SHAKA Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Vibes & Grooves kicks off a new series of collaborative EPs here with Collab Grooves Part 1. The 89 Project gets things underway with 'Supernatural', a jazz-laced cut with diffuse chords and spiritual spoken words next to some fine organ chords. DFRA's 'Indifference' is a more physical deep house vibe with potent kicks and silky synth lines bringing more jazz feels. Shaka continues on a late night and intimate tip with 'Sacred Nightfall' (feat Eve - dub mix) zoning you out and Shaka's 'Between Calm And Storm' then looks to the cosmos with its freewheeling synth lines expressing plenty of love.

Review: The Yore label has got some lush jazzy house delights on its hands here thanks to Shaka, who steps up to the plate with Days Of Life. The EP opens with 'Cosmic Bossa' which has golden sustained chords and Latin stuffing rhythms with a worldly vocal bringing the heat up top. 'Days Of Life' has a rich feel-good vibe with rousing horns and lots of happy pianos all stitched into another steamy and organ-laced deep house beat. Last of all is 'Our Instinct,' a playful US garage-style cut with skip in the drums and more serious synth craft full of joy.

Review: The Tasty Treats label is weaving an intriguing path thus far, having recently released an album of future jazz magic from Kirk Degiorgio under his Offworld alias, and now they're welcoming Shaka onto the label to indulge in some effervescent, richly musical house music good n' proper. 'Shadows Of The Past' has the kind of star-gazing arps and uplifting string stabs which speak to early 90s Detroit techno at its most joyful, but there's also a house sensibility driving the groove. Meanwhile 'Southbound Path' pivots to some red-blooded Latin influence, from the percussion to the nagging piano and beyond. If you need some technicolour magic to sprinkle into a party situation, this record will serve you well.