Stop.Look.Listen. Nouse Mix #1

Having started working with some wicked house labels over the last few months, I've started to make something of a habit of rolling out more big room-slanted mixtapes. As a result I figured we might as well make it a regular thing and start an SLL Nouse Mix series (you know, like, new house, intelligent house - argh...whatever - I like it!) to sit alongside the weekly podcast.

Nouse (/ˈnuːz/ nooz; Ancient Greek: nous, meaning intellect, or common sense

So here it is, #1 featuring two hours of brand spanking new deep, soulful, tech and minimal house, all blended by my own fair hand. As ever, we kick off the series with numerous upfront promos fresh off the press from killer labels such as R2, Hot Creations, Rhemi Music, HK Records, Diynamic, Restless Soul and loads more besides. 

Will post up the Juno Download links as the tracks become available (although some of the inclusions aren't out until October; if this mix was a steak, it would still have plenty of MOO).

Here we go... ENJOY!

Stop.Look.Listen. House Mix #1 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#1 - 5th Aug 2013

01. Karizma - 2wice (R2 Records Promo)

02. Gulivert - Seven Wonders (Catwash Records Promo)

03. Harry Wolfman - Booty Call (Pete Dafeet's Bonus Dub) (Lost My Dog Promo)

04. Sasse - Got 2 Be feat. Ilija Rudman (Patrice Baumel Midnight Express Remix)

(My Favorite Robot Promo)

05. Guru Groove Foundation - It's Not The Time (Asaga Remix) (No Passport Promo)

06. Scientific Funk - Perception (Sounds of Juan Promo)

07. DJ W!LD - Narco (The W Label Promo)

08. Justin Jay - You & Me (Culprit Promo)

09. Funky Fat - Jealousy (Jamie Jones Remix) (Hot Creations Promo)

10. Tomson - The Drug Dealer & The Bookmaker (Illusion Recordings Promo)

11. Rhemi - Just A Feeling (Rhemi Promo)

12. Whitesquare - No Sleep (HK Records Promo)

13. Pat Lezizmo - Get Off (Conya Records Promo)

14. Studnitzky - Evora (Charles Webster Remix) (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)

15. Markus Homm & Leo Leal - Space Cowboy (Original Mix) (Colludo Promo)

16. Bambook & Andy Cap - Directions (Seamless Records Promo)

17. Selvy - Keep It Comin (Your Mama's Friend Promo)

18. Piemont - Fairplay (Original Mix) (Terminal M Promo)

19. Magic Eye - Inside My Love (Original Mix) (Strictly Rhythm Promo)

20. Pablo Valentino - What Does It Take (Original Mix) (Faces Promo)

21. H.O.S.H. - Astronaut (Diynamic Promo)

22. Scott Diaz - Therapy (Papa Records Promo)

23. AphroDisiax - Mind Ya Biz (Restless Soul Promo)

24. Blaze presents UDAUFL - Spread Love (Kiko Navarro's Keep On Dancing Mix)

(King Street Promo)

25. Namy & Kathy Brown - Not This Time (Director's Cut Classic Mix) (King Street Promo)

Mixed with NI Traktor DJ for iPad | Recorded at 119BPM

And if you fancy downloading the mix fo' yo' 'Pod, go here:

EDM Review : Alan de Laniere - Ponle Voz (Ft. Miss Wonder) (Mycrazything Records)

The vibe

'Ponle Voz' offers up a slice of Latin-tinged soulful house, with crisp percussion, a down and dirty bassline and silky Spanish vocal. Whilst I'm never that drawn to vocals sung in other languages, after a couple of listens I found myself spinning round the lounge singing 'Ponle Voz', with no idea what it actually means. Better get on Google Translate...

Sounds like

It could have been produced by the Audiowhores.

Serving suggestion

This one's definitely best served-up on a bed of mid-afternoon sunshine, ideally overlooking an ocean with a dancefloor close to hand. For best results, I'd recommend a Spanish island somewhere. :-)

Did you know?

Miss Wonder actually hails for France, despite her Spanish tongue on 'Ponle Voz'. She also has MASSIVE hair apparently...

'Ponle Voz' is out now via Mycrazything Records | Grab a copy over at Juno | 
mycrazything-records.puzl.com

** UPDATE **

@sllmusic It means turn up the volume & it also plays on the words "put it voice" encouraging people to fight for their ideas & express them
— Miss Wonder (@MissWonderMusic) July 15, 2013

Stop.Look.Listen. Soulful Eivissa 2013 Mix

Over the past ten days I've been working with a host of incredible house labels who've been sending me a truck-load of upfront promos to dig through. After many hours previewing, commenting, downloading and selecting, this has culminated in a 2-hour mix of soulful and deep house tracks I'd tip for big things in Ibiza this summer.

So here it is, a promotional blend for DJs and house-lovers alike searching for the tunes that will be big on the White Isle this year. Featuring brand new fodder from the likes of Atal, Robsoul, King Street, Defected and Toolroom, many of the inclusions are not released for a few weeks yet but are sure to get an airing on many a sun-drenched terrace over the coming months.

