2012-02-14 Happy Valentine's Day! ( Bonne Saint Valentin )

2012-02-24 Happy Valentine’s Day ( Bonne St. Valentin )

As the Intro says “ For all the lovers in the House tonight”.

First mix of 2012.. All about Divas.. pity I did not have time to slot in Whitney, she would have blended right in..

A blend of classic, soulful, funky vocal gems scattered on my hard drive.

My Valentine's gift to the House community at large. Whilst it is far from buying as polished as I would have liked it to be (little spare time currently), the set is solid and ought to bring a smile on your face. At the very minimum, you will have to love the female vocalists displayed here. One of the few criteria I gave myself to choose the playlist, was that the vocals had to be interpreted not just belted in pre-mix production and that most songs had to be "happy"..

It does start on the slow side, but do not get the wrong impression, you will sing-a -long and be on your feet by the end of the set.

In there ( scroll to 15m20s) a very, very special unreleased mash-up by Grant Nelson of “Fade” and “ Sun in my Eyes” straight from his secret DJ stash, which I caught on his podcast . As I am sure that I am more than twisting the copyright rules to even use it, I have asked for his permission.. If I were to be told to disallow the downloads, I will do it immediately.. So you better rush and download this just in case.. because the talent and creation shown here by the Admiral Nelson are just amazing!

Playlist 

2006 Fade (Original Pt. I & II)( Dr Feelgood Edit). Solu Music feat. Kimblee

2008 Sun In My Eyes (MJ Cole Remix). Myomi

Never Let the Sun Fade (Grant Nelson’s Special Mash-up). CDR

2006 Fade  (The Bimbo Jones Strings Remix). Solu Music feat. Kimblee

2011 Mama Use To Say (Dave Doyle Extended Club Mix). Beverley Knight and Soul UK

2011 I Can't Stop (Original Club Mix vs Ellington Mix) Joi Cardwell & Steven Uttridge

2011 Cuddly Toy (ESquire Club Mix). Beverley Knight & Soul UK

2011 Cuddly Toy (Cuddly Toy_David Doyle Club Mix). Beverley Knight & Soul UK

2008 Strings of Life (Stronger on My Own). (Full Vocal Mix) Soul Central feat. Kathy Brown.

2010 You & I (Original Extended Mix). Michael Canitrot,

2005 So Many Times (Stonebridge Remix vs Club Mix)[ Xtian D-phased Edit] . Gadjo & Alexandra Prince

2011 You’ve Got the Love (Mark Knight Remix) [Xtian Edit w/Steve Angello DJ Tool). Florence And The Machine

1997 You Got the Love (Now Voyager mix). The Source feat Candi Staton 

Highlights: too many!

"Fade" a track I did not know before hearing Nelson’s mash-up) is just beautiful, with crafted ethereal vocals.. “Sun in my Eyes” always been one of my favourite jam, with great vocals, lyrics that actually make sense, just perfect.

“Never Let the Sun Fade” is Grant Nelson’s mash-ups, which I just borrowed and tried to connect with the original mix. “Cuddly Toy” old anthem, amazing re-interpretation from Beverley Knight and Soul UK.. Her take on “Mama Used to Say” is funky, yet soulful.. a real House diva.

“I Can’t Stop” fun and just dropped naturally in the middle of the set.. “So Many Times” one of my top five tracks and since this was a valentine present, I wanted to slot it in for Vivienne. Finally “You Got the Love” … Mark Knight & Florence & the Machine remix of this seminal  house anthem.. with the original to follow to fittingly end this Valentine mix..

 Hope you love this set  as much as I do  (in spite of the “rush to publish” aspect).