The new year kicks off strong with lots of fresh new music and no less than 2 "Picks of the Week". First are the 2005 remixes of the 1999 classic "He Is The Joy" by Donna Allen, re-edited by Brian Tappert and remixed by Rawsoul Orchestra and MoD. Still sounding as fresh as six years ago. Second is the latest offering from Marlon D who teams up with singer J.R. Morrison for "Affection", an irresistible track that is already causing a buzz on the dancefloors.

France's Franck Roger who is - with no doubt - one of the 2004 discoveries, is back with the soulful "Be What's Your Soul" that he coproduced with DJ Roy and features Chris Wonder on vocals. Shelter have the spiritual "Shianne" by Antonio Ocasio featuring Annette Taylor while Soul Creation & The Masters take on an Eddy Grant classic and release "Time warp revisited".

"Found love" by Blaze is back on 2x12" with brand new mixes by Fanatix and Kiko Navarro taking the originally mitdempo groover straight to the dancefloor. Rising star Quentin Harris takes on "Love is everything" by Da Mooch featuring Chynna and delivers another stompin' garage anthem-like reworking. On the smoother side of things, we do have the "6th & Broadway" EP by Juan Hoerni & Yuki Shimotakahara bringing smooth and laidback grooves with a lovely downtempo jazz track included as well.

Byron Stingily delivers the gospel house bomb "It's All Jesus" while
Kerri Chandler gets back to the roots of house with his latest "Back
To The Raw". For an uplifting production, look no further than for "Can I get" by Simon Aston featuring Larua Vane, while Richard Earnshaw turns "Circles" by Nina Jayne featuring Roy Ayers into a dancefloor stormer with a feel-good vibe. Check on "Wanted" by Carousel featuring Krysten Cummings for a peak time stomper with a latinesque touch.

Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) spiritofhouse.com