Louie Vega’s Elements Of Life return with Lisa Fischer for “Soar”, a richly musical first glimpse of their forthcoming 2027 album.
There aren’t many projects in House music where the personnel list alone tells you you’re about to hear something special, but Elements Of Life has always operated on a slightly different level.
Led by Louie Vega, the long-running collective has spent years bringing together House, Latin, Jazz, Soul, Gospel and Afro influences with the kind of live musicianship increasingly rare in electronic music. “Soar” continues that tradition, with Vega joined by Josh Milan under their 2SoulFusion production partnership and an incredible cast of musicians.
And then there’s Lisa Fischer.
The Grammy and Oscar-winning vocalist sits at the heart of “Soar”, delivering a beautifully controlled performance centred around hope, encouragement and lifting those around you. Rather than simply laying a vocal over a House production, everything here feels written and played as a complete song.
Christian McBride’s upright bass provides a wonderful organic foundation, Tony Cintron is on live drums, Luisito Quintero adds percussion, while Josh Milan supplies keys, piano, organ and clavinet. Ivan Renta’s soprano saxophone provides another of the record’s defining ingredients, with Fischer joined on backing vocals by Dawn Tallman, Ramona Dunlap and Lea Lorien.
The Louie Vega Main Mix brings all those elements together in typically accomplished fashion. Warm keys, intricate percussion and live instrumentation give Fischer’s vocal plenty of room to breathe, gradually building into the kind of expansive soulful House arrangement Vega has spent decades mastering.
But it’s when we get to the “Louie Vega Ivan Solo Dub” that things really click for us.
With the song opened out and the emphasis shifted towards the musicians, Ivan Renta’s soprano sax becomes the star of the show. Vega gives the groove space, allowing the percussion, bass, keys and sax to interact rather than overcrowding the arrangement.
It’s deep, jazzy and wonderfully musical, sitting somewhere between a House dub and an extended live jam.
This is the version we’d reach for.
There’s something about the freedom of the arrangement which captures exactly what Elements Of Life does so well. It doesn’t feel like musicians being added to a House record for decoration. The musicianship IS the record, with the groove simply providing the framework around it.
An instrumental version of the Ivan Solo Dub pushes that idea even further, while the Short Version brings things back towards Fischer’s song for a more concise listen.
“Soar” also acts as the first taste of a new Elements Of Life album scheduled for February 2027. If this is an indication of the musical direction, there’s plenty to look forward to.
For us though, head directly to the Ivan Solo Dub.
Louie Vega, world-class musicians and Ivan Renta let loose on soprano sax. Sometimes that’s really all you need.
KOTT PICK:
Elements Of Life Featuring Lisa Fischer – “Soar (Louie Vega Ivan Solo Dub)”
TRACKLIST
1. Soar (Louie Vega Main Mix)
2. Soar (Louie Vega Ivan Solo Dub)
3. Soar (Louie Vega Ivan Solo Dub Instrumental)
4. Soar (Short Version)
Release Date: 25th September 2026, pre order here.
Label: Vega Records
Catalogue: VR247
Format: Vinyl / Digital