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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Naked Music Recordings was founded back in 1998 by Jay Denes and Dave Boonshoft and gained instant worldwide popularity thanks to the distinctive novel sound and one-of-a-kind stylized look which became widely emulated around the world. The label released a series of highly acclaimed compilations as well as albums and singles from homegrown artists - names coming to our mind include Lisa Shaw, Aya, Miguel Migs and Gaelle, not to forget to mention Blue Six (aka Jay Denes) whose "Music & wine" is one of our all-time favorites released on the label.
Finally, after being on hiatus for a couple of years, Blue Six return in grand style with a phenomenal album entitled "Signs & wonders" which oozes with the signature blend of elegant and deeply emotional music Jay Denes and Naked Music are renowned and beloved for. To make it short, from beginning to the end the album is sheer musical bliss, featuring a masterly orchestration and fabulous vocal performances by Aya, Tabitha Fair and Catherine Russell. In other words, a masterpiece sure to stand the test of time...
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Double Cheese Records present "For the Love Vol. 2", a grandiose compilation of the best vocal house cuts from the label. Undoubtedly, this compilation perfectly showcases what the label is all about: soulful dance music that spans genres and bring fresh ingenious sounds to the dance floor. An illustrious list of artists is featured such as Sabrina Chyld, Luyo, Marco Finotello, Max Marinacci, Vittorio Santorelli, Groove Cartell, Spellband and Carla Prather, not less impressive is the list of those contributing exclusive mixes: Boddhi Satva, Booker T, Deep Djoe & Pedro Mazz, Rightside, Opolopo and N’Dinga Gaba. A truly glorious compilation from one of the leading soulful house music labels ...
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
Peppermint Jam/SedSoul truly blesses us with "Dontcha wanna dance" by Cool Million (Rob Hardt & Frank Ryle) and singer extraordinaire Marc Evans. To make it short, this collaboration is truly a match made in heaven as Marc Evans's unrivaled heartfelt vocals harmonize perfectly with the incomparable masterly orchestrated old skool inspired Disco/Boogie infused sounds of Cool Million. Not to forget to mention the marvelous selection of remixes by Ricky Inch, Julius Papp and Morten Trust all adding their distinctive soulful touch, making it next to impossible to pick a favorite version. In other words, "Dontcha wanna dance" is a timeless soul oozing gem guaranteed to blow your mind... By no means to be missed.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
The second release on Global Diplomacy Productions is taken from the truly seminal "Unity through Sound Volume One" EP reviewed here on Spirit of House just a couple of weeks ago. "Watch me fly" by Baltimore songstress Janice B was originally released in 2009 as the title track of her debut EP (through Stinkiface Music), now the song has been given a soulful dance floor makeover. First up are N'Dinga Gaba & D-Malice whose blissful interpretation oozes with enthralling afro rhythms and exquisite jazzed-up keys, next AudioArQue contribute a breathtaking atmospheric tribal groover on a laidback tip, followed by Deep Sentiments & Opz who serve a masterly orchestrated broken beat flavored affair. Then there is Mo Rece with his haunting abstract take of the original, and finally the package includes N'Dinga Gaba's mellow rendition previously included on the "Unity through Sound Volume One" EP.
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
This week we proudly bring you another fully loaded update - enjoy... !!
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- Written by: Mike Fossati
The next chapter in the highly acclaimed "House Masters" series look at the illustrious career of Dave Lee, one of the ancestors of the UK dance scene best known under the pseudonym Joey Negro, yet he has recorded countless classics under a plethora of other monikers as well: Akabu, Doug Willis, The Sunburst Band, Jakatta, Raven Maize, Sessomatto, Z Factor... Undoubtedly, Dave Lee has become one of the most prolific and versatile producers in the world of dance music during his unequaled career which spans over more than three decades, and he was on the forefront of artists to incorporate disco samples into house music.From the live disco and boogie of The Sunburst Band to the unique funk-fueled grooves of Joey Negro, this compilation is a personally compiled curation of his greatest records from a catalogue that spans every corner of house music. As well as genre-defining original productions, a selection of seminal remixes is included as well. This highly recommended truly essential retrospective will be available on 2xCD and digital formats (includes twelve bonus tracks) in early 2015.
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Up and rising South African artist 4Matiq (Gerald Kenosi) truly blesses us with "Sleepless", a deeper than deep utterly mesmerizing afro-deep jewel using spell binding rhythms as playground for tempting spoken word vocals by 4matiq himself and for heavenly keys and chords. In other words, a timeless slice of deep house guaranteed to send shivers down your spine... On top of the outstanding original version, the package includes absolutely breathtaking truly eclectic remixes from Khenzo-Lee, Nteeze & Andy, Doc Link, Luka, Blaq Bone Bushy and Ethniquefusion, with the genres raging from deep house over afro house and classic house to nu-jazz and broken beat. By no means to be missed...
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South Africa's Stones & Bones team up with LT Adams for "This moment" - and what a musical treat this is... The original version is smooth as silk, with deep'n'gentle yet thrilling rhythms leading the way for LT Adams fabulous emotive vocals and enchanting keys and chords. The remixes courtesy of C-Major, Black Afrikan Rythem and Kojo Akusa take the song to a whole new level, keeping the vibe deep and soulful yet giving you plenty of choices to work the floor at any given moment of the night. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the masterly crafted "This moment" by Stones & Bones and singer LT Adams is highly recommended to any lover of deep and soulful house music.
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Truly eclectic yet keeping things sweet soulful - enjoy this weeks update...
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This mind-blowing truly phenomenal and seminal compilation is inspired by the online music show of he same name by Peng Africa's own Mthulisi Patrick. Similar to the show, the album showcases the many different shades of house music the motherland has to offer, introducing the world to established and up and rising artists such as Cafrodeep, ZuluMafia, Cooperman, Deep City Central, Deepconsoul, DeepIllusion, Djeme Monks, Otis Ngwabi, Deuce Concept, Klassmates, Sphelele, Lemon & Herb, Baba Maqhinga, Nova M, Oetry, Ivy. Whether you're into afro-deep, ancestral soul or soulful house, it can all be found on this truly chameleonic compilation. Highly recommended.
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KingStreet Records tack us way back in time, back to the early 90's when house music was blossoming and labels like KingStreet, NiteGrooves, Strictly Rhythms, Nervous, Bottom Line and many more were ruling the dance floors. This truly amazing timeless collection of unforgettable classics from the unrivaled KingStreet vault features not less than eighteen tunes originally released from 1993 to 1995, featuring an illustrious list of artists such as Kerri Chandler, Tears of Velva, Pal Joey, JoVonn, Deep Zone (Mike Delgado & Matthias Heilbronn), UrbanSoul, Sublevel, Dimitri from Paris, Carolyn Harding Blaze, Althea McQueen, Charvoni, 95 North, Lynn Lockamy, Mood II Swing, Johnny Dangerous, Mentalinstrum and more... What a joyous journey back in time...
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The masterly crafted "Just like love" by classically trained violinist Chieko Kinbara and keyboardist/vocalist/producer Josh Milan returns in previously unreleased remixes by legendary DJ/producer Louie Vega. To make it short, Louie Vega takes this fabulous timeless soulful jewel to a whole new level, combining Chieko Kinbara's grandiose violin solos and Josh Milan's inimitable sensual vocals with gentle yet spell binding percussive rhythms and illustrious keys - the result is truly breathtaking and guaranteed to send shivers down your spine... Also included are the 'EOL Soulfurito Mix' and 'Club Mix' previously released on Louie Vega's own label Vega Records. By no means to be missed...