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PODCAST

CHOONS

NickFresh, Diego Martinez

CHOONS 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.

music music history

All Episodes

00:35:49

Disco legend D.C. LaRue and the legacy of "Cathedrals"

CHOONS ·

2025/11/26

More than half a century ago, a cultural and societal movement took root in the streets of New York City. Driven by the post-Stonewall sexual revolution and the masterful work of DJs spinning the latest R&B cuts, people flocked to the clubs in search of their tribe and live out an almost religious experience. D.C LaRue, by then a seasoned singer and songwriter, was a witness to this phenomenon and encapsulated all of his thoughts on a song that, since its original release, has become a perennial

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00:35:42

Information Society's Paul Robb on "What's On Your...

CHOONS ·

2025/09/10

The “Minneapolis Sound” is eclectic at its core. From the funktified innovations of Prince and André Cymone to the polished productions of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and the alt-rock fire of The Replacements, the scene always made space for everything—and everyone—even an offbeat band like Information Society. In 1982, the same year The Purple One invited us to party like it was 1999, InSoc burst onto the scene with a robotic synth style that recalled Kraftwerk, early Devo, and Gary Numan. Paul Robb,

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00:25:03

Bonus Episode: People Getting Loose - The Music of...

CHOONS ·

2022/12/14

Back 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 musicians

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00:38:56

O'Bryan Becomes An R&B Heartthrob With "The Gigolo"

CHOONS ·

2022/11/30

Before 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 output with

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00:26:48

So Much Love: A Tribute To Joyce Sims & "Come Into My...

CHOONS ·

2022/11/16

Multiple 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 the

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00:41:21

Leee John Celebrates Four Decades Of Imagination's...

CHOONS ·

2022/11/02

As 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 and Tony

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00:42:04

How Snap's Penny Ford Reconciled With "The Power"

CHOONS ·

2022/10/19

On 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 artists and

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00:30:27

Zimbabwe's Own Alton Edwards Wants To Spend Some Time...

CHOONS ·

2022/10/05

Back 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 own solo

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00:33:56

Bonus Episode: Inside The Factory - Different Fur...

CHOONS ·

2022/09/21

Different 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 stuff of

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00:39:43

Junior Shares A Universal Message In "Mama Used To Say"

CHOONS ·

2022/09/07

Born 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.With its

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00:47:45

Swing Out Sister Talk "Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond"

CHOONS ·

2022/08/24

In 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 through in

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00:40:55

Carrie McDowell Says "Uh Uh, No No Casual Sex"

CHOONS ·

2022/08/10

In 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 embody the

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00:38:20

The Timelesness Of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah...

CHOONS ·

2022/07/27

It 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 Browder

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00:45:37

From Portland to the World: The Story Of Nu Shooz's...

CHOONS ·

2022/07/13

Portland, 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 were even

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00:33:48

Princess & SAW Make Soul Magic With "Say I'm Your...

CHOONS ·

2022/06/29

Princess' 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 did for The

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00:22:45

Princess & SAW Make Soul Magic With "Say I'm Your...

CHOONS ·

2022/06/15

As 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 doorsteps of

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00:31:10

CHOONS' Greatest Hits (So Far)

CHOONS ·

2021/12/15

It'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.Show

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00:37:31

Regina Richards Gets Playful On "Baby Love"

CHOONS ·

2021/12/01

Regina 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. Both would

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00:31:31

Alisha & Mark Berry Push Through With "All Night...

CHOONS ·

2021/11/17

Back 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, Mark Berry,

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00:36:07

The Friends Of Distinction Go "Grazing In The Grass"

CHOONS ·

2021/11/03

One 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 Masekela,

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32 results

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