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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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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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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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. |
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Tiger Stripes "Kayoko" (ProgCity Deep Records CD Promo)
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We gave you a first glimpse on "Kayoko" in our WMC 2006 Update in April 2006, now this magic track by Mikael Nordgren aka Tiger Stripes is getting a full release with new mixes courtesy of Kiko Navarro. Mikael Nordgren's orginal version is a deeply stormin' affair, built around afro beats and percussion elements, featuring wicked spaced-out keys on top that together with the vocal samples create an irresistible vibe. Kiko Navarro provides a whole bunch of remixes that take the track to the next level, with a relentless tribal beat leading the way for the percussion and throbbing bassline, with a magnificent synth in tribute to Laurent Garnier being featured on the vinyl only 'Tribute to LG Remix' (the other mixes by Kiko Navarro will be available in digital format only, together with an alternate remix by Mark Joyce). |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Jazil featuring Kolor Brown "Sugar" (Strobe Records CD Promo)
Strobe Records was one of the leading and most influencial deep house labels in the early 90's, founded by DJs andp roducers Ron Allen and Hayden Andre. Unfortunately, after a few years only, it got quiet around the label. Gladly in last October (see our news article here), the label resurfaced and has been putting out both classic releases as well as new music since then. One of the labels future releases to watch out for is "Sugar" by Jazil featuring a soulful and passionate voal performance by Kolor Brown over a deeply stormin' groove that is enriched with various layers of melodic synth lines and techy keys. A wonderful track perfect for after hours / early morning play, with mixes by Matt DeMario, Uncle Abner and Ron Allen to follow.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Dom Navarra featuring Antonio "A thousand words" (Stalwart Records CD Promo)
"A thousand words" is the third collaboration of Dom Navarra with his brother Antonio Navarra who delivers a passionate and emotional vocal performance over a mellow latinesque groove that features a wonderful guitar and harmonic keys that give it a laidback feeling. H&H spice it up by adding funky ingredients and accelerating the groove, making it a definite pick for peaktime play, while DJ Rocco takes it deeper on his interpretation which has a techy feel to it.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Groove Junkies & Andy Caldwell feat Alexander Sky "I believe in dreams" (MoreHouse Records CD Promo)
In 2004, Alexander Sky for the first time collaborated with the Groove Junkies. Now just in time for the festive season, tehy reunite, along with producer and DJ Andy Caldwell for "I believe in dreams". Alexander Sky delivers a passionate and emotional vocal performance on the song that comes in a variety of mixes to choose from. The 'AC vs GJ Original Mix' is an uplifting affair with melodic keys over a stormin groove, while Andy Caldwell's 'Deep Mix' is a deep and moody affair with electronic keys. The Groove Junkies twist the original version into a broken beat styled affair with a definite old-school touch on their '808 Alternate Mix', while their 'MoHo Mix' is funking things up with a wonderful jazzy saxophone included.
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George Mena & Franke Estevez "Lose control (The Album)" (Fuzion Records Digital Download)
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George Mena & Franke Estevez have been taking the dance music scene by storm with both their original productions as well as remixes for various artists in the last few years, thanks to their musicianship and love for the music. Earlier this year at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, some of the songs from their debut longplayer "Lose control" have been live performed, building anticipation among the attending music lovers. Now the album has been releaed, including both instrumental and vocal productions featuring a variety of dance community's best known artists such as Arnold Jarvis, K.T. Brooks and Temple Dynasty to name just a few. All the songs on the album showcase the versatility and skills of George Mena and Franke Estevez as they bless us with their uplifting and top quality productions that include influences from various musical genres. Digital Downloads available at Dancetracks Digital. |
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Mr. V "Welcome home" (Vega/Defected Records CD / Digital Download)
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Victor Font - better known as Mr. V - has become a household name in the house music scene in recent years as DJ, producer, remixer and also as MC. On his debut album, he showcases his talents, drawing on his influences and inspirations to create songs that are full of heart and soul, fusing house beats with street flavors such as r&b and hip hop. The tracks feature social lyrics (listen to "Make peace" to get an idea), infectious grooves and beats (listen to "Put your drink down" or "Wind ya body"), with some laidback moments to be found as well. Digital Downloads available at Dancetracks Digital. |
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Out of Japan comes this lovely compilation of productions by Yasushi Ide that includes his classic releases in extended versions such as "A certain peace" featuring Monday Michiru (Joe Claussell Main Vocal), "Plein soleil" featuring Clementine (MAW Remix), "Sweet dream" featuring Byron Stingly (Blaze Shrine Vocal) or "Spirit of drums" featuring Mutabaruka (SUMO Afrobunce Remix) as well as previously unreleased versions and a brand new Mr. V remix of "Soul gallactic" which features Osunlade. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Phil Hooton "When you think your all alone" (Rapture Trax Records CD Promo)
Phil Hooton "Hard Times EP" (Rapture Trax Records CD Promo)
Phil Hooton and his partner in crime Mr. Gamble continue to release musical masterpieces on the Rapture Trax label. This are just two of four new releases he will release in the upcoming weeks and month. "When you think your all alone" features that unmistakable hook form Herbie Hancock's "Stars", backed up with a wonderful instrumentation composed of lovely strings, jazzy keys, hammond organ, dreamy flute and a subtle bassline that altogether create a musical bliss. The second version features an additional brass section, adding some more more jazz flavors. The "Hard Times EP" features the laidback, old-school tinged deep houser "Everythings gonna be alright" and the uplifting "Don't take love for granted" featuring a marvellous piano over a thumpin' groove.