Review: various artists - Soul's Back Again And Again!!! (Soulab)

After making a very hot December month with two releases, Soulab starts 2013 presenting this new compilation which looks to its past, from not so long ago as the Uraz Kurt tune which was released in December 2012, or more back in time as the tracks from Uptown Funk Empire.  Soul's Back Again And Again is a thirteen tune compilation from various artists from around the globe, and part of the Soulab artist rotation.  Soul's Back is a series of compilation with two predecessors released first in 2008, and Soul's Back Again issued in 2011. The artists featured in Back Again and Again are; Uptown Funk Empire three tunes, Allen Hoist and Slow Motion Replay both with two tracks, Uraz Kurt, Weeland and The Urban Soul Collective, Isaac Aesili, Various Artists, Dan Electro, and Giuseppe Storniolo these having one track each.  The tunes are all of a soul influence, with a different variation of theme which goes from broken beat, down tempo, funk, hip-hop, house, jazz, and latin influences.  This makes Soul's Back Again and Again not only a DJ use compilation but also for the good listeners being it lounging or driving.

www.soulab.com     

DJ Set - Liam December 2012 Choices-Picks Mix

Vtothed - NYE Space Sessions Pt.1 (White Music) T

Ron Trent - Sundance 'Original Mix' (Electic Blue) V
Rainer Trueby - Jeck 'Sello Remix' (Compost Records) V
Cottam - I Remember (Aus Music) T
Soul Phiction - Soul Brother No.2 (Philpot) T
DJ Fale and Lei' Metola - Kudala Ndikuvela feat. Pule and Andile 'Deep Assasin Remix' (Peng Africa) T
Robert Owens - Sacrifice 'Kai Alce Distinctive Remix Version 2 Instrumental' (NDATL Muzik) T
Gabriel Poso - A night With You 'Yoruba House Mix' (INFRACom!) V
Una - In My House 'DJ Pope's Original Instrumental' (POJI) T
Walker Barnard - Sweatshop Spaceship 'Extended Edit' (Serialism Records / WAS) V
Sek - Vice Lords (Apparel Music) V
Black Jazz Consortium - Groove Meditation (Gotta Keep Faith) T
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Choices - December 2012

Uptown Funk Empire - The Remix Strikes Back! (Soulab)
Four tunes 'N.O.W', 'Boogie', 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now', and 'You've Got To Have Freedom' featured in various remixes which total this to eighteen tracks.  Make your picks!

Uraz Kurt - Five Smoking Turkish Grooves (Soulab)
After doing some remix works Turkish Uraz debuts with his own production featuring five different tunes all of Nu-soul and jazz inspiration.  A quality laid back extended player with my preferred being the broken house 'She Doesn't Wanna See' and the modern soul 'Missed Connect'.

Gordheaven and Juliano feat. Caysoul Muziq - Move Your Body, DJ Fale and Lei' Metola - Kudala Ndikuvela feat. Pule and Andile (Peng Africa)
Peng Africa has to be my label of the year.  Anyways two great release with both featuring a great deal of versions to choose from.

Gianluca Calabrese - Rosarno Buisness (Lupara Records)
A two track extended player.  I like M.r.Gabibu Bloody Sound and its nice tribal rhythms.

VTOTHED - NYE Space Sessions Pt. 1 (White Music)
Fourteen minutes of trip into space from the original.  Harder sounds in the Edward remix.

Una - In My House (POJI)
After a break of over one year DJ Pope is back with his POJI label and a release by Una.  Three remixers; Pope himself plus the legendary Hippie Torrales, and H and H Soul Survivors offer a total of nine versions. Take your pick.

Elements of Life feat. Josh Milan - Children of the World Louie Vega Remix (Vega Records)
Not much to say when you have Louie Vega and Josh Milan involved in something. Absolute perfection! 

