Tony Moran feat. Martha Wash - Free People (Vol 1)

The legendary big voiced diva has teamed up with Tony Moran once again for another uplifting club track. The main version produced by Tony Moran and longtime collaborator Warren Rigg is big room-oriented with big synths. Martha's vocals are fantastic. The first of two volumes of remixes has been released and features an all star lineup including Antony Reale, Cruelty, Funky Junction, Giuseppe D, The Noisemakers, Rene Ablaze, Splashfunk, Laera & Jeyjon, Victor Dinaire & Bissen, and Yinon Yahel. Antony Reale & Funky Junction deliver a big room-oriented House mix which feels like a meatier Freemasons remix. Cruelty provides a 90s Rave meets Handbag House remix. Giuseppe D's piano-heavy is especially hard-hitting and beautiful. The Noisemakers mix is in a soft House style. Coming out of left field is Rene Ablaze's epic big room Trance remix which uses only a limited amount of vocals. Splashfunk, Laera, and Jeyjon's mix is also piano-heavy. Victor Dinaire & Bissen deliver something techy. Yinon Yahel's mix is dark and dramatic. Overall, Giuseppe D and Rene Ablaze's mixes are the best of the bunch.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

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

Finbarr Massi & Dan DeLeon Presents Breathwaite feat. Deborah Cox - Show You (Tony Moran Event Mix)

This special private mashup mix was produced by Tony Moran for his 2007 magnum opus The Event. It was combination of elements of Finbarr Massi & Dan DeLeon's track "Show You" and some unused ad libs from Deborah Cox's "House Is Not A Home" which she had recorded new vocals for the club mixes in 2005, and of course some additional production. Additional ad libs from those recording sessions were used on the Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Destroy U Mix of that song. This mashup was one of many highlights on The Event and it had remained unreleased as an umixed track until a couple of weeks back when it was included on a special compilation called Flaunt by Dan DeLeon.

-Listen to a clip and purchase the remix here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Amy Grant - In Motion (The Remixes)

The Christian/Pop artist's highly anticipated remix album was released today. It was announced late last year that this was in the works. A handful of some of her biggest hits were selected for this collection and they were remixed by an A-list team of remixers. Every remix is produced in an uplifting style that maintains the emotional and spiritual message of the original songs. Some of the songs will take some getting used to with the club-oriented productions. This is another rare case where every remix is well-produced and suits the songs. The remixes of "Say Once More", "You're Not Alone", "Better Than A Hallelujah", and "Stay For Awhile" (both of them) are outstanding, though every remix is excellent. The only downside of this collection is that 90% of the main tracks are radio edits and not full length or mixshow length.

Tracklisting:
01. That's What Love Is For (Chris Cox Radio Edit) (3:12)
02. Stay For Awhile (Tony Moran Radio Mix) (4:08)
03. You're Not Alone (Guy Scheiman Radio Edit) (3:46)
04. Every Heartbeat (Moto Blanco Radio Edit) (3:24)
05. Better Than A Hallelujah (Mark Picchiotti Gospel Radio Edit) (3:47)
06. Find A Way (Ralphi Rosario Big Room Radio Edit) (3:37)
07. Baby Baby (Dave Aude Radio Edit) (3:57)
08. Say Once More (Hex Hector Radio Edit) (3:32)
09. Out In The Open (7th Heaven Radio Edit) (4:04)
10. Stay For Awhile (Tony Moran Destination Mixshow Edit) (6:45)
11. Mega Mix (DJ Andy 7th Heaven Medley) (8:49)

-The album can be purchased in physical formats including CD and vinyl on Amazon
-The album can be purchased digitally on Amazon and iTunes

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

Tony Moran feat. Orion - I Give In (Remixes)

This song first appeared as a radio edit on the Sugarhouse Divas unmixed compilation nearly a year and a half ago. The full mix had been a staple in Tony's live sets for nearly 4 years. The full remix package was released earlier this week. The main version is an epic 10 minute mix with a massive tribal and synth buildup leading to the hot vocals. Bonnis Maxx & Marcelo Rivera, Eddie Baez, and Ennry Sena & Mauro Mozart provide the additional mixes. Bonnis & Marcelo's mix is suitable for peak hour but is not as hard as the original. Ennry & Mauro's mix packs quite the punch despite being less than 7 minutes long. Eddie Baez's mix gives the song a hard, tribal workout with lots of buildups and breakdowns. An acapella based on the main mix is also included. The main long mix ends up being the best of the bunch along with Ennry & Mauro's mix.

