Review: It would be fair to say that Roy Davis Jr and Peven Everett's "Gabriel" (originally written "Gabrielle" on early pressings) has become a timeless dance music classic - a track that both soulful house and UK garage DJs reach for in times of trouble. Should it not be in your collection already (and it should be), Large Music has decided to re-master and re-press the original 1996 12". It does, of course, contain the now ubiquitous "Live Garage" version - the groovy two-step, trumpet-laden mix that became popular with early UK garage DJs - plus a trio of lesser-known remixes. The Tambourine Dub, in particular, is something of a tough, warehouse-friendly deep house treat.
Review: It would be fair to say that Studio K7 has pulled off something of a coup in getting Kenny Dixon Jr. to agree to compile and mix the latest installment in the long-running DJ Kicks series. It is, somewhat remarkably, the legendary Detroiter's first commercially available mix set. This triple-vinyl edition features a whopping 19 cuts - all in unmixed form - from the 30 track mix. Musically, it's a blazed, jazzy, soulful and groovy as you'd expect, and contains a mixture of downtempo beats, nu-jazz and hazy house cuts from the likes of Flying Lotus, Dopehead, Peter Digital Orchestra, Nightmares On Wax, Soulful Session and Lady Alma.
The Vision - "Heaven" (feat Andreya Triana - Danny Krivit edit) (6:21)
The Dangerfeel Newbies - "What Am I Here For?" (original NDATL vocal - Danny Krivit edit) (8:45)
Review: Since the 1970s Danny Krivit has been a prolific re-editor. We're used to him cutting up classic cuts - think disco and soul, in particular - but he's never been afraid to turn his talents to contemporary cuts. That's what you get on this surprise Defected release. On the A-side he turns his attention to "Heaven", the killer gospel-inspired modern disco single from The Vision and Andreya Triana, turning in a version with plenty of drops, instrument solos and more emphasis on the righteous, life-affirming vocals. He's in a smoother mode on side B, extended and rearranging the rich and soulful dancefloor treat that is Kai Alce's Original NDATL vocal mix of The Dangerfeel Newbies' "What Am I Here For?" - a gem from 2016 that has previously been criminally overlooked.
Review: Such is the prolific nature of FXHE at the moment, which ever pressing plant Omar S uses must be pretty happy with their contract. Following swiftly from Omar S's ode to the Axel F sound comes the debut missive from Aaron "Fit" Siegel. Named so thanks to his work at the helm of Fit Distribution, Siegel is a key figure in ensuring the ongoing healthy output of Detroit's house and techno militia and "Tonite" proves to be an auspicious debut. Featuring the vocal talents of L'Renne, the track is one of those eminently soulful house tracks with a sparse approach to production, all the elements sounding so crisp and distinct in the mix but judged perfectly. Such a track and the tougher B Side Detroit Mix just demonstrate how on top of their game FXHE are right now - big tip!
Review: SEX (remixes) makes for another triumphant 12" from the uber prolific FXHE stable and further smears the edges of expectation when it comes to the singular Omar S. Once again utilising the silky vocal delivery of singer L Renee, the four tracks here take divergent stylistic routes but each is magnificent. Keen listeners of Benji B's Radio 1 show will have heard the Conant Garden Posse version on a recent Big Strick guest mix, a devilishly dirty riposte to the Ghetto House aesthetic which has L Renee's vocals gliding over a snapping, raw house beat. Alongside this are two variants done in collaboration between Omar S and Aaron Fit Siegel which sound like they've been particularly inspired by soundtrack to Drive. Check the final Mack & Bewick remix for some detuned analogue nightmare set to a rippling electro beat.
