Label: Intent Recordings
Cat No: 009
Format: Digital & Streaming
Genre: House
Release Date: May 30th 2025
Buy / Pre Order: May 23rd 2025
Intent Recordings continues on with their ethos of delivering punchy, emotive-driven house excellence via the imprint’s head honcho Gene Siewing, who serves up three expressive and emotive tracks alongside some truly stellar guests…
Siewing has built up a formidable sound over the years, which revolves within wide-reaching, jazz-laden atmospheres that always exerts mood and feeling. Operating primarily within the realms of House music, Siewing’s style is one of exuberance and evocativeness, with the musicality on display continuously expressive, multi-faceted and engaging. Each record he has conjured up provides another spin on his profound musical universe, which in recent years has landed via his Intent Recordings imprint.
‘I’ve been blessed’ is a record that bears all the hallmarks of Siewing’s infectious sound, but as always, there’s an evident freshness to be found underneath the beats and chords – and a beautiful message, too. The track’s message is conveyed through the supreme vocal talents of Ingrid Arthur alongside the 100% Gospel choir, who deliver a performance for the ages. At the beginning of the title track, Arthur states that she’s so happy ‘to have this treasure, in my heart, to share with people that I’ve never even met before’, and as a message it’s a deeply meaningful one, to say the least, which then leads into the 100% Gospel choir leading with the line ‘I’ve been blessed’. The vocals set the stage for the unravelling melodic outlay, with glorious chords intermingling with pads and tinkling notes. The pulse is one of subtle, sultry movements, a canter that rhythmically steadies itself and simply allows the auditory journey to flow over the heart and the soul. Whatever that treasure may be, it invites the listeners and the dancers into the track, to share in the warmth and jovial atmosphere, one that celebrates life and the people it is shared with.
The ‘Luv 2 Do’ and ‘Saxy Dub’ remixes complete the EP, and as alternative takes, they do much to add to the power of the title track. The ‘Luv 2 Do’ mix sticks to a 4 to the floor rhythm, with the keys and vocals more spaced out, allowing the message to be spread out amongst the beats and chords. The ‘Saxy Dub’ version, which sees out the experience, features the sax playing of multi-instrumentalist Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq. The throbbing bassline provides the pivot in the low-ends, with Abdul-Khaliq’s sax playing revealing itself throughout in a dazzling display – be it short, sharp expressions or drawn-out fills, it’s the perfect up-beat way to end a record filled to the brim with joy and passion.
Music can stir emotions in a myriad of ways, and Gene Siewing has always found new methods of beguiling listeners through his sound. Superb musicality, a wide scope of instrumentation, and a plethora of moods. These are all hallmarks of Siewing’s discography, and ‘I’ve Been Blessed’ is yet another record that never ceases to amaze – either through its vibrancy or through its message. A summer of rotation beckons for this charming, life-affirming piece of music….
Web / Social Media Links:
https://soundcloud.com/intent-recordings
@intentrecordings_official
https://tinyurl.com/4hayvhf
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