Beyonce - Grown Woman

The R&B diva's newest single has finally arrived. A little bit of it had been featured in her Pepsi commercial a few weeks back. She has also performed it during her energetic Mrs. Carter tour. The uptempo features a tribal production, similar to her previous "Run The World (Girls)." This is in the exact vein as that song as well, especially with the whole empowerment of women theme. The song is brash and in your face, but it is also very typical of Beyonce's songs. The song unfortunately lacks the hook that is usually so characteristic of her music. This feels more like an album track than a single.

Listen here (YouTube)

Grade: B

Carmen Electra - Bigger Dick (feat Mams Taylor)

After the success of her single "I Like It Loud" last year comes the racy new followup. The song's title may indicate that it is some sort of a sexual song. It is one of those songs, but it is more about female empowerment actually. It's a rapidfire half sung, half rapped song with an electro/pop production. Rapper Mams Taylor provides some shoutouts. The club mixes will be released in the next few weeks as will a clean version called "Bigger Stick." This will be a major floorfiller this summer in the clubs.

Listen to clips and buy the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful

Taken from The Great Gatsby soundtrack, she co-wrote this song with Rick Nowels, who also produced it. The epic, orchestral ballad doesn't deviate much from Lana's own material, but this one is definitely more dramatic. The layered arrangement with gothic drums is absolutely dreamy. Lana's vocals are haunting and ethereal. The alternate Orchestral version is also gorgeous with the additional strings. It feels darker. Both versions are incredible.

-Listen to the original version here (YouTube)
-Listen to the DH Orchestral Version here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Kelly Rowland - Dirty Laundry

The former member of Destiny's Child's latest single is a slow midtempo addressing some of the difficult things that she went through in her personal life. Although she doesn't explicitly name those certain people involved, it's pretty obvious who it is about. After a string of singles that were sexually explicit, this one is a welcome departure. The intriguing song is beautifully sung by Kelly. The song is deeper and isn't quite as commercial as her prior singles, but interest generated from the potential controversy over the subject matter might help it a bit.

Listen to the song here:


Grade: A

Michael Jackson - Remember The Time (Dezrok Remix)

This song was originally the second single off of his Dangerous album. The New Jack Swing-styled song had an iconic music video featuring Eddie Murphy and Iman. The accompanying remixes from the initial release were in a similar style as the original and in the classic, early House style.

Remixer/producer/DJ Dezrok, known for his epic big room, tribal productions throughout much of the 2000s is making a comeback after some time away from the producing. He revisited this classic, making it over in his signature style. Thought the original was not at all like this, the dramatic, synthy production with hard drums works perfectly. It's a lovely, melodic mix. Dezrok has made it available for streaming and limited time download.

Welcome back Dezrok!

Listen and download here:


Grade: A

Inaya Day & DJ Escape - Make Some Noise (Part 1)

Several months in the making, the Gospel/House diva known for the classics "Keep Pushin", "Hold Your Head Up High", and "Movin' Up" has teamed up with one of the Circuit scene's brightest stars for this new single. This song has the same soul and passion that made her earlier hits so memorable and beloved. Inaya sounds amazing. The main production by DJ Escape with Tony Coluccio is in their signature synthy, tribal style, though it is more anthemic than usual. The dub of the main version would work as a great tease to the full mix. Additional remixes on this first package are by Eddie Elias and Peter Presta.  Eddie's mixes are even harder than the main ones, capturing the big room vibe of Earth era Junior Vasquez mixes (especially the ones he did with Joe Carrano). Peter Presta's mix is hard as well, but it has more of a techy, tribal feel. It's nice as well. Rounding out the package is a DJ tool with just some of Inaya's ad libs and some of the main hook. Overall, every mix is great. A 2nd package with more mixes is planned for a later release with a lineup including Dom Capello, Johnny Vicious, Razor & Guido, Stephan Grondin, Nick Bertossi. This is sure to be the massive this year.

