What a week with so much great music - read on for more (exclusive) reviews...
Exclusive Preview: Hippie Torrales "If you need" (Mauritzio Feeling Remix)(What is Hip Records CD-R)
Just a couple of weeks ago, American DJ and producer Hippie Torrales launched his brand new label What Is Hip with the musical gem "If you need a man" which became an instant favorite with lovers of soulful house. We are proud to introduce you to this exclusive remix by Mauritzio who gives the track a deeper feel using a raw infectious backdrop and killer keys to take Hippie Torrales' deeply felt vocal to the next level.
Exclusive Preview: Robert Owens "I'll be your friend" (CJ Giovanni Remix)(RCA Records CD-R)
Undoubtedly one of the biggest classics in house music history, "I'll be your friend" was written by the legendary trio of David Morales, Robert Owens and Satoshi Tomiie, produced by David Morales and performed by the one and only Robert Owens. This remix by CJ Giovanni beats the pants off the official 2011 remixes put out in April, staying true to the trademark DefMix sound while giving the track a fresh percussive outfit guaranteed to rock the floors.
Exclusive Preview: Prince Ea featuring Teresa Jenee "Different girl" (Spellband & Jacko Remix)(CD-R)
What a musical treat we have here... Spellband and Jacko team up to rework the incredible hip-hop production "Different girl" by Prince Ea which features stunning vocals by Teresa Jenee into a thrilling four-to-the-floor thumper that stays respectful to the original acoustic vibe from beginning to the end. Check the original version out here.
Exclusive Preview: CitySounds! "Perspective EP" (Grooveland Music CD Promo)
The "Perspective EP" is the debut release for CitySounds! (aka Brazilian duo Rodrigo Thomaz and Emannuel Rocha) including the two equally slammin' tracks "Walkin'" and "Whispers", both driven by raw gritty rhythms and laced with phat melodies - make no mistake, this is serious serious deep house music with a true underground edge. We are sure to hear much more of these talented producers in the near future (to give you a little heads up, they are currently working with Natasha Watts as well as some remixes for Grooveland Music).
Distant People featuring Rainy Payne "Connected" (Seasons Limited Records CD Promo)
Joey Silvero's utterly soulful "Connected" is a delightful production featuring inspirational spoken words by Rainy Payne alongside jazzy keys and lush chords over a deeply groovin' backing. Beside a lovely dub version, there is also the deepened 'Vision Mix' giving the track a moodier truly mesmerizing feel. The remixes are courtesy of Thomas De Lorenzo who somewhat roughens the vibe and Magic Soul who goes as deep as it gets.
Fabrizio Marra featuring Tracy Brathwaite "You're getting me started" (Sounds of the Booth Records CD Promo)
Sounds of the Booth have a beauty in their hands with "You're getting me started" by the team of producer/DJ Fabrizio Marra and singer Tracy Brathwaite, a funk soaked production built around Tracy Brathwaite's seductive vocals, melodious keys and a thrilling backdrop. Beside Fabrizio Marra's two equally fantastic versions, there are remixes by Deep Josh & Andy Ward who add a fierce twist to the track, Rob Hayes who delivers a classy funky dub and Logistix who take the track to deeper ground on their celestial rework.
Sean Grasty & Rikky Rivera featuring Dawn Tallman "That's hot" (Daddy Funk Records CD Promo)
With "That's hot" by Sean Grasty & Rikky Rivera, Daddy Funk Records present a powerful production featuring the unmistakable vocals by Dawn Tallman destined to take dance floors - especially the main rooms - by storm thanks to remorseless rhythms and strong vocals adding sex appeal to the track. The package includes the original version, a huge dub by Alias Rhythms, a dirty dub by Nimas, a Disco-infused underground-esque re-rub by House Device, a fiery workout by Seb Skalski and last but not least a deep'n'dirty mix by BBwhite.
Wipe the Needle featuring Gary Bardouille "Love is EP" (Soundmen on Wax Records CD Promo)
The duo of Mikael Nybom & Lee Gomez (better known as Wipe the Needle) present this wonderful release featuring singer Gary Bardouille who impresses with his silky smooth vocals on both the sublime soul-funk drenched "Love is" and the deeper fiercely thumpin' "Let the music play". Then there is "Life is good", a smooth percussive tribal-esque instrumental production featuring tasty guitars and wicked synth melodies.
Sharon Brown "Thinking of you" (Part One)(CyberJamz Records CD Promo)
Sharon Brown is best remembered for her timeless 1982 club hit "I specialize in love", now the legendary singer returns with "Thinking of you" through CyberJamz Records, with the first part of the release including a selection of seven versatile mixes mostly geared towards the main rooms. We would like to draw your attention to Jersey Maestro's delectable 'Icon Mix' which combines Sharon Brown's passionate vocals with lush melodies and an organic smoothly groovin' summery backdrop.
RedSoul & RaShaan Houston "Love is a miracle" (Francesco Cofano Remix)(Playmore Music CD Promo)
The RedSoul produced "Love is a miracle" was originally released in late March of last year, it became an instant dance floor smash thanks to the outstanding vocals by RaShaan Houston and a relentless Disco-Funk flavored backing (using a riff from Vincent Montana's classic "It looks like love"). Now Italy's Francesco Cofano turns out a masterly remix full of luscious melodies that is smooth and laiback yet infectious, taking RaShaan Houston's vocals to a whole new level.
FTL vs Krista "He'll always love me" (Henry Street Music CD Promo)
Let's turn the clock back to 2004 when Henry Street Music released the beautiful "Heaven's piano" by Jeremias Santiago under the name of The Eltingville Project. When Krista listened to the song recently, she fell in love with it, got inspired and wrote a melody and lyrics to it. The rest is history - the track was sent to Jeremias Santiago who loved the new version, so it just got released as FTL vs Krista under the new name of "He'll always love me".
Various "The Jam Files 01" (Peppermint Jam Records CD Promo)
We haven't heard from Peppermint Jam Records for quite a while, but now they are back with "The Jam Files 01", a two track sampler making you yearning for the 3xCD anniversary compilation "The Jam Files" (to be released in mid June 2011) and future installments in this series featuring brand-new remixes from the extensive Peppermint Jam catalogue. Here you get an incredibly soulful yet infectious old school flavored remix by Christian Pommer of the timeless "Never enough" taking Roisin Murphy's vocals to new heights, followed by Adultnapper's epic-erotic journey of Roachford's "Sex has gone".
DJ Ride & Deepsession "The Jazz" (Push On Music CD Promo)
"The jazz" by DJ Ride & Deepsession is an exciting jazz house production built around a stompin' backing and featuring amazing keys by Stefan Schoenthal and wicked sax by Tommy Inderbinen which give the track a lively organic feel you can't resist to dance to. Also included is a remix by Terry Lex who smoothes things down to give the track are more relaxed feel perfect for loungin'.