The heat is on this week with lots of gems to discover... enjoy !!

Sipho Ngubane featuring Darian Crouse "His voice" (Soulful Sentiments Records CD Promo)

Here we have the third release for South Africa's Soulful Sentiments Records, and what a beauty this is... Label owner Sipho Ngubane joins forces with vocalist Darian Crouse for "His voice", a super smooth and melodious slice of soulfulness. Not much needs to be said or written about this gem besides a dulcet yet thrilling organic backdrop leads the way for lush keys, dreamy chords and Darian Crouse incomparable deeply rooted vocals, altogether spreading a laidback yet enchanting feel.

Gary Cummings featuring Regina Ford "Ready for love" (Sophisticado Recordings CD Promo)

It is no secret how much we admire the one-of-a-kind vintage truly precious soul/funk/jazz infused sound from Vick Lavender and his Sophisticado family. The latest offering "Ready for love" by Gary Cummings and songstress Regina Ford is no exception, with Vick Lavender adding his magical unrivaled touch to this wonderful song, not to forget to mention the masterly keyboard wizardry by Mike Logan Sr and Regina Ford's formidable emotive rendition of the lyrics. Sheer musical bliss...

Andy Compton's Sowetan Onesteps "Chillin' in the ghetto" (Peng Records CD Promo)

Courtesy of Andy Compton and the Sowetan Onesteps comes this slice of marvelous timeless soul infused dance music. The project was born during a recent tour of Andy Compton in South Africa where he met Shamrock (on guitars), Bongani (percussion and keys) and Mpho (vocals) who all hooked up for a jam in Soweto at Shamrock's studio where the magic happened and this song was born (with many more to follow). To cut right to the chase, "Chillin' in the ghetto" is laidback yet mesmerizing, with gentle afrocentric rhythms leading the way for the masterly jazz/funk infused organic orchestration and the inspiring vocals. Essential.

Soulfuledge featuring CandaceK "Moonlight skippin' (where you are)" (Soulfuledge Recordings CD Promo)

Soulfuledge and CandaceK are back together to present the follow-up to last years hit single "One heartbeat at a time". The gorgeous "Moonlight skippin' (where you are)" uses an infectiously thumpin' funked-up backing as playground for CandaceK's sultry vocals, grand jazzy keys, sweet guitar riffs and classy saxophone, altogether spreading an uplifting sun drenched vibe guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and make you yearn for more...

DC Washington "Praise my maker" (D#Sharp Records CD Promo)

It has been a while since we last heard from Joe Flame and his D#Sharp label, but now they are back with a bang. "Praise my maker" produced by Joe Flame and performed in grand style by Don Corey Washington whose amazing gospel tinged vocals harmonize perfectly with the sublime guitar, luscious keys and smoothly groovin' backdrop. The uplifting 'AJFP Remix' puts the vocals center stage and takes your straight to church with its ruthlessly thumpin' rhythms and inspiring hand claps, the 'D#Sharp Remix' is a splendorous organic rendition enriched with precious jazzy keys, and finally the 'Xavier ReBeat Mix' somewhat relaxes the feel yet keeps the overall vibe enchanting.

Various "New Generation Records WMC 2015 Miami Sampler" (New Generation Records CD Promo)

This years Winter Music Conference may be over, but this doesn't stop us from introducing you to this paramount sampler from legendary New Jersey label New Generation Records. Tons of gems to discover among the seventeen (!!) tracks featured, many of them brand new and previously unreleased. We immediately fell in love with "Wat if" by Shino Blackk, a magnificent soulful jewel featuring seductive female vocals alongside melodious keys. Then there is Max Martinez blissful deep remix of "So free" by Fantasy featuring Marco A Berry, Cassio Ware with his unmistakable voice on the old skool underground-esque "Rock with you baby", DJ Punch & Flip Entertainment's funked-up tribal-ish "Sun in the morning" working Chaka Khan's "I know you, I live you" to full effect, "4 once" by Steve oh Traxxx a contaminous mashup featuring Sheba Jordan's "Music is my way of life", the delectable deep house cut "The alchemy track" by Steve oh Traxxx, Ricci Melillo's glorious 4/4re-imagination of Ashford & Simpson's "It just seems to hang on", Pako Di Rocco & Roby Maas dance floor weapon "Work it out" and many many more gems to discover...

