The live acts filled the venue with lively instrumentals and powerful vocals. During these performances DJ Rush out of Germany and Local Dj Craig Alexander made an appearance to the show support. But eventually the flow of the evening seemed to be interrupted by organizational time consumption and drawn out sets. Leaving little time for the featured djs to do their thing.
The nostalgia of reuniting with old friends could not erase the time constraints placed upon the featured djs.
At 1:45 am Sean Smith finally began his set giving him 30 minutes to play leaving Reeves and Rahaan to tag team the tables for 11/2 hours .This brutal attempt to have two different dj styles play three songs back and forth like a laid back basement evening at home, seemed to confuse the listeners and mess with the rhythmic flow of the two djs
But fortunately this would not prove to be an introduction to next evening’s event at Zentra.
Friday Jan11, 2008 began what many in Chicago called a night to remember with DJ Rush Craig Alexander and Gene Hunt on the line-up for Jack Fridays at Zentra Night Club.
This affair was the official birthday party for Rush and Rick Ally Soul. And what a birthday it was. Zentra provided two floors of dancing, vibrant personnel, and a sound system that filled the venue like air in vacant space .Even during the early hours of the party Gene Hunt had the floor filled with ecstatic faces and energetic dancers. Hunt beat the box with club, and heavy traxx and Alexander followed up behind him with cosmic disco and track laden soulful house music. But eventually the house was brought down by Rush giving the new and old house heads a well deserved educational disco beat-down. The night flowed like a much needed house reunion. And the energy was off the meter. A night like this could not be replicated even though it was tried.
On the following Wednesday of that month flyers were posted and emails were sent out to promote the second coming of Rush for this year at the Blue note on Milwaukee Ave. The night started off slow with the over animated knob twisting styles of Dj Staxx who seemed to be enjoying his set more than the patrons that had come out to enjoy the music. This early pantomime incited various people to the dance floor. Which consisted of a mixed crowd of young adults new to this house music adventure.
Eventually Gene Hunt showed and started his set. He played to the crowd giving them snippets of disco and plenty of new music which was heard over a booming sound system that beat throughout the night. As the night progressed and many more people showed a surprising lights out spectacle took place on the main stage where the djs were positioned. Could this have been a technical difficulty or a smoke screen to the many expecting to hear Rush that evening.......
It was later revealed that Rush did make an appearance to the Note but only stayed for a brief moment.
Speculation remains as to why he did not play that night. Some seem to think it was because he was under the weather. (Rush could not be reached for comments.) As the night continued on Hunt beat the box with old time classic disco, remixes, edits and new music. Hunt displayed the energy of a true veteran. Craig Alexander lent a hand on the ones and twos during brief moments throughout the night but it was Hunt who played the majority of the evening and kept it rolling. Overall the night was a success even without the djing presence of Rush.
January seemed to wrap up with an eventful weekend. Saturday the 26th would prove to be a busy night for the south side. The Mixing In Action party was hosted by Tina Johnson and Larissa J. The djs for that night were Craig Alexander, Lloyd Dev DJ Darryn and Johnnie Mo The Attic held there party that evening with Big Will, Gene Hunt and resident Dj Emanuel. Also hosting a party that night was myself Emir “Noshaluv” Ray and Ms. Holidae at The Shop, featuring Nate with residents Cee White and OV-1. These Three cats enthusiastically played hard hitting disco, obscure soul, and mind blowing edits. Besides the absence of the crowd this oldskool basement environment brought back the memories of underground house parties in the city of Chi’.
The momentum continued in February with Urbancitys party at Brando. Sean Alverez Shannon Harris, Rahaan, and Leeann entertained us with a variety in musical selections.
Alverez and Harris warmed us up with mellifluous, Brazilian , transient tunes. Rahaan closed the evening with funky, soulful cuts and hard beating disco. The music of course played like a score setting the mood in this quaint and intimate environment. The night at Brando’s came to an end but the evening continued at the Shop. This underground basement party is held every Friday serving part goers an after-set.
February 23rd marked the first Chicago House Radio “Town House Meeting”. The topic of the meeting “House music culture: Is the art lost?” This event was moderated by Llyod Dev and hosted by Tina Johnson and Tonya Fortier. CHR attempted to cover and discuss topics on Vinyl vs. CD’s and MP3's, Music Distribution, Promotion 101, and Club Hopping, What was meant as a way for collective individuals meeting to discuss current events and occurrences in the house community turned into a lecture and commenting forum for all that had grips and issues to address. The meetings positive aspect gave djs, promoters, patrons and plain old house-heads a chance to meet, mingle and network.
Disco Business started a three part series of funky-soul and networking. Mzz MeMe hosted their first after-work party February 27th at Phyllis’s Musical Inn. Gene Hunt headlined alongside DJ Goldie both giving us much deserved service from their vinyl selections. Phyllis’s provided us with retro surroundings, abstract skateboard art, funky murals and antiquated sounds. Disco Business’ February intro was a great prelude to the up and coming shows in the spring months ahead.
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