The Shadowkings return in a gigantic way with "So Beautiful" which will take dancefloors by storm thanks to the infectious groove that is nothing than absolutely relentless, with the catchy keys and passionate vocal performance furhter intensifying the vibe, then towards the end additional keys take the track to an even more fierce level. The 'Utopa Broken Beat' mixes give the track are more relaxed and laidback feeling with their smoothened groove and wonderful keys, with phat breakdowns built into the track that will get the crowed into a frenzy madness.

 

 

"Real Love" is said to be the very final recording by Larry Levan before his passing. It is a very dusty-sounding production featuring lots of analog elements over a deep and moody groove that features an evocative vocal. Whitle the 'Choice Mix' sounds rather dirty, the 'Paradise Garage Mix' is somewhat cleaner. Digital downloads available at Dancetracks Digital.

 

"Musicmental" is an essential eight track collection of instrumentals courtesy of the one and only Larry Rauson Jr., bringing his legendary and unmistakable sound back to todays dancefloors as for the first time. These tracks are available in digital format, with some of them being unreleased. Let the music take you back in time, for example with "Music Mental 4 (Not Yet)" which was originally released on "DJ’s on Vinyl Vol. 2" back in 1991, or unreleased gems such as "Peace Of kotto". Digital downloads available at Dancetracks Digital.

 

Newcomer Syren gets a massive makeover by various heavy weights of the house music scene, interestingly to be released by different labels... First up is the package on HomeSoul which features thumpin' uplifting mixes by Terry Hunter and deeply rumblin' mixes by William 'Reel Soul' Rodriguez, while Karizma and Applejac come up with wicked R&B mixes. The second package features a complete set of remixes by Frankie Feliciano who gives the song a classic laidback reworking that is wonderfully instrumentated.

 

Don't let the title fool you, it has nothing to do with the Donna Summer classic of same name. It is a fresh production by Joan Barbena and Sean Khan who drop a wonderfully instrumentated organic production featuring a great horn section algonside lively bass and jazzy keys that compliment the soulfulf vox. Tokyo's own Yukihiro Fukutomi provides the remixes turning the track into a deep and dirty groove with jazzy horns and synth lines that add a slight techy feeling. Digital downloads available at Dancetracks Digital.

 

Daishi Dance drop the follow up to "Let Life Loose" which features a sultry vocal performance by Joi Cardwell. The '12inch Re-Edit" of "What Really Matters" is a very organic production thanks to the accoustic guitar and warm melodic sounds used, while Hardsoul come up with a groovy interpretation that adds an old school touch to it.

 

While the slammin' "On The Other Side EP" is still a favorite with many DJ’s, Joe Flame presents a hot follow up with "Trust Me", a deep and fierce track that keeps groovin' from the beginning to the end and features a soulful male vocal alongside deeply rumblin' beats, wonderful synth lines and a great piano line.

 

Japanese producers Orienta Rhythm team up with songstress Stephanie Cooke on this soulful cut. Their original is a beautiful blend of a pumping yet smooth groove with Latin chords and the sweet voice of Stephanie Cooke, with Eric Kupper delivering his signature style that is full of power and warm melodies. Digital downloads available at Dancetracks Digital.

 

Rasmir Mantree releases a slammin four track EP featuring tracks previously reviewed here at Spirit of House ("Lonely Me" and "Use Me And Lose Me") as well as two new ones "All Nite" is a percussion rich, funktified Afro-tribal affair while "Feelin' Me" is a deep house track built around a stormin' groove and featuring warm melodic keys. Digital Downloads available at Afrodesia MP3.

 

Take one of the most sought-after acapellas, combine it with one of the most enduring bassline grooves and let it work the dancefloors. That is what Restricted Access is all about here, with Timmy Regisford combining Michael Watford's "Michael's Prayer" and Sandee's "Notice Me". For those that like to provide an acapella on their own, there is an instrumental version included.

 

The original version of "Fanga" is a downtempo Afro/Caribbean flavored song featuring a memorable vocal and middle Eastern textures created by the oud (Arabic stringed instrument). UPZ (aka United People of Zion) rework the track into an uptempo track, with their 'UPZ Organic Mix' expanding the original by adding an irresistible tribal-flavored groove while keeping the original vibe alive. The 'UPZ Witchcraft Mix' takes the track to darker territory with spaced-out keys over a dirty groove. Lastly there is the 'UPZ Drum Mix', a relentless percussion rich drum groove perfect to play around with.

 

Anthony Nicholson coming up with a two track reelase that might surprise some as it is rather different from his usual releases. "Twisted Energy" is a deep and moody house track with trancey keys that give the track sort of a techy feeling. "Mysteries Of A Woman" is a different story, featuring great jazzy piano and guitar over a laidback rhythmic backdrop of beats and drums. Digital downloads available at Dancetracks Digital.