You Got Me Dancing (feat Audrey Wheeler & Cindy Mizelle) (6:00)
Come Away (feat Kerri Chandler) (6:06)
Seven Mile (feat Moodymann) (5:56)
The Star Of A Story (feat Lisa Fischer) (5:58)
Change Your Mind (feat Bernard Fowler) (4:59)
All My Love (feat Robyn) (6:01)
Free To Love (feat Karen Harding) (6:06)
Feel So Right (feat Honey Dijon) (6:15)
How He Works (feat Nico Vega) (5:17)
Joy Universal (feat Two Soul Fusion) (6:04)
Igobolo (feat Joaquin "Joe" Clausell) (6:03)
Bebe Winans - "It's All Good" (feat Debbie Winans Lowe & Korean Soul) (5:59)
Touch The Sky (feat Tony Momrelle) (6:04)
Louie Vega & Elements Of Life - "Love Has No Time Or Place" (6:32)
Dreamin (feat Cindy Mizelle) (6:31)
Review: Some of Masters at Work man Louie Vega's greatest full-length projects have paid tribute to New York's 50-year dance music story, as well as his personal musical inspirations (most notably the Nuyorican Soul album he penned with long-time production partner Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez in the 1990s). Expansions in the NYC, his latest epic excursion, treads a similar path, offering a large number vocal-heavy numbers that not only blend elements of disco, boogie, proto-house and house, but also feature some genuinely high-profile vocalists from that era (think Peech Boys' Bernard Fowler, Unlimited Touch). Vega also joins forces with 21st century house star Honey Dijon on the superb 'Feels So Right', while the hook-ups with Moodymann, Kerri Chandler and Joe Clausell are as inspired as you'd expect.
Confess To U (The Three Stooges Of Hamtramck mix) (5:30)
Review: Alex "Omar" Smith has something he wants to get off his chest. The much-lauded Detroit producer has teamed up with re-born Italians Do It Better sorts Nite Jewel for "Confess To You", which comes in two distinctive variations. The A-side "Mix" revolves around a tactile, boogie-era synth bassline, late night AM radio synthesizer chords, drifting sax solos and a crunchy, deep house-influenced rhythm track. Arguably even better is the flipside vocal version, which naturally sees Smith, Romana Gonzalez and company deliver a near perfect chunk of '80s soul/deep house fusion. It sounds like a softly spun summer anthem in waiting. Don't take our word for it, though; check out the clips and revel in the track's breezy brilliance.
Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles club mix) (6:26)
Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles Classic club reprise) (6:07)
Hangin' On A String (12" mix) (5:58)
Review: Put simply, Loose Ends' 1985 hit 'Hangin' On A String' is not only a peerless UK soul classic, but also one of the greatest boogie-era dancefloor cuts full stop. You should really already own a copy, but if you don't, then this South Side reissue should be on your shopping list. Not only does it contain the band's brilliant original extended mix (B2) - a sing-along gem rich in hazy organ sounds, jazzy guitar solos and bustling electro-era beats - but also two celebrated 1992 remixes from Frankie Knuckles. Both are amongst the late, great DJ/producer's finest remixes, with the more instrumental and impeccably loved-up 'Reprise' version, in which Knuckles builds gently before eventually unleashing chorus vocals, being our pick of an incredibly strong pair.
Review: Sneaky remix action alert! We're not sure who DSO is (or are) - internet searches come up blank - but the two tracks on this 12" genuinely hit the spot. A-side 'Love You More' puts a new spin on the Sade classic of the same name, adding the '80s soul star's vocals to a hypnotic deep house groove, dreamy chords and occasional flecks of wine bar saxophone. Over on the flip the shadowy remixer(s) offer-up a radically different new take on Erykah Badu's 1997 hip-hop soul gem 'Apple Tree', reimagining it as a rolling chunk of deep house warmth. It's basically soul-fired, 21st century hip-house with enough depth and atmosphere to please deep house heads.
Montefiori Cocktail - "Gypsy Woman" (Micky More & Andy Tee 7" remix) (4:47)
Jestofunk - "Special Love" (feat Jocelyn Brown - Micky More & Andy Tee 7" Jazz remix) (4:59)
Review: Micky More & Andy Tee's remixes of 'Gypsy Woman' and 'Special Love' by Montefiori Cocktail and Jestofunk respectively are jazz-infused delights that bring new life to these classic tracks. On the A-side, 'Gypsy Woman' exudes Latin disco flair, with infectious rhythms, a stunning horn section and uplifting strings that create an irresistible dancefloor vibe. Meanwhile, the flip features the iconic vocals of Jocelyn Brown on 'Special Love,' seamlessly blending disco and house elements for a soulful and energetic experience. The live instrumentation, including bass and horns, adds depth and authenticity to both remixes, enhancing their appeal to DJs and listeners alike. These remixes are sure to light up any dancefloor with their timeless appeal.
