This week In the Spotlight, we have some hot album relases:

• Roy Ayers "Virgin Ubiquity Remixed" (BBE Records 2xCD)
• DJ Oji "Spiritual Journey" (POJI Records CD)
• Dimitri from Paris "In the House of Love" (Defected Records 3xCD)
• Soulheaven presents "Masters at Work" (Soul Heaven Records 3xCD)

Picks of the Week

Fuzion featuring Chris Herbert "I'm so glad" (Remixes)(Camio Records CD Promo)

One of last years standout vocal tunes, produced and written by George Mena and Franke Estevez and performed by Chris Herbert, returns in brand new interpretations that are simply outstanding. Jihad Muhammad delivers a soulful rendition comprising jazzy flavors that features fantastic keys and wonderful strings over a smooth groove, creating a mellow and relaxing vibe - this is a soulful as it gets. William 'Reelsoul' Rodriguez presents a deeply grooving reworking that features subtle keys and warm chords that together with the vocals create an uplifting vibe. Lastly there is the Big Moses remix, a laidback interpreation that has a classic garage feeling and is full of soulful keys over a mellow bumpin' groove.

Picks of the Week

Jihad Muhammad "No way back" (Chi Town Mix)(Iwanai Music Records CD Promo)

Jihad Muhammad is reviving the twenty year old classic from Adonis with this wonderful interpretation that gives a whole new dimension to the track. While the 1986 original is all about early Chicago House, this new interpretation is on a laidback jazzy tip featuring incredible xylophone and organ solos alongside melodic keys that are layered over a smoothly thumpin' groove reminiscent of the timeless original. This is a fantastic update of the Adonis classic that is spreading an uplifting and relaxing feeling through the wonderful instrumentation.
 

Mr. A.L.I.'s J.A.M. Sessions "Simple" (Philosophie Music Records CD Promo)

Jere McAllister of Mr. A.L.I. and Carla Prather collaborate for "Simple", a soulful and sweet house production that is based on a percussion enriched, smoothly stompin' groove and deep bassline that get topped with sexy vocals from Carla Prather and warm melodic keys, spreading a laidback vibe. Jere McAllister and DJ Jaycee team up for the remixes that come on a deeper vibe, featuring marvellous keys that together with the vocals give the song a harmonic and uplifting feeling.

Picks of the Week

Voices of 6th Avenue "Man in the mirror" (AceBeat Records CD Promo)
Ricky Nelson "Happy man" (AceBeat Records CD Promo)

As reported earlier this year, Ace Beat Records have opened their Download Music Store where you can buy titles from their back catalogue as well as new music. "Man in the mirror" by Voices of 6th Avenue, a choir founded by 'Ace' Mungin and listing artists and producers such as Charvoni, Intense, Cassio Ware, Kenny Bobien, Eddie Stockley and others, is gospel house at is best. The featured singers are providing an inspirational vocal performance over a soulfully instrumented, New Jersey styled garage production, creating an uplifting and emotional feeling. On "Happy man", Ricky Nelson presents himself with a sensual combination of gospel and r&b styled vocals over a laidback groovin' backing track that features a wonderful instrumentation, spreading a mellow and uplifting vibe.
 

Antonio Ocasio featuring Annette Taylor "No difference" (deepaGrooves Records CD Promo)

deepaGrooves are going deep with their latest release that is produced by Antonio Ocasio and features a hint of sultry female vocals courtesy of Annette Taylor. "No difference" features various layers of percussion and drums together with an outstanding organ solo, a deep bubbling bassline and wicked keys, creating an uplifting and spiritual feeling. The BLVD East interpretation gives the track an irresistible feeling that takes you on a journey into deep house music with its deeply rumbling groove and the fantastic keys and organ ride.

Picks of the Week

SUMO featuring Clarisse Muvemba "Nini" (HEYA Hifi CD Promo)

"Nini" is the second single from the forthcoming SUMO longplayer "The danceband" (to be released in May). The song features Clarisse Muvemba on vocals who sings in Lingala (spoken in Kongo) on this disco edged afro house production that features two incredible hot guitar hooks alongside stompin', afro styled beats. The vibe of the song is absolutely irresistible, making your feet move as soon as you hear it. Claude Monnet is responsible for the remix, turning the song into a spectular disco monster that grows and grows through its entirety - think of Donna Summer's "I feel love" (Patrick Cowley remix) and you know what kind of intensity to expect. Also included is the bonus track "Bo ningisa", a tribal afro house stomper with heavy bass and wicked percussions that is slightly on a tougher edge.