Various Artists

The Real Sound of Chicago

(BBE)

Record Review by Kevan Peterson

Painstakingly assembled by Mark Grusane and Mike Cole of Chicago-based Mr. Peabody Records, The Real Sound of Chicago is a trip through the nostalgic sounds of the seventies and eighties, highlighting bands that did not see the critical success of many of their peers.  Despite the lack of publicly embraced tunes, there’s enough soul on this album to make James Brown shed a tear. 

Kicking off the set list that plays like a long night on the dance floor is “Your Love Is In The Pocket,” by Premonition, a slightly distorted but ultimately danceable track that is imbued with a sense of nostalgic lo-fi recording prevalent for its era.  Stand out track “Love So New,” by Loveship, is so catchy and confident in its delivery that you’d swear you had heard it before.  It has the makings of a classic, without the pedigree.  Track after track sheds light on one forgotten band after another, so much so that it becomes saddening to hear so many bands that were passed over during their heyday, in some cases for lesser talent. 

The rare and completely enjoyable discoveries are too many to list in their entirety, but some highlights include Larry Houston, who makes an appearance with a gem of a track, “Promise,” which was released by his homegrown record label HFMP.  Using scattered vocals complimented by tightly woven instruments it manages to deliver all the best aspects of dance and soul.  Maxx Traxx delivers “Don’t Touch It,” a funky tune that is saturated in the essential musical cues of its era. 

One of the funniest song titles to come out of this era, or any other era for that matter is “Look, Let’s Make Love (And See If You Like It),” by Sidney Thomas.  Capturing the positive can-do attitude of the times is “Attitude, Belief and Determination” by Martin L. Dumas Jr., while the upbeat danceable side of heartbreak is perfectly encapsulated in the tune “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again (Like I Fell In Love With You)" by Carmen Armez.

As if answering their own question The Esquires contribute “What Is Good Music?” a funk-drenched tune that should keep you dancing.  And if your stamina was good enough to shake your groove thing through the preceding twenty-three tracks, every last ounce of your energy will be burnt on the seventeen minute long closing track “Open Soul,” by Tomorrow’s People.