Review: From Kon's forthcoming compilation on BBE entitled Kon & The Gang, this 12? sampler features two cuts taken from the LP and an exclusive remix from Boston producer and mix engineer Caserta, namely "Timeless" (Caserta mix)" a tasty serving of super deep and low slung disco goodness. A more functional edit for DJ use follows on "Timeless" (remix - Caserta mix)". On the flip Truccy (better known as Compost's Rainer Truby and Corrado Bucci) present "Closer", a gorgeous slo-mo house jam with a rolling groove fetauring all the good stuff: swirling Rhodes keys, groovy congas and hypnotic vox.
Review: Theo Parrish has green-lit a couple of back catalogue reissues from his Sound Signature label this month and this one originally came back in 2010 and found him on production duties and Bilal Love on the vocals. The Melloghettomental EP is an archetype Parrish offering - dusty, lo-fi beatdown and house fusions with muted but meaningful chords and aching vocal hooks. You get all that on blissed-out opener 'Can't Keep Running Away', superbly soulful live bass work on 'U Bring Me Up' and heavier, more griding grooves but still sublime vocals on 'Why Wait'. The title cut is an off-grid mix of sci-fi melodies and diffuse chords, shimmering drums and low slub bass. Sublime.
Review: It's a case of old school meets new school on this fresh new slice of house from Defected. Representing the vets is the one and only Louie Vega, while in the contemporary corner are New York's finest, the Martinez Brothers. Marc E Bassy also pops up on vocals for this feel good deep house gem. His part sung, part rapped delivery comes over soul drenched beats and nice singing leads, which have long been a hallmark of the great Masters at Work man, Vega. A TMBLV mix is more pumping, Honey Dijon cuts loose on elastic bass and rugged rhythms and Dom Dolla offers a more energetic and main room version.
Jayenne - "Love Walked In The Room" (feat Gina Carey) (6:46)
Foreal People - "Raise A Blaze" (feat Xan Blacq) (8:21)
Mistura - "Want Me Back" (feat Jemini) (6:54)
Dave Lee - "Taste My Love" (feat Billy Valentine) (5:58)
Mistura - "If You Ever Need Somebody" (feat Tiffany T'Zelle) (5:55)
The Sunburst Band - "Face The Love" (feat Angela Johnson) (5:45)
Raw Essence - "Do It Again" (feat Lifford) (6:27)
Dave Lee - "Power Of The Mind" (feat Billy Valentine - Power Trip mix) (6:14)
The Sunburst Band - "Let's Do It In Style" (7:11)
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes - "Don't Leave Me This Way" (Dave Lee Philly World mix) (8:33)
Kokomo - "Use Your Imagination" (Dave Lee Re-Imagined mix) (7:18)
Review: DJ, curator and producer Dave Lee (fka. Joey Negro) continues to celebrate his 30-odd year long career in music with his second curatorital comp release. The 'Produced With Love' series charts all of Lee's original productions in soulful house and disco, and this second edition includes choices songs by the likes of Destiny II, Leroy Burgess and Andreya Triana. Always collaborative and with effortless attention to funking detail, Lee brings it once again.
The Trammps - "I've Gotta Stand Up" (Dave Lee Garage City mix)
Celestial Being & Citizens Of The World Choir - "Raise The Vibration" (Crackazat club mix)
Soul Dhamma - "Flower" (Dave's Boogified mix)
Review: Vintage house and disco don Dave Lee knows a thing or two about serving up irresistible and timeless cuts and that's what he does here with the 24th instalment of the long-running Attack The Dancefloor series on his own Z Records. The man himself kicks off with Maurissa Rose on the loosely chugging, deep and soulful 'Open Me Up' (a first taste of the upcoming album together). He then slips into US garage style with his popular remix of The Trammps' 'I've Gotta Stand Up' that harks back to the glory days of 90s Soulful House. Felix Buxton's Celestial Being & Citizens Of The World Choir's 'Raise The Vibration' gets a gloriously sunny and positive Crackazat club mix before Lee closes the release with squelching synth in the form of his Boogified mix of Soul Dhamma's classic 'Flower.'
Review: We know nothing about DSO, but we do know that this is another syrupy serving of pop, deep house and soul that is pure dance floor bait. The first sure fire party starter is 'Baggage' with its gorgeous r&b vocal sample, airy and soulful house grooves and jazzy neo soul piano work. It's a real heart melter to spread love and joy, then things get more funky on the flip. The catchy 'Involved' has a male R&B vocal this time, with more slinky house beats and natty little chord riffs that permeate deep in your soul. If you can't cut loose to this one, you're dead inside.