Listen to clips and buy the mixes here:
-Amazon (MP3s)
-Track It Down (MP3s and WAVs)

Grade: A

Michael M - It's Just Me EP

Known for the mid 2000s hit "Dear Diary", his latest EP features several songs and remixes. Oba Frank Lords produced all the songs. "Guess Who's Back" has an 80s underground feel. With its warped, manipulated vocals, "Star" is a glitzy, glamorous song. "Skeletons" features Jei and is really dark. "Butterfly" is the highlight of the EP. It is a throwback to 80s Depeche Mode and Erasure, only darker. Additional remixes of "Guess Who's Back" and "Star" are included. The Danny G mix of "Star" makes it much more mainstream.

-Listen to all the songs here (Soundcloud)
-Purchase on iTunes here

Grade: A-

Kat DeLuna - Stars (Remixes)

This is the latest single from the starlet who had a big hit with "Whine Up" several years ago. "Stars" is another club track. It has an 80s feel during the verses. The song immediately calls to mind Alexis Jordan's Stargate-produced "Acid Rain" minus the hard electro breaks. The song is extremely catchy. Kat sounds great. There are some remixes by Chris Cox and Steven Redant. Chris Cox's mixes are nice and peak hour-oriented. Steven Redant's are harder hitting with the pulsating production. Overall, both did a great job.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Listen to the Chris Cox mix:
 

Listen to the Steven Redant mix: 

Grade: A-

Pegasus Feat. Chloe Wolf - Gorecki

Lamb's "Górecki" was a haunting midtempo released in 1997. Though an unusual choice for reinterpreting as a Dance song, this new version is so tastefully done. The haunting feel of the original is maintained while making it suitable for the dancefloor. The subtle orchestral elements which slowly come in are lovely. The vocals by Chloe Wolf are stunning, coming close to Lamb's original. This is just so beautiful.

Listen here:


Grade: A+

Jennifer Lopez feat Pitbull - Live It Up

This is their latest collaboration after doing "Fresh Out The Oven", "On The Floor", a remix of "Papi", and "Dance Again." Produced by RedOne, the song is tailormade for the dancefloor. The song doesn't really deviate from the formula of the aforementioned singles. Despite some of them doing quite well, this one ends up falling short. Pitbull's rap is really lackluster, almost sounding like it was written using Mad Libs. Jennifer's parts are only slightly better. The production is quite noisy and uneven sounding. Overall, this one is not a good single.

-Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: D+

DJ/Remixer Peter Rauhofer, 48 passes away

The Grammy winning DJ/remixer/producer/record label owner lost his battle with brain cancer today at the age of 48. Originally from Austria, Peter began his career working as a record label A&R for Gig Records. He made forays into DJing and production a short time after.

Peter's first major release was under the alias Danube Dance with "Unique." which went on to be an underground hit. Under his most famous production alias of Club 69 with Eric Kupper and Georg O'Luksch, "Let Me Be Your Underwear", "Sugar Pie Guy", and "Take A Ride" followed. These appeared on the full length album Adults Only released in 1995. A second album, Style was released in 1997. In addition to usual vocalist Kim Cooper, he introduced a new singer Suzanne Palmer who had only done a handful of songs at the time. "Drama", "Much Better", "Alright", and "Muscles" were the major hits from the album. After Twisted Records closed, Peter created the Star 69 label to release his own tracks as well as for a number of other artists. Amuka, Lula, Offer Nissim with Maya Simantov, and Suzanne Palmer were some of the label's biggest successes.

In addition to the original productions, Peter remixed almost every major artist including Annie Lennox, Beyonce, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Deborah Cox, Depeche Mode, Donna Summer, Duran Duran, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, k.d. lang, Kristine W, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado, Pet Shop Boys, P!nk, Rihanna, Seal, Scissor Sisters, Shakira, Toni Braxton, Tori Amos, Whitney Houston, and Yoko Ono. These are just some who he did remixes for. Of the aforementioned artists, he notably remixed Madonna's songs more than any of the others. Peter won a Grammy in 2000, and was nominated again in 2001 and 2004 (for his mix of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful"; the category of Best Remixer used to be for a body of work for a particular year until it was changed in 2002).

