Many of you are those interested in extensive reviews. Long time IDMW.com partner/friend, Zurich-based Spiritofhouse.com head Michael Fossati comes along with his weekly selection of ultimate goodies. Gruezi Mein Herr !

The pieces of music thereafter are taken from the weekly Fresh Grooves mix series as conceived by Michael Fossati.

All your promos to be sent to :

Michael Fossati P.O. Box 9403 – CH 8036 ZÜRICH (SCHWEIZ)

Contact : michael.fossati@spiritofhouse.com

Picks of the Week

BLAZE "My Beat" – S.U.M.O. Remix (HEYA HIFI/CD Promo)

This is the first release for S.U.M.O.'s own label HEYA HIFI that is taken from the forthcoming Rebounces album. S.U.M.O. takes on the Blaze classic "My Beat" that features Palmer Brown's preaching lyrics and turn it into an Afro beat work out featuring brand new instrumentation including horn section, organ, afro guitar and sweet percussion. The 'Rebounce' version creates an irresistible afro house vibe with Palmer Brown's unmistakable vocal performance while the dub stripps the vocals and features additonal instrumentation instead, enforcing the afro vibe.

RAW ARTISTIC SOUL "Kana EP" (GoGo Music/CD Promo)

After the fantastic "One Cultural Groove EP", Raw Artistic Soul are back with another chapter of inspiring music. The title track of the EP, "Kana" (available in both vocal and dub versions) features the voice of Laygwan Sharkie who sings in the native Zimbabwean language over a smooth yet powerful afro house beat that is topped with melodic keys and a lovely jazzy flute. "Bathanga vibes" features Migrant Souls aka Lyygwan Sharkie & Metaphysics and is inspired by 'Bathanga Jive', a traditional dance of miners of Zimbabwe. Can7 delivers an uplifting interpretation coming with infectious melodies and an irresistible groove, creating a feel-good anthem. Finally there is "Flores Para Ti", a latin tinged production featuring a broken-beat styled, percussion loaded groove and jazzy vocal ad-libs together with Rafael Cortes on guitar. With this second outstanding EP, I can't wait to hear the forthcoming album What About Love.

ROBERTA FLACK "Love And Let Love" - Cubanix Remix (CD-R)

This song was released on Roberta Flack's "I'm The One" LP back in 1982 and is a melodic, laidback groover in its original version. Cubanix take care of the song and deliver a subtle rework that keeps the structure and vibe of the original alive by taking it straight to the dancefloor with phat beats and smooth percussion, giving it underground credibility.

STEPHANIE COOKE "Love Will" (West End)

Blaze with yet an other superb production, this time teaming up with songstress Stephanie Cooke. "Love Will" combines the usual elements you would expect from Blaze including shuffling beats, a rich bassline, gentle percussion, sweet chords and a lovely latin gutiar together with Stephanie Cooke's sultry vocal performance. The dub instrumental drops the vocal to let the groove and guitar do the talking.

BUKI COLE & FREE RADIKALS "Fall"/"Fall vs Ella" (Latenite Productions/White Label)

"Fall" features sweet female vocals together with female spoken words over a mellow bumpin' groove that comes complete with warm melodic keys and a deep bassline. The flipside features "Fall vs Ella", supposed to be courtesy of Larry Heard. This version is keeping the soulful feeling alive and uses slighty tougher beats and smooth techy keys.

DAVID PANDA freaturing FROSCHE "Loving Back" - Franck Roger Remix (Seasons Limited)

Seasons Limited have choosen French maestro Franck Roger to remix one of their previous releases. His vocal version is on a truly deep tip with a wandering bassline, bright chords by Oliver M'Sellem, shuffling beats and the superb vocal from Frosche. The instrumental on the flip is vocal free and features additional keys and an organ solo to create an even deeper vibe.

MOSES McCLEAN featuring ROB BURNS "Be There For You" (Shack Music)

Behind Moses McClean are Mitch Moses & Vince McClean who present their first release on Shack Music. It is a collaboration with singer Rob Burns who delivers a powerful yet soulful vocal performance. The original is on a stompin' tip, featuring a funky bassline together with warm keys. Franck Roger is responsible for the remixes, turning out a deep peak time stomper for the heads.

KINGS OF TOMORROW "Thru" - Simon Grey Mixes (Defected)

"Thru" is taken from the just released new Trouble LP. It features the soulful voice of Haze and is on a dark, almost techy edge on the original version with spheric keys over a deeply stormin groove. Simon Grey comes up with phat remixes adding a funky edge to it. His vocal has a real live vibe to it and features a couple of great breaks while the dub is all about the groove, funky elements and the guitar.

ANANDA PROJECT "Relight EP1" (NiteGrooves)

In 2003 Ananda Project relased the Morning Light album. Since then, various remixes have been released and there are unreleased tracks that didn't make it to the album, so NiteGrooves has just released the Relight album featuring these goodies. Here we have the first EP from the aforementioned featuring the groovy "Wasting My Time" in a full length version that comes with cut-up Flamenco guitars and Afro-beat percussion together with female vocals. "Everything You Are" ist the standout track and features a punchy bass and cool keys together with a wonderful saxophone, guitar and sweet female vocals. The instrumental "Bahia" rounds the EP up and is featured in a Kyoto Jazz Massive remix that is built around a funky bassline that is surrounded with strings and percussion.

MATTEO IONESCU featuring WENDY LEWIS "Angel" (GoGo Music)

Itialian producer Matteo Ionecscu teams up with vocalist Wendy Lewis for "Angel". His own version is on a soulful tip with a powerful groove that together with the melodic keys creates an uplifting feeling. Ralf GUM & CrisP turn it into a summer groover, featuring a wonderful saxophone and lovely guitars that give the song a jazzy vibe, with an infectious groove serving as base. Benny Pecoraio delivers the third version that gives the song a more underground feeling through deeply stompin' beats and wicked keys.

ANDREW EMIL featuring MZ. GABRIELA "Whe She Spoke" (Smooth Agent)

"When She Spoke" is a midtempo soulful late nite houser with spoken female vocals by Mz. Gabriela and backing vocals by Reggie Hall, backed by a lazy bassline, shuffling beats and great keys. Sean Smith delivers an uptempo remix (and instrumental counterpart) that uses a phat bassline together with reggae and dub elements as well as jazzy keys to create a bumpin' affair while Johnny Fiasco serves a peaktime take with a driving, funked-up groove and a great piano hook, giving the track a retro feeling.

YUKI "Joy" (King Street)

The former lead singer of Japanese pop/rock group Judy & Mary started her solo career in 2001 and is siged to Sony Japan. "Joy" is lifted from her latest album and remixed by Eric Kupper who provides uplifting, feel good versions of the song that is sung in Japanese. Mutiny delliver a rather cheesy vocal version and a dub combining speed garage and acid elements, bringing back memories of the '90s.