Boogie Nite - From The Mind Of Boogie Nite LP

Chicago is the kind of city that holds a mythological significance for fans of electronic dance music. It was there, in its network of warehouses and basements, that House music was born.

Since the early 80's the House sound of Chicago has pulsed outwards from the Windy City and spread across the world. Rooted in black Disco music, and first appearing via high intensity DJ sets and looped-up homemade tape edits made by disc jockeys and producers who we now consider to be the greats.

House has since gone on to become a number of different things, fragmented into sub genres, but the city that birthed it still remains true to the original way of doing things.

Case in point, Boogie Nite, a Chi-Town native who has been in the scene since he first started dancing at parties in the '80s knows what House truly is.

Having released a string of incredibly funky records on labels such as Lumberjacks in Hell, Rush Hour, Grimy Edits, and Glenview we now get to fully explore the Mind Of Boogie Nite on this, his debut full length album...

“I was born and raised in Chicago. I started in 1986. We’d go to parties and we would be out there dancing. Basically, we went to every party. Lil’ Louis at the Bismarck, Lil’ Louis at the Congress. I was too young to get into the Music Box and stuff like that, I was just out of high school. I did hear Frankie live.”

“My main thing is to make you dance. I don’t really like the soft stuff. I like it hard... The way I’ve been brought up is that when you go to a party, you get there, and you dance your ass off, and you sweat, and it’s an experience. My style is like an attack. It’s aggressive, I want you to move, I want you to lose your mind out there. Even with my mixes. Some of my mixes are really, really, really aggressive and hard. I just want you to move. I just want you to dance. At least, that’s the goal.” Boogie Nite. 

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #31 with Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes (Chicago)

This month's special guest for Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio is none other than veteran Chicago based DJ Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes.

Al has been playing records in the city since 1982. Graduating from Medal High (the school that produced many people that had a big impact on the Chicago house scene including Robert Owens, E-Smoove & Braxton Holmes) Al's influences include Farley 'Jack Master' Funk, Steve 'Silk' Hurley and Frankie Knuckles.

With 30+ years in the game, Al has been remixing and producing music for more than a decade. During that time Al has released a string of Chicago house, gospel and gospel house EPs and singles on the Power Mix Group 1 record label.

No stranger to the airwaves, Chicagoan's will have heard Al on the 2nd largest Gospel station in the US, inspiration1390.com. Al is also known to provide regular fixes of house on gottahavehouseradio.com and housestationradio.com.

This is Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes 2nd guest mix for the show - this time he is on a jacking 4/4 tip that captures the true House sound of Chicago.

As usual PT will be starting us off with a raft of new and tasty selections covering everything from chill out, deep house, [nu] disco, boogie, electronica, dub, and techno.

Dig Deep On Cowbell Radio with Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes (Chicago)
Saturday 19th March 2016
7pm-10pm

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Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #30 with Mark Grusane (BBE / Sounds Familiar / Spacedust)

Fresh from dropping a very popular set for the Dig Deep Mix Series last month, we welcome Chicago based DJ and producer Mark Grusane to Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio.

The more I learn about Mark Grusane's history the more I realise how much I don't know. It turns out, what I did know is only the tip of the iceberg.



A pioneer of underground disco and boogie, in his time running the legendary Mr. Peabody's record shop in Chicago, Mark probably handled and heard every disco record that was ever produced in the USA. Knowledge he put to good use when compiling the Night Drive Vol.1 A Journey Into EP and the Real Sound Of Chicago LPs for BBE Records.

Dig Deep Mix Series - #2 Mark Grusane

Over the years, whilst doing the Dig Deep Radio Show, I have been lucky enough to feature some fantastic and often exclusive mini-mixes from some of the world's most respected DJs and selectors.

Presenting 3 hours a month of radio is great fun, but sometimes you just want the music straight up. That's where the new Dig Deep Mix Series comes in - pure undiluted music from a different guest DJ each time. For DDMS#2 I am honoured to present a mix from seasoned crate digger Mark Grusane...

The more I learn about Mark Grusane's history the more I realise how much I don't know. It turns out, what I did know is only the tip of the iceberg.

A pioneer of underground disco and boogie, in his time running the legendary Mr. Peabody's record shop in Chicago, Mark probably handled and heard every disco record that was ever produced in the USA. Knowledge he put to good use when compiling the Night Drive Vol.1 A Journey Into EP and the Real Sound Of Chicago LPs for BBE Records.

