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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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In November of last year, Koyla dropped the wonderful "Angels calling" on Bombay, now he returns with another fantastic production. Featuring the soulful vocals of Zaki Ibrahim, "Wake with the day" is a masterly jazz-funk/neo soul infused production - timeless and essential. But lets not forget the remixes: Thomas Osaze & Nav 'Awaaz' Bhinder keep the vibe of the original alive on their laidback housed-up interpretation, while Boddhi Satva adds his signature deep afri-soul touch. Last but not least, Jaycee and Jere McAllister (J & J Soultempo) contribute a delicious broken beat flavored version. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
DJ Man-X featuring Sara Devine "All I need is you" (Deep Haven Music CD Promo)
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Deep Haven Music, one of our favorite labels, returns with "All I need is you", a soulful gem courtesy of label honcho DJ Man-X and songstress Sara Devine. The song features deeply felt vocals by Sara Devine, delightful keys by Selan Lerner, lovely guitar by Mike Ciro and bass by Gene Perez - together they have created an amazing piece of soulful house music. For the purists there are both instrumental and dub versions that put the instrumentation center stage. Essential, miss at your own risk. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Finely crafted over two years, Alton Miller's "Light years away" is a musical gift taking you on a fresh innovative path seldom found, letting you explore the many facets of deep house music. This album is all about inspiration, emotion and feeling, featuring an illustrious list of guests such as Lotus, Amp Fiddler, Angel-A, Stephane Vera & Angelique (featured on the marvelous cover of the timeless Herbie Hancock classic "Stars in your eyes") and Abacus. This is genuine deep house from one of its true leaders and innovators - essential. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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In early 2007, afrobeat DJ/producer Jephte Guillaume (of Tet Kale Orchestra) teamed up with AK (former member of Abstract Truth) for the delicious "Shining your way", a mellow production that is beautifully instrumented and arranged, with AK providing a sweet yet sexy vocal performance. Now this marvelous song returns in fantastic remixes by DJ Spen who injects his signature pumpin' yet soulful sound, with the result being an absolutely irresistible peak time favorite available in a tasty collection of mixes. The package will also include the Danny Krivit of the original and the Blaze & Jihad Muhammad remix released in late 2007. One not to be missed. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Behind "Believing" are UPZ (aka Avi Elman) and rising star Kafele who impresses with a sensitive vocal on this sublime production built around a smooth groove and warm melodies. Black Sauce (Julian Bendall, Peter Oakden & Ricky Reid) serve a celestial music interpretation, followed by two magnificent deep house versions by Qness and Hennings Project & Rony Breaker. Last but not least, there is Kafele's jazzy rendition giving the track a more laidback touch. A musical gem. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Jonny Montana featuring Pete Simpson "Maybe we could be free" (Stalwart Records CD Promo)
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There ain't no stoppin' for up and rising Jonny Montana as the masterly "Maybe we could be free" proves. The song features the one and only Pete Simpson on vocals who impresses with a deeply felt performance on this utterly soulful production featuring exquisite jazzy keys and saxophone over a laidback loungey backing in the original version. The 'House Mix' is a smooth yet thrilling 4/4 interpretation of the song, taken to the next level by Vick Lavender who contributes a deeper wonderfully orchestrated version. But it doesn't end here as the Dolls Combers turn out a real jewel with their delightful remix that turns the heat up while never letting down the soul and emotion of the original. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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In November 2009, we were celebrating the release of "The M&M Mixes" and as part of the introduction of the review we wrote "this album lets you experience what dance music was all about in the 80's, it brings back memories from what probably was the heyday for dance music". Now the history lesson continues with part two, another double-CD set featuring some of John Morales' finest works. The first CD is full of boogie classics, while the second CD features previously unreleased mixes of gems from the legendary Salsoul catalogue. This truly is the legacy of the M&M mixes. And if you ever wondered where BBE Records got their name from - they took from his epic remix of "Barely breaking even" by the Universal Robot Band. Sure to be one of this years highlights. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Cyberjamz return to Spirit of House with the incredible "I gave U my heart" by songstress Heather Walker guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. There are two equally fantastic mixes to choose from, with the 'Sound Science Remix' taking you on a mesmerizing deeper than deep journey full of luscious melodies, while the 'DJ Buzzard Alternate Mix' takes you back in time with its old school New Jersey deep gospel house vibe. It doesn't get any better than this... |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Mmelashon "Children of the ghetto" (Maurice Joshua Digital CD Promo)
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To this date, Philip Bailey's timeless "Children of the ghetto" (released in 1984 on his "Chinese wall" long player) is one of my all time favorite r&b/soul productions, and now this wonderful song returns in a marvelous four-to-the-floor cover version produced by Azza K. Fingers and performed by Mmelashon who impresses with a sultry vocal interpretation, with the masterly jazz-funk flavored orchestration making this something truly special. An essential slice of soulful house music not to be missed. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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You might not have heard of Charlie Hearnshaw before, but for sure you will be familiar with many of the classic Rurals and Andy Compton tracks where he contributed his incomparable saxophone play (one recent example is "It's hot in Africa" released in November last year). On this collection featuring no less than seventeen tracks,saxophone virtuoso Charlie Hearnshaw takes you on a musical journey deep inside your soul, letting you explore his many talents. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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WMC is definitely around the corner, as Solid Ground - one of the leading labels for soulful house music - have an incredible package ready, letting us preview their upcoming releases. From beginning to the end, this is soulful house of highest quality, making you yearning for more. There is "About love" by Groove Assassin, featuring the legendary Kenny Bobien (the next single for the label, coming complete with Louis Benedetti and Sean McCabe mixes), "Better days" by Danny Clark & Jay Benham featuring vocals by Annette Taylor, "Missing you" by Carlos Vargas featuring Nicole Mitchell and "Feel my beat" by Danny Clark & Jay Benham featuring Natasha Watts. But this is not all as the label has licensed Balage "How did we get to here", Lady Alma "Running for nothing" and Lisa Millett "Closer" which they will release with new mixes. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Sybil "Troubled waters" (Deep Sugar Records CD Promo)
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Renowned diva Sybil (remembered for the late 80's classics "Falling in love", "Let yourself go" and "Walk on by" amongst others) returns to Ultra Nate's Deep Sugar label with "Troubled waters", produced by Matthias 'Matty' Heilbronn. The original mixes are soulful house with a dance floor twist at its best, driven by relentless rhythms and laced with gorgeous melodies and Sybil's unmistakable vocals. Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper deliver a classic re-rub, while DJ Spen injects his signature style to turn out a gospel anthem. Last but not least, there is Codebreaker's synth heavy rework oozing with a tasty 80's touch. |