Tony Moran feat Debby Holiday - I Like You

Tony Moran has teamed up with Dance diva Debby Holiday to cover Phyllis Nelson's 1985 hit "I Like You". The main version produced by Tony and longtime collaborator Warren Rigg is an uplifting peakhour masterpiece. Debby's vocals are mesmerizing. There are additional remixes by Edson Pride with Leandro Moraes, James Anthony, Nick Bertossi, Phil B with Andy Allder, and Twisted Dee. Edson Pride and Leandro Moraes keep the peakhour vibe of the main mix, however, there's is a tad harder. James Anthony's mixes are much darker and have some dazzling, Trancey synths. Nick Bertossi's mix is more tribal and has some well-timed electro buildups and breakdowns. Phil B & Andy Allder provide a Hi Nrg meets Electro House mix which has a slight 80s vibe. It has a deep bassline. Twisted Dee's mix has a big room Trance flavor to it as well. Every single remix is great with the main one being the best of the bunch, but all are thoroughly enjoyable.

Listen to clips of all the mixes and purchase the single here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Wayne G feat Debby Holiday - Dive '13 (Part 1)

The 2004 club hit has been given a bevy of brand new mixes by Gustavo Scorpio, Isaac Escalante & Xavier Santos, Phil B, Scott Anderson (Solar City), Scotty K, Wayne G with Andy Allder and LFB. Aside from the Scotty K, Drew's mix, and the Wayne & LFB, all of the versions are circuit-oriented with Phil B and Scott Anderson's being the most anthemic. All of those are great. Scotty K's new mix is light and uplifting. It has a delightful 80s hi nrg feel. The Drew and Wayne & LFB mixes are downtempo, ballad ones.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

A second package of mixes is planned as well.

Grade: A

Levi Kreis - Gonna Be Alright (Remixes)

This is the latest single from the Tony award winning actor/singer. The song was previously released over 4 years ago, but it has been given a massive package of new remixes by Country Club Martini Crew, David Lee Rotten, Jared Jones, Joel Dickinson, Josh Harris, Matt Moss, Mission Groove, Naked Highway, Nick Harvey, Twisted Dee, and Wayne G with Andy Allder. Levi's vocals are heartfelt and so lovely.

This is another rare instance where each and every remix is amazing! The Country Club Martini Crew, Jared Jones, Josh Harris, and Matt Moss mixes are in mainstream, funky house styles whereas Joel Dickinson, Mission Groove, Nick Harvey, Twisted Dee, and Wayne G with Andy Allder provide circuit-oriented ones. David Lee Rotten's mix has an 80s synthpop feel. Naked Highway's is aggressive electro-house.

Overall, the best ones are the piano-laden Country Club Martini Crew, the darker Joel Dickinson, the discoey Matt Moss, and Wayne G with Andy Allder mixes.

Listen to the original here:


Listen to the remixes:


Buy at Amazon here and here

Grade: A

Wayne G feat. Brian Kent - With Or Without You

This is indeed a remake of the 1987 number one hit by U2. This song is perfect for a remix treatment and Wayne G steps up to the plate while listing  the vocals talents of Brian Kent. Brian manages to deliver a great vocal, coming extremely close to re-creating the magic of Bono's original vocal, which is a very tough thing to do.

There is a massive package of remixes by Wayne G & LFB, Twisted Dee, Andy Allder, Sean Mac, Julian Marsh, Matt Effect with LFB, Radboy, and Club Junkies. Nearly all of the mixes are in a big room and circuit style with the Club Junkies one being more mainstream and the Sean Mac one being more underground. In addition to the main version, Twisted Dee, Matt Effect with LFB, and Julian Marsh's mixes are the best of the bunch, though every version is quite good.

-Listen to clips and purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Wayne G feat Alison Jiear - I Just Wanna Dance 2012

Taken from the stage show Jerry SpringerL The Opera, the song "I Just Wanna Dance" was remixed in the mid 2000s by Wayne G and the Sharp Boys and became an underground club classic. It has been given an update for 2012 by Wayne G with Andy Allder and Jon M, plus Pagano with all new vocals by the big voiced Alison Jiear. Wayne and Andy's mix is a modernized version of the original mix Wayne did previously. The slow section which begins the original song is kept in this version building to a nice drama moment. Wayne and Jon's mix is a bit darker. Pagano's largely instrumental dub uses many loops and samples of the more profane lyrics of the song. This works as a fun tease to some of the  other vocal mixes. Overall, Wayne and Andy's main mix is the best of the bunch. An additional package of mixes is expected later on.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Wayne G feat Melissa Totten - Frozen

This is the second Madonna cover release that Wayne G and Melissa Totten worked on. The original ambient/electronic ballad was the lead single from her critically acclaimed Ray Of Light album in 1998. It had some exquisite remixes by Victor Calderone, Stereo MCs, and William Orbit. Melissa Totten's vocals are decent on this one, however, they are rather lackluster in comparison to the original. There are remixes for this one by Wayne G & Andy Allder, Tony Moran & Warren Rigg, Paul Goodyear, Jamie J. Sanchez, and JRMX. All of the remixers did a superb job on their respective mixes. It must be noted that the Wayne & Andy and Paul Goodyear mixes make use of a recreation of the orchestral bits from the original song. Overall, the Wayne G & Andy Allder and JRMX remixes are the standouts.