Delve a bit deeper into his history and his understated love of digging for and cutting modern soul bangers onto vinyl becomes ever more self-evident. Over the last 10 years Mark has released tracks on Canadian disco re-edit labels Truth Is Light and Spacedust , put out 3 EPs on CG Records Inc, and a deep houser on Amsterdam's Rush Hour.

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #23 with Boogie Nite (Lumberjacks In Hell / Glenview)

This month we welcome back Chicago based DJ and long standing Dig Deep Family member Boogie Nite to the show.

Needing little introduction these days, Boogie Nite honed his skills playing on the Windy City's underground party scene alongside a hot bed of iconic DJs, and is a member of the Chicago based Chuck Brothers; a collective of DJ's and Producers which includes DJ Rahaan, Cee White, Bruce Ivery & Afrodesia to name a few.

As a producer, he has released tracks under the name Urban Legendz, and for the last few years has been dropping gem after gem on the prolific Lumberjacks In Hell and Glenview record labels.

His disco-groove come 'house' based Shine EP on Glenview set the scene back in January 2013, and shared a double A-Side with Jamie 3:26 made up Lumberjack In Hell's 7th release in the April.

A couple of releases per year later and Boogie Nite has quietly built up a quality back catalogue which includes Make Me Hot, that came with remixes by Glenn Underground and Rahaan, and a track on 2014 best selling release - The Chicago Service EP.

The Chi EP is due to be released soon on Glenview. Check 'Better Than Yours' for a jump up soulful disco belter...
But as always, his skills behind the decks are the reason we have lined Boogie Nite up for his 3rd mix for the show.

Don't miss this chance to check out Boogie Nite in the mix. Catch it first exclusively on Cowbell Radio.

As usual PT will have a raft of deep cuts covering the usual unusual selections...

Tracklist:

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #21 with Voc Walters (Chicago)

This month's special guest for Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio is Chicago based DJ and all round nice guy Voc Walters.  It's the 4th mix Voc has done for the show over the last couple of years and his trademark style is both clear and present.

Although he is well versed in the sound of the Windy City, Voc never rests on it's laurels and instead chooses to pick his way through the fresh sounds coming out of Europe at the same time as giving a nod to his roots.

Voc first started spinning records at the age of 12. Growing up on the south side of Chicago provided him with many influences such as the Hot Mix 5, Pharris Thomas, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Lil Louis & Steve Hurley.

Early gigs in the 80's included The Ascot Hotel, The Hyde Park Racketball Club and a guest appearance on WKKC Chicago alongside the likes of Mr. Gene Hunt, Tyree Cooper and Lloyd Dev just to name a few...

After taking a break from DJing, Voc returned to the scene in 2007 and hasn't looked back. Voc has made recent appearances at Artis's Lounge in Chicago, one with Gene Hunt, and at the Output Lounge with Dave Britton and Czr. He has also done The Uptown Lounge and Leo's Den, as well as being an occasional guest DJ on Chicago's Soul 106.3 FM along side of Mike Dunn, Dj Lil John and Sundance as well as WKKC 89.3 F.M. Chicago.

Voc is as a resident Dj on chicagohouseradio.com where he is the creator of the 'Operation Underground' mix show. Voc continues to bring you Classic/Disco while focusing on introducing you to the new underground style of house with hints of a unique type of music that peaks your interest. Voc's goal is to give you a complete house experience with every mix and to leave you wanting more.

Recent influences include Larry Heard, Gene Hunt, Lloyd Dev, Julius The Mad Thinker, Jamie 326, Osunlade & Dj Emanuel.

Every mix from Voc so far has included a sneaky edit or version of a killer track and this one is no exception. The mix comes in 2 parts - Part 1 is for the disco heads and is full of the current sound of Dig Deep, whilst Part 2 takes us back to the 1980s with some big hitters that no doubt influenced 'House' in it's early days.

Tracklist:

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #19 with Jamie 3:26 (Partehardy / Rush Hour / Lumberjacks In Hell)

"I like all kinds of music, so long as it has a good groove."

 
For the 19th show on Cowbell Radio I am honoured to welcome special guest DJ and Producer Jamie 3:26 to the Dig Deep Chicago Family.