What Would You Do (Expansions NYC dub vocal) (7:10)
Review: Get ready for a rush-inducing dose of proper soulful vocal house from the mighty Dames Brown. On this record for Defected, Detroit's foremost trio of Athena Johnson, Lisa Cunningham and Teresa Marbury linked up with the mighty Amp Fiddler and Andres for a rip through house music as real as it gets. The original 12" mix of 'What Would You Do?' is hard to beat for raw, heavy-hitting groove and production, but there are some choice remixes included here for those who have different needs, whether it's the bouncy jazz funk of Two Soul Fusion's version or the smoother sound of Folamour creating a sleek disco house variation for the peak time crowd.
Review: 'Couldn't Love You More' is one of the most iconic songs from one of the most iconic soul singers of her generation. It is such a sweet tune that it is perfect for reworking into a lovely deep house framework. And that is exactly what we have here as some mysterious artist who for obvious reasons wants to be unnamed reworks it three different ways. Mix 1 keeps the lush, lazy chords in place and sprinkles in some deft percussion. Mix 2 is a subtle tweak that has a little more drive and edge to it and Mix 3 completes the package with another deft touch that is sure to get floors all loved up.
Review: British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Sade is rightly celebrated for her sultry voice and timeless hits like 'Smooth Operator' and 'No Ordinary Love.' Her music blends soul, jazz and r&b with its sensual melodies and poetic lyrics and so is a great fit for deep house reworks, A bunch of them have all dropped with us and this one licks off with 'Like A Tattoo', an airy cut with some gorgeous keys and plenty of loved up vibes. Meanwhile on the flip is a new version of the most iconic of them all - 'Smooth Operator' (remix) still has the erotic sax notes and great vocals, but more upbeat drums to get cosy parties moving.
Let It (Give Me Back My Love) (feat AbbieLee) (5:55)
Another Dawn (vocal mix) (5:07)
The Bassline (Kerri Dark mix) (7:09)
The Breeze (7:57)
Review: New Jersey house don Kerri Chandler is rightfully lauded as a hero of the scene. He continues to pour his heart and soul into every record and imbue his music with real-world emotions that elevate his tunes. He is of course a master of a deep but driving sound that borrows from soul, funk and jazz in ignitible ways. The third volume of his Lost & Found EP series on his own label Kaoz Theory is packed with more gold, from the slinky depths of 'Let It (Give Me Back My Love)' to the soul staring vocal work of 'Another Dawn' via more paired back sounds on 'The Bassline' (Kerri Dark mix) and the percussive energy of 'The Breeze.' Yet another essential Kerri 12" for your collection.
Review: Three years after it first dropped digitally, J T Donaldson's Classic Music label debut finally makes it onto wax. The EP naturally opens with the long-serving deep house producer's original mix, a wonderfully sun-splashed and warming slab of electric-piano-heavy deep house goodness marked out by a superbly soulful - but also pleasingly laidback - lead vocal from guest singer Liv E. Donaldson's own bumpin', club-heavy remix - think vintage Masters at Work and you're close - follows, before we're treated to two fresh revisions from other producers. Fellow house veteran Sandy Rivera delivers a typically drowsy, soulful and tasteful rework, before Girls of The Internet re-invent the track as a bustling slab or elastic jazz-house complete with layered analogue synth sounds and heady double bass.
Doug Willis - "The Mighty Douglas" (Doug Godbizniss mix) (6:39)
Roland Wrightangle - "In Your Blood" (feat Darcus - Ron Basejam mix) (7:19)
Jakatta - "American Dream" (Atjazz remix) (7:20)
The Pockets - "Work It Out" (Dave Lee rework) (6:45)
Review: Dave Lee's Z Records continues to fly the flag for disco-tinged house, or house-tinged disco, from new school artists and old-school mainstays. One thing you can be sure of with music n this label is that it will be big, crowd-pleasing tackle that never forgets its roots. There is real religious rapture in the thrilling Doug Godbizniss mix of 'The Mighty Douglas' which gets the EP underway in fine style. After that is a sumptuous, string-laced house classic from Ron Basejam, a lush mix of the wonderfully ethereal 'American Dram' from lounge-y house don Atjazz and classy, hip-swinging vocal house bomb from Dave Lee himself.
