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

Reelsoul, Groove Junkies & Solara - For Those Who Know (Part 2) [MoreHouse Records]

Rewind to the closing months of 2018 and the original mixes of this were just about as hot as it gets; the deep soulful groove with shades of Kool & The Gang's "Summer Madness" proved just about irresistible. As we head firmly into the Spring the second installment finds Richard Earnshaw at the helm and a punchy house interpretation that provides a deep dubby, hypnotic backdrop for Solara's distinctive soothing voice. In terms of style this sits close to Richard's work as one half of Spiritchaser than his uniquely soulful and uplifting Duffnote material and proves more than just a wee bit compelling. Essential!

Available Now on promo via Traxsource with an official release date of 29th April

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Recommended Listening

Groove Junkies & Reelsoul ft Nichelle Monroe - Harvest For The World [MoreHouse]

Evan Landes & Will Rodriguez team up again to produce a stunning cover of The Isley Brothers classic "Harvest For The World". It follows the original composition from 1976 and an excellent interpretation by The Christians 12 years later in 1988. The guys have stayed true to the essence of the original with a soulful blend of accoustic guitar, warm bass and soothing keys providing the backdrop for Nichelle Monroe's sweet voice which suits the song perfectly. I'm not sure what I find scarier, that the song itself is 43 years old, or that I'm old enough to remember the original version all those years ago. Either way this is a wonderful slice of soulful house music that's sure to have a lasting appeal. Available on Traxsource promo from 22nd February.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Recommended Listening

Reelsoul, Groove Junkies & Solara - For Those Who Know [MoreHouse]

Deep bass tones, atmospheric synths, crisp driving rhythms and enticing keys are all in evidence as Will "Reelsoul" Rogriguez and Evan Landes collaborate once again. Featuring the exquisite vocals of Solara, the result is a proper slice of underground house music that will drive the floor with more than just a touch of soul. If you can imagine "Summer Madness" meeting deep soulful house you might begin to form a mental picture. That said, you won't have to do too much imagining given that you can listen to the samples below for yourself. Available to pre-order now on Traxsource with an official release date of November 16th.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Recommended Listening

Groove Junkies, Reesloul & Manoo ft Nichelle Monroe - Feel My Truth [Quantize Recordings]

This has been causing a bit of a stir since it surfaced several weeks ago. The track is a blend of Nichelle Monroe's exquisite vocals from Groove Junkies & Reelsoul - "My Truth", originally released on MoreHouse back in the Spring & Manoo's instrumental track which was created as part of his remix project for Sister Pearl's "Feel It". The result is a bounding Afro house stomper with driving rhythms & melodic chords but it's those vocals that really take centre stage; sweet, soulful and enticing, you can't help but listen intently. Available now on promo via Traxsource with an official release date of 5th October.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini