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

In Da Mix’s across the boarders specialist, Irie, gets back in action this week with his monthly column dedicated to the more progressive side of da groove. From Nathan Haines’s latest LP to 4Hero’s impressive box of new projects and many others here on display, get ready for some serious aural & rhythmic devastation…

NU GROOVE (SOUL, JAZZ, BREAKS + MORE…)

Is Paris burnin’ ? One definitely has the right to put out the question as some of the local heroes set fire to the dancefloors… Such as the Versatile clan which, followin’ the footsteps of the sumptuous I:Cube’s 3 album, multiplies the blows of glares. Whereas "Can You Deal With That", the impressive meeting at the borders of hip hop with Rza (of Wu Tang) has been just remixed by Cris Prolific from Kemit Sources ; the aforementioned also working in close relation with Gilb'R on a hip hop album project with a kept secret international casting, about which we’ll definitely keep you posted as time comes…

Let us cross the British Channel to lean on another exceptional opus, Squire For Hire ; in other words, Nathan Haines’s second effort on Chilli Funk. Produced by the godfather of West London, Phil Asher and all his team under the Restless Soul guise (Marc De Clive-Lowe, Mike Patto, Chris Franck, etc) with the vocal help of Marlena Shaw, Rich Medina and Vanessa Freeman. A real masterpiece that’s a real tour de force from the ever active hailing out of the London soulful scene. Moreover, it profits from excellent remixes in 12” format carried out by Ashley Beedle. Meanwhile, in the same singing and spiritual spirit, we have some radiant news from the Papa Records stable, such as — to remain definitely in the same family — the Phil Asher ‘s remix of “Butterflies” by Reel People or the new Seiji’s work entering the afro-latin coloured universe under the Oreja’s belt, entiteld "Mañana Por La Mañana".

Bugz In The Attic do not have of cease to disseminate their sulfurous productions and others remixes here and there, as shown by their leaping reinterpretation of the "Rainfall" by Nitin Sawhney or that epic and animated of Gene Harris entitled "Losalamitos- Latinfunklovesong". A true essential piece, to be a part of a straightforwardly fabulous album to appear later this winter on Blue Note, including some new 4Hero’s involvement on Horace Silver’s "Won't You Open Up Your Senses"). The latest, also awaited on 4Hero’s Lifestyle compilation for Harmless, alongside true pearls of soul like Rick Holmes’s "Remember To Remember" or the Stevie Wonder’s written "I Love Every Little Thing About You" for Syreeta Wright. Our dear 4Hero brothers, who are like always and forever omniscient. While waiting for the imminent release of their album of remixes, you can catch’em on the recent Astor Piazzolla’s collection of revamps alongside former Young Disciples & Galliano headz — Demus & Rob Gallagher — 2 Banks Of 4, whose new LP — Three Streets Worlds on Red Egyptian label — is a model of grace and natural elegance between jazz, folk, afro-funk and broken beat.

News of last minute, the large wizard of Detroit which one names Theo Parrish looks set to drop his new album on Sound Signature. An implying project of many musicians hailing from the Motor City which should come out under The Rotating Assembly moniker. A voyage without return in the depths of the deep groove. Theo which after a new appearance of anthology at Plastic People club in London at the end of september, finally made his debut behind some french desks (at Le Rex Club in Paris) for the absolute happiness of his fans, within the Detroit Beatdown framework (cf.the compilation of the same name on Third Ear). An essential event devoted to this UK label with the x-tra participations of Norm Talley and Eddie "Flashin'" Fowlkes on October 23, provided to us on a silver plate by the excellent Serge Nicolas and his team of Paradise Massage. An organization which, after rare artists like Titonton Duvante or the R-Tyme in the past months, offered us again what is to be taken as some of the best coming from Michigan’s capital. Cheers to them!

Lastly, a discographic proof of some Detroit spirit in Paris on Project Records, the french young deep techno/soul of reference label, which, after some deep latin house escapade provided by 4siders, catches our attention with an obscure producer named Stephen Brown. Nothing here but some scottish equivalent to Maurizio, from which dubby, minimal and hypnotic techno marks are also to be found on seminal imrints like Transmat. Not to mention the soon to be released comp from the Project camp full of more than promising artists. Watch this space !

IRIE