Nothing But… Soulful House Chronicles Hits Vol. 15
The Soulful House Chronicles series from Nothing But reaches its fifteenth instalment with a compilation that reaffirms the pulse of the most emotive and organic house music around. Twenty-five carefully curated tracks weave a journey from deep groove to afro-soul, with jazzy textures and gospel undertones throughout — BPMs ranging from 113 to 126, the sweet spot for a club session that carries real emotional weight.
Tracklist Highlights
- M Da Gawd – Gedraai: Opens the volume with a hypnotic percussive foundation and warm synths that set the tone immediately. Six and a half minutes of deep house with an unmistakable African flavour.
- Beat Rivals & Lifford – Gotta Be (Free) [Drama's Dream House Mix]: Lifford's voice, seasoned by decades of classic soul, elevates this remix to near-gospel territory. One of the standout gems on the compilation.
- Sipho Ngubane, Faye Wonder, Smiso & Cassnova – Mandela Day (Deepcosoul Memories Of You Remix): At over eight minutes, Deepcosoul's remix is pure ceremonial afro-house. Intertwined vocals and organic percussion make this the album's most transcendent moment.
- Roque & Morzaaq Def Village – Affection: South African producer Roque delivers one of his most restrained and elegant pieces, layering Rhodes piano over a bass that truly breathes.
- Playmaster & Smallistic ft. SongKarabo – Amanga: Amapiano-adjacent at 115 BPM, with subtle log drum and a vocal performance that bridges house music with Johannesburg's musical heritage.
- Soul Des Jaguar – Luminous Dreams: Closes the compilation with 8 minutes and 28 seconds of meditative, enveloping house — a slow, luminous farewell that confirms the project's curatorial coherence.
Context and Verdict
Nothing But… has long been a reliable reference point in the soulful and deep house compilation space, and Vol. 15 does not disappoint. The selection balances established names like Leroy Burgess — whose Two Soul Fusion collaboration honours his legacy with dignity — with fresh voices from the South African and European circuits. The presence of artists such as DJ General Slam, Pat Bedeau and Bob Ezy & Danny Shades ensures consistent production quality across every cut. An essential volume for selectors who build their sets with emotion, narrative and depth.
