Louie Vega and Josh Milan deliver a joyous slice of gospel-infused house, with soaring vocals, uplifting piano and a darker, stripped-back dub.
When Louie Vega and Josh Milan join forces as 2SoulFusion, expectations are understandably high. Both have spent decades shaping the sound of soulful house, and their shared appreciation for gospel, disco and New York club culture makes for a particularly natural partnership.
Their latest release, “Shout!”, arrives on Vega Records under the Ascension banner, bringing together the formidable vocal talents of Detroit trio Dames Brown and the wonderful Dawn Tallman.
The 2SoulFusion Mix is an all-out celebration of gospel house, full of warmth, energy and the kind of musical exuberance that makes it difficult to sit still.
Church-inspired organ riffs weave their way through bright, classic house piano melodies, while a wonderfully low-slung bassline provides a sturdy foundation beneath the arrangement. There’s plenty happening, but the production never feels overcrowded, allowing each element to find its place.
The vocals are undoubtedly the centrepiece. Dames Brown and Dawn Tallman bring a real sense of joy to the record, their soaring performances giving “Shout!” that unmistakable gospel feeling. It’s uplifting without feeling forced, with the interplay between the voices and instrumentation providing some of the track’s finest moments.
Flip the transparent yellow vinyl over and the 2SoulFusion Gospel Beats version offers a rather different perspective.
Here, Vega and Milan strip things back to the rhythmic foundations, placing the emphasis on weighty kick drums, layered handclaps and a more hypnotic groove. Rumbling, almost ominous chords introduce a darker atmosphere, providing an interesting contrast to the exuberance of the vocal mix.
It’s a useful DJ tool in its own right, with enough character to stand independently while offering plenty of flexibility within a set.
What makes this release particularly appealing is the balance between those two approaches. The vocal mix delivers the full gospel-house experience, while Gospel Beats takes the same musical foundations somewhere deeper and more percussive.
“Shout!” is another fine example of the musical chemistry between Vega and Milan. Soulful, beautifully arranged and full of feeling, with a complementary dub that gives DJs something substantial to work with.
Release Date: 22 October 2026, buy it here.
Label: Vega Records
Catalogue: VR 226
Format: Transparent yellow 12-inch vinyl