Rick Wade

Review: Drawing on the tradition of true, soulful deep house music, Future Reactions serves to carry the torch first lit by the likes of Larry Heard and picked up by heads such as Fred P and Patrice Scott. Chris J clearly feels this with the pitch-perfect harmony of "Around Philly", all wistful chords and warm square wave bass wrapped around a chunky beat. Rick Wade is already a proven master of the style, and "Clizias Theme" finds him drawing on his disco side for a sweet-natured and peppy groover. Norm Talley meanwhile brings a little bit of Motor City heat to the party with the heavy mood of "Str8 Housin'", and then Satore whips up an energized vibe with his "Upstreet Mix" of "Moodment".

Review: The second part in the Hudd Traxx 10th Anniversary 'Now & Then' compilation sees tracks from Luna City Express, Sek, Iz & Diz and Rick Wade. Berlin duo Luna City Express serve up a lush deep house groove that builds throughout the track, and will bring a smile to the faces of those who follow them on their beloved Moon Habour Recordings. Sek uses slick beats, trippy leads, a driving bassline and some 'Thug life' vocals to ensure this one has 'future classic' written all over it. Go back in time (to 2006 to be precise) on the 'Then' side to find Iz & Diz's 'Happy'. The words 'epic' & 'journey' are often misused in music but both can be mentioned about this track. It had devastating effect on first release and is set to do the same again nearly 10 years later. Rick Wade closes things out in fine style to fly the Detroit flag on an all Chicago / Detroit side.

Review: Detroit legend Rick Wade (or Big Daddy Rick) is an artist who needs little introduction: a true house music legend! He steps up for the fourteenth release on British imprint Shall Not Fade with these four quality tracks. A side cuts "Guardian Of Forever" and "Meeting" really channel that Harmonie Park sound: a signature groove that he has worked tirelessly at for the better part of at least 20 years. On the flip is "Feels" which gets an absolutely stellar remix by "LK" and injects the track with a real tough groove that's all about that sense of shuffle and swing. Following up great releases by Steve Murphy, Adriyano and Pascal Viscardi: this label is really bringing some top game at the moment.