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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Italy's DaSouL and Fabry Diglio present serious deepness with "Direction", featuring sensitive vocals and spoken word poetry courtesy of Nadine Navarre. The original is a gorgeous laidback affair featuring lovely guitar and sweet keys, with the 'Hypnotic Rhythms Dub' deepening the vibe for a more intense feel. The wonderful 'Nu Jazz live Reprise' is perfect for chillin', while Mr. V turns the track into a deep relentless tech-soul stomper. Will 'ReelSoul' Rodriguez delivers one of his trademark smooth remixes fueled with lush keys and chords, followed by Boddhi Satva's deep afro-tech rework. Lastly Martino gives the track a deep outer space sounding. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Mustafa featuring Natalia "Circles 2009" (The Remixes)(Tony Records CD Promo)
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Mustafa Shabbar's classic "Circles" was originally released back in 1998 on YellOrange Records, and its safe to say this timeless production featuring an outstanding vocal by Natalia was light-years ahead of its time - who could predict afro-tech would become so hip one day? Back to present day, we have a slammin' remix package in front of us, with Boddhi Satva delivering a deep soul-tech interpretation as only he can do, combining Natalia's haunting vocals with celestial key stabs and a deep contaminous groove (a tougher dub is included too). Next are Tony Loreto and Jacko as TJ Inc, serving a deeply pounding vocal version featuring atmospheric synths and jerky keys. Their vocal and instrumental dub versions are raw and chunky, featuring killer chords over heavily stompin beats (think of Sandee's "Notice me" and you know what we talk about here). |
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ReelGroove gave us a taste of what to expect from this mixed compilation when they released a sampler of selected tunes back in early July. Beginning of this week the 2xCD found its way to our desk, and we've been groovin' to it since then. Selected and mixed by label head Greg Dorban, each CD has its own theme: CD1 is titled "Soulful Sophistication" while CD 2 is titled "Cultured Clubroom". The first CD takes you on a smooth journey through the best soulful house has to offer, before the second CD makes you dance and sweat to the relentless deep house grooves currently rocking dance floors around the globe. Highly recommended. |
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** Exclusive Preview ** Since Edground launched Grooveland Music back in July 2006 with the now classic "Afrika" by e.deep, Brazil's leading house music label has put out fifteen timeless releases, placing themselves among the most respected house labels on the planet. With "Grooves de uma Nação" ("Grooves of a Nation"), the label presents their first ever compilation including past, present and future releases selected by label honcho Edground. From their first release "Afrika" by e.deep over KC Jackson's "All things praise", Dom Navarra's "So lonely", BSC's "Eu soul" to "Dema" by Jay Tripwire, this is a fantastic retrospective of the labels back catalogue. But as mentioned introductory, you also get a glimpse into the future: "Have to talk" by Jon Silva is classic soulful house with a funky touch, "Monjolinho Jazz" by BSC presents Daniel Reis is a delicious deep house gem, the percussion driven "Jump" by BSC featuring Allegra is fierce and groovy, and finally Abicah Soul's mix of "Afroxe" by Azee Project takes you on a deep soul-tech journey. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Ricky Nelson and Praise Report "With out you" (Ace Beat Records CD Promo)
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Ace Beat Records, one of the legendary New Jersey Garage labels, blesses us with an exquisite uplifting Gospel House anthem produced by Tyrone 'Intense' Payton, featuring heartfelt vocals by Ricky Nelson and Praise Report over a soulful yet relentless percussion driven backing enriched with beautiful guitars, lush melodic keys and jazzy piano. The dub version strips the vocals down, putting the stellar instrumentation center stage. A classic in the making. |
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Enjoy the latest batch of reviews full of the deep and soulful yet trackier stuff...
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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The seminal all-time classic "All over my body" launched Suges career about ten years ago, first appearing on the "Suges Wrex Shop" EP (Gemma Records) before getting a full 12" release (Jinxx Records). Now this timeless piece of music returns, making all the classic versions from back in the day available in digital format, and new mixes by Jason B, Martino and Suges himself are included to. "All over my body" was created with a synthesizer with 15 seconds of sampling time, a vocoder and vocals from Suges then girlfriend (who actually couldn't thing, thus the vocoder) only, and it soon became an underground anthem. Martino's historic 'Caramel Remix' is all about a two-bar loop and filter effects, while the 'Nu Vocal' features re-sung vocals by Limore. Fast-forward to the present: Jason B reworks the track into a deep groovy affair fueled with gorgeous melodies, while Martino presents a silky chill-out interpretation. But then there also are Suges' own remixes: "All over my body II" recorded in 2004 and "All over my body III" recorded in 2009. Completing the package is the yet unreleased 1998 demo version. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
MuSol & Central Avenue featuring Pete Simpson & Natasha Watts "I believe" (Barcoda Records CD Promo)
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"I believe" is a massive collaboration between MuSol and Central Avenue featuring outstanding vocals by Pete Simpson and Natasha Watts. The original version is on a magnificent Disco-Funk soaked tip, reworked by Central Avenue into a fierce yet smoothly thumpin' affair on the 'Soulful Remix', while the 'Club Mix' powers the vibe up for peak time action. Dutchican Soul deepens the vibe on his atmospheric version, while Roed Svensk relaxes the feel on his groovy take. Next is DJ Rork's super cool funk fueled interpretation oozing with classy keys and organ rides. Lastly White Caviare turn the track into a big room favorite. |
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Sounds of the Booth Records (a partnership between ReelGroove Records and DJ/producer Andy Ward) debuts with "Unspoken", a hypnotic production by Andy Ward featuring sultry spoken words courtesy of Rainy Payne alongside phat synth chords and acid sprinkles over an old skool underground groove. Park Street's groovylicious rework is built around a contaminous funk soaked groove and features gorgeous synth melodies. Also included is an unreleased spoken word verse from Rainy Payne. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Vick Lavender featuring Michele Thomas "Ella" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
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Another week, another outstanding not to be missed release from Vick Lavender and his Sophisticado family... They pay tribute to one of the great pioneers of Jazz, Miss Ella Fitzgerald, with "Ella", a production that oozes with marvelous jazzy keys courtesy of Mike Logan, vocal scats performed by Michele Thomas and beautiful trombone courtesy of Craig Sunkin, all perfectly arranged over a smoothly stormin' backing. Two equally fantastic versions to choose from, with the 'Chicago Fusion Mix' being all about the keys, while the 'V.L.E Mix Big Easy Re-Edit' puts the trombone center stage. |
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With "Tropicalismo Vol. 1", Sobra Records present an eclectic album featuring a gorgeous selection of musical gems that cover many genres and styles including jazz, funk, bossa, broken beat and house from artists such as Steve Paradise, Melchyor A, Spiritual Blessings, Sonic Warriors, Georg Neufeld, Fabrizio Marra or Deymare to just name a few. This is one of those albums that doesn't need much writing as the music does all the talking. Go and get yourself a copy, then grab a drink and chill to these wonderful vibes... |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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"Duck" is a concept album featuring 13 pieces of original music spanning house, downbeat and hip hop from the minds of dance music producers from Derby/UK, presented by both well established names such as AtJazz, Clyde, Christo, YSE and Bleep District as well as a selection of up and coming producers showcasing their talents. A truly unique album for both dance floors and lounges, with all sales revenues to be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support and QUAD, Derby ’s visual arts centre. Visit www.derbyduck.co.uk for more information on the artists as well as the artwork as noteworthy as the music. |