Funky House Recommendations February 2015

Review: Looking back over 20 years in the game, Spinna handpicks some of his favourite re-rubs and reversions for The Sound Beyond The Stars, a retrospective issued through the trusted hands of BBE. The full album contains 18. four of which can be found on this stunning gatefold double 12"... From the psychedelic spirals and soulful yearns of "Without Your Love" to the overwhelming warmth, depth and length of the 13 minute long synth-focussed take on Animal House's "Dirty Mind", Spinna's signature is deeply scribed into each reversion with serious soul sentiment.

Review: Spinna's double-decade document on BBE is an essential lesson in the dark art of remix craft. And here are five perfect examples. His take on "The Power" by Karizma subverts from the off as we're washed with a waterfall of bitter sweet acid. The remix of Bah Samba's "Moonlight" shows Spinna at his most cosmic and reflective while "Got To Let It Go" is straight up jazz church music. Deeper again we find him in straight up bassline soul mode on the Wonder-esque "I Remember Love" while his take on "You Can't Lie", a hookup between Kerri Chandler and Harley & Muscle, is more street soul than it is house music. Truly timeless.

Review: Given the length of his career - 25 years and counting - it's a bit surprising it's taken this long for Defected to invite Dave 'Joey Negro' Lee into their House Master hall of fame. Happily, they've done a good job summarising his career to date, getting a good balance between both big hits ("American Dream", "Ride The Storn", "Everyday" etc) and lesser-known remixes (early tweaks of Reece Project, Simphonia, Extortion), as well as showcasing the disco side of Lee's output (superb reworks of Candido and Patrice Rushen, for starters). It's surprising how many of Lee's vintage productions and reworks have stood the test of time - something that can't be said for many of his contemporaries.