Mistura - "Want Me Back" (feat Jemini - Jimpster Jazz'd Right Up remix) (6:26)
Joey Montenegro - "Do What You Feel" (Birdee remix) (7:27)
Lakeshore Commission - "In 2 The Light" (feat Bluey - Dave Lee Mind Travel mix) (7:40)
Destiny II - "Play To Win" (feat Angela Johnson - Dave Lee Destination Boogie mix) (7:11)
Review: Z Records' ongoing 'Attack The Dancefloor 'series of compilation style vinyl EPs has long been a reliable source of disco-fired excellence, and this 21st edition is another high-quality affair. We're first treated to a superb Jimpster revision of recent Mistura single 'Want Me Back', where Jemini's spoken word vocal, jazzy keys and spacey synth sounds rise above loose-limbed deep house beats and wiggly TB-303 lines, before Birdee drops a genuinely joyous, organic-sounding disco-house take on 1991 classic 'Do What You Feel' (now credited to Joey Montenegro, rather than his now retired Joey Negro alias). Elsewhere, Lee's own rework of Lakeshore Commission's Bluey collaboration 'In The Light' is a smooth, soulful, string-drenched delight and the veteran producer's 'Destination Boogie' tweak of Destiny II's 'Play To Win' is a revivalist '80s electrofunk delight.
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper's Brawls Deep unreleased remix)
Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper - "Loving You" (feat Yasmeen)
Review: This special 12" sampler, part of the forthcoming compilation, taps into the timeless spirit of the Paradise Garage with two unreleased collaborations that showcase the late Frankie Knuckles' legacy. On the A-side, the final production from Knuckles, alongside Kenny Summit and Eric Kupper, delivers a soulful, uplifting remix of Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." It's pure house brilliance that captures the essence of the Garage sound. On the flip, the trio reunites for "Loving You," a Motown-inspired anthem featuring Yasmeen's powerful vocals. These tracks, which have been staple spins for DJs like Cajmere and Sonny Fodera, form part of a larger collection that celebrates house music's rich history, with remixes of iconic tracks. The cover art, designed by Alexander Juhasz, adds an extra layer of cultural significance to this must-have release.
The Sunburst Band - "He Is" (Jimpster remix) (7:21)
Joey Negro - "I Recognise" (feat Sacha Williamson - Andres remix) (6:27)
Prospect Park - "The Kinda Love" (Jkriv remix) (8:06)
Jakatta - "My Vision" (feat Seal - The Vision remix) (7:03)
Review: Dave Lee aka Joey Negro has pulled together a fine team of remixers here to serve up their own versions of tunes by him, Jakarta, The Sunburst Band and Prospect Park, all for his own Z Records. Freerange boss and deep house Don Jimspter goes first and brings real sunshine to his take on 'He Is.' Detroit badman Andres then does what he does best to 'I Recognise', that is layering in hip hop slanted beats and nice rolling baselines under lush chords. On the flip are two more positive house vibrations to make this a handy EP.
Review: Michael McDonald anthem 'Sweet Freedom' is an epic of its era and here it gets a special revision from edit royalty The Reflex. It's a a one sided, highly weaponised 12" that fuses disco, soul, and oodles of good time vibes, all together into one killer cut. The vocal is the main draw - its clean and pure, and tugs at the heart. The drums are silky and slinky, the bass rumbles deep down below and there is a real sense of cosmic dust being sprinkled over the whole thing.
Review: Some artists are always going to be a rich vein to mine for DJs looking to get instant results with the tunes they play. This 80s soul legend is one of those whose buttery smooth vocals only ever need a little extra weight adding to the drums to make them perfect for club deployment. Here we get a version of 'Nothing Can Come Between Us' with soulful drums that have a nice dusty, lo-fi edge and some smart melodies. On the flip is the more intimate 'King Of Sorrow' which becomes a melancholic groove for cosy back rooms.
Review: Since being snapped up by Defected a few years ago, the reinvigorated Nu Groove label - originally home to some of the earliest NYC deep house recordings ever released - has done a good job in balancing essential reissues with new EPs from artists whose music neatly fits their ethos. Jimpster, a man who has been serving up impeccable deep house for decades, is their latest recruit. Fittingly, he's delivered an EP of nostalgic, colourful deep house of the kind that could have been produced by Nu Groove stalwarts The Burrell Brothers in 1990 or 91. For proof, check the tactile, analogue-rich retro-futurism of 'The Phoenix', the warming deep NY garage-house bump of 'Lightening In Me' (featuring vocalist Oliver Right) and the synth-rich sonic sunshine of 'Beat Of An Era'.