Ron Trent - Raw Footage (Electric Blue)
Chicago legend Ron Trent debuts his new Electric Blue label with his fifth album. Twelve tracks of atmospheric tribal African deep rhythms.

Gabriel Poso - Roots of Soul Remix EP (INFRACom!)
Five tunes retouched by different remixes for Gabriel Poso. Good signature names too, in this remix package from Osunlade Yoruba, to AtJazz, Ezel, and Italian Dodi Palese.

Cottam - Relapse (Aus Music)
I Remember something Instant, for the bass line and rhythm.

Sek - Vice Lords EP (Apparel Music)
A four different old school infected extended player from the Italian Apparel label.  I like the bit gospel infected title track 'Vice Lords'.  But do not disregard the others.

Walker Barnard - Sweatshop Spaceship (Serialism Records / WAS)
Three versions for the title track plus 'The Long Count' and 'Mothershipwreck'. The bass line plus the voice of Jaime Graham of the title track is amazing in its original or the Extended Edit.

SoulPhiction - Drama Queen (Philpot records)
Two different tunes the title track, and 'Soul Brother No.2'.  Both featuring the Detroit influence in them.

Rainer Trueby - Compost Black Label #92 Remixes by Session Victim, Dima Studitsky, Sello, Chocolate Garage Productions (Compost Records)
The original two tracks here; 'Welcome to Our World' and 'Jeck' where released about a year ago.  Now they get the remix treatment.  I like Sello remix of Jeck.

Christopher Rau - In The Water (Aim)
A four track extended player which follows its earlier vinyl release.  I like most the jazz piano old school groove infected title track.

Robert Owens - Sacrifice Kai Alce Distinctive Remixes (NDATL Muzik)
A licence from Compost to a release from 2010 in the album Art and produced by Larry Heard.  Kai Alce gives his touch for his high quality label in five versions, two of which are instrumentals.

GKF Presents 100th Official Release - Deep Album (Gotta Keep Faith)
Gotta Keep Faith celebrates its first century with two albums a Deep. and a Soulful featuring some of its greatest tunes.  Each album features 21 tunes all different at a very cheap price.  But the quality is prominent in both.

Review: various artists - Four Seasons Volume One (Got2Go)

Got2Go is a new label from France founded in 2012, and producing its first release What is Love EP by label boss Fat Bastian in the middle of the same year.  Couple months later and Got2Go presents its second catalogue number titled Four Seasons Volume One.  Got2Go second release features two tracks by different artists, both added with a remix.  As release one this new Got2Go Vinyl is a tribute to early Chicago Jackin house sounds. Side A of Got2Go 002 features rising deep house star Brazilian born French resident Whim-ee with a track called 'Where's Your Pants' here showing her harder darker side reminding me of Cajmere mid nineties productions.  This tune is remixed by Martin de Brig in a more techno house flavour.  Side B features Anaxander with the track 'You've Got' which is in turn remixed by Jared.  As release number one Got2Go Records 002 is available in vinyl only, in a cool marble grey colored platter and limited to only 250 pressings.

Review: Uraz Kurt - Five Smoking Turkish Grooves (Soulab)

Uraz Kurt is a Turkish producer who after debuting on French label Soulab in Uptown Funk Empire on remix duties on the just released 'The Remix Strikes Back' this time sets up record straight with his extended player titled 'Five Smoking Turkish Grooves'.  As it is easy to note the title says it all on the number of tunes you find in this release, that is five, and the nature of them all being of a laid back groove with a Nu-soul inspiration.  Opening the dances in this release is the very soul 'Voice of your Heart'  featuring the excellent voice of Cagri Ultay.  A down tempo soul which musically speaking makes you think of years gone by.  This one is followed by the excellent 'Missed Connect' more on a Nu-Soul and featuring a very modern electronic inspired groove.  Third track in the 'Istanbul Funk Interlude' Jazz funk mixed with Asian atmospheres for just over two minutes.  The next track is my preferred of this extended player 'She Doesn't Wanna See' a broken rhythm Jazz house stormer with very well laid floating chords and vocals.  'One More Idea' is the more big room dance with a funky house rhythm and bass line merging into jazz funk influences later on. 

