Lisa McGlown - Rejoice! (Novogain Remix)

This is the proper clubland debut of the Gospel/Jazz singer-songwriter. She famously co-wrote the song "Reap (What You Sow)" recorded by Gospel artist Vernessa Mitchell. The song is notable because it was eventually remixed by Junior Vasquez and Joe Carrano and it led to Vernessa reaching a whole new audience with the remixed versions of her inspirational songs. The message of "Rejoice!" is powerful and beautiful. NovoGain has remixed this one into an anthem. It even incorporates some instrumental references to "Reap (What You Sow)". Lisa's vocals soar over the thundering production.

Listen to a preview of the NovoGain remix of "Rejoice!"

Xelle - Sweat (Remixes)

The dynamic duo's latest single is a playful, sensual song. Just as Olivia Newton-John did with "Physical", the music video flirts with the erotic overtures of the lyrics but uses lots of humor as a distraction when it is about to get naughty. The midtempo Dance/Pop song is super catchy. One will most definitely be singing the chorus after just a single listen! NovoGain has done some remixes. The song is now faster and more uplifting in its transformed state. NovoGain's Higher & Higher dub has a twisted, dark production with harder beats and just a few of the spoken word parts. This is excellent for teasing into the vocal mix though the full vocal mix does have a little bit of the harder intro and outro. The additional percapella and 'ambient mix' versions are basically DJ tools. The former loses all the main programming and keeps just the vocals and percussion while the latter has no percussion.

Listen to all of the remixes here:


-Purchase the original here and the remixes here (iTunes)
-Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Joi Cardwell - The Art Of Being

Joi's brand of Soulful House music with thoughtful, inspirational lyrics is always welcome. She has released a handful of singles here and there in between albums. The Art Of Being is the singer-songwriter's first album in nearly 3 years. It contains a few of the singles that were released separately. This is her strongest album to date. Every single one of the songs is beautifully produced by many of the heavy hitters of clubland. All of the songs have a melodic sound that is distinctly classic but also sounds current. Joi's vocals are amazing! There are a couple of revisits to her earlier singles "Jump For Joi" and "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" as well. Every one of the songs is great so it is hard to choose the best ones, but "Confusion", "Return To Love", "Je T'Adore", "Shot Through The Heart", and "Lucky Charm" really stood out. All of the songs could work as singles. With the recent shift towards early 90s House sounds, this record arrives at just the right time.

 Tracklisting:
1. Lucky Charm (Quentin Harris Production)
2. Return to Love (Director's Cut Mix)
3. Confusion (NovoGain Production)
4. Love Somebody Else (Maceo Plex & John Dasilva Mix)
5. Shot Through the Heart
6. Indian Giver
7. I Just Wanna (Kraak & Smaak)
8. Sweet Sadness (Mlle Lucy Mix)
9. Je T'adore (Life+ Mix)
10. Feels Like Heaven
11. Music Saved My Life (Maurice Joshua Mix)
12. Jump 4 Joi (Mike Cruz Radio Mix)
13. Jump 4 Joi (J Zuart Remix)

Purchase the album here (iTunes) and here (Juno) [Juno has it in lossless DJ friendly/collector format]

Grade: A+

Irina - Believe

This is the latest single from the Dance/Pop artist. It is as catchy as her previous releases. This one has a lovely summer feel. It recalls the Eurodance brilliance of the mid 90s that artists such as Alexia and Corona were known for with catchy, melodic earworms. The original could easily be played on Pop radio and the longer version would be perfect for the clubs and mixshows. There are nearly half a dozen remixes, but the best one of the bunch is the peakhour friendly NovoGain mix. The mix has some layered uplifting synths coupled with contemporary EDM influences. This is a great mix.