Review: Evergreen house master Kerri Chandler digs back into the vault for 'Lost & Found Vol. 4', the latest instalment in his archive series on Kaoz Theory. A genuine house pioneer, he continues to shape the genre while staying mighty true to the scene's roots. And it's fair to say there aren't many out there making more authentic house music than this veteran US producer. Vol. 4 unearths more hidden gems, including 'Since I Met You' featuring the late Michael Watford, the piano-laced joyride of 'Grandiose Garden' by Alopeke, and the brooding soul of 'Circles' featuring Natalia. Closing things out is 'The Dark One', a deep and driving cut built for the floor, with its dramatic string stabs and searing synths.
Dennis Ferrer - "How Do I Let Go" (feat TK Brooks)
Rain: A Lil Louis Painting - "Give It Up" (Masters At Work club mix)
Mood II Swing - "Sunlight In My Eyes"
Kimara Lovelace - "Misery" (Lil Louis club mix)
Review: Now under new ownership (international dance music powerhouse Armada Music, fact fans), long-serving New York house imprint King Street Sounds is doing a good job in showcasing gems from its vast archives. This second label sampler contains four more genuine must-have cuts. First up, there's a chance to admire the deep, soulful house wonder that is Dennis Ferrer's 2008 hook-up with honeyed vocalist K.T. Brooks, 'How Do I Let Go'. It's followed by Masters at Work's deliciously loose, disco-influenced deep house revision of 'Give It Up' by Lil' Louis' Rain project (first released in 2000), Mood II Swing's DIY Soundsystem favourite 'Sunlight In My Eyes' (easily one of the greatest deep house jams of all time) and Lil' Louis's swinging garage-house rub of Kimra Lovelace's 'Misery'.
Review: Beyonce's last album was widely heralded as a triumph by all. It found her diving into house music and working with scene stalwarts like Luke Solomon and Honey Dijon. It won a Grammy for its efforts. Now, even though plenty of the originals were ready to work a club dancefloor, we get treated to some remixes. They all focus on the standout single 'Break My Soul' and we get funky and soulful stuff from Terry Hunter, broken beat from Will I Am, house thumps from Honey Dijon, and filter-heavy stuff from The Queens. Add in the Nita Aviance club mix and the original version and you have a useful package indeed.
Review: These days, vinyl releases from Sean McCabe's admirable Good Vibrations Music imprint are few and far between, though what they do put out is excellent. For proof, check out this belated sequel to their first multi-artist EP, which landed in 2021. To kick things off, Glenn Underground serves up a gently Latin-tinged take on Harold Matthews Jr's 'This Place' - all soulful vocals, fluid bass guitar, bouncy beats, and infectious electric piano licks - before McCabe joins forces with Black Sonix on the jazzy, jaunty and bass-heavy jazz-funk/Latin house fusion of 'Modulate'. Deep soulful house and nods to Atjazz are the order of the day on Madeeha, McCabe and Dj Mixjah's 'Still Standing Here', while the Underground Project rework of 'You Don't Know' by David Bailey and MissFly is a tech-tinged slab of deep, soulful house.
Your Love (feat Leroy Burgess - DJ Aly dub mix) (8:05)
Soul Minimal (Stephan Hoellermann remix) (6:23)
My House (Ron Trent & Chez Damier mix) (7:04)
Review: The Master Jams label has been active for five years now, but this is only its fourth release. And mores the pity to be honest because they always serve real deal house music direct from the source in the United States. They don't come much more revered than Chez Damier, the former Prescription man turned Balance label boss. His house sound is deep, soulful, perfect. The four cuts here show that with vocal stunner 'Your Love' melting your heart, the DJ Aly dub making things more club ready then a Stephan Hoellermann remix and Ron Trent & Chez remix closing out the flip with two lovely house jams.
Missing You (Eric Kupper Director’s cut Tribute To Fk remix) (6:57)
Missing You (Ridney rework) (6:03)
Review: First released a decade ago and revisited periodically ever since, Arftul and Ridney's collaboration with UK soul queen Terri Walker is a 21st century house classic. This 10th anniversary edition - released in limited numbers for Record Store Day 2023 - pairs fresh revisions with classic reworks. Michael Gray steps up with a funk-fuelled, disco-tinged revision, before the insanely talented Opolopo opts for a deeper, jazz-funk-flecked revision that's as classy as it is soulful. Elsewhere, Eric Kupper's 'Directors Cut Tribute To FK' version is a strings-and-piano-laden treat, while Ridney's own 'Rework' is a tasteful, piano-sporting deep house shuffler.