Listen to all of the mixes here:


Purchase the mixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Colton Ford - Let Me Live Again (Remixes)

The main versions of this uplifting, inspirational song were released last year however, new remixes of this have been done by Wawa, Director's Cut (Eric Kupper & Frankie Knuckles), Craig C, JC, Tony Moran & Warren Rigg, and Bill Bennett & Tyler Nelson. Colton delivers one of his best vocal performances to date on this heartfelt song. Wawa, who also produced it, provides three main versions. The Club Mix is a synthy electro house production with the vocals heavily reverbed. The Original Back To Mine mix is a variation on their main mix but certain elements have been played up. This one sounds most like a Freemasons mix. The Endless Summer mix is more tribal. The Director's Cut beautiful 90s Disco House throwback. Craig C's mix almost seems to pick up where the second Wawa mix left off and is just a bit more uptempo and "hands in the air" sounding. JC's mix has aggressive electro synth stabs and soulful sections. Tony Moran & Warren Rigg's mix begins like their usual anthemic mixes, however, the piano loops throughout it add a little something extra. Bill Bennett & Tyler Nelson's is very pretty as well with the uplifting synthwork. Overall, the second Wawa, Director's Cut, and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg mixes are the best of the bunch, even though all of the mixes are quite good.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to clips of all the mixes and buy them here (Amazon)

Grade: A

Diva Convention - Heartbeat

Taken from the Unloaded Singles Vol. 1, this song is this decade's "Movin' Up" which seems to be a perennial favorite revisited and played regularly. This song is produced by Tony Moran, Warren Rigg, and Giuseppe D, and is filled with an attitude of positivity and energy. All of the versions on the single are based on the original main version. The radio edit and mixshow versions keep just the essential sections. The anthem version is easily the best one. The ending with the actual heartbeat sounds is so perfect.

Purchase the digital single here (Amazon)

Grade: A

Tony Moran - Unloaded The Singles Vol 1

This is a new collection of remixes and vocal tracks targeted towards DJs and fans of circuit style music. A number of these tracks were showcased in Tony's podcast last month, and now they are available to purchase. All the tracks are full length and these versions are brand new.

3 mixes of the Anastacia track "If I Was Your Boyfriend" are included by Mauro Mozart, Jeff Valle, and Jose Spinnin. All are big room stompers with the Jeff Valle one being the best of the bunch.

Next are two tracks featuring Inda Matrix (a.k.a. Zhana Saunders) on vocals. Her Inda Matrix alias was prominently used in her early 2000s work with Dynamix on "Love Dominates (No Man Can Tame Me)" and "Bodyfly." The song "Let My Mind Play On" could almost fit in with the Dance/Pop music on top 40 radio right now. It's very mainstream. The other one "You Are The Source Of My Energy" could almost be thought of as a part 2 to the Tony and Ultra Naté song "Destination." The vocals on both are wonderful.

"People Come Together" with legendary, big voiced diva Jennifer Holliday is actually a hard-hitting vocal dub of last year's "Magic." The production is much harder and more suited for peakhour. The ad libs and high notes from the main version are utilized to great effect.

Orion's "Sensation" appears in a Mauro Mozart mix. This is a nice alternative to the original version.

A new mix of the Deborah Cox song "Tenderness" by DJ Head is another nice alternative to the La Cha Cha mix from the unmixed Mix Magic Music compilation. The removal of most of the backing vocals makes it sound different.

Last but not least is Diva Convention's "Heartbeat". It is a scorching hot, ass-shaking track. It is one of the many highlights of this collection.

Overall, every single track is really great, however, "Heartbeat", "People Come Together", "You Are The Source Of My Energy", and "Let My Mind Play On" are the highlights. This is a very strong collection.

