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!
Review: The third vinyl release of the year from Blur Records sees three distinguished producers - ColorJaxx, T.Markakis and Manuel Kane - sharing duties, each delivering a track each but with the distinctive, music-centred 'deep house fusion' flavour of the Blur label very much at their heart. ColorJaxx's 'I Know You' kicks off proceedings in upbeat mood, goaded along by a skippy garage beat, some beautiful piano work and arresting male vocals. 'Ain't Like That' by T.Markakis rolls slower and deeper, clouds of warm synth giving it a reassuring, dub feel, while Manuel Kane's 'Funk' boasts a cheery, end-of-evening sparkle with its hypnotic vocal samples and gentle sirens. Quality without pretention whichever way you turn.
Reggie Dokes & Steve Crawford - "Fear Of Failure" (4:46)
Martin Prather - "Until" (6:32)
Steve Crawford - "Let You Go" (feat Tony B) (6:13)
Steve Crawford - "Love Is Here" (feat Anthony Poteat) (7:01)
Martin Prather - "Passed Up" (6:45)
Reggie Dokes - "Not Ready" (4:54)
Review: Motor City label Upstairs Asylum celebrates its roots in 313 with this new Dance Detroit EP featuring a wealth of American house innovators. First up, Reggie Dokes and Steve Crawford join forces on 'Fear Of Failure', a house track steeped in Detroit soul. Marvin Prather's 'Until' follows on with his stylish and soul-drenched grooves. Steve Crawford then goes it alone and turns up the drums on his potent 'Let You Go' (feat Tony B) and then get deeply emotional on 'Love Is Here' this time with help from featured artist Anthony Poteat. Prather and then label regular and Atlanta man Reggie Dokes closes down with his 'Not Ready.'
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Cruise Music marks its tenth EP by serving up what it says are "secret funky house weapons" and there isn't much wrong with their description. Danny Cruz kicks off with 'Shoulda Been You' which rides on smooth grooves and has gentle synth waves breaking over the beats as heartfelt vocal sounds rise out of the mix. Mark Funk's 'True Lies' brings a classic 90s vocal sample to a non-stop soul beat and the B-side has got Dirty Disco Stars going big and funky and glorious on 'Look Up' then Mirko & Meex Re-touch 'Young Hearts' .
Chez Damier - "Speechless" (Chez Damier Panorama Bar remix) (5:04)
Makez - "Rocket Music" (5:15)
Alkalino - "Rio" (Alkalino rework) (5:30)
Gledd - "Sere Yo" (5:31)
Review: Adeen Records returns with a superb EP that blends a classic with three new and fresh unreleased tracks. Deep house don Chez Damier's Panorama Bar Remix kicks off and is a a 2021 standout with a killer baseline and Spanish guitar that brings some sunny soul and makes for some top level house grooves. Makez then shines with 'Rocket Music' which has a chunky low end and glistening, golden piano chords making it a late night favourite. On the B-side, Adeen regular Alkalino delivers a tropical-infused edit for the peak time and Gledd closes with a classy cut 'Sere Yo' that is all about the drums. Lovely stuff.
Deepstar - "Sugar" (feat Donna Allen - Richard Earnshaw remix) (6:33)
Deepstar - "Sugar" (feat Donna Allen) (7:51)
Melba Moore - "My Heart Belongs To You" (Groove Assassin remix) (6:15)
Melba Moore - "My Heart Belongs To You" (Ron Carroll's BMC vocal Classical) (8:08)
Review: Soulfuric Recordings, a pillar of house music history founded by Brian Tappert and Marc Pomeroy, continues to deliver with the reissue of Donna Allen's 'Sugar.' Originally released in 2002, this track showcases Allen's r&b vocals alongside Pomeroy's signature groove-driven production. The package features two versions of 'Sugar,' including Richard Earnshaw extended mix, which highlights and the original version. On Side-2 remixes are complemented by two standout versions of Melba Moore's 'My Heart Belongs To You,' with a Groove Assassin extended mix and a Ron Carroll BMC vocal mix. Despite being over two decades old, 'Sugar' retains its vibrant energy and classic appeal, embodying Soulfuric's legacy of influential house music. This reissue celebrates the timeless quality of the track today.
Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca - "Days Of A Better Paradise" (5:57)
Saucy Lady - "Passport To My Love" (5:52)
Misiu - "Love Me Do" (5:59)
Clive From Accounts - "It's Not That I Don't Care" (5:16)
Review: JKriv & Co. at Razor N Tape serve up possibly their biggest release yet, if this one is anything to go by. The first edition in the label's brand spanking new Family Affair series features the pairing of legends Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca on 'Days Of A Better Paradise' kicking off the A side, before Saucy Lady's late night boogie-down biz on 'Passport To My Love'. Flip over and you're treated to a seriously lo-slung cosmic disco dub on Misiu's 'Love Me Do' and finally Clive From Accounts tells it straight up on the acid jazz joint 'It's Not That I Don't Care'.
Review: Inhale Exhale bring six full new circular round-trip breaths to the fold, focusing on heartwarming and soulful summer deep house tunes. Intended mostly for outdoor disco BBQs, 'INEX 017' packs a fruitful punch. Opening proceedings on the A come 'Make It Right', 'Understand U' and 'Tears Of The M1', a power-of-three intro tracking a vibeful descension from crystalline waters, synth organs and high string samples down to the chillest of vinyl-crackly, primal mini tech moods. Then there's the unmissable mirror image on the B, podding 'Everytime', 'Clyde' and 'Keep The Stabs', the last of which is an especially delicious, refractive groove.
Dr Packer & Elektrik Disko - "My Lovin'" (extended mix) (6:04)
Dr Packer & Elektrik Disko - "My Lovin'" (Elektrik Disko extended mix) (5:14)
Mattei & Omich & Re Tide - "Give Me Your Love" (feat Katy Alex - extended mix) (5:27)
Re Tide & Lukas Setto - "Me & You" (Dr Packer remix) (7:07)
Review: Next up on the Fool's Paradise vinyl sampler is a four-tracker of glitzy and emphatic proportions. Vol. 3 opens with Dr. Packer and Elektrik Disko's 'My Lovin', which vexes us of our infidelities in the promise of being lent "all our love tonight", a vocal motif that swirls endlessly around its discoic mix. Mattei and Omich follow up with exactly the same theme, though it would seem that the former promise has been foreclosed upon, since the central vox is now asking the listener to "just give me your love", with an added dash of urgency to boot, and not the other way round. The B-side, not purely coincidentally, we think, dominated by the producer known as Re-tide, moves much more profligately, abandoning much of the A-side's glamour for the more immediate appetites that drive, but do not temper, disco's soul.
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: Big Love's popular compilation-style A Touch Of Love series returns for a sixth instalment, with boss man Seamus Haji once again showcasing a quartet of tried-and-tested treats. Fittingly, he kicks things off with 'Serious', a kind of hbrid heavy garage-house/disco house affair featuring organ solos aplenty and vocals from Chicago legend Mike Dunn, before Moon Boots joins the dots between sweet 80s soul and nu-disco on the synth-powered vocal number 'In My Life'. Heavy, French Touch-inspired disco-house vibes are provided by DJ Fudge ('Escapade'), before Dutch rising star Danou P - with a little help from pal Jamie 3:26 on vocals - delivers the organ rich deep house/garage-house fusion of 'Fly'.
Fighting For Your Life (Blood On The dance Floor remix) (5:58)
Fighting For Your Life (After Dark mix) (5:36)
Review: Lockdown Records has put together this useful new 12" which offers up the notorious duo of Matt Early & Lee Jeffries. 'Fighting for Your Life' is a classic pop single that comes with the electrifying Blood on the Dancefloor Mix and the sultry After Dark Mix, both of which are inspired by the iconic sounds of Michael Jackson. They make for effective dancefloor weapons that come with a hint of nostalgia and plenty of weighty grooves.
Mark Knight & James Hurr - "You Take Me Higher" (6:12)
Friend Within - "Chain" (5:43)
Martin Ikin & Winnie Ama - "Control It" (4:51)
Flashmob & Raumakustik - "Club Talk" (5:45)
Review: Toolroom's 'sampler' series, which rounds up previously digital-only releases and sticks them out on action-packed 12" EPs, reaches its sixteenth instalment. Given the format, you'll be unsurprised to discover that there's plenty of bona-fide peak-time heat on show, starting with Mark Knight and James Hurr's excitable, filter-heavy, string-laden disco-house bomb 'You Take Me Higher'. Friend Within offers a scintillating blend of heavy acid bass, glassy-eyed female vocal samples, weighty beats and subtle disco samples on the superb 'Chain', while Martin Ikin and Winnie Ama opt for even heavier drums, warped bass, creepy electronics and dead-eyed spoken word vocals on the sweat-soaked 'Control It'. To round things off, we're treated to the tech-tinged funky house bounce of Flashmob and Raumakustik's percussion -rich 'Club Talk'.