Purchase the original here (Beatport)

Grade: A

John LePage feat. Niki Haris - Not Enough

This is indeed a remake of the Melanie Williams song of the same name from the mid 90s which was remixed by Junior Vasquez and Love To Infinity. Niki Haris delivers a fantastic vocal performance. She remains true to the original, though she did put her own spin on some of the notes. The main version produced by John LePage and Brian Cua is in a similar vein as the classic Love To Infinity mix of the Melanie version. It's a modern take on handbag House. There are additional remixes by Julian Marsh, NovoGain, Peter Brown, and Tony Moran with Warren Rigg. Julian Marsh's happy Hi Nrg inflected House mix is uplifting and pretty. NovoGain's big room, peak hour mix is anthemic. The soft yet moderately anthemic Peter Brown mix has an Ibiza House feel. Tony Moran and Warren Rigg's mix is also for the big room and circuit floors. Theirs is uplifting as well. Overall, every remix is wonderful, however, the NovoGain and Moran & Rigg ones are the standouts.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Aiden Jude - Tonight (NovoGain and 6KU Remixes)

This Electro/Trap vocal track has taken clubland by storm during these last few months. The main vocal sections of the song sung by Nafsica are the most identifiable parts and they lend themselves well to being adapted and remixed in other production styles. The definitive remixes for this song have been done by NovoGain & 6KU. The the hooky vocal takes center stage and is supported by a throbbing peak hour production. A DJ friendly radio edit and instrumentals are included as part of this package.

The original can be streamed and purchased here (Beatport)

Listen to the club mix here:


Grade: A

Thaea - Vox

This is the debut artist album from the modern Opera singer. This album provides a golden opportunity for the public to discover the versatility and power of Thaea's voice. She shines on every single song, delivering soaring operatic vocals on some songs and then singing traditionally on others. Produced by NovoGain, the productions have a modern yet timeless feel. The lyrics are thoughtful and relatable.

"Vox Occulta" serves as both an intro and the first song. The dramatic symphonic opening while Thaea vocalizes is stunning. Soon the uplifting big room Trance production comes in. "Dancefloor (Surrender To The Sound)" and "Dance Until I'm Free" are contemporary Dance/Pop confections. The former has operatic vocals. "Here As One" is another dark operatic cut. "On My Own" has a slight Rock feel. It could easily be an acoustic ballad. "This Is Your Chance" is a powerful uptempo. "Will Be True" is a gorgeous midtempo Pop track with a slight Dance element. "I Feel It All Over" and "Good Enough" are the only true non-Dance songs on the album. The latter is structured like a dramatic power ballad with lots of strings. The album closes with two remixes by NovoGain. The remix of "Dancefloor" is a longer take on the album version. It feels a bit harder. The "Dance Until I'm Free" remix is also in a similar vein. Overall, this is an incredible album with every track being single-worthy.

Listen to the album here:



Grade: A

Cher - I Walk Alone (NovoGain Remixes)

The latest remix package for Cher's empowerment anthem has been serviced. This set of big room mixes by NovoGain are the hardest ones released so far. NovoGain delivers a set of mixes that are dark, tribal, and techy. All of them are loaded with hard, massive beats, deep, twisting synths, and gorgeous dramatic buildups and breakdowns. The main vocal mix is a tad more mainstream as it has all the vocals while the dub keeps just a handful of them and is perfect for peak hour and afterhours.

Listen to the main mix here:

The main NovoGain mix will be available for purchase on April 29 on Amazon.

Grade: A

Mel B - For Once In My Life (Remixes)

Formerly known as Scary Spice of the mega successful UK girl group Spice Girls, this single was released a couple of months ago. The catchy Dance/Pop track has already been huge all over. It has been slowly creeping up the Billboard Dance chart in the last few weeks with nearly 4 dozen remixes. Most of the remixes are anywhere from good to great, however, the best of the bunch are by NovoGain. The hard, tribal mixes make this song into the anthem it was meant to be. There is a nearly 10 minute version and a shorter 7 minute one. Both are incredible

-Watch the music video for the original here (YouTube)
-Watch the music video for the NovoGain remix edit (YouTube)

Grade: A