The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

Get Your Bad Self Down With 'The Chicago Party' Tonight

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 3, 2015 8:30PM

2015_03_the_chicago_party.jpg
Still from 'Ultra-High Frequencies: The Chicago Party' courtesy The Numero Group

We introduced you to the Universal Togetherness Band a few weeks ago, an unheralded gem in the Chicago funk and soul scene of the late '70s and early '80s. Occasionally that band would appear on a local dance show called The Chicago Party, which lasted a mere 23 episodes during 1982. But oh what a glorious 23 episodes those were.

Numero Group put together a compilation of tracks from the short-lived program, and Ultra-High Frequencies: The Chicago Party delivers just the sort of genius, rubbery electro-soul you would expect from a Chicago TV show so steeped in the cool of its time. From the frenetic boogie of Jesus Wayne's "The Chicago Party Theme" right on through to the self-reflective and sultry beauty of The Harvey-Allison Experience's closing track "This Is Our Love Story," this is a compilation that doesn't miss a step.

The Numero Group celebrates the release of these greatest hits that should have been at The Chopin Theatre tonight, with a combination listening party and screening of footage from the original run of The Chicago Party TV show. Are you ready? We know you are!

The Chicago Party screening and release party is tonight, March 3, at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, 6:30 p.m., $5 at the door.