Review: Over the last three years, DJ/producer Mimmo "MoBlack" Falcone has turned MoBlack Records into arguably the World's leading label for African house music. Defected clearly thinks so, because the label has decided to put out this EP featuring tracks from remixes from Falcone and some of his regular collaborators. On side A Falcone joins forces with Armonica to deliver two sparkling, rubbery, positive and heavily electronic reworks of Fela Kuti classic 'International Thief Thief'. Both hit the spot, though it's the Dub, with its extended vocal breakdown and trippy effects, that floats our boat. Over on the flip we're treated to two versions of MoBlack, Emmanuel Jal and Henrick Schwarz hook-up 'Chagu': a bouncy Afro-tech take from Schwarz and a warmer, deep Afro-house interpretation by Falcone.
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: Greenhouse Recordings label head and long-time master of deep house Andrew Macari steps up to his own imprint with a bunch of fine originals. The opener is a deep tech cut with steely drums that are tight and compelling and offset by smooth chords. Manuel Sahagun then steps up to remix and brings a touch of jazz to his chords which swirl around over heavyweight bass rumbles. 'U Got Me' is then a house sound that harks back to the DIY heyday of Nottingham with its bumping drums and lush chord work and 'When I Want' closes out with more fresh synths and an alluring female vocal.
Review: Andrew Macari joins up with Paka Project for a first outing on the fledgling Greenhouse Recordings labels here and delves deep into some true-school deep house. 'Beeston Fields Drive' is a warm and diffuse opener that rolls on loopy drums with balmy chords melted over the top. 'Hold Dat' has jazzy motifs and funky bass riffs down low that remind of early West Coast tech house sounds from the likes of Fresh & Low and 'All We Need' then layers up r&b samples and even more smooth and silky late-night chords into a real smoocher. 'PR Process' ends on low-slung and lumpy drums and spoken word samples run through with dubby chords.
There But For The Grace Of God Go I (Moplen remix) (7:42)
There But For The Grace Of God Go I (Moplen dub) (6:51)
There But For The Grace Of God Go I (1979 version) (5:17)
There But For The Grace Of God Go I (1994 Timmy Regisford remix) (7:43)
There But For The Grace Of God Go I (acappella reprise) (2:45)
Review: Machine originally dropped this mini-disco classic back in 1979 as the title cut to their album of that year, and now it's offered up again with a couple of remixes that rework the original. That original is the star of the show still here with the 1979 version still standing out. Next to that are a poising Timmy Regisford mix and acapella reprise as well as a Moplen remix and dub. This studio disco group was first formed by August Darnell who had previously been part of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band and then in the 1980s went on to be part of Kid Creole And The Coconuts.
Justify My Love (Afteru remix instrumental) (5:38)
Justify My Love (Afteru Rmx radio edit) (3:01)
Review: Madonna has got an endless catalogue of bangers from across the eras and many different styles. We certainly think 'Justify My Love's one of the ones best suited to a club rework and so it proves here with Afters doing just that on Icons. First is an extended remix with some driving drums and sweeping synths layered in next to splashy cymbals while the instrumental dial things back and radio edit gets everything packed into a shorter run time for most impact.
Review: The Magician and A-Trak join up once more and this time add in Griff Clawson for their latest new single, 'Love On You.' It is the sort of big, inescapable record that radiates good energy and positive feels from the off. The expansive rhythm section comes with some heartfelt piano keys and makes an indelible impact. This collab came together when these artists made mates in Oasis Wynwood during this year's Miami Music Week and it finds them bring their considerable know how into one potent new cut.
Review: .Four Framed Music is a brand new label that opens up with a stylish house EP full of heart. It comes from Manuold aka Emanuele Macagnone, who was born in Palermo in Italy and has already had some decent outings on respects imprints such as Kerri Chandler's Madhouse Records, Esuoh Records, We_r house and Crystal Grooves. There are crowd pleasing vocal samples next to the big house beats of the opener, then things get deeper and heaver with 'Intense' but still a diva vocal brings the fire. Showing his range, 'Metropolis' explores a more hi-tech soul sound and 'Palermo Centrale' gets raw and tough.
