Rick Wade

Review: Following the recent dip into the Theo Parrish archives that was The Twin Cities, Phil Weeks' Robsoul imprint looks to another one of Detroit's adopted sons in the form of Rick Wade. Like that recent Parrish reissue, Weeks re-releases another three tracks from Wade's bulging discography. The upbeat disco loops of "Players Theme" was originally released on French label Funky Chocolate in 2002 and still sound fresher than anything being plied by the Soundcloud dwellers today, while "Can't You See" from 2003 provides a more soulful take on house music. On the flip, the tracky funk and cascading string melodies of "I Feel Good" originally graced Wade's own Harmonie Park imprint in 1998, but sound no less vital today. Essential.

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.

Review: Longstanding Detroit deep house veteran Big Daddy Rick returns with three timeless reminders of his relevancy and resonance. "Escapism" is one of those classic ebb and flow tracks that laps gently but powerfully with mournful chords and slight air of cinematica while "Stand Alone" carries all the hallmarks of Rick's hometown with its rippled detuned chords and robust stately drum arrangement. "Understand" plays the consummate finale with its shuffled broken beats and dreamy 50s movie flourishes. Understated.