Dub Mechanics - Shine On (Mikey Gallagher Remix) [Bro.kn Records]

You can expect a powerful combination of synths and driving rhythms with this one which in the hands of the right DJ at the right venue will work well. Whilst it’s not something I would be able to use myself it’s certainly a well constructed track, and one for those who enjoy their house with a harder edge to it.  


Jakatta - American Dream (Mikey Gallagher Remix) [CDR]

Shanghai Sessions supreme Mikey Gallagher brings us his take on a track that first surfaced as “American Booty”. Dave Lee’s original production should need little or no introduction and is of course based on music from the motion picture “American Beauty”. Mikey has toughened up the rhythms and bass on this but has successfully retained much of the flavour of the original so I can see this going down quite well. As for me, I like it but then that was never in question.  


SAMBOX - Patchouli [Concorde Avenue]

“Patchouli” is a down tempo number with a mellow and atmospheric blend of instruments including horns, rhodes and guitars woven skilfully with synths to create an impressive result. I could happily enjoy this while taking in the sunset on some exotic beach.


Oscar P - Crispified [Open Bar Music]

There’s a shed load of mixes on this one and I could get hung up describing them in great detail but this time I’m going to keep it brief. I’ve been caning the “Ospina & Oscar P Bump Mix” which is something you can really get down to. It’s not subtle but it’s not meant to be. We’re talking seriously funky with bounding chords that will go down an absolute storm in an array of venues. The re are other mixes to cater for those who want a mellower vibe or something deep dark or techy but for now I’ve found the one that works for me.


Stereo Mutants ft Neve - Samson & Delilah [Mutated Music]

This is an intriguing release with a strong package of mixes that will help this reach a number of different audiences. Since I picked this up last week I’ve been blown away by the “BSC Classic Mix” which is a beautiful mellow number with stunning keys along with the sultry voice of Neve. If you want to crank things up a notch, the “Original” and “Deeper Dub” pack a little more punch for the floor while Ruben Alvarez toughens things up with his mix. If you like it a little deeper then head for the “Dave Mayer & Jason Cheiron Remix”. All the mixes work well for their target audience although I’ve got my own clear favourite as you can tell.


Miss P - Starlike EP [Sweetleaf Recordings]

Sweetleaf’s second outing finds Francesca Paggi aka Miss P at the helm delvering more deep vibes for the discerning listener. I can see this appealing to those who have appreciated music on Prog City Deep, Cabrio and Cyberjamz lately as it’s a subtle journey that draws you in rather than a full on straight for the jugular experience. Of the two tracks, “Luv” is the more laid back while “July” employs a style that briefly had me thinking of the late eighties, albeit with a radically different percussion style. I’m not sure how much this helps you understand what’s on offer here but you can always check it out for yourself.  


No Age Combo & Fabio Tosti - The Magic Sessions [Music Plan Trax]

Deep jazzy vibes are on offer here as Fabio Tosti gets together with No Age Combo to positive effect. “Session 1” comes in two mixes; “F’s Original Remix” is a laid back number with shuffling beats and jazzy keys throughout. The “Fabio Tosti TnT Style Mix” is a sparser alternative that drops much but not all of the keys. “Session 2” is a piano driven Italo house number that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of those who hark back to the early 90s. The “Original Remix” is pretty much as I described while the “Fabio Tosti 90s Mix” swaps the pianos for rhodes and adds some 70s funk bass. Infectious stuff!  


DJ Dealer ft Lisa Millett - Cool Lovin’ [Look At You]

When this first surfaced some months ago now, it was my pick of the tracks from Dealer’s debut long player “Joyride”. Imagine my delight then when the full release contained remixes from Ralf Gum and Dalminjo whose own music has also provided much enjoyment over the last year. Now before I even talk about the new versions you should note that it goes without saying that the vocal performance is stellar - but then you already knew that didn’t you? Ralf GUM injects live bass and guitars with his “Classic Vocal” while the “Dalminjo Vocal” brings synths and organs to the table. With dubs from both remixers also included you’re spoiled for choice. I still adore the “Original” but these new mixes are strong enough to provide excellent alternatives.


The K Program - Morgan [989 Records]

There are two tracks on this EP which are about as different from each other as you’re likely to find on a two track release. “Electricity” is dark driving and techy with a funky synth bassline while “Moonlight Party” is much mellower with soothing chords and sweet vocals. It’s the latter that works best for me personally although it isn’t all sweetness and light: the bass has a dark feel while the synth guitar effect deepens the groove somewhat. Nice!


D’bra Powell - Half A Heartbeat [I Music Underground]

This is an excellent production by LooweeR with fabulous vocals from D’bra that perfectly captures the essence of what house music used to be all about. There’s a proper song with intelligent lyrics and a cleverly crafted groove that has all the ingredients to get the soulful heads going. In particular, as well as the vocal, the liberal use of piano throughout really caught my attention straight from the first listen. You can take your pick from the “Main Mix”, “Dub” or “Instrumental” but as for me it’s got to be the “Main Mix” with the full vocal. Tune!!


Hakan Lidbo - Senegal [Enjoy Recordings]

Initially I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this, but it grows with every listen. There are six mixes in all of what is a track that lives up to its title. The African flavours and tribal beats in the “Gals Original” the beats build to a point before the horns kick in and the energy levels increase for maximum effect on the floor. The “Pals Original” has a darker side leaning more heavily on the synths although the horns are still there in the background. Ralf Dumas delivers a funkier flavour courtesy of an infectious combination of bass and brass together with some of the most compelling beats you could hope for. Manuel Perez provides a more synthetic version with driving synth bass and the brass brought right to the front of the mix. DJ Mourad takes things in a darker dubbier direction before Pawel Kobak rounds off the package with another excellent mix that treads a deeper house path. All the mixes are enjoyable and it’s proving difficult to pick out a clear favourite. Best check it out for yourself.


