On May 27, 2014, I released a Chicago instrumental compilation known as Windchill. From what I can gather from Google searches and face-to-face inquiries, Windchill was the first of its kind. As a result, I pitched it as an experience. It was my first attempt at curated a project based around producers I admired in a city full of endless talent. It's incredible looking back at the tracklist. Even the three alternate covers by Nikko Washington, Julian Gilliam, and Kyle Garcia pack a punch.
The project contains eighteen instrumentals from eighteen producers all over Chicago. It's an album lost in time, and perhaps ahead of its time. Instrumentals from names like Nico Segal (Donnie Trumpet), Saba, and Martin $ky, who have all since gone on to do huge things. Producers like Smoko Ono, THEMpeople, Thelonious Martin, Blended Babies, OnGaud. The project also features both BoatHouse (who thought of this album title) and oddCouple, before they signed to Closed Sessions. I couldn't resist allowing the legendary Tree (who I later helped to release a 'best of' instrumental album) to be featured first on the tape. Hell, even a rare instrumental from The O'My's is on here. Shout-out to Doc Da Mindbenda for closing out the project in style.
Anyway, it's been two-and-a-half years and sometimes I reminisce. What a dream, what a delight, to arrive in a new city, to appreciate the music, and to reach out to production gods only for them to respond, saying, "Sure, sounds cool, here are some beats to choose from." I look back on that time fondly.
Side note: it wouldn't be fair to not mention blackKat aka my good buddy Ethan. Not only did he craft the 'Wind Chimes' intro perfectly, but he also mixed the project, and keeps the party going 2/3 of the way through with his wild double instrumental "Narco Necesito / Cut 'Em Down".