Picks of the Week
Roy Ayers and Fela Kuti "2000 blacks got to be free" (Louie Vega Eol Mix)(from "Africa plays on..." on WEA Records CD)
The jazz-funk gem "2000 blacks got to be free" is a collaboration between Fela Kuti and amercian vibraphonist Roy Ayers who wrote and sings on this vision of a black-unity future that's the closest Africa 70 ever came to making a disco record. The track was originally released in 1980 on the "Music of many colors" album and got reworked here by Louie Vega in a respectful way that keeps the vibe and spirit of the original alive. You can find this updated version on the "Africa plays on..." compilation CD.
More Reviews
Exclusive Review: Rasmir "Serpents in the sky" / "Blow it" (CD-R)
Rasmir is surprising us again with his latest two productions that offer refreshing and different house sounds. "Serpents in the sky" creates an irresistible vibe with itspercussion enhanced groove, with a funktified and deep as hell bassline taking centerstage, while the keys add a unique touch to it. "Blow it" is a heavily thumpin' track with a slight yet undeniable broken beat flavor in the beats that is spreading a resistless feeling with the added funky ingredients. Digital Downloads of available at Soulful Downloads.
Liquid People "Son of dragon" (Soul Heaven Records 12")
With "Son of a dragon", Liquid People present a cool and deep instrumental house track that incorporates melodic layers of keys and infectious strings over sharp keys. The 'Afromento Remix' is twisting the track into a smooth percussion enriched afro thumper with jazzy horns while Karizma on his 'K2 Remix' takes it to a moodier, deeply rumblin' territory.
Reel People featuring Angela Johnson "You used to hold me so tight" (Defected Records 12")
Thelma Houston's 1984 club smash "You used to hold me so tight" (written by the incomparable Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis) gets covered by Reel People beautifully, featuring the silky and soul drenched vocals of Angela Johnson. The original club mix has a distinct 80's boogie feeling to it, while Phil Asher delivers a stripped down house remix based around a bumpin' groove.
Copyright featuring Shovell "One drum" (Copyright Records 12")
Copyright featuring Tasita D'mour "We can rise" (Defected Records 12")
Copyright are rockin' the dancefloors at the moment with their recent 12" releases. "One drum" features Shovell and is an irresistible tribal track with afro chants on top that will drive the crowd crazy. "We can rise" features Tasita D'mour providing a passionate vocal that is backed with wicked afro chants and an resistless tribalish groove. Digital Downloads of "We can rise" available at Dancetracks Digital.
Sergio Mendes featuring the Black Eyed Peas "Mas que nada" (Concord Records 12")
Sergio Mendes' biggest hit gets a revival with the Black Eyed Peas appearing as guests. Masters at Work are on remix duty, delivering an uplifting interpretation that keeps the flavors and vibe of the original alilve while tranforming it onto the dancefloor with its heavily rumblin', broken beat flavored smoothed-out tribal groove.
Dj Gregory "S2" (Tiger Stripes Remix)(Faya Combo Records 12")
The Tiger Stripes remix of "S2" has been released earlier this year, but this slice of summery house with its balearic influences is perfect for keeping summer alive even though autumn is spreading its wings. This beautiful remix kicks of with just a few elements and adds the bass and various layers of synth lines throughout the track to create a melodic composition.
Conga Squad "Ka nzenze" (Holographics Records CD Promo)
The latest production by Conga Squad is titled "Ka nzenze" and features african vocals by Alexia over a percussion driven groove that is enriched with a funky bass, catchy organs and summery strings that altogether create an uplifting feeling. The 'Afro Mixes' fire things up, using darker keys and a tribal beat to give it a slightly tougher feeling.