Picks of the Week
Vick Lavender featuring R.J. Green "Afterparty for two" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
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Vick Lavender featuring R.J. Green "Afterparty for two" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo) Two months after we brought you an exclusive preview of "Afterparty for two", the full promo is out. Sophisticado welcome singer R.J. Green to their family who impresses with a stellar vocal performance on this exquisite production which sees Vick Lavender once more delivering a masterly orchestrated smooth song for the dance floor just the way he is beloved for, featuring a soulful funk soaked groove, sweet percussion elements, lovely guitar and jazzy keys. Next there is also the 'Guitar Dub' which puts the guitar center stage and gives the track a funky touch. The remixes are courtesy of Man-X who turns the track into an uplifting peak time affair featuring wonderful keys courtesy of Albert 'Sterling' Menendez and Scott Wozniak over a fierce yet smooth backing. |
More Reviews
Exclusive Preview: Chicago Soul Underground "Teach me" (CD-R)
One of last years Miami highlights was a promo CD sampler by Chicago Soul Underground, the team of DJ Pap and Matthew Kerr. While some of the tracks from that sampler are yet to be released, CSU has been heading back into the studio to work on new material. They sent us "Teach me", an old school jazz-funk oozing production spreading a feel good vibe through passionate female vocals, beautiful flute, cool guitar and phat keys. The second mix deepens the vibe while keeping the feel funky and soulful.
Exclusive Preview: Stephanie Cooke "Fly" (Consortium Muzik Records CD Promo)
The latest offering from Consortium Muzik is the gorgeous "Fly" by songstress Stephanie Cooke. Two sets of mixes to chose from, with Gene King's interpretation being on a laidback tip, combining Stephanie Cooke's heartfelt vocals with a sweet percussion enriched groove, jazzy keys and warm synth melodies. His instrumental further relaxes the vibe and drops the vocals to let you enjoy the full glory of the instrumentation. Greece based ChrisIDH takes the song to deeper territory, using a relentless funk drenched groove, male chants and dramatic synths to create a spiritual vibe.
Norm Talley "The journey" / "In yo soul" (Third Ear Records CD Promo)
Ten years after originally being released in very limited form on the "Two Tone EP" through Nouveau Riche Entertainment, the hard to find "The journey" became a favorite amongst DJ's in Berlin, and gladly this led to a re-release of this classic anthem (both digital and 10" vinyl) . Its pure Detroit styles deepness fueled with hypnotizing melodies over a deep infectious groove. As a bonus, the previously unreleased "In yo soul" is included.
Dudes and Beats "Brighter Nights EP" (Dudes and Beats Records CD Promo)
This is quite something special here... The "Brighter Nights EP" features two tracks lifted from Dudes and Beats "Brighter days" album released in winter 2008. "Cotton fields" gets remixed by Bradka who offers a beat laden, sax twisted remix, followed by Simbad who goes for a deep tech-soul vibe. Dave Da Gato's remix of "Touffe yen yen" is a broken, electro-funk dubbed affair, while Jeff Sharel contributes deep, dark and techy reworks of both tracks stamped with his trademark sound. Also included is the bonus jazzed-up "Singing for money" (a cover of the Crystal Waters classic "Gypsy woman").
6pod9 "Aire" (Stilnovo Music Records CD Promo)
Behind 6pod9 is Manu Alonso who presents a deep tech flavored production built around a thumpin' groove that is topped with layers of wicked synth melodies that give the track a mesmeric spacial edge. Demarkus Lewis adds his signature deep, remorseless style to the track while staying true to the vibe of the original.
Fabio Tosti & Marshall Jefferson "Mind & soul" (Look-At-You Records CD Promo)
Fabio Tosti teams up with the legendary Marshall Jefferson for "Mind & soul", a relentlessly stormin' track featuring cool spoken words over jackin' beats and heavy basslines in the original version. The 'Under Club Mix' takes the track to stompin' grounds and adds wicked synth melodies, with the 'Under Dub Mix' getting deeper and adding sweet percussion elements. DJ Dealer contributes a sexy 'ChiTown Retouch' of the latter to the package.
The MuthaFunkaz featuring Sheila Ford & Biblical Jones "Galaxy" (Code Red Records CD Promo)
War's timeless 1977 Disco classic "Galaxy" gets a respectfully covered by The MuthaFunkaz who present an absolutely irresistible interpretation featuring outstanding vocal performances by Biblical Jones and the one and only Sheila Ford alongside lush keys and synth chords over a fierce groove. The 'Horney Space eXcursion' version replaces the vocals with fantastic horns, while Spellband rework the track into an electronic peak time affair.
Exclusive Preview: Fabio Bacchini "Unreleased Tracks" (CD-R)
Fabio Bacchini sent us six unreleased tracks he's done in the past two years, some of them scheduled to be released on a new Japanese label by the name of Across the Universe. These tracks consolidate his position as one of the top producers of the planet for exquisite jazz-funk soaked disco house grooves, with all of the tracks impressing with their uplifting, resistless vibe that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
James Bryan featuring Re'nee Wynter "Beautiful world" (2009 Mixes)(Barcoda Records CD Promo)
Originally put out by Inevitable Records back in 2007, James Bryan's "Beautiful world" which features a sultry vocal by Re'nee Wynter gets a welcome re-release through Barcoda Records. Central Avenue re-touch and tweak their 2007 version, with the result being an uplifting summery affair. Criminal Intentions toughen the vibe on their remix to give the track more of a big room appeal. Also included is the 'Monkey Dust Remix' from the original release.
JedSet "Rockin' with attitude" (SoulHeat Records CD Promo)
With "Rockin' with attitude", JedSet presents a powerful yet soulful, Latin drenched production with a Balearic touch that is full of uplifting vibes and melodies perfect for those warm summer nights ahead. Plenty of mixes to choose from by JedSet himself, Mike MD vs. Miq Puentes, U-Ness, Samson and Shane D that let you choose between different styles, giving you the choice to play this track peak time, late a night or early in the morning.