John Morales: The Return of the Disco Legend
In music, and especially in underground music, the word "legend" is thrown around to the point where it loses all meaning.
What is a legend? It's someone who broke the mold - someone whose sounds,...
Boo Williams: Looney Chunes Vol 1 / Back To The Future
Color me amazed. New label Contemporary Scarecrow has planted a foot firmly in the scene by dragging several classic Boo Williams compositions out of the cobwebs and blending them with four brand new cuts....
Todd Terry: The 5 Magazine Interview
Todd Terry is an icon in House Music. He also has quite a history that many don't know about. He did production on the Jungle Brothers' "I'll House You" - a tune that people...
Caserta’s “Ricky” Is Another Grand Shadeleaf Release
Shadeleaf has been somewhat over-represented in our review section over the last year. It's for good reason, and you should prepare for many more. thatmanmonkz continues to give a clinic in modern A&R with...
Specter: The Gooch (Sound Signature)
This is like reading the back of a pack of Chinese firecrackers: light quickly and run away. Drop the needle anywhere, at any point on any of the three tracks of Specter's new EP...
Sign of the Gemini: The Strange and Beautiful Music of Spencer Kincy
FOR FOUR YEARS I've been chasing a ghost, and his name is Spencer Kincy.
I've been told by some people to leave the ghost alone, while others have all but berated me for not pursuing...
Now and Then: Ten Years of Hudd Traxx
Hudd Traxx turns ten in 2015, and part one of their landmark anniversary compilation packs one hell of a wallop.
It's easy, as we all know, to release records like you're making a festival flyer:...
Getting to Know Garrett David
In which we get to know Garrett David, resident DJ at Queen! every Sunday at SmartBar. The twenty-two year old wunderkind has just released what may be the best slab of wax cut by...
In Residence with Uhuru Afrika, Boston
5 Magazine's residency spotlight features Adam Gibbons and Uhuru Afrika, the incredibly unique Boston club night deeply rooted in the music of Africa and the Diaspora.
"When someone walks in the door, I want them...
Harry Wolfman & Laurence Guy: The Lone Grazer EP
Having just heard the sad news that the brilliant Lost My Dog Records are to close their doors in 2015, I must confess that writing this review feels bittersweet to say the least. Young...
Listen to Mystic Bill’s Ferocious Throwback “U Won’t C Me”
Nothing sensitive or subtle about this one. Mystic Bill - the man who DJ'd for your favorite DJ's DJ - teams up with German label Snuff Trax for the forthcoming EP U Won't C...
Victor Simonelli: A 5 Mag Mix vol 15
One of the founding fathers of House Music, Garage and dance music, period! The legendary Victor Simonelli contributes a live mix to 5 Magazine ahead of headlining our 10 year anniversary this October 17...
How I Play: Joey Negro on the Culture and Craft of DJing
DJs today are confronted with an astonishing number of choices, from vinyl to digital media, controllers, mixers, and the unending stream of more music being released for consumption than at any time in history.
It's...
Derrick Carter and Chez Damier, Live at the Apple Store
In the 1990s, Derrick Carter and Chez Damier formed two of the most influential labels in music history, right here in Chicago. Twenty years later, they are celebrated at home and internationally as two...
Brawther: The Underground Is Alive
Years before I knew him, I heard about him - this guy from France who made these incredibly sensual and deep records that each found their way as the "secret weapon" in the bag...
Marshall Jefferson: The 5 Magazine Interview
Whether you remember him as Virgo, Hercules, On The House, Jungle Wonz, the producer for Ten City or simply Marshall Jefferson (website, discogs, facebook, myspace), he has been in the crates of DJs from...
Broadway and Wilson: Four Play Music Sessions vol 2
Welcome to the second installment of Four Play Sessions, a new monthly mix series from Chicago's Four Play Music and featuring the talents of Mr. Andrew Emil & Friends, exclusively for 5 Magazine.
Four Play...
Chez Damier, Eddie Leader and Tomson Team Up for I Am With You
Hudd is ten years into this, and Eddie Leader really isn't the same guy that he was at the start. I don't know if that applies to him personally, but as an artist and...
Spirit of the Black 808: Guerilla Shit EP (Synapsis Records)
On Chicago native Spirit of the Black 808's new EP we are treated to the producer's penchant for a deep, moody and layered sound. The A side contains "King Kong" and "Guerilla Shit". "King...
Marc Cotterell: New Mix Monday vol 191
Marc Cotterell mixes volume 191 of New Mix Monday, 5 Magazine's weekly guest mix series.
English-born but living in the US, Marc Cotterell is a DJ, committed vinyl junkie and owner of Plastik People Recordings....
MUST READ!
The Sound of Tomorrow: Tom Roberts on the launch of Cyphon...
Freerange and Delusions of Grandeur add a new sibling to the label family. Tom Roberts on the launch of Cyphon Recordings.
