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- Written by: Mike Fossati
033 Lifestyle is a celebrated institution in Pietermaritzburg (the capital and second-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) renowned for its indigenous cuisine (called "Shisanyama") as well as for being a mecca for deep and soulful house music that continuously supports and nurtures local talents. The "033 Lifestyle Shisanyama Sessions" compiled by soWHAT label head UPZ (Avi Elman) and 033 Lifestyle resident DJ's Spice Libra and Paul Vergo features an eclectic truly jaw-dropping selection of vocal and instrumental productions from both up-and-rising talents as well as established artists, perfectly showcasing the many flavors of soulful and deep house music originating from the motherland (and especially the KwaZulu-Natal region). Essential.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
The final update for 2015 is here, we hope you enjoy our selection of the latest in soulful house music...
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
The highly acclaimed "House Masters" series launched back in 1998 goes into the next round, looking at the illustrious career and formidable musical heritage of British house music production duo Heller & Farley aka Pete Heller and Terry Farley (they've also used aliases such as Fire Island and Roach Motel during their career). Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the Heller & Farley sound was pivotal to the development of house music in the UK and has influenced and inspired many producers and artists around the world. Not less than thirty productions and remixes are included, showcasing the many sides of Heller & Farley, from their underground stuff to remixes of pop artists and the dub mixes that put them onto the play lists of the worlds leading DJ's as well as cemented their position within the house music community. "House Masters: Heller & Farley" is a truly phenomenal retrospective of the unique and inimitable sound of this legendary production duo, featuring many of their club anthems that are still hammered to this day, along with a brand new version of perhaps their best-known record "Ultra flava" which is exclusive to this compilation.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
We truly fell in love with this song with the very first listen... Paris Cesvette and poetry artist Diamondancer (Carolyn Ferrari) join forces for "Lush", a splendiferous production having timeless written over that is using gentle yet spell binding organic rhythms as playground for illustrious jazzy keys and heavenly chords, not to forget to mention Diamondancer's incomparable spoken word poetry. Courtesy of Luis 'LooweeR' Rivera come the remixes which take the song to deeper utterly melodious grounds, oozing with a truly seductive late night feel that is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine... Essential.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Bassline Records are about to celebrate the 21st birthday of the utterly inspiring and uplifting house music classic "Thank you lord" which took over dance floors by storm back in 1994 in the paramount Victor Simonelli remixes (which by the way still give me goosebumps). The anniversary package will include this absolutely breathtaking masterly crafted interpretation by Guido P who has truly been pulling out all the stops, keeping the spirit and beauty of the amazing one-of-a-kind gospel tinged vocals of Connie Harvey alive yet giving the song a thrilling contemporary soul/funk infused 4/4 feel guaranteed to make you yearn for more.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
The year end is coming closer, yet we still have lots of soulful goodies for you to discover... enjoy !!
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
With the year coming to an end soon, the time has come to reflect on the past twelve months. Soulful Evolution Records do this with their "Best of 2015" compilation which features music from the likes of Aircut featuring Scarlette, D.U.S.K. featuring Meshach Broderick, Distant People featuring Natasha Watts, Preslava Peichava, Marco Finotello featuring Maggie Smile, DJ Thes-Man featuring Darian Crouse, Blanco-Teez, Funky Charles, Rick Marshall and JacKman & Bobbin featuring Tommie Cotton, without a doubt this compilation perfectly showcases the versatility of the label and its artists as well as the many successes they had throughout the year.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Double Cheese Records have been gracing all year long with nothing but the best in soulful house music, their final release for 2015 by Kelvin Sylvester and Dee Lavender is no exception, beyond the shadow of a doubt this timeless soulful gem is guaranteed to make you yearn for more... "Your smile" featuring a special guest appearance by Gene Perez on bass is a truly vibrant production with an infectious funktified backdrop leading the way for illustrious keys and Dee Lavender's fabulous haunting vocals - sheer musical bliss. The remix is courtesy of Todd Gardner who transforms the song into a grandiose utterly mesmerizing afro deep affair sure to send the dancers into a frenzy.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
"Tembaco" by vocalist Troy Denari and DJ/producer N'Dinga Gaba is one of the standout tracks from Global Diplomacy Productions inaugural release from end of 2014 (the outstanding "Unity Through Sound Vol. 1" compilation), now the wait is over and we can enjoy this masterly crafted production in its full glory. Not less than six phenomenal interpretations are featured on this release: N'Dinga Gaba contributes the dreamy deep original version, a hypnotizing absolutely irresistible afro tech rework and a gorgeous soul oozing rendition laced with a stellar guitar by Federico D'alessio, Cuebur adds his signature deep heavenly touch, Beyond Tone & Aluku Rebels enter deepest imaginable grounds on their enticing workout, and last but not least Luyo serves a magnificent soul/funk infused interpretation.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Another week has passed, so its time for another update full of the latest and greatest in soulful house music - enjoy !!
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
South African production trio Lemon & Herb (aka Don Sithole, Skhumbuzo Radebe and Thansanqa Ntintili) present their long awaited debut full-length release "Tomorrow in detail" which features their hit singles "Velani", "Heaven" and "For the birds" alongside with brand new songs, not to forget to mention the illustrious list of guest artists involved in the project: Saturna, Eliki, Kafele, Moonchild, Kholi, Larissa Kapp, Nathalie Claude and Kele B. Not much needs to be said or written besides "Tomorrow in detail" is an absolutely phenomenal masterly crafted album which features nothing but the best in deep/soulful house music the motherland has to offer...
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Legendary MoreHouse Records launch their brand new compilation series "Deep N Soul", with the first volume being loaded with fifteen digitally re-mastered tracks which were handpicked and compiled Groove Junkies' Evan Landes. From beginning to the end, you are taken on an eclectic truly exhilarating journey through the various flavors classic and modern deep house music has to offer, with a heavy dose of soul prevailing throughout. Put differently, this compilation is a testimony of the versatility of MoreHouse Records, its artists, producers, musicians and remixers. Highly recommended.