Loftsoul US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Since making his debut at the tail end of the noughties, DJ/producer Loftsoul (real name Masahiko Uchikawa) has served up some scintillating material. While his original productions mostly gravitate towards the soulful end of the deep house spectrum, he's not averse to delivering the odd downtempo gem too. Here he launches a new series of white label, hush-hush reworks via a desirable seven-inch single. On side A he delivers a dusty, beatdown-style rework of Marlena Shaw classic 'Ghetto Woman', adding her distinctive vocals to a head-nodding mid-tempo house beat smothered in reverb-laden electric piano riffs and solos. Over on the flip he tastefully tools up and beefs up disco-funk classic 'Bump & Hustle', adding to the original drums with his own crispy and crunchy drum machine beats,

Review: Loftsoul returns with three carefully crafted edits that demonstrate his undeniable ability to blur the lines between genres, effortlessly merging the old with the new. 'Maestro Dubbie', 'Black History' and 'Movement Of Jah People' offer a dynamic showcase of his distinctive sound, blending elements of deep house, dub, and Afro rhythms. These are tracks that tap into an emotive core, each composition carrying its own weight yet flowing seamlessly together as a whole. Loftsoul's deep understanding of rhythm and melody is evident, creating an EP that feels as much at home on the dancefloor as it does in more introspective settings. Played live in the studio, the raw energy captured here gives these tracks an extra edge, ensuring they'll resonate long after the final beat fades out.

Review: Loftsoul's Re Works series is back with a sixth chapter that gets decidedly deep, not least with the opener 'Deep Poem'. It is just that - a smoky mix of dubby and slow-motion drums, wispy synths and spoken words that make for an intimate vibe. 'Euro-Express' brings rickety Kraftwerk rhythms and sleek synths right up to date with bigger low ends, then a classic piece of Ryuichi Sakamoto ambient gets a remix with some more crunchy textures but the same sense of melodic gorgeousness. Four useful sounds for constructing late-night mixes.

Review: An elegant fusion of deep house, jazz-funk and disco all showcasing the Japanese house producer's refined touch. Side-1's 'Sei-Un' is a sophisticated blend of jazzy piano melodies, funky undertones and soulful house grooves, creating a warm and inviting soundscape perfect for late-night sessions. The track's seamless integration of jazz elements with modern production highlights Loftsoul's craftsmanship. On Side-2, 'Brilliant Funk' lives up to its name with dynamic grooves and an infectious vocal presence that channels the vibrant energy of early 80s funk. Its polished arrangement and nostalgic vibe make it a great dancefloor cut. Together, these two tracks for a vibrant mix of funk, house and jazz music.