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- Written by: Mike Fossati
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Sandy Spady is back on Daddy Funk Records with "Door is open", and there isn't really much more to say about this slammin' release other than it will become an instant hit with DJ's and house music lovers likewise. Each of the mixes included by Benedetto & Farina, Carlos Vargas, Clown Dallas, Euan Mitchell, seaN4Sound and Tony Loreto & Mark Di Meo is a musical gem in its own right. Another quality release from Daddy Funk not to be missed. |
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Stephanie Cooke & Diephuis featuring Han Litz "Beautiful life" (KingStreet Records CD Promo)
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This sublime song premiered on KingStreet's "Miami 2011" sampler a few weeks back, now finally the full package of this future classic is here. Produced by Barend-Jan Beljaars (Diephuis/B-JAZZ), "Beautiful life" features the unmistakable vocals by Stephanie Cooke alongside a masterly orchestration including adorable flute by Han Litz, acoustic guitar by Hans Klein, rhodes by Berthil Busstraa, bass guitar by Alex Oele and percussion by Jethro D'Ankotta. The remixes are courtesy of Jose Carretas and Manoo both injecting their signature sound, keeping the vibe soulful yet infectious from beginning to the end. Essential. |
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Exclusive Preview: ZuluMafia featuring Kwazi "Whatever you" (Candi Bean Records CD Promo)
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Here we've got the first of two brand new promos from Candi Bean Records, a label based in South Africa's Deep House Capital Soweto (Johannesburg). "Whatever you" is produced by ZuluMafia and features sensitive vocals performed by Kwazi alongside fabulous melodies over a deep laidback percussive groove. The remixes are courtesy of Mr. Cooper, DJ Ouder, Ohk Ost, DJ Zero and Mxdope all adding their unique touch to the track, keeping the vibe deep and soulful. |
Exclusive Preview: ZuluMafia featuring Mbulelo "Habits" (Candi Bean Records CD Promo)
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The second brand new promo from South Africa's Candi Bean Records is also courtesy of ZuluMafia, this time featuring admirable vocal chants courtesy of Mbulelo, delicious keys and wonderful jazzy saxophone by Linda over a smooth percussive backing. DJ Syd Nasty, DJ Ouder, Ohk Ost, Mxdpope and Candi Bean contribute the remixes, all of them being truly deep and soulful yet diversified. |
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Picks of the Week
The Rurals featuring Lady Bird "Now and then" (Peng Records CD Promo)
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"Now and then" is a premium slice of house music, featuring all the elements which make up the beloved Rurals sound - deep and organic yet funky and jazzy, supplemented by deeply felt vocals by Lady Bird and and a masterly live instrumentation. Some of the most regarded remixers in the deep house scene - Andy Compton himself, Bittersuite, Magic Soul and Trancemicsoul - contribute a variety of wonderful alternate versions, making this an essential release not to be missed. |
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What a combination we have here as Vick Lavender and the DJN Project (Rick Galactik and Ruben 'Swift' Vidal) come together for "Be yourself", a fabulous production featuring heartfelt vocals from Rick Galactik that lets you choose between two equally distinguished sets of mixes. First we have Vick Lavender and his V.L.E. crew who grace us with the next chapter in vintage soulful house music - the orchestration speaks for itself. Second we have the DJN Project with their laidback yet deep interpretation, a glamorous affair oozing with a timeless jazz-funky vibe - this is pure magic. In other words: sheer musical bliss. |
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In November of last year, Koyla dropped the wonderful "Angels calling" on Bombay, now he returns with another fantastic production. Featuring the soulful vocals of Zaki Ibrahim, "Wake with the day" is a masterly jazz-funk/neo soul infused production - timeless and essential. But lets not forget the remixes: Thomas Osaze & Nav 'Awaaz' Bhinder keep the vibe of the original alive on their laidback housed-up interpretation, while Boddhi Satva adds his signature deep afri-soul touch. Last but not least, Jaycee and Jere McAllister (J & J Soultempo) contribute a delicious broken beat flavored version. |
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Picks of the Week
DJ Man-X featuring Sara Devine "All I need is you" (Deep Haven Music CD Promo)
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Deep Haven Music, one of our favorite labels, returns with "All I need is you", a soulful gem courtesy of label honcho DJ Man-X and songstress Sara Devine. The song features deeply felt vocals by Sara Devine, delightful keys by Selan Lerner, lovely guitar by Mike Ciro and bass by Gene Perez - together they have created an amazing piece of soulful house music. For the purists there are both instrumental and dub versions that put the instrumentation center stage. Essential, miss at your own risk. |
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Finely crafted over two years, Alton Miller's "Light years away" is a musical gift taking you on a fresh innovative path seldom found, letting you explore the many facets of deep house music. This album is all about inspiration, emotion and feeling, featuring an illustrious list of guests such as Lotus, Amp Fiddler, Angel-A, Stephane Vera & Angelique (featured on the marvelous cover of the timeless Herbie Hancock classic "Stars in your eyes") and Abacus. This is genuine deep house from one of its true leaders and innovators - essential. |
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In early 2007, afrobeat DJ/producer Jephte Guillaume (of Tet Kale Orchestra) teamed up with AK (former member of Abstract Truth) for the delicious "Shining your way", a mellow production that is beautifully instrumented and arranged, with AK providing a sweet yet sexy vocal performance. Now this marvelous song returns in fantastic remixes by DJ Spen who injects his signature pumpin' yet soulful sound, with the result being an absolutely irresistible peak time favorite available in a tasty collection of mixes. The package will also include the Danny Krivit of the original and the Blaze & Jihad Muhammad remix released in late 2007. One not to be missed. |
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Behind "Believing" are UPZ (aka Avi Elman) and rising star Kafele who impresses with a sensitive vocal on this sublime production built around a smooth groove and warm melodies. Black Sauce (Julian Bendall, Peter Oakden & Ricky Reid) serve a celestial music interpretation, followed by two magnificent deep house versions by Qness and Hennings Project & Rony Breaker. Last but not least, there is Kafele's jazzy rendition giving the track a more laidback touch. A musical gem. |
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Picks of the Week
Jonny Montana featuring Pete Simpson "Maybe we could be free" (Stalwart Records CD Promo)
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There ain't no stoppin' for up and rising Jonny Montana as the masterly "Maybe we could be free" proves. The song features the one and only Pete Simpson on vocals who impresses with a deeply felt performance on this utterly soulful production featuring exquisite jazzy keys and saxophone over a laidback loungey backing in the original version. The 'House Mix' is a smooth yet thrilling 4/4 interpretation of the song, taken to the next level by Vick Lavender who contributes a deeper wonderfully orchestrated version. But it doesn't end here as the Dolls Combers turn out a real jewel with their delightful remix that turns the heat up while never letting down the soul and emotion of the original. |
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In November 2009, we were celebrating the release of "The M&M Mixes" and as part of the introduction of the review we wrote "this album lets you experience what dance music was all about in the 80's, it brings back memories from what probably was the heyday for dance music". Now the history lesson continues with part two, another double-CD set featuring some of John Morales' finest works. The first CD is full of boogie classics, while the second CD features previously unreleased mixes of gems from the legendary Salsoul catalogue. This truly is the legacy of the M&M mixes. And if you ever wondered where BBE Records got their name from - they took from his epic remix of "Barely breaking even" by the Universal Robot Band. Sure to be one of this years highlights. |