Whether you're chilling on the beach, warming up for a night out or a holiday hitting the clubs, there's something for you. Enjoy my pretties!

Stop.Look.Listen. Soulful Eivissa 2013 Mix by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

Soulful Eivissa 2013 Mix

01.   Alton Miller & Rachel Claudio – Rise (Vox Version) (Atal Promo) [Juno]

02.   DJ Wild – Shape U (Rebellion Promo)

03.   Inland Knights – Slummin' It (Robsoul Promo) [Juno]

04.   Soulplate ft Rainy Payne – 1000 Words (Original Mix) (Soulplate Promo) [Juno]

05.   Sean Murray – Hood St (Da Sunlounge Remix) (HuHu Promo) [Juno]

06.   In2Deep – Walk It Off (Original Mix) (Piston Promo) [Juno]

07.   Antonello Ferrari feat. Dawn Tallman – Beautiful View (Antonello Ferrari Main Mix) 

(King Street Promo)

08.   DJ Duke - Someday (Argy Dub Edit) (These Days Promo)

09.   PBR Streetgang feat. Danielle Moore – C With No Name (Futureboogie Promo)

10.   Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs & Eats Everything – Lion, The Lion
(Gerd's Sub-Tech Mix) (Crosstown Rebels Promo)

11.   The Golden Boy – Higher (Original Mix) (HK Promo) [Juno]

12.   Dennis Ferrer feat. Janelle Kroll – Mind Ur Step (Original Mix) (Defected Promo)

13.   Steve Mill feat. Anna Cavazos – Upside Down (Main Mix) (Reel People Promo) [Juno]

14.   Ananda Project – Truth Comes Shining Through (Aki Bergen & Daniel Jaze Back To The 80s Mix) (Nite Grooves Promo)

15.   Carl Parker feat. Ione Mai – I Feel Passion (Alex Whisper Remix) (Tall House Promo)

16.   DJ Sneak – Latin Seoul (Robsoul Promo) [Juno]

17.   Munk – Munkysound (Moullinex Remix) (Gomma Promo) [Juno]

18.   Stefano Esposito – Frog Pond (Lost My Dog Promo)

19.   thatmanmonkz  - The Feeling (Tone Control Promo) [Juno]

20.   Weiss – Baby Talk To Me (Original Mix) (Toolroom Promo)

21.   Just Kiddin – Time, Space & Honey (HK Promo)

Zaki Ibrahim, Kid Fonique & DJ Whiskey - Be (Atjazz Record Company)

Atjazz has been on the dials of some of my favourite deep house tracks of the last decade. A true house veteran and head honcho of his own Atjazz Record Company, the label's latest release comes from Kid Fonique and rising star DJ Whiskey on 'Be', featuring the sublime song writing and vocal talents of Zaki Ibrahim.



The original is an afro-inspired deep house rhythm, with Zaki's love-sick spoken word and perfect vocal delivery drawing you into a ballad that's heavy on the heart and sure to be heavier on the dancefloor.

Then comes the turn of Mr Atjazz himself who steps up to the remix plate along with Julian Gomes to provide a stripped-back, somewhat deeper interpretation which epitomises the classic house sound that the label boss has become so famed for. A perfect accompaniment to any afternoon chilling on a sunny terrace.

London's Jonny Miller then delivers a bumpy, broken beat affair which retains the mood of the original but offers a more dancefloor-orientated workout. Huge minor key Rhodes progressions, soaring pads, synth stabs, pads and FX are the order of the day on this one. Almost reminiscent of the Naked Music content I've been banging on about recently.

The EP concludes with '2sides', a sample-laden percussive house joint, evoking the sound of a smokey jazz club. What makes this last track so special is the voice of legend Theo Parrish, who uses the track to wax lyrical on his DJ philosophy.

A super soulful, sophisticated package. Everything you'd expect from Atjazz.

'Be' is out via Atjazz Record Company in July (release date TBC) | atjazz.co.uk/label

Montana and Stewart feat. Diviniti - Let Me Show You (Universe Media)

There's nothing quite like sitting in 22-degree heat listening to incredible soulful house. And it doesn't come much better than the 9-minute original of Montana and Stewart's 'Let Me Show You'.

Featuring the incredible song-writing and vocal talent of Detroit's Diviniti, this new release on Universe Music is a true modern classic and essential listening for the warmer months ahead.



With timeless Rhodes and organ jams driving the percussive rhythm, silky guitar licks swirling through the mix and a devastating one-minute piano solo, Diviniti's vocal talents lift the whole composition into the heavens and provide a track that's sure to be a massive hit for the funkier, sun-drenched floors this summer.

Remixes come courtesy of the ever-present M&S, Italy's Jonathan Meyer and label-mate Echofusion, bringing their own unique touch to the party. But for me, it's all about the original. Essential.

'Let Me Show You' is out via Universe Media on 22nd July | universemedia.com

The Art and Design of Naked Music (US)

If you were to think of iconic album covers in the house world, you'll probably think immediately of Jason Brooks' original Hed Kandi designs. But at around a similar time, Naked Music over in the States was also producing 12s adorned with similarly slick and sexy imagery. The most amazing thing was having an impression of the music before even breaking the seal on one of their crisp import vinyls.

