Make no mistake, even though we selected a tune for Pick of the Week and In the Spotlight each, the others would have deserved these spots as well... so enjoy this weeks update !!
Harrison Crump featuring Tierra Nevaeh "No more lies" (Defected Records CD Promo)
A household name in the house music scene, it may have been quiet around Harrison Crump for the last few years but now he is back with a bang on Defected Records. The marvelous "No more lies" is a soulful yet mesmerizing masterpiece featuring beautiful heartfelt vocals by Tierra Nevaeh (somewhat reminiscent of Mary J Blige) alongside grand jazzy piano and lush keys over an old school inspired funk drenched backdrop. On remix duty is Sonny Fodera who contributes two equally great reworks guaranteed to jam-pack the floor.
Steal Vybe featuring Stephanie Cooke "Love all around" (Phuture Sole Records CD Promo)
We haven't heard from Steal Vybe (Chris Forman & Damon Bennett) for a while, but now they are back stronger than ever with the masterly "Love all around" which features vocals from none other than legendary house music diva Stephanie Cooke. "Love all around" is a gorgeous production oozing with Stephanie Cooke's unmistakable deeply felt vocals and Steal Vybe's signature illustrious melodies and soulful yet infectious rhythms. Damon Bennett's amazing remix uses deeply groovin' rhythms and ethereal melodies to give the song a more organic feel, making it next to impossible to choose between the two versions...
Velvet Suite Lounge "Fade away" (Vick Lavender Remix)(Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
"Fade away" by South Africa's Velvet Suite Lounge (Neo Soulsta & Paul Solaris) is a wonderful laidback production on an enchanting afro-latin tip, taken to all new heights by Vick Lavender who adds his beloved vintage soul/jazz/funk infused sound - the result is a masterly orchestrated timeless gem that will stand the test of time and become an all-time classic in the years to come. The mixes to be released in the next few weeks are all about the music and use only parts of the vocals, the full vocal version is scheduled for later in the year, likely to be available on vinyl first.
Exclusive Preview: Funk DeepStar & Skaiva featuring Rakeem "Day dreamer" (Soul Candi Records CD-R)
Funk DeepStar will present his second album "Let's Play House Volume 1" in May through South Africa's Soul Candi Records, we here at Spirit of House are proud to exclusively introduce you to one of the brand new tracks to be featured on the album. The beautiful "Day dreamer" by Funk DeepStar and Skaiva is deep and melodious, with a smooth yet relentlessly thumpin' backing leading the way for heavenly keys and deeply rooted vocal by Rakeem. In other words, top notch South African vocal house at its best.
Exclusive Preview: Paso Doble featuring Amera Light "My world" (Gemini Boys Abstract Soul Mix)(CD-R)
Back in March 2011, Cabana Records released "My world" by Paso Doble, a glorious production laced with grand synth melodies and sultry vocals by songstress Amera Light. While the original release features none less than twenty-one mixes to choose from, we haven't heard the last from the song yet... For example there is this jewel here by Gemini Boys who turn the song into a fantastic down-tempo affair which combines Amera Light's vocals with warm melodies and laidback rhythms, making the song a perfect choice for the romantic moments in your life... To be released in a couple of months.
Various "Miami Sampler" (Traxsource EP)(KingStreet Records CD Promo)
Various "Miami Sampler" (Beatport EP)(KingStreet Records CD Promo)
You know the drill: as the Winter Music Conference in Miami is coming closer (we're about six week away), the labels start to present their annual "Miami/WMC Samplers" to showcase their upcoming releases. This years front-runner are KingStreet Records who drop both a 'Traxsource Edition' and 'Beatport Edition', each of them loaded with fresh productions of various styles guaranteed to set the floor on fire. Eclectic, deep, funky, soulful, infectious - you get it all on these two mind-blowing packages featuring seven massive tracks each. Maybe a few less vocal tracks then in previous years, but they are still here, namely "Bring it up" by Yass featuring Inaya Day and "Do the right thing" by Mind Street.
Mustafa "Brazilian Afro Deep EP" (Staff Productions CD Promo)
Not much needs to be said about this paramount release by Mustafa. The "Brazilian Afro Deep EP" features stellar new mixes of "Sina", "Ladeira da Preguica" and "Vai rolar o som", three fabulous productions oozing with Mustafa's beloved inimitable Brazilian inspired sound which are taken to the next level on these fresh and ingenious afro/deep infused interpretations. Available exclusively on Mustafa's website. By no means to be missed. Nuff said.
Terrance Del Soul featuring the Blak Beatniks "The sun will shine" (Una Mas Records CD Promo)
South African producer Terrance Del Soul is back on Uno Mas with "The sun will shine", a delightful production where he joins forces with The Blak Beatniks. "The sun will shine" is a glorious deep house track combining smooth yet captivating rhythms with seductive keys and chords and soulful vocals, altogether spreading an uplifting feel you can't resist to dance to.
Exclusive Preview: The A.R.C. Singers "Prayer for peace" (Junior White Remix)(CD-R)
Between December 2012 and September 2012, Junior White had blessed us with four marvelous installments in his 'Gospel Project' series, unfortunately they were all unofficial releases (he reworked songs from the likes of Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Deitrick Haddon). Now the first official 'Junior White Gospel Project Remix' is here, with Junior White turning the inspiring "Prayer for peace" by Detroit's mail choir The A.R.C. Singers into an intoxicating four-to-the-floor affair built around fiercely stompin' rhythms, killer organ ride and hot keys, not to forget to mention the inimitable gospel tinged vocals by The A.R.C. Singers.
DJ Roland Clark presents Urban Soul "My urban soul" (Black Sonix Remix)(Street King Records CD Promo)
The unforgettable 1998 Urban Soul classic "My urban soul" produced by the legendary Roland Clark returns in uber cool remixes by Black Sonix who takes the track to a whole new level on his deep'n'dark rendition using an old skool inspired hypnotizing backdrop as playground for the unmistakable vocals of Roland Clark and lush keys, with the 'Lofi Dub' going even deeper, intensifying the vibe to the max. Also include are a dope-ass funky re-rub by Walker & Royce, Mr. V's remix released in 2010, and the Club 69 and Ron Trent & Anthony Nicholson mixes from 1998.
JoVonn "Crystal Vibes EP" (Deeptrax Recordings CD Promo)
On the "Crystal Vibes EP", you can get your hands on three legendary instrumentals tracks from JoVonn which are available in digital format for the first time. Included are "Love begins" (taken from "Themes from JoVonn" released on Next Moov Traxx in 2006), "Seven wonders of house" and "JoVonn madness" (both taken from the "Nite Shift EP"a released on Next Move Traxx in 2004). But this is not all as there is also the brand new title track "Crystal vibes", a mesmerizing track laced with sublime jazzy keys oozing with the incomparable underground-esque vibe JoVonn is renowned for.
Genetic Rhythm featuring Fox "Illustrated guide" (Grooveboy Music CD Promo)
With "Illustrated guide" by Genetic Rhythm, Grooveboy Music present something a little bit different yet something highly recommended by us at Spirit of House. "Illustrated guide" is an absolutely amazing truly sexy mid-tempo production taking you on an excursion to deepest territory, featuring the uber cool smoothly flowing lyricism by Fox and illustrious melodies which are underpinned by contaminous groovy rhythms. Corrugated Tunnel intensifies the vibe on his hypnotizing remix which strips back the vocals and brings exhilarating synth melodies into play.