Picks of the Week

Exclusive Preview: J.S.O.U.L. "Love frequency" (Consortium Muzik Records CD Promo)

J.S.O.U.L. - Love frequency You might remember J.S.O.U.L.'s "Love frequency" from our review of the "New Horizons EP" (Camio Records) back in October 2009. Now this marvelous song gets a full release which includes a selection of amazing remixes. From Johnny Montana's excellent broken beat mid-tempo and up-tempo housed versions, over B=Note's melodious take, Setso 'Said-So' Maakwe's deep remorselessly thumpin' workout to DJ Hypnosis' laidback interpretation and Chris IDH's underground-esque remix, this is sheer musical bliss. One not to be missed.

More Reviews

Danny Clark & Jay Benham featuring Nica Brooke "Giving only" (Solid Ground Records CD Promo)

With only three releases out, Solid Ground Records has become a household name everywhere. And release #4 will surely assure their position as one of the leading labels for soulful house music. "Giving only" features haunting vocals of the highly talented Nica Brooke alongside galactic keys and synths over a deeper than deep groove. The 'Peaktime Mix' is an electronic rework destined to cause a stir on the dance floor, while Marlon D contributes an infectious underground flavored remix featuring glorious piano and lush chords. AtJazz adds his unique deep tech-soul vibe to the track, with his dub being on a dubby spaced-out tip. Thomas Toccafondi's fiercely thumpin' rework featuring impulsive synths completes the package.

Zano "My story" (GoGo Music Records CD Promo)

GoGo Music continues to discover hidden South African talents and add Zano to their roster - an artist who has worked with the likes of Black Coffee, DJ Christos, Vinni Da Vinci and more in the past. "My story" is taken from Zano's album "The Gentlemen's Club", and this jewel features music by the late Art Jones Bukenya who combines the fantastic gospel inspired vocals with a deep contaminous backdrop. The remixes are courtesy of Ralf GUM whose distinguished 'Organic' mixes are fully live instrumented, while his vibrant 'Deeper' mixes are deep and dubby dance floor bombs spreading a hypnotic feel.

Alton Miller "Can't hide it" (ProgCity Deep Records CD Promo)

Alton Miller lets us reminisce the early days of house as he takes us back in time with the deep house gem "Can't hide it" which features freaky keys over a pure, raw 4/4 groove. Both the remixes by Toni Lionni and Matthias Vogt keep the vibe deep and melodic, with each one adding his one unique touch to the track. Finally, Paskal slows the pace down on his abstract, atmospheric remix.

Joe DiPadova & Shea Marshall featuring Chris 'Sirraf' Farris "I love it" (Seasons Limited Records CD Promo)

"I love it" by Joe DiPadova and Shea Marshall features sexy vocals by Chris 'Sirraf' Farris and wicked keys over a deeply thumpin, somewhat dirty yet truly funked-up backing. The remixes are courtesy of Sifiso 'SoulJunky' Shabalala whose soulful take is simply gorgeous, while Sisa 'Mr. Funk Daddy' Sopazi serves an afro-groove workout that South Africa is renowned for. Lastly, Stephen Rigmaiden transforms the track into a late night favorite full of captivating melodies.

Various "Distar Miami 2010 Sampler" (Distar Records CD Promo)

With most of their releases, this label appeals to a different audience than ours, and this is also the case with most of the tracks included in their Miami sampler. However there are two nuggets to be discovered: first is DeepCitySoul's take on "Let the music" by HouseBros, an old school flavored, deep and funky interpretation full of classy strings and keys. Secondly, Johnny Montana & Craig Stewart deliver a laidback remix of "Show me how good" by Roby Arduini & Pagany featuring vocals by Vale Ducros that oozes with their trademark organic yet jazzy sounds.

Bucie "Respect me" (Black Coffee Mix)(iMusic Underground Records CD Promo)

"Respect me" was originally released in July 2009 in South Africa on Bucie's long player "Rock On" by Demor Music. Now this beautiful song produced by Demor and mixed by Black Coffee has been licensed by iMusic Underground Records to make it available to a worldwide audience. The dreamy "Respect me" is all about Bucie's unique sultry vocals, jazzy keys and classic strings over a laidback percussion enriched groove.

