Picks of the Week

Soul Oasis presents DJ Aakmael "Darker Moments EP" (CyberJamz Records CD Promo)

Now this is what we call serious deepness!! DJ Aakmael's "Darker Moments EP" (the follow up to his "Deeper Moments EP") takes you on a journey into deep house as it is not heard often these days, with "Afrosohl" being a wonderful vocal production featuring outstanding vocals by Rob Clark alongside jazzy keys and lush synths over a deep yet smoothly rumblin' groove. The dub drops the vocal to let the keys and synths create a captivating deep house vibe. Both "I dunno" and "13th mood" are heavily influenced by the unmistakable and legendary Detroit house sound, with the deep resistless grooves coupled with mesmerizing keys and synths creating a hypnotic feeling.

Picks of the Week

Karltone "Love me proper" (Stellar Records CD Promo)

If you're familiar with the timeless and unparalleled sounds of Disco-Funk, listening to this incredible track by newcomer Karltone will without doubt take you back (at least in memories) to the time when this sound was ruling the dance floors (and the world was a better place). Karltone's heartfelt vocal, paired with a masterly orchestration reminiscent to this era and the legendary Tom Moulton behind the mixing console make this a masterpiece not to be missed.
 

Exclusive Preview: ReelSoul featuring Stephanie Cooke "1000 ways" (Man-X's Sunset Nights Vocal)(DeepHaven Music Records CD-R)

If you have read our blog post Upcoming DeepHaven Music gems… from last weekend, you know that this one here is not to be missed. Produced by William 'ReelSoul' Rodriguez and remixed by Man-X, "1000 ways" is a musical gem thanks to passionate vocals by of Stephanie Cooke and marvelous keys that are perfectly arranged over an infectious funk soaked groove. Simply this is one of those songs that will not just get played for a few weeks, but for years to come - a sure shot classic. The final release will also include the original ReelSoul version as well as a remix by Groove Assassin.

Picks of the Week

Dolls Combers "Floating Vibes EP" (ReelGroove Records CD Promo)

The Dolls Combers have impressed us in recent months with their remixes, now they present the "Floating Vibes EP" which is nothing less than a masterpiece. First up is the magnificent "Dreaming of you" featuring the sublime voice of Nicole Dawn and a beautiful piano over a deep laidback groove. "Back to love" is an uplifting and groovy affair featuring passionate vocals by Alec Sun Drae alongside wonderful jazzy keys (an instrumental is also included in the package). "Summer morning" is pure bliss on a mid tempo tip, intoxicating with its mellow jazzy melodies from beginning till the end. Lastly "Jazzy keys" is a delightful broken beat styled jazz house gem that make you feel you witness the Dolls Combers jamming.
 

Random Soul "Liftin' me higher" (Barcoda Records CD Promo)

Australia's Random Soul (aka Yogi & Husky) are sure to make a big impact with their feel good anthem "Liftin' me higher", with the uplifting vocal performance being courtesy of Yogi himself. The 'Original Vocal' is all about a funked-up groove, sexy guitar, phat organ ride and the vocals altogether resulting in a Gospel house gem. The funky vibes are tightened on the 'Random Soul Dub', while the 'Yogi & Husky Synthy Dub' replaces the organ with lush synths for a more electronic feel. Central Avenue rework the track into a smoothly stompin' affair filled with wicked keys and classic horns, while Soularis' take is on a soulful stormin' tip featuring melodic keys and lovely horns alongside a great guitar. Guido Craveiro relaxes the vibe on his groovy Balearic flavored version, while the Dharma Project toughens things on their electronic interpretation.

Picks of the Week

Darryl D'Bonneau "Don't turn your back" (Marlon D. & George Mena Remix)(JellyBean Soul Records CD Promo)

In 1996, JellyBean Soul released the Jellybean Benitez and Hex Hector produced cover of the 1982 classic from Frontline Orchestra, performed by the one and only Darryl D'Bonneau. Now the song gets remixed by the team of Marlon D. and George Mena who turn out an incredible sexy package of mixes, with each and every one of them spreading an uplifting vibe through the funk drenched, bouncy groove that is enriched with old-school horns, masterly performed keys courtesy of George Mena and of course Darryl D'Bonneaus's heartfelt vocal, with the result being a modern interpretation of classic Disco-Funk that is absolutely resistless. The 1996 mixes are included in the package as well.

Picks of the Week

Nassau featuring Krista "Rebound" (Mutated Music Records CD Promo)

French based Thomas Deschamps and Didier Limone (aka Naussau) get together with singer Krista to follow up their massive remix of Rachel Claudio's "Gotcha" with a production on their own titled "Rebound". The original version a musical gem that features a passionate vocal by Krista, classic strings and wicked chords over an old-school styled, funk drenched backing that is absolutely resistless. The 'New York Vibe Mix' is twisting the bits around for a monster Jazz-Funk live jam starting off on a broken beat tip before a fierce 4/4 beat comes in. The Stereo Mutants take the track to deeper grounds, using a stompin' groove and captivating keys and chords to create an irresistible vibe, with their dub featuring extra acid tinged synths. Keith Thompson takes the main parts from the original and combines them with a fierce yet smooth house backing to create a groovy rendition.

Picks of the Week

Exclusive Preview: Man-X featuring Albert Menendez & Carolyn Harding "Heaven" (ReelSoul Remix)(DeepHaven Music Records CD Promo)

In June we gave you an exclusive preview of "Heaven" (we featured the 'Sunset Nights Dub'), one of the songs to be featured on Man-X's upcoming full length album featuring songstress Carolyn Harding and keyboard wizard Albert Menendez. "Heaven" is to drop any day now and will include remixes by William 'ReelSoul' Rodriguez who delivers a masterly interpretation with his distinct touch that combines Carolyn Harding's sexy vocals with a deep'n'soulful yet fierce groove and marvelous keys and chords that altogether create an uplifting yet captivating feeling. One not to be missed!!

Picks of the Week

Joey Negro "Love hangover" (Z Records CD Promo)

To celebrate the #100 single release on Z Records, Joey Negro (aka Dave Lee) has re-created and re-vamped his classic remix of the Diana Ross disco anthem of "Love hangover" with vocals from Diane Charlemagne. The main version is a slice of sexy disco-funk bliss, with the 'Luv 2 Dub' intensifying the groovy vibe. Next is the 'Rodox Mix' taking the track to deeper grounds with heavy drums and beats leading the way. DJ Spen contributes the remixes to the package, serving a marvelous reworking that fuses the sexy disco-funk flavors with an irresistible soul-tech backing.

Picks of the Week

Soul Oasis presents K. Joy "Butterflyz" (CyberJamz Records CD Promo)

K. Joy (aka Kimberly J. Salter) returns with "Butterflyz" just a few months after the release of the seminal remixes of her 1985 classic "Like this". "Butterflyz" comes in a variety of great mixes, with Chazz (Charles W. Hamilton) serving a deeply rumblin' interpretation featuring phat synth chords that harmonize perfectly with K. Joy's passionate vocals. Next is Peter 'CWB' Mooka who keeps the vibe deep while giving the track a much more laidback feel, with the wonderful melodic keys and chords creating a dreamy atmosphere. Tim McAllister reworks the track into a soulful yet fiercely thumpin' affair that features lush synths and chords, with his instrumental version being on a moodier, deeper vibe.

Yes we are late with bringing this latest volume of the Shorts Reviews and the accompanying mixshow - sorry for that.

Welcome to Volume 7 of our new format called Short Reviews on Spirit of House. Enjoy this fresh'n'deep selection of tracky house...