Name: Essence of a Dream
Brand: Risque III

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

DE-281

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-04-23

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Rubadub

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

1 / 12" / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Risque III

Genre GB

House / UK Garage

Label GB

Dark Entries

Dark Entries is a record label based in San Francisco, California, USA. Established in 2009 by an individual with a passion for music, Dark Entries specializes in offering a diverse range of out of print, unreleased, and contemporary underground music. With a focus on bringing unique and obscure sounds to the forefront, this label has become synonymous with quality and innovation.

At Dark Entries, we pride ourselves on our commitment to showcasing artists who push boundaries and challenge traditional norms. Our catalog features an eclectic mix of genres including post-punk, synth-pop, industrial, disco, and more. We strive to provide music enthusiasts with access to rare gems that are not easily found elsewhere.

With an unwavering dedication to preserving musical history while also nurturing emerging talent, Dark Entries continues to be at the forefront of the independent music scene. Our mission is simple: to share *hidden treasures* from the past alongside cutting-edge releases from today's most exciting artists. Join us on this sonic journey as we explore the depths of underground music together.

Dark Entries is again presenting an essential classic: the Chicago house anthem Essence of a Dream, by Risqué III. K’Alexi Shelby’s illustrious career has included releases on legendary labels such as Trax, DJ International, and Transmat, as well as collaborations with high profile artists such as Marshall Jefferson and Pet Shop Boys. But his musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. In high school, he began to write songs and hone his poetic craft. “I recognized I had a gift to say what I was thinking. I would study Prince and Marvin Gaye, figure out what they meant and put my spin on it. The power of the word. I was writing love notes for all my boys in high school and making a killing. I would know what to say and what they should do.” 

In 1987, Shelby’s first solo release, Risqué III’s Essence of a Dream b/w “Risqué Madness, was to be cemented in Chicago dance history. He was accompanied in the studio by his cousin and production mentor, Mr. Lee. The track’s effortlessly propulsive house rhythms (courtesy of the Roland TR-727, TR-707, and TR-909), salsa-inflected bassline, and oneiric strings fuse magnificently with K’Alexi’s steamy, Prince-esque verse. Due to tight studio schedule times, his vocals were almost omitted. Says Shelby: “The session was coming to an end and I said I wanted to put the vocals on there. They said, ‘We got no time unless you can get your vocals right in one take’. I said, ‘Let it rip’ and went into the vocal booth...they just stood there with their mouths open. The look on their faces was priceless.”

The B-side’s Risqué Madness is a tribute to Ron Hardy, DJ at the Music Box and one of K’Alexi’s formative influences. The track opens with Shelby’s processed voice announcing "I'd like to talk to you about escape. Let me take you away, away to a place where rhythm is life, and life is a never ending sound." This introduction captures how he felt dancing to disco every week at the Music Box. Hardy was known for playing an edit of Kikrokos’ Life is a Jungle, in which he looped the track’s lysergic breakdown. Shelby utilizes the same delirious loop but builds upon it with additional percussion, melodies, samples from Hardy favorite Let No Man Put Asunder by First Choice, and manipulated vocals taken from The Madam’s “The Sensuous Black Woman”, a recording used often in early Chicago house DJ sets and recordings. Both sides of this record perfectly reflect the spirit of Chicago house music.

Essence of a Dream has been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The sleeve was designed by Eloise Leigh, and features a never-before-seen photo of a teenage Shelby taken at his high school, with a bold font evoking 80’s house music covers. Also included is a postcard with lyrics, an additional photo from the same session as the cover artwork, and liner notes from Shelby. 

Essence of a Dream

Music GB

Discover Essence of a Dream by Risque III on 12" vinyl. This Chicago house anthem, released by Dark Entries, features K'Alexi Shelby's mesmerizing vocals and propulsive rhythms.