This compilation almost goes against everything I believe in, except, of course, the music. Inspired by a local barista making the move to Chicago, I hastily decided to raid my collection. Essentially, there are no rules, no parameters (no particular release dates or styles) just what stuff happened to be in my "CD" collection on Feb. 19, 2008 (Happy 65th Birthday, Dad!) that was either from a Chicago group (at one time or still is) or on a Chicago based label, with most love going out to Drag City and Thrill Jockey in particular. And, lets just say, a lot of great stuff got left off. In the eleventh hour, I almost nixed the whole idea. I wanted to change it to just include exclusive or harder to find tracks, such as Papa M's rendition of "Turn Turn Turn" or Red Red Meat's 7" only "Idiot Son," or something from Kevin Drumm and his melancholy electronic Triangles project, or Rob Mazurek's more experimental solo cornet and electronics project or anything at all from David Grubbs' Blue Chopsticks label or Jim O'Rourke's Moikai label, never mind their joint obscure reissue label, Dexter's Cigar, the latter two labels including releases from forward-thinking guitarist/musician, Rafael Toral. Or even something from up and coming label, Burnt Brown Sounds. Also of note that's missing: the great electronic artists Oval and Nobukazu Takemura, both of which Thrill Jockey championed in the mid-'90s and beyond. Maybe I'll have to make an addendum volume to this stuff someday. Something a little more thought out and involved. Let's just say every track on this is a killer. I guess that's what the common thread is linking these songs together. so here's to the Windy City: the artists, the labels, the seasons, Lake Michigan. This mix begs for Spring too; the warm days and warm nights... Luke, wherever you are, roll the car windows down and - oh, wait, most people don't have cars if they live in the city - I still hope you find this mix burnin'!
oystered 02-1: Blues subtitled why not untitled?
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