CD Review

When you think of Chicago, what comes to mind?

Michael Jordan, The Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, Pizzeria Uno, The Blues?

Aside from the obvious, Chicago is stirring up something loud and rocking this winter, and it’s not the wind and snow off the banks of Lake Michigan. The music scene is alive in the windy city, and the fresh cuts off the Chicago Minds and Souls Compilation Vol. 1 proves so. Assembled by The Triple Dot Agency, Chicago Minds and Souls showcases today’s most innovative Chicago based bands and artists including: Pünsapaya, Oh My God, Umphrey's McGee, Dave Tamkin, Todd Carey, 56 Hope Road, Future Rock, DueNow, Ernie Dean and The Make Believe, Somewhere In Between, Treologic, Aswah Greggori &The Enforcers, 1000 Vertical Feet, Frank Bang's Secret Stash, MER!, Fareed Haque Group, Frank Catalano Quintet, Desiree and Family of Souls w/ Yours Truly.

Although compilation discs favor personal “mix” favorites, Minds and Souls’ 19 tracks prove each tune is equally deserving of making the cut. Defining a brand new sound, Punsapaya's “New Life,” a modern dance-rock anthem filled with catchy hooks, kicks things off on a high note. While Umphrey’s McGee’s “In The Kitchen,” a dreamy rock number from their latest studio album makes an appearance soon after. Todd Carey's emotive rocker "Daydream" combines acoustic textures juxtaposed over electronic sensibilities and live raw drums that creates a melodic, explosive combination.

Like visiting different neighborhoods of Chicago, the collection is a self-guided tour of the ins and outs of the city’s music scene. The hip-hop stylings of Treologic mixed with the ambient soundscape of 1000 Vertical Ft. and the moody dark thunder of Frank Ban’s Secret make for an eclectic balance. More musical secrets are revealed with DueNow, hauling their G Love fashioned hip-hop blues shuffle against the jazzy improv of Somewhere In Between, to the reggae flavored sounds of Aswah Greggori. And yet another standout is the funky strut “Sassi Lassi” from the Fareed Haque Group, showing why the Garaj Mahal founder is one of the most talented guitarists today

Chicago Minds and Souls will be distributed for free to benefit Chicago's music scene and promote the artists who are putting it on the map, many who are remarkably unsigned. A series of CD release concerts featuring the artists on the album will take place in Chicago over the next few weeks. Visit their website for more information at: 3dmas.com/compilation.