Listen to clips and purchase here:



Grade: B+

Tony Moran feat Jennifer Holliday - Magic

This is the latest single culled from Tony Moran's Mix Magic Music compilation. Legendary singer Jennifer Holliday delivers a fiery vocal performance. Her voice is in excellent form. The main version produced by Tony Moran, Warren Rigg, and Dave Saronson is every bit the big room anthem one would expect from them.

Wayne G feat Melissa Totten - Beautiful Stranger

This is indeed a remake of the Madonna song from 1999. This remake began life as a private mix featuring the original vocals, however, professional Madonna impersonator Melissa Totten has recorded new vocals for it. She tries to remain faithful to Madonna's vocal performance, managing to capture some of the subtle nuances and affects of Madonna's voice. But nothing compares to the real thing. The big room production on Wayne G and Andy Allder's main mixes contains some replayed elements from the Victor Calderone club mix of the Madonna one. Joe Gauthreaux, Casey Alva, and James Torres provide additional remixes. Joe's mix is far less dramatic than his usual. Casey Alva's mixes are really synthy. And James Torres's are more dubby. Overall, the main mix is the best of the bunch. Please do check out the Victor Calderone mixes of the original if you haven't already.

The digital release will happen on November 8.

Listen to clips of the mixes:



Grade: B+

Paul Goodyear feat Caroline Lund - Outlaw

This is indeed a remake of the Olive song from 1997. Caroline Lund nails it vocally, doing great justice to the song. There are many remixes of this on the release, however, the standout versions are by Paul Goodyear, Casey Alva with Solar City, and Wayne G with Andy Allder. Paul Goodyear's trance/circuit mix is uplifting and pretty as it is hard-hitting. An instrumental version is also included on the package. Casey Alva and Solar City's circuit mix is perfect for peak hour play. Wayne G and Andy Allder's circuity electro/tribal mix well-produced as well. The additional mixes not reviewed here are good too.

Listen to clips of the mixes here:



Purchase MP3s and WAVs here (Juno)

 Grade: A

Barry Harris featuring Simone Denny - Drama Queen (Texting U)

After some time away, Barry Harris (formerly of mega remixing duo Thunderpuss) is back with his first new track entitled "Drama Queen (Texting U)" featuring the vocals of powerhouse singer Simone Denny. This song immediately calls to mind those "my man is no good" type of songs which were a mainstay at the beginning of the 2000's. Lately there has been quite a shortage of such songs. Of course, there's a modern spin on it with the texting aspect of it. Vocally, Simone is great as usual. The lyrics are fun and oh so relatable. The production on the main mix is top notch. Perfect for peak hour play. Edson Pride hardens it up with his mixes while Wayne G & Andy Alldrer softens it. Wayne and Andy's XXL London Dub is nice and hard as well. This is a solid track with a solid remix package.

Purchase the digital single here (Amazon)

Grade: A

DJ DeMarko! featuring Heather Leigh West - Drop A House

This is the much-awaited revisit to Urban Discharge's early 90's club smash "Drop A House." The Tamperer's 1998 single "Feel It" combined the verses and refrain from "Drop A House" and instrumental parts from The Jackson 5's "Can You Feel It". However, singer Heather Leigh West never got the proper credit for her vocals. Now she is here to show the world that it was truly her on that song.

The vocals do sound a bit different, but they sound much richer and more soulful. There are plenty of different remixes of this. Nick Harvey's are really hard and driving. The bassline is so deep. The vocal effects are really good. Wayne G & Andy Alder's mixes are a bit more big room-ish. Jaime Garcia's are a bit Latin-tinged. Razor N' Guido's call to mind the original Tamperer version from 1998. It's a nice blend of tribal/electro. Quentin Harris' mix is kinda runway-ish. The original DeMarko! mix is very tribal and big room-ish. All the mixes are top notch. The standouts are Nick Harvey's, RNG's and the DeMarko! original.

The digital single is available for purchase at most digital music stores.

Grade: A+

Darren Hayes - Me, Myself And (I)

This is 3rd single off of his latest double album This Delicate Thing We've Made. This is one of several songs on the album with a recurring theme about time and time machines, however, the theme is utilized very well. It's a bit unusual, but it works. Darren's falsetto-tinged vocals on this one are perfect. And his little rap in the middle actually doesn't sound out of place. The video for this one is quite appropriate and straightforward. Very colorful.

There are plenty of remixes for this one. The Wayne G. & Andy Allder 80's Mix is very retro-electro and immediately calls to mind Madonna's "Lucky Star." It's a very appropriate use of those styled elements. The 7th Heaven Mix has elements that call to mind "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" by Dead Or Alive. It's also a lot of fun.

Album version
Grade: A

80's Mix
Grade: A+

7th Heaven Mix
Grade: A+