Juno Recommends Funky House November 2021

Review: Casual Connection (real name Lukasz Ru-Kasu) has been in the edit game for a while, with his first digital-only collection of disco and boogie revisions appearing on Alpaca Edits seven years ago. Here he returns with a third 12" single of his own, which also marks his first release of 2021. A-side 'Working Scrubs' is a clever revision of a '90s R&B classic that places the now iconic group vocals atop a rubbery, synth-heavy backing track that sits somewhere between nu-disco and '80s synth-funk. 'Gold Diggin' is another mash-up of sorts, with a much-loved hip-hop vocal sitting atop a heavy, bustling, all action rhythm-track full of stuttering drum hits and cut-up, hip-house style vocal stabs. Proper party-starting music.

Review: To mark 30 years in the game, legendary NYC house label Nervous Records has decided to release a series of compilations that pair classic cuts with new remixes. Louie Vega kicks off the first volume by remixing one of his own productions, Willie Ninja's 'I'm Hot', reinventing the analogue-rich deep house bumper as a disco-centric, while Radio Slave turns Ralph Falcon's sleazy 'Break You' into a stomping techno anthem. Tensnake adds warmth and wooziness to The Messenger's 'End This Hate' (a classic Todd Edwards production), Agent Orange delivers a warehouse-ready techno version of Phuture Trax's 'Future Groove' and Dr Packer emphasizes the gospel influences in Kim English's 'Unspeakable Joy'. Arguably best of all though is Kevin McKay's muscular electro-disco mix of Byron Stingly's superb Sylvester cover, 'Yu Make Me Feel Mighty Real'.

Review: The Carlos Sanchez Movement is a project started by Carlos a few years ago after a visit to Cosmic Arts. Sacred Rhythm Music got an early preview of the project and were keen to support it from the off and now it comes to fruition with this stunning new EP of jazz tinged and cosmic house. The lead insult his 'Wisdom' with an epic vocal performed by the global jazz singing sensation Gregory Porter along with some perfectly sunny synth designs and timeles house drums. Next to the instrumental are and two other classy compositions Feat Ledisi and Kenny Lattimore to make this a glorious house EP that brims with rare musicality.

Review: Clive From Accounts's tunes are as good as his artist alias. For his latest meeting he serve sup a knowing blend of soul, house and disco from across the ages. The relative newcomer impresses from the off with 'Tell Me' which is a steamy vocal over a fulsome house beat. 'Without Your Love' cuts loose on a more heady and cosmic house groove with some gorgeously seductive trumpet lines drifting in and out of ear shot and 'Strictly Business' is fun, cuddly basement grooves for intimate parties. 'Yukon' is a nice fresh breakbeat to up the energy.

Review: Funkhut Records is proud to bring to you the anticipated release by DjPope & The Funkhut All Stars Feat. Kenny Wesley "Listen Love". With all the live instrumentation along side Kenny's extraordinary interpretation of the great Jon Lucien's original, "Listen Love' makes this release a must have for any music connoisseur. Produced, Mixed and Arranged by DjPope. Additional Mixing by David Sussman, Mastered by Joey Hernandez, Bass : Irv Madden Guitar: Karlos Brickhouse Drums: PJ Spraggins Congas: Kevin Pinder Keyboards: Charles Dockins.

Review: Let the sunshine in- John Beltran is back to Brasil for Back To Bahia Vol. 2. Similar to his last foray on MotorCity Wine Recordings Beltran has assembled an all-star cast of characters including John Arnold, Jeremy Ellis, James Simonson, and Kiko Navarro to deliver a slice of bright jazzy deep house heaven. Kiko Navarro's "Motor City Jazz Remix" starts the release with driving live drums and percussion for discerning dance floors. On the flip John's original mix keeps the energy moving, before going to the brilliant Sol Set Collective Rework which blends live energy with driving production for those special dance floor moments. Pressed loud to high quality 12" vinyl in Detroit.

Review: We continue to have no real clue about who or what is behind the DSO label. They seem to like to serve up cheeky and divisive house edits that could erupt a dane floor or turn off the more serious chin strokers out there. But we have a confession to make: we Leo a bit of cheeky playfulness and this is another one that offers just that. It is R&B badgirl Kelis who gets cut up and stitched into a house beat on 'Caught' and for its nostalgic old school feels alone it is worth a play. The sample source for flip side tune 'Don't Ever' is a little more heady - it's a vocal from super smooth neo-soul don Maxwell. His buttery vocals sound great when paired with a similarly tender groove.

Review: Following up some terrific collaborations with the likes of Julee Cruise. Keith Thompson and Keiko Yoshimura, Veteran New York City-based producer Eric Kupper is back on his long running Hysteria imprint with "Rain Falls' - this time with vocal contributions by singer/actor Yasmeen Sulieman. An expression in spiritual and life-affirming deep house exactly the way it's meant to be and simply mesmerising. The arrangement is the perfect backdrop to Sulieman's awe-inspiring voice. Some of you may remember Sulieman from her collaboration with Sonny Fodera on 2019's 'Caught Up' on Defected.

