Sugamouth - L’Avventura [989 Records]

The first offering of 2009 from 989 Records is this energetic number. It’s quite a deceptive track in that a packs a fiercer punch than you might expect after hearing the first few bars. The beats are frisky and the synths are used to create both melody and drive with both catchy and fierce elements. One for the floor! 


Various Artists - Jaffa Music EP Part 2 [Jaffa Music]

On of my favourite labels of 2008 gets the New Year underway in fine style with an EP showcasing existing and upcoming material. The classic “Freedom” is back and with a new mix from DJ Fudge to tickle your fancy. “Do You Even Know” and “These Times” are also featured from the label’s back catalogue while “Just Because” provides a taster of what’s to come with a lovely deep interpretation from Steal Vybe. Throughout all the tracks, the constant is Rachel Claudio’s stunning voice which is as brilliant as it is un-mistakable.  


Ralph Dumas - A Rare Toy [Lace Recordings]

Deep techy vibes are the order of the day on this release. There are five mixes in all, however there’s one that stands out from the rest courtesy of its funky bassline. The one to head for, in my opinion at least, is the “Manuel Perez Disco Dub” which retains the techy vibe but ups the ante with a bassline that’s sure to get a few asses shaking. 


Inox - Bakteria EP [Cabrio]

More deep vibes from Cabrio that will not disappoint any of the label’s loyal fan base. There are two of their trademark deep techy tracks, but as usual, what sets them apart is the ability to portray that kind of vibe whilst avoiding unnecessary harshness. Of the tracks, “Bakteria” and “Skeeter Syndrome”, it’s the latter that I’m favouring although both are more than respectable. 


Labelle - Superlover (Matthias Heilbronn Mixes) [Verve]

You can expect sweet, smooth soulful vibes and an authentic seventies vibe with an understated production style that I find particularly pleasing. Matty’s sympathetic treatment of this track transports you back in time to when the trio were in the prime of their careers. The result will work both for today’s market and for those who were fans of Labelle back in the day. It goes without saying that the vocals are of a high quality with power, passion and perfect harmonies, but then you’d expect nothing less. Outstanding!!!


Soul Oasis pres Weysa Dya - Deep House Meditation [Cyberjamz]

All four mixes of this deliver in terms of flavour and atmosphere: overall, I would describe the track as deep and eclectic, but one thing’s for sure: it’s unmistakeably house. In no particular order the mixes come from Beppe Gioia who provides both a vocal and dub which both have a deep groove with dark beats and some stylish keys alongside the sultry spoken vocals and atmospheric synths. Look out in particular for what sounds like a glockenspiel dropping in and out of the mix. “Mr Mama’s DNY Mix” is similarly deep and engaging experience with fluffier beats, more striking synths and brass before some warm keyboard chords that drop in later in the mix. The “DJ Aakmael Main Vocal” is just like a depth charge going off in your speakers as the deep synth driven groove gets inside your mind before Weysa’s vocals finish you off. I have no clear favourite amongst these mixes: depending on venue, audience and timing all of them could work equally well.


Steal Vybe ft Alexis Simmons - Selene [Phuture Sole]

This is a stylish start to the new year from Phuture Sole who bring us a typically soulful offering that’s a little more up-tempo than their most recent material. Right from the off “Chris Forman‘s Mix“ grabs you with crisp beats and throbbing bass that make you want to dance. Meantime the soothing blend of vocals and production washes over you blissfully. “Jonny Montana’s Remix” is on a mellower tip with a gentle seventies soul vibe that’s punctuated with some classy but sparingly used keys. Finally, “Damon Bennett’s Abstratic Mix” is more percussive with a broken beat style to it. In terms of choosing a favourite mix, I think that Jonny’s mix just shades it, but whichever one you favour, it’s music like this that proves you don’t need frantic beats to get people dancing.


