Patchwork Inc. delivers incredible sounds for the fall season w/ release “Chicago Patchwork EP”

The title “Chicago Patchwork” is an incredible collection of stitched together pieces of what the morals of this group is, which is Chicago creativity & unity in song writing, it suits the collective’s multi threaded sound of Patchwork Inc. perfectly. Much like the “patchwork” metaphor suggests, the EP stitches together several threads, muted jazz horns or keyboard motifs, warm Rhodes style keys, & percussion that nods to hip-hop grooves, and soulful vocal lines. That makes it feel less like one straight style and more like a micro anthology of Chicago and soul textures in miniature form..

The production seems intimate analog warmth, subtle dynamics, & textures rather than big pop gloss, so it earns bonus points for mood and craft. By naming the project “Chicago Patchwork” and anchoring it in the Windy City, Patchwork Inc. are leaning into place telling. For anyone that’s into podcasts, essays, zines around Chicago’s music, arts & ecology, this EP offers a sonic counterpart to that visual textual storytelling. The city becomes a palette, and the songs separate threads in that palette..

Because so much of the EP is grounded sonically and emotionally in familiar territories of soul/jazz/hip-hop fusion the “shock” moments or radical departures come in the form of Rhea The Second giving chilling & beautiful vocals to records like “Little Bird”. As Michael Damani erupts with these warm vocals on records like “It’s Just The Rain”, & “Slow Down”. Blake Rhein does an amazing job with helping set the stage for this collective to show off their capabilities with the amazing guitar work. If you’re looking for something to jolt your usual type of music palette this EP is for sure setting a tone, & it’s powerful & a solid one..

“Chicago Patchwork” is a quiet gem, not a loud blockbuster, but a thoughtful, well crafted piece that rewards listening with attention. It executes its concept with clarity and style. This kind of release represents the kind of underpinning content you can build around, subtle enough to be texturally rich, place rooted enough to carry meaning, and flexible enough to integrate into visual, editorial, and event workflows..

It has clear vision, with just enough minor room for deeper risk & standout hook moments, it’s absolutely worth grabbing, revisiting, and incorporating..

Take a listen & let us know what you think..