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+ Latest Reviews

		Danism and Kathy Brown: "Light Up My Life" MN2S. "I couldn't believe that Kathy Brown was covering a bubblegum ballad from Debbie ("Pat's Daughter") Boone... and thankfully, she isn't. This track features soaring vocals with a touch of disco..." added jun 25 | read more »
		The Samc Project: "Lift Him Up" Franck Roger Digital. "Four minutes into this tune lies a treat. What may initially sound like another Gospel House track is really an infectious groove from the middle to the end!..." added jun 25 | read more »
		Funky Transport: "Love Garden" Farris Wheel. "This is an edited version off the Farris Wheel Spring Sampler CD released just prior to the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Out of more than a dozen tracks..." added jun 25 | read more »
		The Rurals: "I'm Lost" (Ananda Project Remix) Peng UK. "The homebase of The Rurals, Peng is back to its prolific ways with a number of releases coming out in rapidfire frequency. "I'm Lost" is given the remix treatment on this one..." added jun 18 | read more »
		Zlemtree: "I.C.U." Supa Dupa Records. "Tyree Cooper joins up with female vocalist Oezlem Cetin (I'll trust the label's spelling!) for a dark masterpiece. Tyree's original mix has a great groove..." added jun 16 | read more »
		Steve Soulbasics: "Kuchwa" Remixes Seed Recordings. "Afro-Funk is more than just adding a tribal beat and some incomprehensible chant to the mix. It's actually sort of bothered me for a minute that so many folks have played around with really cheap effects to get that "Ron Trent" sound, without bringing any of Ron Trent's musicality or (this is the point here) appreciation for the culture..." added jun 13 | read more »
		Telepaticos: Carpe Sativa EP Enclave Recordings (Ireland). "This is the first record I've ever reviewed from an Irish label, though the duo that put this together, Telepaticos, are actually Belgian... with a Spanish moniker. Got that straight? It's okay, you don't need to. Just listen..." added jun 11 | read more »
		Tarek: "Desabafo" Grooveland Music (Brazil). "Grooveland is back with their first release since last year's "So Lonely" and related remixes. These guys take their House seriously, and "Desabafo" by Rio de Janeiro..." added jun 6 | read more »
		Chico Hamilton: "Mysterious Maiden" Soulfest/Joyous Shout. "Hopefully, somewhere before, in the middle, or after DJs bang us out with the latest sample/filter music-stuff, they will treat us to something musically that will..." added jun 6 | read more »

 

+ April 2008 Reviews

		DJ Motion: "Extranatural Notions" Azzamova. "This three song release by DJ Motion features a pretty wide range of sounds. "Born in Summer" is a classic jack track - perfect for the lull between two crowd slayers..." added jun 2 | read more »
		J-Groove: "Disco 9000" Dirty Deluxe. "This interesting electro single from J-Groove of Toronto features a funkier beat than you'd expect from most electro releases..." added jun 2 | read more »
		Marc Romboy vs. Tyree Cooper: Lost EP Ovum. "So much stuff that advertises itself as "minimal" really means "incomplete". Leave it to Tyree and Marc to do it right. They bring the sound home to the early Chicago jack track days or some of the darker moods of Detroit..." added may 29 | read more »
		Scott Wozniak ft. Ambrosia: "Now I Know" Jellybean Soul. "The Scott Wozniak Club Mix is a nice bit of mid-tempo House. While the drums won't blow your ears out, don't underestimate this one: it has an irresistible beat..." added may 29 | read more »
		Gene Farris - "Visions of the Future" Farris Wheel. "If I'm hearing the word on the street correctly, I'm going to buck conventional wisdom and say that the original mix of this release is the must-have track of the three outstanding mixes..." added may 28 | read more »
		Organic Groove Continuum - "Bello's Bell" Unreleased/CDR. "This is a song of many moods, starting out with a harsh and gritty industrial loop that immediately made me think of Spencer Kinsey, sweaty walls and the perilous fire escape up to the 500 W. Cermak lofts circa 1995..." added may 28 | read more »
		Digital Delay - "My Love" (Starlet DJ Remix) Mondo. "Have you ever seen videos of European megaclubs with men with sharp hair and women with sharp breasts dancing like decapitated birds between laser beams and glo-sticks? This track is pretty much an epitome of the kind..." added may 28 | read more »
		Ralf Gum - Uniting Music LP GOGO Music. "Ralf GUM surpasses the norm in House Music with this non-electric, non-digital, eleven track album release. Uniting Music is probably one of the best smooth House albums I've heard in awhile. Only one track on the album made me really want to dance - "All This Love For You" - but the music theory and creativity are great..." added may 28 | read more »
		Janet Jackson - "Rock With U" (David Storm Ruffin Remix) Unreleased/CDR. "The last bit of Janet that I liked began with the words "Like a moth to a flame..." and her music's been like a cross to a vampire for me since then. That might be sacrilegious..." added may 14 | read more »
		Roy Davis, Jr. feat. XL - "Reach" Large Music. "Chicago House producers and DJs Roy Davis Jr. and XL team up for this track on Jeff Craven's Large Music. Roy lays down a really steady beat with a simple but addictive little strum while XL riffs on the spoken word tip..." added may 13 | read more »
		Ashford + Simpson - The Warner Years Warner Bros./Rhino. "You can't go wrong with this double disc set. On Disc One you'll find most of their dance music classics, including hard to find original 12" mixes of "Don't Cost You Nothing," "Found A Cure" "Love Don't Make It Right" and "It Seems to Hang On" to name a few..." added may 12 | read more »
		Vick Lavender - "The Chase" (Tribute to Fred Hampton) April 2008: Unified. "Vick's The Chase features what sound like live instruments - a little bit of a Latin swing, but with an inspired piano solo..." added may 9 | read more »

