The Album Reviews for 2003.
December 21, 2003
Various "All Night Long - Classic 80's Grooves" (Motown Records Double-CD)
Motown UK have been diggin into their archives to bring a collection of 26 club classics from the 80's they were responsible for. The big ones like "Don't look any further" by Dennis Edwards featuring Siedah Garrett, "All night long" by Mary Jane Girls, "Upside down" by Diana Ross, "In and out" by Willie Hutch and "Somebody's watching me" by Rockwell are included as well as many other gems: "Standing on the top" by The Temptations featuring Rick James, "Let it whip" by the Dazz Band, "Let's get serious" by Jermaine Jackson, "Give it to me baby" by Rick James and many more. A good collection to get hold of these classic tunes.
December 7, 2003
Larry Levan "The Definitve Salsoul Mixes '78 to '83" (Salsoul Records 2xCD)
What Salsoul have put out here is - simply said - a retrospective of Larry Levan. Not simply his work as remixer, but also of his lifestyle. Both when working as DJ at the Paradise Garage or as producer/remixer in the studio, Larry was always telling a story through music. So this compilation is about the person Larry was, the person that people will remember. Many of his unforgettable remixes are included here, 19 in total: "Ain't no mountain high enough" by Inner Life, "Handsome man" by Sparkle, "I got my mind made up" by Instant Funk, "When I come home" by Aurra, "The greatest performance of my life" by Loleatta Holloway and "How high" by The Salsoul Orchestra, to name just a few of them.
October 26, 2003
Various "Needs (not wants)" (Needs Records CD Promo)
Needs are brothers Lars & Marek Barthkun alongside Yannick Elverfeld. They are based in Frankfurt/Germany and their name Needs has become a synonym for soulful high quality music since their forming back in 1999. They now present a retrospective of the past releases on their label. Most importantly, the timeless and "Worlds" by Passion Dance Orchestra is featured here in its full glory of the original 15 minute version alongside the reprise version. Despite only being two years old, this track has become a classic already and will soon get re-released in new versions. Also included are "We are what we are", "Forever you", Low gravity dance", "So many things", "Brother" and "Walkin' thru circles" alongside "Time" by Laurentius and "Rise shine rejoice" by Dance Motifs. Simply an album for the lovers of soulful dance music.
Muschihaus presents "DeepVibes Vol. 1" (Muschihaus Records CD)
"Deep Vibes Vol. 1" is the start of a new Muschihaus compilation series. This first volume has been compiled by Thomas 'Deep Vibes' Fath and mixed by Andreas 'Pleasurebar' Thiessen. In contrast to most of the other compilation CDs around, this one here presents deep house music of the highest quality. To achieve this goal, some musicians had been directly involved into the project. Various styles including soulful, funky, latin, uplifting and a touch of electo are semlessly mixed together.
Tracklist:
- Yass & M'Dee "October" (Final Movie Mix)
- Frank Boissy pres. The Lovely Day Project feat. Indra Jones "A Lovely Day" (D. Harness Taboo Remix)
- Physics "(Don't Deny) My Love" (Solar House Fresh Vocal Mix)*
- Audio Expression pres. YUG "Don't Tell Me You're Sorry" (Liquid People Vocal Dub)*
- Tony Lindsey "Love Train" (Original Mix)*
- DJ Pufo "Mon Amour" (Pufo's Main Mix)
- Hakan Lidbo "Capoeira" (Jeff Bennett's Dub Mix)
- S.U.M.O. "Samba Consumo" (CrisP's For My New Shoes Mix)*
- AN2 "Nu Boogie" (Original Boogie)*
- Blakkat feat. Aswan "The Rite Place" (Crazy Penis' Jackin' The Beanstalk Mix)
- Mood 2 Swing "Can't Get Away From You" (Original Mix)
- Inaya Day meetz Ralf GUM "What I Like" (Ralf GUM & CrisP Main Mix)*
- East West Connection "Once I've Been There" (Pooley's Main Mix)
- Simon Grey "Prophecy" (Original Mix)*
- Georg Levin "(I've Got) Somebody New" (Album Version)
* released on CD for first time ever
August 24, 2003
Tony Humprhies "Choice - A Collection of Zanzibar Classics" (Azuli Records Quadruple-Album)
The legendary Tony Humphries selects timeless classics for this latest installment of the "Choice" series on Azuli. Club Zanzibar was the place where his career started to rise, with the help of his mixshows on Kiss FM in New York. The selected cuts span a period from the mid 70's to the mid 90's. The 70's are represented by the Blackbyrds "City life" and Archie Bell and the Drells "Where will you go when the party's over" to CJ & CO. "Sure can't go to the moon", Stephanie Mills "You can get over" and Mass Production's "Welcome to our world". From the past two decades, classics such as the MK mix of "Digital Love thing" by Happyhead and the massive Todd Terry remix of "Carry on" by Martha Wash to the JoVonn produced "Back 2 Zanzibar" by LY are featured.
