CHOONS
30 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsCHOONS tells the definitive story of some of music's most underrated anthems—songs that have endured the test of time and have connected with millions of listeners everywhere. On every episode, we explore the context, creative process, and legacy of these tunes with the people responsible for creating them: producers, arrangers, composers, remixers, and the performers themselves. Produced and hosted by journalist Diego Martinez. Executive produced by music savant Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo.
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Episodes
Bonus Episode: People Getting Loose - The Music of Saturday Night Fever
December 14, 2022 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBBack in December 1977, a young actor named John Travolta (by then only known for his role as Vinnie Barbarino on the TV comedy "Welcome Back Kotter) strutted across the streets of New York to the funky beat of an English trio that reinvented themselves from Soft Rock gentlemen to the purveyors of the global Disco explosion. While The Bee Gees' music was the centerpiece of "Saturday Night Fever," the film's soundtrack gave a spotlight to notable pop performers like Yvonne Elliman, masterful...
O'Bryan Becomes An R&B Heartthrob With "The Gigolo"
November 30, 2022 11:00 - 38 minutes - 36.2 MBBefore he graced the covers of Right On! and Black Beat, O’Bryan was a church kid with a stunning tenor tone informed by years of listening to Stevie Wonder, Donny Hattaway, Phyllis Hyman, and the Delphonics, among others. His vocal abilities impressed a string of influential people that guided him through his musical journey, from Philly Soul legend Ron Kersey to the mighty "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius, who later became co-writer of his songs and executive producer for most of his ou...
So Much Love: A Tribute To Joyce Sims & "Come Into My Life"
November 16, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 25.2 MBMultiple tributes flooded social media channels and websites when Joyce Sims made her peaceful transition on October 13th, 2022, all noting the tangible influence she had on music and people's lives. This Rochester, NY native found her way from perfecting her craft to soaring the international charts with a heavenly mix of Hip-Hop, electronic beats, and R&B vocal stylings, thanks to her collaboration with Sleeping Bag Records producer Mantronix. That mix led to some remarkable singles in t...
Leee John Celebrates Four Decades Of Imagination's "Just An Illusion"
November 02, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBAs the glamour of New Wave made its way through the UK music scene with acts like Visage, Duran Duran, and Spandau Ballet, a band made out of three black men was making the most, sashaying into TV studios with an extravagant image and hypnotic tunes to match. Vocalist Leee John, bassist Ashley Ingram, and drummer Errol Kennedy ruled both the charts and the dancefloors with their own silky and soulful "Imagination" sound, created in collaboration with innovative production team Steve Jolley...
How Snap's Penny Ford Reconciled With "The Power"
October 19, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBOn January 3rd, 1990, days after a unified East and West Berlin welcomed the new decade with a memorable New Years celebration a few feet away from Brandenburg Gate, German producers Luca Anzilotti and Michael Münzing unleashed "The Power," a song that blended soul, dance, and rap sounds. Though they weren't the first to come up with this fusion, the result was one of the most recognizable songs of all time and a symbol of the often problematic practices found in relationships between arti...
Zimbabwe's Own Alton Edwards Wants To Spend Some Time With You
October 05, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 28.7 MBBack in 1980, Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) had finally gained independence from the British, marking the end of racial segregation after a protracted war of liberation that claimed many lives. A year later, a young Alton Edwards became a prodigal son when his debut single climbed the UK top 20, one of the very first instances of a 12" single achieving success in the pop charts. It was the culmination of a journey that took Alton from being a member of several bands to leading his o...
Bonus Episode: Inside The Factory - Different Fur Studios
September 21, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31.3 MBDifferent Fur has been a landmark of the music scene in the Bay Area and at the cutting edge of studio technology since it was founded in 1968 by synth wiz Patrick Gleeson, who went on to play on albums by Herbie Hancock, and in soundtrack albums for the films "Apocalypse Now" and "The Plague Dogs." Nestled between taquerias and cocktail bars, it has hosted an array of legendary musicians, up-and-coming artists, and music lovers who have attended community-based events that are now the stu...
