Picks of the Week
Sara Devine "Special" (Vega Records 12")
After her underground smash "Take me home" thanks to the Masters at Work remixes, Sara Devine is back with Louie Vega remixes of the sultry neo-soul gem "Special". Louie Vega delivers uplifting reworkings featuring a riffing guitar, sweet percussion and melodic chords to create a grooving house take that has an an acoustic edge that comes to full effect on the isntrumental 'Roots Dub'.
Steal Vybe "Musical Journeys EP" (Steal Vybe Music Records 12" Test Pressing)
The third release for Steal Vybe Music is a triumphant return as they present a fantastic EP that kicks off with "Love's song" that features songstress Stephanie Renee and hypnotic keys over a driving groove, creating an irresistible vibe. "Love's song (the other story)" is the second part, being on a broken beat tip and spreading a jazzy vibe through the warm and orchestral melodies. "Relief" comes with spoken words over a deeply stompin' groove that features some heavy drum patterns and is topped with a jazzy piano line and spacey keys. Finally "Vibrations" is a sweet bossa/brazil house track with lush keys, layered vocals and unique melodies creating a laidback feeling, perfect to chill.
More Reviews
Luv City "Stars" (Shelter Records 12")
Shelter Records picked up "Stars" by japanease producer Kenn Yamanaka. This track blends bubbling synth lines with shuffling late night beats and a rich bassline groove to create a mellow and laidback deep house excursion. Sting International provide the 'Shelter Mix', a floor friendly edit with looped beats and an additional jazzy piano.
Alumna "Simple" (BlackMagic Music 12" Promo)
"Simple" has been around on CD-R for some time before it finally sees the light on vinyl. It is another marvellous production on a spritiual tip courtesy of Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell that comes complete with a great instrumentation featuring lots of percussive elements and durms, a lovely guitar and a jazzy flute that gives this production that little extra that makes it different from other productions.
Franky Boissy featuring Roland Clark "Black Music" (Part 2)(Chez Records 12")
This is the second installment of mixes of this Franky Boissy production that features the unmistakable voice of Roland Clark. Miguel Migs serves a pulsing, slow-paced groove with a dubbed bassline, riffing chords and great analog lines, and added delyays to the vocals. In contrast, Marlon D. takes the song to a deeper level with a truly deep bass, added new percussion, shuffling beats and brand new keys courtesy of Scott Wozniak.
The Moves "Remember" (Central Park Records 12" Test Pressing)
The Moves return to Central Park with "Remember", a feel-good production with a bumpy house groove and warm melodic sounds that are topped with sweet male vocals on the 'Main Mix' while the 'Club Mix' comes with tougher stompin' beats and spacey keys. The 'BGB Mix' comes with sharp beats, soulful techy keys and warm melodies. This mix is also available as dub version that stripps the vocals.
Selan "Unconditional love" (WonderWax Records 12")
DJ Spinna teams up with keyboard player and singer Selan for an engaging garage production. "Unconditional love" is an amazing track with a smooth and silky vocal performance over a heavily instrumented backing track featuring impressive multi keyboard rhythms and harmonies that can be fully enjoyed on the instrumental version.
Runner Up: Terri Walker "Whoopsie daisy" (Fanatix Remixes)(12" White Label)
Fanatix deliver a phat set of mixes for r&b songstress Terri Walker and her beautiful "Whoopsie daisy". Their vocal version is a wonderfully orchestrated take with a great guitar solo, outstanding keys and a fierce groove with a rumblin' bassline underneath Terri Walker's powerful yet soulful voice. The dub takes it to a different direction with looped vocals, spaced-out keys and a wicked organ ride, giving it an underground feel.
Kimara Lovelace "Misery" (DJ Spen Remixes)(KingStreet Records 12" Promo)
"Misery" is written and produced by Lil' Louis and was originally released back in 2000. Now it is back and is already causing damage on the dancefloors in form of these slammin' DJ Spen remixes featuring a funky bassline and punchy drums together with warm keys and a jazzy flute that harmonize perfectly with Kimara Lovelace's wonderful vocal performance.
Classic Reviews
Anna Robinson "I'm attracted to you" (Bootlegg 12", 1992)
A huge club hit by Cookie Watkins (out on Smash Records over two 12" with mixes by Tony Humphries), this is the original vocal production featuring Anna Robinson.