Sandman + Riverside feat. Kymberli Wright - Play Wit You EP (FastFWD)

The dynamic duo of Sandman & Riverside are at it again as the FastFWD label unleashes its eleventh release. Their Play Wit You EP is chock full of sexy house funk with top notch remixes from a couple of house music’s influential tastemakers, Ron Trent and DJ Minx. The EP contains three originals featuring vocalist Kymberli Wright, all layered with drumbeats and synthesizers of varying timbres to take the listener on a whimsical journey … all cuts are bonafide galactic head nodders.

First introduced to the house world via the Defected label, Kymberli Wright’s soulful vocals gained notice throughout Detroit and beyond through her contribution to all-female jazz band Straight Ahead as well as having worked alongside such noted artists as Mary J. Blige and George Clinton. The first track with Sandman & Riverside is “Play Wit You,” a Detroit-flavored gem filled with popping drum machine percussion, dueling synth melodies, and Wright’s irresistible vocal hooks on top. “PopTune” is next, offering an enticing throwback to club music of the late ‘80s within some powerful beats. Add Ms. Wright’s wonderful vocal lines and this cut takes on the feel of Human League meets Shannon. The third track on the EP is “SuperSonic,” not to be confused with the classic JJ Fad ditty, though it’s not too far off. Sandman & Riverside’s funk production backs the swirling, processed, and synthesized vocal phrases and outer space vibes. A pared-down Dub of this appealing track is also available.

On the remix tip, the Prescription Records’ legendary Ron Trent reveals a hypnotic ten minute revision of “Play Wit You” that merges sensual loops and vocal effects into the soundtrack to a dark dance floor full of bodies in motion. It’s a lofter’s dream. Detroit’s DJ Minx (Women On Wax) offers her vocal and instrumental Queen Beats versions which satisfy through booming low end, solid late night rhythms, and building, melodic chords. It’ll have folks in the club grooving with drinks high in the air.

Ashley Beedle - “Definitely the Ron Trent remix for me. Wicked. Big support.”
Graeme Park - “This is a wonderful way to start the new year.”
Abicah Soul - “DJ Minx Queen Beats mix is my pick.”
Gene Hunt - “Nice and sexy.”
Hippie Torrales - “Nice production and groove on the DJ Minx mix.”
Robert Owens - “‘Play Wit You’ original … great mix.”
Master Kev - “Very nice remixes by Minx and Ron Trent. I will definitely play both.”
Franco De Mulero (Kings of Groove / Pacha) - “Massive support on this from me.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Ron Trent takes it deeper! The dub of ‘Supersonic’ is sounding hot, also.”
Gareth Morgan (Blues & Soul Magazine) - “I must admit I was very surprised how much this track grabbed me. The DJ Minx Queen Beats mix has very MURK-esque percussion whilst building a lovely groove that keeps me listening. Mr Trent adds his trademark deepness and this is another mix I really like.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “The paramount remix by Ron Trent has ‘timeless’ written all over.”

Available now from Traxsource.

HT Zero feat. Stephanie Cooke - I Used To (No More) (FastFWD)

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. 

Sandman & Riverside - It's Too Late (FastFWD) →

FastFWD releases its ninth excursion into bold deep house and broken beat sounds with “It’s Too Late,” the latest single from in-house production duo Sandman & Riverside. The pair are known for their fine previous work for the label, embracing originality and creative expression through soulful, jazz-influenced sounds for the dance floor. Here Sandman & Riverside collaborate with Kymberli Wright, lead vocalist of Detroit jazz band Straight Ahead. Together they take us back to deeper days of house music, featuring dirty, punchy, percussive rhythms with uplifting strings and Wright’s conscious vocals raising the vibe. Legendary DJ/producer and Prescription Records don Ron Trent, coming off his brilliant FastFWD rework of John Beltran and Jeremy Ellis’ “A Golden Night with You,” takes the reigns on the first remix in this package. Trent’s rendition is a sensual blend of tribal soul as the vibes and keys provide an uplifting layer that dances through a tapestry of intricate rhythms and Wright’s spirited vocals. There’s also an enticing dub of Ron Trent’s vocal mix for the DJs to drop at any time of the morning, day, or night. Next up, KZR aka Atlanta’s Kai Alce delves deeper with a stripped-down version that raises the jazz quotient with Wright’s vocals brought to a punctuated, improvised scat. Sprinkled keys and warbled chords playfully interact creating sonic bliss. An instrumental KZR mix is included as well as a special Reprise Mix that works beautifully as a DJ tool or a late-night treat for the dance-floor massive. Prime goods here from the always reliable FastFWD!

