It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX

I guess things are going slightly better, especially for those of you who've experienced the jetlag, ten days now after the end of Miami WMC.

Some of you know already this column as it has been mine on french mag, Coda, for a bit more than seven years. Well, the good news is that it will also come now on its own via e-mail and in english as I do understand that french is hard to understand for most of you (as already for some of us in this country !!!).

So what's going on apart from the big subject that occupies most of the TV screen ? Well let's talk about Sunslice festival as the full line up is now ready to go with the flow (from 07/10 til 07/14 in the south of France and more precisely in Toulon). If last year's edition was a good beginning, this second one looks like being bigger uniting some of the most wanted DJ's in the house circuit ; some of them working by pair like JoVonn and your very much devoted, the first nite, Dennis Ferrer and Jerome Sydenham (the day after) and the classic association between Kerri Chandler and DJ Deep. And it it was not enough, Sunslice organization has also secured the participations of Blaze (for the first time ever in France) and Derrick May for the closing nite (for more infos contact DJ bool : djbool@aol.com).

On the wax front, it's going to take some time for most of the last WMC' attendees to have a clear view of what's hot as lots of vinyls have been circulating around.

The future Chicago anthem, like I've mentioned to you right after landing come from Roy Davis Jr and looks like being the one to be issued shortly on NiteGrooves, entitled "Back To Chicago". A real killer after his smoother "About love" on Bombay, and the same comment comes for "He's Alive", a vocal track — sorry, don't have the name of the singer/s as it hasn't been revealed to me so far — with some afro fragrance that Marlon D played at the Soulfood party, awaited to be released soon on Jellybean Records. Also managed to put my hand on the Yellorange (or should I say Yo Ltd ?) Sampler for the Conf and the true marvel comes from DJ Pierre & B Crew with the soulful "Peacemakers" (something to ckeck out in these unstable times), not mentioning a new song that Barbara Tucker (not on this package) performed twice in a raw in Florida…

So we've got Chicago, NYC and Jersey but there are also tons of good stuff coming from the MotorCity. The first of'em being Dwele in a true nu soul vein with "Find A Way" from his debut LP to be released on Virgin on 04/24 after a two years hiatus. But there's also a bunch of new tunes from Malik Alston, a true talent as well, able to play jazz;, ambient, soulful, house, afro and even techno oriented music. Lucky enough to get a demo mix from a young canadian producer strangely named Don_Ray (nothing to do with former Cerrone's collaborator) and this guy also looks like havin (good) fuel on his engine, doing productions and remixes (amongst others what looks like a remix of Sade). Check him out on www.allmassive.com or get in touch with him (donray@allmassive.com).

On a more festive (dancefloor) vein , london label, Vocal Records might have some serious contenders facing the kind of production that Defected puts out, with the instant "All My Love" based on a very recognzable riff by U'nique (contact Knut@xlantic.com for more infos).Not to mention a new collaboration with Robert Owens (this time associated with Harry 'Choo Choo' Romero on Subliminal, touted as one of the WMC'2003's goodie !

No doubt, Harley & Muscle are definitely amongst the best production teams to come out of Italy as they've proven it once more on their recent collaboration with the legendary Robert Owens, but also with Nicole Graham, who happened to sing on Llorca's first album on F-Com or with the Straight Up team in Paris. Lots of new stuff coming from our men in the near future as shown on a CD demo full of newies. Sorry no titles neither, but you can email them (mail@harleymuscle.com).

No doubt neither, Needs are someone to watch from Germany, running in the same fields as Anthony Nicholson, Ron Trent or Franck Roger. Cool vibes to come very soon on their very own label… Needs Music (needs@needsmusic.com).

Although we're still far away from the summer (at least here in France), Distance comes with what might be one of the beautiful season's anthem with "Luv Me Rite" from Todd Gardner, that looks like a brillant readaptation of George Duke's classic "A Brazilian Love Affair", to be released at the end of may.

Last but not least, check out Atlanta pair, Kemeticjust's newie on Silver Network with remixes from Pepe Braddock, Alexkid and Charles Webster that looks like one of the best releases to come out of Jef K's label so far.

Watch this space. More to follow soon as Coda's deadline for may approaches.

Peace to ya'all.

MFSB