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
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