First, let me apologise for being a day late with this weeks update. Now let's start right away as there are lots of freshgoodies split over two mixes...

The Pick of the Week goes to The Kolai Krew "Take It Back" out on the
brand new Thaisoul imprint from Jask. This track has been released back in late 2003 as part of "EPiology Vol. 2" on Sahara Records and gets a welcome re-release. Take It Back" is bringing back the musicfrom the disco era with its combination of oldschool disco, funk, soul and jazz grooves that get topped with Maria Rochelle's sultryvocals and freestyle vibes by MC Krayola.

Talking 'bout Jask, his mixes of "Thank You Lord" by Connie Harvey are finally available, being a soulful and groovy affair with laminar keys over a fiercely stormin' groove. The 1997 classic "Whenever You Want Me" by Breakpoint featuring Jon Banfield gets a new life with mixes by Danism who deliver a funktified garage feeling.

Fanatix, the UK's hottest production and remix team of the moment are responsible for new versions of "Another Day" by Kings of Tomorrow, giving the track a groovy outfit with wicked keys added that give the song an uplifting feeling. Meanwhile, Hardsoul present the premier release for their own label titled "Bounson" featuring New Cool Collective, an exiting and fresh slice of Latin house vibes featuring a great instrumentation over a fierce groove.

Producer Nikos is present with another soulful goodie: "Bright Like A Star" is the perfect companion for warm summer nights with its sunny vibe and laidback feeling. "Belive" by Sterling Ensemble featuring Juliet Malsha is a deep and laidback serving, spreading a sultry summer feeling with a strong influence from Blue 6, with the dub heating things up with a Latinesque groove.

The Backroom Bandits take for the second time on a classic by jazz composer and lyricist Kurt Elling whose melancholic "One Day" gets perfectly acccentuated by a mellow bumpin' house groove and melodic keys, creating a modern art jazz house piece. Anthony Nicholson returns with Miquifaye for "Tribes Of Chant Part II (The Spirit World)", an Afro house fusion track that is - simply said - a sublime piece of late night dance grooves.

After the massive 2004 club hit "Find a way", Diviniti returns with the Pirahnahead co-produced "Love Will Stay", a mellow and deep groover that is spreading a laidback feeling. Stacey Mallory's "What Is Housemusic..." finally gets released, complete with a remix by DJ Pope who turns it into a deeply rumblin' track featuring laminar keys that is spreading a hypnotic vibe.

The ever busy Steal Vybe present "Passion (In Me)", another cracking production featuring a soulful vocal peformance by Stephanie Renee, set to be a surefire late nite pleaser. Jerome Sydenham and Mikael Nordgren team up for "Stockholm - Go Bang!", a track riffing on the "Jaguar"/"Sandcastles" sound, already rocking the dancefloors worldwide.

S.U.M.O. take on "Froro" by Jazztronik and give the tribal vibes of the original an Afro house edge. The flip features an extended version of the piano-driven, string filled Detroit-ish tech house track "Phoenix". After their debut on /Soulfuric/ with "Blend", the Masterbuilders work on various other projects including their upcoming album that will include "Man Cannot Rise", a driving and uplifting production that is spreading a feel good vibe.

Deepswing rework "Dilruba" and take the Orientalic sounds directly to the dancefloors with a smoothly stompin' groove and nicely aligned filtering effects.

Brazilian house diva Salome de Bahia returns with a cover version of the Barry Manilow classic "Copacabana", a driving latin house outfit by none other than Bob Sinclar. Also on this release is "Quisiera", a fired up tribal-ish latin cut that is creating an irresistible vibe on the dancefloor.

Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) spiritofhouse.com