LISA SHAW "Hot Skin" (Soulfulboy Edit)(CD-R)

Got this lovely re-edit in the mail a couple of weeks ago. "Hot Skin" is taken from Lisa Shaw's current longplayer "Cherry" and is a great song in its own right, coming your way on a groovy and laidback tip featuring sweet vocals and smooth instrumentation, edited by Soulfulboy in a respectful way.

MARIAH CAREY "Don't Forget About Us" (Quentin Harris Shelter Anthem)(Island CD-R)

This remix will be released as part of a 2x12" release and on CD single. Quentin Harris pulls all the stops on his reworking, delivering a twelve minute plus anthem that starts with an organ solo before the smooth tribal groove and vocal kicks in. Halfway through, it gets tracky on an intensified tribalish groove, being reminiscent to classic C&C Music Factory productions in some parts, with the extra percussion and the keys and organ giving the song an irresistible vibe.

Exclusive Preview: FILSONIK "Steal Dreams" (CD-R)

Original review from April 3, 2005: To be released at some time later this year on Yoruba Records (no date set yet), this is the result of a collaboration of Filsonik and Scott Wozniak. "Steel Dreams" is a cool and laidback affair kicking off with a percussion and drum driven groove, before the sweet steel drums, guitar and flute come in. Together with the sounds of blowing winds, the result is a perfect track for those warm summer nights.

Exclusive Preview: WOZSONIK "Deep Horizon" (CD-R)

As I've recently been going through all the music I've got at this years Winter Music Conference, I came across this track that has not yet been given a release date. Scott Wozniak is behind this lovely production that is on a smooth vibe, based on a deeply stormin' groove that is topped with warm melodic keys and a jazzy flute, with sweet percussion helping to create a groovy feeling.

SHAHEER WILLIAMS featuring STEPHANIE COOKE "Show Me" (Fanatix Remix)(Soul Groove 12")

Last years massive "Show Me" is back in brand new remixes by UK duo Fanatix (Aaron Ross & Neil Pierce). Stephanie Cooke, one of the most respected singers in the dance scene, provides a fantastic vocal performance over the groovy backing music that consists of a fierce groove that is topped with melodic keys and wicked synth stabs that are combined perfectly with Stephanie Cooke's voice.

THE CRAFTSMEN "Tales From The Bosphorus" (Casa Del Soul CD Promo)

Originally hailing from Istanbul/Turkey, The Craftsmen are now based in Miani and deliver two lovely house tracks on this release. "Wish" is a groovy track on a laidback tip featuring the voice of singer Cana Cankaya alongside melodic keys which give the track a relaxed vibe. Juke Joint toughens things up on their take, delivering a more tracky vibe. "7PM" has a moody edge to it, featuring boh laminar and jazzy keys over the deeply thumpin' groove.

Exclusive Preview: SOUL KHULA "Deep'n'Low" (C&M Remix)(CD-R)

This is one of many exclusives that I received over the past few month that deserves to be heard. This C&M remix combines the sweet and soulful female vocals with a thumpin' groove that is enriched with a funky bassline, lovely guitar and melodic keys alongside sweet percussion. The result is a groovy track that is spreading a feel-good vibe.

Runner Up: PANEVINO featuring NAMALITA "Life & Love EP" (Look-At-You CD Promo)

Behind Panevino is the Swiss duo of Sandro Endrighetti and Renato Abate who make their debut on Look-At-You with an EP that has two different offerings. "Life Is..." features the wonderful voice of Namalita over a smoothly stompin' groove that is topped with a funky guitar, with the warm chords and jazzy piano line creating an irresistible hook. The dub lets the guitar and piano do the talk while stripping most of the vocals. "Don't Do That" is a track perfect for peak hour play featuring a heavy funked-up bassline and a sinister synth line, with the dub featuring a guitar riff reminiscent of "Eye Of A Tiger" (the title track from the "Rocky" movies).

VARIOUS "DJs On Board Volume 1" (OnBoard CD Promo)

Italian based OnBoard Records present this lovely EP that offers a great selection of tracks that are set to keep the bigger floors moving. "We Gotta Love" by Funky Juice kick things off with a slice of funky disco-house groove featuring a spoken male vocal on top. Next up is "Talk 2 Me" by Faz, a track driven by a funky guitar riff over a stompin' groove. The flipside features "The rhythm" by 90 Connection that features an irresistible synth line over the stormin' groove. Lastly there is "Keep The Groove" by Kimar that cleverly combines that incomparable groove from the Donna Summer classic "I Feel Love" with the vocals from the Shannon classic "Let The Music Play".

Exclusive Preview: CLEAN UP "Into The Funk" (DC CD Promo)

DC Records present more funked up house vibes in form of "Into The Funk" by Clean Up. The track is based on a driving beat that creates a groovy feeling, with the funky ingredients like the guitar riff and the vocal parts creating an irresistible funky vibe. DJ N-Joy provides the dub version which intensifies the groovy feeling while having most of the vocals stripped, featuring an alternate guitar riff that keeps it drivin' until the end.