Since 2005 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place.

Like anybody who’s written about music for a while, I get lots of messages from publicists. I don’t envy those folks; their jobs have been getting more difficult as music journalism shrinks and digital platforms change the rules. Plus I can’t even define “country trap” or “hyperpop,” so I’m hardly the best audience for most pitches. But sometimes one hits the mark—like the announcement of a new album by saxophonist, flutist, and composer Henry Threadgill.

Born and raised in Chicago, this visionary jazz musician is 81 years old, so new material is hardly something to take fo

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