Picks of the Week

Exclusive Preview: Various "VIP Sampler" (DeeCeeEss Records CD Promo)

Christmas came early this year, to be exact past Friday when this VIP promo package landed in my inbox. Lots of exclusive DeepCitySoul music to be discovered here, including the deep remorseless "2 day" featuring captivating female spoken words and lush keys, the intriguing Fanatix remix of "Groove school" giving the track a deep moody edge, "Love for now" by Nicc Johnson which features outstanding vocals by LT Brown and comes in a supa soulful jazz-funk drenched version by DeepCitySoul and an organic jazzy rework by Jonny Montana & Craig Stewart, the reckless underground-ish track "Mirror" and finally "Let the music", a feel good production featuring uplifting vocals and classy keys over a smooth funk drenched backing.

More Reviews

Exclusive Preview: Mustafa featuring Tasita D'Mour "Can't give up" (Staff Productions CD Promo)

What a way for Mustafa to end a highly successful year... "Can't give up" sees him on top of his game, presenting a wonderfully crafted production featuring the incomparable Tasita D'Mour on vocals. The slick "Can't give up" oozes with an exquisite jazz-funky feel created by wicked keys, discofied strings and a funky as hell bassline, not to forget to mention the deeply felt vocals. The Soulfreakers give the track a summery touch on their remix, while Steven Stone delivers a fiercely stormin peak time favorite loaded with phat chords. Staffan Thorsell & Marcel Waldburger contribute a synth heavy take, followed by Frisco who takes us back to the 80's with his electro-synth styled remix. Lastly, Sunlightsquare bless us with a piano-pella version that is nothing else than thrilling.

Exclusive Preview: DeepCitySoul presents "Loft Classics Vol 1 - Vibin'" (DCS Trax Records CD Promo)

With "Vibin'", DeepCitySoul drop an uber cool musical gem on an old school tip that is set to take dance floors by storm thanks to the irresistible feel that is created by a ruthlessly stormin' backing, jazzy keys, celestial chords and uplifting female vocals. The mixes in the package nicely vary the theme, giving you plenty of options to set the dance floor on fire all night long.

Exclusive Preview: Inaya Day "My cry" (Alex Dimitri South Soul Remix)(Slaag Records CD-R)

We are proud to give you an exclusive preview on this project to be released in its full glory in early 2010 by Slaag Records. "My cry" is written by Dewey Cioffi and features powerful gospel vocals by the one and only Inaya Day, and its available to us in the Alex Dimitri remixes. His relentlessly stompin' 'South Soul Vocal Remix' is full of energy yet soulful, combining Inaya Day's unmistakable vocals with wicked synths and chords. The 'SouleKtro Dub' strips back the vocals, adds a jazzy sax and gives the track a deeper feel, while the rather minimal 'SoulStrumental' puts the sax center stage.

Exclusive Preview: Vick Lavender "St. Tropez" (Quark Records CD Promo)

What can we say that has not yet been said about Vick Lavender, his talent and passion for music... "St. Tropez" is Vick Lavender at his best, impressing us once again with his production and arrangement skills, love for lively orchestration and glorious melodies. "St. Tropez" is all this and much more, its a timeless piece of musical bliss.

Vick Lavender presents "Chicago Fusion Vol. 5" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)

The "Chicago Fusion" series goes into its fifth round, showcasing Vick Lavender's more artistic point of view. As he says, "it has always been about just having fun with the music..." And judging by the quality and diversity of the releases in this series, fun is what everyone involved truly must have had. The uplifting jazz fusion filled "Musica" features spoken words by Raquel Irizarry alongside swinging percussion and delicious keys by Mike Logan. Next is the unreleased 'V.L.E Diasporas Den Chicago Fusion Mix' of Dejay Cease's "San Luiz", a marvelous mid tempo jewel oozing with a live jam session feel seldom heard.

Greg Dorban & Andy Bunney feat Chappell "All around" (Part 2)(ReelGroove Records CD Promo)

The massive "All around" by Greg Dorban and Andy Bunney became a club anthem shortly after being served to the DJ's, now these brand new remixes are guaranteed to continue the success story of the track. Pete Gust goes deep and hypnotic on his take, never letting down the soulful essence, while the Jazzloungers deliver an uplifting yet groovy rework with a jazzy touch. Filin Brake takes the track to main room with his deep remix, while Greg Dorban goes straight for peak time heaven, using phat keys and synths alongside a thumpin' backing to create a contagious feel.

