Picks of the Week
Vick Lavender featuring Michele Thomas "Ella" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
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Another week, another outstanding not to be missed release from Vick Lavender and his Sophisticado family... They pay tribute to one of the great pioneers of Jazz, Miss Ella Fitzgerald, with "Ella", a production that oozes with marvelous jazzy keys courtesy of Mike Logan, vocal scats performed by Michele Thomas and beautiful trombone courtesy of Craig Sunkin, all perfectly arranged over a smoothly stormin' backing. Two equally fantastic versions to choose from, with the 'Chicago Fusion Mix' being all about the keys, while the 'V.L.E Mix Big Easy Re-Edit' puts the trombone center stage. |
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Exclusive Preview: Various "Original Drum Summer '09 Edits & Re-Splits Part 1" (CD-R)
After blessing us with his "WMC 09 - Edits & Re-Splits" sampler a couple of month back, its now time for Neter S summer sampler featuring seven brand new re-edits and re-splits (and this is just part one, so more is on the way). Its hard picking a favorite out of the seven tracks included - "Did you ever" by Terisa Griffen, "Take me away" by Siji, "You should be mine" by Lamone, "The look of love" by InLove, "Song for you" by Caron Wheeler, "Be still" by Herbie Hancock, "Fantasy" by AtJazz - as they are all wonderfully crafted, staying respectful to the original while taking them straight to the soulful dance floors.
And in case that sampler is not enough, there is more: a broken beat styled rework of "It kills me" by Melanie Fiona, a smoothly stompin' interpretation of "Lover's lane" by Teena Marie & Howard Hewitt, a percussively stormin' take of "Pretty wings" by Maxwell and a couple of tribute remixes of classic Michael Jackson tunes. This man surely is on fire...
Exclusive Preview: Total "Trippin'" (Dave Kennedy Dirty Boot Rub)(CD-R)
Exclusive Preview: Gordon Chambers featuring Ledisi "To love again" (R.O. Dirty Boot Rub)/(CD-R)
We are pleased to present you two exclusive 'Dirty Boot Rubs' by Dave Kennedy. First he transforms the 1998 r&b/hip-hop classic "Trippin'" from Total into a heavily bouncin' yet soulful affair that keeps the vibe of the original alive. Next he takes on Gordon Chamber's "To love again" (which features a guest appearance by Ledisi), turning out a deeply thumpin' yet laidback version that lets the original instrumentation shine.
Exclusive Preview: Frankie Knuckles presents Satoshi Tomiie "Tears" (JoJo Flores Therapy Revisit)(CD-R)
There are those timeless house classics you just can't get enough... Frankie Knuckles and Satoshi Tomiie's "Tears" is certainly one of these, and with the incomparable Roberts Owens on vocals, it was clear from its release back in 1989 this one will stay forever. JoJo Flores sent us his 'Therapy Revisit' over which stays true to the original while offering a fresh yet captivating take on the track.
Beppe Gioia featuring by Michael Watford "Understand me" (Unified Records CD Promo)
The Ivan Iacobucci and Danny Vitale written and produced "Understand me" was originally released back in 1999 on Hole Records and features the unmistakable voice of the one and only Michael Watford. Thanks to Beppe Gioia this classic now gets a second life. His 'Soul Mix' is a deep and soulful, featuring sweet percussion alongside warm synth melodies and jazzy keys. The 'Afro Mix' adds lovely guitars and gives the track a sweet afro twist, while the 'Deep Mix' is on a more underground tip. Dub and instrumental versions complete the package.
Frooty Collective featuring Alec Sun Drae "Gotta feel" (Del Records CD Promo)
With "Gotta feel" by the Frooty Collective, you get a peak hour gem for your CD wallet that is guaranteed to jam pack the dance floor. "Gotta feel" comes your way as remorseless stomper spiced with funky flavas and featuring a passionate vocal by Alec Sun Drae alongside jazzy keys and lush chords. The 'Frooty Collective Remix' adds a catchy piano and further intensifies the vibe and gives the track a more uplifting feel. On the 'Del Rework', Gregory Del Piero relaxes the vibe and uses wicked synths alongside jazzy keys, with his second remix being even more laidback and spreading a cool vibe through the warm melodies.
