Read on for the latest (exclusive) reviews - full on vocal pressure this week...
Vick Lavender "Chicago Fusion EP Vol. 7" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)
With the seventh installment in his "Chicago Fusion" series, Vick Lavender presents a fresh slice of ingenious music. The laidback jazz-funk fusion "Fusion tales" features keys by long time collaborator Mike Logan and impressive moog ride by Vijay Tellis-Nayak alongside percussion by Joe Rendone and drums by Vick Lavender himself - simply a masterpiece. "Visions" will take you on a journey into cosmic house, featuring another impressive moog ride by Vijay Tellis-Nayak, percussion by Bobby D and drum programming by DeJay Cease - the saga of vintage productions of Vick Lavender goes on and on...
Mworld "Sampler 1" (Strictly Music CD Promo)
This sampler by Strictly Music features two wicked productions by Mworld (Dee 'D'Ideas' Majek & Pat 'Fire' Bedeau) featuring vocalists Chanel Perry and Jai Black. First up is "One more drink" which is spreading a feel good vibe through Chanel Perry's amorous vocals, glorious melodies and pulsating backdrop, followed by "Let me be the one" which features incredible r&b styled vocals by Jai Black alongside phat keys over a deeply thumpin' bass heavy backing groove. Watch out for the upcoming 'Multimodal World' album by Mworld...
Exclusive Preview: Alicia Keys "Fallin'" (Tony Loreto SS Remix)(J Records CD-R)
There is a remix competition currently under way for Alicia Keys' "Fallin'" (details here), and Tony Loreto has been pulling out all the stop on his thrilling remix which fuses Alicia Keys' unmistakable vocals with his signature grand keys and chords, illustrious organs and relentlessly stompin' rhythms, turning this wonderful song into a sure fire dance floor anthem.
Exclusive Preview: Luther Vandross "Never to much" (Alex Dimitri South Soul Re-Touch)(Epic Records CD-R)
"Never too much", Luther Vandross' (r.i.p) timeless soul/r&b classic from 1981, gets revamped right in time for summer by Alex Dimitri who stays respectful to the original while transforming the song into a fierce four-to-the-floor stomper driven by a funk soaked backing, letting the original instrumentation and Luther Vandross' incomparable vocals shine.
Exclusive Preview: Jamie Woon "Lady luck" (Diephuis Soul Edit)(Polydor Records CD-R)
The stellar "Lady luck" is lifted from Jamie Woon's current long player "Mirrorwriting" and has been given a house makeover by DJ Diephuis (Barend-Jan Beljaars) who combines the unique vocals of Jamie Woon and the original instrumentation with a deeply thumpin' backdrop to turn the song into resistless 4/4 affair.
Exclusive Preview: Aaron Hall "I miss you" (Houseconverse & Soul'N'Vibes Remix)(MCA Records CD-R)
Former Guy singer Aaron Hall presented his debut solo album "The truth" in 1993 which included his smash hit "I miss you", a beautiful soul/r&b song. The team of Houseconverse & Soul'N'Vibes takes on the song and delivers a dazzling housed-up interpretation that keeps the spirit and magic of the vocals of the original alive.
Exclusive Preview: Eric Benet feat Faith Evans "Feel good" (Soul'N'Vibes & Hgm Re-Touch)(Reprise Records CD-R
The sexy party jam "Feel good" marks the second" collaboration for Eric Benet and Faith Evans, released on Eric Benet's 2010 album "Lost in time". Soul'N'Vibes & Hgm come together to rework the song into an uplifting yet fiery funk soaked 4/4 stomper staying true to the original that is guaranteed to cause a stir on the floors.
Bo Moore featuring Kavon Brown "Love, joy and happiness" (CIMA Records CD Promo)
Here we have a slice of classic garage courtesy of Bo Moore and singer Kavon Brown who present the incredibly soulful yet infectious "Love, joy and happiness", an uplifting production featuring luscious keys and chords alongside deeply felt vocals by Kavon Brown over a deeply stormin' backing. Tony V takes us back in time with his deep underground-esque dub, while Wayne Gardiner contributes two celestial mixes fueled with masterly jazzy keys and synth melodies, perfectly arranged over smooth percussive rhythms.
Lem Springsteen "Seize the moment" (Underground Collective Records CD Promo)
Lem Springsteen, one half of the legendary Mood II Swing duo, teams up with Cubanix & Tony Unique to present the delectable "Seize the moment", his debut for Underground Collective Records. "Seize the moment" is a soulful gem featuring sublime keys and Lem Springsteen's unmistakable vocals over a smooth yet conatminous backdrop - sheer musical bliss.
The Brothers featuring Jim C "Raising hands" (The Brothers Records CD Promo)
Hot on the heels of Jam P's smash "Open up" comes the next bomb on The Brothers Records by the label heads themselves titled "Raising hands", a feel good anthem featuring cool vocals, freaky synth melodies and killer jazzy saxophone over a irresistibly stormin' funk soaked backing. The remix is courtesy of Aaron Ross who deepens the vibe and gives the track a bodacious lofty touch.