This has been more of a quiet week, yet we still want to bring you this weeks fresh soulful gems... enjoy !!
Max Sinàl & KingCrowney featuring Liv East "Intentions" (Soul Quest Records Promo)
Back in February, we introduced you to "Intentions" by Max Sinàl a and KingCrowney laced with the beautiful emotive vocals of Liv East, now this glamorous slice of unadulterated late night bliss returns in brilliant remixes. First up is Frits Wentink who delivers a vibrant undeniably hypnotic rework that keeps the spirit of the original alive, next is Flying Moth who serves a scintillating broken beat rendition. JT Donaldson introduces driving underground-esque rhythms and sublime jazzy key to transform the track into an uncontested soulful house gem, and finally you find the enchanting and laidback live version included in the package.
Lapie & Tiyani & Dvine Lopez "Without you" (Remix Package) (Pasqua Records S.A Promo)
In spring of last year, Pasqua Records S.A released the excellent "Taurus Showers EP" by South African deep house maestro Lapie featuring an illustrious ensemble of collaborators. Then in March of this year, the label dropped the Mr. Shane SA remix of "Without you" (one of the standout cuts from the EP where Lapie collaborates with Tiyani) laced with the eminent spoken words of Dvine Lopez. Now the label graces us with a truly mind-boggling and incredibly eclectic selection of superb remixes (ranging from soulful over deep to afro) by the likes of QuestarCafe, TimAdeep, Clyde Zeibs, Deep Essentials, Mr. Shane SA, Imprazen, TshegoTMM & Vencer Cafe, Thabang Baloyi & Mz De DJ, Shona SA, DJ Welcome & Pheme Deprod and MBUSHA all adding their signature touch, making it next to impossible to pick a favorite version.
Pour le Connaisseur: Erik Rico "The Rare Groove Project EP" (Cosmocities Records Promo)
France based Cosmocities Records present something truly special with the towering "The Rare Groove Project EP" by Eirik Rico that covers three rare groove rarities from yesteryear: "Straight forward" by P.J. City, "Future love" by Franklyn and "Disco Funk" by Star Lighters. Each of these three ingenious disco/funk/boogie/soul infused remakes is sue to cast a spell on you, and as cherry on top stunning dance floor ready remixes are included. "Straight forward" comes both in a classic Chicago House influenced remix and funked-up rework by Gerd, next DJ Nature contributes a glorious boogie influenced 4/4 rendition of "Future love", and last but not least Aroop Roy teleports "Disco funk" to exciting jackin' house territory.
Classic Pick: Anastacia "Not that kind" (Giant Step Records 2x12" White Label, 2000)
[Review originally published in October 2000] One of the really hard to get records at the Winter Music Conference in Miami (not even 50 copies have been given away) in 2000 finally got a wider availability in fall of the same year "Not that kind" by Anastacia. The 2x12" is fully loaded: Kerri Chandler delivers two stomping vocal mixes, one of them using a cool organ ride, the other one using a nice keyboard. Maurice Joshua delivers a vocal mix on a more laidback tip with a guitar on top of it while his dub strips it down to a driving groove. The 'JS Ecstasy Mix' is another vocal version with nice beats and a stomping groove. The 'Lt's not that Dub' is the deepest version of the package fueled a deep irresistible groove.
Classic Pick: Urban Blues Project present Michael Proctor "Love don't live" (AM:PM Records 2x12" Promo, 1996)
[Review originally published in June 1996] AM:PM Records have picked up this one from Soul-Furic Records. Until now, the Tommy Musto mixes have rocked the dance floors all over the world. But now, you get eight new mixes on this double-pack-promo from AM:PM Records. These mixes will breathe new life into it - believe me! Finally, the original mixes by Jazz'N'Groove (aka Urban Blues Project) have been put out: this is the definition of soulful Garage! CJ Mackintosh delivers some fine mixes with his own trademarks - check out the 'Hard Dub'. You also get a beautifully re-edited version of the original 'New Birth Mix' by Tommy Musto. Victor Simonelli mixes are promised too - i can't wait for them!