Purchase in MP3 and WAV formats at JunoDownload here, and listen to previews of all the songs:



Grade: A

Tony Moran feat Anastacia - If I Was Your Boyfriend

Tony Moran teams up with big voiced diva Anastacia for this new track. If you enjoyed remixes of Anastacia's own songs, this is the next best thing! The song's lyrics are intelligent, taking on a topic that isn't really all that common in Dance music. Anastacia sounds amazing. The original version is tribal with some pianos and Indian sitars sprinkled in. Tony and Giuseppe D's mix has a distinct Eurodance feel that was characteristic of both of their remixes towards the late 90s. Tony and Warren Rigg's mix is the big room anthem one would expect from them. Erwin Garcia's tubular-sounding electro mix doesn't really do much for the song. It may sound better in a club. Mauro Mozart's mix is in a similar vein as Tony and Warren's mix, but he picks up the tempo a little. DJ Head's mix is beautifully layered with an ethereal riff and swirling synths. It has a mid 2000s Offer Nissim feel. Overall, all the versions except the Erwin Garcia ones are really great. This could be one of this Summer's sleeper smashes.

-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 presents Mix Magic Music Unmixed

Nearly 6 months after the release of his highly anticipated mixed compilation album comes the Unmixed edition featuring full length unmixed, and uncut versions of the songs featured on the compilation, along with some additional radio edits and alternate versions.

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.

Tony Moran - Mix Magic Music

Nearly 2 years in the making, Tony's new album has finally been released. Continuously mixed by Tony himself, some of the featured vocalists include Deborah Cox, Jennifer Holliday Nicki Richards, Zhana Saunders, Frenchie Davis, Judy Torres, Ultra Nate, Trey Lorenz, some other newcomers and even Tony himself. Every track is top-notch. There is absolutely no filler. Some of the highlights include "Tenderness", "Magic", "Need Somebody", "Fly High", and "Spend My Lifetime Loving You." The latter is a cover of the song originally recorded by Tina Arena and Marc Anthony for the Zorro soundtrack. Most of the songs are around 4 minutes long with just a handful of them being much longer. Hopefully a special digital edition with longer versions will be released later on. Overall, this is one of the best mixed compilations of original material released this year.

Tracklisting:
01. Rolls Like a Superstar (featuring Sugar House Crew and Nicki Richards)
02. Fly High (featuring Judy Torres and Zhana Saunders)
03. Silly Love (featuring Angelica)
04. Magic (featuring Jennifer Holliday)
05. Blow the Top Off (featuring Sugarhouse Crew and Giuseppe D)
06. Destination (DJ Erry Remix) (featuring Ultra Nate)
07. If The World Could Be Mine (featuring Robert Aron and Soul Slip)
08. Need Somebody (featuring Nicki Richards and Trey Lorenz)
09. You Are (Ralphi Rosario Mix) (featuring Frenchie Davis)
10. Viva La Vida
11. Sensation (featuring Orion)
12. Can I Love You More (featuring Trey Lorenz)
13. La Tortuga (featuring Sugarhouse Crew)
14. Giving It Up To You
15. Spend My Lifetime Loving You (featuring Judy Torres and Tony Moran)
16. It Doesn't Get Any Better (featuring Diva Convention)
17. Tenderness (featuring Deborah Cox)

-Purchase the album here (iTunes)
-Masterbeat has it as well

Grade: A+

Tony Moran feat Trey Lorenz - Can I Love You More

This is an update to a song Tony previewed a year or so ago with Zhana Saunders as a guest vocalist. Trey and Tony provide the vocals this time around. Their vocals are just lovely. There are plenty of remixes by Tony Moran & Warren Rigg, Mauro Mozart, Ralphi Rosario, Alex Cohen, Max Sanna & Steve Pitron, and Loverush UK. The Tony & Warren extended mix is an energetic circuit anthem. Their Symphony remix takes the anthem factor up several notches. Ralphi's mixes are peak hour-ish, with both the club and dub being great. Mauro Mozart's mix is in a similar vein as the main Tony & Warren mix and is quite good too. Alex Cohen's mellow piano-driven mix is for the circuit too, but is a little lighter. Max Sanna & Steve Pitron's funky electro/house mixes are really good as well. These could fit into circuit sets as well. Loverush UK's mix is similar in style, and works just as well. Overall, every one of these mixes is excellent.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A+

