Romanthony - Bring You Up

Time to get spiritual y'all...

Most of us here will know of the many magical talents that Romanthony possessed, and this selection (that shows off so many of them!) was pulled out by Roo Walton to remember the great man following his recent passing.

Having most famously worked with Daft Punk on their Discovery album (providing the classic vocals for 'One More Time' and 'Too Long'), it's his earlier work for his own Black Male Records imprint that we want to celebrate here.

Following a great lineage of American soul singers and musicians, Romanthony may have mainly used house rhythms to express his art, but he was no less talented than any of the greats that performed in the 60's and 70's.

Rest in Peace Anthony Moore.

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Westbam - Hold Me Back

Taking you right back to 1990 with Westbam 'Hold Me Back'. Just like the recent Lil Louis remix we posted, there's something about the chords in this record makes me categorise it as "travelling". Play this one and you know you're going places.

A word from Jamie Cruisey: "A classic. One of my big records from back in the day."

Cruisey has spoken, rave on.

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Donna Summer - I Feel Love - Sterac dub

It simply goes without saying that 'I Feel Love' is one of - if not THE - best dance records ever made.....

But, lets be honest, other than Patrick Cowley's original megamix, there's never really been a version that's comes close to the power of the original. And although that version still wins, this new club version from Sterac (aka Steve Rachmad) is a very welcome edition.

Released on a white label via Raw Meat Records Inc in Berlin recently, Sterac's managed to keep the essence of the record, whilst stripping it back to become a raw, driving, dubby house workout of the highest order.

Peak time.

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Cottam - Side B

Cottam is not someone we know about a great deal as a person here at Amateurism, but if music can speak for a man's character - which we firmly believe it does - then by all accounts Cottam must be a bloody nice bloke.

This stand-out production is essentially a remix of Bola Johnson's 'Lagos Sisi', but it's done with such skill and swagger that it shows off Cottam's talent just as much as Bola's original work.

A builder if ever there was one; it's the afro-looseness and weight of production that really makes this a hit for me... the kind of record that could take a dancefloor from 0-100 in the space of, well, 9minutes 53 seconds.

Feel it.

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Melba Moore - Standing Right Here - Tom Moulton 2012 mix

#SUNSHINEMUSIC

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La Femme - It's Time To Wake Up (2023)

Brought to the table by the prince of lifestyle, the one they call Gilbey, I have to admit that this band is completely new to me - not a bad thing!

Ever since hearing it, it's been on repeat and there's just something special about the powerful swirling production, combined with the effortlessly cool French vocals that sounds even better in the glorious sunshine we're currently enjoying in London.

Turn up your radio, this one is a winner.

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Sorry....

It's been a bit quiet on here of late, no news as such, just decided to take a few weeks out from posting our discoveries, but we're back with new music today and will be business as usual from here on. As ever - we hope you like our vibes.... X

Kalabrese - Independent Dancer

If there's one thing you can guarantee with a Kalabrese production it's "vibes".

Taken from his new album of the same name, 'Independent Dancer' has everything we want from the Swiss artist (aka Sacha Winkler) as organic clicky rhythms naturally weave their way over warm tones, whilst his ever-laid-back vocal style tells the story.

Sumptuous. Get involved.

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Lil Louis - French Kiss - Innocent Until Proven Guilty Vocal remix

Absolutely KILLER remix of Lil Louis' all-time classic 'French Kiss' right here...

Originally released as a remix 12" back in 1989, this will be well-known to many, although it's new to me (with thanks to Nic Goffey) and it's been on repeat ever since we danced to it last weekend.

If I had to describe this record in one word it would be 'travelling'. It's just got that combination of synths, rhythm and energy that makes you feel like you're going places.

Pretty special breakdown too. Buy the vinyl to hear it properly - YouTube doesn't do it justice.

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I:Cube - Disco Cubism - Daft Punk remix

There's a hell of a lot of talk around the new Daft Punk album right now, and rightly so considering the effort and skill they put into their very impressive marketing campaign over the past few months. I love good pop music and have always been a fan of Daft Punk's, although in recent years there's generally only been one track off each album that's really stood out for me. And, despite all the hype, I feel exactly the same way about 'Random Access Memories' - 'Get Lucky' is infectious, simple brilliance.

I have to say though, it feels more of a disappointment this time round as the whole production & writing approach that was unveiled, as well as all the collaborators involved, sounded amazing and filled me with genuine excitement. I guess that's the hype machine working - or perhaps it's the album not delivering?

Either way, here's a seriously good remix of I:Cube by the two robots from way back in 1996... Jazzy robot mid-90's French-house heaven and I love it.

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