review logoWe kick off 2018 with a loaded update full of the latest in soulful house music - enjoy !!

Vickie Ryan "Say that you love me" (New Generation Records Promo)

New Generation Records kick off the new year in proper style with "Say that you love me" by Vickie Ryan, the follow-up to her recent hit single "Believe in yourself". Most definitely, the Corey Holmes produced "Say that you love me" is a magnificent soulful gem which combines Vickie Ryan's incomparable tantalizing vocals with luscious keys, spacy chords and gentle yet spell binding rhythms. Remixes by Tony Vee will follow soon.

Mijangos featuring Luis Elorza "Into the Philly Sound" (Union Records Promo)

The next release on up and rising Union Records will be "Into the Philly Sound" by Mijangos and Luis Elorza, a glorious tribute to the legendary Philly Sound that up until now heavily influences (dance) music. To cut right to the chase, "Into the Philly Sound" uses a smooth organic backdrop as foundation for lovely guitars, grandiose jazzy keys, ethereal chords, classy horns and inspiring vocals to create a phantasmagorical feel sure to get your feet movin'.

Darian Crouse "Longer you wait" (Uso Records Digital Promo)

Uso Records Digital have been on a hiatus for the last couple of years, but now they return with a vengeance with the latest offering by Darian Crouse entitled "Longer you wait". Undeniably, "Longer you wait" will cast a spell on your through the resistless afrocentric rhythms, lush keys and captivating chords, not to forget to mention the inimitable haunting vocals of Darian Crouse.

Chynaah Doll "Just say" (D#Sharp Records Promo)

Well-respected D#Sharp Records are back on Spirit of House with an outstanding soulful gem guaranteed to make you yearn for more... The Joe Flame produced "Just say" is an uber soulful super smooth yet captivating production built around a gentle organic backing, luxurious keys and Chynaah Doll's fantastic distinctive vocals (with background vocals by Joe Flame). The alternate original version adds a glorious saxophone by Julian Meyers, Joe Flame's own remix is a verily mesmeric affair fueled with thrilling tribal-esque rhythms and phat synths, and finally Big Moses delivers a heavenly interpretation oozing with a timeless classic feel.

Montana, Stewart, Nortier "Unreleased Dubs Volume 1" (Wiggly Worm Records Promo)

This is the first volume in a new series of previously unreleased dub mixes that Wiggly Worm Records will issue over the coming months. This inaugural installment features the Andy Edit and Guido P dub mixes of "Never thought" by Montana, Stewart & Nortier featuring Dana Weaver, the Phaze Dee dub of "The world to me (you are)" by Montana, Stewart & Nortier featuring Stephanie Cooke, and the Vincent Kwok dub of "Last dance" by Montana & Stewart featuring Stephanie Cooke. As a bonus, the original vocal versions of the songs are included in the package.

DJ Pope & Marc Evans "Do you remember" (Nervous Records Promo)

"Do you remember" by DJ/producer DJ Pope and vocalist Marc Evans is an intriguing slice of feel-good house guaranteed to jam-pack the floor thanks to the absolutely irresistible backdrop which is heavily influenced by the Gary's Gang 1979 classic "Let's lovedance tonight", exquisite keys and chords, and the inimitable heartfelt vocals of Marc Evans. The truly soulful and melodious alternate mixes oozing with a classic organic feel are on a somewhat more relaxed tip, while the 'DJ Dub' is a relentlessly thumpin' workout perfect for prime time play.

Kings of Tomorrow featuring Kandace Springs "Faded" (Defected Records Promo)

Not many words are needed to describe "Faded" a wicked production by Sandy Rivera (released under his larger-than-life Kings of Tomorrow disguise), without doubt this smokin' hot track will take over dance floors by storm thanks to the amazing passionate vocals of Kandace Springs, the uplifting emotive piano and an the utterly vibrant smoothly thumpin' rhythms. Nuff said...

Laura Jackson "DonĀ“t walk away" (SedSoul Records Promo)

"Don't walk away" is a song by American r&b group Jade released in late 1992 which became one of the biggest dance and r&b singles of 1993. End of last year, SedSoul Records released "SedSoul Volume 1 - The Single Collection" which includes a glamorous contemporary r&b/soul remake of this unforgettable classic performed in grand style by Laura Jackson. The full single release is just around the corner and features a classy up-tempo interpretation that stays faithful to the spirit of the original yet transforms the song into a verily groovey truly soulful 4/4 affair.

Paso Doble featuring Toshi "Kanti" (MoBlack Records Promo)

The mesmerizing "Kanti" by DJ/producer Paso Doble and vocalist Toshi takes you on an entrancing journey to deepest imaginable afro house territory, with mercilessly pulsating rhythms leading the way for inebriant synth melodies and Toshi's unique sultry vocals. You can't deny the fact that MoBlack Records continue to drop nothing but the best in afro house music, thereby showcasing the many flavors the genre has to offer...

Simpson Uniquity featuring Byron Stingily & Kenny Bobien "Girl, you need a change of mind" (Simp-House Productions Promo)

Former Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks timeless classic "Girl, you need a change of mind" (from his second solo album "People... hold on" released in Spring of 1972) comes in an awe-inspiring contemporary yet indisputably old school inspired four-to-the-floor re-imagination produced by none other than Paul Simpson that features a phenomenal rendition of the lyrics by Byron Stingily and Kenny Bobien alongside a masterly orchestration. Sheer musical bliss...

Bonus Review: Dee Jay Sound "Serenata de amore brasiliero" (POJI Records Promo)

The latest offering on renowned POJI Records comes courtesy of Chicago native Derrick Sales aka Dee Jay Sound whose splendiferous "Serenata de amore brasiliero" is an expertly crafted verily soulful Latin/Brazilian/Jazz infused production with fuses dulcet yet enthralling percussive rhythms with the incredible keyboard wizardry of Derrick Sales. The 'Voce a Linda Vocal' version introduces tempting vocal sprinkles and gives the track a more traditional 4/4 feel, while the 'Jazz Version' is a laidback truly blissful mid-tempo interpretation.

Bonus Review: DJ Punch "Black Power EP" (Deeper Side of CyberJamz Records Promo)

DJ Punch is back for more dance floor dominance on Deeper Side of CyberJamz Records with this massive EP featuring two dazzling four-to-the-floor interpretations of legendary Marvin Gaye songs, namely "I want you" and "What's going on" which both have been given the signature DJ Punch treatment, beyond the shadow of a doubt either of them will send the dancers into a frenzy.