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It has been a while since Gene King blessed us with his admirable productions, but now he returns with the delectable "I am" featuring incredible vocals by Jacen Duncan. His original is as smooth as it gets, oozing with stellar keys and tempting vocals perfectly arranged over a deeply thumpin' groove. Next this inspring song has been handed to a variety of producers including DeepXcape, SoulAgenda, Nastee Nev and Bossruu to name a few - the result is a fantastic array of soulful remixes best described a sheer musical bliss. Essential. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusive Preview: Pete Doyle vs. Peyton "Joy" (Daddy Funk Records CD Promo)
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There ain't no stopping for Daddy Funk as they unleash another bomb with "Joy" by Pete Doyle vs. Peyton. The 'Original Soul Mix' is peak time heaven with uplifting vocals by Peyton, killer and chords and a remorseless funk soaked backdrop that is guaranteed to cause a stir on the dance floor. House Device contribute an outstanding soulful house rework on a deeper tip fueled with jazzy keys and classic strings, while Alias Rhythm serves a ruthless deeply pumpin' underground rub that is truly mesmeric. Seb Skaslki gets groovy on his intoxicated funktified take, with a killer sax included. Main room mixes by Pete Doyle complete the package. |
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BBE Records present a slice of history with this selection of memorable 80's soul, funk, r&b and disco classics. Compiled by Berlin local DJ heroes Kalle Kuts and Daniel W. Best aka G.I.DISCO, this album tells the story of the fresh sounds that American G.I.'s, radio station AFN (American Forces Network) and clubs within the vicinity of the army bases introduced to German listeners during the cold war. Tracks from Timex Social Club, Freeez, Barbara Mason, Raw Silk, BB & Q Band to name just a few can be found on this compilation - this is certainly a trip down memory lane for those that grew up with this kind of music. |
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"Hanging on" is a wonderful song in its original form, featuring lush keys and chords alongside outstanding vocals by Terrance Downs over a smoothly groovin' backing. The remixes are courtesy of Frankie Feliciano who gives the song a unique silky yet soulful touch as only he can do, with a pair of dub versions added taking you on a journey to deepest grounds. Also included is the original version of "Beautiful searching" featuring vocals by Marta Guzman. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusive Preview: Vick Lavender featuring Nicole Mitchell & Carlos Gallegos "Music is life" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
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Some of you might remember the marvelous "Heaven" by BeBe & CeCe Winans released back in 1988, a timeless song that stands the test of time (and is one of my all time soul/r&b favorites). With "Music is life", Vick Lavender presents a masterly interpretation of this classic, with the lyrics reworked and performed by Nicole Mitchell and Carlos Gallegos while Mike Logan does his magic on the keys - the result is a musical gem oozing with the vintage sound Vick Lavender and his Sophisticado family are celebrated for. |
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We have been diggin' the infectious soul drenched, funk oozing Groove Junkies sound from their very first release. Finally, after two years in the making, GJ's founding member Evan Landes delivers his 're-designed' debut artist album "In the Zone" which will officially hit the streets October 4th 2010. It's a delightful composition of songs fusing a multitude of musical influences such as Afro, Jazz, Disco, R&B, Gospel, Rock and Tech-House with the signature Groove Junkies sound. It's graced with lyrical content performed by some of the biggest names in house music today - Solara, Chappell, Joi Cardwell, Diane Carter, Solomon Henderson to name just a few. "In the Zone" includes some of the biggest Groove Junkies classics (three of them re-worked) as well as brand new productions that will take you on a journey through soulful uplifting dance music beyond comparison. Without a question, "In The Zone" is a masterpiece - essential and timeless... our "Album of the year". |
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Well, we've been everything than impressed by this weeks submissions to say the least... Lots of mediocre material or musical styles that we don't represent on Spirit of House. So its all about the Groove Junkies debut long player which we fell in love with after the first listen, spiced with some exclusive CD-R's.
Mark Di Meo takes on "Acapella" by Kelis and delivers a deeper than deep rework destined to cause a stir on the dance floor thanks to the relentless backing and luscious melodies. Meanwhile, Mark Jordan contributes a smoothly stompin' rework of "You can dance" by Jeanette Harris that is simply delicious. Last but not least we have Darren Campbell's uber cool take on "My generation" by Nas & Damian Marley featuring Joss Stone and Lil Wayne.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Chicago's 5 Magazine are celebrating their five year anniversary, and they do this by giving us this wonderful project, with all the different flavors of Chicago House being represented here... As they say, "we wanted to do something special for the Five Year Anniversary of 5 Magazine - something for the community, and something which has never been done before." The multimedia project documenting the producers who are making Chicago move today was launched on August 16th, and best of all its available for free at 5chicago.com/theproject. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Jalal Johnson and Drew Lockhart "What about Jersey?" (Trakwyze Records CD Promo)
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Trakwyze Records is the brand new label formed by Jalal Johnson, and the label kicks off super strong with "What about Jersey?", a collaboration with Drew Lockhart. The underground-esque "What about Jersey?" is a deeply groovin' poem to the classic NJ sound and legends (more precisely to the huge influences that New Jersey based DJ's and producers have had over the underground dance music genre known as 'house music' today) full of lovely guitars, melodious keys and spoken words. Much more to come including a full album and many more singles. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Back in 1995, KingStreet / NiteGroove launched their "Mix the Vibe" series which now, 15 years later, celebrates its 20th release with Mr. V presenting an incredibly deep, innovative and eclectic selection of tracks which are masterly sequenced and mixed together to take you on a blissful journey to deepest imaginary grounds of house music. Like its predecessors by the likes of Louie Vega, David Morales, Tony Humphries, Joe Claussell, Danny Krivit and Kerri Chandler to name just a few this an essential addition to the music collection of any house music aficionado. |
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** Exclusive Preview ** This is only release #5 for Solid Ground Records, but they are already on top of our favorite labels list... Looking at their previous releases this is not a surprise, but if you're not convinced just listen to their latest release by Ray Jones and you'll understand where we're coming from. "In the dark" is incredibly deep and features sultry vocals by Heidi Vogel together with lush keys and chords over an infectious percussive backdrop. But it goes even deeper - just check the hypnotic 'Deeper Dub Mix' which is fueled with cool piano hooks and dramatic synths. Danny Clark & Jay Benham turn the track into a timeless disco-funk soaked stomper, while Deep Inc rework the track into a laidback affair laced with jazzy piano and chords. Finally Nightrhymes contribute a classic interpretation with grand piano and luscious chords over a groovey backing. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Fuminnori Kagajo featuring Adeola Ranson "Piece of heaven" (KingStreet Records CD Promo)
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Fuminori Kagajo teams up with songstress Adeola Ranson to present the wonderful "Piece of heaven", a truly soulful yet laidback production featuring outstanding vocals, lovely guitar, melodic keys and jazzy trumpet over a percussive groove. Alongside the main vocal, there are two gorgeous dubs included in the package as well as classic vocal and old skool flavored dub remixes by man of the moment Sean McCabe who once again impresses with his skillful soulful vibes. An essential timeless piece of music not to be missed by any lover of soulful house music. |