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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Heather Johnson "Under my skin" (KingStreet Records CD Promo)
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"Under my skin" is the follow up to Heather Johnson's debut solo single "Washes over me", again produced by Ananda Project & Wamdue forntman Chris Brann. DJ Spen & The MuthaFunkaz bless us with five gorgeous mixes that combine Heather Johnson's angelic vocal with a deep and soulful yet captivating groove, lovely guitar and lush keys. Chris Brann's more organic 'Ananda Project 12 Edit' goes deeper and adds an atmospheric touch to the track. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Nadine Navarre returns to Shines Records with "Free to be loved", the follow up to last years hit single "Walk with me". The song is produced by label honcho Gene King whose original version is deep and mellow, with a sweet percussion enriched groove leading the way for Nadine Navarre's passionate vocals, gorgeous synths and lovely jazzy piano. John Crockett is firing up the vibe on his smoothly thumpin' interpretation featuring atmospheric synth melodies and phat keys. Plusgroove enter deeper grounds with their hypnotic rework featuring wicked ruff synth hooks, while lastly Void serve the deepest of all the mixes, a minimal tech flavored affair. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Various "Miami Sampler 2009" (Gotta Keep Faith Records CD Promo)
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For all those that decided to skip this years Winter Music Conference in Miami, this eight track sampler will bring the sun to your heart and make you forget that summer is not yet here (in fact here in Switzerland it feels more like winter right now...). Gotta Keep Faith Records have put together a wonderful summery selection of some of their future releases, including the likes of Spiritual Blessings, Uncle James, Keith Thompson & Licksamba, Alex Garcia, Neil Hodgson, Deep & Soul Project, United Soul and Bloompocket. Judging by these tasters, things are looking good for Gotta Keep Faith. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Lil Louis (Louis Burns) is best known for house classics such as "French kiss" (1989) or "Club lonely" (1992, lifted from "Journey with the lonely", one of two albums he recorded for major label Epic). But Lil Louis is much more than a producer and songwriter - he is an artist, DJ and author as well. In the last few years, he has been working on a book and album that will be released simultaneously. The book entitled "A Man's Diary" is a controversial true love story about his lifelong pursuit in finding a good woman. The album, titled "Two Sides to Every Story", is a musical answer to the book, written by Lil Louis from a woman's perspective, depicting their joy, love and heartache. The album is a two disc release - one r&b, one house - well worth being discovered, best while reading the book as well to get the whole picture. |
One for the vinyl hunters and collectors out there: did you ever realize that at first sight the release of "French kiss" on Diamond Records appears to be perfectly normal black vinyl, but when you hold the record to the light you will see it shines through a little and proves to be of a very dark green color?
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Wil Milton follows up his recent fantastic vocal productions with an instrumental album taking you on a journey into the deepest imaginable grounds, redefining some of dance music's earlier sounds known from the historic deep house era of Chicago and Detroit for the 21st century. These deep and infectious tracks will reminisce you back of those glory days of house music, loaded with contemporary touches that guarantee jam-packed dance floors. Deep house for those who understand what it is all about. |
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** Exclusive Preview ** Phuture Sole Records bless us with an outstanding release, a remix package of "Don't let me leave alone" by Windimoto, a song featuring a marvelous vocal by Victor St. Clair originally released by InterDependent Music at the beginning of 2008 (if you never heard of that label you're in good company). Ian Friday delivers a masterpiece of a remix that impresses with a soulful yet irresistible organic feeling, with the jazzy keys and synth chords being absolutely gorgeous. Abicah Soul deepens the vibe on his interpretation that uses a smooth percussion enriched groove, jazzy piano and classic strings to create a laidback feeling. The dub gets deeper, with techy keys added for a more hypnotic feel. There is also word of a Pirahnahead remix that might be added to the release... |
