Picks of the Week
Balage "Love We Left Behind EP" (Hermosa Records CD Promo)
First Balage gave us the wonderful "Got you on my mind", now he comes up with an exceptional four track EP not to be missed! The title track "Love we left behind" features spoken words by Louis Hale and the soulful voice of Dolores Peterson over a steadily groovin' backing music that will keep you dancing. On the "Impressions", it's all about the music, more precisely about a wonderful guitar solo combined with a laidback, latin infused groove. Next is "Thank you" featuring the incomparable Dolores Peterson who delivers an emotional vocal over a deep and sweet, almost chilled-out groove. On "How do we get to here", Balage teams up with Louis Hale who graces us with his soulful voice while the music is infectious yet soulful and organic. Words can't really describe what treat we got here - simply one of the best records of the year with each of the four tracks having the class to be released on its own. A remix package of the EP is in the works, involving the likes of Bongolovers, Richard Earnshaw, Justin Michael, Roberto De Carlo, Macam and Solo.
Juke Joint featuring Yvonne Brown "Gotta get up" (Tony Records CD Promo)
Juke Joint aka DJ Dealer and DJ Sensé team up for the resistless "Gotta get up" which features singer Yvonne Brown who adds a passionate vocal to the song. Their original is a funky house gem on a classic vibe, featuring great strings and infectious keys. This already great club track was handed over to DJ Spen for a remix, and the result will blow you away!! The beats are kickin', the guitar by Ivrin Madden is of the hook, the keys by Gary Hudgins are unreal - and Yvonne Brown sings her heart out. A killer remix that will take dancefloors by storm. And then the vocal and instrumental dub mixes by DJ Spen are the perfect complement to the package.
More Reviews
UPZ "Rok da funk" (Remixes)(Camio Records CD Promo)
The remix package for "Rok da funk" is now complete and soon to be released. In addition to the already reviewed (and so far vinyl-only) Reel Soul and NJ Project remixes, there are fresh mixes by Dom Navvara, Eddy G and Jonny Montana (that will be digital only). Dom Navarro's reworking is a deep late nite affair based around a sublime groove with sweet percussion and wicked keys, while Eddy G goes for a thumpin' interpretation with a jazzy edge thanks to the great keys used. Label head Jonny Montana takes the spoken word lyrics by Rasu and mashes them up with Stacey Mallory's beautiful "Soul Groove" track for a laidback affair.
Byron Burke "He has risen" (Branch Recording CD Promo)
Byron Burke, member of the legendary Ten City, is now running his own label Branch Recording that will soon release his latest production "He has risen", a deep and smooth production with sweet percussion and melodic keys that has a spiritual vibe to it created by spacey sound elements.
Exclusive Review: DSF featuring Kanelli "Set me free" (Soulful Mix)(CD-R)
DSF from Greece continues to bless us with his great productions as he presents a beauty with "Set me free". It is a mellow production kicking off with a smooth groove and a wonderful guitar before the melodic keys, organ ride and souful vocal by Kanelli come in to create a laidback feeling. Close your eyes and let yourself be taken onto a journey by this soulful tune.
Exclusive Review: Marques Houston "Favorite girl" (Pedro London Remix)(CD-R)
Pedro London strike again with their reworking of Marques Houston's "Favorite girl" that has been given a subtle re-touch that is very respectful to the original, letting Marques Houston's soulful and passionate vocal shine over the smoothly stormin' groove that is enriched with warm melodic keys.
SuSu Bobien "Set free" (George Mena & Franke Estevez Remix)(SoundMen on Wax Records CD Promo)
SuSu Bobien's forthcoming longplayer is expected for early 2007 and will feature both new and previously released material. One of the singles to be taken from the album is "Set free" which got remixed by Franke Estevez & George Mena aka Fuzion in a brilliant way, taking this gospel house song to the next level with its soulful and smooth groove and the marvellous keys that harmonise perfectly with both the lead and background vocals, creating an uplifting feeling.
Andrea Love "Faithful" (Purple Music Records CD Promo)
Andrea Love (Paise Cats) is back with the Jamie Lewis produced "Faithfrul", a production that is all about the soulful and passionate vocal by Andrea Love and a wicked piano line, both beautifully arranged over a deeply yet smoothly stormin' groove, with a funky rumblin' bassline leading the way. The dub version replaces the vocals with extra percussion elements and keys.
Cosmo Star "Sunset luvin'" (Sofitone Records CD Promo)
Sofitone Records follow up the success of their firest release with "Sunset luvin'" by Cosmo who presents a fierce production that features a stellar vocal performance by Star alongside great keys and wicked strings over a stomping groove that will keep your feet movin'. Terron Darby provides the remixes, giving the track a deeper and more laidback vibe that keeps the energy of the original alive. Gorgeous house grooves at their best.
Lenny Fontana presents Zhana "R U ready" (2006 Remixes)(Velvet Disco Records CD Promo)
Lenny Fontana's "R U ready" (originally released on his Odyssey label about three years ago) is back with a strong remix package that is kicked of by Lenny Fontana himself who reworks the track into a feel-good anthem, letting Zhana's uplifting vocals shine. Kid Massive gives the track chunky vibe that uses a tribal groove as base, while Dom Navarra smoothes it down to a soulful chill-out vibe. Lastly Deep Josh & Franco Mulero take on the track and turn it into a peak-time favorite with wicked keys.
John Legend "Save room" (Dance Remixes)(Columbia Records 12")
Here we have 'legal' house mixes of John Legend's current smash hit "Save room" by the duo of Franke Estevez & George Mena aka Fuzion. They delvier a fierce reworking that is driving from the beginning to the end with the fierce groove that is enhanced with percussive elements and great keys that give it an uplifting feeling. The 12" also features mixes by VLR (smooth funktified house) and Mr Mig (progressive house).
DJ Circle "Sundance EP" (TriCircle Records CD Promo)
Fabian Wondrak aka DJ Circle goes from strength to strength, following up the success of his previous releaes on RealBasic and Peng. With the "Sundance EP", he launches his own label TriCircle Records. The title track "Sundance" is a funktified thumper featuring great keys and wicked muted horns. "Can you feel it" is a feel-good house track featuring uplifting vocals by Shola Phillips over a deeply stompin' beat that is enriched with melodic keys.
Jordan Rivera "Alegria musical" (Ospina Digital Records CD Promo)
Amsterdam's DJ Jordan Rivera presents his latest production "Alegria musical" which comes in non less than six different version to choose from. The original has a slight afro touch to it, being on a funky tip and featuring a lovely flute, with the 'Afro Dub Mix' strengthening the afro flavors. Ospina & Oscar P smooth it down slightly on their take, while Northy Cotto comes up with a piano driven affair. Angel Manuel's interpretation is the one for peaktime, while Tank Martinez comes up with a percussion driven tribal groover.
Classic Reviews
Madonna "Bedtime story" (Chapter II)((Maverick Records 12" Promo, 1994)
This is a rare promo with hard to find Mark Picchiotti and Teri Bristol mixes - much better than commercially available mixes.