New year, new HOUSE, and a bunch of contemporary classics to usher in 2022 in the most rocking-est style. Truly brothers & sisters, we have a veritable ‘magnificent 7’ for you this month, which have had our esteemed reviewers positively giddy with excitement. We confidently predict that DJs and dancers across the planet will share their enthusiasm. Bubblin’ acid, cosmic disco, Afro vibes, modern jazz funk, a techno piano banger (b word alert), and even a funky clavinet. What a truly wonderful cornucopia of sonic pleasures for your delectation and delight. 2022 is off and running in fine style, house heads.

** Single of the Month **

Acid Jerks - Remote Area (Nu Groove)

Seminal label Nu Groove continues it's rich vein of form since the relaunch, this latest by the mysterious Acid Jerks (apparently two big Berlin players). Sounding like some polished late 80s / early 90s jams, they certainly have hit the Nu Groove nail on the head from the title track 'Remote Area' on, full of relentless piano and an infectious bassline pulling you straight to the dancefloor, before lush strings deliver us into house heaven. 'Chocolate Factory' sounds like a low slung acid workout straight outta Chi town in '88, while 'Square One' keeps the acid bubblin' in a more menacing vein, dark but delicious. If that wasn't enough, the pick for me is 'The Tribute' - tough, jackin' and perfect for a Faith dancefloor, it never lets up. You will hear this EP heavily at our Easter party.

Lady Blackbird – Lost and Looking (Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy Cosmodelica Remix) (Foundation) 

Lady Blackbird made us do a double take last year with her breathtaking vocal, her striking look, and her album 'Black Acid Soul'. Tracks from the album got remixed from Black Science Orchestra’s Ashley Beedle, jazz pianist Greg Foat, and South London girl of the moment Emma-Jean Thackray. ‘Lost and Looking’ is a cover of Sam Cooke’s sparsely arranged original, where Lady Blackbird lays her haunting vocal over percussion-less bass, and crystalline piano notes. Classic Album Sundays originator, co-founder of the Lucky Cloud Loft parties, presenter of Worldwide FM Cosmodelica, and David Mancuso protégé, Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy, lays down the law on this January release, adding a killer bassline and funk-fuelled bass guitar. The Worldwide FM mainstay flips Lady Blackbird’s effort on its head, turning in a cosmic disco explosion. Sonics are perfected to the max by the very classy and much respected sound aficionado.


Austin Ato - What You Want / Cherry Soda ( Classic) 

Disco cut ups were such a wonderful thing back in the 90s (think peak DJ Sneak), and when I first heard this I was sure it was a great cut up of a Bohannon fave of mine, but listening (all morning – it’s that good),  it’s an original peak time monster - sassy female vocals, great bassline that moves in all the right places, and  a funky clavinet. One of those tracks that bridge the underground parties and festivals .

Diego Strausz – Emancipacao (Ron Trent Remix) (Razor n Tape) 

Producer du jour, Diogo Strausz, hails from the exotic city of Rio de Janeiro, spending his time between his hometown and Paris. He dropped a digital single last year called ‘Flight of Sagittarius’, which if you haven’t checked it yet, you really must. He’s had  outings on Joe Goddard’s Greco-Roman, and another one to peruse is his ‘Pausa’ project, composed and released during the global lockdown. Diogo returns to his Brooklyn buddies, RNT Reserve, with an extended version of the standout 7” that floored us in 2020 , ‘Emancipação’ - this time with a majestic twist from deep house god Ron Trent. There really wouldn’t be a better way to showcase the sheer musicianship of Diogo Strausz and this epic composition, than the big man adding extended piano solos, stretching the track out in all its glory, and taking this optimistic New Year release positively interstellar.

 

Jazzanova - Creative Musicians  (BBE) 

Spawned from DJ Amir's love for hugely influential Detroit jazz label 'Strata' (check his Strata - The Sound Of Detroit Vol 1 comp also on BBE ). Amir and BBE enlist Jazzanova to rework The Lyman Woodard Organization's 'Creative Musicians' from the Strata catalogue and they have really delivered. Their original remix is modern jazz funk with added afro horns and the wonderful voice of Sean Haefeli.  The remixers couldn't have been better chosen with Detroit's Waajeed first up, managing to give the track a contemporary Motor City 4/4 feel while retaining the funk of the original remix. Henrik Schwarz also keeps plenty of the original's feel while also giving it a subtle house makeover, a real summer feel to warm up mid-winter.  And to round it all off, the cult 1975 original is also included,  a great project being properly delivered.

 

 Fabrizzio Fattore – Lyle EP (Vince Watson Remixes) (Cosmocities) 

Cosmocities were responsible for the epic Billy Lo ‘It’s The Life’ EP in ‘21, and they continue the quality run with this four-tracker by Neapolitan scenester, Fabrizio Fattore. This label adds production weight from veteran producer and deep house hero Vince Watson. Fattore forged his career as a DJ at the renowned NEUHM party in Naples, sharing the box with the likes of François Kevorkian, Timmy Regisford, Soichi Terada. His first release was the afro house ‘Genesis’ that came out on Tribe Trax, later releasing on World Peace Music, and Visions Recordings. The ‘Lyle EP’ has two originals, with Vince Watson reworking both OGs on the flip. The opener blends the coastal flow of Italian boogie with straight out, pulsating feel good disco that’s sure to make the dancefloor bounce. 'Island Goddess' takes you away to the Caribbean, as it’s laced with a mish mash of sunny chimes and colourful steel drums. House head Watson goes for an ultra-classy take on ‘Lyle’, his ‘Reshape’ guiding the dancers to a ravishingly deep, but rousing place. His 'Balearic Mix' ushers you to a more blissed-out dancefloor where assorted keys and Afro vibes play the track out beautifully.

Roland Lesker – Haus Music (Get Physical) 

A Real House head delight here with old school underground giants Terence Parker & K -Alexi Shelby on the remix duties for GP's Roland Lesker - damn fine rollicking ‘n’ rolling electro tinged techno piano banger (yes i did use the B word I sincerely apologise ). Detroit legend Terence Parker makes the most of some serious old school vocal samples , down tuned piano and rave string stabs. K Alexi, yes he of ' Vertigo ' fame (amongst many other acid classics) rocking it Chicago ‘87 style simple, yet incessant B line with those ' H H H H H ' vocal stabs any Chicago House fan will know so well ... wonderful EP. 

 

 Reviewed by Terry Farley, Sharon Andrews and Stuart Patterson