Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all the readers of this blog a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Review postings will resume on Monday, December 1.

Britney Spears - Circus

This is the second single and title track from her upcoming sixth album. "Circus" is a followup to the hit "Womanizer." This one bears a slight resemblance to last year's "Gimme More", however, this one has better lyrics and production. This one is a lot catchier. Overall, Britney's vocals sound a lot better on this one. They don't sound as overproduced and manipulated as they did on some of the other Blackout songs. This is a nice marriage of the 'classic' Britney and the 'new' Britney.

The album Circus will be released on December 2.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Leona Lewis - I Will Be

This is the third single from the songstress' debut album. Just as the previous two singles were, "I Will Be" is a ballad too. This one is piano-based just as "Better In Time" was. However, this one is a bit more Rock-oriented than the earlier two singles were. On this one, her vocals are a lot more emotive and show additional depth. This one is sure to be a multiformat smash. This goes for adds on Pop radio on January 6, 2009 according to the FMQB website.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Deep Step - Promise You

Deep Step is a Brazil-based studio project created by producers Fabianno Almeida and Ian Duarte (of Kasino fame). This is the followup to “Just A Little Love."

This vocal track has remixes by Ricky Verona, Twisted Dee and Manny Lehman. Ricky's mix continues in the same direction as the original making it a little Dancier for the clubs. Twisted Dee's is a bit more big room-ish and harder. Manny Lehman's is in a similar vein. It must be noted that it has an uplifting feel.

Overall, it's a great track with a great remix package.

Listen to the Radio Edit here (YouTube)
Listen to the Extended Mix here (YouTube)

The Twisted Dee and Manny Lehman remixes are available for purchase at Masterbeat and Beatport.

Grade: A

NOTE: This entry has been modified and updated to reflect new and current information.

Kristine W. - Never

Hot on the heels of her cover of the Diana Ross Disco classic "The Boss", she is back with a new song. This is not a cover. Announced a few weeks back, this one calls to mind some of the work she did during the 90's. It does not sound dated though. It just feels like a 'classic' already. Kristine's vocals are stunning as usual. Remixes by 7th Heaven, Love To Infinity, Ruff & Torte, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Peter Canellis/Kamil, Nick Harvey, Brothers Behind The Light/M2 and The Perry Twins will be on the CD maxi single, which is to be released on November 24. The single can be ordered from her website. A digital release will happen in the next few weeks.

Grade: A

The Tamperer feat. Maya - Feel It 2008

It's back again! Originally released in 1998, this song took the a significant amount of vocals from Urban Discharge's underground hit "Drop A House" and some instrumental bits of The Jacksons' "Can You Feel It." The result was an attitude-laden House track. It went on to be pretty successful in various parts of the world. After a number of bootlegs and even some new versions by the original vocalist herself, Heather Leigh West, a new set of mixes of The Tamperer's version has been completed. The Mac Project's mixes stay true to the original main mix with the Jacksons sample and the vocals. It's a nice revisit to the classic. The Get Far & Farolfi mixes are a bit more dubbish but contain the same elements. There are less vocals though. The Pop Trumpet mix is a bit more twisted. Overall, this is a great update to the classic, however, nothing will top the original set.

Grade: A-

Judy Torres - Hell No

This is the latest from the Freestyle legend. There have only been a handful of artists from that era who managed to maintain a successful career in Dance music, and Ms. Torres is one of them. After the lukewarm reception to her Danielle Peck cover of "I Don't" last year, she is back with something that has already begun to generate a lot of buzz. Tackling the subject of domestic violence in a relationship, "Hell No" is not just another 'public service announcement' type of record. The vocals are top notch as are the lyrics. The real gem is the Tony Moran & Warren Rigg mix. It's a hard, driving mix that lends itself to the vocals. This is a must-buy. Masterbeat has this as an exclusive right now.

Grade: A

BoA - Eat You Up

This is the lead English-language single from the Korean Pop singer BoA's upcoming U.S. album. Having previously recorded in the Korean and Japanese languages, she's ready to try English. Produced by Bloodshy & Avant, this song combines elements of her earlier sounds with B&A's. The result is a R&B/Dance/Pop clubbanger. BoA's vocals are pretty good on the track.

This song has been remixed for the clubs as well. DJ Escape with Johnny Vicious and King Britt have completed mixes so far. Escape & Vicious provide a nice, melodic tribal mix while King Britt provides a tribal, synthladen mix. Both are great overall.

Listen to the original version and DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious mix here (MySpace)

Grade: A-