The original concept was put together by designer Stuart Patterson of L.A. design shop Colorola Studios. Interestingly, the design was originally conceived for OM Records, who rejected the ‘sexy, racially-vague, young nubile, in a seductive pose’ as being too literal an interpretation of the brief. But when OM's then label manager Bruno Ybarra and producer Jay Dene joined forces to create Naked Music in 1999, Stuart Patterson was on-boarded to resurrect the original designs.

Still reeling from the rejection by OM, Stuart was somewhat cautious about how far to take the concept, as much as the idea of diving into the abstract appealed. As a result, an auxiliary logo was created to accompany the 'nude' image, just in case it was subsequently deemed inappropriate. Alas, it never was, and Stuart gave life to what remains, in my view, one of the most striking and influential design concepts the house industry has seen in the last 13 years.

I've pulled a few high(ish) res Naked artwork images included in the slideshow below. Take a look, and have a listen to one of the label's most iconic mixes, in full, via the YouTube embed.

Naked Music Cover Artwork

Miguel Migs - Nude Dimensions Vol. 2 (Naked Music)

Classic US House - Free Downloads

DJing @ Savannah in Ibiza for Mark Hill's
Soundproof Records, 2003

With the sun beaming down for a second day, it got me to thinking about the time I was first getting into soulful house - days spent manning the counter at what was then one of Southsea's premier record stores - Groovefinder Records.

From my recollection, those days in the early/mid-noughties were sun-drenched times filled with DJing, vinyl pushing, vinyl digging, partying, and numerous trips to blag sets in Ibiza. Most of all, for those first few years of the 2000s, I filled my life with incredible US house - guys like Miguel Migs, Richard Earnshaw, JT Donaldson and Lance DeSardi were making incredible music back then, super-soulful percussive and deep house that has aged beautifully and now has an unmistakable sound.

DJing @ Kanya in Ibiza for
Groovefinder Records and MN2S, 2006

Anyhow, sitting here in the sun, I thought I'd reminisce somewhat and see if I could find some cuts from and of the era. So after hours of scavenging on the Interwang, here's six picks available for free download via Soundcloud.

If the sun is shining where you are, grab a beer and turn it up!

Stop.Look.Listen. Deep House Mix - Jun '13 Pt. 2

A few more deeper tracks fo' yo' lugs, with brand new cuts from Local Talk, Diynamic, Large and Pooled. Enjoy!

Stop.Look.Listen. Deep House Mix - Jun '13 Pt. 2 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

Deep House Mix - Jun '13 Pt. 2

01. Prommer & Barck - The Machine (Derwin Recordings Promo) .

02. Cle - The Jam (Local Talk Promo) .

03. Esa - Forbidden Place (Burek Promo) .

04. H.O.S.H. & Stimming - Cowboy (Diynamic Music Promo) .

05. Matt Prehn - Chemical Attraction (Large Music Promo) .

06. Daniel Kyo feat. Mr. White - All I Want (Original) (Drumpoet Community Promo) .

07. Appleblim - Fluorescent (Apple Pips Promo) .

08. LTJ Xperience - Holding On (IRMA Promo) .

09. Kalabrese - Brooklyn 55 (Rumpelmusig Promo) .

10. Outboxx - Thrashing Groovster (Idle Hands Promo) .

11. Mike Sharon - Can You Feel It (Local Talk Promo) .

12. Ian Pooley - I Got You (Matthias Vogt Remix) (Pooled Music Promo)

13. Robosonic & Adana Twins - La Fique (2DIY4 Promo)

14. HNNY - For The Very First Time (Dirtytwo's Midas Touch Version) (Local Talk Promo) .

Youthful, houseful nostalgia

So while I was working at Groovefinder Records in Southsea back in 2002, a certain boss and soulful ol' boy Jeff Powell (now famed for his rep of Karin Park, among many others) picked a few crisp, imported 12s from the shelves and said to me, 'This is house music as it's meant to be'.

At the time, I was being offered a valuable sales tool, but what he actually did was introduce me to the real sound of the super-soulful US, and I was hooked.

Naked Music, OM, Soulfuric. Labels as synonymous with the modern club sound as the likes of Trax way back when. So here's three sounds from an era that truly shaped by music obsession. Hope you like.

Miguel Migs - Nude Dimensions Vol. 1 (The Petalpusher Session) 

(Naked Music)

I listened to this over and over again on a sunlounger on my first ever trip to Ibiza. A mix that still gives me shivers.

Kaskade - It's You, It's Me 

(OM)

[Buy from Juno Download]

Another of Jeff's recommendations, and a twelve I could still never bare to part with.

Hardsoul feat. Ron Carroll - Back Together (Main Classic Mix) 

(Soulfuric)

[Buy from Juno Download]

Recently released on Defected's 'For The Love of House Vol. 2', this is another treasured, timeless soulful house benchmark; a track I went on to play relentlessly during my uni years at Bournemouth's Klute and Funki Sushi, and a tune that still inspires me now. 

As the name suggests, this is a true classic.