Hot-Stove House Music: UK-Style!
Reginald L. Davenport | Springville, UT United States | 01/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first came across this triple-pack LP in July 2008 while performing one of my rituals as part of my yearly visit to the hometown of Chicago: shopping at Gramaphone Records. Oscar McMillan had given me this LP along with a slew of other 12" singles and EPs for me to listen to at the listening booth. Three hours later "This Thing of Ours" was still in the final cut of selections that I would purchase. In fact I had to listen to each song at least five times, not because I had to decide whether or not I would keep the album, but because each song stayed in my head right from the moment I dropped the needle onto the wax! [Flashback: I had also been fortunate enough to be able to listen online to Aaron Ross on his BBC 1xtra Soulful House Sessions radio shows circa 2002. I was overjoyed at the ability to keep up with the hottest House tunes even while being stationed in an area where I would have virtually no access to House music (Ft Walton Beach, FL)]
I can only do this album justice by highlighting my feelings on each song - again, they are just that hot!
"Love Connection" - warm, soul-dripping melodies, and sweet vocals!
"Call on Me" - ditto!
"Casa Cubana" - a really slick instrumental tune laced with grooviness!
"Ray of Light" - more pure soul, wicked drumming and serious keys!
"Open Your Eyes" - at the risk of repetition: soul - soul - soul!
"Slow It Down" - this track has "ANTHEM" written all over it!
"Can't Let - smooth!
"Higher" - my favorite track of the album. Beautiful arrangements, vocals, and with capped with an uplifting message!
"In Your Arms" - another smoothie!
"There It Is" - a jackin' track guaranteed to get your body movin!
"Get a Grip" - fierce disco revisitation!
"Toby's Anthem" - another jackin' joint!
"Moroccan Black" - a track that is as cool as the underside of the pillow!
This is an essential album and it is well worth the price. Mad props to the Fanatix for churning out a fierce work of art. From a personal standpoint I intend to "hammer" these tracks at every DJ-ing opportunity, being ever so careful as not to wear out the album cover!
"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1