www.soulab.com 

Review: Uptown Funk Empire - The Remix Strikes Back (Soulab)

Uptown Funk Empire presents this interesting remix package from the acclaimed 2009 released funk and soul infected album The Empire Strikes Back.  The Remix Strikes Back is the title of this new pack which features a total of eighteen remixes of the tracks; 'N.O.W', 'Boogie', 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now', and 'You've Got to Have Freedom'.  Some remixes in this new collection have already appeared previously in seperate releases as those from The SOS, The Gemini Bros, and some of the remixes featured in the single issue the past Spring of 'N.O.W'.  The remixes from Uraz Kurt are new, he gives his touch to three of the tracks, all minus Boogie.  The remixes made to 'N.O.W.' are actually my favorite here, with two interesting reworks from Patchwork already released last Spring and I do not know how I missed it, to the spacey African rhythms of Staro45.  Other interesting remixes are the Teemid Re-edit of 'Boogie', and Uraz Kurt remix of 'Nothing Gonna Us Now'.

www.soulab.com

Choices - November 2012

Four Seasons Volume 1 (Got2Go)
A limited vinyl only release to be pressed in 250 copies only for this Got2Go second installment. Two tunes by Whim-Ee 'Wheres Your Pants' and Anaxander 'You've Got' both supplied with an extra remix.  Whim-Ee's tune is my favorite what is a tribute to Chicago harder sounds, reminding me of mid nineties Cajmere.

Glenn Underground / Strictly Jaz Unit - In With The New / Deep in My Mind (Strictly Jaz Unit)
Two magnificent tracks from Chicago man Glenn Underground in his known Afro Jazz rhythms in a space of couple months.

Don Carlos Presents The Aquanauts (Irma Records)
The seventh album from Carlo Troya aka Don Carlos, who has been producing great music since 1987.  The Aquanauts features eight different tracks with extra version for Karma, Stepping Upon Mars, and two for Dancing Into Freestyle.

Taron-Trekka - The Trekkas Shak Phase EP (Freude am Tanzen)
An unusual label in my list. Four track extended player.  I like the atmospheric African sounding Okoso Shak, but Safari is also interesting.

Joe Drive - Junopolis EP (4lux Black)
4 Lux Black is always a label on my high attention list.  This is a four track extended player, with an extra version of Tefnut by Tyrell.

A'Merika Vera - Winter Madness (Recycle)
The artist name translates from Italian to True American.  Original Mix please. Thank you.

Mellow Baku and The Friday People - Make It Brighter (Atjazz Record Company)
One of the good things of Digital download purchase is that you can choose a version of one tune and stick to it.  But some records make good enough to make you choose more. Atjazz Remix for your peak time moments, A New Funky Generation for more warm situations.

Funkycan - We Were Raised To Beleive That Someday We Were All Gonna Have Great Beards (Ava)
I bought this for the extremely long story telling title.  Untitled 1 which was produced with Damiano von Erckert is my preferred.

Unbroken Dub - Checkpoint EP (Delsin Records)
Dark and deep three track extended player.  I like the more underground Det Special.

Christopher Rau - Two (Smallville)
The title clearly states this is his second album, which follows the first 'Asper Clouds' released in 2010 on the same high regarded German label.  Eight varied deep house tracks to enjoy.

Vahagn - Shades and Shadows EP (Groovement)
Three tune extended player with the title track having vocal collaboration by Jerry the Cat.  I'd say Vahagn sound has improved since his previous mid-summer release.

Jus-Ed - 50Ty and Lookin Good (Underground Quality)
Eleven tracks of pure bliss from Jus-Ed latest seventh album presented on his famed Underground Quality imprint. Track, tech, and house are all featured. Available on CD or download.

