Releases / Joseph Junior & MAQman - “Spiritualized”

London’s Soul singer Joseph Junior and Vietnam’s House stalwart MAQman are back with their 4th single on GOGO Music. Their latest outing titled ‘Spiritualized’ is a song that has all the ingredients to do just what the title suggests. The release comes geared up with a Ralf GUM remix, who is adding his magic touch to this first remix work he did in 18 months.

Swiss born DJ/Producer MAQman began his career in 1999 when he started spinning records and shortly thereafter ventured into music production, too. After features on various Soul compilations with down- and mid-tempo tracks, MAQman soon focused on House Music. Now based in Saigon, Vietnam he keeps the soulful and deep house flag flying high, not only in his home-country, but as well with regular international DJ bookings. On his productions he continues to work with various musicians of different nationalities, which help him shape his unique sound. Adding on his schedule, MAQman is also a monthly resident on the GOGO Music Radio Show.

Joseph Junior was born into an environment steeped in a deep musical appreciation. His childhood in South London to Nigeria then London again, played out to an eclectic soundtrack stretching from the likes of Africa’s own Miriam Makeba and Fela Kuti to Detroit's Motown and the later artists like Anita Baker, Al Jareau, George Benson and Sade. Add to that jazz greats like Miles and Ella and you begin to understand the shaping of his writing.

MAQman and Joseph’s friendship and mutual love for music have brought us tracks like “I Don’t See Love” that propelled them from being underground to being track-listed by Soulful and House Music tastemakers around the world. It scored the rare most wanted 10/10 mark on renowned 5 Magazine (Chicago) and hit the Traxsource Soulful House Chart at #1. It was followed by “No Better Love“, which was called “another definite moment in the history of Soulful House” by Spirit of House (Switzerland) in 2012, “Can’t Do Without Out It” and now the new joint song “Spiritualized” which is set to gain greater attention for them once more.

Ralf GUM hasn’t done many remixes lately. After being focused on his two successful albums ‘Never Leaves You’ and ‘In My City’, released in 2012 and 2014, he is lately being carried away in the studio, as he started working on new own material and found a pleasure in remixing other artists again, too. His mix provides an uber-cool sound-sphere for the vocals to ride slick over it.

GOGO Music, soon to celebrate 15th anniversary, adds with ‘Spiritualized’ another dateless tune to its catalogue comprising of uncompromising quality songs.

Tracklist:

1 - MAQman Original Mix 7:44
2 - MAQman Original Instrumental 7:44
3 - Ralf GUM Remix 6:45
4 - Ralf GUM Reprise 6:12
5 - MAQman and Jezrael Classic Mix 7:45
6 - MAQman and Jezrael Instrumental 7:45

GOGO Music ... music it is and is it!

PRESS REACTIONS AND REVIEWS

Spirit Of House (Switzerland)
Joseph Junior and MAQman - Spiritualized - GOGO Music

Pick of the Week!
London's soul singer Joseph Junior and Swiss born (now Vietnam based) DJ/producer MAQman are back on GoGo Music with their forth single entitled 'Spiritualized'. Similar to its predecessors 'I don't see love', 'No better love' and 'Can't do without it' this latest offering has timeless written all over, without doubt this marvelous masterly orchestrated soul infused gem featuring the unmistakable seductive vocals by Joseph Junior is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine... On MAQman's original mixes sweet'n'gentle percussive rhythms lead the way for glamorous keys and Joseph Junior's incredible vocals, next MAQman teams up with Jezrael to deliver an outstanding organic jazzed-up rendition oozing with a glorious classic feel, and finally Ralf GUM takes the song to the next level on his uber cool laidback remix oozing with a charming dreamy feel. by Michael Fossati

Deep House News (South Africa)
Joseph Junior and MAQman - Spiritualized - GOGO Music

Joseph Junior and MAQman continue their magical musical telepathy with a sublime Soulful House masterpiece that elevates our souls on spiritual musical journey. Spiritualized marks the 5th release that these two world-class musicians have worked on and their magical musical partnership shows the unity and brotherhood(sisterhood) that House music creates. London Soul Singer, Joseph Junior, delivers his smooth soul-soothing vocals on this GOGO Music masterpiece and his sublime soulful performance allows us to understand what it means to be Spiritualized. The magical MAQman compliments the smooth soulful vocals with soul-thumping basslines and the soulful Rhodes keys. Head honcho of GOGO Music, Ralf GUM shows his musical appreciation with a timeless rework engineered with soulful instrumentation and sublime studio production. The legendary German House connoisseur calls upon the services of Michael Ehnes and Philipp van Endert, who had their legendary musical touches to this timeless remix. A future of House music, Bongani Sessionist, is also called upon to add his musical touches on the Congas. This all-star line up of world-class musicians deserves our true support and musical appreciation. By Thato Mabeba