 

+ March 2008 Reviews

		Cesar Ramirez - Blue Light Special EP March 2008: Smooth Agent. "The title track "Blue Light Special" is probably my favorite track of the trio: jazzy, happy, melodic. It puts you in the mind..." added apr 28 | read more »
		Atjazz ft. Robert Owens - "Love Someone" March 2008: Mantis Recordings. "Right on the heels of the exciting "Twilight People", Robert Owens is back, delivering fresh vocals..." added apr 24 | read more »
		Nomumbah ft. Nadirah Shakoor - "Like a Rainbow" March 2008: Sonar Kollektiv. "Play this if you want to set the tone for the night early on, or if you're brave enough to..." added apr 24 | read more »
		Reel People feat. Tony Momrelle + Imaani - "Amazing" March 2008: PAPA. "After your endless search for the right music in record stores and download sites, this is the kind of discovery..." added apr 24 | read more »
		Wil Milton - "Rubberband" March 2008: Blak Ink Music. "I'm on the fence about this project. "Rubberband" will fit nicely into one of two music bins..." added apr 24 | read more »
		Andre Harris - Sunset EP March 2008: Innate Soul. "What can I say? Spoken Word meets Deep House! You can enjoy this one on the dancefloor as well as in your iPod..." added apr 11 | read more »
		Jacko pres. Tony Loreto - The Spirit EP March 2008: Tony Records. "This is a three track EP from Tony Humphries' label. 'Anthem' has a cute, early hours groove..." added apr 8 | read more »

 

+ February 2008 Reviews

		DJ Man-X - "Miami Soul" February 2008: Deep Haven. "Cats that groove on Louie Vega's live instrument orchestrations will probably find a lot to like here..." added apr 8 | read more »
		Kimara Lovelace - "When Can Our Love Begin" February 2008: King Street. "You like vocals? Get this. Kimara Lovelace is one of my favorites and delivers an inspired performance..." added apr 8 | read more »
		The Candy Dealers - Disco Treats EP February 2008: Agave. "I was rocking this one for weeks with nothing more than a truncated promo that cut off abruptly after the 1:00 mark..." added mar 29 | read more »
		John Julius Knight - "One Track Mind" February 2008: Reversoulmusic. "If you read my interview with him back in September 2007, you know I'm a huge fan of all things JJK..." added mar 29 | read more »
		Reel People feat. Darien - "Alibi" February 2008: Papa. "After hearing the original I wondered how Rasmus Faber could outdo this. I must say that he did it right..." added mar 29 | read more »
		Todd Terry - "Sunday Morning" February 2008: Tony Records. "Thanks to the fabulous remix talents of Sean McCabe, Kenny Dope and of course Todd Terry himself, there's a mix for EVERYONE on this project..." added mar 29 | read more »
		Flora Cruz - Overcome EP February 2008: Mixtape Sessions. "West End Records' Adam Cruz produced this six track EP for Flora Cruz..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Gene Hunt feat. Robert Owens - "Twilight People" February 2008: Dope Wax. "A DJ keeping Chicago House Music alive with one of Chicago's greatest vocal talents..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Ralf GUM feat. Monique Bingham - "Kissing Strangers" February 2008: GOGO Music. "Monique Bingham's latest features her powerful vocals held back in a kind of disco/R&B hybrid..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Sound Diggers - "Jack Dis Shit" February 2008: Control. "This track awesomely funky and finds a groove in the quirky samples that their spiritual forefathers..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Phil Asher pres. Phlash and Friends - "Political 06" + "Revolution = Solution" February 2008: Archive (Italy). "These are brutal tracks sure to kickstart any dancefloor, anywhere in a set..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Smooth Touch ft. G-Sax - "Mountain High"/"10 Minutes of Pleasure" February 2008: Purple Music. "Mountain High features a thick and a little corny sounding horn riff from G-Sax. I'm mentioning this because it's mixed so loud that if there's anything else going on in the mix, I'm not aware of it..." added apr 11 | read more »