Junior Shares A Universal Message In "Mama Used To Say"
September 07, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 37 MBBorn Norman Washington Giscombe on June 6, 1957, Junior had been making the rounds of the London music scene, just as the Britfunk movement was bridging the gap of a racially-divided England with its friendly and inviting sound, one inspired by American R&B, soul and funk. After dabbling in rock and even Disco, Junior found his groove with producer Bob Carter and tapped into the words of wisdom of his Jamaican mother to create a song that touched a nerve with audiences in the UK and the US....
Swing Out Sister Talk "Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond"
August 24, 2022 07:00 - 47 minutes - 44.5 MBIn the mid-1980s, a new batch of artists emerged on the UK music scene, blending pop sensibilities, refined arrangements, and an understated sense of fashion. Among the likes of Sade, Prefab Sprout, and Simply Red, there was the unique style of Swing Out Sister, originally comprised of jazz-tinged vocalist and songwriter Corinne Drewery, keyboardist Andy Connell, and drummer Martin Jackson. Influenced by an array of performers, from Dionne Warwick to Ennio Morricone, Swing Out Sister broke ...
Carrie McDowell Says "Uh Uh, No No Casual Sex"
August 10, 2022 07:00 - 40 minutes - 38 MBIn June of 1987, 24 year-old Carrie McDowell—the second white female artist signed to Motown Records—walked the stage of the legendary music show "Soul Train," and rocked the house with a performance of her first and only single, the controversial "Uh Uh No No Casual Sex." For McDowell, it was no daunting task, as she was already a seasoned entertainer by then. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Carrie was a musical child prodigy destined to sing. At age 3, she could carry a note and embo...
The Timelesness Of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band's "Cherchez La Femme"
July 27, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBIt was 1976, and Disco was hot. While Donna Summer, Barry White, Gloria Gaynor, and the Salsoul Orchestra churned out the genre's early standards, there were also your usual oddities in the shelves, from the overtly sexy to the downright novelty. Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was neither, and in fact, they weren't even Disco. However, their carefree lyrics and tight danceable musicianship fit beautifully with the times. Co-founded by brothers August Darnell (aka Kid Creole) and Stony...
From Portland to the World: The Story Of Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait"
July 13, 2022 07:00 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBPortland, Oregon is a place known for its access to the great outdoors, fine wineries and breweries, and a delightfully weird culture. It also cultivated a thriving music scene, supported by multiple clubs where you could see people playing any conceivable style, from classical and chamber music to R&B, Riot Grrrl and Punk. Latin, Jazz, and Soul music enthusiasts Valerie Day and John Smith were a part of what they call the "golden age" of live music in Portland, and at a certain point, they...
Princess & SAW Make Soul Magic With "Say I'm Your Number One" (Part 2)
June 29, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBPrincess' appearance at a London fashion show caught the eye of a member of the team working for songwriting and production trio Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman, who were eager to continue their streak of success in the charts following the release of songs like Hazell Dean's "Whatever I Do, Wherever I Go," Divine's "You Think You're A Man," and Dead or Alive's iconic "You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record)". Inspired by The BB&Q Band's "Genie," and the work Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis di...
Princess & SAW Make Soul Magic With "Say I'm Your Number One" (Part 1)
June 15, 2022 07:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBAs Princess (born Desiree Heslop) gets ready for her return to the stage, treating longtime fans with a first-ever performance of her debut album for Supreme Records, she looks back on the making of that LP and a journey through her extraordinary career, one propelled by the support of her brother and manager, Don Heslop. Both Princess and Don talk about how music came into her life, and her role as a session singer for up-and-coming and established acts, which led her straight to the doors...
CHOONS' Greatest Hits (So Far)
December 15, 2021 12:00 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MBIt's been six months since CHOONS was unleashed to the world, and nothing has prepared us for the overwhelming response we've gotten from listeners around the world who share our love for these songs, and most importantly, their place and meaning in our lives. This episode is dedicated to those of you who have shown your support for this show —think of this as our ‘greatest hits’ compilation, a collection of the best, entertaining and shocking moments from some of our most popular episodes....
