Recommended Listening

Curtis Hairston - I Want You All Tonight (The M+M Remixes) [Quantize Recordings]

More than forty years on from the original release, John Morales revisits one of his classic M&M productions (originally with Sergio Munzibai), bringing it squarley into the 21st Century. John's new versions feel a little brisker than the 1983 mixes and have a few new elements including drums from Jamirquai's Derrick McKenzie and new keys from John & Greg Radford. The pure funk and passion of the original are preserved with the higher tempo injecting a little energy for the modern floor. The dub is pure funk gold! Moving on, label head DJ Spen teams up with keyboard maestro Michele Chiavarini to deliver a soulful house interpretation, upping the tempo a little further and adding their own original elements, including a live bassline from Michele to rival the original. With all three remixes hitting the spot, the package is rounded off in spectacular with two of the original M&M versions from 1983. Now to the toughest choice of 2024 to date, which mixes to play? I suspect that all five will feature at some point in the coming months.

"I Want You All Tonight" is available now on Quantize Recordings via Traxsource.

Recommended Listening

John Khan & Paul Lyons ft Leighton Jones - Where Do We Go From Here [Quantize Recordings]

John Khan & Paul Lyons combine to deliver an uplifting slice of house music that's certainly one for the soulful heads. Featuring the soul-drenched vocals of Leighton Jones, this has all the qualities I look for with melodic vibes and emotionally charged vocal harmonies. The "Original Mix" has flowing rhythms, a lovely warm bass groove and gorgeous keys to top it all off. The "DJ Spen Remix" substitutes the piano for rhodes and beefs up the bass but otherwise has a similar vibe. Also included are instrumentals, dubs and a stunning "Accoustic Piano Mix". We're already more than halfway through the year and this is as good as anything I've heard so far in 2021. An absolutely stunning release which is available right now on Quantize Recordings via Traxsource.

Recommended Listening

S.E.L. - Melodic Harmony [Quantize Recordings]

As summer rapidly approaches, this is the perfect uplifting vibe to help kick start any weekend. Emma-Louise's vocals are just incredible, oozing soul and emotion in quantities that most cannot get close to. With Michele Chiavarini & DJ Spen on production duties, those vocals are provided with a stunning backdrop of funky rhythms, warm bass, gorgeous keys and catchy horns. "Melodic Harmony" is a track created by performers at the very top of their game and it shines through in the music. The rumour is that there's an album on the way too - I can't wait to hear it!

Recommended Listening

Ronnie Herel ft Gary Poole - Thinking About Your Love [Quantize Recrdings]

Continuing the recent theme of cover versions, today's tune is again a re-interpretation of an 80s classic. This time around Ronnie Herel teams up with vocalist Gary Poole to cover the 1985 Skipworth & Turner composition "Thinking About Your Love". It's a track that has seen dancefloor action across five decades and these new mixes will ensure that a few more people are introduced to a very catchy number. The lead off mix comes from Quantize head honcho DJ Spen & Will "Reelsoul" Rodriguez who retain and replay that instantly recognisable piano groove. The Original Mix is actually a wee bit deeper, treading a soulful path with a completely new arrangement. Gary Poole nails the vocals with a classy and soulful delivery that suits both of the main mixes equally. The toughest choice is going to be settling on a preferred mix; I may just need to use more than one of them.

Recommended Listening

Divas of Color ft Evelyn "Champagne" King - One More Time (remixes) [King Street Sounds]

Here's something very tasty and rather soulful from King Street Sounds. This time around they revisit one of their 2004 releases from Divas of Color. "One More Time" feautures the wonderful vocals of Evelyn Champagne King whose career goes as far back as 1977 and the height of the disco era. Her biggest hits "Shame" and "Love Come Down" need no introduction whatsoever and still generate amazing reactions when played many decades later. This partcular track has already seen a few excellent remixes over the years but on this occasion, it's Baltimore's DJ Spen and Will "Reelsoul" Rodriguez at the controls. The result is a mid-tempo soulful house groover underpinned by a deep throbbing bassline, crisp rhythms and mellow keyboards. If I had to pick one word; delectable...

