Various - Just Dance Volume 3

This is the third installment of the compilation series. Featuring an assortment of remixes of Pop, R&B, Rap, and Alternative songs, plus some Dance thrown in for good measure. There are only a couple of exclusives, most notably the Jason Nevins remix (one of them) of Mariah Carey's "H.A.T.E.U.", which has not been released previously. Continuously mixed by Mike Rizzo and Joey Arbagey, they mix together 16 songs in just 68 minutes. The tracklisting is pretty good, except for a minor misstep with the Akcent song at the end.

Tracklisting:
1-Rihanna Feat. Jeezy -Hard-(Jody Den Broader Club Remix)
2-School Gyrls-Something Like A Party-(Ralphi Rosario Club 1)
3-Mariah Carey-H.A.T.E.U.-(Jason Nevins "Loves U" Mix)
4-Taio Cruz Feat. Ludacris-Break Your Heart-(Wideboys Club)
5-MANN Feat. Jason Derulo-Text-(Chew Fu 'He-Mann' Fix)
6-deadmau5 Feat. Rob Swire-Ghosts N Stuff-(Vocal Mix)
7-Mr. Hudson-Supernova-(Dave Aude Club)
8-Shiny Toy Guns-Major Tom (Coming Home)-(Adam K & Soha Remix)
9-Chicane Feat. Natasha Bedingfield-Bruised Water-(Michael Woods Full Vocal)
10-Ludacris-How low-(Groove Police Club Mix)
11-Utada-Dirty Desire-(Mike Rizzo Club Mix)
12-Kim Sozzi-Secret Love-(Stellar Project Remix)
13-Inna-Love-(Club Version)
14-Robbie Rivera Feat. Fast Eddie-Let Me Sip My Drink-(Chuckie Remix)
15-Tiesto Feat. C.C. Sheffield-Escape Me-(Extended Remix)
16-Akcent Feat. Lora-That's My Name-(That's My Name 2010)

Purchase the compilation digitally and physically on June 8 (Amazon)

Grade: B+

Leah Driscoll - If This Is Love

This is her debut single. "If This Is Love" is a beautiful song with a classic feel which brilliantly showcases Leah's stellar vocals. It's a simple dance/pop track in it's original version. The song has some remixes by Soul Seekerz, Groove Police, and JMBW & Joel Dickinson. Soul Seekerz provide a pretty, uplifting mix. Very similar to what the Freemasons would do. Groove Police's has the uplifting quality but is a bit harder. The JMBW & Joel Dickinson mixes really turn the song into an anthem. The Marathon-esque production is really wonderful. Overall, every version is really great. An excellent first release from the newcomer.

Purchase the original and the Soul Seekerz and Groove Police mixes here (Amazon)
The JMBW & Joel Dickinson mixes are new and have yet to be released for purchase at this time. Listen to a clip here (SoundCloud)

Grade: A+

Tino Coury - Diary

"Diary" is the debut single from singer-songwriter Tino Coury. He sings about looking through his girlfriend's diary. It's not as sleazy and tacky as it sounds. It's somewhat cute. It's a bit cliché lyrically, but it's fine. Tino's vocals are pretty good though. This is a decent choice for introducing him to the music-buying public. It's an uptempo pop track with an electro undercurrent. There are remixes by Roger Sanchez and Groove Police. Roger's mixes have that electro/house sound he has been doing for the last couple of years now. The song doesn't really fit his production. Groove Police's mixes are more in line with the original and work better.

Watch the video here (YouTube)

The digital single will be released on May 4.

Grade: B+

Kristine W - The Power Of Music

This is the title track off of her 4th album. This song's existence was first mentioned a couple of years back but it was not until this year that the public got to hear it. Featuring rapper Big Daddy Kane, the original version is hip hop-oriented, a departure for the Dance diva, however, she does it well. She didn't forget about her loyal clubland following as there are many remixes of the song by the Wideboys, Groove Police, Sweet Team, Virgo Brothers, Tony Moran, and Joe Gauthreaux. The Wideboys provide a funky, bassline-driven mix as usual. Groove Police's is a simple, groovy mix. It has a fun feel. Sweet Team take things in a lighter, soulful direction. The Virgo Brothers go into a light, but electro styled mix. Tony Moran and Joe Gauthreaux both provide big room, circuit-oriented mixes. All the mixes are quite enjoyable. Great song with a great package.





Buy the digital single here (Amazon)

Grade: A+