Picks of the Week
Jihad Muhammad "No way back" (Chi Town Mix)(Iwanai Music Records CD Promo)
Jihad Muhammad is reviving the twenty year old classic from Adonis with this wonderful interpretation that gives a whole new dimension to the track. While the 1986 original is all about early Chicago House, this new interpretation is on a laidback jazzy tip featuring incredible xylophone and organ solos alongside melodic keys that are layered over a smoothly thumpin' groove reminiscent of the timeless original. This is a fantastic update of the Adonis classic that is spreading an uplifting and relaxing feeling through the wonderful instrumentation.
Mr. A.L.I.'s J.A.M. Sessions "Simple" (Philosophie Music Records CD Promo)
Jere McAllister of Mr. A.L.I. and Carla Prather collaborate for "Simple", a soulful and sweet house production that is based on a percussion enriched, smoothly stompin' groove and deep bassline that get topped with sexy vocals from Carla Prather and warm melodic keys, spreading a laidback vibe. Jere McAllister and DJ Jaycee team up for the remixes that come on a deeper vibe, featuring marvellous keys that together with the vocals give the song a harmonic and uplifting feeling.
More Reviews
Exclusive Review: Quentin Harris "Let's be young" (ToT Mix)(CD-R)
Quentin Harris' anthemic and epic instrumental masterpiece "Let's be young" from last year has been remixed many times already, taking the track to different levels. The latest offering comes from ToT aka 'The Other Timmy' who turns the track into a deeply stormin' groover that is build around the irresistible strings, featuring sweet percussion, a jazzy piano and moody drums.
Exclusive Review: Mago Dago "Kaz" (CD-R)
Mago Dago are coming from Poland and consist of DJ Pro (Maciek Prorok) and Daniel 'Banan' Polkowski. Together they produced a couple of demo tracks that include "Kaz", a deeply stompin' track on an ambient-ish tip that features both laminar and spacey keys. The track is spreading a laidback vibe perfect for late nite and after hours play.
Kim English "Nightlife encore" (Kenny Dope Remix)(DopeWax Records CD Promo)
This Ten City production was originally released in 1994 on Nervous Records and featured Masters at Work mixes that made it a huge club hit. Kenny 'Dope' Gonzales, one half of the Masters at Work, is responsible for these brand new mixes coming on a soulful tip, having a retro touch to them thanks to lovely strings and classic keys.
Liquid Dope featuring Chronkite "I want you "(DopeWax Records 12")
Behind this cover version of the Marvin Gaye classic is Kenny 'Dope' Gonzales who keeps a lovely and fine balance between a driving disco instrumentation, bumpin four-to-the-flooor beats and rough synth chords. The main vocal version kicks off nicely with a long intro, while the dub is more energetic with a slight electronic feel.
Wil Milton introducing Rodney Carter "Run to me" (Vega Records 12")
Wil Milton teams up with vocalist Rodney Carter for "Run to me", a soulful late night house track based on groovy beats and a warm bassline that are topped with a smooth vocal performance by Rodney Carter, sweet percussion and melodic keys give the production a laidback feeling.
Demarkus Lewis featuring Lady Sah "Untitled love affair" (ShackMusic Records 12")
"Untitled love affair" features sultry spoken vocals courtesy of texan jazz artist Lady Sah who provides an poetic flow on this production. The original version by Demarkus Lewis is a sublime downtempo groover on a mellow and laidback tip. Mr. V delivers the housed up versions, with the vocal version being a bumpin' affair featuring a warm bassline and harmonic keys, while the dub features Mr. V's trademark underground grimy sound.
Jon Cutler featuring Pete Simpson "Living" (Distant Music Records CD Promo)
Jon Cutler returns on his own Distant Music label after being very successful with productions and remixes for other labels. "Living" is a soulful production featuring a magnificant vocal performance by Pete Simpson over a thumpin' backing track that has a nice old school flavor to it, featuring wicked keys that craete an uplifting vibe.
Glenn Underground featuring Leroy Burgess "Let me know your feelin' me" (Bootleg 12")
Chicago house maestro Glenn Underground teams up with the black music legend Leroy Burgess for "Let me knwo your feelin' me", a smooth and soulful house production that has a jazz-funky edge to it featuring marvellous keys and a wicked guitar solo alongside the passionate vocals by Leroy Burgess, everything perfectly arranged on top of a laidback groove.
Chuck Love "Spread the love" (Remixes)(Salted Music Records CD Promo)
"Spread the love" was the originally released on the "Frozen in Minneapolis EP" last year and now gets a long awaited full 12" release with fresh mixes. Miguel Migs goes for a chunky take featuring rocking guitars and a rumbling bassline that serve as playground for the vocals and saxophone, creating a west coast styled vibe. Jamie Lewis goes for a funky take that features a catchy rhodes riff and a rolling bassline that together with the vocals and saxophone create an uplifting feeling.
A Hundred Birds "Black water" / "Come together" (Wave Records 12")
The Japanese house orchestra takes on Octave One's "Black water" and gives the song a jazzy edge on their take that features a lush live instrumentation and gorgeous vocal harmonies. The dub version adds some great piano lines and extra percussion to it. The bonus track "Come together" is a splendid deep house cut featuring a funked-up bassline alongside orchestral keys and catchy vocals that create a feel-good vibe whenever played.
Classic Reviews
Adonis "No way back" (Trax Records 12", 1986)
"No way back" is one of those early Chicago House classics that defined house music. As simple as it is, its full of genius.