We're only half-way through the first month of the year, and we already have a contender for "album of the year"... Over the past few years, Australian house duo Random Soul aka Yogi and Husky have become a household name thanks to many unforgettable productions and remixes, now the duo is about to release their debut album "Live for the Moment". Released through their own label Random Soul Recordings, "Live for the moment" is much more than just a house album as the fifteen tracks also showcases their talent in creating soul, jazz and funk gems - the result is a masterpiece ranging from laidback over soulful to up-tempo tracks for the dance floor. Not to forget to mention the featured guest vocalists Chuck Love, Joshua Heath, Kristen Pearson, Kyla Sexton, Natalie Conway and Louis Hale. Essential, by no means to be missed.

The second release for Arima Records, the second time they make the Pick of the Week spot - and they truly deserve it. To put it into few words, "Changes" by DJ SGZ & Table Dance is an ingenious slice of top-notch soulful house having timeless written all over - smooth yet infectious rhythms, amazing keys and chords, outstanding deeply rooted vocals by Ame Sucre and not to forget to mention a stellar selection of remixes by the likes of Ricky Inch, Blackwax, Hennings Project, Zulumafia, Spiritual Blessings, The Horses and Cutting Shapes make this an essential release by no means to be missed. A favorite here at Spirit of House since the promo pack landed in our mailbox...

UK based Sandisco Recordings follow-up their recent inaugural release "Sandisco Sampler Vol. 1" with the phenomenal afro-deep production "Deep love" by King Todli, Real Purple Deep and DJ Biggy B, a trio of up and rising producers from South Africa. The innovative "Deep love" is taking you on an exhilarating journey through the deepest house music sounds South Africa has to offer today, coming complete with massive remixes by Giorgio Bassetti, MiguelLin (with Bruno Soares on sax), Uptown Fellas, Lez Moral & Robza and alternate interpretations by the producers themselves. Highly recommended.

For once, we leave the beloved four-to-the-floor territory as we want to introduce you to this phenomenal album by Frederic Faupin (released under his Mr Fuzz disguise) which will take you on an eclectic musical journey like you didn't experience before... The masterly "Twisted things" features a total of fifteen songs best described as an ingenious composition of jazz, soul and funk with electronica, bringing together the disparate worlds of acoustic sounds and synthetic sounds in a previously unheard, unique and fresh way. In other words, "Twisted things" is truly groundbreaking andhighly recommended to be checked out. Nuff said.

Alexandre Zee aka Azee Project, former member of the renowned Brazilian Soul Crew, presents his long awaited debut album "Zeekizira" through Brazil's leading house music label Grooveland Music. "Zeekizira" is something truly special as this one-of-a-kind fusion of different genres such as tech, soulful, jazzy, Brazilian and African lets you explore the varied and fresh sounds of Alexandre Zee (who is one of the most innovative producers of our time) in their fully glory. The album features collaborations with Diviniti, Daniel Reis and Selma do Coco, remixes by DJ Mtshepang and V.O.S Brothers, and as a bonus a couple of brand new Azee Project remixes of tracks from the labels back catalogue.

The "Piano in the Dark EP"  is the second remix release from Nick Curly's highly acclaimed debut album "Between the Lines" released in late 2012 on Defected Records. The EP features two stand out tracks from the album, both included in the original version and a 'Yoruba Soul' remix by legendary DJ/producer Osunlade. First up is the melancholic "Piano in the dark", a beautiful deep laidback track featuring emotive vocals by Worthy Davis alongside sublime piano. Osunlade adds his signature soulful truly melodious touch, with smooth percussive rhythms leading the way for the vocals, lovely guitars and grand keys. Next is the inebriant Detroit-esque "Wrong hands" which uses spell binding rhythms as playground for mesmerizing synth melodies, taken to the next level by Osunlade whose rework built around remorselessly thumpin rhythms, haunting melodies and cool vocal snippets intensifies the vibe to the max.

Recently launched Night Scope Deep Records are on a roll at the moment as they present their third gem within a few weeks. Produced by label head Deep Elementz, "So sweet" features inspirational spoken word poetry by Sugah Lyrics and deeply rooted vocals by Deep Elementz alongside heavenly keys and mesmerizing synth hooks (reminiscent of the unforgettable 1983 Eurythmics classic "Sweet dreams") over deeper than deep old school inspired rhythms - a timeless soulful gem spreading an infectious, uplifting feel guaranteed to make you yearn for more. Night Scope Deep Records keep up the promise and bring back the long forgotten yet beloved sounds in house music...

As the label states in their description of this release, "Love and music are forms of addiction that no drug in existence could ever replace" - we certainly couldn't agree more... KingStreet present the third installment in their "Valentine's Day Collection" series which, to make it shot, is a marvelous selection of all-time classics handpicked from the labels unrivaled back catalogue. The twenty featured tracks portray the varying stages of energy and take you on a long romantic journey through the various flavors of house music you wish would never end. Truly a one-of-a-kind compilation representing the labels twenty-year history - or, as the label says, "King Street Sounds Essentials for 2013"...

"Shisa nyama" is a term used in many South African townships to describe an informal barbecue or braai where friends come together near a butchery, to grill meat in an open fire (source: Wikipedia). Some of these places combine this tradition with their very specific kind of deep & soulful house - this backdrop gave inspiration to UPZ to put together a "Shisanyama" influenced compilation. This four track samples gives us a preview of what is to come on the album, featuring tracks from Raisal Sounds featuring Zandi, UPZ & Black Motion featuring Theo Lawson, Avi Elman & Danny J featuring Lifford and C9ine. As you would expect, this is soulful African House at its best, guaranteed to send shivers down your spine... We can't wait to get our hands on the full album...

Not many words are needed to describe this deep house gem... Groove Junkies' Evan Landes pays homage to the late and great Ray Charles under his new Nimble Digits alias with "Ray's groove", a truly amazing deep house production which combines mesmerizing melodies with Ray Charles' unforgettable voice and smooth yet infectious percussion enriched rhythms, altogether taking you on an enchanting musical journey that ends way to soon...