Laurent Garnier (F Communications) - “Ron as great as ever … I’m loving this.”
Marques Wyatt (Vanguard / Deep L.A.) - “Solid! I’m liking this.”
Robert Owens (Compost Records) - “‘It’s Too Late (Ron Trent Vocal Remix)’ is a great track.”
Daz-I-Kue (Bugz In The Attic) - “Some real classy remixes here from Ron & Kai…”
Rainer Trueby (Root Down / Compost Records) - “Cool package … The ‘KZR Late Night Dub’ & ‘Ron Trent Vocal Remix’ are for me.”
Trus’me (Prime Numbers Records / Fat City) - “Ron Trent showing us why he is Ron Trent … Superb!”
Joan Ribas (Ibiza Soulstice Music / Cafe del Mar) - “Nice work with great remix by Ron Trent.”
Nacho Marco (Om Records / Pacha Recordings) - “Top remixers here. Both dubs from Ron Trent and Kai Alce for me … Full support!”
Tyree Cooper (Groove Baby / Supa Dupa) - “I’m really diggin’ the ‘Ron Trent Vocal Remix’. Great work fellas.”
DJ BMF (Eighth Dimension Records / Phat N’ Jazzy)- “Nice soulful track. All mixes are good, but the ‘Ron Trent Vocal Remix’ will receive the most personal play.”
Deepshizzol (Deepshizzol Saturday Sessions / Houseproud TV) - “Nice deepness from the man Ron Trent! I’m lovin’ the ‘Ron Trent Dub’ & ‘KZR Late Night’ mix.”
Rees Urban (5 Magazine / 5 Mag Radio Show) - “It’s hard to pick a favorite here … All mixes are really top-notch! I Like this almost as much as ‘Golden Night’, which was one of my favorite tunes last year … Great job!”

Also supported by Roger Sanchez, Tom Findlay, Joey Negro, Lars Behrenroth, Mr. V, and Joey Silvero.

Available now from Traxsource

John Beltran feat. Jeremy Ellis - Golden Night With You (FastFWD) →

Fast FWD to the future of soul with a couple of electronic music’s most influential producers on Fast FWD’s eighth release. John Beltran aligns with Jeremy Ellis with legendary Ron Trent and MKTL (Master Kev and Tony Loreto) on remix duties for a silky, smooth release sure to make dancefloors sweat across the globe.

Lansing, Michigan native John Beltran drops an ultra-sexy joint reminiscent of old school Ubiquity tracks with a touch of Naked Music. Beltran is an artist’s artist with releases spanning a multitude of genres. John’s creative genius has landed him on Carl Craig’s seminal Retroactive label, LTJ Bukem’s Earth 4 Compilation, as well as having one of techno’s most sought after classics “Ten Days of Blue.” On a “Golden Night with You,” Beltran serves up a musical aphrodisiac with a perfect blend of moody chords, elegant vibes and Jeremy Ellis’ ethereal vocals. Sexy sophistication!

In 1990, Prescription Records’ co-founder Ron Trent released his famed classic “Altered States” on Warehouse while he was still in high school. Twenty one years later, Trent is still providing the highest quality with releases on famed labels such as Cajual, Distance and Future Vision. Trent’s remix of “Golden Night With You” is a beautifully arranged soulful, afro-rhythmic gem that wouldn’t be out of place at Francois K’s beloved Body & Soul parties.

New York’s Master Kev and Tony Loreto aka MKTL drive the mix deeper into the night with a Dennis Ferrer style rerub. Individually with releases on labels such as Defected, Code Red, Seasons Limited, CityDeep and West End, the duo MKTL was created after the recent success of their underground rework of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games.” Kev and Tony’s rework is a creeping, hypnotic chugger with seductive chords, synths and stabs. Ellis’ celestial vocals add an emotional lament to the track, tempting an out-of-body experience. MKTL offers two additional mixes each stripping it down a bit more for a dubbier vibe to drop at the perfect time.

Jaymz Nylon - “All versions are good but Ron’s Remix is amazing with the feelin’ of effortless ease. The production quality also sounds great for every version. Jeremy’s vocals = Golden!”
Hippie Torrales - “Great tune. Loving the groove and lyrics.”
Daz-I-Kue (Bugz In The Attic) - “The Beltram/Ellis combination always guarantees pure excellence.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Dripping with class and style. The original is smooth. Master Kev & Tony Loreto deliver the attitude. Love it!”
Ashley Beedle - “Loving the original and Ron Trent remixes. Big support.”
Quentin Harris - “Love every track!”
Alton Miller - “Some serious deepness. A really nice tune and the mixes are great. I will definitely run this in my sets.”
Atjazz - “Blissful!”
Graeme Park - “Delightfully delightful.”

Also supported by Danny Tenaglia, Roy Davis Jr., Franck Roger, Benji Candelario, Mousse T., Jo Jo Flores, Grant Nelson, Abicah Soul, Lars Behrenroth, Gene Hunt, and Doc Link.

Available now from Traxsource