Dave & Omar - "Starlight" (Grant Nelson extended mix) (6:16)
Chocolate Fudge Band - "Everything" (DJ Fudge extended mix) (6:57)
Dave & Maurissa - "Look At The Stars" (Dave's Starshine club mix) (7:48)
Opolopo - "Looking For You" (Peter's extended Organ) (6:02)
Review: Soul meets speed garage on this new V/A EP from Z Records, blurring the lines between the genres in just the way we like it. The opening track - Grant Nelson's mix of 'Starlight' by Dave & Omar - is a euphoric, piano-laced uplifter which both sonically and lyrically urges us to reach for the sky. That's followed by the DJ Fudge production 'Everything' by Chocolate Fudge Band, featuring lots of live instrumentation and a Curtis Mayfield style vocal, while over on the flip, 'Looking For You' proves to be a deep and bouncy cut filled with soulful Motown vocal chops and an organ workout worthy of any Sunday service, over a beautifully wonky house framework.
Review: When this French producer released 'Rose Rouge' on his 2000 landmark album Tourist, it was more than a track. It was a manifesto. Built on hypnotic jazz loops, tight house rhythms and a sample from Marlena Shaw's 'Woman of the Ghetto', it was a vision of dance music that was cultured, expansive and deeply groovy. Its sophisticated blend of electronic textures and classic jazz sensibilities earned it a rightful home on Blue Note Records, elevating it beyond clubs and into the canon of genre-defying music. It remains a defining moment of jazz-house fusion. Two decades on, Jorja Smith brought her unmistakable voice to the track with a smoky, soulful reinterpretation that paid homage while casting it in a fresh r&b light. Joy Orbison's remix of her version on Side 2 injects another layer of evolution. It stretches the track into a deep, slow-burning cut, rich in atmosphere and bass weight, yet restrained and emotive. Together, these versions celebrate the enduring legacy and adaptability of Rose Rouge across generations and genres.
Review: Larry Heard's strain of deep house absolutely lends itself to the album format, and he demonstrated this flawlessly on the 2001 album Love's Arrival. Decades on from his first forays into production at the dawn of house music, Heard's sound slipped into a dreamlike lounge-state which spoke to continued development of his melodic sensibilities. Just stick on 'Praise' and let the sound unfurl around you, full of the aching melancholy which gives his music such power. Like machine jazz funk beaming from another dimension, this is deep house at its very best, as made by one of the true architects of the sound.
Make The World Go Round (Deep Dish vocal mix) (9:23)
Ain't No Need To Hide (Deep Dish Sequel Reedit) (9:40)
Review: For the latest volume in their ongoing series of '90s house reissues, Champion Records has decided to offer-up a pair of classic remixes from Washington D.C duo Deep Dish. They were at the height of their powers when they got to work on Sandy B's 'Make The World Go Round' in early 1996 and their full vocal rework (featured here on side A) still sounds fantastic all these years on. Featuring many of their trademark ticks - think layered, swinging, tribal-influenced percussion, weighty organ bass and cut-up vocal snippets - it's a nine-minute epic that's every bit as good as their similarly celebrated remix of De Lacy's 'Hideaway'. Turn to the flip for a light-touch re-edit of their similarly epic, drum-heavy 1997 'sequel' rework of follow-up single 'Ain't No Need To Hide'.
Sacred Church (feat Eve - Jon cutler’s Distant music mix) (5:56)
Shaker Games (7:33)
Get Me Higher (7:01)
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Shaka's new drop on Selections is a delightful one that combines real jazz melodies with authentic deep house. Opener 'Sacred Church' (feat Eve - main mix) immediately wins you over with the buys keys, Rhodes chords and eco-system of cosmic synths that busy about while the soulful vocal oozes cool. Jon Cutler's Distant Music mix pairs things back and makes it more of a smoky late night sound and 'Shaker Games' then blisses you out with dusty drum depths and incidental chords that are magically feel good. 'Get Me Higher' shuts down with some superb US house vibes.
