The biggest event of the year is the Chosen Few Picnic.  It takes place in a park by the lake.  Theres no dress code and no age limit.  I think that is really where people can go and just be free with the music.  There’s young and old, black and white.  People just go there for the music and to have fun.

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4. I heard from Mike Huckaby (Deep Transportation – Detroit) that several Detroit djs moved to Chicago with their car almost every week to listen to Chicago’s legendary WBMX AM & FM. Talk about this radio and the incredible music shared on their radio shows.

In my opinion WBMX is the big part of the puzzle that really gets overlooked.  You see, Chicago was a very segregated city.  You have black neighborhoods, white neighborhoods, Mexican, Puerto Rican, etc.  People stayed in their own neighborhoods. Back in the 80s The Warehouse was a gay black bar. Most people were not going to party there. Wbmx is very important because it allowed the music to reach everyone in the city. WBMX Program director Lee Michaels had a city wide dj competition. Everyone submitted tapes, even Frankie Knuckles. Lee selected 6 DJs with different styles to represent the different parts of the city. The DJs he picked became known as the HOT Mix 5. (The 6th guy never showed so they ended up with 5) Instead of going to a club you could hear this music on Friday or Saturday night from you car or bedroom. This is what really helped get the music to everyone around the city.  The type of music they played, how they played it, and the skill that they had was never ever seen or heard before.

Ron Hardy Channel On WBMX.COM

5. Ron Hardy and Music Box, the key, the only godfather of house music

Everyone loves Frankie and there wouldn’t be a movement without him and the Warehouse, but it was Ron Hardy who made Chicago house as we know it today.  Anything that Marshall Jefferson made he took to Ron.  Ron was playing these tracks and no one ever heard of Virgo or Marshall Jefferson.  Dj Pierre gave Acid Tracks to Ron.  Ron played it 4 times.  The first 3 times no one danced.  The fourth time the crowd went crazy.  He was a pioneer.  I don’t think house would have evolved the way it did without him.

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6. Frankie Knuckles “Warehouse”

Chicago didnt have any club scene in the 70s.  Chicago was dead compared to New York.  It wasn’t until Robert Williams opened the Warehouse and invited Frankie to be the resident.  This was where it all started for Chicago.  Frankie was playing underground disco.  People started to talk about it and went to experience the music.  They didn’t care that it was a gay club.  The music became so popular guys would go into Imports Etc and ask for that house music.  Referring to music that was played at the warehouse.

7. Sadar Bahar currently the ambassador of Chicago Disco, Boogie

Sadar Bahar has stayed true to the original meaning of house.  That is the underground disco that was played at the warehouse. He is known for possessing some of the rarest records from that time. He created his own identity by doing the opposite of everyone else.  DJs would all play the same popular cuts and he did the opposite and started digging for rare obscure tracks.  He definitely is in a class of his own.

Sadar Bahar ∞ Domenica 30.07.2017 #partyhardy Disco Dancing Chalet Paola Perarock Festival

8. How Italo-Disco influenced Chicago House Music

I think Italo Disco had a major influence on the Chicago House sound.  The Hot Mix 5 was playing alot of Italo Disco and imports.  Jesse Saunders and Farley played imports at the Playground.  You can really hear the similarities in the drum patters in songs like Chi Chi Liah – Proud Mary or Alessandro Novaga – Electronic Drums.  That music heavily influenced early house production.

9. When European, Italian sound appear in US Chicago Record Stores

Those records started to show up around 81 – 83.  They were not available in every store.  There were only 2 places in Chicago where you can get imports.  One was the legendary Imports Etc and Loop records.  A good example is Hypnotic Tango.  I think they sold 30,000 copies of that record here.  They kept the pressing plant open just to supply the stores in Chicago.

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10. Your music experience drum machines, synthesizers, sequencers

I’m always working and learning.  As I said I buy and sell drum machines.  Mainly the mpc.  I currently work on the MPC 3000, Roland Tr8, Roland TB03, and a Korg Minilogue.  I have experiences with all of the MPCs but like using the 3000.  I don’t use any software for creating. I think all of the advances in technology have killed creativity.  Its not always true, but simple is better to me.  Listen to the music that was made with a 909 and a jupiter (Mr Fingers Can You Feel It). Everyone is doing too much now.  Faster workflow yes but not necessarily better music.

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11. Talk about the House Music documentary you create

I have not made any documentaries yet.  I have been very fortunate that I have made some relationships with guys like DJ Pierre and Jesse Saunders.  If i get the opportunity I would like to do a documentary focusing on how the music was made or how the relationships were formed.  These guys were kids and were taken advantage of.  theres a lot people don’t know about.  Im interested in the gear that was used and the ideas behind some of the songs. Many of those stories never get told because everyone documents the same thing over and over.

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12. Enlighten us on your dream project

My dream project is to release a Jack Trax EP on Afro Acid which is DJ Pierre’s Label.  Releasing an EP has always been a goal of mine but to do it with the Legendary DJ Pierre on his label would really be something special to me.

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www.instagram.com/house_nation_chicago/

CHRIS “THE INCREDIBLE” HOUSE NATION CHICAGO intw. 06.2017 Family House.

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