Chicago. The Windy City. Chi-Town. The home of House Music and House Music legends. Larry Heard, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Jamie Principle, Lil Louis, Marshall Jefferson, Derrick Carter etc (need I go on?). It’s even the place where the phrase ‘House’ was born. Named after the music that people heard Mr Knuckles spinning at famed Chicago nightclub, The Warehouse.
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were on our honeymoon in the States. Taking in 3 cities neither of us had visited before. New York , Boston…and most importantly, sandwiched in between, Chicago!
I had decided early on in our plans that one of the things I had to do there was to check out a record store or 2. In particular, Gramaphone Records, which has been the go to music store for DJs in Chicago since 1969. Arriving late on a Sunday (after spending the afternoon on a damp Navy Pier), I had less than an hour to take it in. And obviously have a little dig myself.
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| Gramaphone Records |
I have to say the staff were more than helpful. Firstly Oscar helped me find a couple of records I was after and pointed me in the right direction of the Deep House section. And after having a quick listen to a few vinyls, we then also met the lovely Tracey before we left. Both were happy to accommodate and have a chat, even though the clock had just crept past closing time. So I would like to say a big Thank You to them both for making my first (and hopefully not last) visit to Gramaphone a memorable one.
The next day we met up with Large Records owner, Jeff Craven. Having emailed back & forth the last few months, it was great to finally meet in person the man behind one of the most important House labels to come out of the US . And such a nice bloke he is too! He offered to show us around the real Chicago neighborhoods, away from the tourist traps of the city. So after a quick bite for lunch in Logan Square (where Jeff broke the news that he had just signed the new Scope album!), he took us to the trendy Wicker Park area for some clothes and record shopping.
It is said that Wicker Park is not what it once was, and has lost some of its appeal. But I definitely found the place to be very cool, with cutting edge fashion boutiques & gritty street art. We took a short stroll along North Milwaukee Ave and Jeff recommended some shops to check out. Including the excellent Saint Alfred, which has a very slick selection of some of the finest tees and trainers ive seen. Including their very impressive, and exclusive own range.
After a quick coffee in a place kitted out in 80s memorabilia including a full size Delorean in the window, we had a quick look in Reckless Records before hopping on the L train back into the city.
After a quick coffee in a place kitted out in 80s memorabilia including a full size Delorean in the window, we had a quick look in Reckless Records before hopping on the L train back into the city.
To finish off a great day…Jeff invited us to join him & his wife Marla at long time Chicago club, the Boom Boom Room that night. Where Gramaphone records boss Mike Serafini was playing one of the many residency spots he holds in the city. And what an enjoyable and memorable experience it was. Mr Serafini spinning a quality selection of old skool funk, disco, a cheeky edit or 2…moving into some sexy soulful deep house! The club was by no means full, but was busy enough to keep the atmosphere simmering nicely. And the people on the floor were giving it their all and getting into it regardless. Some people were dressed up. I thought it a little early for holloween but its seems it’s a regular thing. We had some guys dressed as nuns on the dancefloor. A warewolf by the toilets. Then we also had some entertainment in the form of a girl dancing with a strobelight come hula-hoop, live percussion and some break dancers!
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| Mike Serafini layin down the vinyl! |
The only shame was that we had an early flight to catch to Boston the next morning. So had to leave just as it seemed the atmosphere was about to reach boiling point. To say Boston had alot to live up to is an undertstatement. And needless to say, it came nowhere near the heights reached of Chicago . Not just down to the city itself, but also to our very own personal tour guide who made it all the more special. So we would like to say a big Thank You once again to Jeff and his wife Marla. They certainly showed us how its done in Chi-town, and it wouldn't have been the same without them! I'm not sure when ill make it over again, but hopefully it wont be long...
