Enjoy this weeks fully loaded update with nothing but the latest and best in soulful house music...
Carla Prather "Annie Mae" (The Sophisticado Remixes)(Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
From Chicago's very own songstress Carla Prather comes a truly stunning cover version of Natalie Cole's unforgettable "Annie Mae" (the original can be heard on Natalie Cole's 1977 album "Thankful"), reworked for the soulful oriented dance floors by Vick Lavender and Torin Edmond. First up, Vick Lavender blesses us with another one of his vintage truly precious soul/funk/jazz infused interpretations featuring the inimitable keyboard wizardry of Vijay Tellis-Nayak. Next, Torin Edmond contributes a breath-taking alternate take of Vick Lavender's version (Vijay Tellis-Nayak on keys) guaranteed to make you yearn for more.
Various "Neal Conway Classics Revisited Vol. 4" (In the Zone Records CD Promo)
Here we go with volume four in the highly regarded "Neal Conway Classics Revisited" series. You know the drill by know, similar to its three predecessors this edition is loaded with ingenious truly inspiring and eclectic re-imaginations courtesy of the one and only truly legendary Neal Conway. This time, the truly illustrious list of songs in question are "I want you" by Marvin Gaye, "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (finally a soulful 4/4 makeover of the song we like), "Ohh baby baby" by Smokey Robinson and last but not least "Don't make me wait" by The NYC Peech Boys. Certainly this superb collection will put a spell on you...
Tracy Brathwaite "Smile" (The Casamena Mixes)(Honeycomb Music CD Promo)
Released a couple of weeks ago as part of the gigantic and highly recommended "For Kim EP", here we have Carlos Mena's unique and refreshing renditions of Tracy Brathwaite's gorgeous "Smile". There are two different versions to choose from, both featuring additional vocals from Carlos Mena himself. The 'Casamena Club Mix' features a sweet guitar by Jacob Santo and an organ solo by Ezel harmonizing perfectly with Tracy Brathwaite's deeply moving vocals and the spell binding rhythms. The 'Casamena Alex Mix' gives the song a deeper truly hypnotizing feel thanks to relentlessly thumpin' rhythms and celestial synth melodies.
Neal Conway featuring Dana Weaver "Fading away" (2015 Remixes)(Makin' Moves CD Promo)
The original soul/r&b version of "Fading away" was released beginning of 2014 on the "Urban Retropolitan Movement - Vol. 2 Sampler", later last year this beautiful song produced by Neal Conway and performed in grand style by Dana Weaver was reworked for the soul oriented house music floors by Neal Conway, Guido P & Soulbridge, Hakeem Syrbram and King D the DJ. Makin' Moves have licensed this fabulous gem and release a dazzling utterly seductive interpretation by DJ Spinna who adds his beloved signature touch, and Neal Conway whose previously unreleased up-tempo 'Classic Movin ReWerk' finally sees the light of the day. Essential.
Alex Millet featuring Emory Toler "I can fly" (HSR Records CD Promo)
The first new release form HSR Records for this week comes from Italy's Alex Millet who joins forces with Emory Toler for "I can fly", a masterly crafted soul oozing gem built around a smoothly groovin' backing, sublime jazzy keys and luscious chords, not to forget to mention Emory Toler's admirable haunting vocals. The 'Deep Mix' oozing with tantalizing melodies takes the track to deeper territory, while the 'Afro Mix' is a mesmerizing afro-deep workout guaranteed to set the floor on fire.
Marc Tasio & Bibi Provence "New love" (HSR Records CD Promo)
The second new release form HSR Records for this week is courtesy of French DJ/producer Marc Tasio and singer Bibi Provence whose "New love" is a truly uplifting soul/funk infused gem spreading a feel-good vibe guaranteed to jam-pack the floor. The 'Extended Mix' starting off with a grandiose intro combines Bibi Provence's passionate vocals with a grand piano, classy strings and contaminous funked-up backdrop. The 'Club Mix' intensifies the vibe somewhat and introduces electronic sounds, turning the track into a sure-fire prime time weapon.
