Jamie J. Sanchez featuring Ria Spencer - Lift Me Up

2010 is still shaping up to be the year that the diva anthem returned! "Lift Me Up" is a positive song with a light spiritual aspect (it can be interpreted in a religious way as well much in the way of Vernessa Mitchell and Sabrina Johnston's work). Singer Ria Spencer's vocals are quite lovely. Jamie J. Sanchez's main version is circuit-oriented with a touch of electro. Ranny and Bryan Reyes's mix is a bit harder. Manny Lehman's is really hard and big room-oriented. Ria's vocals work a lot better on this particular version. All versions are good, but Manny's really shines.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A

Midnight Express featuring Sabrina Johnston - Freedom

Originally released in 1998, this song is still highly underrated. It is one of many Gospel/House tracks Sabrina Johnston has appeared on. It's fitting that this one is seeing an update as some of her others including "What Hope Have I" and "Peace (In The Valley)" recently received new mixes.

In addition to the classic original versions from the '98 release, there are some new mixes by Midnight Express and Jerome Farley. Midnight Express' new mixes are both House-oriented and a bit more uptempo and festive than the earlier ones. Jerome Farley's are much harder and more anthemic. His are more circuit-oriented. The original Basement Boys mix is really soulful and light. It sounds fresh even now.

Tracklisting of the single:

01. Freedom (Midnight Express Classic Gold Mix)
02. Freedom (Midnight Express Dark Room Mix)
03. Freedom (Jerome Farley Floor One Factory Remix)
04. Freedom (Jerome Farley Floor One Factory Dub)
05. Freedom (Midnight Express Original Club Mix)
06. Freedom (Midnight Express Original Radio Version)
07. Freedom (Classic 12" Basement Boys mix)
08. Freedom (Midnight Express Dream Mix)
09. The Dark Room (Original Mix)

Buy and listen to clips here (Juno)

Great package overall.

Grade: A

Sabrina Johnston - Peace (In The Valley) 2009

This early 90's club classic is back again with some new mixes. A whole new generation of clubbers will get the chance to experience the powerful vocals of Sabrina Johnston. Midnight Express provide a number of the mixes. Their Classic Gold mix sounds exactly like it's titled. It's classic-sounding, while still sounding current. The Power mix is a little more Electro-tinged. The New Retro mix has fun swing beat. The Rock Da House mix is a bit more underground. Denzal Park's mix is a little darker. Luca Belladonna's is very light and pretty. The real gem in this package is up and coming remixer Jerome Farley's mixes. They are a perfect blend of classic and modern. Just hard enough for peak hour or early in the evening. The label wisely included a couple of the original mixes as well.

This is a great update of a classic.

It is available for purchase at Beatport.

Grade: A