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Picks of the Week
Various "Da way it should be done EP" (Consortium Muzik Records CD Promo)
Andy Tamashi goes solo on "It couldn't rain 4 ever", a true deep house production with magnificent ambient-ish keys anc melodic chords that give the track a laidback feeling perfect for afterhours play. "Strength of a man" is produced by Jalal Johnson and features an outstanding vocal performance by Carolyn Victorian and wonderful jazz piano over a deeply thumpin', slighlty techy backing groove. The 'Acoustic Mix' adds a beautiful acoustic guitar and sweet percussion to give it a sweeter feeling.
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Picks of the Week
Groove Junkies featuring Indeya "Music's gotcha jumpin'" (2007 Remixes)(MoreHouse Records CD Promo)
MoreHouse celebrate their 25th release with a stellar remix package of the timeless "Music's gotcha jumpin'" which features a powerful vocal performance by the incomparable Indeya. Jay-J delivers a disco-house reworking with keys provided by Scott Wozniak that is absolutely relentless, with the dub being on a classic Philly-Disco tip that brings back memories of the glory days of disco and its timeless classics. Next there is the 'Liquid People presents Danism Remix' which uses moody chords over a fiercely stormin' backing groove, with additional male vocals amplifying the already intense vibe. One not to be missed!
Ananda Project "Fireworks" / "Universal love" (Remixes)(NiteGrooves Records Digital Download)
NiteGrooves present a wonderful double header featuring phat remixes of "Fireworks" and "Universal love", both lifted of Ananda Project's forthcoming album "Fire flower". Blaze take on "Fireworks" and give it a laidback reworking perfect for loungin', with marvellous keys accompanying the incredible voals by Terrence Downs, all beautifully arranged over a smooth percussion driven backing groove. Jay-J's reworking of "Universal love" uses a bouncy groove and warm melodic keys to create an uplifting feeling that is guaranteed to get everybody dancing.
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In the world of house music, Wunmi is best known for her work with Masters at Work, especiall the tribute to Fela Kuti "MAW expensive" from 1999. Since then, she worked with various renowned artists such as Osunlade, King Britt, Bugz in the Attic, Truby Trio and most recently with Raw Artistic Soul (on "Oya O", a worldwide club hit with mixes by Alix Alvarez) to name a few. But Wunmi ist not limited to just house music, she also is at home in ohter genres. Now the time has come for Wunmi to unleash her debut solo album "A.L.A." (standing for "Africans Living Abroad") that features productions from the likes of Alix Alvarez, Pastaboys, Fauna Flash, Siji, M'Selem, Seiji and more. The album covers various genres and influences such as funk, soul, afrobeat, house, jazz and broken beat - any categorisation would be inappropriate and could not describe the versatility and uniqueness to be found on this album. It is probably best described as an open minded album by an impressive artist (beside singing, Wunmi is famous for her performances on stage), with the songs addressing serious problems of todays world. |
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Picks of the Week
Karizma "A mind of its own" (R2 Records Digital Download)
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"A mind of its own", the highly anticipated album of rising star Karizma, finally saw the light of the day a couple of weeks ago. Being a founding member of the Basement Boys, Karizma has been around for quite a while now and has developed his own sound ever since, refusing from be categorized into genres as both his productions and DJ sets prove. The album continues what the previous single releases started, with Karizma exploring new grounds and putting the result together in a way that will rock the party. Digital Download available at Dancetracks Digital. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
WMC Fallout: Studio Apartment featuring Monique Bingham "Found him" (New World Records Japan CD-R)
WMC Fallout: Studio Apartment featuring Deborah Bond "Something between" (New World Records Japan CD-R)
When talking to people in Miami during the WMC, many mentioned "Found him" as their tune of the conference. This song sees Studio Apartment and Monique Bingham in top form, delivering a beautiful piece of music. "Found him" feastures a brilliant jazz piano over a percussion enriched funktified groove that is nothing less than relntless, with Monique Bingham's vocal performance being simply outstanding, adding a magical touch to the song. Another hot production from Studio Apartment is "Something between" featuring a passionate vocal by Deborah Bond over an ireesistibly stormin' groove that is topped with great keys and a lovely piano, letting it spread a feel good vibe.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
WMC Aftermath: CeCe Peniston "I'm feelin' U" (SoulFuric Records CD Promo)
Ron Carroll and CeCe Peniston, two of house music's true legends, team up for a production that has been getting lots of attention in Miami. Ron Carroll's original version is a bouncy uplifting affair on a classic soulful tip featuring an inspirational vocal performance by CeCe Peniston - this has anthem written all over it. DJ Fudge from France provides a deeper, somewhat raw reworking that keeps it soulful and funky, with his dub taking it even deeper with great melodic keys and sounds. Lastly Brian Tappert provides a darker 'B Room Dub' perfect for the bigger rooms.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Here we go with Part two of our big Miami 2007 update...