Exclusive Preview: Dom Navarra featuring Rainy Payne "Play me" (Slip'N'Slide Records CD Promo)

"Play me" is the first single taken from Dom Navarra's upcoming album "Search 2 find the real". "Play me" is deep and laidback yet funky, featuring phat chords alongside the spoken poetry of Rainy Payne over a percussively thumpin backing. The remixes are courtesy of AtJazz who is turning the heat up on his hypnotic tech-soul interpretations which deepen the vibe for a guaranteed late night extravaganza.

Spiritual Blessings featuring Lisa Mayers "Not only human" (Del Records CD Promo)

The tasty "Not only human" by Spiritual Blessings combines luscious melodies with sultry vocals by Lisa Mayers in its original form, with Gregory Del Piero adding a slight tech-soul touch to the track on his deepened mixes. The Dolls Combers' emotive workout features cool keys over a fierce yet smooth groove, while DJ AX contributes the summery 'Sunset Mix' featuring a grand piano and lovely strings over a bumpy groove and the 'Cypher Club Mix' which replaces the piano with spacey synths. MoWz & Sander complete the package with their marvelous classic interpretation.

LIps "Time is now EP" (NiteGrooves Records CD Promo)

Up and coming South African producer LIps follows up his recent debut release "Mbali" / "The conscious" with the "Time is now EP", a fantastic selection of deep infectious afro house grooves. The spaced-out title track goes as deep as it gets, with Groove Assassin contributing a pair of glorious remixes. Other highlights include the mesmeric jazzed-up "Organs of house" and the warm melodious "Street soul".

DJ Dealer & Lisa Millett "Soulmates EP" (Look At You Records CD Promo)

The "Soulmates EP" features fresh remixes of two tracks taken from DJ Dealer's "Joyride", both of them being collaboration with the one and only Lisa Millett (the label describes it as "two kids in a candy store is the best way to describe the magic that happens when they get together"). "You're all I need" gets remixed by Evan Landes (Groove Junkies) whose old school re-rub is a blissful soul oozing rendition, and Karol XVII & MB Valence who go deep and dark on their minimal rework. Shane D's remix of "Speak to me" is on a fierce funked-up tip, while Armbar goes for a relentlessly stompin' slice of funky madness.

Exclusive Preview: Vick Lavender "Chicago samba" (Sophisticado Records CD Promo)

With the timeless "Chicago Samba", Vick Lavender blesses us with another vintage production built around a gorgeous jazz-funk soaked orchestration, featuring the mighty Mike Logan whose masterful jazzy keys together with the percussion charged backing create a laidback feel that is not to be missed.

Mustafa & Sunlightsquare featruing Tasita D'Mour "Changes" (Staff Productions Records CD Promo)

"Changes" is the first single lifted from the recently reviewed WMC/Miami Sampler by Mustafa and Sunlightsquare, featuring the unmistakable vocals by Tasita D'Mour. The original version is a deep mesmerizing thumper, with the 'Deeper Mix' relaxing the feel for a smooth deep journey. Dom Navarra's remix is a percussion driven, deep hypnotic late night favorite loaded with delicious jazzy keys, while Nightrhymes serve a deeply rumblin' rework with a jazzy piano and strings leading the way. Robert Rivera's take is soulfully stompin' and features warm melodic keys, while Frisco takes you back to the 80's with his synth fueled remix.

Wil Milton "A song for Madrina" (Blak Ink Records CD Promo)

"A song for Madrina" is quite different from Wil Milton's previous releases as for once he goes for a truly mellow, almost melancholic feel, using a super sweet percussion enriched backdrop as playground for peaceful, dreamy melodies created by lush keys, beautiful flutes and pretty guitars. While "A song for Madrina" is very smooth, it has enough energy to get the crowd movin', letting you choose between three equally exquisite versions.

Ruben Mancias featuring Johnny Dangerous "Invigoration" (Devotion Records CD Promo)

Ruben Mancias teams up with Johnny Dangerous for "Invigoration", a slammin' track built around remorseless underground-esque rhythms, killer lyrics from Johnny Dangerous and captivating organ play. The thumpin' 'Play That Sh*t Dub' adds a cool uplifting piano and putts the organ center stage, while the raw, funky as hell 'Ruben Mancias & Raffa Scoccia Funk' mixes bring back memories of the timeless funky club sounds.