Detroit House 25 Items

Scott Grooves is back on his own Modified Suede label with another masterclass in true-skool US deep house from a master of the sound. There's some serious soul to sup on here, as Cjay Hill lends vocals to a pair of tracks with a smouldering intensity. 'Let Me In' has a bruk edge to the groove which goes down smooth with the lingering keys behind Hill's vocal. 'Sweet Like Gravity' is a lighter, airier joint with a spring in its step, Hill sounding more uplifted in turn thanks to his sonic surroundings. B2 track 'She Dances Her Story' is a different beast altogether, using a powerful speech from Salakastar painting a picture of a powerful Nubian woman over one of Groove's tougher beats, making dancefloor dynamite in the process.

He's as consistent as he is prolific so it's no surprise that Omar-S is back yet again with yet another EP well worth copping. This latest 12" direct from the Motor City features two different versions of the same tune and what a tune it is: first up is 'Can't Get' (vocal mix) which is signature stuff from Smith - dusty beats from an old analogue machine, slowly evolving synth leads that convey plenty of emotion and raw hi-hats. The mood is late night and sultry with a hint of menace and a gorgeous vocal hook is the icing on the cake. Flip it over and you'll get the Sub Mix with more stark synths and melodic edginess.

Collection V1" marks FIT SOUND's first compilation, showcasing tracks from renowned artists Jared Wilson, Bizz O.D., and FIT Siegel. Detroit’s own Jared Wilson is a true master of the Tb-303, delivering jacking and melodic acid for over a decade. 'Mind Travel' is a mesmerizing 10-minute journey that intertwines melodic acid lines with ethereal strings. Bizz O.D., an enigmatic figure known for her jackin' acid techno tracks released between '93 and '98, emerges once again with the previously unreleased floor-killing acid stomper, 'One Two,' which, despite being recorded in the mid-'90s, remains as fresh as ever. FIT Siegel's contribution, 'No Feedback,' originated as a sampling exercise in the studio and transformed into an experimental yet functional piece that would find its home in the crates of adventurous DJs."

s is a formal introduction of the new label Ethnic Blend Music, brought to you by TMR (Track Mode Recordings) label head Brett Dancer. EBM will focus on specific musically based Deep and soulful house music productions. First out the gate is none other than Mr. Sophisticado himself, Vic Lavender. Two productions of pure bliss.

Song one "Are U Going My Way" (Time Traveler Rework) is Vic ‘s rendition of the Pat Metheny classic "Are you going with me". While keeping most elements of the classic production, Mr. Lavender added various elements which focus on his production style. True to his electronic jazz, funk, soul, and deep house roots. A Powerful interpretation of a world renown classic. Song two Prometheus takes us on a full journey from start to finish. Beats, Bassline, and lush chord structure. A Sophisticado trademark for production. TMR and Ethnic Blend are happy to be back releasing great music. Enjoy there is more to come! Thanks for the support.

Detroit legend Omar S returns this week on his always different but always unmissable Fxhe label with the bouncy and neon-lit groove of 'Hard Times', which sees him collaborate once again with Megan Louise of Canadian outfit Desire (Italians Do It Better) on vocals. The original comes backed with a handy instrumental mix and a dreamy, plus an evocative rework by Idib chief Johnny Jewel over on the flip.

It's hard to believe it is now a full decade since Detroit's Dez Andres blew up off the back of his classic house jam 'New For U.' He had of course been toiling away for years before that, recording with Moodyman and DJing for Slum Village amongst other things. Since then the music has kept coming - some of it hip-hop as DJ Dez, some of it house under this alias, and much of it a perfect fusion of the two. And that's what we get here on this new EP for Beretta Music - four lush deep house joints with his smooth signature drum loops and gloriously incidental melodies. The slower, funkier bounce of 'Back To Nature' is the EP highlight for us, but all four of these are a cut above, as per usual with Dez.

