Flashback Friday Music Share – 12/11/2015

I have one I keep on shuffle in my phone that’s not usually my taste in sound…

Title: It’s Jazzy
Artist: Roni Size
Label: Chronic

Genre(s): Drum & Bass, Jungle
Year released: 1997

Who could never forget the plethora of broken beats that ruled the 90s underground. Being a fan of four on the floor, I usually never got into sounds like drum & bass or jungle, but you can thank those free CDs that came with UK magazines like Mixmag and Muzik, as they did expose me to much more than just house.

Next to Goldie, Roni Size is one of the big and respected pioneers of the sounds of broken beats. When I got rid of my old CDs, I did rip this one for my own personal enjoyment mainly because of the sophisticated funk and jazz elements Roni put into this tune. It just always reminds me of the 90s, when I was a younger adult just learning of the clubbing world beyond the USA.

Here’s another one for me…

Title: Chicago Southside
Artist: CZR
Label: Underground Constructions (UC)

Genre(s): House
Year released: 1996

This track in my opinion was a seminal moment for CZR. While CZR made his debut in 1990, his releases between 1994 and 1996 were some well-crafted, but often formulaic Chicago-style hardhouse. Granted CZR’s releases were regarded as the best in that subgenre, many of us not into that scene saw that sound as lacking any depth.

Then CZR released an EP called “Another Level”, which featured another hard tune entitled “Climax” and “Chicago Southside” on the b-side. I swear I heard Chicago Southside pumped all over the place, from underground to mainstream. Granted it was just a heavy sampling of Gene Chandler’s small hit “When You’re #1”, it showed the city a different side to CZR, and thus we watched him grow and evolve into the more funky and groovy sides of deep house and jackin’ house.

While CZR hasn’t been heavy in the scene lately, his anthem still is a local favorite here.