Cristo - Patterns (Superficially Deep)
Eleven track album from Cristo.  Majority of the tracks are string and African rhythms, a pattern which works well in many dance floors nowadays.  I like the track Rite. 

Soulful House Selections Vol.3 Selected by Fiso Da Costa (Sci-fi Productions)
Sci-fi does it again with this third installment selected by Fiso Da Costa.  Ten tracks by different artists in soulful Latin house vibes.  Take your pick.

Tronicsole: I Heard Deep: Blue (Tronicsole)
Fifteen different tracks compilation.  I like Bugz In The Attic 'Old School Jamz'.

Choices - October 2012

Cleveland - Mid Sun EP (battibatti)
BattiBatti keeps on bringing a good release in each number.  Considering we are at twelve this is quite an achievement.  I play both the tracks in this extended player, a lot!

Third Ear Re:Imagined (Third Ear Recordings)
An always upfront label presents this extended player with four classic tunes remade. My favorite is the XDB remix of Benjamin Brunn 'No Kicks'.  Another interesting remix is the Upperground Orchestra take on Theo Parish 'Falling Up'.

Chris Carrier - Planete Euphorique (Robsoul)
Three instrumental tracks titled in the first three alphabet letters. I like the nineties New York sounding B.

Monocles - Loud, John-Carol feat Gisela Gold - Just Saying (Peng Africa)
Peng Africa makes it a busy month releasing two good records. The choice is also vast in both issues with Loud having ten mixes, and the more recent John-Carol seven versions.

Vedagor - Untitled EP (Burek)
Four all untitled innovative tracks.  I usually prefer even numbers but two and four work best for me here.

Grooveman Spot - Paradox (Jazzy Spot)
A very innovative album which fuses new wave and Italo disco eighties sound in more modern deep rhythms. Fourteen tracks to choose from with two tracks having vocal collaborations by Hollie Smith and Isaac Aesili, and Capitol A.

Marcellus Pittman - Pieces (Sound Signature)
Ten tracks by one of the most innovative all time producers. Mr.Pittman basically reinvents bass lines, kicks and rhythms in each tune for this mostly electronic instrumental release.  Note the real label is Unirhythm with digital distribution handled by Sound Signature.

The Zohar - Brooklyn EP (Tenderpark)
I like a lot the track Dog Day, but Brooklyn 9:30 AM is also worth a listen.

Elina Monova - Something Special (Rest)
The voice of Elina is really something special on the four minute of Give Me The Night.

Martin Iveson - 13.10.11 13.11.11 (Atjazz Record Company)
A good release in Afro jazz vibes.  Edit thanks to the Deep House Page forum peeps.  The title digits are dates, two important ones for Martin, that is all I can say.

Idrissa Sissoko - Lopilopilo (Offerings Recordings)
A six track mini album all in African rhythms, plus extra remix for Yiri and two for Wari.

DJ Mtshepang - Ubizo (Deeper Shades Recordings)
Lars Behrenroth label is always on my radar, and here it presents ten versions to choose from.  I like the Shaheedemo Colorful Instrumental the most.

Carter Cook - Because of You (Houseworx)
The original version title track features the over abused Obama lyrics in background a nice vocalist saying Because of You and a very Chandler style groove.  It works.

Review: Cleveland - Mid-Sun EP (battibatti bb12)

The new BattiBatti release comes from Belgium artist Cleveland titled Mid Sun EP which features two deep house tracks, with a moving groove.  Opening the dances in this release is the track Bruxlyn One, a nine minute key infected builder with vocal snippet and unusual sound coming off and on.  Number two is the title track Mid Sun a more deep track to the previous with a Chicago house drum style and nice warm sounds.  Cleveland a new rotation to the BattiBatti artist line up is also to be featured in the second upcoming vinyl release, along three other artists to come out before the end of this year.  Watch this spot for more information.      

www.battibatti.com