Various "New Generation (Remix) Collective" (New Generation Records CD Promo)
Legendary New Jersey label New Generation Records present an awe-inspiring collection of tracks from the likes of Vangela Crowe, Vickie Ryan, Dawn Souluvn Williams, Latrechia Peteet, Deborah Robinson, Mike LaBirt, Kevin O and Sheba Jordan taken from their unrivaled back catalogue, all touched by the gifted hands of Big Moses (Moise Laporte). On top of this, you get a masterly re-imagination of Michael Jackson's all-time classic "Billie Jean" which was given a tempting soulful four-to-the-floor makeover as only Big Moses can do.
Sipho Ngubane, Smiso & Casanova featuring Faye Wonder "One Mandela Day EP" (Soulful Sentiments Records CD Promo)
We proudly introduce you to the second release on Soulful Sentiments Records courtesy of Sipho Ngubane, Smiso and Casanova who join forces with vocalist Faye Wonder for the "One Mandela Day EP". On the original version, deeply rumblin' utterly spell binding rhythms lead the way for glamorous keys and Faye Wonder's inspiring spoken word poetry, altogether spreading an infectious vibe. Kylou, Deepconsoul and Philani Zuma contribute stellar remixes all adding their distinctive deep/soulful touch, making it next to impossible to pick a favorite version...
Anna Cavazos, Tony Loreto "Just dancing" (Double Cheese Records CD Promo)
The next release on Double Cheese Records will be "Just dancing", a truly enticing and sexy slice of late night goodness from the minds of New York City based singer/songwriter/producer Anna Cavazos and Italian DJ/producer/remixer Tony Loreto. The deep somewhat dark rhythms together with the lush synth melodies and Anna Cavazos's unmistakable haunting vocals spread an enchanting vibe you can't resist to dance to. On remix duty are Luyo who reworks the track into an utterly hypnotizing deep afro-tech dance floor bomb, Nikos Diamantopoulos whose deep'n'moody workout is laced with glittering synths, and finally there is Decomposer's deeper than deep electronic re-imagination.
Mona Bode "Microphone fiend" (Toupee Records CD Promo)
The latest offering from Mona Bode through Toupee Records is a lovely piece of poetry dedicated to the microphone fiends and poets in the world of spoken words. "Microphone fiend" comes in versions by Dr. Thiza who combines Mona Bode's inimitable spoken word poetry with dulcet rhythms and seductive melodies, DJ Beloved serves a warm organic interpretation fueled with sublime chords and sweet guitar riffs, and Mona Bode & Administer turn up the heat on their tantalizing deepened rework .
DJ Punch "Baby Powder goes Klassic EP" (Toupee Records CD Promo)
Just a couple of weeks after presenting his re-imagination of Aretha Franklin's cover version of Ben E. King's all-time classic "Spanish Harlem" comes the next chapter of reworked classics by DJ Punch entitled "Baby Powder goes Klassic EP". Without a doubt, DJ Punch has been pulling out all the stops and transformed five classic songs into sure-fire dance floor weapons oozing with his trademark sound: "Angel" by Chaka Khan, "What is my woman for" by Curtis Mayfield, "Go bang" by Dinosaur L, "Get on the funk train" by Munich Machine and one more track we will not disclose but have you discover for yourself once this massive EP become available...
Ziggy Funk "In ya face!" (Rhemi Music CD Promo)
From Ziggy Funk, one half of Rhemi, comes this truly mind-blowing utterly seductive slice of late night bliss by no means to be missed. Quite simply, "In ya face!" is an enthralling funktified track using ruthless vibrant rhythms as playground for a wicked jazzy sax and twisted keys to create a fervid vibe guaranteed to send the floor into a frenzy. The flip side track "Master plan" is a stripped back raw groove spiced up with cool samples and quirky sounds that is simple yet extremely effective - pure fiya.