Jesse Saunders - On And On 2009 [Broken Records]

To mark the 25th anniversary of the birth of house music, one of its pioneering acts, Jesse Saunders brings us an updated version of his track “On And On”. There are so many mixes I’m not sure where to begin but the new versions should cater for a broad cross section of today’s market. The 2009 remixes come from Didier Vanelli, Steve Cole, Qwetz and Lucius Lowe with eleven versions in all. On a personal level it’s the sax driven “Lucius Lowe Stop The Beat Mix” which works best but if you’re looking for something funky, deep, dark or techy you’re highly likely to find something to float your boat among the other mixes.


Mick Verma - The Deep South EP [Gotta Keep Faith]

This EP contains five tracks on a mellow soulful tip that should appeal to fans of the old school deep house vibe. The tracks are all melodic each with their own distinctive sound and should put this producer firmly on the map. Stylistically I was reminded of Jon Cutler, not least because the first track borrows a keyboard or two from Dawn Tallman’s “He Did It” which appeared on Jon’s Distant label a few years back. I can’t find a weak link in the package and have found it challenging to pick out a favourite so far. It’s probably a toss up between “The Long Rhode” and “Free” but that’s not to take anything away from the other three tracks.  

 

Lomez - Simple Pleasures EP [Cabrio]

Cabrio’s latest contains four deep tracks that should satisfy those who like their house with a touch of subtlety. As usual the music veers towards deep tech but it does so without compromising on that intangible soulful essence that the best house music needs. There are four tracks included: “Sweet Pea”, “Assimulation”, Crooked Love” and “Soft Skins”, all of which are useful both from a casual listening and club play perspective. Fans of previous Cabrio releases won’t be disappointed and this should secure a few new converts to the cause too.  

Marco Soundee ft Lil’ Fabio - Leaving You Behind [Gotta Keep Faith]

More tuneful sounds from Gotta Keep Faith with a choice of four mixes which provide a solid choice of styles. The “Marc Rodgers Main Mix” is a funky guitar fuelled number with strong percussion alongside the catchy vocals. The “House Device Mix” drops the guitars for a deeper synth driven vibe that’s punctuated by a distinctive steel drum effect. My pick of the mixes is “Greg Stainer’s Dub” which treads a deeper path with crisp percussion and, predictably, less of the vocals. The package is completed by “Alex Dimitri’s Soulektro Dub” which offers a tougher more electronic alternative.  

Soul Oasis ft Wincey - 3 Ways To Lose My Love [Cyberjamz]


The latest release from Cyberjamz is another deep number with mixes from Sensei, Tim McCallister and Jaysun. The vocals are difficult if not impossible to ignore and the seriously deep production is edgy yet melodic. For casual listening the most accessible mix comes from Tim McCallister who delivers a smooth version which I find most refreshing. The “Jakdat Dub” has been built with the dance-floor firmly in mind with driving percussion and a more energetic feel throughout. Sensei delivers a haunting version with a deeper synth arrangement for a more eclectic vibe.


Andy Daniell & Ridney present A & R - Myoozik [Roo2]

Here’s a track aimed well and truly at the main room when the mood is at its peak. It has a tough no holds barred groove with striking synths in all the mixes. Listening through, I prefer the “Original” and “Conan Liquid Remix” to the other mixes although the keys in the “Stockholm Syndrome Remix” should prove effective in some of the more commercial clubs.  


Filin Brake, Greg Dorban & E Man - Change The World [Reelgroove]

It would be all too easy to rhyme off a load of superlatives but this release would be fully deserving and I’m loathed to write a clichéd review. In its “Original” form this is a proper old school house track with synth strings of a quality I don’t recall since the early 90s. Allied to that you’ve got E Man delivering spoken vocals in his own unmistakeable style. Moving on to the remixes, “Greg Dorban’s Mix” kranks up the bass a few notches with slightly punchier percussion while “Filin Brake’s Mix” is most notable for the funky horns that work so well with the synths. To finish things off there’s an instrumental of the “Original”. I’ve yet to decide on a track of the week but this must be there or there about.  


SAMBOX - African Dream [Concorde Avenue]

Deep atmospheric vibes are the order of the day on this latest instalment from Concorde Avenue. The chunky beats and chants are augmented by some haunting synths. The result is a classy down tempo track that’s the perfect tonic after a stressful day.  


Groove Junkies ft Rick Keller - Black Man In The White House [MoreHouse]

This has been floating around for a few weeks now and it doesn’t take a genius to understand where it takes its inspiration from. While the rest of the world was still breathing a sigh of relief, Evan and Parrish were already hard at work putting together this funky spoken vocal number. There are so many mixes that I barely know where to begin. There’s something to suit most audiences with my own picks being “GJ’s Funky Roots Rub” and the “Scott K and Joey Kay Chicago Bump Mix”. The sassy brass in both tracks had me hooked from the first few listens. With the subject matter so topical it may well be that the instrumentals come into their own in the months ahead. Either way this is well worth getting your hands on.

All reviews by Dean Serafini unless stated otherwise. If you would like to submit music for review please select "contact us" from the main menu.