With How We Groove, Lello Di Franco (L.D.F.) and Brian Garrett (Javonntte) pair up for a prototypical Yore release, a high-quality affair that’s natural clubby yet also artful. Di Franco’s an Italian DJ and producer who’s based in Naples and whose career began in the early ’90s; Garrett, on the other hand, hails from Detroit and has been creating material for almost as long. Their respective output locates itself solidly in house and techno but extends into soul, funk, and jazz areas too. Said gravitations aren’t mere flirtations either; Garrett’s interest in jazz began in high school, and when he was fifteen or so the aspiring musician even had a month’s worth of lessons in the mid-’80s with-wait for it-Miles Davis (Garrett’s mom apparently had connections). Associations with Aretha Franklin, Blake Baxter, and others surface in his history-but that’s for another time. All three tracks qualify as dance productions but satisfy equally well on pure listening grounds. While a strong ’80s vibe initially oozes from “Believe” in the electronic drum fills that get it moving, the cut quickly settles into a light-speed groove that percolates with single-minded determination. The richly detailed arrangement shape-shifts rapidly: at one moment, syncopated piano chords give the track a classic house feel; at another synthesizer flourishes and bass pulses lend it a sleek, sci-fi quality as the material thrusts breathlessly forward. The less frenetic “From Day to Night” is earthier and funkier though no less artful. As a punchy bottom end establishes an infectious house vibe (with a bit of jazz swing also in the mix), see-sawing vocal elements and bubbly synthesizer touches elevate the track to a headier ‘listening’ realm.

Another classic release on Makin' Madd Records in the rebound! This time it's The Shadow aka Lou Robinson of Scan7) "The Lurking Shadow EP" which came out 1995 will be soon available again on solid black vinyl. Re-mastered edition - don't sleep! Special thanks to Mr. Terrence Parker!

Detroit mainstay Andrés returns to MotorCity Wine Recordings with an anthemic 4 tracker entitled Sunday Kinda Love. For those that know, MotorCity Wine is the spot for Sunday parties, so we only thought it appropriate to have one of Detroit’s most seminal producers highlight the vibe with this EP. On the A side is Andrés’s dusty house sound that we’ve all come to love, complete with bouncing basslines, slick vocal chops, and drums to turn out any dance floor. On the flip side Andrés slows the tempo just a touch to highlight his chunky midtempo beatdown sounds, with “Rubin Samba” bringing a Latin flair and “Sunday Kinda Love” driving it all home. Essential Detroit music manufactured in Detroit and housed in a gorgeous vinyl package, TIP!

One of Detroit's best house producer gets the Boot treatment… some classics from Kenny Dixon Jr.!

Another heater from Detroit's finest Upstairs Asylum. Norm Talley in full effect bringing together all the good souls of Motor City.

Repress of Norm Talley's 2011 Mixmode heater

Wowww. heavy compilation, puttogether by Delano Smith (Mixmode) and Rick Wilhite (Vibes New & Rare Music) featuring a fine selection on who's who in Detroit music - spread out over 3 vinyl discs !

RAWAX proudly presents Mr. Rick Wade from Detroit! After two fatastic ep's on HOUSEWAX it's now time for The RAWAX MOTOR CITY EDITION Vol. 13. We are so happy to share this masterpiece of music with you and yes - we can say: this record comes really from another galaxy! Welcome back, Rick!

When it comes to soulful house, Detroit native Alton Miller is about as ingrained as it gets.
Peacefrog, Planet E, Moods & Grooves, Mahogani and Sound Signature have all endorsed his talents and with an album looming later in the year, Waella's Choice sow the seeds with 'All Things Good'. Club music for the sensitive souls, with some arresting spoken word poetry and even a broken beat deviation.
'All Things Good' is the fourth release from London label Waella's Choice, following Hanna, RANGEr and the London on Key compilation.

4 tracks - no compromises! Omar S, Detroit - nuff said!

One of Detroit's best house producer gets the Boot treatment… some classics from Kenny Dixon Jr.!

The Detroit master of deep House on Housewax! 4 classic cuts!

A classic double EP from one of Detroit´s finest, Omar S! Theo Parrish contributes on one track.

New one from Omar-S, featuring vocals from L'Renee. Three different mixes of a great tune- one naughty house track, one 80s influenced synth mix, and one mix that sounds like a sexy transmission from outer space! Tip!!