The Groove Junkies have presented a nice double mix album of vocal house that is heavy on soul, has a little Latin, and is dominated by a much-neglected component of American music: gospel. Hope, thankfulness, and love are the mini-sermons that pepper the release alongside the more "secular" romantic themes. But in spite of the gospel flavor of House of Om, the Junkies are careful not to overdo it with the boisterous "diva" singers commonly associated with the genre, which are always impressive in the skills department but often take away from the songs itself. Reverence best describes the predominant style here.
One of the highlights is Jay-J's "Make my heart," which features the incredibly erotic (in the sweet sense, as opposed to the exploitative) vocals of Latrice Barnett. Another is Nu Rhythmix's "Origins," with one of the funkiest electro basslines to come down the pike since Andy Caldwell's "Waiting Game." Both Jamie Lewis' "Be Thankful" and Hott 22's "8th Wonder" feature beautiful and melancholy keyboard chord progressions that will generate feelings of goodwill throughout the dance floor. But the track that steals the show is the Junkie's own "Feels Like Home," which is included on both discs (alternate mixes), where guitar, bass, and vocalist Diane Carter weave a fabric that is apt for anyone's arrival into Heaven itself.
What makes this release special is how it compares to a majority of Om's catalog. The label's signature sound is usually jazzy house that sometimes is so laid back that the songs do not draw attention to themselves whatsoever, which is perfect for lounging, socializing and other activities where the music is not the focal point. But with with the Groove Junkies' Sound of Om, unless you're deaf, you'll have to put your drink or book down and move some part of your anatomy for the duration of the album.