 

+ January 2008 Reviews

		Billie Ray Martin - "Undisco Me" January 2008: Silver Label. "Billie Ray Martin is apparently a sensation in the UK. I'm not sure why..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Dos Almas featuring Son Paulo - "You Take Me There" January 2008: Plus Groove. "This is a nice, breezy track, strictly on the Deep House side from Plus Groove..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Jellybean featuring Marlon D. - "New York House" January 2008: Jellybean Soul. "Jellybean Benitez's label released this remix of his classic with Marlon D., New York House..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Larry Heard pres. Mr. White - "The Sun Can't Compare/You Rock Me" January 2008: Alleviated. "Is it me, or is the turnaround time between when the hot jocks get records and the rest..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Ralphi Rosario ft. Donna Blakely - "Take Me Up (Légo Remix) January 2008: Poontin Muzik. "This past summer, I was going through some old mixtapes and came across this song with an addicting..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Raul Moros - "Back 2 Basics/Way Back When" January 2008: Soulfurix Trax. "The original mix of this is a great track of the sort that Soulfuric Trax consistently puts out..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Ultra Naté - "Give It All You Got (Matty's Soulpop Mix)" January 2008: Blufire. "Matthias Heilbronn is quickly becoming one of my favorite remixers. Here he gets..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Wayne Gardiner - "Rise Again" January 2008: CIMA Recordings. "This track is from Gardiner's The Return of LOGIC. "LOGIC" of course refers to Gardiner's..." added feb 12 | read more »
		Jon Cutler + Matthias Heilbronn - "651" January 2008: Distant Music. "This is the follow-up to "640," the first collab between Jon Cutler and Matthias "Matty" Heilbronn..." added feb 12 | read more »
		Hustle + Flow - The Room Service EP January 2008: A Second Smell. "New School kids Ryan Kick and Brian Anderson have released some funky tracks..." added feb 9 | read more »
		Wil Milton and Rodney Carter - "Don't Let Go" January 2008: Blak Ink Music Group. "The duo that brought you the "Songbook of Love" is at it again with this lovely and earnestly uplifting tune..." added feb 9 | read more »
		Hott 22 - "Something Real" January 2008: Gossip Records. "Freddie Bain turned me on to Hott 22 back in this magazine's early beginnings and I've been a fan ever since..." added feb 7 | read more »
		Backseat Bingo - "Formula" January 2008: Revolutionary Music. "This is an awesome cut up by the Texas duo Backseat Bingo. The original mix is impossibly funky..." added feb 7 | read more »
		Atnarko - "I Got Something" (Fred Everything Remix) January 2008: LowDown Music. "Probably the best remixing from Fred Everything since the job he did with Iz and Diz's Magnificent..." added feb 7 | read more »

 

