Picks of the Week

Exclusive Preview: Scott Grooves "Coco brown" (Modified Suede Records CD Promo)

Scott Grooves has a full length project in the works titled "The Riddum" which will be released around march on his new Modified Suede imprint. This new label will focus more on the deep percussion vibe, in contrast to his Natural Midi label that is home to the more techy sounds. "Coco brown" is one of the album tracks, giving us a first impression on what we can expect from the album, showcasing Scott Grooves' more organic, acoustic rhythm side, with his background of being a percussionist shining through all over. "Coco brown" is a laidback yet captivating track built around a truly deep, resistless backdrop, featuring wonderful atmospheric chords and sweet percussion elements, altogether spreading an infectious vibe on the dance floor.

Picks of the Week

Various "Unreleased Grooves Vol. 01" (Grooveland Music Records CD Promo)

The beloved Brazilian Grooveland Music record label presents their 10th release which is a selection of previously unreleased materiel. Kicking off is a beautiful deep remix perfect for late nite play of the label's debut release "Afrika" by eDeep courtesy of BitterSuite, followed up by Jarrier Modrow's "Rare soul" re-touched by Julian Bendall who gives it a wonderful laidback yet jazzy and uplifting feel. Next is the Steve 'SoulBasics' Fox remix of "All things praise" by KC Jackson, a deeply stormin' affair built around a resistless funk drenched bassline. Hernan Cronner takes on Domenico Navarra's "So lonely", reworking the track (that features Monique Henry on vocals) into a deeply rumblin' affair featuring captivating keys and synths. Rounding things off is Abicah Soul's jazz-latin flavored take on "Eu soul" by BSC featuring Karina Campos.

Picks of the Week

Jonny Montana featuring Stephanie Cooke "One 4 me" (Camio Records CD Promo)

What an excellent release to be our last Pick of the Week for 2008 this is!! Jonna Montana teams up with Stephanie Cooke to bless us with "One 4 me", a groovy yet smooth production that impresses with heartfelt emotive vocals by Stephanie Cooke and a brilliant orchestration including wonderful keys by Bennett Holland and sax by Martin Seaman, not to forget to mention that out of this world organ solo. Speaking of that organ, there is a deeper take by Jonny Montana & Rob Redford that is all about the organ and vocals over a deeply rumblin' groove. Remixes are courtesy of Bittersuite who take the song to way deeper laidback grounds that has a distinct old-school touch to it, while Marlon Sadler delivers dance floor madness with his synths fueled, fiercely thumpin' version. An additional mix by Abicah Soul will be added to the package soon.

Picks of the Week

Exclusive Preview: Alfredo Norese featuring Maxyne Ryan "Come on over" (Soulful Mix)(Unsigned CD-R)
Exclusive Preview: Alfredo Norese & Kaysee "Lift me up" (Funk To The Punk Mix)(Unsigned CD-R)

We are proud to bring two currently unsigned productions by Alfredo Norese to your attention. First up is "Come on over" featuring sensitive vocals by Maxyne Ryan alongside classic strings and horns, lovely guitar and melodic keys over a smooth yet fierce, funk drenched groove, altogether spreading a laidback vibe. Second is "Lift me up" which is built around a relentlessly stompin' funk soaked groove, featuring Kaysee who blesses us with her heartfelt vocal performance, while the lush synth chords and wicked guitar riff intensify the vibe to the climax.

Here we go with Volume 13, the last edition of our Shorts Reviews and the accompanying mixshow on Spirit of House in 2008. We hope you enjoy this truly deep selection of fresh tracks...

Picks of the Week

Exclusive Preview: Various "The Gift" (Consortium Muzik Records CD Promo)

This twelve track album by Consortium Muzik can only be described as an early Christmas gift. So much beautiful music - selected from upcoming releases - is featured on it... Its all top-notch stuff from beginning to the end, including artists such as Carolyn Victorian, Nadine Navarre, Jannae Jordan, Amera Light, Tmajaa, Miss Yvonne, Real Deep and Stephanie Cooke. And with producers and remixes from the likes of Jonny Montana, Beppe Gioia, Tony Loreto, Gene King, DJ Aphreme, MCM, Jersey Soul, ChrisIDH & zOGRi and Abicah Soul involved, this is a must have in your collection.

Picks of the Week

Rita J "Just listen" (Vick Lavender's Reel Underground Remix)(Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
BSTC featuring Keana Johnson "Come fly away with me" (Vick Lavender's All Soul Remix)(Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
BSTC featuring J.L "I love it" (Vick Lavender's All Soul Rework Mix)(Sophisticado Records CD Promo)

What a gift from Vick Lavender this week, blessing us with three masterly crafted interpretations, all featuring keyboard play by Mike Logan. First up is his slow paced rework of "Just listen" by Rita J that is smooth as silk and features beautiful keys that harmonize perfectly with the sweet vocals and mellow groove. Next is his take on "Come fly away with my" by BSTC featuring a sultry vocal by Keana Johnson and a marvelous orchestration including wonderful keys, classic strings and a vintage bassline that give the song a timeless uplifting feeling. Last but not least there is his laidback and remix of "I love it" by BSTC featuring sensitive vocals by J.L over a laidback slowed down groove that is enriched with a beautiful trumpet by Kafeli and jazzy keys.
 

Groove Junkies present Rick Keller "Black man in the White House" (MoreHouse Records CD Promo)

"Black man in the White House" features woodwind specialist Rick Keller and is the Groove Junkies' way to celebrate the election of Barack Obama as next president of the United States. The project comes your way as a massive package of not less than 14 mixes to choose from. The Groove Junkies' Funky Roots Rub' is a funky tribal house gem featuring spoken words by Prophet alongside horns, sax and flute by Rick Keller. The groove on their 'Politically Correct Mix' is more hefty, with the synth stabs getting slightly techy. Stuttering Munx (Tim Nice & Johnny Young) take the track to the main room using a relentless tech house groove as base for the vocals and cool synths. Scott K. and Joey Kay team up for some serious jackin' Chicago house with jazzy twists out of this world, while Scott K. on his own goes for an organic rework featuring jazzy piano, lovely guitar and funky bassline. Finally we have Outer (aka Richard Amaya) delivering hotness with his afro funk soaked remixes that are nothing less than irresistible.

Dawn Tallman "Who can I run to" (Thick Records CD Promo)

When you listen to Dawn Tallmann's "Who can I run to", let yourself be taken back to the time when soul and funk where a fundamental part of dance music (nowadays most often simply categorized as Disco). Indeed, this rework of the 1979 classic by The Jones Girls will bring back memories from this time, with the stunning vocals by Dawn Tallmann and the fierce funk soaked groove creating a relentless feeling. And then there is the 'Vicious Dub' which will hypnotize you instantly. Not to be missed!!