DJ Toots featuring Luleka "Ndiyahamba" (Khaya Lyf CD Promo)

Khaya Lyf continue their mission to introduce artists from African nations to a worldwide audience with their latest offering "Ndiyahamba" by DJ Toots and songstress Luleka. Deep'n'gentle rhythms serve as playground for Luleka's beautiful haunting vocals and fabulous synth melodies. Next to the amazing original production you get stellar remixes from the likes of N'Dinga Gaba, Lilac Jeans, Rootedsoul, DJ Caution and Paul Deep all adding their signature deep/soulful touch, making it next to impossible to pick a favorite version.

Soulbridge featuring Jenny Cruz "Believe" (HSR Records CD Promo)

"Believe" premiered in June of last year on the paramount "Aniversario EP" by Soulbridge (Gigi Frassanito), now this uplifting soul drenched jewel featuring the unmistakable deeply felt vocals of Jenny Cruz gets a well deserved full release. Along with the soul/funk soaked original version you get an enticing deepened yet utterly soulful and melodious rework by Guido P, a summery feel-good interpretation by Jon Fernandez, a compelling funked-up remix by Eddie 'Eaze' Coleman and last but not least an exhilarating deeply groovin' version by Rampus oozing with charming melodies.

Guido P featuring Josiah Ruff "Happy land" (HSR Records CD Promo)

"Happy land" is the first collaboration of DJ/producer Guido P with vocalist Josiah Ruff, and what a musical treat it is... The 'Original Demo Mix' is a smooth organic affair, with Josiah Ruff's emotive vocals being accompanied by grand jazzy keys, heavenly chords and a lively backdrop. The 'Original Mix' turns the heat up with a stompin' backing, inebriant keys and lovely guitar riffs. Soulbridge and Jon Fernandez are on remix duty, both adding their distinctive soulful touch, giving you the tough task of picking a favorite...

Deep House Pick: Dagui Rodann "Universal prayer" (Instinctive Records CD Promo)

Our Deep House Pick for the week is the second release on Instinctive Records courtesy of Dagui Rodann. The utterly deep "Universal prayer" is a simple yet truly effective and hypnotizing production built around infectious afro percussive rhythms, enticing atmospheric melodies and enchanting african chants. Sebastien Grand gives the track a mystical somewhat spiritual touch on his tuneful workout, Alex Finkin contributes a relentlessly groovin' deepened rework laced with haunting synth melodies, and lastly Jocelyn Mathieu delivers a fantastic uplifting afro-latin inspired interpretation topped with old school vocal snippets and warm melodious keys.

Afro Deep Pick #1: Effort Gashu & Kead Wikead "The village" (Atal Music CD Promo)

Zimbabwean duo Effort Gashu and Kead Wikead present nothing put unadulterated afro deepness with their six track EP entitled "The village". This is a truly eclectic and mesmerizing package, with each of the tracks guaranteed to set the floor on fire thanks to spell binding afrotastic rhythms and exhilarating melodies. In other words, a stellar afro-deep release giving you plenty of choices to work the floor.

Afro Deep Pick #2: M.Caporale "Ethnic" (MoBlack Records CD Promo)

Italy's Mssimiliano Caporale is about to release his first album "Ethnic" through MoBlack Records. Eight tracks plus an intro and outro are included on the album, each one carrying the term 'ethnic' in its name which precisely describes what these tracks are all about: pristine afro deep house enriched with elements of the various genres of ethnic (folkloristic) sounds the African continent has to offer. Truly inspiring and refreshing sounds for the dance floor...