Enjoy this weeks massive update loaded with the latest and best in soulful house music, with some extra goodies added...
SoulFunktion featuring Pryce Oliver "Unconditional" (SoulFunktion Records CD Promo)
When we reviewed "Tease me" last week, we said that SoulFunktion (Brian 'Keys' Tharme & Wally Walton) are on a roll at the moment as they unleash one soulful gem after another - to prove us right they are back this week with another superb soulful production. "Unconditional" features the emotive vocal stylings of up and rising Pryce Oliver alongside sublime keys and chords over a deeply groovin' funktified backdrop. The main vocal version is accompanied by two uber cool dub mixes and a wicked remix by newcomer Milos Drvenica who turns the track into a deep mesmerizing affair oozing with enticing melodies.
Sisco Umlambo featuring Zano & Keys Snow "Hush hush" (2013 Remixes)(Multi Racial Records CD Promo)
In September 2011 we reviewed the original version of "Hush hush" by Sisco Umlambo, an intriguing production featuring guest artists Zano and Keys Snow which is all about deeply felt vocals and grand keys perfectly arranged over a fiercely stormin' deep old school flavored backing. Now the track returns in a superb remix package, with the likes of Uhuru, Chris Sen, D-Malice and Kojo Akusa all adding their distinctive deep/soulful touch - to cut a long story short, each of these stellar remixes is guaranteed to jam-pack the floor...
Zandy SheJay featuring Thandi Draai "Journey into my heart" (Baainar Records CD Promo)
Baainar Records return to Spirit of House with "Journey into my heart" by Zandy SheJay, a mind-blowing production using deeper than deep utterly infectious afro-percussive rhythms as playground for the unmistakable haunting vocals by songstress Thandi Draai and entrancing melodies - without any doubt this mesmerizing soulful gem is guaranteed to put a spell on you...
Steven Stone & Wendy Lewis "New lady" (Carlos Vargas Remix)(Soul Deluxe Recordings CD Promo)
"New lady" by DJ/producer Steven Stone and vocalist Wendy Lewis was originally released in July of last year, later in December and February massive remixes by N'Dinga Gaba and Scott Diaz followed. The saga of this glorious soulful production continues with these brand new amazing remixes by Carlos Vargas who graces us with a breathtaking interpretation which combines Wendy Lewis deeply felt vocals with a laidback backdrop, grandiose jazzy keys and heavenly chords. By no means to be missed...
Davidson Ospina "Walking on sunshine" (Ospina Deep Rockers Remix)(CD-R)
DJ/producer Davidson Ospina pays tribute to the seminal all-time dance music classic "Walking on sunshine" by Rockers Revenge from 1982 (which itself was a cover version of Eddy Grant's 1978 disco song). Davidson Ospina's re-imagination takes this unforgettable dance music classic to deepest grounds, with thrilling rhythms leading the way for the one-of-a-kind vocals and enchanting synth melodies. Quite simply brilliant...
Jonathan Meyer featuring Billie Jean "Breathe" (Remixes)(Super Soul Music CD Promo)
Back in March we introduced you to the dynamite "Breathe" by Jonathan Meyer, a marvelous slice of melancholic four-to-the-floor featuring glorious melodies and wonderful emotive vocals by Billie Jean over deep afrocentric rhythms. Now the track returns in spectacular remixes by Abicah Soul who adds his signature glamorous touch - the atmospheric synth melodies and utterly deep truly contaminous rhythms together with Billie Jean's prominent vocals are guaranteed to cause a stir on the floor. Also included is a hypnotizing somewhat tougher remix by DJ Vivona perfect for the bigger rooms.
Toxic featuring Denny Dugg "Corners" (DeepForestSA CD Promo)
Hot on the heels of the wonderful "Ready for the world" by Darque featuring BlackCoffee & Kaylow comes the next soulful bomb from DeepForestSA, courtesy of Toxic and vocalist Denny Dugg. The awe-inspiring "Corners" combines Denny Dugg's deeply rooted vocals with heavenly keys and chords, all perfectly arranged over deep and gentle yet spell binding rhythms - in other words, this soulful gem is guaranteed to make you yearn for more...
