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 Golden Boy - Higher EP (HK Records)

More old skool, big room action on the first outing from Ministry's new 'HK' imprint, with the label looking to release underground, on trend house music. And with The Golden Boy's 'Higher EP' they do just that.

Taking us straight back to that dance sound of the 90s that seems to be ever-prevalent in 2013, the up-and-coming producer provides a slab of big room action with throbbing speed garage bass, massive piano hooks and stratospheric vocal builds.



2013 seems to be at the intersection of rave, bass and deep house culture, retro in its feel, clinically contemporary in its finish. This release epitomises the sound and with the likes of Disclosure pushing this it into mainstream consciousness, I'm sure this release will be remembered as a classic within this new and exciting genre.

Another summer anthem - expect to hear this EVERYWHERE in Ibiza this year.

The 'Higher EP' is out now via HK Records | Grab a copy at Beatport | ministryofsound.com

Jacob Bech - Continue EP (Large Music)

The latest offering on Large Music is another belter, this time in the form of Jacob Bech's 'Continue EP'.

This two-tracker is a real nod to the old skool Chicago vibe - rolling basslines and soaring pads combine with energetic Rhodes and vox stabs, bringing us another sublime slice of deep house heat. Perfect for firing the floor into peak time.



Another cracker from the ever present, ever-consistent Large stable.

The 'Continue EP' is due for release on 22nd July| Pre-order on iTunes via the link above | largemusic.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!

Dennis Ferrer feat. Janelle Kroll - Mind Ur Step (Defected)

Right kids, expect a run of super soulful house coming this way. The sun is blazing in Sydney so I'm out on the terrace writing and dreaming of those long summers playing in Ibiza. Ah, nostalgia's a wonderful thing!

First up is a brand new track from Dennis Ferrer, in a not so usual vein. Ordinarily famed for deep, funky house grooves, 'Mind Ur Step' is a slight departure, with Ferrer going for the proverbial peak-time jugular on this massive summer anthem.



This latest release is everything you'd expect from Ferrer in terms of it's impeccable production quality and infectious four-to-the-floor groove. But there's a difference: teaming-up with Chicago's Janelle Kroll, the pair deliver a huge vocal stormer, the mix laced with pulsating, modulated bass and elevating synths. Janelle then lifts the whole composition into orbit with a vocal that's sure to echo around every dancefloor on the White Isle this year.

Another classic production from a truely consistent house hero. Defected, like a trusty old friend, you're still smashing it after so many years at the top of your game. Salutations.

'Mind Ur Step' is out 22nd July via Defected | defected.com

House Masters Dennis Ferrer is available from iTunes : smarturl.it/HouseMasterDF

Frameworks - Old Friend feat. JP Cooper (First Word Recordings)

I was chatting with Matt 'Frameworks' Brewer over the last few days. We got talking after I found out he recently recorded a track with fellow Mancunian JP Cooper, who featured at Wired in London last month.

The track is entitled 'Old Friend', a beautifully moody, cinematic soundscape with the most wonderfully moving video, available now via SLL faves First Word Recordings.

Produced by Picture Lock Productions, it was filmed in Fleetwood, just south of Blackpool, through the eyes of a despairing fisherman. It tells the story of an former fishing town and the community left behind, the industry having collapsed in '82. To quote Matt:

"Wanted the old guy to kinda represent someone from that community.. if that makes sense"



Spending much of my time watching umpteen music videos, this is a real treasure - in fact one of the best I've watched in ages.

The soundtrack perfectly compliments the subject matter and there's just something very real about the whole composition. I've never visited Fleetwood, but the emotion conveyed by the superb actor's facial expressions tells a million stories and really moves you. Indeed, there's not many videos that made me pant like an impatient dog so I could show my girlfriend when she got home from work. Safe to say she was equally impressed!

Matt and JP: a triumph. Congratulations!

'Old Friend EP' is out now via First Word | firstwordrecords.com

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #15

Okay kids - here it is, the latest edition of the Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast.

Another mixed bag this week, journeying through deep, melodic downtempo via soul and hip-hop, bad ass brass, future beats and some incredible nu disco-funk in the shape of Personal Life, an album so good I simply had to include two of their tracks.

As ever, enjoy my beauties!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #15 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#15 - 24th June '13

01. Ellie Mae - Without You (A Stop.Look.Listen. Edition) (Self-Released) [download]

02. Neko Neko - Pollen (Self-Released) [download]

03. Samaris - Góða Tungl (Sei A Remix) (One Little Indian Promo) [download]

04. Deekie - Walk With Me (Melodica Promo)

05. Robert Glasper Experiment feat. King - Move Love (JT Rework) (Self-Released) [download]

06. L.A.M.P - Counting My Blessings (Peng Promo)

07. Dilla/Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Find A Way (Go Yama Guitar Remake) (Self-Released) [download]

08. Comfort Fit - The Holy Moment (First Word Promo)

09. The Fontanelles - Criminality (First Word Promo)

10. Youngblood Brass Band - Overtime (Tru Thoughts Promo)

11. Jaw Jam - Long Night (Symbols Promo) [download]

12. The Echo - Signals (Ambassadeurs Remix) (Self-Released) [download]

13. Homeboy Sandman - Sureshots feat. MED (Stones Throw Promo)

14. Frameworks & BluRum 13 - Alone (First Moth Promo) [download]

15. Daniel Crawford - Electric Felaxation (Self-Released) [download]

16. Personal Life - One Step Closer (Expanison Promo) 

17. Personal Life - Distance Can Be Sweet (Expanison Promo)

18. James Brown - Give it Up Turn It Loose (The Reflex Edit) (Self-Released) [download]

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