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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Boulevard featuring Kristin Berardi "Free your mind" (Phuture Sole Records CD Promo)
It has been quiet around Phuture Sole Records for some time, but with "Free your mind" they return with a big bang (to be released in early 2006). Produced by Andrew Whitehouse and David Prescott, this wonderful song features an outstanding vocal performance by Kristin Berardi, and it comes in a pleasant variety of offerings. The original version is on a mellow, almost chill-out tip, spreading a laidback feeling through the smooth groove, sweet percussion, warm laminar keys and jazzy brass. Todd Gardner provides the 'Certified Organik Mix' which is a wonderful interpretation giving the song a soulful garage outfit that is creating an uplifting vibe, while DJ Freestyle (aka Colin Russell) reworks the song into a deeply rumblin' and groovy affair that keeps the laidback vibe of the original alive. A song to stay in your mind for a long time coming.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
JoVonn "Do Your Dance Projcect" (UK Basic Records CD Promo)
Four their fourth release, UK Basic have commissioned legendary producer JoVonn who turns out two outstanding productions that keep it real and come on a true soulful underground vibe. "Anybody" is based on a fiercely rumblin' groove and is enriched with laminar keys and a wicked male vocal, with a jazzy xylophone coming in later in the track. "Djoon" makes uses of a stompin' groove that is topped with a rolling acidic bassline and wicked keys that gives the song a retro vibe reminiscent of older JoVonn productions. Both tracks are spreading an irresistible feeling and should not be missed
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 | Stacey Mallory has been featured regularly here on Spirit of House with his production, of which many have gained a Pick of the Week spot . |
Now he started his own 4 Real label where he will release his productions, with the first two releases made available this week. Watch out for the release of hidden gems on this label in the near future.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusiv Preview: Martino "Mars" (Iwanai Music Promo CD)
From time to time, you are getting pleased with jewels as it is the case with the next release upcoming on Iwanai Music (the label by John Kumahara & Ryan McAdam) courtesy of Martino. The track is based on an extremly groovy tribal beat that keeps coming in a smooth way, featuring a deeply rumblin' bassline together with several layers of spaced out keys and femal vocal chants, and even sounds of steel drums are included. In some parts, it sounds as it comes straight from outer space, making this something truly special. Refreshing and redefining house music as you find it extremly rarely.
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 | Wax Wars is a new compilation concept by Defected, coming as a 3xCD package with accompanying DJ friendly vinyls. It seeks to make globally respected house labels battle against each other through the strength of their catalogues and their mixing abilities. Each imprint is only allowed to use their own exclusive catalogue to create an individual mix which is a true representation of the sound of their label, containing classics as well as future hits. The first release sees the battle of house "superheros" Simon Dunmore (Defected) with Brian Tappert (SoulFuric) and Jamie Lewis (Purple Music). |
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Picks of the Week
King DK "Can't read your mind" (Black Vinyl Records CD Promo)
Michael Schreiber (aka King DK) present the smooth and soulful production "Can't read your mind" featuring a sweet and sexy vocal performance by Claudia Fink alongside a great jazzy saxophone, lovely guitar and funky bassline. His original version is a ride into the deep house territory, coming on a mellow laidback tip. The 'Club Dub' comes with a fierced up groove while the 'Broken Step Mix' is all about a soulful broken beat. Tinderbox (Alan Russell & Al Robertson) provide the remixes, delivering a funkily grooving version on their vocal take, while on the dub they add extra spice, giving it an irresistible feel. The 'Tinderbox-A-Pella' reduces it to the basics, letting the vocal shine all the way through. A delicious release not to be missed.
