Review: Just weeks after he marked ten years of Quantize Recordings via a tight compilation of label classics, DJ Spen has followed it up with an even more expansive collection of his own collaborations, remixed by some stellar names from the world of house and US garage. Typically soulful and piled high with both organic instrumentation and scene-stealing lead vocals, it's a fine compilation of club-ready, ear-pleasing reworks. Our picks of a very strong bunch include Kerri Chandler's fine, harmonica-sporting rework of 'Goin'Home', Terry Hunter's suitably spiritual, Osunlade-esque re-wire of 'Perfect Timing', Spen and Reelsoul's fantastic late-night dub of 'The End of It All' and John Morales' epic disco mix of 'Wish I Didn't Miss You'.
Review: Over the last decade, DJ Spen's Quantize Recordings imprint has been one of the most reliable sources of soulful house, US garage and vocal deep house around. Here the man behind the label celebrates its' 10th birthday via a compilation that boasts some of his favourite catalogue cuts to date. His continuous mix is hugel;y enjoyable, but it's the selection of unmixed, full-length tracks that will delight DJs. The plentiful highlights include Danny Krivit's fine, extended re-edit of Marco Valery's house style cover of Jean Carne's Philly Soul classic 'Free Love', Spen's jazz piano-sporting 'Decadence' re-edit ofMichele Chiavarini's luscious 'Let Me See You', the soaring soulful house/disco fusion of Kenny Carpenter's remix of Tracy Hamlin's 'Home' and the bumpin' dancefloor chunkiness of Todd Terry, Spen and Thommy's rework of Spen's 'Stranger'.
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'.