Review: Cruise Music builds on their series of highly desiarable 12"s with the first in their "Best Of" series, releasing some hugely in demand and/or previously digital tracks on limited transparent yellow vinyl. On the A-side are two of their biggest and best-selling joints in the form of 'Superlovin' and 'Givin My Love', which are two loved-up and funky disco jams for good times. On the reverse are 'Energy' and 'Strawberry' which bring big, loveable samples to big, loveable beats and cannot fail to ignite any party. Cruise control.
Joy (Hallelujah) (extended instrumental version) (5:46)
Review: Golden-era hip-hop legend DJ Marley Marl continues his adventures in house music, and this time he's got soulful house royalty - specifically Kenny Bobien and Lady Alma- in tow. 'Joy (Hallelujah)' is as righteous, uplifting and life-affirming as you'd expect: a horn, organ and piano-heavy slab of hands-in-the-air brilliance topped off with some sublime gospel lyrics and vocals from Bobien and Alma. We'd argue the track is best in its full vocal 'Extended Mix' form, though the accompanying instrumental is still superb - and arguably more suitable for those who are uncomfortable with the (admittedly joyous) religious messaging within the lyrics. Testify!
Review: Toolroom reissue a 2006 classic. Hailing from the original Toolroom "family" era in which Dave Spoon (Shadow Child), Funkagenda, D. Ramirez and Mark Knight are said to have ruled the roost, 'At Night' came not only at a prescient time, but also stood the test of time, in that it was - given the genre it works in and effectively predicts - well ahead of its time. The track blends a flicking, crossrhythmic main-room club lead with ostentatious risers and an arch minimality, fitting well in amongst the modish electro-house of the time, yet efflorescing a moodiness that would not catch on until 2010. Maur's "vs" rerub helps shed light on the way the track may be popularly received / perceived now.
Review: Way back in 2008, Romanian dance-pop producer Edward Maya scored a global hit with Vika Jigulina hook-up 'Stereo Love' - a slick, hooky song (complete with obligatory noughties auto-tune vocal effects) wrapped in jaunty, turbo-folk influenced accordion motifs and various nods to the EDM end of the house music spectrum. This reissue boasts three versions first released in the late noughties - the superior extended mix, radio edit and Moella's tougher, tribal house-tinged interpretation - and what appears to be a previously unreleased Mia Martina 'extended remix'. That boasts some swirly effects and slightly chunkier beats, but otherwise sticks closely to Maya's chart-bothering original mix.
Review: Bob Mc Gilpin released 'Superstar' in 1978 and it soon became a smash hit around the world, even making its way into the charts and mainstream radio. The original is offered up here in all its loose limbed glory with the starry melodies and fizzing synths all making for take off. Then comes a Marco Fratty extended version that draws out the good bits and brings a stylised vocal to the front and centre. The full vocal mix goes one step further and is a truly uplifting gem while the Smooth Paradise mix pairs things back to a deeper, dubbier vibe with mid-tempo drums teasing and pleasing in equal measure. A great package that fuses the old with the new.
Review: Ayr producer Ewan McVicar has quite literally nailed the quintessential Ministry Of Sound, er, sound with this tune. Having floated around the charts for a good while now, it's got a kind of minimal jackin' house feel, with its eerily reprocessed vocals lifted from Rufus & Chaka Khan's 'Tell Me Something Good', producing almost maddeningly soulful results. The new B-side 'Delta', meanwhile, continues to show off McVicar's vocal science chops further, mixing 90s house vibes with a slow feel and dub-delayed entity ordering us to 'take a ride...'
Review: Micky More is the alias of Michele Mingo, an Italian DJ and producer who's co-founder of Ancona-based Groove Culture Music with Andy Tee. His latest track is his best yet; 'All About The Culture' features US legend Cevin Fisher and it is real proper deep house with an infectious vocal underpinned by surefire elements, such as a low slung bassline and creamy Rhodes keys - enough said! If that's not enough, over on the flip Mingo taps the one-and-only Roland Clark for his participation on 'The Rhythm', a serving of low-slung, ultra smooth mood music for the late night.