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Picks of the Week
Smith Hall featuring Veronique "Love's call" (Mixmode Records CD Promo)
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Detroit based Mixmode Records presents the adorable "Love's call" produced by Delano Smith and Derwin Hall, featuring an uplifting vocal by songstress Veronique over a truly deep yet soulful backing that is enriched with sweet percussion elements, wonderful synth melodies and jazzy keys. Pirahnahead smoothes down the vibe a bit and injects the track with infectious funky flavas, which together with the jazzy keys and atmospheric melodies create a resistless feeling. |
In the Spotlight: Anto Vitale feat. Tamara Wellons "Broken wings" (Tea Party Music Records CD Promo)
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Anto Vitale presents "Broken wings", a superb production featuring a marvelous organic orchestration and outstanding vocals courtesy of the highly talented Tamara Wellons who sings her heart out, with the result being simply wonderful. Ian Friday takes the song to deeper grounds, turning out an absolutely hypnotic interpretation you can't resist to dance to, while John Beltran's beautiful remix is a latinesque affair oozing with sweet mellow vibes. A future classic - miss it at your own risk. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Brazilian Soul Crew "Tema do Brazil" (Iwanai Music Records CD Promo)
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With "Tema do Brazil", the Brazilian Soul Crew (Claudio Mansur, Edground & AZee) presents a wonderful production full of uplifting emotions oozing with soulful vibes created by a marvelous orchestration that includes lush atmospheric synth melodies, beautiful piano and flutes alongside gorgeous xylophones over a smooth groove. The 'Espritual Dub' is heating the vibe up with its sweet tribal groove. The remixes are courtesy of Anto Vitale who injects the track with mesmerizing synth chords and a fierce drum driven groove to create a more intense yet very soulful feel. |
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In the past, there was once a track called "Track 1" by house music legend Kerri Chandler released as part of the "Atmosphere EP" through Shelter Records (later also known as "Atmosphere" as dubs were released by Ibadan Records, and you might also remember further remixes which sampled the vocals of "You are in my system" by The System to full effect) that keeps on rockin' dance floors around the globe since then... Now today we've got "Track 1 Revisited" which transforms this timeless house anthem into a classic for the 21st century. Five mixes to choose from, either featuring amazing keys, jazzy saxophone by Nadir Simon or both in a hot combination, with the subjacent musical backings being absolutely ruthless. Get back in time with the 'New Old School Mix', keep on jammin' to the 'Jazz Mix' or choose one of the other three mixes for a deep house extravaganza seldom heard. Simply Kerri Chandler at his best. And the man himself talks about more mixes coming soon... can't wait to hear them !! |
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Picks of the Week
Wil Milton & Rodney Carter "Fly away" (Blak Ink Records CD Promo)
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Wil Milton and Rodney Carter are unstoppable at the moment as they unleash another bomb titled "Fly away" featuring Rodney Carter at the top of his game, delivering an inspirational vocal performance. The 'Gravity NYC Mix' is a deep mesmerizing affair featuring superb keys and lush synth chords over a funk drenched groove, followed by the delightful uplifting 'Latin Soul Vocal' that is all about the jazzy instrumentation and sweet synth melodies. The 'Dub Away' deepens the vibe for a hypnotic jazzed-up journey through the underground, while 'Beat the Bass' emphasizes bass, beats and vocals. Completing the package are beat and instrumental versions. |
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The Realm featuring Tony Momrelle "Time" (Remixes)(Papa Records CD Promo)
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Hot on the heels of the original soulful mixes comes a massive remix package by Phil Asher (under his Restless Soul disguise) and The Layabouts (Leigh Darlow, Alex Paschali and Ben Logan). First up is Phil Asher who keeps the vibe soulful while reworking the track into a groovy deep house gem featuring gorgeous synth chords and keys that perfectly harmonize with Tony Momrelle's inspirational vocals. The Layabouts go slightly deeper on their take, giving the track more of late night, early morning appeal thanks to the wonderful melodies created by atmospheric synths. |