For those of you 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)
Picks of the week
KING DK "Can't Read Your Mind" (Black Vinyl CD Promo)
Michael Schreiber (aka King DK) present the smooth and soulful production "Can't Read Your Mind" featuring a sweet and sexy vocal performance by Claudia Fink alongside a great jazzy saxophone, lovely guitar and funky bassline. His original version is a ride into the deep house territory, coming on a mellow laidback tip. The 'Club Dub' comes with a fierced up groove while the 'Broken Step Mix' is all about a soulful broken beat. Tinderbox (Alan Russell & Al Robertson) provide the remixes, delivering a funkily grooving version on their vocal take, while on the dub they add extra spice, giving it an irresistible feel. The 'Tinderbox-A-Pella' reduces it to the basics, letting the vocal shine all the way through. A delicious release not to be missed.
More reviews
KEM "Without You" (Moodyman Remix)(Bootleg 12")
KEM "Without You" (Scott Wozniak Remix)(Restricted Access 12")
Two different interpretations of Kem's marvellous "Without You" have been released back-to-back in the last couple of days. Kenny 'Moodyman' Dixon gives it a mellow and moody feeling, letting his version kick of with a lengthened intro before the saxed-up house groove comes in. Scott Wozniak reworkings feature both organ and saxophone layered over tightly arranged drums, giving the track a soulful feeling. The dub dismisses the vocal and saxophone, replacing it with bleeping keys.
FRANCK ROGER "The Earthrumental Project - Part 4" (RealTone 12")
Part four in "The Earthrumental Project" brings you the lovely track "Tribute" which features a great jazzy saxophone solo by Josh. Alongside the saxophone, "Tribute" features afro-funk styled beats together with atmospheric chords that give the track a fierce feeling, the result being an instrumental jazz house piece of the highest caliber.
REEL PEOPLE featuring SHARLENE HECTOR "The Rain" (Original/Joey Negro Remix)(Defected 12")
REEL PEOPLE featuring SHARLENE HECTOR "The Rain" (Rasmus Faber Remix)(Defected 12")
Originally released on Papa Records back in may this year, "The Rain" is an 80's inspired track featuring a bouncin' jazz-funk rythm with broken beats and great vocals by Sharlene Hector in its original form. Joey Negro provides two remixes, with the first one being a straight vocal re-edit while his dub features a boogie-tinted, driving house flavor. Rasmus Faber provides the second set of remixes, with his main mix combining the 80's elements with a lively funky house groove with a latin edge, with the dub and bonus beats going for a percussion driven funky journey.
ANTHONY NICHOLSON featuring MIQUIFAYE "Keeping Time" (Circular Motion 12")
Anthony Nicholson continues to release spiritually inspired house music with the latest release on his Circular Motion label. "Keeping Time" is based on a percussion infused, smoothly stormin' groove featuring orchestral vocals together with a great vibes/marimba solo that give the song a jazzy feeling, underpinning groovy vibe of the track.
STERLING ENSEMBLE featuring GRANT GREEN JR. "I Can Tell" (Soulshine Records 12")
Albert 'Sterling' Menendez, a long time collaborator with Louis Benedetti, presents his latest production "I Can Tell" featuring the smooth voice of Grant Green Jr. that is laid over a deep groove that is truly infectious. The melodic keys and soulful vocals harmonize perfectly with the groove, giving the track a warm and melodic vibe.
DEEPSWING featuring JACQUELINE CAMPA "Dance Tonight!" (Generate Music CD Promo)
For "Dance Tonight", Deepswing have chosen Los Angeles native Jacqueline Campa as singer who provides an uplifting and powerful vocal to this great production. The 'Airex Groove Mix' is an irresistible funked-up affair with a disco-ish edge, based on a fiercely stompin' groove that is enriched with a wicked guitar, swirling keys and rolling basslines. The 'Classic Mix' is on a groovy tip featuring a jazzy piano line and saxophone, having a pumping feel to it. Matteo Esse & Sant provide the remix, giving the track a tougher edge. Also included is an acapella to play around with.
SUNKIDS featuring CHANCE "Rise Up" (2005 Remix) (Independance 12")
Five years after this track devasted the dancefloors, it is back with a phat remix courtesy of Praise Cats (aka E-Smoove) that features a great piano line and keys over a stormin' groove with Chance's vocal performance sounding as fresh and uplifting as they were the day the record was originally released. The flipside features the timeless original version. There is a limited picture disc pressing around for all you collectors out there.
RIGHTEOUS featuring MJ WHITE "Love Is Love" (Refunkt CD Promo)
Behind Righteous are Dwayne Minard & Gavin Bradley (hailing from Canada) who team up with vocalist MJ White who provides a great vocal performance on "Love Is Love", a driving track with a disco-ish feel from the beginning to the end, featuring funky ingredients and great keys alongside the uplifting vocals, coming in equally slamming vocal and dub mixes.
TIGER STRIPES "New York New York" (rogCity CD Promo)
Mikael Nordgen has been very successful this year with his Tiger Stripes project (with releases on Ibadan, Look-At-You and Undo Music), and this latest offering surely will continue the success story. "New York New York" is based on a tribal-ish groove and features a lovely guitar and laminar keys that give the track a melodic feeling, with the included dub spreading a more electrofied vibe. Also included is the "Go Bang! DJ Tool" to play around with.
LA CHARCA "Double Shock EP" (Refunkt Trax CD Promo)
La Charca is the funky house alter ego of DJ and producer Mark Holliday who presents his first outing for Refunkt. "Just One More Thing" is a groovy track featuring a funky bassline, tasty rhodes and jazzy trumpet. "Musica" is driven by a funky guitar and features male spoken vocals alongside wicked keys, spreading an irresistible feeling. Layers of Sound provide the remix, smoothing it down a bit to give it a deeper edge.
BIONIK PHUNK "In My Head" (Remixes)(ProgCity CD Promo)
"In My Head" was released earlier this year in its original form, now getting remixed to extend its success. So Phat deliver an electrofied interpretation, while ATFC deliver a mash-up (some of you might know the original), giving it a funky edge. Lastly there is the 'Big Room Blaster', a mix for the more commercial orientated, huge floors.
Classic Review
JOE SMOOTH featuring ANTHONY THOMAS "Promised Land" (DJ International 12", 1987)
This one will always be a timeless classic, an ultimate house music celebration, one of the true house music anthems. And it makes you sing along as soon as you hear it. A piece of dance music history.
INTERVIEW
