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MAKIN233 – Michael Watford “Holdin’ On” (Leigh Howlett Remix)

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Our next release sees us bring new life to an old classic record from 1991! The track in question is “Holdin’ On” with the legendary Michael Watford on vocals, which was his first ever release on Atlantic Records produced with Roger Sanchez and Eddie Perez, for the Jersey house Smack collective.

Fast forward to 2025 and set forward London DJ / producer Leigh Howlett.. He always loved the original record and created his own version which he started to play on his weekly House FM radio show. Matt heard the track and instantly loved it and decided to go about putting out making numerous calls and then finally making a way after getting the ok from Michael Watford’s son and the rest they say is history!

Michael Watford was trained as a gospel singer in his youth, growing up in Virginia and New Jersey. That training remained key to his music as he began releasing house records in the early 1990s. Watford earned a No. 1 single on the Billboard dance charts in 1994 with ‘So Into You’, from his first and only solo LP. Michael was one of the stand out vocalists to come out of New Jersey in the 1990′s with other huge hits such as “Luv 4-2″ and “It’s Over”.

The prolific singer contributed vocals to records by Barbara Tucker, Kerri Chandler, En Vogue, Masters At Work, Robert Owens, Jamie Lewis and more. His music has been a staple of house mixes and compilations since the ’90s, appearing in hundreds of releases by the likes of Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, Pete Tong, Defected founder Simon Dunmore, Paul “Trouble” Anderson, Roger Sanchez, as well as Masters At Work and “Little” Louie Vega solo.

Available from our Bandcamp store exclusively from Friday 5th September 2025 https://makinmoves2.bandcamp.com/album/holding-on-leigh-howlett-remix


We have a new physical release MAKINEP017 – ShezAr “Vibrational Sounds EP”

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Makin Moves present two supreme releases featuring one of our favourite singer-songwriters Shezar! Side A features Natural High, where Shezar teams up with French producer Laroye, who has worked with labels from Freerange to Glitterbox Records, always exploring genres from broken beat, disco to house. Here we get a quality piece of broken beat and heartfelt song from Shezar. On the B side is her collaboration with UK producer Wipe The Needle and French producer Venus Beats, both long-time contributors to Makin Moves including the hit Tenderly with Josh Milan. The original mix is a killer soulful house meets broken beat track with energetic keys, with Shezar and her sister JayBaydelivering an uplifting vocal about positivity, unity and overcoming adversity: We Shall Overcome. On the flip, the legendary Frankie Feliciano brings his exceptional NYC production and musicianship with a stunning remix.
Available for pre-order from Mother Tongue Records, released 19th September.


Robert Owens Live @ Jazz Cafe – Saturday 4th October Includes after party hosted by Makin’ Moves

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Catch us down at the famous Jazz Cafe on Saturday 4th October as we support Robert Owens and his full live band!

THE VOICE BEHIND FOUNDATIONAL CHICAGO HOUSE CLASSICS TAKES HIS SIGNATURE VOICE TO THE LIVE STAGE BACKED BY A FULL LIVE BAND,  BRINGING GENRE-DEFINING TRACKS BACK TO LIFE.

In his own words, Robert Owens has been making house music ‘before house had a name’. This October he celebrates a 40 year career.
One of the most distinctive, coveted and prolific voices in the genre, Robert has an illustrious career that started in late 80’s Chicago and has produced some of the greatest tracks house music has witnessed.

Responsible for era-defining classics such as ‘Tears’ alongside Frankie Knuckles & Satoshi Tomiie, ‘Bring Down The Walls’ with Larry Heard as part of Fingers Inc., as well as solo releases ‘I’ll Be Your Friend’ and ‘Mine To Give’ which hit number one on the Hot Dance Music / Club Play chart, Robert has created seminal records which you can comfortably bet will have a place on any house head’s all-time favourites list.

Jamesey and Matt will be spinning before and after the show with support from Miss Soxee from Open Decks and Blissy-E from Voices Radio!

Due to high demand tickets have now been released for an additional matinee show!



MAKIN232 – Sean Ali & Andre Espeut “Love What You Do To Me” (Jihad Muhammad Remix)

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Before summer draws to an end, Makin’ Moves aims to give you that positive uplift as we drop Jihad Muhammad’s ‘Bang The Drum’ remix of  “Love What You Do To Me” sung by Andre Espeut and originally produced by Sean Ali!

Jihad once again assembles his signature deep soulful sound featuring afrocentric drums laced with a groovy baseline and infectious piano keys complimenting Andre’s captivating vocals which are genuinely heartfelt and leave you wanting more of this exceptional vibe. Soulful House at it’s finest.

Lyrics written and performed by Andre Espeut
Remix produced, mixed and arranged by Jihad Muhammad
Mastered By Clinton McCreery
Executive Producers : Jamesey & Matt L-S

Available now via all digital stores including our Bandcamp store and Traxsource https://www.traxsource.com/title/2602332/love-what-you-do-to-me-jihad-muhammad-remix



Makin’ Moves 13th Anniversary Friday 5th September @ The Cross

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We come together to celebrate our 13th anniversary on Friday 5th September at the Cross in Kings Cross, one of London’s best kept secrets! It’s been another busy year and the team have again shown themselves to be a leading light in London’s house music scene.

This incredible venue has two floors which allows us to play more diverse soulful sounds for this event! On the ground floor playing soul, disco and all things between you will find Martin Lodge a stalwart of the soul / soulful house scene along side Patrick Steele another quality dj who will be back from Zakynthos after performing at Shapes festival and celebrating his birthday on the night! In the basement, you’ll find Matt and Jamesey London’s deep house trend setters playing the latest cuts and still energised by their trip to Djoon this summer (Matt will also be celebrating his birthday aswell!).

