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33:03

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CHOONS

by 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.

Episodes

Pretty Poison Looks Back On "Catch Me (I'm Falling)"

34m · Published 22 Sep 12:00

Pretty 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 their sound, which was perfected by the time they started work on “Catch Me,” a No. 1 Dance hit, top 10 on pop, and top 15 on R&B.

Though Starling and Cooler paused Pretty Poison momentarily to return to their rock roots, Dance soon came calling, with their catalog securing a place in popular culture through its inclusion in major movies and television series.

Kym Sims Is Not "Too Blind To See It" Anymore

32m · Published 08 Sep 12:00

Ever 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 decisions that almost curtailed her career, she's now finally able to make the music she wants—on her own terms.

Howard Johnson Channels His Inner 007 In "So Fine"

35m · Published 25 Aug 12:00

Exposed 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 Evelyn Champagne King.

Out of those sessions came a song that almost landed on Evelyn’s lap but that, ultimately, fit like a glove with Howard’s suave approach, mixed in with Kashif’s revolutionary studio techniques and multilayered vocal arrangements. Almost four decades after its release, “So Fine” is still regarded as one of the best boogie funk songs of all time and a testament to Kashif’s long lasting influence.

The Legacy Of The Jones Girls' "Nights Over Egypt"

30m · Published 11 Aug 10:00

Raised 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 attention they deserved with beautifully-crafted songs like “You’re Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else,” “At Peace With Woman,” and “I Just Love The Man.”

Their ride on the ‘love train’ reached its ultimate destination with a mysterious jazz-infused track written by Dexter Wensel and Cynthia Biggs El, inspired by a failed college trip to Egypt. It almost never made it to the PIR catalogue, but after the girls laid their vocals, “Nights Over Egypt” grew to become a Quiet Storm standard and source of inspiration for Hip-Hop and Rap artists, musicians, and music lovers everywhere, cementing the singers’ place in the industry.

Bonus Episode: The Craft of Music With Trevor Lawrence

15m · Published 28 Jul 09:00

In 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, storytelling and originality in musicianship.

In this bonus episode, Lawrence shares his experiences learning from his mentor Sol Moore (Dizzy Gillespie, Les Hite and His Orchestra) and his thoughts on how memorable music gets made.

Gospel Meets Jazz, Funk and Electro In D-Train's "You're The One For Me"

31m · Published 14 Jul 07:00

All 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 influential sound that has been covered or sampled by the greatest musicians of all time, and it all began with a song that took just 45 minutes to write.

A Band Divided: How Exposé Almost Got To The "Point Of No Return"

36m · Published 30 Jun 07:00

Walk 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" Lorenzo brought his concept to life with flashy outfits, fierce choreo, and strong tracks like "Point Of No Return" that skyrocketed to the top of the Dance charts. But just as the group was on the cusp of superstardom, things came to a screeching halt for the first generation of Exposé.

This Is CHOONS

2m · Published 16 Jun 04:00

Have 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

Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Company B Plays With Tension And Release In "Fascinated"

28m · Published 16 Jun 04:00

Producer 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 versions that range from Latin to Hip-Hop and R&B.

The Real Me Comes Alive: The Story Of Sheryl Lee Ralph's "In The Evening"

34m · Published 16 Jun 04:00

In 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.