Music Is My Life (Masters At Work remix dub) (4:44)
Review: Louie Vega continues to offer up fresh remixes of tracks from his epic 2023 album Expansions In The NYC. The latest cut to get the rework treatment is Unlimited Touch hook-up 'Music Is My Life', a joyous and gently soulful fusion of disco instrumentation and house nous. There are two mixes from Vega and long-time studio partner Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez as Masters at Work: an A-side full-vocal remix that gently beefs up the house elements and adds some tasty Rhodes licks, and an EP-closing dub in which the storied duo reach for spacey synth sounds, rolling grooves and selected vocal snippets. To complete a strong package, British veteran Dave Lee doffs a cap to his popular 'Remixed with Love' series and re-imagines the track as a punchy disco-funk workout.
Mood II Swing - "Closer" (feat Carole Sylvan - King Street Moody club mix) (6:17)
Ananda Project - "Cascades Of Colour" (feat Gaelle - Wamdue Black extended mix) (6:46)
Review: Earlier this year, legendary NY house label King Street Sounds was acquired by Armada Music. The Dutch imprint plans to reissue many of the well-known - and lesser-celebrated - gems from the King Street vaults in the months and years ahead. To kick things off, they've delivered this vinyl sampler featuring some of the stable's most admired cuts of all time. So, we get Dennis Ferrer's iconic remix of Blaze and Barbara Tucker's gospel-powered soulful house anthem, 'Most Precious Love', the 'King Street Mix' of Jovonn's legendary deep, bumpin' tribute to New Jersey's Club Zanzibar, 'Back To Zanzibar', Mood II Swing's hot and heavy 'moody club mix' of their own Carole Sylvan collaboration 'Closer' and the all-time deep house classic that is the Wamdue Black extended rework of 'Cascades of Colour' by Ananda Project. Simply essential!
Kim English - "It Makes A Difference" (Danny Krivit & Kyle Smith remix - Danny Krivit 7" edit) (5:39)
Loni Clark - "Rushing" (Mood II Swing dub - Danny Krivit 7" edit) (5:31)
Review: Danny Krivit is currently known as one of the music community's greatest purveyors of top quality disco & house as he continues to perform regularly before sold-out audiences around the world. With his unique ear for what works on the dancefloor he has also become known as "King of the Re-edit." Danny has a deep connection to Kim English's "It Makes A Difference" release on Nervous Records from 2006. Krivit worked with writer Kyle Smith on the remixes that originally made this tune an anthem at his 718 Sessions parties as well as one of the highlights of club nights from Tokyo to New York to London that appreciate quality soulful house. The B-side is Danny's re-edit of one of the most famed dubs from the Nervous catalogue as well as for the producers Mood II Swing. Upon its release in 1993 this dub emerged as one of the defining sounds of summer 1993 at Ministry Of Sound which had just recently opened the year before. The "rushing rushing rushing" hook is well knownby golden era of house afficianados around the world and he does an amazing job bringing this essential hook.
Review: Caserta is legendary digger Kon's long time engineer, and he sure does have a wealth of tricks up his own sleeve. Here he gets to tackle his own super 7" on the Bridge Boots label and first off he serve sup a lovely take on a Stevie Wonder tune. 'Stevie?' (Caserta Sunday Saint mix) has mid-tempo grooves rolling away nicely beneath exquisite synth work and a well-treated vocal from the man himself. JoDaCe steps up on the flip for a Saturday Sinner mix that is more driving and ready for the club. The bass is rugged, the vocals more looped and freaky, the effect just as brilliant but in different ways.
Review: Defected needs no introduction, simply a reiteration that its no secret its one of the most influential house labels around today. Jamie Jones made a huge splash at Ibiza's 2022 season with this track, receiving support across the board from underground tastemakers to daytime radio. Bolstered by the remixes of Brazilian icon Vintage Culture and the alchemist himself, longtime Ibiza master Damian Lazarus on this rolling feel-good house groove. It's easy to see the mass appeal of such a sunny track.
While Jamie explored disco influences with his signature high-energy groove on the original, Vintage Culture's clear-cut trademark sound gives a distinctly tougher feel, a chugging bassline and rolling synths giving it that dark club side. Lazarus, the soundshifter that he is, reshapes the track in his image. Culminating in a more abstract, chopped-up house entry, undeniably funky with some synths and keys that sound like they shouldn't work - but by God do they.
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