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 | Back in the days, there was no access to the master tapes, so people creating (re-)edits had to use reel-to-reel tapes, a razorblade, the original vinyl record and a lot of time and patience. Greg Wilson is a pioneer - a legendary edit-master - of this technology that still serves as base for todays remixes. |
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Picks of the Week
Ron Trent & Quentin Harris featuring Cordell McClary "Happiness" (Need 2 Soul Records 12")
"Happinss" is the first collaboration of Ron Trent & Quentin Harris for the new Need 2 Soul label that will be all about quality house music (like it's parent club night). It is a fantastic slice of deep house music featuring an outstanding latin guitar and uplifting vocal performance by Cordell McClary alongside Ron Trent's melodic and deeply stormin' bass movements and Quentin Harris' sweeping synth lines, the result being absolutely outstanding and irresistible combining the unique sound of the two. With both vocal and instrumental versions to choose from, this will become an instant classic not to be missed.
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Picks of the Week
John Beltran featuring John Arnold "Nostalgic EP" (Groovia Sound Project 12")
John Beltran and John Arnold come together for the tasty late night house collaboration "Especially". The track is on a sublime bossa-jazz tip featuring a groovy bass, gentle percussion and harmonic keys alongside John Arnold's wonderful guitar play. Hernan Santiago adds extra percussion and gives the song a deeper feeling with lush chords and shuffling beats. The bonus cut "Alda" is a combination of calypso steel drums, broken beats and Detroit styled keys, creating an exotic piece of house music.
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Picks of the Week
Exlusive Preview: Domenico Ferruggia featuring M-Seilla "Nosso mundo" (Flyhigh Studio CD Promo)
Exlusive Preview: Domenico Ferruggia featuring Janet Dawkins "Come with me" (Flyhigh Studio CD Promo)
Spirit of House proudly presents you these two productions by Domenico Ferruggia (and we do have another production from him to bring to your attention in the near future). "Nosso mundo" features a passionate female vocal and spoken words by M-Seilla over an irresistibly groovy backing track that is enriched with a wicked funky guitar and wonderful jazzy keys. Together with the vocals, the keys give the track a fantastic latinesque feeling. "Come with me" features the voice of Janet Dawkins over a smooth yet fiercely stormin' groove that is topped with a sweet and emotional vocal performance alongside melodic keys and great horns that give the track a classic, timeless feeling.
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Picks of the Week
Ralf Gum vs Dennis Legree & Inaya Day "Try me" (GoGo Music Records CD Promo)
"Try me" is a duet by Dennis Legree & Inaya Day produced by the hands of Ralf Gum and Benny Pecoraio for whom it is the first production after several great remixes. Their original version is an uplifting and catchy affair featuring slammin' beats and warm melodic keys that create wonderful harmonies, while giving the song an irresistible feeling. Roberto De Carlo provides the remixes, delivering a timeless soulful reworking on the vocal version that has a jazzy-funky flavor to it, being driven by a smooth yet fierce groove. On the dub, he intensifies the funky feeling, turning out a steadily grooving and totally irresistible track that will keep the dancefloors moving.
Aaron Ross presents Graceland "Call me" (Remixes)(Stalwart Records CD Promo)
"Call me" by Graceland (aka Aaron Roos & Andy Kremer) was originally released on Osiris Records back in december last year, however it didn't get the exposure it deserves. Gladly the french labl Stalwart give this song a second life with DJ Rork being responsible for the new interpretations. His 'Essential Mix' underlines the soulful vibes of the original and the sweet vocals by Lauren David by using jazzy keys alongside a smoothly stormin' groove and funky bassline, while the 'Fusional Mix' is a pumped up dub with a funky edge destined to devastate the dancefloors. Also included is a brand new dub by Aaron Ross that is reminiscent of Todd Terry's style, adding a New York flavor to the song. This new package should ensure that this great song is now getting the attention it deserves.
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Picks of the Week
GU & Black Mamba "Your nativity" (Philosophie Music CD Promo)
After this young Detroit based label kicked off strong with the first release "Small minds" by Soul Tempo feat Lafayette Parker earlier this year, the follow up "Your nativity" produced by Glenn Underground and DJ Pap is guaranteed help the label build a reputation for wonderfully crafted, soulful house music. "Your nativity" features spoken female vocals over a deep and fiercely stompin' groove that is enriched with melodic keys and sweet percussion. Flip it around for a fantastic instrumental version that features an incredible jazz piano. Late night house music at its best.