Release wise Jamie 3:26 is one of those guys that doesn't incessantly put out a load of stuff, but when he does put something out it's usually pure gold. His less is more approach seems to be working with several of his releases now going for decent money on Discogs.

Dig Deep Radio Show · Jamie 3:26 Dig Deep Session

Kicking off his solo productions with a series of ace disco edits back in 2008 on Partehardy Records, Jamie has remixed House luminaries such as Jungle Wonz, Chip E and Marcellus Pittman as well as working with newer acts such as youAND:THEMACHINES and the Chromatic Filters.

In 2011 Jamie released Acid Whump on Strobelight Honey records. Full of 303, it's one of his dirtiest tracks to date and came on the B-side of Bostich Time. Whilst in 2012 he re-edited Can You Feel It by Rhythm Makers for the Lumberjacks In Hell label.

In 2013 Jamie contributed 2 tracks to the year's best selling Chicago Service EP; the 1st track being an uptempo take of Curtis Mayfield's Give Me Your Love, whilst the 2nd was co-produced with DJ Cratebug. Between them they twisted Loletta Holloway's Hit N Run into another level floor wrecker (check my full review here).

Jamie's latest release is Insanity Project / Acid Showe on Rush Hour Store Jams. With no online sales and it only being available via selected stores, people are going to have to be very quick and very lucky to get their hands on the vinyl only release.

On the DJ front, Jamie is up there with the best from the Windy City. His sets epitomize the true house sound of Chicago whilst not forgetting it's deep disco roots. Jamie loves the music he plays and it comes across in bucket loads, as he gets down as hard behind the decks as the people do out there on the dancefloor.

In November Jamie is working his way up North as part of the Lumberjacks In Hell Tour, starting off in London on 7th November and before playing Manchester on the 8th alongside Marcel Vogel and Rahaan.

So as we gear up to air an exclusive Dig Deep mix from the man on this month's show for Cowbell Radio, here is a collection of some of my favourite tracks plus a decent little interview.

Tracklist:

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #14 with Zernell Gillie (Grimy Edits)

This month Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio returns with another very special guest. Keeping up the Chicago tradition, disco don Zernell Gillie takes to the hallowed turntables to give us a rare studio mix.

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail Dizko & Voc Walters (Tradition / Chicago)

Nearing the end of an era. I have only got 2 more Dig Deep On Preston FM's to do, including tonight's show. I've been with the station since the early days of 2006. During the last 8 years I been lucky enough to work with a lot of fantastic guest DJs, selectors, music heads, artists and promoters from around the world; many of which I now count as true friends

For me it's always been about digging deep into other people's record collections and discovering the gems that are loved by others but are new to me. And that's been far more educational than school ever was!! I always say people can't like music they don't get to hear, so as a radio presenter it's been an honour and a privilege to be in a position where I can broadcast 2 hours of fresh and different tracks on each and every show.

So for my last 2 shows at Preston FM I am handing the Dig Deep turntables over to the guests for the full 2 hours with only minimal chatter from me. It's all about the music, and is a chance to hear 2 great DJs in action that you may not have had the chance to hear otherwise....

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #10 with Bruce Ivery (Street Edits / Stilove4music / Grimy Trax)

For my 10th show on Cowbell Radio I am honoured to hand over the decks to Chicago based DJ & Producer Bruce Ivery who has put together an exclusive Dig Deep mix from the Windy City.

Known in the right quarters as one of the best disco djs in the world, Bruce is also an able man with the edit razor. He is one half of the Urban Legendz alongside Boogie Nite and is part of the Chuck Brothers DJ crew.

Check his releases on Stilove4music, Rahaan's Street Edits and the new 12" on Grimy Trax.

Tracklist:

Dig Deep with Voc Walters #3 (Chicago) 300114

This week Voc Walters returns to Dig Deep with his 3rd mix for the show.  We can always count on Voc to keep it fresh with plenty of new cuts whilst staying true to his Windy City roots.  Expect soulful boogie through to acid tracks and deep discofied house.

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Voc Walters #3 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

Voc first started spinning records at the age of 12. Growing up on the south side of Chicago provided him with many influences such as the Hot Mix 5, Pharris Thomas, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Lil Louis & Steve Hurley.

Voc made a few appearances on the big stage early on. Those appearances included The Ascot Hotel (Chicago), The Hyde Park Racketball Club (Chicago) and a guest appearance on WKKC Chicago in the 80's.

