Here is a new video from director Jovan Jimenez for the track "Hyde Park (I Miss You)" from the 2008 release Neighborhood Suicide from Radius (TSLOS).

The easy comparisons here are to group like Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, and US3, but The J. Davis Trio (JDT) sound has something original and refreshing. True, Stuart bring the old school flow, but you can’t help but bop your head. It’s the Southside garage-jazz that group brings that really sets them apart from the rest. With Flav-R-Ice on bass, Benjamin Pendulum on trumpet, and The Planet on Drums, these four have constructed an album filled with soulful jazz tracks and passionate rhymes about the city we all love.

I think that’s what make JDT unique, is their perspective and entrench in the Chicago streets they are. Whether it is talking about chillin’ at The Vic (“These Things Happen” (mp3)) or DePaul or Homewood or Flossmoor or Hyde Park, JDT have created an album that is a tribute jazz and hip hop fusion, but also to Chicago. Another aspect of this album that I really enjoy is the guest appearances, from the violin of Susan Voelz to the vocals of Stolie to the rhymes of O Type Star and Luchbox Law. These Things Happen is the groups third album and it was originally released in April of 2007. They are re-releasing the album through their own label Yo Yo Smuggler Records on December 9th, and as I float through these tracks they still sound fresh and need to be heard.

I bring to you, fair reader, a local metal act with a lot of potential. I had the distinct pleasure of getting to see up-and-comers Tryst at Nite Cap recently and was really interested in seeing what they could do. Unfortunately, in this city and with a good deal of metal scenes, it’s usually hit-or-miss with the bands you might see on any given night. This night offered up local act Tryst, who were decidedly a hit. With a sound that really runs the gamut of metal styles, it was a treat to hear a group that could really lock in on any style they wanted. As opposed to some bands that lock in on a style before developing an overall sound, this definitely boosted their appeal. Running the gamut from sludge to black to thrash metal, Tryst put on quite the show. Unfortunately for them, Nite Cap’s sound-engineer doesn’t know what he’s doing. Plagued with feedback, an inability to make out the bass-line unless standing in front of the bassist and a general muddiness of guitars, this really dampened my experience.

When audible lead singer Jezzibel gives an enthusiastic performance and lends not only her natural singing voice but her brutal scream to the overall sound. Having only heard a handful of "real" metal bands with female vocalists, I wasn’t sold at first. Jezzibel’s ability to shrug off nerves or fatigue and power through her set while engaging her audience is commendable. Bassist Tony is a real talent and was, as I found out later, sick as a dog during his set. You couldn’t tell, not once, that he was tired or anything but amped about being on stage. New member, Mario, added a good handful of shred to the band’s already overwhelming ferocity. Guitarist Phil and Drummer J-Sin were a tight rhythm section, never stopping to keep the driving melodies moving. During the close of their set they threw down with a well-done cover of Fear Factory’s "Replica" and I was suddenly 16 again. I rushed up to the stage and instantly began thrashing as hard as I could, you know, while I gingerly removed my glasses. So do keep your eye out for this wrecking crew, as they’re likely to come ripping through your ‘hood soon. – Ben Kessell

Sounds like: Walls of Jericho, In this Moment, Nightwish.

Starting tonight at Midnight, Smashing Pumpkins will make available the first song from their epic 44 track album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. The song is called “A Song For A Son” and it encompasses Billy’s thoughts and fears about Fatherhood and why he has not become a father yet. As he has said about the album, which will be released one song a time until all 44 tracks are out: “Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won’t have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.” Billy feels that this track is emblematic of the entire collection of music and that as whole this album is a return to the classic Smashing Pumpkins sound. You can find out if that is true or not tonight at Midnight on at the new Smashing Pumpkins website.

Joe Pug has announced the detail of his forthcoming album, Messengers. The album will be released on February 16th and features 9 new songs along with an electric reworking of “Speak Plainly, Diana” which first appeared on the Nation of Heat EP. He also announced plans to release a vinyl edition of Nation of Heat around that same time. Joe will be touring this Spring with Justin Townes Earle, and will be playing here at Lincoln Hall on Feb. 27th. He will of course be heading to SXSW again this March.

