- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Next up in the prestigious "4 to the Floor" series is Sub-Urban Records, a New York based underground label that undeniably was one of the most seminal and consistent house music labels in garage and vocal house music history. 4 to the Floor Records pay tribute to this legendary label with this compilation loaded with an awe-inspiring selection of the labels most unforgettable gems from the likes of Key to Life, Lee Genesis, Platinum Doll, Jazz-N-Groove, Deep Zone, B.O.P., Next Phase and Mike Dunn (to name just a few), all of which stood the test of time. Most definitely, listening to these gems from yesteryear is a truly blissful trip down memory lane...
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Beyond doubt, Soulfuric Recordings are one of the most renowned and influential labels in soulful house music history, having released some of the genres biggest and memorable classics and anthems since being launched in 1996 by Brian Tappert and Marc Pomeroy (aka Jazz-N-Groove). Not to forget to mention the sub-labels Soulfuric Deep and Soulfuric Trax which focused on the deeper and trackier side of things. Defected Records have acquired the entire catalogue of the Soulfuric family earlier this year which will be released in early May fully re-mastered digitally, with a "4 to the Floor presents Soulfuric" compilation, remixes of old classics and new signings following later this year. This sampler loaded with eight selected tracks from the one-of-a-kind Soulfuric catalogue is only a glimpse of what is to come... Welcome back Soulfuric Recordings.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Next up on Face the Bass Records is the scintillating "Spiritual bliss" by Teji and larger-than-life Boyd Jarvis. Together they truly bless us with a jaw-dropping instrumental production having timeless written all over that is all about the resistless lively musical backing, grand jazzed-up keys and a fantastic organ ride. The paramount remixes are the icing on the cake, with both Anthony K and Shino Blackk adding their distinctive touch, keeping the vibe soulful yet intriguing, making it next to impossible to pick a favorite version...
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
We hope you enjoy this weeks update as much as we do...
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Defected Records present the latest installment in the critically acclaimed "House Masters" series, looking at the illustrious career and awe-inspiring musical heritage of Brian Tappert and Marc Pomeroy who are best known as Jazz-N-Groove but also recorded individually and collaboratively under aliases such as Urban Blues Project, Soulsearcher (whose "Can't get enough" was the first ever single release on Defected Records) and Cleptomaniacs (together with longtime friend John Julius Knight). Their seminal productions and remixes were released on famous labels such as Bassline, Suburban, Strictly Rhythm and AM:PM, as well as their own label family Soulfuric, many of which can be found on this compilation: the bonafide house music anthems "Deliver me" by Urban Blues Project present Michael Proctor, "Can't get enough" by Soulsearcher, "We can make it" by Mone (created together with regular collaborator Roy Grant), as well as many of their highly esteemed remixes for Loleatta Holloway, Donna Allen, Louie Vega, Michelle Weeks, Frankie Knuckles and Shakedown.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Legendary New Generation Records truly hit the mark with the fully loaded 2017 edition of their highly acclaimed "WMC Miami Sampler" series which features a stunning mixture of four-to-the-floor re-imaginations r&b/soul favorites (think Solange "Don't ouch my hair", Chaka Khan "Any love", Bee Gees "Love you inside out", Raheem DeVaughn "You" and Johnny Gill featuring Usher "The mood"), remixes of favorite releases on the label (such as the paramount Kev Dot Kruz interpretation of "Butterfly" by Vangela Crowe), and brand new vocal and instrumental productions guaranteed to send the dancers into a frenzy. With artists such as Shino Blackk, Vangela Crowe, Sheba Jordan, Ricci Melillo, DJ Punch, Steve Oh Traxxx, Mike Labirt & Reality Theory, Pako Di Rocco and Corey Holmes featured, this is a release not to be missed...
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Ever since the very first release back in 1998, Ananda Project aka Atlanta based DJ/producer Chris Brann have blessed us with timeless soulful jewels, without doubt their awe-inspiring back catalogue includes some of the most iconic house music classics in history. The cherry on top are the superb truly varied remixes included in many of their unforgettable releases, not less than twenty-two thereof by Morten Trust, Doug Gomez, Cee ElAssaad, King Britt, Frankie Feliciano, Demarkus Lewis, Blaze, Kiko Navarro, Sean McCabe, Antonello Ferrari & Aldo Bergamasco and Rasmus Faber (to name just a few) are featured on this stunning "Remix Collection". Highly recommended.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
This weeks packed update comes complete with bonus reviews - enjoy !!
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
The "4 to the Floor" series continues to delve into the history of house music, looking at some of the must influential labels in house music history. The latest offering in the series is looking at legendary New York based Fourth Floor Records (rebranded in 1997 as 4th Floor Records), with the featured tracks selected and compiled by Luke Solomon. The label's impressive catalogue features very early releases from Todd Terry using the aliases Black Riot and Masters at Work (a name he later passed on to Louie Vega and Kenny Dope) like "A day in the life", "Alright alright" and "Dum dum cry", seminal classics such as "The morning after" by Fallout and "Take some time out" by Arnold Jarvis, as well as many forgotten gems from the likes of Bamboo, Royal Orchestra, M.O.D.E. or Love Root, all of which are included in this release.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Legendary label Seasons Limited (Seasons Recordings) yet again truly bless us with an expertly crafted timeless soulful gem, for the time being exclusively available on 12" vinyl. Renowned Steal Vybe (Chris Forman & Damon Bennett) join forces with songstress Alix Simmons on "Yesterday (I'll never change)", a verily soulful yet enthralling production featuring the inimitable sultry vocals of Alex Simmons alongside lush keys, heavenly chords and an infectious lively backdrop. The 'So Seductive Mix' enriched with sublime jazzy keys oozes with an enchanting laidback truly melodious feel, not to forget to mention the stunning remixes by Jose Carretas who adds his beloved signature touch, combining the amazing vocals with illustrious keys and a rich organic musical backing.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Courtesy of Italy's Davide Fiorese and The Grimace and UK songstress Natasha Watts comes "Humans", a splendiferous soulful gem that first appeared on the "Unity through Sound ADE 2016" compilation last November. The original version is as soulful as it gets, using an intriguing yet smooth funktified backdrop as foundation for glorious jazzed-up keys, luxurious chords and the unrivaled haunting vocals of Natasha Watts. The remixes are courtesy of Peppe Citarella who delivers a laidback yet captivating afro inspired interpretation, and N'Dinga Gaba who contributes an ingenious truly inexorable Baltimore-Club flavored workout guaranteed to make you yearn for more.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Enjoy the Easter update with nothing but the best and latest in soulful house music...