The latest FastFWD release is from HT Zero who first appeared on the Groove 201 EP alongside Atlanta house veteran Kai Alce. Detroit raised and Atlanta-based, HT is a keyboard maestro influenced by both the jazz greats and the Motor City techno legends. A few years back HT Zero connected with legendary soulful singer-songwriter Stephanie Cooke, known for classic tracks on the likes of King Street and West End Records. The two collaborated, and the result was a gem of a track titled “I Used To (No More).” Now this magical cut gets retooled by FastFWD for this release with a quartet of remixers lending a hand. Just One, reknown for releases on Sonar Kollectiv and Neroli as well as sought after cuts in collaboration with DJ Kemet as Kemetic Just, provides two separate remixes tailor made to rock the spot. His Househeads Mix features a super swingy four-and-floor and a buzzy bass line anchoring Cooke’s sultry vocals. Just One’s Bruk Down Rinse dubs the vocals and takes the rhythm into broken beat / nu-R&B territory, intensifying the spaciousness. Moving things to a more traditional, but no less interesting, deep house territory is Peruvian producer Alvaro Ernesto. It’s a warm and sexy mix with lots of lush accents and a rolling low end. FastFWD’s staple production team of Sandman & Riverside go for a totally classic disco feel with their ambitious mix that serves up soulful house music heat with latin percussive fire and Cooke’s full vocal way up front. The backing track is such a mover that the duo have also added an instrumental version to the package. Finally, Chillin Music captain Rob Slac offers a slinky dub with subtle breakbeats, cinematic textures, and Cooke’s vocal evocatively weaving in and out of the mix … a definite treat for late night sets.
Marques Wyatt - “Nice package!”
CJ Mackintosh - “Just One’s Househeads Mix is working!”
Alex Dimitri South Soul - “Sandman & Riverside off the hook for me… i will support this for sure.”
Andy Ward (Soul Heaven) - “Just One’s Househeads Mix … sick bass line and progression on this. I like it a lot.”
Daz-I-Kue - “Just One’s Bruk Down Rinse … This works hard. Got my support.”
Doc Link - “Who doesn’t enjoy Stephanie? I’ll be rocking the Alvaro Ernesto Remix!”
Vincent Kwok - “Great release!”
Edground - “This is wonderful! Smooth vocal and sexy groove.”
Christos Kedras (Kapa Music) - “Nice release, lots of variety, really liking the broken sound! Just One and Alvaro Ernesto my picks, both in the bag!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Great sounds and lovely vocals as always from Stephanie. I’m really into this!”
Matthias Kirsch (JazzRadio, Berlin) - “Sexy vocals, great remixes, superb production. A winner!”
Stefan Popovic (DiscoTone Radio Show) - “Alvaro Ernesto dived the deepest here. Nice, chil, and yet danceable vibe. Rolling bass line adds extra thrill.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “Loving both the Just One and Alvaro Ernestro mixes. Top notch soulful house featuring wonderful melodies and the unmistakable vocals of the legendary Stephanie Cooke.”
Available now from Traxsource.
Underground Dance Music Promotion