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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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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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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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.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Simon Grey featuring Robbie Smith "Together" (Ceremony Records CD Promo)
It has been some time since we've heard from Simon Grey on these pages, but with "Together" he returns in a huge way. "Together" is a truly organic production featuring a marvellous live jazz-funk instrumentation and fantastic emotional vocal courtesy of Robbie Smith, with the arrangement of the song being top-notch, featuring great breakdowns and builds. Label head Dave Storm is responsible for the beautifully edited dub version that is a great choice to the main vocal version.
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Picks of the Week
The Shadowkings "So beautiful" (SoulFunk Digital Records CD Promo)
The Shadowkings return in a gigantic way with "So beautiful" which will take dancefloors by storm thanks to the infectious groove that is nothing than absolutely relentless, with the catchy keys and passionate vocal performance furhter intensifying the vibe, then towards the end additional keys take the track to an even more fierce level. The 'Utopa Broken Beat' mixes give the track are more relaxed and laidback feeling with their smoothened groove and wonderful keys, with phat breakdowns built into the track that will get the crowed into a frenzy.
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Picks of the Week
Paris Brigthledge "Searchin'" (USB Records CD)
The vocalist of the legendary house classic "It's alright" by Sterling Void returns with the wonderful "Searchin'" which brings back memories of the early days of house music with its classic piano and string arrangement over a deep, funk flavored groove, while Paris Brightledge lends his passionate vocals to the song. The instrumental is all abou the incredible piano and strings, while the acapella lets you enjoy the unmistakable voice of Paris Brightledge. A release not to be missed.
Blaze "Breathe" (2007 Remixes)(Slip'N'Slide Records CD Promo)
After his massive remixes of Tiger Stripes' "Missing you", Mr. V is again on remix duty for Slip'N'Slide, this time reworking the inspirational Blaze classic "Breathe". He adds his distinctive sound including off-the-hook keys and a wicked rap to the song while keeping the vibe of the original alive. With vocal, instrumental, beats and keyapella mixes to choose from, there is something for everyone. Kiko Navarro's re-edit subtly updates the original version by adding some extra spice, while Liquid People presents Danism rework the song into a more laidback and groovy, jazz-funk flavored affair. Lastly there is the unreleased Ashley Beedle Dub included.
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Picks of the Week
Soul Kitchen "Just friends" (Elation Records CD Promo)
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Behind Soul Kitchen are Scott Mochar and Scott Wilson who present "Just friends" on scottish label Elation Records. Their 'Soulful Edit' is a laidback, funk flavored house track featuring sexy male vocal alongside jazzy keys and a saxophone solo. The 'Maz Lunden Ibiza' mix adds a rougher beat and balearic vibes to the song, giving it a summery feel, while Greg Kozo intensifyes the funky flavors and uses thumpin' beats on his take. Fabio Bacchini's remix is on an old school disco-funk tip, bringing memories of this golden era back. For his second remix he teams up with Patrick L to deliver a wicked funky house reworking. A great package offering something for everyone. |
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Shuya Okino is probably best known as one of the two brothers out of the highly respected Kyoto Jazz Massive collective (before he was a member of both Mondo Grosso and Cosmic Village). "United legends" is his debut solo album where he brings together a veritable who is who of top producers and vocalists from musical genres such as nu-jazz, broken-beat and house. For the soulful house heads, there is "Shine" featuring Diviniti and produced by DJ Kawasaki, "If it is love" featuring Clara Hill and produced by Priahnahead - but the highlight is with no doubt the twelve minute anthem "Love is key" featuring Josh Milan (from Blaze) which is produced by Phil Asher (Restless Soul). Highly recommended. |
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Picks of the Week
Soularis "Change the world "(SunSoaked Records CD Promo)
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SunSoaked is the brand new label by Soularis that premieres with the uplifting "Change the world" by Soularis, with vocals courtesy of Pete Simpson. The original is a mellow and laidback production featuring a wonderful instrumentation including a magnificent guitar solo alonsgside Pete Simpson's soulful voice. Soularis 'Sun Soaked Mix' is a fierce yet smooth affair with warm melodic keys, while the 'Soularis Dub' is pumping things up. Groove Assassin delivers probably his best remix to date, a deep and soulful interpretation that is absolutely resistless, while the Central Avenue remix keeps on grooving and grooving in a smooth yet fierce way. "Change the world" is an incredibly catchy song full of feel good vibes with an anthemic chorus that will catch you with the first listen. |
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Picks of the Week
Yass "He reigns" (Purple Music Records CD Promo)
Paris based DJ and producer Yass follows up last years massive "I believe" with "He reigns", a slammin' production featuring an inspirational gospel vocal by Leslie O'Smith over a relentless groove, with the background vocals and organ chords intensifying the gospel vibe. The dub stripps most of the vocals, letting the groove, chords and background chants create an incredibly intense vibe you can't resist to dance to. The 'Innersoul Badyard Dub' uses a fiercely stompin' beat and electrofied keys to give the track a deeper, underground-ish vibe.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Inner Sense "First Vibes EP" (Nineties Records 12")
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Henri Fontaine aka Inner Sense presents the wonderful "First Vibes EP" that features three tracks that will take you back in time. It's all about glorious deep house grooves and marvellous keys here that create an irresistible and uplifting feeling, with each of the three tracks spreading a true old school feeling that will bring back memories of the early days of house music while giving us the chance relive those almost forgotten moments on the dancefloor. |