July 27, 2003
Tony Humphries "Colors of music" (YO Records Triple-CD)
It was about time that YellOrange and its founder Tony Humphries release this retrospective. All of their 12" releases are featured as well as some of their unreleased tracks like "Let the past rest" by 4:20 presents Farid Unique, a track that only has been available on a very limited 12" test pressing. Too many tracks on this triple CD to be listed here, but just let as remind that you YellOrange has been responsible for club hits like "Rescue me" by Sun Kids featuring Chance, "Could it be" by Colonel Abrams, Mustafa featuring Natalie "Circles" and many more.
Various "Spacelab Yellow Phase 3: Eclectic Dance" (Ibadan Records Triple-Album Promo)
This is the third installment in this compilation series coming as a triple-pack vinyl. Titled "Eclectic Dance", it is compiled by Jerome Sydenham and Ryo Watanabe and includes gens like "Going back to my roots" by Richie Havens, "Rainbow's end" by Mutiny UK, "Aurora" by Chari Chari, "El qunique" by Antonio Ocasio, "Dirty talk" by Klein & MBO, "Just an illusion" by Imagination and more.
May 25, 2003
Runner up: Kerri Chandler "Trionisphere" (King Street Records Double-Album)
Kerri 'Kaoz 6:23' Chandler is one of the few producers who kept it real over the years. After releasing volumes one to five on 12", he finally drops the "Trionisphere" longplayer that is packed with his unique sound of deep grooves that are build around kicking beats, slamming keys and lots of soulful vocals performed by the likes of Dreamer G, Christopher McCray and others.
May 18, 2003
Physics "First flight" (Deeplay Music Records Double-Album)
Swedish label Deeplay Music did release this great album some time ago, but like many others I did sleep on it. Physics have become very popular among those that are into deep and soulful house groove thankt to their unique blend of house beats with jazzy grooves that pleases both the club visitor and the home listener by combining live instruments as well as programmed elements.
May 11, 2003
Jon Cutler "Turn" (Distant Records Double-Album)
This is the unmixed vinyl version to the mixed CD featuirng eight selected tracks including Jon Cutler's own produtions like "You groove me", "Flut-ie-pebbles", "Hide", "It's yours", "Dawn" as well as "People are people" from Richard Earnshaw, "Hi did it" from Harley & Muscle and "Don't wanna stop" by Kick Affiliates.
April 13, 2003
Blaze "Spiritually speaking" / "Then and now" (Westend Records Double-CD)
WestEnd Records just released a double-CD by Blaze in the USA. CD1 is last years album "Spiritually speaking" (only out in Europe and Japan so far) while the second CD titled "Then and now" features some of their most memorable past moments (ranging from their early days to just a few years back) like "If you should need a friend", "So special", "Elements of life" and "Wishing you were here" as well as two brand new tracks "We are one" and "Change the world".
WMC Aftermath: Discomind "The fresh turnout" (Motema Music Records CD Promo)
Remember Kraze from back in the days? He had the huge club hit "The party" back in 1988 on Big Beat Records. Here he presents a new project under the name Discomind. The CD I'm talking about here is a nine track non-stop mix where Discomind present their powerful fusion of Disco, House and even some Rock. All songs are written and producec by Kraze and Dirty Shane who work together with Sheila Horne (of George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars), Lanny Ward and Danny Jam. Hopefully there will be a full 12" release of "My life" which is a brilliant song.
WMC Aftermath: Appetizer featuring Josef Saddler "My heart" (Disturbance Records CD)
Appetizer is the alterego of Albert Dati. On this project, he teams up with vocalist Josef Saddler from Washington, USA who blesses us with his sensual and soulful charming vocals on "Maybe I'll", "Move on" and the title track "My heart". The album consists of aphrodisiac house spices with ultra-malicious melodies with some techfunk, spaced-out synth, gorgeous keys and much more to discover. Something to be discovered.
March 14, 2003
Instant House "1988 - 1993" (Natural Resource Records Triple-Album)
This compilation features all the great moments from Instant House including their classics "Over" and "Awade" as well as other tracks and the nearly endless Joe Claussell mix of "Lost horizons".
Danny Krivit "Edits by Mr. K" (Strut Records CD)
This compilation presents ten of the best edits from Danny Krivit's archive, spanning the years from 1983 to the present. Included are "Catch the rhythm" by Caress, "Love to the world" by LTD, "Ask me" by Ecstasy, Passion and Pain, "You got me runnin'" by Lenny Williams, "Dande to the music" by Sly & the Family Stone and more.
February 2, 2003
Brian Harden "Instinctive state of..." (Moods & Grooves Records Double-Album)
Moods & Grooves drop their second full length album from chicago house pioneer Brian Harden. Deep and emovtive with a selection of jazzy as well as harder jacking tracks, this is a lovely selection for the real house heads committed to true, classic house music.
January 26, 2003
Various "Bossa Mundo 2" (Wave Music Records Double-Album)
Wave Music present volume two of their "Bossa Mundo" series featuring producers from around the world that bring tracks inspired by the sounds of Brazil. A mesh of jazz, afrobeat, ambient and house, laced with afro-brazilian flavor. Among the included tracks you find "Awakening" by Francois K. featuring Barbara Mendes, "Bohemian" by Muro, "Like ours" by Tom & Julie, "It's a beautiful thing" by Jersey St. and the Ron Trent mix of "Deepest seas" by Limbo Experience.