Regina Richards Gets Playful On "Baby Love"
December 01, 2021 12:00 - 37 minutes - 34.9 MBRegina Richards is a force to be reckoned with in the music biz. Inspired by the sounds of Motown, the Ronettes, and The Beatles, she began a prolific career as a composer at a tender age. Richards had enough songs in her portfolio that a band project (Regina Richards and Red Hot) was formed around her, becoming a fixture of the New Wave scene in New York. By the early ‘80s, she dedicated to writing and publishing full time with the help of talented drummer and fellow writer Stephen Bray. B...
Alisha & Mark Berry Push Through With "All Night Passion"
November 17, 2021 12:00 - 31 minutes - 29.7 MBBack in the early ‘80s, Brooklynite Alisha Ann Itkin was pretty much your average American teenager. Outgoing yet a bit timid onstage, she shined as a cheerleader, and scored roles in school plays and functions. Oh, and she was also an outstanding vocalist who began training at the age of 8 with the support of her parents, Lillian and Al. As fate would have it, a demo of hers recorded with a rock band called The Babysitters landed in the lap of then Vanguard Records engineer and producer, M...
The Friends Of Distinction Go "Grazing In The Grass"
November 03, 2021 11:00 - 36 minutes - 35.6 MBOne of the most vocally cohesive groups of its time, The Friends of Distinction—Harry Elston, Barbara Love, Jessica Cleaves, and Floyd Butler—enjoyed considerable success and influence due to their blend of California harmonies and crossover arrangements, qualities that set them apart from their contemporaries. Aided by their manager, NFL legend Jim Brown, the San Diego foursome hit the big time with an irresistible rendition of an already popular song by South African instrumentalist Hugh ...
Four Decades On, Sharon Brown Still Specializes In Love
October 20, 2021 11:00 - 34 minutes - 33 MBBorn into a musical family, Brown found her calling as a little kid watching Sammy Davis Jr. and all the Motown greats at the world-famous Apollo Theater, in New York. With strong will and determination, she went on to become a prolific songwriter for CBS Records, penning lyrics for Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Ronnie Dyson. Brown also had a way of crafting funky tunes for her own with the highly influential “Family Tree,” a massive hit in England’s Northern Soul scene. Her true shining mome...
Bonus Episode: Inside The Factory - Pajama Studios
October 06, 2021 12:00 - 33 minutes - 31.4 MBPajama Studios opened its doors on April 1st 1993. A typical April Fools day, although these folks are no fools. It started with the vision of two-time Grammy nominated composer, arranger, producer and engineer James Gardiner, and his business partner, producer and director Paula Telander. Both greeted us on their world-class recording facility to talk in depth about the legendary performers that have walked their platinum and gold-disc hallway—from Beyoncé to En Vogue and 2pac—, how they h...
Pretty Poison Looks Back On "Catch Me (I'm Falling)"
September 22, 2021 12:00 - 34 minutes - 33.1 MBPretty Poison was no flash in the pan. Although “Catch Me” is their biggest commercial success to date, they have a whole history as part of Philly’s underground rock scene back in the early 80s. When singer Jade Starling joined the band at age 17, she shared songwriting duties with Whey Cooler and began exploring musical terrains that were more akin to Darkwave and New Wave than the Dance Pop of their later years. Influenced by early freestyle hits, they incorporated urban percussion to th...
Kym Sims Is Not "Too Blind To See It" Anymore
September 08, 2021 12:00 - 32 minutes - 31.1 MBEver heard the saying "be careful what you wish for"? Better ask House music vocalist Kym Sims. Destined to sing from a young age, Kym developed her talent as the voice behind jingles for major US brands before she ran into Hurley, a neighborhood friend who was impressed by her vocal talent at a local party. He promptly convinced her to collaborate with him and cut what became her signature record, a top 5 Dance hit in the US and an even bigger success in Europe. Having learned from past d...
