In this weeks big update loaded with the latest in soulful house music week we have thrown in a few extra reviews for you - enjoy !!
Blast from the Past: Fonda Rae "Living in ecstasy" (4 to the Floor Records Promo)
The Mood II Swing (John Ciafone & Lem Springsteen) produced "Living in ecstasy" performed in grand style by legendary Fonda Rae is a bonafide dance music classic dating back to 1996 when originally released on acclaimed London based house music label Freetown Inc. 4 to the Floor Records revive this unforgettable gem, with the release including all the signature mixes of the song, namely the original Mood II Swing mixes from the Freetown Inc release, Francois K's splendid re-edit, Louie Balo's warehouse influenced dub, the accapella by Jean-Philippe Aviance, and finally the superb Restless Soul remixes from 1998.
Khulile featuring Zanele Khumalo "Love is all I feel" (Grooveland Music Promo)
The latest offering from Grooveland Music is the marvelous "Love is all I feel" by South Africa's Khulile, a verily temping uber soulful yet compelling afro house production fusing gentle percussive rhythms with grand jazzy keys and Zanele Khumalo'a incredible haunting vocals - sheer musical bliss. The stellar and truly varied remixes by Callvin, FKA Mash, RoneeDeep, Urbe Deep Connextions and Zawadi take the song to the next level, giving you a tough choice to pick a favorite version.
Antonello Ferrari & Aldo Bergamasco featuring Sara Bright "Don't make me wait" (KingStreet Records Promo)
Italian house music maestros Antonello Ferrari and Aldo Bergamasco team up with vocalist Sara Bright for "Don't make me wait", a glorious feel-good anthem using a smooth yet irresistibly stompin' backdrop as foundation for exquisite jazzy keys, celestial strings, classy horns, lovely guitar and the beautiful sultry vocal of Sara Bright. The dub oozing with an uber cool underground-esque old skool inspired feel is a sure-fire dance floor weapon.
Kentrell "In the middle" (T's Box Records Promo)
To cut a long story short, "In the middle" by Kentrell is a phantasmagorical soulful jewel produced by none other than Terry Hunter which features the glamorous r&b tinged vocals of Kentrell alongside sublime jazzed-up keys, ethereal chords, grandiose horns and intriguing percussive rhythms. This inspiring verily soulful production released through T's Box Records comes highly recommended.
Big Jano Green "Love town" (SedSoul Records Promo)
Turn back the clock to 1938 when "Love town" by Booker Newberry III was taking over dance floor globally by storm. Fast forward to 2018, and we are graced with a splendiferous remake of this all time classic staying true and respectful to the original yet giving the song an uplifting contemporary four-to-the-floor feel, with an infectiously thumpin' organic backing leading the way for Big Jano Green's amazing rendition of the lyrics, wicked guitar, lush keys and magnificent horns.
Princess Tam Tam "The deep dance" (2018 Remixes Part 2)(CyberJamz Records Promo)
One month ago, we introduced you to the first part of brand new remixes of "The deep dance" by Princess Tam Tam aka Carmen Mitchell (rip), not only was this CyberJamz Records inaugural release but also Princess Tam Tamwas the first spoken word artist on the label. The second part of the 2018 remixes features a truly eclectic selection of scintillating re-imaginations by DJ Erv, DJ Tie Be, Soulcat, Soul Slayerz and Young DJ, each one letting the unrivaled sexy spoken words of Princess Tam Tam truly shine. Undeniably a release guaranteed to send the dancers into a frenzy,
DJ SGZ featuring Shon Mac "Free yourself" (Nightshade Music Group Promo)
Not much needs to be said or written about this bodacious release out now on Nightshade Music Group other than "Free yourself" by South Africa's DJ SGZ (Gugulethu Mokwebo) is an expertly crafted soulful production which combines the gorgeous emotive vocals of Shon Mac with luscious keys, enchanting chords and a groovey organic backing, without doubt this is soulful house music at its best...
CalvINSOL "Sol VL 1" (Deeper Side of CyberJamz Records Promo)
New Jersey based DJ/producer CalvinSOL presents his debut release "Sol VL 1" through up and rising Deeper Side of CyberJamz Records. Firs up is a beautiful re-imagination of Yolanda Adams adorable "Open my heart" (from here 1999 album "Mountain high... valley low") which stays faithful to the original yet transforms the song into a soothing 4/4 affair fueled with smooth yet thrilling rhythms. Second is the instrumental cut "Cultural vibrations" sure to cause a stir on the dance floor through the inexorable rhythms and inebriant synth melodies.
The 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...
"Tribes of the Jaguar" by Doug Gomez is back in a blistering 'Organ Dub' that puts the emphasis on the merciless tribal-esque afro-percussive rhythms and the killer organ (Merecumbe Recordings Promo). Next, Doug Gomez teams up with Pietro Nicosia for "Dulce vida" an utterly mesmerizing afro house production laced with glorious jazzy keys, entrancing chords and captivating rhythms (Merecumbe Recordings Promo).
Ricky Inch and Tanel Kuusk join forces with Jorma Puusaag for "Theme of Kadriorg" a truly glamorous slice of sun drenched verily soulful yet tantalizing jazz-house bliss oozing with a masterly orchestration (Ossom Records Promo). "House music" by Justin Imperiale is a dazzling production fusing a contaminous organic backdrop with sublime keys, dreamy chords and cool male vocal sprinkles (Cabana Recordings Promo).
We are closing this weeks update with the recently released "No Voices EP" by Luis 'Loowee R' Rivera loaded with not less than ten dub and instrumentals, most definitely this mind-boggling collection perfectly showcases his signature sound that is verily unique yet truly eclectic and refreshing (Jack 2 Jazz Records Promo).