Here we are trying to tie up loose ends as the month draws to a close. I was in England and then Spain. The Insider`s been at Love Intentional.There`s more on their festival exploits to come. Both of us being conscientious bods, we’ve been doing our darnedest to cover all of the great music that we’ve been sent while we’ve been away. Attempting to start August with a fresh, clean, slate. Toward that end, you had a Looking For The Balearic Beat addendum yesterday, while today you get July’s Hot House Tips – Part 2: There`s divine deep house from Osunlade on Yoruba,  Balearic / cosmic disco, with a heart-breaking backstory, from SIRS, street soul stylings from Cor.ece, for Razor-N-Tape, K.Mo`s heavenly Harmony, on Wayout Records, and an anthem for outsiders and underdogs from Athletes Of God, care of Foundation Music.

All words and selections by our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider.

OSUNLADE / BLACK WOMAN CRY / YORUBA RECORDS

Osunlade is a musician who lives his art. His music, and his being, both awash with life, wisdom, and balance. When Osunlade makes a groove, he makes one that drags you in and buckles you up for a deep deep ride. Black Woman Cry will lock you into its hypnotic ceremony from the opening bars. The flip side flows with the positive and uplifting Brand New Hope. The master producer, the high priest of rolling, soulful, house, bringing the scorching heat once again, as only he does. 10/10 

SIRS / MOMENTS IN LIFE / SIRSOUNDS

Daniel Klein, aka SIRS (Sounds in Real Stereo), has been floating around the circuit for more years than most are probably aware. Having produced for labels like Compost, Live at Robert Johnston, Public Possession, he has remixed Tiger & Woods, the mighty Lovebirds, and even Ennio Morricone. Moments In Life may possibly be his most evocative work to date, with two sumptuous original compositions of supercharged emotion. The music will melt you and the back story will break your heart. ‘Stambul’ (Russian for Istanbul) is a tribute to Anna, Daniels former partner who lost her battle with cancer last year. This song represents the garden in which they walked during her last months. Daniel based in Berlin, and Anna in Moscow, during lockdown Istanbul was the place where they were able to spend time together. The vocals on this hauntingly beautiful track come from Aino. The B-side Marimar is just as gorgeous, where synth melodies play with a crisp disco rhythm, and the optimistic bass notes and moving chords combine in a perfectly poignant dance. 9/10

COR.ECE / DANCE TO KEEP FROM CRYING / RAZOR-N-TAPE RESERVE 

Sometimes an artist can come out of the blue, and you think “where on earth have they been all my life?”. Cor.ece is the real deal. Hailing from St. Louis, this master of the mic brings his Dance To Keep From Crying to Razor-N-Tape. This is one of those E.P.s that you need to get to know up close and personal, and when you understand it, you can feel sheer genius in the writing and delivery. The now L.A.-based performance artist brings a most refreshing approach with a vocal recalling of `80s Street Soul. Looking as good as he sounds, this the release delivers killer cut after killer cut – highlights being Nothing But Me, where Cor.ece displays that street soul swagger while setting out his stall; he knows no other way to be than be himself. The title cut is one for the dancers and the singers to strut to, while pick of the pack is What’s The Word. Produced in collaboration with Danny Kane, this track could be the next Maurice Fulton / Alice Smith anthem, with its hopeful message and brilliant acid lines, it’s a f*****g beauty.  More Cor.ece please. 10/10

ATHLETES OF GOD / DON’T WANNA BE NORMAL / FOUNDATION MUSIC

Athletes Of God consists of pioneering Sheffieldproducer Crooked Man aka Parrot aka Richard Barrett, and 21st Century jazz goddess, Lady Blackbird. Their debut release is Don’t Wanna Be Normal. The two take this relatively unknown Randy Crawford song to the next level and then some. The result of this deadly pairing is a low-fi, max power single with a terrific collection of twists from the Crooked Man. This is out on Foundation Music, label boss, Ross Allen, once again having the ears and the foresight to put the essential elements together. Lady Blackbird`s voice working in blissful sync with the electronics here, the combined effort is all about that late night, spaced-out drugged-up feel. The super woozy, bluesy, dark hours production really suits the lyrical content.  9/10

K.MO / SPIRITUAL RHYTHM / WAYOUT RECORDS

Mancunian producer K.Mo – real names James Kumo – returns to Wayout Records with his Spiritual Rhythm E.P. Made for big systems, and big arsed rooms, this collection of tracks dives deeper than the deep blue sea. Pricking the ears of 4 / 4 connoisseurs, the pieces are peppered with organic drums, dubbed-out horns, and some key stabs designed to do maximum damage. There’s some classic Chicago house, and a deep and dubby, disco-house flex, that features the fingers of keyboard wizard, Tim Jules. Highlight though, might be the closing cut, Harmony, which goes heavy on percussion, and super smooth keys in a Don Carlos ‘dream house’ fashion. Supported by Nightmares on Wax, Antal, Ashley Beedle and Jimpster. Heads up house heads! 8/10