Indamixworldwide (France)
Joseph Junior and MAQman - Spiritualized - GOGO Music

Joseph Junior &amp; MaQman returning to GOGO Music with the soothing ‘Spiritualized’ as remixed by label honcho Ralf GUM…I guess it’s not unfair stating that Joseph Okitikpi, who spent his childhood making back and forths from London to New York, and Switzerland-born Vietnamese Minh-Anh Quach, perfectly illustrate what our globalized environment is about, sharing the same passion for music, and most likely soulful harmonies. No wonder why they’ve been collaborating so regularly since their debut, delivering their already fourth single for Ralf GUM‘s imprint. MaQman comin’ up in an African-influenced atmospheric mood that perfectly fits with the singer’s delicate approach. Meanwhile, Ralf GUM increases the feeling in a deep’N’jazzy way surrounded by Michael Ehnes on keys and Philipp van Endert spicing the whole with a guitar solo over a pulsating bassline… by Frederic Messant

Joseph Junior and MAQman - Spiritualized - GOGO 067 DJ Feedback:

:: ‘Wow... what an exceptional track! I'll definitely be playing, supporting, charting... amazing.’ Russell Pollitt (Soulfuledge, UK)

:: ‘Thanks for the promo! Im digging Ralf GUM Mix!!!’ Rocco (France)

:: ‘This track just oooooooozes pure quality, a real deep gem! Absolutely beautiful.’ Dean Facer (United Colours Of House, UK)

:: ‘Lovely stuff.’ Charles Spencer (Loveslap, USA)

:: 'Thank you very much. Gave a careful listen this week and I really like this mixes: MAQman and Jezrael Classic Mix, Ralf GUM Remix, MAQman Original Mix.' Hector Romero (Def Mix, USA)

:: ‘Awesome track! Really love these soulful sounds. Quality release with great mixes. The Classic and the Original Mixes works for me this time. Thanks for the music.’ Franco Martinelli (Housepage, Italy)

:: ‘Nice track and mixes.’ Robert Owens

:: ‘Once again another timeless production from GOGO Music. Love and support all mixes!!’ Tim White (House Afrika, South Afrika)

:: ‘My favorite mixes are the Ralf GUM and The MAQman and Jezarel Mixes.’ Kenny Carpenter (Italy)

:: 'Cool Classic Mix for House Radio.' Michael Ramirez (Spain)

:: ‘Thank you very much for sending. It’s gonna air either way on Freak31, just have to decide which version. Hard to choose ;-)’ Pim Bergkamp (Freak 31, Netherlands)

:: 'Thanks again for the music, this release has really made an instant impact and I'll be featuring one of the mixes in next week's radio show on Housebeat Radio.' Dean Serafini (UK)

:: 'Great.' Luis Radio (Italy)

:: 'SUPERRRRR!!!' Mirko Paoloni (Clubology House Chart Radio Show, Italy)

:: 'The new Joseph Junior is a smash! I loved the last one with him and so for this new track to be as good is just amazing.' Myles Chalmers (Sandisco, UK)

:: 'Solid package!!! Will play Ralf GUM remix on tonights iCulture show!' Richard Earnshaw (iCulture, Spiritchaser, Duffnote, UK)

:: 'Once again a wonderful track that gives me joy and smiles! I love all the versions with a little bit more preference to the Classic Mix! Go on like this.' Sascha Corti (Aquagroove, UK)

:: 'Loving those Sunday vibes on the Classic Mix!' Matt Firenzi (Rising Soul, Japan)

:: 'I feel better every time I hear MAQman's music. It makes me feel like the music is from the heart and Soul. Full Support.' Rabbitdisco (Bangkok, Thailand)

:: 'Another scintillating package. ooooozing with soul.' Mike Stukes (Mystic Vybes, WHCR 90.3 FM, New York)

:: 'Very nice.' Henri Kohn (Clubstar, Germany)

:: 'Amazing package! Love the mixdown of the Original, bassy and wide. Really digging the Ralf GUM Remix after a few listenings with its own deep and jazzy mood. My favorite will be the MAQman and Jezrael Classic Mix, the groove is just right there!' Luman Child (Switzerland)

:: 'Lovely set of mixes here. All stand out in their own but its the classic mix thats drawing me in. Love it!' Ricky Morisson (M&amp;amp;amp;S, UK)

:: '5/5 - a classic Vocal House track, produced with the maximum of quality. Great vocals, well done mixes. Full Support, Radio and Beach Club!' Lorenzo Al Dino (Austria)

:: The Ralf GUM Remix and the MAQman & Jezrael Classic Mix are my favourites. Deep and classic 90s house.' Fabrizio Carrer (Viacom Media Networks, USA)

MAQman Original Mix
MAQman Original Instrumental
Ralf GUM Remix
Ralf GUM Reprise
MAQman & Jezrael Classic Mix
MAQman & Jezrael Instrumental