Review: Here's something to raise a smile or two on cold January mornings: an all-star hook-up between DJ Spen, John Khan and Gary Hudgins, featuring fine lead vocals from Leighton Jones. In its original form (track one), 'Yah Mo B There' is a gorgeously and summery house roller rich in squelchy synth bass, sparkling pads, jazzy chords and twinkling electronic melodies, all topped off with a strong, gospel-influenced lead vocal. Spen and Hudgins join forces to provide two fine reworks: a 'remix' that's lighter, sunnier and boasts a shuffling, Latin-tinged groove, and the simply gorgeous, carnival-ready 'Atmospheric Mix'.
Review: Here's something to cheer you up on miserable winter lockdown nights: a fresh suite of remixes of DJ Spen's lusciously luxurious soulful house collaboration with Cornell CC Carter, 'Keep Your Head to the Sky', courtesy of Emmanuel Kossi AKA Manoo. The long-serving French producer returns to the 'Old Skool' for three of his rubs, offering up a mixture of warm, jazzy bass guitar, snappy machine drums, sustained synth-strings, and some seriously summery piano stabs. We'd recommend checking both the stripped-back, synth solo-laden 'Old Skool Dub' and the killer 'Extended Old Skool Remix'. Elsewhere, his 'Afro Remix' is a deliciously positive blend of Afro-house grooves and soulful house flavours, while Spen and Carter's original extended mix is as musically rich and life-affirming as ever.
Review: Originally a hugely popular cut from Spen's Transition LP, "Stranger" now returns for a victory lap of remixes. First up, Demarkus Lewis rips it up with some seriously sizzling US garage vibes whilst retaining Spen's raw Southern blues croon, Todd Terry and Thommy Gypsy team up with Spen himself for a stripped back linear house version, whilst Luyo's gospel house rework sees honky tonk piano, harmonica and Spen's naked vocals take centre stage. Ncurger's "Thump" remix ends thing on a unique chain-gang-stomp-goes-electro tip for possibly the best mix of set.
Review: Grown men of a certain age will be very confused by this new release from house heroes Todd Terry and DJ Spen, as they tackle '70s classic "Stone Fox Chase", better known as the theme to BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. The famous harmonica riff is present and correct as is most of the original with just some subtle beefing up going on. Terry's own mix adds some seriously slammin' jack master beats to the equation though, whilst other highlights include Damond Ramsey's techy excursion and Mannoo's swampy beat-fest.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.