Many of you are those 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)

Contact : michael.fossati@spiritofhouse.com

Picks of the Week (10/30-11/05/2004)

THE SOULPLANET JAZZ ENSEMBLE "Gotta Be Love" (Soulplanet Records)

Celebrated Soulplanet Jazz Ensemble from Los Angeles deliver their finest release to date with "Gotta Be Love". This is pure heaven that touches the soul with the marvellous vocal performance by Ilayali over a percussion loaded groove with a latin edge that also contains an extra dose of funkiness, together with a jazzy flavour brought in by both piano and flute solos. The included mixes cover both traditional 4/4 house as well as jazz-latin house.

OMAR S "Day"/"Night" (white)

Alex 'Omar S' Smith is back with another hot and limited white label pressing. On the a-side is "Day", a deep track with a catchy vocal hook and laidback drums that continues where Omar left us with his previous releases. The B-side features "Night" that takes you on a moody ride with a techy edge and soft chords.

LOUIE VEGA featuring HOUSE OF RHUMBA "Steel Congo" (Vega Records/promo)

For the 10th installment on his very own label, Louie Vega teams up with three piece latin percussion ensemble House of Rhumba. "Steel Conga" is a fusion of street rhumba with house that speaks through the conga, with compliments of carribean soul that is unfolded through the steel drum.

Runner-Up: ALIX ALVAREZ / Mr. V "The SOLE Channel EP" (Sole Channel Music)

Alix Alvarez and Mr. V provide two tracks each for the first release on their brand new label. These tracks are perfect for a late nite play and will take you on ride with the laidback sounds consisting of deep grooves, jazzy keys and warm melodies that create a dreamy atmosphere.

JOHN CROCKETT "The Goings EP" (TwirlSpace Records)

John Crockett, one half of Working Underneath, is kicking off TwirlSpace Records with a three tracker. "Goings (Shaken)" is a laidback groover with warm chords and sweet percussion. "Newark Into Detroit" sees John on a techy trip with acidic tones and electronic keys while "Transom Dusklight" comes with a moody groove with both melodic and spheric keys, spreading an underground vibe.

SUGES & MARTINO present EMINENCE featuring SYREETA NEAL "Slave To The Poison" (SoulStar Records/test)

Toronto pair Suges & Martino team up with singer Syreeta Neal on this song. Their own vocal version is based around a ruff beat with melodic keys and a deep bassline that serve as the playground for Syreeta's sweet and sexy vocal performance. Markus Enochson uses sharper beats on his remix together with jazzy keys and funky bassline while Harley & Muscle turn it into a mellow deep house cut with melodic sounds. Island Groove use a lovely jazzy flute together with a smoothly stompin' groove to create an afterhours vibe.

A HUNDRED BIRDS featuring REGI "Too Close" (KingStreet)

Japan's A Hundred Birds follow up their amazing cover of "Knights Of The Jaguar" with this classy deep house production. "Too Close" features the soulful voice of Regi over jazzy rhodes, moody synth lines and a sweet percussion loaded groove. The dub on the flip side is a on a techy edged progressive tip.

Runner-Up : SHAHEER WILLIAMS featuring STEPHANIE COOKE "Show me" (Soul Groove)

With "Show me", Soul Groove Records continue their road of recent sucess. In fact, this is their strongest release to date with Stephanie Cooke providing a fantastic vocal performance showcasing her talents over a sexy and soulful slice of house music featuring a smoothly bumpin' groove with jazzy keys. Definitely a mood setter for a night of seduction.

JASMINA "Can't Find You" (Slaag)

Lefunken aka Duron Tarik & Tyrone Payton are busy these days as they present yet another hot production. "Can't Find You" blends stellar percussion elements with warm chords, groovy beats and a jazzy keys as backing for Jasmina's wonderful vocal performance coming deep from her soul. A great piece of garage music, perfect for late night play.

BERR EDUARD PRODUCTIONS "Running Away" (Soulful Sessions/test)

The original version is a beautiful midtempo R&B producition with sweet and sexy vocals over a groovy beat with melodic keys. Louis Benedetti reworks it into a smoothly bumpin' house version that keeps the flavor of the original R&B vocals alive. He also provides dubs of both the R&B and house versions.

SMURF & PERRY featuring CONCHA BUIKA "Lovin' 2004" (Flamingo Discos)

Titled "Lovin' You" when it was originally released back in 2001, the new mixes are provided by Georg Levin working on spaced-out keys and sharp beats.and Ralf Gum & CrisP delivering a driving reworking with phat beats, sweet percussion and warm melodies.

THE D&M Project "Doin' It Good" (Catch 22 Records)

A cut that was originally released about a year ago with pumpin' mixes destined for the big floors. For this re-issue, 83 West provide a much smoother reworking with the congas and percussion leading the way for the melodic keys and vocal snippets. On the flip is a hypnotic tribal remix by DJ Disciple with cheesy keys which should work on the big floors.

SUMO "Santiago Boys" (Seasons)

Here are some great new mixes by S.U.M.O. of their own "Santiago Boys" which is lifted from their SUMO Workout album released back in 2002. The 'Main Bounce' blends a sweet vocal with percolating synths, stabbing chords and a groovy bassline that together with the latin percussion make it perfect for peaktime. The 'Boys Bounce' adds a new latin vocal to create a whole new interpretation. Also included is a remix by Halo & Jamie Thinnes on a deep house take with sublime strings, straight beats and jazzy piano.

AFRICANISM "Steel Storm" (Yellow Records 12")

That stompin' afro-house track from Bob Sinclar is a tribalish affair with steel drums and congas, featuring Ladymsith Black Mambazo on vocals. The dub strips the track down to the basic groove and the chants.

ERYKAH BADU "I Want You" (Redsoul Remix) (white)

On the same package as the Redsoul Remix of "Golden" by Jill Scott reviewed here some time ago. The funky vibe of the original version is kept alive as is the power of the vocal performance by Mrs Badu, with a fierce groove added to make sure it rocks on the dancefloor.

Runner-Up : ERIC WIKMAN presents DONNA WASHINGTON "I'm A Believer" (Generate Music/promo)

Listen to this and you'll find out why Donna Washington is a powerhouse vocal talent and has been choosen by Eric Wikman who is responsible for the production of this song offered in to flavors. First we have the 'Original Mix' being on a live studio session vibe with kinky disco guitars, rhodes solo, sax and flute riffs that are arranged around the stompin' beat and bassline. This mix is spreading an uplifting feeling, both through the music and vocals. The 'Airex Groove Mix' is build around a driving groove with smooth filtering effects and slammin' drums, creating an irresistible vibe.

CANDY APPLE featuring JOY MALCOLM "Under Your Spell" (MoreHouse/test)

Hailing from London, Candy Apple aka Justin Canton & Martin Lodge. team up with vocalist Joy Malcolm who has worked with Incognito in the past. Their collaboration is an infectious soulful and jazz influenced excursion with a classic vocal performance and fabulous hook over a fierce groove. There's a slammin dub included for peak-time play.