Joining them will be DJ Murrell a regular on House FM, his sets have really caught our ear and we’ve excited to welcome him on the night. To add icing to the cake, we’ve got the amazing ShezAr performing a PA of our new forthcoming track on Makin’ Moves Records “Natural High”.

Remember this is an exclusive entry event and capacity is limited so make sure you sign up for a free ticket ASAP from RA!

Makin’ Moves 13th Anniversary
Friday 5th September
The Cross
2-4, Wharfdale Rd
London N1 9RY

DJs Matt L-S & Jamesey
Martin Lodge (Mi Soul)
Patrick Steele
DJ Murrell (House FM)

Doors: 9pm-3am Tickets:
Limited Free ticket available from RA.co



MAKIN231 – Johnny Malek featuring Juliet Mendoza “Manifestations”

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Makin’ Moves presents Johnny Malek making his debut by presenting his experience as a producer and unique sound for a crowd connection with a masterful balance of heavy hitting drums and soulful samples with an emphasis on creating a spiritual connection with the dancers and house music lover alike.

This collaboration with Afro-Latina artist Juliet Mendoza who is no stranger by any means as a celebrated house dancer/DJ in the LA house scene, who laces the track with an exceptional spoken word over a deeply rooted bass line along with subliminal Sitar chords which propels you to move your body to the underground house vibes.

Available from Friday 25th July via Traxsource https://www.traxsource.com/title/2580888/manifestations



MAKIN230 – Conway Kasey “Porto Seguro EP”

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Conway Kasey returns to Makin’ Moves with the Porto Seguro EP, arriving in perfect time for summer!

This 4 tracker has something for everyone and will work dance floors in equal measure. Jazz Fest and Myrr have already featured on the sold out Unreleased Vol 3 which we released on 12” last month. Jazz Fest is the ultimate instrumental dancer track, an infectious groove that keeps you locked in and peaks in a really nice crescendo.

The Groove does what it says on the tin however more a preach about dancing and just enjoying letting yourself go on the floor. Myrr another infectious groover but this time its the vocal that takes over and has you reaching for the baby powder.

Morning Moon is the most cross over track of the four and takes you back to 1990 with a very clever  sample use of Gyspy Woman that will have you locked in !

Available from all digital stores from Friday 12th July - https://www.traxsource.com/track/13711585/jazz-fest-porto-seguro-deep-mix



MAKIN227 – Steal Vybe & Shota “Uzophumelela”

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Chris Forman & Damon Bennett aka Steal Vybe return once again! This time alongside South African vocalist Shota. Blending the NJ natives signature soulful sound and instrumentation fused with Shota’s captivating lyrics about positivity and following your dreams to succeed in life. ‘Uzophumelela’ .

Available right now from Traxsource - https://www.traxsource.com/title/2548274/uzophumelela



MAKINEP016 – Afronaut feat. Just One “Ground Zero”

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Makin’ Moves bring this archived studio gem to the fore as it was just too damn good to be left sitting on the drive! Rewind back to 2005 and a chance studio meeting in London between Bugz in the Attic producer Afronaught aka Orin Walters and Justin Chapman aka Just One, who was in town to play a gig with the Bugz crew. The two decided to work on some tracks, and this one captures a time in London where there was a huge melting pot of new sounds in the broken beat era / scene and that sound was at the forefront of London’s club scene including night’s like Co-op at Plastic People in Shoreditch. However, these sounds still have stayed the test of time and very prominent still in clubland today.

Justin’s vocals touch on the persistence of race in American politics – an issue that was as real in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina is it is in the post George Floyd era.

Phil Asher (RIP) at the time loved the track and decided to do his own “Restless Soul Dub” remix version, adding his characteristic drums and stripping the vocal back while also keeping the soulfulness of Justin’s mix.

Also featured on the package are two other mixes the excellent Blaktones Mix is must have for all the co-op broken beat heads, seeing Afronaught using those classic sounds to full effect to set the party off!

A1. Just One Mix
A2. Restless Soul Dub

B1. Blaktonez Mix
B2. Naut’s L8 night Dub

Available now via our Bandcamp page - https://makinmoves2.bandcamp.com/


Makin’ Moves Bank Holiday Special Part II Sunday 24th August @ Grow

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We’re back with part two of our bank holiday series at Grow in Hackney Wick on Sunday 24th August! Our last event sold out in record time so make sure you’re in the house for this one!

The brand has become a trusted name in the house scene, bringing people together through quality music and dancefloor connection. We’re kicking things off in the early evening sunshine with soulful vibes from 6pm on the terrace, with Joe Cox— an open minded selector known for his Open House parties and weekly show on HouseFM. Expect deep digs and feel-good grooves as they work through their extensive vinyl collections.

As night draws in, the party moves indoors to the club space, where Matt and Jamesey take over with their signature blend of fresh releases and timeless house cuts from the Makin’ Moves catalogue. Joining them for a very special set is Leigh Howlett from Our House music, probably one of the Uk’s most under rated djs but always brings the quality. He’s also one part of Our House Music alongside Randy Peterson putting on top soulful house events in London.

Makin’ Moves Bank Holiday Special Part II
Sunday 24th August
@ Grow

DJs

Matt L-S & Jamesey (Makin’ Moves)
Jox Cox (Open House/ House FM)
Leigh Howlett (Our House Music)

Grow
98C Wallis Road
Main Yard
London E9 5LN
Doors: 6pm-2am
Tickets £5 & £7 via RA
Tickets - https://ra.co/events/2215712