Juan Hoerni feat. Terry Dexter - Stuck In The Middle (Cha Cha Project Recordings)

Once again, Los Angeles house music don Juan Hoerni joins forces with singer Terry Dexter for another uplifting slice of dancefloor bliss. "Stuck in the Middle," released on Juan's Cha Cha Project Recordings imprint, features immaculate performances from both the players — including Scott Wozniak on keys — and Terry Dexter. The accumulation of soulful expertise helps to welcome the warm summer air as things heat up on the floor. A disco-accented rhythm section drives electric piano chords and swirling organ riffs, laying down the perfect musical bed for Terry Dexter's emotive, memorable vocal performance. Top-notch all around.


The legendary Jovonn, an undisputed pioneer of the '90s' NYC/New Jersey house music sound, is on hand for a trio of prime-time remixes. Jovonn's Main Mix toughens the rhythm and accompanies it with a staccato synth bass line. The vocal is solidly at the fore, with the organ and key melodies providing support. Jovonn also supplies a Dub version of this mix, as well as a Stripdown Mix. The latter really shows off Terry Dexter's incredible vocal, pushing it further up in the mix while downplaying most of the keyboard elements. Superb all around.

Hector Romero (Def Mix) – “Right on. I’m feeling this. Nice one to all involved.”
Frank Situation (Situation) – “This is deep fire! Great work.”
Brad Eller (Glass Slipper) – “Right up my alley! Love the vocal, and Scott’s keys are dope as always.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) – “What a paramount release.”
Edground (Brazillian Soul Crew) – “This is an amazing release. All mixes are perfect.”
Niall Redmond (The Digital Groove) - “Nice vibes on this release, Classy.”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Zona ft. Chellena Black - Jesus Is (Deeplife Records)

Zona, comprised of the L.A.-based duo of Dimitri Craven and Jerry Andrews, combine house, disco, and techno influences with live vocals and instrumentation. Releasing on labels such as 70x7, Kapa, Good For You, and now Deeplife Records, their songs aim to bring feel-good vibes to listeners and dance floors with uplifting messages and funky rhythms. Zona has received high praise from the likes of Jazzie B (Soul II Soul, BBC Radio UK) and recently secured a top 5 Traxsouce single with the song "Time."

Featuring the wonderful vocalist Chellena Black, Zona's new single "Jesus Is" features a joyful gospel-house flavor and a positivity that's universal. The song is also extra special for Dimitri, as it was written during a trying time when he learned to trust in a higher power. The cut features a banging rhythm that touches on the tribal side, along with a pulsing bass line and a churning organ line. Chellena's expressive vocals build on the powerful music, launching the track to another level.

Legendary producer/DJ AJ Mora supplies a remix with a techier drum track while retaining the soulful feel of the original. There's also an AJ Mora Dub version that highlights the remix's warehouse-flavored old-school elements. Ibizian native J.Alba is next up with a deep take filled with spacey arpeggiations and lush synth pads complementing the vocal line and tight rhythm track. Floor-primed and elevated, no doubt.

Snax (Random Records) – “AJ’s Dub Mix is giving big Twilo/Tunnel NYC vibes. Thank you!”
Curtiss Logan (Aqua Sol Recordings) – “This is a great release. Loving it, and fully supporting.”
Niall Redmond (DeepTown Music) – “The AJ Mora Vocal and Extended mix for me. Nice gospel chugger!”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House Web Zine) – “Truly vibrant and uplifting dance floor goodness.”
Darrell Stout (Beatmatrix Show on WRUW 91.1 FM) – “Preach!!!”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “Love the vocals and deep throbbing groove of the J.Alba Remix.”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Juan Hoerni ft. Chezere - When You Smile (Cha Cha Project Recordings)

Juan Hoerni, the acclaimed and prolific Los Angeles-based soulful house music producer, reunites with vocalist Chezere for the uplifting floor-mover "When You Smile." Released on Juan's Cha Cha Project Recordings imprint, "When You Smile" melds crisp, disco drums, rousing keyboard riffs and chords, and an electrifying vocal performance from Chezere, drawing upon her history as vocalist with Urban Species (among many others). It's pure house music magic, available here in its original mix as well as a Wet Mix, giving Chezere voice some warehouse flavor.

The legendary DJ Spen (Basement Boys) joins the equally renowned Reelsoul (Sole Channel Music, MN2S) for a classy collaborative remix that demands hands in the air and feet on the dancefloor. Tight beats, string lines, vibraphone keys, and a dose of deep house bounce compliment Chezere's vocals with sultry sophistication. This one's ready to bring the soulful fire, from dimly lit lounges to sweaty nightclubs worldwide.

Soulfuledge (Quantize) – “Classy mix from DJ Spen & Reelsoul. I’ll be playing this for sure.”
Pat Bedeau (Bedfunk) – “Loving this, great job from DJ Spen & Reelsoul. In the box.”
Luis Machuca (Friskybeat Records) – “Great release. I’m gonna enjoy playing this at the club.”
Mike Solus (Housemasters Radio) – “Super stuff from Juan & Chezere.”
DJ Lolly (Freek FM) – “Solid soulful house tune and lovely vibes.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “Top class, the vocals hit the spot nicely and the Reelsoul & DJ Spen mixes are stellar!”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

UNA - It's OK (The Movement Tribe Goes Dubbing) [Cool Jewel Records]

The past couple years have brought UNA inspiration and time to think, write, create. As UNA searches for breaks in the clouds and embrace the changes that have taken place, they are hopeful. With this hope UNA brings you The Movement Tribe's Goes Dubbing remix of "It's OK," UNA's second single from their forthcoming album The Look in Their Eyes.

Veteran DJ and current 'life ninja' Jacob Okino Benson heads up The Movement Tribe, producing a bass-prone version of "It's OK" that fuses UNA's jazz-inflected female vocal with a downtempo dub pulse. Cool percussive flourishes, reverb splash, shimmering effects, and sparse, ringing keys combine into an atmospheric treat that's as sonically potent as it is evocative. This vibe is a heartbeat.

Velanche (Soul Dust Productions) – “Cool, dark and sublime. Digging it.”
Piiit (So Watt) – “Perfect chill vibes. Beautiful voice.”
Kid Loco (Flor) – “This is pretty cool.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Poetic minimalism.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Really rather beautiful.”
misterG (Green Arrow Radio Show) – “Love UNA in every shape, color or form.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, AND Spotify.