UK label Groove Odyssey dropped a bunch of releases in December. Some of them are good to mention in this soulful space. First off, we have veteran Danny Foster who was brave enough to cover “To Be Real“, originally by Cheryl Lynn in 1978. With Rachael John on the vocals, it’s classy soulful with keys, horns and sparkling rhythm. For respect purposes please be sure to check the original version on this video:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Besides this release, it’s also worth mentioning Groove Odyssey’s own “Shine” with K.Tomowo and the Original mix in “Happiness” feat Nathalie Williams.

»»» Get previews, more info and buy at Traxsource.com.

US based house DJ Ricardo Torres recently posted a wonderful insightful article entitled “Is Soulful House Dying?“. With an accurate observations on soulful house scene and industry, this post caused a long discussion in comments (and on Facebook as well) where people from all over the world share the situations. I’d like to express my full consent on Ricardo’s vision and to invite every one and all to read that post. A bit of teasing quote:

The recent worldwide recession and financial crisis has left the music and clubbing business almost dead. [...] we have less and less house nights which in turns means that (soulful) house DJs have less gigs (where they really make their money) so they start making other type of music (like freakin’ hard electro) so they can get gigs and so on, and so on. It’s like a domino effect. Is that how a scene dies? Or if you look at it in another way, is that how a scene is re-born?..

»»» Read and comment on Ricardo’s Is Soulful House Dying? article.

On October 1st, Purple Music surprised us with a momentous tribute to MJ, “Billie Jean” produced by Spain-France crew of Rocco & Danny Marquez, with vocals by Ricky Galliano. Among numerous bootlegs coming out these days it’s nice to have something officially released. Mixes include Original Bootleg Mix, deeper Rocco Deep Mix and more clubbish DJ Fudge & Danny Marquez Mix (met good reactions on our Soul Color parties).

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

»»» Get previews, more info and buy at Traxsource.com.

Canadian deep house crew digs deeper. :) On September 15th Soulstream releases “All Over My Body“, the Suges‘ first track, in full digital. Packed with remixes from Jason B and Martino, this one was revisited from 1998 original source tapes, MiniDiscs and vinyl. Those rarity originals and demos are also included, comprising a ten years journey into quintessential specimens of deep house.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

»»» Get previews, more info and buy at Traxsource.com.

I have a special wishlist for the older stuff I’d love to play now if I have it in good digital shape. One of the entries of this list is 2003’s King Street item “We Are One” by legendary Blaze. Yes, I’m happy owner of this vinyl too, but as we know King Street is about to re-release their jams. And I’m so happy to buy this one in digital ‘cos it’s available from September 7th in full release!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

»»» Get previews, more info and buy at Traxsource.com. read more »

For those who are new into DJing or switched to digital recently, it’s quite hard to find older releases in good quality. Following up with this trend labels now do a great job re-releasing greatest oldies. King Street is one of these pacesetters. Originally from 2004, “If We Could Fly” by Philly producers Soul Dhamma is now available digitally in the full package, with originals and Dennis Ferrer’s Get Away versions. read more »