I absolutely love this record. 'Chicago' is a perfect name for this album which – if needed – is probably best categorized into Deep House. Listening to the album shows, that the name clearly isn't a reference to Chicago House music, but rather to 60s & 70s Jazz, to some big city American sound, the House music of Detroit and New York... Sun Ra was an inspiration according to the Line*In Interview and this definitely shines through beautifully. It reminds me of the tremendous 'Stockwell Steppas' album released by the Two Lone Swordsmen in 1997 (one of my all time favourites) and Jackmate's 'Prodigal Son' (2003), but more than that, the album shines on its own as a whole, especially from the live instrumentation and the deep old school bass sound.




Artist: Efdemin, Album: Chicago, Track: Le Grand Voyage, Label: Dial , Catalog #: Dial LP 21

Get the excellent Line*In interview podcast here
with a cool Jazzy DJ mix by Efdemin on top!
And the (german) article in DE:BUG form August 2010
Get the album from bleep.com

I'm a happy man because every other week I get touched by a tune or a record so deep my soul jumps with joy. This one here is one such beauty: "Play the Game" by MIDLAND, an artist I besiege you to buy every release you see his name on without hesitation. Deep, House, Dubstep, Breakbeat in a Detroit vibe. I'm screaming out loud - this is absolutely essential!

Prelisten & Info: soundcloud.com/phonicarecords
Visit Midland: myspace.com/midlanduk

Often too late for "new releases", often too busy for playlists or annual best -lists, I'm introducing this format: Essential Music - the best in music I've come across recently or that's inside my head for whatever reason - in no particular order or genre. Please SUPPORT THE ARTISTS and BUY their music.