Recommended Listening

Richard Earnshaw & Mr. V - This House Is Yours [Big Love]

2024 gets underway as Richard Earnshaw and NYC's very own Victor Font (aka Mr. V) deliver an inspired groove. Earnshaw's seriously funky arrangement provides the perfect backdrop for Mr.V's lyrical musings. I defy anyone to stand still when this is playing, as it will in numerous venues over the coming months. The most startling things about this particular collaboration is that it's taken such a long time for these guys to get together. To quote a line from Oliver Twist, "Please sir, I want some more"

"This House Is Yours is available to pre-order now on Big Love via Traxsource with an official release date of 26th January

Recommended Listening

Richard Earnshaw & Mike City - Still Possible [Duffnote]

Duffnote head honcho, Richard Earnshaw, delivers another slab of soulful house goodness that's guaranteed to get those toes tapping at the very least. This time around the vocals are supplied by Mike City whose silky tones dovetail perfectly with Richard's arrangement. The groove itself is relatively stripped back and uncluttered, leaving the vocals to take centre stage while the keys are injected sparingly to add additional atmosphere. With additional backing vocals from Natasha Watts, this is another essential purchase. Available now!

Recommended Listening

Tony Momrelle - Escape (Richard Earnshaw Rework) [Vibe 45 Records]

This one's been tickling my fancy for a wee while now since it first came to my attention. Tony's classy vocals are brimming with soul, thinking Stevie Wonder meets Jay Kay from Jamiroquai, (not that Tony's voice needs any introduction to anyone who's followed the soulful house scene over the last decade or two). Duffnote head honcho, Richard Earnshaw provides the remix which, as is often the case with his work, boasts beautiful keys, warm bass tones and rhythms that will get your toes tapping at the very least.

Tune Of The week

Stoim ft Tracy Hamlin - I Stopped Loving You [Soulstice Music]

Hot on the heels of his recent release on Italy's Groove Culture, Kostas Stoimenidis, aka Stoim is back with another superb soulful and uplifting smash, this time on Soulstice Music. Tracy Hamlin, who has also been featuring heavily on some amazing tunes recently puts in another stellar performance on vocals. Just in case any further encouragement was needed, the remixes come from Duffnote head honcho Richard Earnshaw who, like everyone else involved, nails it and then some. "I Stopped Loving You" is currently available to pre-order on Traxsource and available on promo from 27th May.

Recommended Listening

Today's featured track finds Richard Earnshaw on the remix of an uplifting little number from Husky & Simon Field, Free is available now on promo through Traxsource with an official release date of 14th May.

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

Richard Earnshaw & Steve Taylor ft Rose Windross - Natural High [Duffnote]

Duffnote head honcho Richard Earnshaw returns in collaboration with Steve Taylor delivering the tantalising "Natural High". The bassline underpins a raw funky groove which is augmented by some catchy sax from James Vargas. On this occasion the vocals are provided by Rose Windross whose extensive career has seen her work with, among others, Soul II Soul as well as featuring on releases from Acid Jazz and Grant Nelson's legendary Swing City Records. The production is tight, the vocals are enticing and the groove will definitely get your feet moving. Well worth a listen!

Available now on Traxsource Promo with an official release date of May 13th

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Essential Earnshaw

Today's playlist features none other than Duffnote head honcho Richard Earnshaw and a collection of his music dating back to the early 2000s. Enjoy!

Recommended Listening

Ridney ft Sander Nijbroek - Say What You Mean To Say [Duffnote]

Duffnote has always been one of my go-to labels; it's been a benchmark for high quality melodic vibes for a good few years now. Despite a strong groove, it's the vocals that steal the show, they're soulful, emotionally charged and totally engaging. The package includes a total of five versions including radio mixes and dubs. Ridney's own mixes go for the jugular with a deep underground kind of vibe, driving rhythms and a bassline that will challenge many sub-woofers. Richard Earnshaw's interpretations deliver a distinct alternative; the arrangement is more soulful with rolling bass tones and swirling synths. All in all it's the sort of track I often find myself playing over and over again. Those vocals though - I can't praise them highly enough! Available to pre-order now on Traxsource with a release date of 19th October.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Track Review

Clare Conlon - Remember The Time [Hard Times]

Hard Times returns with a piano led monster from Clare Conlon with Richard Earnshaw on production duties. Throbbing bass, bounding keys and driving rhythms make this a sure fire winner for the floor. It's a simple but mighty effective formula that works every time for me. Available on promo now through Traxsource with an official release date of September 24th.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Track Review

Spiritchaser - I Remain [Guess Records]

I honestly don't think a single Spiritchaser release has ever disappointed me. "I Remain" is no exception to that rule. Underpinned by crisp beats and a deep booming bass groove, the track is defined by a striking synth arrangement and dreamy female vocals. It's the kind of track that just draws you closer every time and before you know it you're totally hooked. Available to buy now on Traxsource.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Flashback

For once we're not heading quite as far back in time as normal - only 5 years this time. Richard Earnshaw delivers a stellar remix of Random Soul's uplifting slice of vocal driven house. I could barely believe that 5 years had passed; it really only seems like two. Either way it's a track that always brings a wide grin to my face.



Buy On Traxource

Happy Birthday Duffnote

14 years old today, Richard Earnshaw's Duffnote Records has been one of the most consistent labels since its inception. Back in 2003, the dance music scene was in a state of flux as it adjusted to the slow down in vinyl through the use of CDJ players moving towards digital downloads and virtual DJ software. At that point, Duffnote was distributed by Soulfuric whose own label had played host to Earnshaw's first two solo singles, "People Are People" and "Joyride". As the market moved further towards the digital platform and vinyl took a back seat, each of the labels, Duffnote included, moved away from the distribution model to operate independently. It was not by accident that this coincided with the launch of Traxsource, itself the brainchild of Brian Tappert & Marc Pomeroy at Soulfuric. The years since have seen the Duffnote family expand to include One51 Recordings and Guess Records under the umbrella of Kinetic Music Group. The output from each of the labels has its own unique signature and to those who know and love the labels, there is a clear sense of identity and belonging to each of the releases they bring to market. I've been trying to cast my mind back to a couple of the conversations I had with Richard back in the early days of the label but one of those was at Ministry after several beers so my memory is understandably hazy. Anyway, until I recall a little more of the detail, I'll finish off by congratulating Richard for 14 years of success and by picking out a few of my personal favourites from the now sizeable Duffnote back catalogue.