K. Alexi - Warehouse Trax [Dark Entries]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.
CAT: DE-331

Chicago legend K. Alexi returns to Dark Entries with Warehouse Trax, an EP compiling unreleased tracks brimming with raw acid and house. K’Alexi Shelby’s illustrious career includes releases on seminal labels like Trax, DJ International, and Transmat, as well as collaborations with top-tier figures such as Marshall Jefferson and Pet Shop Boys. However, his musical journey began at age 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the legendary Music Box and Warehouse clubs. During high school, he started writing songs and honing his talent as a lyricist.

“I realized I had a knack for expressing what I was thinking. I would study Prince and Marvin Gaye, try to understand what they meant, and then put my own spin on it. The power of words. In high school, I wrote love letters for all my friends and I was pretty good at it. I knew exactly what to say and what they should do.”

Dark Entries had previously reissued Shelby’s debut, Essence of a Dream, recorded under the name Risque III in 1987. Now, Warehouse Trax brings together six recordings made in Chicago between 1991 and 1994.

The material gathers all the characteristic elements of K’Alexi’s classic sound: salsa-influenced rhythms, emotive basslines, and hip-house vibes that stand out in tracks like the explosive “Jungle Line” or the melancholic and restrained “Protect and Survive.” There's also room for some unexpected surprises. “Aaaah” kicks off with powerful beats and apocalyptic rave vocal atmospheres reminiscent of Saber Records or Djax Up Beats’ most intense releases, while “Klub Dred,” surprisingly contemporary for its time, offers a mid-tempo dub accompanied by chopped vocal samples.

Warehouse Trax is presented in a retro-styled sleeve designed by Eloise Shir-Juen Leigh. An essential release for lovers of classic house and collectors of the most authentic Chicago sounds.