The Gramophone

88.1 KDHX presents The Gramophone 2 Year Anniversary Party with The Diplomats of Solid Sound and JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound

Join us and 88.1 KDHX in celebrating the 2 year anniversary of THE GRAMOPHONE!!! We are gonna get down and dirty with The Diplomats of Solid Sound plus JC Brooks and Uptown Sound

Since the release of their first 7-inch single, “Bullfrog Boogaloo,” in 2001, the Diplomats of Solid Sound have been mining America’s vast deposits of soul music to create a sound all their own — a spare-but-spicy groove sired equally by progenitors such as Booker T., James Brown and The Funk Brothers. Now, after three full-length releases as an instrumental outfit, the Diplomats of Solid Sound have expanded the family with a trio of sultry sirens who liked to be called the Diplomettes for a new set of soul stunners they like to call “The Diplomats of Solid Sound, Featuring The Diplomettes.”

The album is available on CD and for download from Record Kicks. This supercharged new set of prime cuts is a dance party in a jewel box, guaranteed to groove its way into your head and your body — and get both moving fast! Its sound is both new and old. Timeless. Soul. Full-length DOSS releases “Instrumental Action Soul” (2001, Prescription Records), “Let’s Cool One”(2003, Estrus Records) and “Destination … Get Down!” (2005, Estrus) captured the band in its natural habitat, a dimly lit bar where people appreciate a good smoke, a vodka gimlet and a funky little combo that knows how to get the cats and kittens out of their seats and onto the dance floor. The sound got the boys a gig backing R&B legend Andrew Williams, with whom they cut “Aphrodisiac.” It was released by Pravda Records and Spanish label Vampisoul in May 2006.

Born in the great melting pot of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood in 2007, guitarist Billy Bungeroth, drummer Kevin Marks, and bassist Ben Taylor (Beat Down Sound/September Sessions soundtrack) joined forces with the Lowdown Horns to lay a ferocious foundation for the soulful shouts of Mr. JC Brooks. The son of a Jersey funk diva set adrift by the disco era, he’s renowned for his take-no-prisoners stage style, leaving audiences with no other choice than to get up and move! JC Brooks is determined to become the next in a long line of classic Chicago Soul singers; Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Syl Johnson – JC has learned from them all, and he’s got no illusions about what it takes to become a classic.

Brooks & co. finished off 2009 with a bang, playing to ecstatic crowds throughout the Northeast as part of the Numero Group’s critically acclaimed Eccentric Soul Revue (called “dapper and potent” by the New York Times). They’ve collaborated with greats like Syl Johnson, Tortoise’s Dan Bitney, Renaldo Domino, and the Impressions’ Nate Evans. They’ve appeared on WGN-TV and BBC 6, cut a live session for influential indie radio station WFMU, racked up rave reviews throughout Europe, and been featured in the Chicago Tribune, TimeOut New York & Chicago, and the Chicago Sun-Times. Following up their explosive debut Beat of Our Own Drum (Vampisoul/Rabbit Factory) with the relentlessly funky new Get It Together single (featuring a stomping cover of Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”) and a full slate of North American and European dates, these intense young soul stirrers are bringing it to your door, ready to tour, score, and not be ignored.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are for the people remaining awake through a great revolution… for people who want to move and not just sit tight… for soul people! Guaranteed to make you dance by any means necessary, JC Brooks is the new sound of Chicago.

The Diplomats of Solid Sound MySpace
JC Brooks and Uptown Sound Myspace

Doors at 8 p.m.
Show at 10 p.m.
$8/21+

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