Picks of the Week
Jihad Muhammad featuring Carolyn Victorian "Reflections" (UK Basic Records CD Promo)
New Jersey based producer Jihad Muhammad is going from strength to strength at the moment with his releases, and now he unleashes another bomb for new label UK Basic in form of "Reflections", a marvellous deep house track that is based on an irresistibly bouncin' groove that features infectious vocal hooks from Carolyn Victorian together with a jazzy instrumentation that includes piano and saxophone. Toronto's John Kumahara is currently working on a remix that will be included on the vinyl release.
SUMO featuring Rigas "Tribute" / "Factory" (HEYA HIFI Records CD Promo)
After kicking off their HEYA HIFI imprint with a selection of their best remixes, SUMO return with two fresh productions, both featuring an electrifying spoken word performance by Rigas. "Tribute" is best described as a homage to the classic jazz band sound, being driven by an incredible piano bassline that gets topped with a wicked horn section and fantastic saxophone solo along the spoken words, creating an irresistible vibe. On the second track "Factory" SUMO enter a different territory, creating a rhythmic affair based on seriously bouncin' beats and featuring spoken words together with wicked keys with a spacey edge that give the track a bit of a techy edge.
More Reviews
Roy Ayers "Holiday" (Kenny Dope & DJ Spinna Remixes)(BBE/Rapster Records 2x12" Promo)
"Holiday" is lifted from "Virgin Ubiquitiy II", a collection of unreleased gems by Roy Ayers from the time of 1976-1981. This wondferul jazz-funk track has given the remix treatment by Kenny Dope and DJ Spinna who both deliver great mixes. Disk one features the Kenny Dope mixes that combine the original instrumentation with a fierce 4/4 house groove and wicked keys. On the second disk, DJ Spinna presents his fierce broken beat interpretation that is followed by a mellow and groovy midtempo interpretation.
Ian Friday "The Island Life EP" (WestEnd Blue Records 12")
Ian Friday, a veteran in the New York dance music scene, makes his debut on WestEnd Blue with this lovely EP full of afro-carribbean vibes. "Carib's leap" features afro-latin spells by Byron Moore and great latin melodies, coming your way both in vocal and instrumental form. "Tanty" is on a more laidback tip, featuring a lovely flute alongside the carribean flavors. Finally there is "Pacifica", a sweet and mellow chill out track.
Runner up: Filsonik "The Bon Fiya EP" (Symple Sounds Records 12")
After the success with "Punch up" by Laid, Symple Sounds keep their hot streak of superb releases with this EP by Filsonik. "Luvholic" features sweet vocals by AJK over a smooth tribal-touched rhythm that gets enriched with shuffling beats and gentle keys by Scott Wozniak - it's a late night house gem. "Slavery" features a spoken vocal by Jules over mellow, deeply thumpin' beats that are enriched with warm chords and subtle flutes - it's a deep house gem.
Ben Morgan / Lee Mortimer "The Afterhours EP" (UK Basic Records CD Promo)
UK Basic is a brand new UK based label dedicated to bring you soulful house music. Their first release, the "Afterhours EP", features productions by Ben Morgan and Lee Mortimer. "Jazz cabbage" is jazz house at its best, based on a deeply stormin groove, while both "Summer jam" and "Sun sail" take you an journey into deep house music with their athmospheric vibes. Lastly there is the percussively stompin' "Dance freak". Scheduled for a future release is the Reel Soul remix of "Jazz cabbage" that gives this track a more relaxed outfit.
Sting "I'ts probably me" / "Shape of my heart" (Restricted Access Records 12")
The two Shelter legends Timmy Regisford and Quentin Harris team up to reanimate the two Sting songs "It's probably me" and "Shape of my heart" for the dancefloors, adding the distinctive and unique Quentin Harris sound to it. "It's probably me" is feautred in both vocal and instrumental versions, while "Shape of my heart" is only included in a vocal version.
Timbalestics "The vibe" (Do The Hip! Records CD Promo)
Behind Timbalestics is the team of Andreas Thiessen and DJ Jesse Funk who present "The vibe" that will be released on Syke'N'Sugarstarr's label Do The Hip!. "The vibe" is an uplifting track featuring warm melodic keys and a wicked guitar over a powerfully stompin', percussion enhanced groove, creating an irresistible feeling on the dancefloor. A nice selection of mixes is included, making this suitable for various occasions.
The Layabouts featuring Shola Philips "Love is everything" (Healthy Records CD Promo)
After the success of "Sunshine" earlier this year, The Layabouts return with "Love is everything" featuirng Shola Philips on vocals. It is an uplifting production featuring an emotional vocal performance over a smoothly stompin' groove enriched with melodic keys, a funky guitar and jazzy piano line. This track, as well as the Jask remixes of "Sunshine", will soon be available on Traxsource.
Double "Desire" / "Shake" (KingStreet Records 12")
KingStreet present the dance mixes of japanese duo Double's (aka Takako & Sachiko) big hits "Desire" and "Shake" that got originally relased on For Life Records in Japan back in 2000. "Desire" got the remix treatment by Frankie Feliciano who gives it a soulful reworking featuring a truly deep bassline and lovely guitar, while Eric Kupper adds a peaktime disco-funky flavor to "Shake".
Stevie Wonder "What a fuss" (Ricky Rivaro's RhythMix)(CD-R)
Ricky Rivaro is taking on the huge "What a fuss" by Stevie Wonder and gives it a splendid rerub taking the song straight to the dancefloor with a massive bassline and wicked keys placed on top of it, letting the vocal chants create an irresistible feeling.
Classic Reviews
Aretha Franklin "Jump to it" (CJ Mackintosh Remix)(Arista Records 12", 1994)
Originally released back in 1982, it was up to CJ Mackintosh to rework it into a house anthem with an exlusive dub version only to be found on the promo 12".