Review: DeLaChaud is the long-time home and record label of Krewcial, who is something of what you might call a young veteran in the game. Following impressive solo albums on PlayItAgainSam and UK's BBE in the early 2000's he is still going strong and this new one proves it. Whether sampling jazz greats, laying down funky bass and infectious drums there is no mistaking the soulful impact of these tunes. 'Love & Devotion' is a vocal gem that will raise anyone's spirits no matter which version you pick here and 'Nereci' brings a throwback house sound with a Latin vocal on the club mix. The Bruk mix is a lovely London broken beat and a final acoustic mix is a useful tool.

Review: The Carlos Sanchez Movement is a project started by Carlos a few years ago after a visit to Cosmic Arts. Sacred Rhythm Music got an early preview of the project and were keen to support it from the off and now it comes to fruition with this stunning new EP of jazz tinged and cosmic house. The lead insult his 'Wisdom' with an epic vocal performed by the global jazz singing sensation Gregory Porter along with some perfectly sunny synth designs and timeles house drums. Next to the instrumental are and two other classy compositions Feat Ledisi and Kenny Lattimore to make this a glorious house EP that brims with rare musicality.

Review: Two long-time dance music mainstays come together here for a lovely new house single. In one corner is deep house don and Freerange boss Jimpster, in the other is American hip-hop DJ and spoken word artist Rich Medina. 'This Thing' is a nice warm house cut with a thoughtful monologue from Medina adding intimacy, while an instrumental mix strips that back to just the musical house beats. Turbojazz & Sean McCabe link up for a remix on the flip that is a little more lively and upbeat but no less smooth and seductive, while Sean & Tommy's Old Skool dub beefs up the bass and layers in some nice late night chords. A tasteful package for sure.

Review: Stand by for a big reissue of a classic 1990 single from a couple of bona fide legends here: Junior Sanchez and Dajae combined to beautiful effect on 'Be With U' for the Club Sweat label and now offer a new 2.0 take. It's got the sort of huge diva vocal that you just don't get so often the days with simple but effective house production bolstering the good time feels. The original is included and next to version 2.0 sounds of its time, but then Yolanda Be Cool goes for the main room with more twisted synth work and sweaty, tech tinged drums. The final Dance System remix is pure fun.

Review: Squinzano's BUD Records is back in action with their new black series, which will explore more "housey" styles. It is produced once again by label staple Kosmiko (a veteran DJ and vinyl collector) alongside Stefano Sisinni aka Jellyfish. They do their very best impression of the Motor City icon Moodymann on the deep joint 'Mowdee' on the A side, but turn over and you've got two versions of the sleazy jam "I Gotta Feelin'. The main mix is complemented by its powerful preacher vocal, while the dub mix is more of a heads down affair that lets that DJ Skull sample and velvety Rhodes keys really shine through in the mix.

Review: Indie house duo Parachute Youth released their 'Can't Get Better Than This' single back in 2012 and it went on to become a huge international hit. Now they have resisted it after pairing up with Chicago house vocalist John Summit. Renamed 'Better Than This' it becomes a spine-tingling vocal house cut with warm, shuffling drums and subtle synth work. Packed with blissful and youthful vibes and plenty of sun, it is an energetic rework that has a nice touch of nostalgia and a bassline that will lock in any crowd for days. As well as the easy to love new version, the still lush original version is also included on the flip.

Review: French label Wagram keep on documenting the history of electric music with their on going Anthology series. Now up to Volume 6 and still turning out plenty of essential tuned across four sides of wax, this one features the most diverse selection yet. There are blissed out stoner beats like DJ Cam's 'Birds Also Sing For Anamaria', electric house tracks from Martin Solveig in the form of 'Heartbeat' and shuffling, Latin tinged soulful house jams like 'Queixume' which is a superb Masters At Work mix edit. Also on the remix tip is the classic Daft Punk rework of I:cube's 'Disco Cubism' which is clipped, funky, brightly coloured filter house par excellence.

Review: The legendary Nervous label welcomes back Mark Lower for his new full length, Blurry Dreams of You. It's another dazzling disco affair with plenty of featured guests and remixes. The original version of 'Points of View' feat Alexandra Prince, Nathalie Dorra & Darryll Smith is a lush tune with chunky beats and plenty of old school values. The smooth vocal is the real icing on the cake. Two further remixes beef it up for club play while 'Turn Back Time' is a loved up and deep cut house gem. Elsewhere are the sunny highs of 'Took Me By Surprise' and steamy beats of 'Heart Blows Up.'

Review: Before I Die is one of the most anticipated albums of the year. South Korean-born and now LA-based producer Park Hye Jin wrote, produced and performed the entire alum herself after building great momentum with her big How Can I EP and collabs with the likes of Clams Casino, Blood Orange and Nosaj Thing. It is a fresh and futuristic take on r&b, rap and hip hop. The opening track features Hye Jin's mantra-like vocals over melancholic piano keys and heavy bass to make for an alluring opener. There then more upbeat neo-soul jams like 'I Need You' and late night lullabies that veer into cloud rap such as 'Whatchu Doin Later.'