Welcome to 2012 !! We are only a couple of days into the new year but there ain't no stoppin' of soulful house music coming your way...
Vick Lavender featuring Tina Howell "Intelligent beings (music for love)" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
On "Intelligent being (music for love)", Vick Lavender introduces us to the wonderful voice of Tina Howell who impresses with a heartfelt vocal performance on this distinguished production featuring a grand orchestration including stellar keys by Vijay Tellis-Nayak, with each of the three versions by Vick Lavender oozing with his beloved vintage soul/jazz/funk inspired and infused sound. And then we have South Africa's 60 Hertz who take us on a celestial musical journey with their heavenly jazzed-up interpretation. Timeless and seminal.
Darryl D'Bonneau "Don't be afraid to fall" (Blak Ink Music CD Promo)
On his latest project, producer/DJ Wil Milton teams up with the legendary Darryl D'Bonneau to present "Don't be afraid to fall", an exquisite production combining a deeply felt vocal performance by the inimitable Darryl D'Bonneau (with background vocals by Eric Scott and Rodney Carter) with Wil Milton's signature melodious sound and rhythms - this is sheer musical bliss, with Wil Milton taking his unique sound to the next level. No surprise this is heavily supported by the likes of Louie Vega or Kevin Hedge...
Gordheaven featuring Java & Caysoul "I'm gone" (Peng Africa CD Promo)
Back in June of last year, Gorden Netshikwata aka Gordheaven had the honor of the first release for Peng Africa, now he returns on the label with the outstanding "I'm gone" which features passionate vocals by Java & Caysoul and jazzy piano by Julius Dlamini over a deeper than deep truly mesmerizing yet soulful backing. The remixes are courtesy of Francesco Chiocci and N'Dinga Gaba, both keeping the vibe deep and soulful while injecting their signature touch to the track. In other words - Peng Africa to grace us with only the best in soulful house music from South Africa...
Danny Clark "Then & Now EP" (Solid Ground Records CD Promo)
After blessing us with countless seminal vocals anthems over the last two years, Solid Ground bring us something a little bit different for the new year with the "Then & Now EP" by Danny Clark. What we have a here is a delectable slice of deep house music, with each of the three featured track oozing with blissful melodies and spreading a relentless feel through the contaminous rhythms. With future releases from artists such as Manoo, Frankie Feliciano, Robert Owens, Yass, Ian Friday, Bah Samba, Carla Prather and Michael Proctor to name just a few, 2012 looks to be another big year for the label.
Various "Lars Behrenroth presents Various Shades Vol 2" (Deeper Shades Records CD Promo)
Both Lars Behrenroth and his Deeper Shades imprint are highly regarded in the house community for their contributions to the evolution of deep house music. No wonder this truly versatile seven track EP features only the best the genre has to offer, giving you a global view on deep house music with productions from Spain, France, Italy, Estonia and South Africa from illustrious producers such as Blaq Soul, Pablo Fierro, Fast Vision Soul, Lemon N Herb, Ted Jood, Microphunk and Meddif.
Luis Machuca "Soul inspiration" (Deep Culture Music CD Promo)
Luis Machuca's "Soul inspiration" is an incredible house music production featuring a masterly orchestration including live baritone sax, guitar and bass which give the track a celestial afro-beat feel. On remix duty we have Oscar P & C. Scott who deliver a remorseless percussion driven latinesque workout on a slight techy edge, while Davidson Ospina enters deepest grounds with his jazz flavored journey. Last but not least, Myles Bigelow adds his unique melodious deep house stylings to the track
The Wizard Brian Coxx & Roland Clark "The deeper I go" (Soulgasm Records CD Promo)
DJ/producer Brian Coxx and the voice of house aka Roland Clark join forces on "Th deeper I go", a vibrant deep house production featuring a wicked spoken word vocal by Roland Clark alongside classy synth melodies over a fiercely thumpin' backdrop. The 'Wizard Goes Deep Mix' goes deeper and intensifies the vibe to let the track spread a hypnotizing feel, while Mr. V provides an ingenious slice of spell binding deep house featuring sublime keys. Finally, there is HellenBach's epic rework featuring glorious melodies.
Matt Prehn featuring Lasdiva Soulice "Monica" (Pole Position Records CD Promo)
Pole Position Records have a beauty in their hands with "Monica" by Oh So Coy label head Matt Prehn who teams up with songstress Lasdiva Soulice whose sultry vocals harmonize perfectly with the warm melodious keys and deeply groovin' backing. Soulplate pull out all the stops on their truly soulful funk drenched remixes laced with gorgeous jazzy keys, while Viper Strike turn the heat up on their chunky yet soulful remix.
ML Factor "Twilight ride" (iMusic Underground CD Promo)
Charles 'Chill OO' Mitchell and Drew Lockhard are back as ML Factor with "Twilight ride", an infectious deep house production featuring uber cool spoken vocals and superb dulcet keys over deeper than deep percussive rhythms. Both Charles 'Chill OO' Mitchell and Drew Lockhard contribute one version, and with two slammin' remixes by Grant Sullivan (under his 12 Shades of Fantasy disguise), this versatile release is guaranteed to cause a stir on the dance floor.
Exclusive Preview: Kirk Franklin "September" (Hgm & Soul'n'Vibes Remix)(CD-R)
Exclusive Preview: Lalah Hathaway "My everything" (Hippie Torrales & David Benus Mix)(CD-R)
It's time again to bring you a selection of the best bootleg edits and mixes we got over the festive season... First up we have Hgm & Soul'n'Vibes reworking Kirk Franklin' gospel tinged interpretation of the timeless Earth Wind & Fire classic "September" (the original can be found on the album "Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth Wind & Fire", pay attention to the updated lyrics) into an uplifting funk soaked four-to-the-floor stomper. Next we have Hippie Torrales & David Benus' spell binding rendition of Lalah Hathaway's beautiful "My everything" (lifted from her current long player "Where it all begins") which uses fiery yet smooth tribal rhythms as playground for Lalah Hathaway's unmistakable vocals and a killer jazzy piano.