These appearances were along side the likes of Mr. Gene Hunt, Tyree Cooper, Pharris Thomas and Lloyd Dev just to name a few...

Recent appearances at Artis's Lounge in Chicago, one with Gene Hunt and at the Output Lounge with Dave Britton and Czr, The Uptown Lounge (Chicago), Leo's Den (Chicago) and has been an occasional guest DJ on Chicago's Soul 106.3 FM along side of Mike Dunn, Dj Lil John and Sundance as well as WKKC 89.3 F.M. Chicago.

Voc continues as a resident Dj on chicagohouseradio.com where he is the creator of the "Operation Underground" mix show. Voc took an absence from actively mixing for over ten years.

In 2007, he made a return to mixing and hasn't looked back. Recent influences include Larry Heard, Gene Hunt, Lloyd Dev, Julius The Mad Thinker, Jamie 326, Osunlade & Dj Emanuel.

Voc continues to bring you Classic/Disco while focusing on introducing you to the new underground style of house with hints of a unique type of music that peaks your interest.

Voc's goal is to give you a complete house experience with every mix and to leave you wanting more......

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #9 with Rahaan (Stilove4music / Disco Deviance / Street Edits / Kat / Lumberjacks In Hell / Grimy Edits)

To get us started in 2014, I am stoked to announce we will have an exclusive mix from Chicago based DJ / Producer Rahaan on this Saturday's show.

Definitely super special, Rahaan is a DJ's DJ and a great one at that. Rahaan's music featured heavily in Dig Deep's 2013 playlists and the Chicago Service EP on Lumberjacks In Hell landed at the number 3 spot in my End Of Year Top 30!

Don't miss this chance to check out The man in action from the comfort of your own home...

Tracklist:

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #7 with Boogie Nite (Lumberjacks In Hell / Glenview Records Inc)

On November's show on Cowbell Radio I'm made up to be able to bring you another exclusive mix from Chicago based DJ and Producer Boogie Nite.

We aired Boogie Nite's first Dig Deep mix back in December 2012 and was blown away with his selections of pure discofunk killers.  Little did we know at the time that the man was working away in the studio producing his own edits of those rare and sought after gems.

Less than two years later Boogie Nite has had a series of excellent releases on two of the world's hottest record labels in 2013.  Check our review of the Chicago Service EP or follow the links below for more info.

As a warm up for the Preston based Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club event, PT will be dropping Funk & Soul classics throughout the show.  Between 8.30pm and 9pm we will be airing an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show LP Vol 2. 9 tracks, back to back, all selected by the man.

Part 1 of Boogie Nite's Cowbell Mix goes out at 9pm, with Part 2 going out at 10pm. That leaves us just enough time for a couple of roll calls and the Global Gig Guide between the mixes.  As usual I will line up a few more Dig Deep selections to take us through to 11pm. So another packed show then...

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail (Chicago / Tradition) #5 050913

On this week's show we welcome back head of the Chicago Dig Deep Family and Tradition resident DJ Izrail Dizko.

Respected selector and all round DJ booth wrecker, Izrail has dropped another jacking one hour long set that would rip the roof off any discerning house loving club.

The exclusive mix represents the true underground sound of the Windy city as Izrail roots through his collection and plays from the heart.  Full of his now trademark vibes, but this time on an old school tip, he has dedicated this 5th Dig Deep mix to our friends at Lets go back in Glasgow.

Crafting his turntable skills since 1985, at the age of 15 DJ Izrail was opening parties for Dave D'Master Merritt & Vinny Divine in various Chicago based clubs.  Part of the house scene ever since, he's recently played alongside Roy Davis jr, Paul Johnson and Rahaan to name a few.

Currently a resident at Tradition, Izrail is putting on some great looking nights and is back behind the decks this Friday 7th September at the Underground Wonder Bar in Chicago.  The line up also features house veteran Glenn Underground, Boogie Nite and legendary vocalist Curtis Harman aka Cei Bei.  Check the event on Facebook for more info.

After that Tradition presents the 'Message In Our Music' night on 5th October featuring special guests Craig Alexander and Lady D.  Keep an eye on this guy, there's much more to come...