In just the past year, Peter had begun to actively remix again completing both official and private mixes of Adele, Alicia Keys, Gossip, Inaya Day, Janet Jackson, Kazaky, Madonna, Miasha, Mika, Offer Nissim, P!nk, Rihanna, Scissor Sisters, Swedish House Mafia, Toni Braxton, Tori Amos, and will.i.am & Britney Spears.

In addition to his many remixes and productions, Peter DJed regularly, often playing his many private collection mixes. For several years, he had a regular residency at the legendary Roxy club until its closure. He also played at Spirit and Stereo at various times too. He notably played at The Saint At Large's Black Party held at Roseland. Peter had his Work party events several times year, often co-headlining with other newer DJs.

Despite the many changes in Dance music both in terms of tastes, styles, and industry shifts, Peter constantly reinvented himself staying relevant and successful more than 2 decades. He leaves behind a tremendous body of work that is almost unparalleled by any of his contemporaries. He will be truly missed.

Condolences, messages, and stories may be posted and shared on his official Facebook page here

Some of Peter's best remixes:

Eurythmics - 17 Again (sorry, it won't let me embed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIfsXlSMbYw

 

Depeche Mode - Soothe My Soul (Remixes)

The first of many remixes of the sleazy "Personal Jesus"-esque song has been released. Steve Angello and Jacques Lu Cont (an alias of Stuart Price) have done the mix. They have un-swung the vocals from the original. The verses and chorus have been spread throughout the mix, not appearing totally in the original sequence. The Electro/House production of the mix maintains the sleaze factor of the original, but there are some cool dramatic dropout sections, mixing it up a bit. It's a fun mix overall.

Listen to a preview and buy the mix here (Beatport)

Grade: A-

Mariah Carey feat Miguel - #Beautiful

This is the highly anticipated single from Mariah's upcoming new album. She teams up with sexy R&B singer Miguel who recently smashed with "Adorn." Produced by Mariah herself, Miguel, and Happy Perez, the song is a mature R&B midtempo. It has an early 90s feel, yet with all the recent throwbacks, it will be perfectly at home on radio and it will stand out too. The song ends up being a duet with slightly more of Miguel than Mariah on lead, but it all works. Mariah sings in a full voice versus the sensual whispering she is known for sometimes. Miguel sounds smooth. They complement one another and blend so well. The slightly sexual lyrics are suitable for a song of this nature. Overall, this is an amazing song and is a great taste of what is to come with the new album. R&B is back in a big way.

Listen to the song here:

Buy the song on iTunes here

Grade: A

Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Ralphi Rosario Remixes)

Sylvester James had a number of influential hits during the Disco era. He sadly passed away in 1988. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" was easily his signature song and has gone on to be covered, sampled, and remixed dozens of times. A new greatest hits collection called Mighty Real: Greatest Dance Hits featuring all of his major singles will be released in June. To promote it, two new Ralphi Rosario remixes have been promoted. Ralphi previously remixed the song in 2001. He stretched the classic to over 12 minutes. The big room tribal mix incorporated some elements of the original as well, most notably the recognizable synth riff. The two new versions bear some resemblance to the earlier mix but are more contemporary, also incorporating some of the original's elements. Interestingly enough, the dub version is included on the new hits collection instead of the vocal mix. The dub is harder and darker, but it does have some bits of the chorus and bridge plus Sylvester's signature falsetto and high notes sprinkled throughout it. Both are really great.

Listen to Ralphi's Big Mix (from 2001)

Rod Stewart - Sexual Religion (Remixes)

The legendary artist is back with a brand new album. The Dance-oriented Pop song is a bit of a departure from his usual. It has the feel of something Enrique Iglesias or would have done in the late 90s. Rod's voice is in great form despite being on the scene for so long. The lyrics are really great and age-appropriate.

There are some remixes by Baggi Begovic and Jump Smokers. Only a handful of Rod's songs have received the remix treatment, most notably "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Human." Baggi's mixes are euphoric and anthemic while Jump Smokers are more mainstream. Both have done a great job. Baggi's are the best of the bunch.

-Listen to a preview of the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to a preview of the Baggi Begovic mix here (Soundcloud)
-Listen to a preview of the Jump Smokers mix here (Soundcloud)

Grade: A