Welcome to Volume 4 of our new format called Short Reviews on Spirit of House. This one is quite a departure from our usual style as it gets techy, but nevertheless we hope you enjoy it...

Picks of the Week

Hanna Hais "I love America" (ATAL Music Records CD Promo)

The first single taken from Hanna Hais' upcoming album is a cover of the 1978 disco classic "I love America" by Patrick Juvet. With DJ Meme on production and a 14 piece orchestra in the studio, the result is simply stunning, having that distinctive old-school orchestration to it will love those classic disco productions for, while sounding fresh and crisp as if that sound just has been invented. Patick Juvet's timeless classic is back in this magnificent interpretation by Hanna Hais that has anthem written all over it.
 

The Thompson Project featuring Gary L. "Messin' with my mind" (Remixes)(SoulFuric Records CD Promo)

Ten years ago, Keith Thompson teamed up with Gary L. for "Messin' with my mind" which became an instant classic. Now right in time for summer 2008 this anthem returns with a phat remix package. First up are London's The Layabouts who rework the track into an absolutely irresistible, deeply thumpin' affair featuring lush keys and chords that perfectly accompany the vocals. Their dub mixes go even deeper and give the track an intense hypnotic vibe. Up and coming producers Guy Robin contribute a wonderfully orchestrated classic interpretation to the package that is all about a soulful groove, classy strings and jazzy keys, while Phonic Funk fire things up on their take that features catchy synths over a powerful, relentless groove. Completing the package are the classic UBP and Jazz'N'Groove mixes, making this an essential package not to be missed.

Picks of the Week

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

The older one amongst us will surely remember the 1985 house classic "Like this" by Kimberly J. Salter aka K. Joy, back then produced by the legendary Chip E. (if you don't know this classic track yet, check the 'Original 1985 Remix' which is included in this package to experience a real timeless underground house classic). Now, over 20 years later, this track return in the form of these fresh remixes. First we see Peter 'CWB' Mooka teaming up with K. Joy for the 'Deep House Mix', a deeper than deep interpretation featuring marvelous chords that give it an old school touch. Next is Chazz who gives the track a tougher edge on his 'South African Mix', while the 'I wanna see you freak Nwk, NJ Mix' by the team of Cassioware, Chip E. and the O.G.'s features additional vocals by Cassioware and is a slammin' piece of raw underground house with a dirty edge. Closing the package is DJ Kemit's 'ATL Club Mix', a smooth percussion enriched, funk soaked reworking featuring lovely keys and chords.

Picks of the Week

Jamie Lewis & Michael Watford "It's not over (baby please)" (Purple Music Records CD Promo)

In 1998, Jamie Lewis and Michael Watford teamed up for the first time for the now classic "For you", then a couple of years later they brought us their next smash "It's over". For the 50th release on Purple Music, the two team up once again, presenting the funk soaked, irresistibly groovin' "It's not over (baby please)" which has classic written all over it thanks to the incomparable vocals by Michael Watford alongside lush keys and a wonderful sax by Andy Funk, altogether creating a mesmerizing feel on the dance floor. Three equally great mixes are featured in the package, with the 'Monster Party Cut' offering a fantastic alternate vocal with different lyrics.

Picks of the Week

Collective Spirits "Love Planet EP " (Camio Records CD Promo)

Collective Spirits combines the talents of producers/DJ's Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean, singer Dana Byrd and spoken word artist Tantra-zawadi. Together they present the outstanding "Love Planet EP" that is comprised of three wonderful productions that combine Dana Byrd's soulful vocals with Tantra-zawadi's spoken poetry. "Let it come" is a laidback track on a latinesque tip featuring subtle keys and a marvelous organ ride, while "People of the world" features infectious synths and classy strings over a smooth percussion enriched groove. Lastly we have "Just wanna dance" that is a nod to the classic New York dance anthems, built around a kickin' groove that is guaranteed to rock any dance floor.

Picks of the Week

Back To Fundamentals by Torre "Higher" (SSOH Records CD Promo)

"Higher" by the team of Claude Monnet, Jean Marc Torre, Patrick Torre and Jay Sebag is an incredibly uplifting production built around a powerful groove that together with the contaminous vocals and phat keys creates an irresistible vibe on the dance floor. The 'Uptown Mix' relaxes the vibe for a smoother yet funkier feel. Those Usual Suspects contribute a fierce reworking based on a deeply thumpin' groove and relentless chords, while The Muthafunkaz serve an incredibly sexy set of remixes that combine lush keys and chords with a fierce yet smooth backing groove.

Picks of the Week

Bobby D'Ambrosio featuring Kelli Sae "Love forever more, Amen" (SoulFuric Records CD Promo)

Finally the full package of this wonderful production by Bobby D'Ambrosio that features a passionate vocal by Kelli Sae has arrived. Bobby's vocal version is pure class, coming your way on a smooth yet fierce tip that is oozing with its soul-jazz flavors. Swiss rising stars Fabulous & Jones serve an uplifting interpretation full of classy strings and lovely chords over a funk fused groove, while Marlon D contributes a deeply rumblin', dubby reworking that has got an irresistible kick that will hypnotize the dance floors within seconds (a beats version for the DJ's pleasure is included to). Brian Tappert and Eddie Perez (of Smack fame) team up for the 'B & E Save Our Soul Dub', a groove and relentless take that makes use of lush keys to create a mesmerizing vibe. Finally the 'B & B Prime Time Dub' features infectious synths (somewhat reminiscent of the old Farley & Heller sound) over a relentlessly stompin' groove, making it a peak time essential.

Picks of the Week

Pulse "The lover that you are" (Marlon D. & George Mena Remixes)(Jellybean Soul Records CD Promo)

Pulse' 1996 club anthem "The lover that you are" gets a fresh set of remixes by the team of Marlon D. and George Mena that have everything what it takes to become a timeless classic. Featuring songstress Antoinette Roberson, these new mixes simply will blow you away with the mesmerizing drums and bass, passionate uplifting vocals, marvelous keys and lush strings and synths that come together to create a hands in the air anthem, perfectly served over six mixes (two vocal, dub, instrumental, percapella and beats) that are fierce yet soulful while oozing with deep and sexy vibes.