One of the blueprints of hip hop! At the time, Chic's "Good Times" just seemed like a wickedly funky pop tune – but who knew that that bass and guitar groove would inspire a whole generation of hip hoppers, bouncing along in a groove that was at once at home on the roller rink or the wheels of steel! This original single features a key version that's over 8 minutes long, too! 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Produced by Charlemagne. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A high school record, but also one of the first hip hop singles to come out of Chicago! Given that in the early 80s, Chi-town was still focusing mostly on soul (and soon, house), the Windy City was way behind New York in terms of hip hop production – and most early rap efforts came out as novelty tunes by local personalities. But this little gem has a surprising level of quality – simple old school backings at best, copping a Sugarhill groove from the start – but some nicely scripted lyrics from a number of Carver High School seniors, presented in a way that's a bit more staid than the usual east coast single – but still quite nice! The flipside has a mellower cut – a cool "Senior Song" that's done like some laidback 80s R&B ballad, but with a more youthful vocal approach. 12-inch, Vinyl record

An obscure bit of disco from Chicago – recorded by singer Jerline Shelton with arrangements by Floyd Morris and production by DJ Lucky Cordell! Both sides are decent enough – soulful vocally, and with fast funk instrumentation that sounds pretty nice, graced by some fast guitar work, and kind of a proud stepping groove! 12-inch, Vinyl record