Micky More & Andy Tee, Reverendos Of Soul, Anduze - "Devoted" (6:23)
Serge Funk - "Can't Get Enough" (6:30)
Danny Losito - "All I Want" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:11)
Micky More & Andy Tee - "Philly Sensation" (6:55)
Review: There is an immediately loveable vibe to the carefree and breezy house music that the Italian label Groove Culture deals in. This is the 15th such offering - a third volume of its Jam series - and again the good times flow from the off. 'Devoted' is a four-way collab between Micky More, Andy Tee, Reverendos Of Soul and Anduze that layers up the soulful drums and disco percussion with buttery smooth soul vocals. Serge Funk's 'Can't Get Enough' is all swirling strings and sunny trumpet motifs over funk house beats and then Micky More & Andy Tee appear to remix 'All I Want' into another future Body & Soul classic. The duo's own 'Philly Sensation" is a disco-tinged, string-heavy house dream to close.
Mikal Asher - "Red Gold & Green" (feat Gary Davis - Warehouse Preservation Society Full mix) (7:04)
Gary Davis - "Heartbeats" (Knoe1 Acidsoul mix) (6:26)
Gary Davis - "Skip & Scat" (Ellxandra mix) (6:06)
Review: This new 12" is a compendium piece to Chocolate Star's recent 7" release and it comes in the form of more glorious disco goodness from Gary Davis. It kicks off with Warehouse Preservation Society's Full Mix of 'Red Gold & Green' featuring Davis. It's a stomping disco viber with loose-limbed percussion and dubbed vocals. Dvais's 'Heartbeats' then gets flipped by Knoe1 into an Acidsoul mix that is laced up with grilling 303s under the happy, tooting disco arps and fresh vocals. Canada's Elxandra then reworks a lesser known Davis house cut 'Skip & Scat' into a driving bit of full flavour deepness. It's a limited press on these rare cuts so do not sleep.
Review: Here's something to get excited about: a cracking new cut from Detroit deep house legend Alton Miller, backed with a 'Sound Signature' translation from the equally revered Theo Parrish. Miller's version of "Bring Me Down", is something of a treat: a sparkling, starry deep house epic that's blessed with immaculate vocals from soul chanteuse Maurissa Rose. Parrish's translation is equally as stretched out and similarly enjoyable, but is far looser and dustier in feel, with warmer bass and beats that naturally tend towards the jazzier. It's naturally more in keeping with Parrish's work than Miller's, but retains enough of the latter's touches to be counted as a fine remix.
Love's Gonna Get You (Hugo LX Underwater mix) (6:32)
Love's Gonna Get You (Art Of Tones remix) (6:34)
Love's Gonna Get You (main mix) (6:16)
Review: Astonishingly, a decade has now passed since Timothee Milton's last significant single - a digital-only affair on Moodmusic called 'Back In Time'. This 12", featuring the mighty vocal talents of Dome Records soulstress Angela Johnson, is therefore long overdue. Milton's 'Main Mix' (B2) is a nostalgic, retro-futurist chunk of vocal house - think driving drums, incessant minor key melodies, early morning synth riffs, organ bass and a typically inspired lead vocal from Johnson. The accompanying remix package is unsurprisingly strong, too. On the A-side 'Underwater Mix', Hugo LX adds Johnson's wonderful vocal to a backing track rich in undulating acid bass, bouncy, Afro-house-influenced beats, King Britt chords and woozy synth sounds. Art of Tones version, meanwhile, is a looser and more organic-sounding affair that takes cues from disco and gospel house.
Review: The King of Pop will always be a source of edit inspiration for DJs across a whole range of genres. His material stands the test of time even if his character does not and that's why we have a couple of new house remixes of two of his better-known hits. First up is an eight-minute take on 'Thriller' which retains plenty of the original vocals and flashes of the basslines and melodies but also bumps along like a DJ Harvey twisted chug disco banger. 'PYT' (House remix) is closer to the original - a playful, body-popping disco gem with smooth vocals.
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough (House remix) (7:00)
Wanna Be Startin' Something (House remix) (6:52)
Review: The vaults of Michael Jackson will always provide rich pickings for edit specialists and remixes. The originals were so packed with brilliance that tweaking them for modern ears or club contexts is a fairly easy job. Still, this latest offering does well to flip 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' into a house cut. It's a subtle job with filters doing much of the work as original strong flourishes, drums and vocals remain largely intact. Flip it over and it is 'Wanna Be Startin' Something' that becomes a 4/4 jam with soulful but driving drums and more MJ vocal magic up top.