Dalal - Taste The Night

Austrian singer Dalal is all set to make her U.S. debut with the enticing new single "Taste The Night". Her soaring vocals plus catchy lyrics make this a really great song. The lush circuit/electro-pop production by Tony Moran and Warren Rigg makes this suitable for both the clubs and Pop radio alike. This would be perfectly at home with the dozens of other electro/pop songs flooding airwaves right now, except this one has that extra something. This is a great wonderful song.

Listen to the Tony Moran & Warren Rigg radio edit here (YouTube)
Purchase the Tony Moran & Warren Rigg radio edit here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Ne-Yo - Beautiful Monster

This is the latest single from his upcoming new album. He continues to experiment with dance/electronic sounds on this song. Vocally, Ne-Yo is on-point. However, this song takes a few listens to truly get into it. There are remixes of this by Low Sunday, Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda, and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg. Low Sunday's mixes basically expand upon the original making it more dancefloor-friendly. The Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda mixes are a bit hard and twisted with a tough bassline. Tony & Warren's mixes are pure peakhour bliss. All are good, but Tony & Warren's is the best of the bunch.

Purchase the digital single with mixes at Masterbeat

Grade: A-

Tim Letteer featuring Zhana - Broke Free

2010 is shaping up to be the year of the diva anthem. "Broke Free" is a song which can be added to this growing category. Featuring the soulful and powerful vocals of Zhana, this song is really great. The original has a big room feel, but is very accessible. Tim's Dark mix is a bit synthier and more suited for peak hour play. There are plenty of additional mixes by Chad Jack, Nick Harvey, Reed McGowan with Warren Rigg, Michael Hades, and Jamie J. Sanchez. Chad Jack offers an electro-flavored circuit mix. Nick Harvey's mixes are hard, dark, and driving. Reed and Warren's circuit-oriented mix is both soulful and hard at the same time. Michael Hades's mix is minimal and best for an afterhours set. Jamie J. Sanchez's mix is also hard and circuit-oriented. Overall, all the mixes are great, however, Nick, Reed with Warren and Jamie's mixes are the standouts.

Purchase the digital single here (Juno)

Grade: A

Sariah - Deep N Luv

R&B/Pop singer Sariah's latest single "Deep N Luv" is a sassy and slightly edgy uptempo. With its playful lyrics and hypnotic hook, this song will become quite the floorfiller. Sariah's vocals have just the right amount of naughtiness. It has some remixes by Tony Moran & Warren Rigg, Hot Pink Delorean, and Rod Carrillo. Tony and Warren makeover the song in their familiar big room circuit style. This style lends itself very well to the song. Hot Pink Delorean take things in an electro-house direction. Rod Carrillo's could almost be thought of as souped up version of the original. Also included are a breaks version of the original, an instrumental and an acapella. A fun release overall.

Listen to the full original version here (YouTube)
Purchase the original and remixes here (Juno) [the digital single will be available at other retailers on March 23, 2010)

Grade: A-

Sir Ivan - Kumbaya

This is his latest single which is also a cover of a positive, uplifting type song. "Kumbaya" was recorded earlier this year, but it remained unreleased until now. There are some changes to the lyrics though. It features mixes by Eric Kupper, Christopher Lawrence, and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg. Eric Kupper's mixes are slightly circuit-oriented, but they are really light. They feature some select samples from U.S. President Barack Obama's speeches. Christopher Lawrence takes things in a trancier direction. Tony Moran & Warren Rigg's mixes are their usual circuit anthem, but they are also is in a light epic trance direction. The dub is nicer as there's just some vocals and it gives listeners the opportunity to hear the stunning production. While this release may not be everyone's cup of tea, give it a chance. The production on all the mixes is solid and well-done.

Buy the remix EP here (iTunes)

Grade: A-