How does a young pop-rock band Chicago get 160,000 hits on youtube in one week? Mock Miley Cyrus of course. You can download this hilarious track at The Fold’s website. The Fold are playing at Elk Grove Center (200 Reverend Morrison Blvd, Elk Grove Village) with I Fight Dragons on December 12th and at Metro with Lucky Boys Confusion on December 26th.

Catherine “It’s No Lie” from their 1994 release Sorry! on TVT Records.

Hey Champ has released a mixtape that is very aptly titled. Winner’s Circle finds the group basically recapping the incredible year they’ve had. Hey Champ received their big opportunity in the Summer 2008 when Lupe Fiasco took notice and took the group on tour. Over this past year they have been able to remix some biggest names and make noise on their own with “Cold Dust Girl”. They are truly approaching the “Winner’s Circle”. The magnetic cast of artists involved on this mix includes Mike Posner, The Cool Kids, Passion Pit, The Sounds, French Horn Rebellion, 80’s Kidz, Priors, and Moneypenny. With the recent disbanding of Lupe’s FNF record label, Hey Champ will continue to move forward and continue to energize audiences around the world while preparing their forthcoming, independently released, debut album in the Spring of 2010. In the meantime, Hey Champ encourages new fans to make their way into the "Winners Circle" where the band displays all of the creative shine that put them on blast in the first place.

Hey Champ will be playing at Metro on December 19th with Kill Hannah.

Welcome To Ashley plays Schuba’s next Wednesday, Dec. 9 @ 9 PM.

Pretty Good Dance Moves‘ latest single, "Leave Me Alone," has received the remix treatment. The catchy electro-pop tune has been remixed by David Wolf (who has previously mixed Crystal Castles, among others). Check out the video for "Leave Me Alone," which features Japanese girl-group, The Suzan. The video follows a gang of Japanese girls, warding off a mad scientist — it’s the video the Flaming Lips never made during Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Tres cool.

You can see Pretty Good Dance Moves in person on December 12th with I Fight Dragons and Cobalt & The Hired Guns at Metro. – Neph Basedow

Over the last few years Nomo has gained a solid reputation for pushing the boundaries between instrumental rock, afro-beats, and jazz. Their sound is playful, inventive and always soulful. Recently band members Erik Hall and Elliot Bergman decided to strip back a couple of the sonic layers from the Nomo sound and add some calming vocals. The resulting band is called In Tall Buildings, and they have some of the key Nomo elements at times, from trumpets to tropical rhythms, but their sound in rooted more soundly in folk music. The duo has recorded their debut album and it was recently announced that it will be released by Chicago’s Whistler Records in March, 2010.

If you love the eclectic nature of Nomo, but also enjoy gentle vocals you should check our In Tall Building at Bottom Lounge on Dec. 11th with Cains & Abels and Brooklyn’s Cavalier Rose.

It’s been three years since we last heard new material from Skybox, and the success of Arco Iris and their need to tour and recover is good reason for the wait. However, there is also that fear of a sophomore release not meeting or surpassing the expectation of its predecessor. Yet, just as their live performances have become near legendary, often evolving into spectacles that in the past have included costumes, confetti, dancing girls, snack cakes and the occasional chicken suit, Morning After Cuts will only work to build the legend and respect for this quartet. Tim Ellis and Christian Fields, Mike Holtz and Dan Ingenthron have clearly matured, experienced, and learned over the last three years and have poured every ounce of knowledge and passion into this album. Ellis’ signature falsetto and provocative nature is in full force on each of these danceable tracks. He’s currently channeling a mixture of Bowie and Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal) and Daniel Smith. Recorded with acclaimed producer Sean O’Keefe at Smart Studios in Madison, WI and Chicago’s Black Sheep Music, it’s clear that this album will be an even bigger launching pad, when it is released on January 10th, than its predecessor. To expect a big 2010, with even wilder performances, from the boys of Skybox is not unreasonable. The first single from Morning After Cuts is called “In A Dream” (mp3). Skybox will be a part of Schubas Tomorrow Never Knows Fest on Jan. 17th.