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Miami Highlight
Exclusive Preview: Vick Lavender "The Evolution" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
Vick Lavender is ready to launch his brand new label Sophisticado Records, with his artist album "The Evolution" to be released soon. Seven tracks from the album are on the exclusive promo copy we've got, with the wonderful jazz houser "Ancestors will dance" making the start, followed by the laidback disco-funk fused "Better baby". "Shujaa" is a on a midtempo tip, combining a smooth afro-tribal groove with jazz elements - something you would not necessarily expect but it is gorgeous, just give it a chance and let it grow on you. "Superwoman" is a beautiful blend of a deeply stormin' house groove with an orchestral jazz-funk instrumentation, while "Take me with you" features soulful vocals alongside jazzy keys over a percussion enriched groove. "The african spider" kicks of with a deep afro beat before a jazzy piano line, killer organ and sweet percussion come in. The final track "Sophisticado theme" smoothes things down for a laidback, almost chill out feeling with its sweet jazz house vibes. A masterpiece not to be missed.
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Two years after releasing the timeless longplayer "What about love", Phil Kullmann and his Raw Artistic Soul collective return with the follow up "You got rhythm too" where they present a collection of beautifully arranged and instrumentated songs featuring outstanding musicians such as Domingo Patricio (flute), Rafael Cortes (accoustic guitar), Patrick Wieland (e-guitar), Lillo Scrimali (accordion) and Christoph Titz (trumpet and flugelhorn). Add to this the vocal artistry of poet Ursula Rucker, Wunmi, Edisney Portales Vega and John Gibbons and you got an exceptional all-star line-up that will be hard to surpass. "You got rhythm too" features both vocal and instrumental songs with dancefloor-friendly grooves that cover a wide range of genres, offering a unique soundscape not to be found anywhere else. Soul, jazz, funk, afro, latin, disco, house - all these influences are blended in a versatile way into a refreshing collection of vibes. If you listened to Raw Artistic Soul's musical treats in the past, you know you won't be dissapointed. Aside, you'll be discovering various joyful and diversified moments while listenting to the album. Two years ago we said that with "What about love" you've got a masterpiece in your hand - now we say with "You got rhythm too" Phil Kullmann and his Raw Artistic Soul collective bless us with another masterpiece. |
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Miami Sure Shots
I could give you a prediction of tunes I believe will be big at this years Winter Music Conference in Miami, but with so much great music flying onto my desk the last couple of days, I'm having a hard time picking two or three out of the bunch. So I decided to let you be the judge - read the reviews and listen to the mixes and make up your own mind. More fresh tunes to follow shortly after the conference.
Also expect a special report on the South African House Music scene with a special mixshow showcasing their style.
Michael 'Spirit of House' Fossati
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Picks of the Week
HiFi Mike "Hollywood" (Purple Music Records CD Promo)
It took some time (nearly exactly four years) since the now classic "Stereo flavas" has been reviewed here on Spirit of House. Now HiFi Mike returns with "Hollywood" featuirng a soulful female vocal courtesy of Betty Vale (aka Betty Emanuelle). Jamie Lewis is responsible for the mixes, delivering two different sets: the 'Beverly Hills' mixes are on a laidback vibe, featuring a warm and melodic instrumentation including a lovely piano and great horns, while the 'Rodeo Drive' mixes take it to a deeper level, giving it a darker edge with a hypnotic piano and moody chords leading the way.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusive Preview: Anto Vitale "Theorema del Faya" (Vocal Mixes)(Tea Party Music Records CD Promo)
The vocal versions are finally here, taking this inspirational track to the next level. The 'Original Vocal' of this afro-carribean flavored production enhances the laidback vibes of the wonderful instrumentation with a sweet and soulful male vocal by Alex Senna. Ian Friday's 'Tea Party Vocal' is a magnificent interpretation that turns the track into a steadily groovin' affair, with wicked keys accompanying the anthemic vocal. The 12" vinyl will include the vocal versions, while the instrumental will only be available as digital download.