Fiso Da Costa featuring La Veda "Is this the beginning" (SA Afro Remixes)(Sci-Fi Productions CD Promo)
In May of this year, the original mixes of "Is this the beginning" by Fiso Da Costa were released, a production guaranteed to set the floor on fire thanks to relentlessly pulsating rhythms, celestial synth melodies and La Veda's enchanting rendition of the lyrics. Now the time has come for Fiso Da Costa's 'S.A Afro Remixes' to see the light of the day - quite simply these fascinating new interpretations take the track to a whole new level with their enthralling afrotastic rhythms and ethereal melodies which harmonize perfectly with La Veda's inimitable vocals.
Groove Addix featuring Annette Taylor "Got my groove back" (Seamless Soul CD Promo)
Behind the beautiful old school inspired "Got my groove back" are Sean Grasty and DJ Rikky Rivera, collectively known as Groove Addix. Together with legendary Annette Taylor they grace us with a top-notch slice of classic New Jersey garage built around a deeply groovin' funk soaked backdrop, luscious chords and the unmistakable expressive vocals of Annette Taylor. Christian Hornbostel contributes a ruthlessly thumpin' truly hypnotizing dub workout laced with phat synth melodies perfect for prime time action.
Teddy Douglas "Music is My Life EP" (Tribe Records CD Promo)
Teddy Douglas makes his debut on Tribe Records with the marvelous "Music is My Life EP". "Land of love" is a gorgeous love song featuring phenomenal evocative gospel soul-soaked vocals by Marcell Russell, delicious strings and horns, and classy piano riffs over gentle percussive rhythms. "If it feels good" is an outstanding masterly orchestrated jazz/funk/Philly infused instrumental production on a classic boogie-esque tip oozing with a fervid feel you can't resist to dance to...
Best of the Rest
We are getting so many promos sent each and every week that many of them never get reviewed here on Spirit of House (for various reasons nota bene). However, as we want to make sure you are well informed what is happening, we have introduced this section where, every now and then, we will highlight other noteworthy releases...
The "Hype EP" by Chujo includes three equally slammin' productions, each one featuring glamorous melodies over deep'n'smooth yet mesmerizing rhythms - without any doubt, each of these tracks is a sure-fire late night weapon (FOMP CD Promo). Vincent Kwok's spell binding "Afrique", an exotic spell binding production blending the beloved West Coast deep house sound with African inspired rhythms and instrumentation, returns in a wicked re-edit by Julius Papp not to be missed (Transport Recordings CD Promo).
"Been missin' U" by Studio 35 features dazzling vocals by Patricia Edwards and is a no-nonsense four-to-the-floor dance floor weapon guaranteed to jam-pack the floor. Genetic Rhythm rework the track into a deep fierce tech-soul affair, while the J&M Brothers relax the vibe on their utterly soulful deeply groovin' workout which oozes with an infectious sexy vibe (Grooveboy Music CD Promo). "Groove with you" by Doc Link features absolutely irresistible 4/4 reworkings of "Small of my back" by Lalah Hathaway and "Gone baby, don't be long" by Erykah Badu, both of them guaranteed to set the floor on fire (Modulate goes Digital CD Promo).
Something special comes your way in the form of the Alan Russell remixes of "Voices (in my house)" by Benbo & Tide Mark. The original version is a down-tempo almost ambient track which has been transformed for the house floors by Alan Russell who combines the refreshingly original vocals, the piano and strings from the original with a smooth yet mesmerizing percussive backdrop - truly ingenious (Conya Records CD Promo).
Last but not least we have two exclusives for you. Manoli Manousakis has taken on DJ Manu's "Tribal soul", his re-touched and re-tweaked version stays true to the percussive tribal-esque vibe of the original yet intensifies the feel to the max with added layers of ethereal synth melodies (CD-R). Rafael Moraes is one of the chosen remixers for Neil Smallridge's "Subterfuge", he delivers a masterly crafted deep house interpretation perfect for late night, early morning play thanks to deep laidback yet thrilling rhythms, celestial synth melodies and sublime jazzy keys - a truly mind-blowing musical gem... (SoulDeep Inc. Records CD-R).