« Record Reviews - What's hot or not!
Reject Industries reviews what's hot and not from the world's latest releases:
Soul Migrantz - ft Mista "Socialize" (Instrumental)
Label « Aroma
Belgian duo Swirl People are responsible for many a quality house track, and via their long-running Aroma label they have released many others. This latest release from Soul Migrantz is quite a departure from the typical Aroma sound though. Driving beats and lots of synths and keys give this track a commercial and populist sound. The words band and wagon spring to mind.[LEX] But it does fkn rock! (JK)
Samples available here...Groove Federation "Beer Goggles" - Digi Funk
Label « Groove Federation
Midlands-based producers Groove Federation are part of the new wave of underground house producers putting stuff out on labels such as Greenhouse, Flatpack Traxx and Digi Funk. Although clearly influenced by the likes of Joey Youngman, Bryan Jones and Matt Shrewd, Groove Federation run with this style to produce something of their own, and it works very nicely. Check out the EP.[LEX]
Samples available here...Matthew Random "House Cats" (Craig Hamilton 80s Mullet Workout)
Label « Trendy Mullet
Here is another good example of young UK-based producers doing their own thing. Again influenced by the better-established American guys, this track works well with nice smooth guitar riffs and a lovely sax line over cool beats and bassline. Craig Hamilton often impresses with his remix skills, and this track is no exception.[LEX]
Samples available here...Home & Garden "Domesticated"
ALBUM Label « Om Records
Om Records are responsible for the release of LPs by such deep house
players as Fred Everything, Greenskeepers and Kaskade, as well as a
plethora of other material in single and compilation format. These albums
have struggled to maintain the integrity of the artists' EPs though, and
much of Om's output these days is decidedly middle of the road. There was
a time when the label really competed with Naked Music as the king of the
West Coast sound, but then again Naked isn't what it was anymore either.
"Domesticated" does ellicit some of that classic San Fran style, with
languid beats and plenty of funk guitar. The album features guest vocals
from people such as Colette, Derrick Carter, and Lisa Shaw, as well as a
track with Chez Damier. It is tightly and slickly produced, but lacks the
real soul and funk to make it more than just a bit of a diversion. It
would have benefited from a couple more instrumental tracks to provide
some respite from the frankly inane lyrics of the vocal performances.
Home & Garden have made a decent fist of this album, overall, especially
compared to other Om-released longplayers. There are a couple of tracks
which could do well with a decent remix ("El Cortez" and "Someday"), and
this would be fine as a chillout album, but no new ground is broken.
You'd
probably be better off putting on Nude Dimensions or Carte Blanche.[LEX]
NEO "Smoking Blues" (DJinxx Mangusta Mix)
Label « TriCircle Soul
If you like your jazzy downtempo beats, this whole EP is worth checking out. Deep house heads go straight for the DJinxx mix. DJinxx put out several tracks a few years ago, with a wicked deep vibe, and this mix revisits that sound. Jazzy trumpet and keys sit comfortably over a really nice kick and smooth bass. Lovely.[LEX]
Samples available here...Bernard Badie feat Dajae "Truth Hurts" (Natural Rhythm Mix)
Label « Smooth Agent Records
Natural Rhythm lend their style to this cool soulful house track. Really nice use of the whole vocal over classic NR-style cut-up beats and bleeps and a cool bassline, this is Thomas White and Pete Williams in proper deep house mode, and it works very nicely indeed.[LEX]
Samples available here...Chuck Love & Spur "Share It" (Jay-J Shifted Up Dub)
Label « Large
A welcome return to a deeper and more underground sound from West Coast luminary Jay-J here. The production is excellent, as you would expect: a cut-up and filtered vocal, nice pads and a deep bassline build up to produce a fine track indeed. Very nice to hear a bit of Jay's deeper side again.[LEX]
Samples available here...All Good Funk Alliance "Respect Thy Neighbour"
Label « Super Hi Fi
Virginia natives All Good Funk Alliance have been dropping funk bombs for over a decade now, and this latest track continues in the same vein. Released on their own Super Hi Fi label, this is classy broken beat funkiness, with nice little guitar licks, cut-up vocals and a wicked bassline. Well worth checking out.[LEX]
Samples available here...East St Louis Players"Always On My Mind" (Jon Milsom Horn Version)
Label « Lost My Dog
Lost My Dog has gone from strength to strength since its inception a few years ago. The 22nd release belongs to East St Louis Players, aka Bernard Jones and Don Tinsley. Tight beats, nice keys and a bumping bassline, with Jon Milsom's trumpeting complementing the other parts beautifully, make this a great little track. Check out the full EP.[LEX]
Samples available here...ROSSELL - feat. EMMA - Dancing with Strangers
Lorenzo Lovera - music video « Direct link
This beautiful dark prog track from Eduardo finally hit the scene this summer and was quickly snapped up by new Washington based label Brand New Vibes. Almost immediately it was licensed to Ministry of sound for their Summer Session Compilation and has also been getting heavy support from Sander Kleinenberg and Radio One's Essential mix.
Samples available here...Trusme's Debut album hits the shelves h3
Visit Trusme's myspace page « Direct link
Trusme's debut album Working Nights is finally out and already receiving critical acclaim!
It's the classic Trusme sound for sure with more of a house tip going down than you might think.
Expect lots of smooth funk and soul samples intricately woven together
with beats keys and basslines that will guarantee head nodding at home and booty shakin' in the club!
Available now in all good record stores - particularly Fat City and Piccadilly Records, but be quick there's not many to go round!
Samples available here...