Steven Stone ft Nyla Ray - Makes You High [Soul Deluxe Recordings]

This is the first release from new label and what a start it is! Steven Stone has established a reputation for delivering music that’s both infectious and soulful: “Makes You High” will only cement that reputation. Nyla’s voice is sweet and smooth and the production is flawless; in terms of appeal, this will suit those who used to pick up Pound Boys stuff and much of the Soulfuric back catalogue. The package of mixes includes versions from Steven Stone, Central Avenue, Gregory Del Piero and MOD & Staffan Thorsell. Of the five versions I’ve been struggling to pick out a favourite but I’m swaying towards the “Original” and “Gregory Del Piero Mix” both of which have that smooth soulful sound that really gets me going. Top tune!


DJ Aphreme presents Rainy Payne - Your Eyes [Consortium]

I missed out on this first time around but was fortunate enough to pick up this direct from the label recently. I’m not quite sure how I managed to overlook this when it originally surfaced back in August but I can tell you that the “Alan Smithee Mix” is something you really need to get your hands on. It has strong rhythms, a deep flavour, and an one of the most sensual spoken vocals I’ve heard in quite some time. Checking back I can tell you that the full release includes mixes from DJ Aphreme himself, Jonny Montana and Abicah Sole; if that doesn’t get you interested I’m not sure what will.


Shik Stylko - Yukon / Alaska [Peppermint Jam]

Shik Stylko gets deep, dubby and techy with two new tracks to get the New Year underway. “Yukon” is probably a bit techier than my normal bag but “Alaska”, deep and techy though it is, in its “Original Mix” something I’ve really been able to get into. The electronic sounds have plenty depth and atmosphere, building as the track goes on. The result is a solid mood builder that I’d cheerfully spend a couple of quid on. 


Cunnie Williams ft Monie Love - Saturday 2009 [Peppermint Jam]

Ten years on from it’s first outing Peppermint Jam have commissioned a new package of mixes from some of the biggest players in the business in the hope of introducing this to a new generation of clubbers. Onboard at at the controls this time around are Fedde Le Grande, Samir Maslo, Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney, Nari & Milani and Rulers of The Deep. The mixers are all tougher than the 1999 versions but you would most likely have expected that. My own favorite comes from Gaudino & Rooney who deliver by far the funkiest mix underpinned by funky chic-esque guitars and rhythms before giving way to old school synths Chicago style.  


Manuel Perez - Mangotronique [Lace Recordings]

Designed for those who like their house with a tougher edge, this is a deep techy electronic number which comes in four distinct flavours. They are all variations on a theme but offer deeper, techier, acid and progressive versions each of which might just work better than any of the others depending on audience and timing within a set. My own pick is “Frozen Mango” which is the most progressive sounding version and is just a touch housier than the others although the energy of “Acid Mango” probably means it will work best on the floor. 


Costa Martinez ft Bahar - You Changed My Life [2 Delicious]

This enjoyable vocal track landed just before the turn of the year and has been on my radar ever since. It has a really soulful vibe, achieved largely as a result of the really sweet vocals. In addition to the “Original”, Concorde Avenue’s SAMBOX provides an abbreviated “Radio Sexy Mix” which has a smooth, understated groove that lets the vocals do the talking (or singing in this case). The “Original” is punctuated by crisp beats, soothing chords and squelchy guitars and to be honest I’m finding it difficult to choose between the mixes. 


Soul Oasis presents DJ Buzzard - From The Lair Vol 1 [Cyberjamz]

This latest release from Cyberjamz is an EP from DJ Buzzard that contains three distinct grooves that should all get a positive reaction from the floor. “Samba Caca” is full of Brazilian rhythms and chants but is otherwise quite sparse in style. “Smoking Hot Buzz” drops some mellow rhodes chords from an old Harley & Muscle production and adds tribal beats that make it really tough to stand still. Last up is “Hot Weld” which is the funkiest of the three with a deep jackin’ West Coast vibe. Nice!!!

Gilbert Le Funk, DJ Bee & Kaysee - If [La Musique Fantastique]

LMF’s third release finds label boss Gilbert Le Funk collaborating with DJ Bee and Kaysee to create an enjoyable vocal number. There’s a total of seven mixes including an acapella and I’d predict there’s a mix here to cater for all but the hardest to please. My personal picks are the “Edmund Remix” which, complete with sax is seriously funky and the “Piers Kirwan Vocal” which is punctuated by electronic bass and classy keys. All the other mixes have plenty to offer and should be checked out individually but I’d be here all day if I talked at length about them all. Very nice indeed! 