Review: The music of the King of Pop is evergreen and remains popular with new generations, not least house artists looking to tweak and edit some of the greats into more club ready sounds. That's what happens here with a new [air of remixes on a hand-stamped 12". 'Off The Wall' is first with all the original events such as the funky bassline and sweet falsetto vocal in place while shuffling, house-leaning drums are layered in for a little extra grooviness. 'Rock With You (House remix)' is more pumping with chopped up vocal fragments, synth stabs and twitchy beats all sure to raise the temperature levels.
Review: Michael Jackson's music will always remain a great source of inspiration for sample hunters and so it continues to prove many years after his death. This new 12" comes on an unknown label and features two House remixes. The first tackles 'Billie Jean' and does little to it but to lay out the drums for more useful club play. The vocal keeps it hook and then on the flip is 'Baby Be Mine' which also comes as a nice house version, this time with some lush disco stings and plenty of warm and soulful vibes.
Review: He may be long gone but the music of Michael Jackson will forever live on. Not least as a great source of samples and originals to remix for the modern dance floor. And that's what we have here with a trio of new remixes from an artist by the name of MJ. First to get beefed up with some club ready drums is 'Can't Help It', then 'Remember The Time' (House remix) has a more balmy feel with the swirling pads above crisp drum funk. Last but not least, 'Butterflies' (House remix) has filtered vocals with a sunny feel and some nice smooth house drums.
Review: Australia's it-guy nu-disco producer Mo'funk shares another caution-to-the-wind wax piece by way of his native label Only Cuts. His second release on the label following the nominally unspecified 'Only Cuts Vol. 1', this follow-up record has, by contrast, been termed a "slam jam", and prefers irreverent moods and r&b samples. The A2 'Lllove' is especially arresting, sampling LL Cool J's 'Loungin'' and working it into a perpetual firing of choppy, chicken pickin' guitar and lurching kicks.
Jamma D - "Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today" (4:20)
Roche - "House Shuffle Boogie" (6:13)
Darone Sassounian - "Arms" (6:18)
Review: This deep, jazzy and lo-fi house 12" is perfect for escaping at this time of year as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the general weight of modern life can get all too much. It comes from an array of standout producers from around the world including Darone Sassounian, Jamma D and Jarren from Los Angeles, Roche from Portland and Morris Mobley from Nancy, France. Between them, they offer the cuddly, cloudy depths of 'Drippin'' (Sauce dub), humid and jazzy heat of the sumptuous 'Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today', playful rhythms of 'House Shuffle Boogie' and more besides.
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.
I Want Your Lovin' (Just A Little Bit) (club mix) (7:51)
I Want Your Lovin' (Just A Little Bit) (vocal dub mix) (7:57)
I Want You All Tonight (main club mix) (7:09)
I Want You All Tonight (alternative vocal dub mix) (6:21)
Review: John Morales is pretty universally credited with inventing the 12" when he decided he needed more run time for his remixes than could be found on a small 7" 45rpm. Those remixes were often done on the studio floor when he would cut up and splice analogue tape to insert new breaks and extended instrumentals. He remains as good as anyone at that and these new versions of Curtis Harrison's 'I Want Your Lovin' and 'I Want You All Tonight' show why. They are steamy and loved-up disco gems that have everything needed to set the floor alight- big vocals, big drums, lush synths.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
John Morales is pretty universally credited with inventing the 12" when he decided he needed more run time for his remixes than could be found on a small 7" 45rpm. Those remixes were often done on the studio floor when he would cut up and splice analogue tape to insert new breaks and extended instrumentals. He remains as good as anyone at that and these new versions of Curtis Harrison's 'I Want Your Lovin' and 'I Want You All Tonight' show why. They are steamy and loved-up disco gems that have everything needed to set the floor alight- big vocals, big drums, lush synths.
What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin (instrumental mix) (7:00)
You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (extended club mix) (8:14)
You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (instrumental mix) (7:38)
Review: Spencer Morales taps into the most lavish and soulful end of the house spectrum here with a glorious new single 'What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin.' The glossy and sophisticated production oozes charm and high end touches while the vocals are as pure as they come - soaring, full of soul and nicely in sync with the rolling beats and golden chords, sumptuous strings and loose percussion. On the flip, 'You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else' is a rework of a disco classic with another catchy vocal and more infectious soulful house grooves.