Recommended Listening

DJ Spen presents Ann Nesby & DJ Sidney Perry - Turn It Up [Quantize Recordings]

One of the true superstars of the scene, you can be fairly certain that any track featuring Ann Nesby's voice is likely to be impressive. "Turn It Up" delivers on every level; an uplifting, uptempo slice of gospel infused soulful house with impeccable production and the highest quality vocals. There are six mixes included with both Dub and instrumental options although I'm finding it challenging to move beyond the DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Remix which kicks off the package. Just brilliant!

Track Review

Rebecca Scales - Can't Sleep [Quantize Recordings]

The prolific Quantize Recordings deliver another soulful slice of vocal house. Rebecca's sultry vocals ooze passion and emotion alongside alongside both of the distinctive interpretations. First up is DJ Spen's Original Mix with its warm funky bass tones and melodic keyboard arrangement. Thommy Davis & Greg Lewis takes an alternative path with dusty tribal rhythms and a deeper string led atmospheric vibe and gently plonked keys. The package concludes with dubs from the afrementioned producers which also hit the spot rather nicely. Proper soulful house! Available now on Traxsource.

Track Review

Stacy Kidd & Tasha LaRae - Heaven [Quantize Recordings]

As Autumn approaches and the evenings draw in, here's a tune to warm you all the way through. "Heaven" is a slice of gospel house with a rolling funk infused bassline, exquisite keys and uplifting vocals. I've always been a sucker for this kind of vibe but Stacy has absolutely nailed it. There are four mixes in total and in addition to "Stacy Kidd & Spen's Original Mix" the high point is "Spen & Thommy's Dub Edit" which adds a Hammond style organ for a proper Sunday morning vibe. The package is completed with a "Musicapella" and "Spen & Thommy's Instrumental". All in all it's a real hands in the air, take me to church experience and those who like their house on the soulful and uplifting side should be all over this one. Available on pre order now at Traxsource with an official release date of September 7th.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Recommended Listening

David Morales - Believe [Diridim]

It's a name that anyone who knows anything about house music is already familiar with. I first stumbled across his work in the late 80s; whether it was his solo remix projects or in collaboration with the late Frankie Knuckles, the mere mention of his name in the credits always had me rushing to my local record store in search of the latest gem. His influence on the scene cannot be understated and the quality of his music is undiminished by the changing technologies employed or the passing of time. Anyway, the legendary David Morales is back with a piano led, uplifting gospel house stomper on his very own imprint Diridim Records, which launched earlier this year. The package includes two mixes from David himself plus a further two from DJ Spen & Michele Chiavarini both of whom have been blazing their own significant trails of late. This is one for all the old school house heads out there, delivering on every possible level. Essential!

Reviewed by Dean Serafini



Available Now!

Recommended Listening

Spencer Morales ft Tasha Larae - I Need Your Lovin' [Quantize]

It's a song that needs little introduction given that it's the Teena Marie classic from 1980. John Morales & DJ Spen have tastefully reconstructed the original composition, injecting plenty of funk and an authentic soulful vibe that's guaranteed to lift your mood. There are a total of five mixes to choose from, every one a sure fire winner. Don't sleep on this one!

In The Cart

SEL - Flowered Tears [Quantize Recordings]

One of fifteen tracks featured on the label's Miami Sampler, this is a beautiful slice of soulful house. The sweetest of vocals sits proudly atop a backdrop of amazing keyboards, rolling bass and impactful rhythms. The result is an uplifting vibe that might just get those hands in the air and will certainly strike a chord with all the soulful heads. A quick glance at the credits finds a starring role for the multi talented Michele Chiavarini and a helping hand from DJ Spen. Trust me, this is everything you'd expect given the pedigree of those involved.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini