Already mid-December having most of us with an eye opened to the circumstancial festivities. As for what concerns us right now, we're getting ourselves ready to provide you next week with the best of 2004 as seen by our editorial team. As for your own selection, it is to be online in a fortnight. This meaning that you have another 7 days left to accomplish your electoral duty either while dropping us an e-mail (info) or registering on our forum (see Polls). As for this week's headlines, we've managed to have a conv. with Canadian head of Gotsoul label jojoflores who's currently on tour in South Africa, then made a quick stop in Detroit where we've gotcha another pure jewel courtesy of DJ Genesis & Omega as our Single Of The Week. Meanwhile, J'M Irie sits at the command of this week's issue with another instalment of his Nu Groove series. And if you're a bit of curious and understand a bit of Molière's language, Nicolas Lanneau is at the same position on our French version with some Japanese sweeties...

ISSUE#76

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

First off all, let me “take some time out for loving, time for sharing, time for caring” as Arnold Jarvis sang once… and to thank all our faithful readers as their amount keeps on increasing. Yes, we are in da mix worldwide… so roll on 2005 !

By looking on top of our Nu Groove top ten this month, you’ll notice that the name of the same person stands proudly at the first and second spot (even though I consider hard or even absurd to state definitely that a good tune is better than another good tune… each one teach one seen?!)… a beautiful lady named Amerie.

we’ve already been seduced by her sexy afro-asiatic mixed physique for a few years. But also her powerful and sensual voice while watching MTV Base’s videos : in particular her vibrant chorus on an LL Cool J tune called “Paradise” last year. Well, this (quality) mainstream soul singer has also obtained underground cult status in the last weeks with just two tunes but such heavy ones too ! From her own outrageous “One Thing” to the blissful mash up of her vocals with Spymusic’s “Cloak” (a laid back boogie funk nodder originally out on 2000 Black Records).

2000 Black, the home of Dego (4Hero) which remains always one orshould I say many steps ahead of the game ! As the aformentioned and his new partner in crime Kaidi Tatham (the key wizard from Bugz In The Attic) keep rising higher and higher… while still celebrating the recent success of their impressive DKD album entitled “Future Rage” (released last autumn), the dynamic duo switch identities again to shock our adventurous ears and reinvent the content… So please make way for their brand spanking new  project that goes by the ever evasive name of Silhouette Brown (with guest vocals from Deborah Jordan and the absolutely stunning Bembe Segue amongst others). An opus already out in Japan (aaaaargh…those lucky yellow bastards ! lol) which will be available via London’s Ether records around February. In the meantime… hold It down!

Getting back to NYC group Spymusic, let the world know that their own wicked album The Start Of Something Big is available for the true headz. You can purchase it directly from them through the dms country website, dmscountry.com/store… Come on, you gotta support da underground community !

Another great label that needs (and truly deserves) a lot more exposure is Franck Roger’s Real Tone from Paris. Rapidly growing as the best French deep house label (if it’s not Deeply Rooted, DJ Deep’s very own baby who’s just put out a big Kerri Chandler tune). As the second (a very tracky and hypnotic affair) Real Tone release from Franck is on the way, we can already announce that there are many more big things to come later next year. Such as the superb “Make It Right” produced by Roger (with the sweet voice of Mani Hoffman) which should be dubbed with an Osunlade remix. While Franck has returned him the favour by laying his hands on The latest’s “Breath Away”. Franck who really goes from strength to strength also judging by his massive remix of Allen Hoist’s “With Love” (alongside equally classy mixes from Kaidi Tatham, Marc Mac (4 Hero) and Greg Gauthier). A classic soulful song, perfect follow up to the lively cover of Marvin’s “Inner City Blues” on the French Soulution Records imprint,. Another one to hold tight for too !

And finally let’s welcome a new eclectic label (from ruff and tuff broken beat to deep and soulful drum and bass etc) hailing from Paris and Strasbourg, Astral Vibes, ran by my old friends Cycle and Nu Forms from rootspeople.com / RPM magazine. Their first imminent release is signed by Germany’s very gifted Liquid Funk master… Kabuki. And oh yes France CAN dance ! IRIE

J’M IRIE’S NU GROOVE HOT 10

AMERIE One Thing - Bootleg Remix (?)

SPYMUSIC/AMERIE I Just Cloaked (CD-R)

TY TRIBETT Mighty Long Way (CD-R)

SA-RA featuring PHAROAHE MONCH Glorious (CD-R)

SILHOUETTE BROWN Looking Back (2000 Black/Ether)

LEKAN BABALOLA Asokere - IG Culture Mix (Deeper Soul)

DEGO & KAIDI TATHAM Come With Me (Especial)

BUGZ IN THE ATTIC Booty La La - Psyan Remix (V2)

UNFORSCENE featuring ALICE RUSSELL Don’t You Worry - Domu Mix (Wah Wah 45)

KABUKI I Am For Real (Astral Vibes)