Stonebridge & Crystal Waters - Be Kind

Two icons of the 90s club scene have united for this new single. This is everything one could expect from such a duo. The Dance/Pop production is clubby enough for the clubs and has the Pop sensibilities needed for a crossover, and of course, there are Crystal's always warm and inviting vocals delivering the amazing hook. There is a full package of remixes as well, and most of them are in a similar vein as the original, however, the S69 Classic mix is pure Disco bliss with the sax solo and uplifting keys and strings.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Artist Feature: Crystal Waters

Known for her soulful and sultry vocal performances, singer-songwriter Crystal Waters has been a major force in Dance music for almost a quarter of a century.

Chris Cox & DJ Frankie feat. Crystal Waters - Oh Mama Hey (Remixes)

The main versions for this mega-collaboration were released a few a weeks ago. Chris Cox and DJ Frankie's production is very poppy, with the usual blend of electro house. The lyrics especially delivered in Crystal's voice just make this track so infectious. The main version could easily be on radio right now.

There are remixes by Stonebridge vs. J-C, Koko, Vanity Police, Trent Cantrelle & Jquintel, Steven Redant & Phil Romano, and Rosabel. Of the main versions, the Chris Cox Dub has just enough of the vocals and the dark production makes for a great tease into the original. Of the remixes, the Redant & Romano and Rosabel mixes are the best. Redant & Romano's mix is really synthy and tribal. Rosabel deliver two dark circuit/tribal mixes. The dub is particularly exciting with all the loops, buildups, and drops, but overall the vocal mix works the best.

This is a great track.

Listen to clips and buy the remixes here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Yolanda Be Cool feat Crystal Waters - Le Bump

After the surprising success of "We No Speak Americano" last year, they return with a fitting followup with the vocal talents of House diva Crystal Waters. An infectious piano hook guides the song along with Crystal's warm vocals. The main vocal hook is almost as memorable as her "La da di, la da da" hook from "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)." This one has the makings of a major smash. Those who loved Ida Corr's "Let Me Think About It" from a couple of years ago will love this too.

Listen to a clip of the song and purchase it here (Beatport)

Grade: A+

Nicole Graham - Make Me Jump (Badonkadonk)

This is the singer-songwriter's latest release. This is a playful, club-oriented song. Nicole sings this song in a style which calls to mind other legendary Dance divas including Ultra Naté and Crystal Waters. The song is a joy to listen to from start to finish. The main version is perfect for the clubs and radio. There are additional remixes for the clubs by Klubjumpers, Vincent De Azevedo, DJ Aylen, DJ Bashar, and Junior Vasquez. The Klubjumpers mix fuses current electro and 80's synthpop. Vincent De Azevedo's mix has a similar feel, but is much mroe laidback. DJ Aylen's is much more electro-ish. Taking things in a deeper direction, DJ Bashar's mix has some really rich bass. Last but not least, Junior Vasquez delivers a set of tribal, big room mixes. The dub is lots of fun too. Overall, every mix is really good, including the original. The Junior Vasquez and Klubjumpers mixes are the standouts.

Listen to clips and purchase the remixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Enur - Calabria 2007

The familiar sax sample has made regular appearances in clubland for the last 5 years. It most notably was used in the official mashup "Destination Calabria" by Alex Gaudino and Crystal Waters. The song did pretty well on the European charts and did only slightly well on the Dance radio chart here. Signed to Ultra Records in the U.S., this mishmash of Reggae, Rap, Hip Hop and Dance has already begun to get considerable airplay. Pop and Rhythmic stations are jumping on board and giving this one prime exposure. Mega station Z100 has championed this one and the other stations are following. "Calabria 2007" also features a somewhat scandalous video that is worth noting as well.

Miami-based rapper Pitbull has gotten into the act and has recorded a track called "The Anthem" that also contains the ubiquitous sax sample. It almost sounds like the familiar Latin drum beat used in Bob Sinclar's "Rock This Party" from last year. This one could be huge in clubs with the right remix. Although, all is really needed here is an extended version.

Overall, the "Calabria 2007" track would work well in the clubs as it would be a floorfiller, but maybe not so much on the radio, but it's doing well. The vocals could grate on your last nerve after a short time.

Grade: C+ (for "Calabria 2007")

Grade: B+ (for the Pitbull track)