Fleur De Mur - "Ease My Mind" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (5:48)
Derrick McKenzie & Angela Johnson - "On My Way Out" (7:02)
Ron Carroll - "My Prayer" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:21)
House Freakers - "Tease Me" (feat MO) (5:34)
Review: Sultry purist disco house moods from Groove Culture Italy, welcoming four standalone originals to the first edition of their 'Groove Is In The Heart' series, three out of four of which are remixes of tunes that have already been released on the label. True to their form, this record welds the ways of classic disco and disco-house, opening with the melismatic vocal tones of 'Ease My Mind' by Fleur De Mur before moving into the slightly slower chic-funk of Derrick McKenzie and Angela Johnson's 'On My Way Out'. Things turn housier - as the outdoor shindig moves indoors at first sign of the crepuscular tide - with 'My Prayer', while House Freakers' 'Tease Me' rounds things off on a well-sidechained womper.
Horny (Radio Slave & Thomas Gandey Just 17 mix) (7:57)
Horny (Riva Starr remix Perc-apella) (4:36)
Review: Mousse T's 'Horny' is one of those ever-green crossover dance music classics that cannot fail to get any party popping. For that reason it has been remixed by some fresh names to adda more modern twist to the iconic hooks and sleazy vocals. Riva Starr's vision kicks off with bigger drums, and after the extended mix comes a double-pronged rework from Radio Slave and Thomas Gandey. It's a synth laced version with more subdued beats and a trippy lead synth. east of all is the useful tool that is the Riva Starr RMX Perc-cappella.
Review: Almost a quarter century into his recording career, Mousse T has not lost his ability to create party-starting anthems, even if he's consciously moved away from the heavily compressed, filter-happy disco-house sound of old. "Rock The Mic" - his first release for Defected's revivalist disco offshoot Glitterbox - sounds like an anthem in the making; a cheery disco beast built around live-sounding drums, simmering strings and Plantlife style, P-funk-inspired hip-house vocals. The accompanying remixes come from dusty-fingered crate digger turned disco don Kon. As well as a warm "Remix" rich in warm electric piano riffs and authentic disco instrumentation, the Brooklyn producer also serves up a fine Instrumental take and a handy Acapella.
Review: Deep house doesn't often get served up on 7" but that doesn't stop Pond Recordings who do just that here. Mura Masa is behind the two really quite different cuts and shows a real variety of skills. 'Rise' is a dusty house gem with warmth and soul and a great vocal sample. On the reverse is a physical workout that mixes prickly beats, chopped-up vocals and wiry synths into something usually and alluring. Two very different sides then but both equally effective in their own right.
Review: Initially established by disco polymath Patrick Adams as a "low budget" studio band, Musique briefly burned brightly, releasing two albums and a handful of genuine dancefloor anthems. Their story started in 1978 with this double-header - produced by Adams and mixed by a youthful Francois Kevorkian - on Salsoul Records. This reissue has naturally been fully remastered for club play and is presented on rather fetching translucent fluorescent green vinyl. A-side 'In The Bush', an infectious and high-octane slab of restless disco-funk full of clipped guitar licks, propulsive bass, punchy horns and hybrid whispered/sung lead vocals, is the more celebrated and much-played of the two tracks, though the heavily orchestrated and Salsoul Orchestra style 'Keep On Jumpin' is also excellent.
Review: Myedits is back, this time with the ever wonderful Moxy producing some pure dancefloor bait for those who like to mix up classic samples with raw house beats. The A-side takes some turn of the century hip-hop hooks and vocal snatches and layers them over raw, hardcore house drums that are sure to get any party sweating. Track two is no less irresistible - a gorgeous r&b hook plays out over some lush deep house drums with a great sense of swing and silky synth designs. Good fun stuff for sure.
No Way Back (Disco Adjustments By Mystic Slot) (7:07)
Disco Adventure (Disco Adjustments By Mystic Slot) (5:39)
Review: Most disco diggers will be aware of the DJ Harvey adjacent Black Cock series - when it launched in the early 1990s, it was one of the first hush-hush re-edit outlets around. Mystic Slot was Harvey and Gerry Rooney, and this double-header - first released 31 years ago in 1993 - is arguably their strongest moment. A-side 'No Way Back' is a Clavinet-heavy, largely instrumental revision of the Dells' infectious track of the same name, rearranged to stretch out key passages of groove, build and breakdown. It's still a fantastic re-edit, as is flipside 'Disco Adventure', a cut-and-paste dancefloor classic that builds a low-slung, sweat-soaked dub disco delight by blending the groove from a lesser-celebrated Jimmy 'Bo' Horne cut with elements borrowed from tracks by the Winners and eccentric producers Rinder & Lewis.
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