After Paul Johnson’s gruesome kick-off to DHA’s new Legends Of House Podcast series, in collaboration with HJCKD AM, last month, we’re following with the second installation to the series with none other than mr. K’Alexi Shelby. This Chi Town native became known for his 1991 EP “It’s Me/Club M.C.M”, which became an instant club classic, appearing on numerous compilations including albums by techno DJs Laurent Garnier and DJ Hell. Over the years, K-Alexi has collaborated with a diverse range of artists including Derrick May, Dave Angel and Felix da Housecat.
See also: Paul Johnson Podcast
A veteran of house music since the very beginning, DJ, producer and entertainer K’Alexi Shelby has been a leading light in the scene for the past twenty years. Known as one of the founding fathers of Chicago house, K’Alexi was just twelve years of age when he found himself moving in the right circles with the likes of Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles.
“I chose all the songs for this session because I think that music should be a journey of where you’ve been and where you trying to go..”
He frequented all the classic clubs of the day including The Warehouse and Music box whilst taking inspiration from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, David Huff and a mirage of other musical genres from the 70s and 80s that still shapes his sound today. Like a true pioneer, early success came in 1987 with his first release “Essence of a Dream” – a record that still never leaves his gigbag as he told us – under the moniker Risque III which established the name K’Alexi with all the other well-known house producers at the time. The single enabled him to collaborate with fellow Chicago legends Marshall Jefferson, Mr. Lee and Mike Dunn. It was with these and other Chicago figureheads that he made the leap across the Atlantic to fundamentally change the UK’s musical landscape forever. One of the most defining moments in house music, in his view.
See also: Marshall Jefferson Interview
The 1991 EP It’s Me/Club M.C.M did equally well and became an instant club classic, appearing on numerous compilations including albums by techno DJs Laurent Garnier and DJ Hell. Over the years, K-Alexi has collaborated with a diverse range of artists including Derrick May, Dave Angel and Felix da Housecat. He has also provided remixes for The Pet Shop Boys and Will Smith. As a DJ, K’Alexi has played a just about everywhere and still continues to do so today playing a healthy selection of house, disco and TecSoul, the latter genre being his own creation and label name also.
Shelby filled his mix with 90’s club anthems, edits of Michael Jackson, and some other surprises as well. Get ready for some action, right after his good friend Marshall Jefferson has given the introduction.
Still coming up in this series are DJ Pierre, DJ Skull, Orlando Voorn, Terry Farley and many more
Tracklist:
1. CeCe Rogers – Someday
2. Joe Smooth – Promised Land
3. Paris Brightledge- It’s Alright
4. Inner City – Big Fun
5. Ten City – That’s The Way Luv Is (Acid Mix)
6. Adonis – No Way Back
7. Risqué Rythum Team/K’ Alexi Shelby – Risqué Rythum
8. Risqué Me /K’ Alexi Shelby – Risqué Madness
9. Risqué Me /K’ Alexi Shelby – Essence Of A Dream
10. Joey Beltam – Energy Flash
11. K’ Alexi Shelby – .You Get Down
12. K’ Alexi Shelby – The Kidz Know Disco
13. K’ Alexi Shelby – African Jack –
14. Pink Floyd – The Klassik Wall –
15. Mr. Fingers – Way Beyond The Clouds (K’ Alexi ReMix)
16. Ron Hardy – M.L.King Eulogy –
17. Ron Hardy – Ron Trax –
18. Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Daft Punk ReMix)
19. Sven Van Hees – Soda Pressing