Howard Johnson Channels His Inner 007 In "So Fine"
August 25, 2021 12:00 - 35 minutes - 33.8 MBExposed to a sea of different influences, from Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra, to The Jackson 5 and Earth Wind and Fire, Howard Johnson started his career with a series of bands that included Niteflyte, whose single “If You Want It” cracked the US top 40 in 1979. After Niteflyte split, his life took an unexpected turn when he got the exciting opportunity to cut records with the legendary producers Kashif, Paul Laurence and Morrie Brown, already riding high with the megahit “I’m In Love” by ...
The Legacy Of The Jones Girls' "Nights Over Egypt"
August 11, 2021 10:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBRaised in Detroit, Michigan and vocally trained by their mom, gospel singer Mary Frazier Jones, Shirley, Brenda, and Valorie Jones were a musical wonder from the very start. Their misty harmonies caught the ears of some of the greatest performers of all time—from Norman Connors to Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross— who hired them as their backing vocalists. They became so damn good that Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff signed them to Philadelphia International Records and gave them all the attenti...
Bonus Episode: The Craft of Music With Trevor Lawrence
July 28, 2021 09:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBIn an ever-changing music industry, where songs are produced and consumed at an insatiable pace, the creative role of musicians and songwriters often remains overlooked. According to Trevor Lawrence, a legendary producer and saxophonist who's worked with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Etta James, and the Pointer Sisters, the art of creating a song might appear as simple as learning your ABCs, but in close inspection, it entails an entire process of understanding scales and structures, storytell...
Gospel Meets Jazz, Funk and Electro In D-Train's "You're The One For Me"
July 14, 2021 07:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBAll aboard the D-Train! Joining us on this trip are vocalist James "D-Train" Williams and producer/songwriter Hubert Eaves III, who will look back on their groundbreaking 1981 debut single "You're The One For Me." When Williams and Eaves III met, it was a match made in club heaven: a singer rooted in Gospel, gifted with the ability of conveying his spirit through his vocal performance, and a prolific musician that fused funk with jazz and electronic music. Together, they created an influent...
A Band Divided: How Exposé Almost Got To The "Point Of No Return"
June 30, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBWalk the warm streets of Miami Beach with Lewis Martinee and Laurie Miller, as they discuss the making and legacy of "Point Of No Return," originally released by Exposé as a 12" single in 1985, and rereleased for the pop audience two years later. Though Martinee started work as a rock musician, his claim to fame was developing the Latin Freestyle sound that would dominate the mid-to-late 80s in various parts of the United States. Laurie Miller, Sandra "Sandee" Casañas, and Alejandra "Ale" L...
Company B Plays With Tension And Release In "Fascinated"
June 16, 2021 04:00 - 28 minutes - 34.5 MBProducer and musician Ismael "Ish" Ledesma, and Progressive House artist Noel Sanger talk about the making and legacy of "Fascinated," originally recorded by Latin Freestyle trio Company B in 1986. Born out of the ashes of "Disco Sucks" and a series of musical projects that included the bands Foxy and OXO, Ish created Company B as a vehicle for his wife Lori. A happy accident with "silly" lyrics, "Fascinated" is now a monster track that still fills the floors of clubs everywhere with versio...
This Is CHOONS
June 16, 2021 04:00 - 2 minutes - 3.36 MBHave you ever heard songs that spur memories in your mind or get you going real hard? If you have, here are some good news: 1) you’re probably not alone in this, 2) those songs that get you going are often known as ‘CHOONS’, and 3) there is a new podcast that explores why those tracks remain memorable to this very day and have become the soundtrack to our lives. This is CHOONS Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nickfresh Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social...
The Real Me Comes Alive: The Story Of Sheryl Lee Ralph's "In The Evening"
June 16, 2021 04:00 - 34 minutes - 33.2 MBIn 1984, Sheryl Lee Ralph went from playing a "Dreamgirl" on Broadway to singing about the hustle and grind of New York City, and a desire for liberation that resonated with many dance goers then and now. Ms. Ralph and legendary musician Trevor Lawrence talk in-depth about how the song took shape, its classic status with the LGBTQ+ community, and how far we've come in terms of living our truth in the light. More on Sheryl Lee Ralph: In the Evening Music Video The Diva Foundation Divas Si...