In January of this year, we brought you an exclusive review of the band’s "City Lite" (that has been released by Soul Funk Digital in the meantime). Now more of the band’s marvellous productions are to be released by Soul Tonic Mono Records. "The Phusion EP" brings you four tracks, all showcasing the band’s love for jazz and soulful orientated sounds, presented in various flavors. Kicking off is the mellow "Jazzelle" that features sweet female chants over a warm laidback backing groove. Next is "Bonilla", a piece of exquisite jazz funk groove not to be missed. This is followed by "Drop Chicago", a lovely afterhours track with wicked keys. Closing down the EP is "Nite Tine", a deep and fierce track featuring wonderful laminar keys and a great jazzy piano line. This EP is a perfect choice for those chilled and laidback moments.

 

 

Steal Vybe and the Rhythm Slaves present "Essence Of lLife", a brilliant musical collaboration. The release features a nice selection of mixes: the ones from Steal Vybe (vocal and instrumental) are on a very musical tip, featuring warm keys and a lovely guitar alongside sweet vocal over a deeply stormin' groove.The Rhythm Slaves present a funky affair with an electro touch, that is reworked by Kid Massive into a stompin' affair with spaced-out keys that give it a melodic feeling.

 

LUISITO QUINTERO featuring FRANCIS MBAPPE "Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo" (Vega Records)

Luisito Quintero presents this wonderful rework of the Fela Kuti gem that features singer Francis Mbappe, now finally getting a full 12" release. Louie Vega delivers an Elements of Life styled Afro-house track that is extended into an incredible 12 minute version on the A-side that allows the spirit and music of the original to show throughout. The flip features a 'Roots Mutes' version that lets the keys and percussion do most of the talk. Closing down the package are handy bonus beats.

 

After releasing two strong productions by guest producers, label head Antonio Ocasio returns with a strong offering. "Spirit rise" is a Balearic house winner featuring wonderful spaced out keys, a jazzy piano line and beautiful vocals by Manchild Black over a backing of Latinesque beats and percussion that create an irresistible feeling. The instrumental lets the keys and piano do the talk. Bonus Beats are also included. Digital downloads are available at Dancetracks Digital.

 

Exclusive Preview: SERGE NEGRI "Spoonfed" (Demo CD-R)

DJ and producer Serge Negri drops his latest production, a wicked track that is set to rock the dancefloors whenever it gets played. "`??" features deeply stompin' beats and an even deeper rumblin' bassline that serve as playground for the sweet percussion and various layers of melodic keys that give the track a warm and harmonic feeling, while the backing groove adds an old-school flavor to it.

 

Ron Trent got legend status thanks to his incomparable and unforgettable releases on the Prescription and Clairaudience labels (as well as many others). "Love To The World’’ takes us back to the time of the aforementioned labels, featuring a superb bassline augmented with a brilliant synth solo, background piano lines, cowbell percussion that altogether create an transcendental vibe that moves you to new cosmic heights.
 

The first release form Tempogroove Records gets a second package of mixes that are set to extend its success story. Switerland's Roberto de Carlo keeps the soul of the original alive, but adds his own vibe to it that gives the song a bit more of a laidback feeling and the horns a more prominent place. DJ Meme delivers a fired up dub version of his remix that is perfect for peak time play. Also included are two acapellas (vocals and adlibs).

 

Behind Soul Food are Italy's Franco Martinelli & Massimo Sottino teaming up with Mirka Cespedes who provides a passionate and powerful vocal performance. The original is a classic house groover featuring wicked keys, great organ solo and a storming groove that create an uplifting feeling. The 'Blue Deep Remix' is smoothing it down a bit, while keeping the lovely instrumentation intact. The dub is a tougher affair, featuring electronic keys over a heavily stompin' beat and a great breakdown in the middle.

 

UPZ aka United People Of Zion present their debut for Look-At-You, a hot four track EP that showcases two songs. First up is "Prayer 4 Me" which features a sensual vocal by Tony G over a driving but soulful backing groove displaying great funky elements and wicked keys alongside a marvellous trumpet solo. Juke Joint provide the remix, turning it into a peak time affair that uses the vocals in a hypnotic way. Second is "Mr. Manna", a voodoo house track featuring a tribalesque vocal courtesy of Haitian Patrick G alongside an irresistible guitar, calypso drums and awicked Afro beats. The dub strips most of the vocals, letting the music do the talk.

 

With "A Mystery Of Hate", Milton Jackson and Funky Transport present a great tech house track that combines that incomparable bassline from Fingers Inc. classic "Mystery Of Love" with moody techy keys that are reminiscent of good old Detroit, and they also add some vocal samples. The result is an irresistible peaktime track with a cool old school flavor that will make you want some more.

 

 

In the Spotlight: LUISITO QUINTERO Percussion Madness (Rapster Records/CD)

Finally this wonderful album gets a European release (a US release is to follow shortly) after it has only been available as an expensive Japanese import in the past. Percussionist Luisito Quintero has been an influential part of Louie Vega's Elements Of Life project (which combined Afro-Latin rhythms with jazz and bossa nova sounds), and he is also a member of the same band  which has been touring around the world.

After this successful partnership, Luisito Quintero continues his musical journey with his debut album that is produced by Louie Vega. Among the featured tracks are cover of classics from Tito Puente ("Four Beat Mambo") and Fela Kuti ("Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo" which was just released in club versions on Vega Records 12") as well as original tracks that feature many guest artists such as Blaze, Anane, Hilton Ruiz, Milton Cardona and Francis Mbappe.

With Percussion Madness, Luisito Quintero delivers a blissfull collection of funky rhythms and body moving vibes that combines various flavors and influences. Higly recommended.

For sound samples and digital downloads check out Dancetracks Digital.