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Picks of the Week
WMC Fallout: Studio Apartment featuring Monique Bingham "Found him" (New World Records Japan CD-R)
WMC Fallout: Studio Apartment featuring Deborah Bond "Something between" (New World Records Japan CD-R)
When talking to people in Miami during the WMC, many mentioned "Found him" as their tune of the conference. This song sees Studio Apartment and Monique Bingham in top form, delivering a beautiful piece of music. "Found him" feastures a brilliant jazz piano over a percussion enriched funktified groove that is nothing less than relntless, with Monique Bingham's vocal performance being simply outstanding, adding a magical touch to the song. Another hot production from Studio Apartment is "Something between" featuring a passionate vocal by Deborah Bond over an ireesistibly stormin' groove that is topped with great keys and a lovely piano, letting it spread a feel good vibe.
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Picks of the Week
WMC Aftermath: CeCe Peniston "I'm feelin' U" (SoulFuric Records CD Promo)
Ron Carroll and CeCe Peniston, two of house music's true legends, team up for a production that has been getting lots of attention in Miami. Ron Carroll's original version is a bouncy uplifting affair on a classic soulful tip featuring an inspirational vocal performance by CeCe Peniston - this has anthem written all over it. DJ Fudge from France provides a deeper, somewhat raw reworking that keeps it soulful and funky, with his dub taking it even deeper with great melodic keys and sounds. Lastly Brian Tappert provides a darker 'B Room Dub' perfect for the bigger rooms.
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Here we go with Part two of our big Miami 2007 update...
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Miami Highlight
Exclusive Preview: Vick Lavender "The Evolution" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
Vick Lavender is ready to launch his brand new label Sophisticado Records, with his artist album "The Evolution" to be released soon. Seven tracks from the album are on the exclusive promo copy we've got, with the wonderful jazz houser "Ancestors will dance" making the start, followed by the laidback disco-funk fused "Better baby". "Shujaa" is a on a midtempo tip, combining a smooth afro-tribal groove with jazz elements - something you would not necessarily expect but it is gorgeous, just give it a chance and let it grow on you. "Superwoman" is a beautiful blend of a deeply stormin' house groove with an orchestral jazz-funk instrumentation, while "Take me with you" features soulful vocals alongside jazzy keys over a percussion enriched groove. "The african spider" kicks of with a deep afro beat before a jazzy piano line, killer organ and sweet percussion come in. The final track "Sophisticado theme" smoothes things down for a laidback, almost chill out feeling with its sweet jazz house vibes. A masterpiece not to be missed.
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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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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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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. |