+ December 2007 Reviews

		Andre Harris - "Dance With Me" Innate Soul: The latest from Andre Harris on his Innate Soul digital label hearkens back a bit with a spoken word vocal reminiscent of Phuture and old 303 acid tracks. The vocal... added may 15 | read more »
		DJ M-Traxxx - "House Thunda" Afro Acid: The original mix of DJ M-Traxxx's "House Thunda" is hard and simple as you might expect from a release on DJ Pierre's label Afro Acid... added may 15 | read more »
		Jamie Principle - The Call EP Cajual: You've certainly heard "LaLaLaLaLa" before, and it's the centerpiece of this four song EP on Cajual. This track been everywhere in 2007, reminding... added may 15 | read more »
		Mina Jackson - "Feels So Good" Omni Music Solutions: It figures: Terry Hunter seems to have a hand in just about every track I fall in love with by ear but don't have any information about. This is one of those tracks that sneaks up on you: you hear it one night, and then the next, and the next thing you know it's become the soundtrack of your life... added may 15 | read more »
		Wil Milton ft. Miss Patty - "Come Get My Love" Blak Ink: Deep House fans will go bananas for this one. A luscious vocal from Miss Patty with a minimal beat and throbbing bass characterize... added may 15 | read more »
		Xaviera Gold - "Walkin' Out Da Door" (MCM Remix) Ruff'N'Tuff: Divas love to work with producer George Jackson, and this track is a good indication why. "Walkin' Out Da Door" is probably Xaviera Gold's hottest single... added may 15 | read more »
		Green Velvet - "It's Time 2 Jack" December 2007: Cajual. "This is a bonus track off the Green Velvet featuring Russoul Walk EP..." added apr 27 | read more »
		RaShaan Houston - "Happy" (MCM Remix) December 2007: Ruff'n'Tuff. "Here's a new remix of "Happy" produced by George Jackson; the original was featured..." added apr 27 | read more »
		Trizonna McClendon - "Sunshine + Lemonade" (inblueblackness rmx) December 2007: 4 The Soul-Reciprocity. "The dancefloor remix of this soulkissed neo-soul track is likely to find an appreciative audience when it makes the rounds..." added apr 27 | read more »

 

+ November 2007 Reviews

		Arnold Jarvis - "Justified" (Remix) November 2007... added jun 6 | read more »
		Latin Soul Brothas - "Peace + Strength" November 2007... added jun 6 | read more »
		Warren Clarke ft. Shena - "Lifting" (Mark Grant Remix) November 2007... added jun 6 | read more »
		Bear Who? - "U Step" November 2007... added may 28 | read more »
		Craig Alexander - Love + Hate EP November 2007... added may 28 | read more »
		Domenico Navarra + Monique Henry - "So Lonely" The Remixes Part II November 2007... added may 28 | read more »
		Mark Grant featuring Dajae - "Satisfaction" November 2007... added may 28 | read more »
		Yass - "I Go Deep" (dunnEASY Remixes) November 2007... added may 28 | read more »

 

+ September 2007 Reviews

		Veronique - "Use Me" September 2007: Wall Shaker Music. "It's tough to review just a radio edit, especially as the remixes of this..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Windimoto - "Don't Leave Me Alone" September 2007: Interdependent Music. "Chicago's Sean Haley joins forces with Scorpeze to form Windimoto..." added feb 28 | read more »
		The Rurals - Nettle Soul (LP) September 2007: Peng UK. "The Rurals are a Deep House band hailing from Devonshire, and following the DIY attitude of punk and classic..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Johnny Fiasco - Nectar Volume 2 (mix CD) September 2007: Agave. "My favorite remixer and DJ of the moment, Johnny Fiasco, is back with a fierce mix CD on Agave..." added feb 28 | read more »

 

+ August 2007 Reviews

		Restless Soul featuring Zansika - "And I Know It" August 2007: Seasons Ltd. "Tip #1: "Restless Soul" is Phil Asher, aka the man in the UK that must have a guardian angel..." added feb 28 | read more »
		White Lotus Society - "Got It" August 2007: Large. "Corey Lacey is one hell of a vocalist, and shines on this recording..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Vinyl Bitchie - "Where Should I Go?" August 2007: Melodic Voyage. "This one came in a brown envelope with an 8x10 of Vinyl Bitchie in black and white lace..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Mood II Swing ft. Tara J - "Passing Time" August 2007: Strictly Rhythm. "Strictly Rhythm is back. If you haven't heard (the news has been out for quite some time now), the guys..." added feb 28 | read more »
		David Storm Ruffin - "The Morning After" August 2007. "I'm also not sure about the release info on this one, but hopefully it gets a wide release..." added feb 28 | read more »
		DJD3 - "Taste My Spirit" August 2007: CDR. "This is a pretty fun Deep House track with a tribal beat and some gorgeous vocal samples..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Funky Transport vs. Jonee Q. - "Shake It" August 2007: Farris Wheel. "Funky Transport bring it hard with an underground sound featuring pure, unadulterated, filthy beats..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Gene Hunt feat. Ron Hardy - Chilites and Throwback 87 EP August 2007: Rucksack. "Sweden wouldn't be the first place you'd think of for a label releasing this EP, but Rucksack Records isn't an ordinary label..." added mar 28 | read more »
		Giom - People EP August 2007: Motion Music. "The remixes here are worth twice the price of the EP, with Kinky Movement positively destroying the track..." added mar 28 | read more »

