This week we have a couple of new releases bringing back memories of the past days...

First we have Queen Latifah who released the Dana Owens LP (Dana Owens being her birth name) last year where she delivers jazz classics and R&B favorites. Eric Wikman has choosen "Hard Times" from that album and reworks it for the dancefloor by keeping the jazz and orchestral vibe of the original alive.

Next up is Mr. RedSoul taking on the 1973 classic "Smarty Pants" from First Choice. Beside the updated dancefloor-friendly versions, there is a great edit of the original included. On Look-At-You Records, you'll get "Whisper" by Juke Joint & Shawn Benson, a track reminiscent of the early days of house music with raw Chicago styled beats.

Finally, "Jus Dance" by Mr. V has been given a release. This is a great track based on a 4/4 groove with spoken words and effective keys. Don't miss the Alix Alvarez dub that is giving it a more hypnotic feel. New Jersey's Stacey Mallory has just finished "What is housemusic...", a simple and deep track driven by a tribalistic groove and topped w ith male vocals. Watch out for a remix by DJ Pope coming soon.

DJ Spen teams up with Vonita White (who emerges from Jasper Street Company) for the funky and uplifting production "My Devotion". More uplifting vibes come courtesy of "Keep Me Up" by Seminal Grooves, who keep it funky with a lovely jazzy saxophone included.

Meanwhile we have Julius Papp busy remixing "This Is Me" by Deborah Bond into a deep and sultry number. This is backed with new deep mixes of "Dame Mas" featuring D'Layna.

"Free" by Seawind Project featuring Emily McEwan is back with part two of the mixes. Knee Deep deliver the goods here with their storming mixes featuring an old school piano hook. MoreHouse Records kick off 2005 with the afrocentric "Kalakuta" by Pepe Link which is a tribute to Fela Kuti and features Malcom 'Molly' Duncan on saxophone.

Finally we have Jamie Lewis unleashing some goodies on his own labels. On Purple Music Tracks is "Cocktail Chant" by MOD present Family Jam. This is a lovely track for afterhours play with its bouncey laidback groove and melodic keys. Then on Purple Music, we have our Pick of the Week, the Jamie Lewis mixes of "Will I Ever" by Tanja Dankner. A smoothly stompin' beat with a funky flava created by the bassline and guitar and a jazzy piano make this a perfect track for the dancefloor.

Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) spiritofhouse.com