DJ Meme featuring Gavin Bradley "Chanson du soleil" (2009 Remixes Part 1)(Playmore Records CD Promo)
Originally released in December of last year, DJ Meme's feel good anthem "Chanson du soleil" featuring an uplifting vocal by Gavin Bradley returns right in time for summer. DJ Meme himself contributes the 'Saxo Remix', a magnificent rework that adds a jazzy sax by Bruno Soares and kicks off with a beautiful two minute plus beatless intro. Shane D fires things up for main room action, while the Groove Invaderz serve a pumpin' peak time take. Lastly Seb Skanska takes the track to laidback grounds with his remix.
Deepswing "Let me sing (joyful)" (Generate Music Records CD Promo)
Deepswing's "Let me sing (joyful)" is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face thanks to the infectiously stormin' funktastic groove, sweet guitar, uplifting vocals by Theresa King and jazzy sax by Tommy Labella. Eric Wikman's The 'Let Me Swing Mix' features phat keys and chords over a fierce pumped-up backdrop, while Andrew Deloza gives his deep yet raw, dirty funk flavored remix a mesmeric old school touch.
Timmy Vegas & Tim Phinn featuring Abigal Bailey "Ready 4 love" (Universe Media Records CD Promo)
Timmy Vegas and Tim Phinn team up with vocalist Abigal Bailey to present "Ready 4 love", a production sure to become a big room anthem for the coming months thanks to the relentless original version and the fierce Soul Survivors remix. But for us, its all about the DeepCitySoul remix that takes the track to soulful deep house territory, using a smoothly thumpin' groove as playground for luscious keys, freaky synths and Abigal Bailey's heartfelt vocals.
DJ Dealer featuring Lisa Millett "You're all I need" (Look At You Records CD Promo)
DJ Dealer's "You're all I need" is a wicked track featuring an inspirational vocal by Lisa Millett, originally released back in July of last year. The track has been a favorite with many DJ's since then, and this remix package filled with brand new versions by DJ Le Roi, IOSupastar, Word of Mouth, Gene Farris & Andrew Emil, Ron Carroll and Ruben Mancias should ensure continued success on both the deeper floors as well as the main rooms.
John Oudo featuring Adeola Ranson "Loving you" (Bigspin Music Records CD Promo)
After scoring big with "It's alright" a couple of month back, John Oudo presents the second single taken from his forthcoming album to be released in 2010. "Loving you" features sensitive vocals courtesy of Adeola Ranson over a smooth yet fierce backdrop enriched with melodic keys and sweet chords on the 'Peaktime' mixes, while the' Deep Rhythm' mixes flip things around for a deep percussive journey.
Edmund featuring Karina "All these things" (La Musique Fantastique Records CD Promo)
The funked-up and groovy, old school tinged "All these things" by Edmund features soulful vocals by Karina and a wonderful jazzy sax by Ruben Moran and comes complete with classy remixes by the likes of Gilbert Le Funk, Soul Cola, Park Street, Gilbert Le Funk & DJ Bee and Juan Di Lago who all keep the vibe of the original alive while adding their own touch to the song. Last but not least there is our favorite mix by Nassau (aka Thomas Deschamps and Didier Limonet) built around an infectious funk soaked groove that leads the way for classic strings and phat jazzy keys.
Muted Soul featuring Jess King "Cause I'm a woman" (Mike Dominico's Ultimate Mixes)(Muted Trax Records CD Promo)
Mike Dominico takes the massive" Cause I'm a woman" to the next level on his 'Ultimate Mixes', spicing up the delightful Disco flavored 'SCMD Mixes' (think of the D-Train classic "Music" to get the idea) with tougher beats, polished filters and reworked vocal riffs. A great addition to the original set of mixes.
Marshall Jefferson & Serge Imhof "69%" (Remixes Part 1)(2Delicious Records CD Promo)
2Delicious Records present part one of their remix package of "69%" by Marshall Jefferson and Serge Imhof, originally released back in 2002. The choice pick on this part is the Mr. Moon remix, a classy funked-up feel good affair combining the cool spoken vocals with a lovely flute and lush chords. Costa Martinez deepens the vibe and adds techified synths, while Markus Lerch goes big room and Fobee goes electro.