George Morel & SPJ - It’s Time To Party [Groove On]

Now I must confess, the prospect of George Bush’s voice on a house track isn’t something I had ever considered. Nevertheless, it’s a clever production that samples a variety of Bush speeches to spread the message that “It’s Time To Party”. To get the full effect you need to listen for yourself but my loathing of all things Bush leads me to applaud the sentiment behind this one.  


Blackcoffee ft Bucie - Turn Me On [GoGo Music]

The label of 2008 gets the New Year off to another excellent start with this sure fire winner from Blackcoffee. With sensual vocals from the highly talented vocalist Bucie this is set to be a huge hit with all the soulful heads. The remixes come from Phil Kullman aka Raw Artistic Soul whose interpretations deliver on soul, depth and atmosphere. I can spout on for hours about this but those of you who normally pick up releases from this label would be foolish to turn your back on this one. It’s currently top of the Traxsource download chart and with good reason. Not to be missed!  


A&G Project - Love Has Gone / Journey [I Music Underground]

I don’t think there are enough superlatives to do this release justice. Both tracks are just out of this world. “Love Has Gone” features the vocals of Kinsella and my goodness her voice is so sweet and packed with emotion it could almost move you to tears. Against the backdrop of mellow rhodes and captivating beats it’s a winner every time and if your route to house music was old school soul then this should tick just about every box. “Journey” is another deep affair with with lush production, soothing keys, liberally used brass and rhythms that are difficult to resist.  


Luallan Cardonan & Matt Balzan - Friday Night Sessions [Next Dimension]

I am absolutely hooked on this four tracker from Next Dimension. It’s full of beautifully constructed mellow vibes that probably sit best somewhere between the lounge and bar markets. Along with the title track there are two versions of “Double Scotch” and “Go Deep” all of which have been tickling my musical taste buds for a few weeks now. If pushed I guess that “Friday Night Sessions” itself would be my first pick but I can and will use them all.  


Velvet Jones - Bodywork [M Trax]

I don’t know what’s been keeping me from writing about this as it’s a tremendously funky number that will appeal to a vast array of people and cause some serious ass-shaking on many a dance floor. The “Original” is my favourite and is defined by the funky guitars throughout. “DJ Alex and Filip‘s Remix” toughen things up with a fiercer and techier groove which although not so instantly appealing has grown on me with each passing listen. The “Unconventional Remix” is also fiercer and more driving than the original but is seriously funky courtesy of the guitars that dominate. The final, “Modrocker Remix” is another driving affair, almost techno in places and probably the one I’m least likely to use.  


Yuriy Poleg & DJ Tikhiy - Na Na Na [Metrogroove]

I’ve been sitting on this for around three weeks, never quite getting round to a review but I guess it’s better late than never. I must admit that Yuriy’s remixes for Metrogroove had make me sit up and take notice lately so I was immediately keen to check this out. I can’t find a weak link in the package of mixes and although I initially thought I was favouring “Park Street’s In A New York Minute Dub” The depth of the “Original” and the mellower “Groove Delivers Remix” complete with live bass and tinkled keys also proved to be infectious. The final “Dianskins Rework Mix” is the punchiest within the package, treading an old school house path with synth chords that are sure to get just about any crowd going. Quality stuff!  


Groove Junkies pres Rick Keller - Black Man In The White House (remixes) [MoreHouse]

Following on in full Presidential effect, Groove Junkies drop some additional mixes of their acclaimed “Black Man In The White House”. This time around it’s classic GJ’s style with sax, guitars and a groove that takes you back to some of Evan and Parrish’s earlier material. The package is rounded of nicely with a couple of DJ tools which I’m sure will get a lot of use over the next few weeks. 


Black Liquid vs. Obama - Our President [Black Liquid Music]

This is an excellent dubby house number with a crisp beats, infectious sax and the voice of the man on whom the western world places its hopes. Regardless of your political leanings, Obama’s oratory skills are outstanding and the sample works with the music to create a compelling groove. I’ll be playing this one and frequently.

All reviews by Dean Serafini unless otherwise stated. To submit music for review on this site please use the "contact us" option from the main menu