Some of today’s biggest recording artists and producers have joined together to celebrate the music of multi-Grammy winning producer, composer and all round genius, Quincy Jones, by recording contemporary versions from his massive catalogue. The forthcoming ‘Soul Bossa Nostra’ opus is preceded by Akon’s true-to-the-original interpretation of the Brothers Johnson’s sublime languid funker, ‘Strawberry Letter 23’, a top 40 pop hit back in July 1977. Usher, Ludacris, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Mar...

One of our most consistently great house labels continues to cock its leg and squirt pure house gold out of its bottomless groove-sacs. Here Brighton's Harold makes a welcome return to the label with affine pair drenched in pendulous deepness, showing why he's one of our most under-rated house producers.  'Super Real', featuring the vocals of Nan Wood's sublime vocals, rides a lovely riff and pumping organ, heightened on the Instrumental. 'Get Closer' comes in two versions: the Boys Mix sprinkle...

The lead single from Thicke's September scheduled opus, 'Something Else', neatly dovetails the high standard set by his million selling debut, 'The Evolution Of Robin Thicke'. 'Magic' is a throwback to the '70s when strings, percussion and horns were king with some incredible instrumentation iced by Thicke's silky smooth delivery Ð close your eyes and this blue-eyed soul man could be Marvin Gaye. Superlatives abound when listening to this wonderfully sung, Neptunes-produced and orchestrated numb...

Lifted from Jamelia’s album ‘Walk With Me’, there was never any doubt that the stand out cut ‘Beware Of The Dog’ was gonna be a single. It comes bounding on in well charged glam mode, and samples one of Depeche Mode’s finest ‘Personal Jesus’. The energy on ‘Beware Of The Dog’ is breathtaking, knocking everyone and everything in it’s path for six, this is exciting pop at it’s best, resistance is futile. This year’s xmas season party rocker has well and truly arrived.5 Out Of 5Reviewed By: DEAN TH...

The patent Alex Smoke subterranean glitch throb has infiltrated techno to its core since the release of Alex's 'Incommunicado' debut set last year. If that was his life's work to date, the next album features current developments over his past year of escalation into the upper echelons. The upcoming 'Paradolia' consumates Alex's unique blend of electronic foraging, melancholy beauty and floor-frying grooves. This first taste is typical Smoke - wobbly, twitchy and funked-up in its own universe. E...

As featured on Slam's new Night Drive mix CD, label honcho Ali Wells' follow-up to 'Ice Cream For Kenton' really stands out from the tech-house pile with its low-slung throbbing heave of a groove, robot pebbledashery and the buttocks of a chicken  bouncing happily on a strong, trampolinic mish-mash of rifferama. The entry of fluttering violins for the drop is a bit of a master-touch. First remix comes from Avus on a minimal, glitchy Alex Smoke tip. Then new Perc Trax signing Marc Ashken uses the...

Ye olde 'I Feel Love' riff gets hot-wired into a raging bison's buttocks for the sixth release on Sterling's label. Lots of deft production manouvres like spinbacks, reversals and all-round piledriving designed to cause dancefloor carnage. Flip-wise, 'Paranoid Lifestyle' is a cavorting, tribal-tinged galloper which piles on the sinister synth riffs while hanging its hat on some major drop action.4 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Kris Needs...

The God that is Alf keeps delivering hit after hit to the dancefloor and this week’s anthem is ‘Heartburn’, it lifts you up and spins you around with its fast energetic synth’s and pulsating basslines. This guy must have a deal with the devil to keep coming up with the perfect track every time. You know he’s a name you can trust, just buy it!!5 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Guy Garrett...

The No1 hard dance DJ from Japan launches another hard trance missile across the water towards Europe. Taking a step back from his usual hardstyle madness, this epic release has all the usual signs of a monster, but in the eye of the storm he drops a beautiful piano breakdown even your granny would love. But hold on grandma, it’s not safe to hang around too long. You know what’s coming! A full on attack of the senses as Yoji finishes you off with such energy and gusto that you’re left dazed.4 Ou...

Technikal or Alf Bamford to those who know has been the most talked about producer on the hard dance scene for many months, and here you can understand why. After having several tracks released on various labels last year it is now time to make his debut on Tidy. Now it doesn’t happen very often, but when it does it’s amazing!What am I talking about? Well it’s that time you first ever heard Binary Finary “1999” or Verracocha’s “Carte Blanche”! I’m talking about hearing a track that is devastatin...

We have seen various mail-outs on this great R&B tunes, the final release gets no less than 8 massive mixes featuring Global Guests from Azad (Germany), Savage (New Zealand), Booba (France), Mayhem (Canada) Julio Voltio (Puerto Rico) as well as Taz and Styles P (UK). All these atop the radio, clean and explicit mixes should serve the palets of the masses anywhere in the world. There’s also an accapella for the creative on the 12”. Phew!5 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Allstar...

Four mixes and an accapella and featuring Tim McGraw are the ingredients added by Nelly to his latest cool offering. Remix duties fall on Craig Groove (Sweat mix) and a Moox Suit Mix. There’s also a n album and an instrumental mix for the clever ones. Also similar but for an 87 BPM cut the feel is superb and for me the Sweat mix just edges it!4 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Allstar...

Colonel Red is the classically commanding crooner seeking assistance on AA’s gratifyingly scratchy soul including a double bass returned to great effect. DJ Mitsu sweats on a right bump & grinder for those locking onto R&B floors – it’s all in the bottom end – and Attias’ infectious deep house take fizzes into action, keeps things simple and does them well.5 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Matt Oliver...

Helping to knock down the door that allows rhymers to give their lesser appreciated singing voice a chance, MF Doom/7L & Esoteric associate CBD light-headedly fondles a breeze-fanning, half-cut burble, adopting a Wyclef lip and comparing his relationship to US sitcom characters of the 80s. The drowse deepens as ‘Holdin’ On’ bears standard soul with holographic content; LP ‘Begborrowsteel’ awaits.3 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Matt Oliver...

Colonel Red is the classically commanding crooner seeking assistance on AA’s gratifyingly scratchy soul including a double bass retuned to great effect. DJ Mitsu sweats on a right bump & grinder for those locking onto R&B floors – it’s all in the bottom end – and Attias’ infectious deep house take fizzes into action, keeps things simple and does them well. 5 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Matt Oliver...

Helping to knock down the door that allows rhymers to give their lesser appreciated singing voice a chance, MF Doom/7L & Esoteric associate CBD light-headedly fondles a breeze-fanning, half-cut burble, adopting a Wyclef lip and comparing his relationship to US sitcom characters of the 80s. The drowse deepens as ‘Holdin’ On’ bears standard soul with holographic content; LP ‘Begborrowsteel’ awaits. 3 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Matt Oliver...

It’s hard to find the words to do justice to a record known to generations new and old, that has provided the soundtrack for many an intimate rendezvous; perhaps responsible for even more babies than Barry White! For the first time in a decade Motown will be remixing and retweaking classics from the Motor City vaults, and this, the first fruits, is already hitting US radio. A record unparalleled in its sheer sensuality and carnal energy, it remains the blueprint upon which all slow jams have sin...