Dig Deep with Dave D'Master Merritt (No Name) #3 230813

On this week's show we are honoured to welcome back legendary producer and DJ Dave D'Master Merritt for his 3rd Dig Deep mix.

Dave has been producing tracks since the late 80s, and his group 'No Name' was at the forefront of house from the off.  If you are not already in the know, a quick gander at the write up for the show back in July 2012 featuring Dave's first mix will give you a crash course in the gems he has worked on to date.

Dave has put together an exclusive birthday mix for us to celebrate his special day.  As is tradition now from the Chicago Dig Deep Family DJs, the mix is a mash up of many styles that reflect the true 'House' sound of the Windy City.

Trainspotters, tapers, house veterans and disco divas be ready, this mix is special.

August 24th is Dave's Official Birthday Party, taking place at The Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago.  Dave will be spinning along side Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes, Derek Jones, Bruce Ivery and head of the Chicago Dig Deep Family and close friend DJ Izrail.

Dig Deep on Cowbell #4 with Boo Williams (Strictly Jaz Unit)

The 3rd Saturday of the month sees the return of Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio for another 3 hour throwdown of all that's right in the world of music.

Our first 3 guests on Cowbell (Diesler, Fraser and John Morales) set the bar high... for #4 I am honoured to have Boo Williams back on the show with his 2nd mix.

As a producer Boo is up there with the original leaders on the Chicago scene. He's time served and has been part of the city's house music entourage since 1981.

A quick look at his profile on Discogs gives a feel for this guys prolific output - Boo has been dropping Chi-Town bombs since 1994 on record labels such as Relief, DJ-Upbeats, Moods and Grooves and Guidance to name just a few. With a raft of aliases and connections such as SJU Muzik / Strictly Jaz Unit, Boo is still very much an active producer.

In 2012 just one of his highlights was the Moving Rivers 12" excellent Rush Hour label. In 2013 things have stepped up a gear again; his Crying Black Man 12" flew off the shelves in June and the Cosmic Teck 12" is currently doing the rounds.

Dig Deep with Voc Walters #2 (Chicago) 080813

On this week's show we bring you another exclusive one hour set from Chicago based DJ and all round nice guy Voc Walters.  It's Voc's 2nd mix for the show and it's a non stop dance off!!

Voc does big room house music in the way that many attempt but few perfect. His relentless sets come soaked in disco music's sweet vocals and basslines whilst morphing together soulful garage and the darker but funky sound of chicago.

Voc first started spinning records at the age of 12. Growing up on the south side of Chicago provided him with many influences such as the Hot Mix 5, Pharris Thomas, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Lil Louis & Steve Hurley.

Voc made a few appearances on the big stage early on. Those appearances included the Ascot Hotel and The Hyde Park Racketball Club in Chicago, and a guest appearance on WKKC Chicago in the 80's. These appearances were along side the likes of Mr. Gene Hunt, Tyree Cooper, Pharris Thomas and Lloyd Dev just to name a few...

Dig Deep House Mix #7

Dig Deep House Mix #7. A freestyle mash up of some of the more interesting house and techno records I have heard over the last year, with a couple of classics thrown in for good measure.

I put this together for a radio show featuring Voc Walters from Chicago. Expect acid house, disco, African and Balearic vibes, drum heavy tracks, bassbin wobblers and Detroit deepness, all rooted in funk, soul and latin music. Recorded in August 2013.

In association with Chicago House Radio and Dig Deep Records.

www.digdeeprecords.co.uk

Dig Deep with Boo Williams (SJU Muzic / Strictly Jaz Unit) Re-run 250713

Tonight I am re-running the show featuring none other than Boo Williams. Originally broadcast last year, it the one with that ace summer vibed mix from one of Chicago's finest.

A brand new mix from Boo has just landed and I hope to be airing that soon on my new show on Dig Deep On Cowbell Radio...

As a producer Boo is up there with the original leaders on the Chicago scene. He's time served and has been part of the city's house music entourage since 1981.

Dig Deep with K'Alexi Shelby (K Klassik / Transmat) Re-run 110713

On this week’s we re-run the first Dig Deep to feature legendary Chicago house and techno producer / DJ K Alexi Shelby, better known as K'Alexi aka El Chocalata, in the mix for 1 hour. Originally broadcast back in December 2012, K's mix shows us all how it should be done and will leave you in no doubt as to why he is regarded as one of the top DJs on the planet.