 

+ July 2007 Reviews

		Taana Gardner - "Paradise Express" July 2007: West End. "Here's another West End release that I think a lot of people here might have slept on..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Shik Stylko & Matt Caseli - "Me Sorprendiste" July 2007: Soulfuric Trax. "It's tracky, so it's on Soulfuric's sublabel for that kind of sound, but..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Mocean Worker - Cinco de Mowo! LP July 2007: Mowo, Inc. "To be honest, I don't have any idea if some of this will have appeal for DJs..." added feb 28 | read more »
		CeCe Peniston - "I'm Feelin' U" July 2007: Soulfuric. "Anyone that's seen her live can tell you that CeCe Peniston's voice is as good - and I'd say even better - than it was..." added feb 12 | read more »
		Frank Boissy feat. Michael Watford - "Back to My Roots" July 2007: PurpleMusic. "The original track was by Odyssey, but Frank Boissy and Michael Watford make it their own..." added mar 28 | read more »

 

+ June 2007 Reviews

		Sunshine Jones - Seven Tracks in Seven Days (LP) June 2007: King Street. "You'll remember Sunshine Jones as part of the Dubtribe Sound System - those crazy guys from the Bay Area..." added feb 28 | read more »
		Jody Whatley - I Want Your Love (The Remixes EP) June 2007: Peace Bisquit, Avitone. "These ten mixes of Jody Watley's latest hit vary from commercial dance to solid House..." added feb 28 | read more »
		DJ Gomi featuring Byron Stingily - "Hot Nights" June 2007: West End. "This scorching track came out on West End in late 2006, but seems to be taking awhile to catch on in Chicago..." added feb 12 | read more »
		Chuck Love - "Bring Enough to Spill Some" June 2007: OM. "Chuck Love came through Zentra in May, though I wasn't able to attend the show. This dual CD set arrived..." added feb 12 | read more »
		David Storm Ruffin - "Take Me Away" June 2007: ChicagoSoundSource. "A chill latin-influenced beat characterizes this track with a sweeter-than-sugar vocal loop..." added feb 28 | read more »

+ February 2007 Reviews

		E-Man - "Not For You" February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Groove Junkies + Andy Caldwell ft. Alexander Sky - "I Believe in Dreams" February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		John Julius Knight - Trax for My Head EP February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		K-Alexi + Jivaro - Twisted House EP February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Little Louie Vega - Mix the Vibe: For the Love of King Street EP February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Lucy Hawkins - "Gotta Get Out of Here" February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Robert Strauss - Mr. Feelings EP 1/5 February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Sam McQueen - Wicker Park EP February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Stacy Kidd ft. Terrance Parker - "Too the Limit" February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »
		Vick Lavender ft. Carla Prather - "Respect Our Love" February 2007... added jun 10 | read more »

 

+ January 2007 Reviews

		Vick Lavender - "Kaylynn's Thing" January 2007... added may 4 | read more »
		The Face ft. Nicki Richards - "Keep It Coming" January 2007... added may 4 | read more »
		Leela James - "Good Time" January 2007... added may 4 | read more »
		Karu - Enter Part 1 EP January 2007... added may 4 | read more »
		Dennis Ferrer - The World As I See It LP January 2007... added may 4 | read more »
		Cheyenne - "It's In My Heart" January 2007... added may 4 | read more »
		Mark Grant featuring Russoul - "Guessin' Again" January 2007... added may 9 | read more »
		Racquet Ball Club - "Gravy" January 2007... added may 9 | read more »
		Scott Wozniak - "Breathe" January 2007... added may 9 | read more »

 

+ December 2006 Reviews

		Bear Who? - "The Beatbox" Video December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Frankie Knuckles ft. Jamie Principle - "Because of Your Love" December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Johnny Fiasco + Justin Martin - Winter Sessions December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Peven Everett - "Can't Do Without Your Love" December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Quentin Harris - No Politics December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Salsoul pres. Disco Trance and Cosmic Flavas Sampler 12 December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Shannon Harris - The New World Reveal-a-Solution December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		UNEAQ - "Watch Out December 2006... added may 15 | read more »
		Vick Lavender - "Vida December 2006... added may 15 | read more »

 

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