Roberto De Carlo featuring Colin Corvez "Electric soul power" (Purple Music Records CD Promo)

After blessing the world with a magnificent cover of the timeless D'Train anthem "You are the one for me", Roberto De Carlo returns "Electric soul power" where he teams up with singer Colin Corvez. With "Electric soul power", Roberto De Carlo presents another not to be missed 80's soul/disco/funk drenched production fueled with outstanding vocals and exquisite keys over a contaminous backdrop. Simon Grey reworks the track into a laidback funk oozing affair spiced with spacey keys, while Dario D'Attis serves relentlessly grovin' mixes perfect for peak time play.

Jay-J featuring Charlene Moore "Love alive" (Part 2)(Shifted Music Records CD Promo)

Here we have a fresh set mixes of "Love alive", a collaboration between Jay-J and gospel diva Charlene Moore who delivers heartfelt vocals on this uplifting production. Soulmagic's interpretation is a feel good affair featuring grand piano and classy chords over a stompin' funked-up groove, while Christian Alvarez takes the track straight to the main floors with contagious synth melodies and a fierce groove. Lastly, Genelec presents a groovy version that is soulful yet powerful enough for prime time action.

Qness featuring Malehloka "Uzongilinda" (soWHAT Records CD Promo)

soWHAT present the soulful beauty "Uzongilinda" by South Africa's Qness features sultry vocals by Malehloka in the Zulu language over a subtle, laidback groove. Lots of quality remixes to choose from, with UPZ (Avi Elman) reworking the track into a melodious affair, Abicah Soul relaxing the vibe for a truly soulful mellow journey, Rancido going deep while keeping the feel sublime, Euan Mitchell giving the track a groovy organic touch, both Sbonza and Mindlo serving deep atmospheric takes that are hypnotic and finally the Infinite Boys round the package of with a great alternate deep version.

Dario D'Attis featuring Lisa Millett "Dollars" (Purple Music Records CD Promo)

The original demo version of "Dollars" was handed out to a lucky few at the WMC back in March 2008, now gladly this laidback feel good production by Dario D'Attis featuring powerful yet soulful vocals by the legendary Lisa Millett over a smoothly stormin', funk soaked backing groove that is enriched with classic strings and warm melodic keys, gets a proper release. The dub is the choice for peak time play thanks to wicked synths over kickin' beats. The remixes are courtesy of Ray Paxon and Pad Beryll who both keep the feel soulful while adding their own touch to it.

Stephen Rigmaiden "Plant the Seeds EP" (Seeds Records CD Promo)

The "Plant the Seeds EP" by Stephen Rigmaiden features three smokin' deep house tracks that are soulful yet remorseless, all of them creating a mesmerizing feel through the deeper than deep grooves, delicious keys and chords and soulful vocals. As the label pointed out in their promo mail out: "For the lovers of the deep, this one if for you".

DJ Fudge "Recovered EP" (Tejal Records CD Promo)

Its a good thing that DJ Fudge found these forgotten gems he had produced between 1997 and 2000 on his hard drive and makes them available to the public. The four tracks take you on a journey back in time, bringing you soulful old skool grooves guaranteed to have you reminisce how it all started (if you did not have the pleasure to witness these historic days, let yourself be educated with this release)...

Kem "Without you" (Stephen Rigmaiden Remix)(CD-R)

"Without you" by Kem is one of those timeless r&b/soul songs you can listen to all day long, and there is already a great selection of house interpretations of it. Now we  have these marvelous soulful versions by Stephen Rigmaiden who stays respectful to the original while using a smooth percussion enriched backdrop and luscious keys to create a captivating feel. You can get these mixes here.

Amaro "Liva theme" (Son Liva Records CD Promo)

Anto Vitale and Jose Carretas, two of the currently most in demand producers and remixers, team up for "Liva theme", an essential instrumental production loaded with incredible keys, hypnotic basslines and enticing drums and percussion which altogether create an absolutely ruthless feel you can't resist to dance to. Both contribute their own interpretation of the track to the package.