You could call The Flat Five a Chicago supergroup. Its members tour and record regularly with artists like Neko Case, Andrew Bird, Mavis Staples, NRBQ and more. But they come together and perform a few times a year, drawn to their love of harmonies, tight vocal arrangements, and the sheer joy of working with like-minded friends. 

Last month, they released their first album, It’s A World Of Love And Hope. Musical styles on the album are as varied as the band members-ranging from the 1930’s croonings of the Boswell Sisters to the 70’s “champagne soul” of the 5th Dimension.

The Flat Five joined Morning Shift to talk about their “debut.”