Britney Spears - The Single Collection

It has only been about 5 years since her My Prerogative: Greatest Hits CD was released featuring songs from the 4 albums released up to that point. This collection features most of the singles which were released in the U.S. (some were in other territories outside the U.S.). It comes in several editions. There's a single disc release featuring 17 singles and "3." There's an international edition of that featuring a DVD with the music videos. And then there's the box sets with 30 discs with a total of 58 tracks spread out over the discs. All singles would have the A-side which was released as a single and either a B-side song and/or a remix of the said A-side. A detailed tracklisting is available at Britney's website. Additional details about where to purchase everything is available there too. The collection looks good even though it may not be that necessary. This is truly for the fans. The package would have been more appealing had additional B-sides and remixes been included. A DVD of all the videos should have been released as a stand-alone release.

Grade: B (for what's being offered in the package)

Whitney Houston - I Didn't Know My Own Strength and I Look To You

These are two of the three singles from her comeback album I Look To You to be remixed. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" saw a couple of mixes by Peter Rauhofer and Daddy's Groove a few weeks back. Immediately following that, "Million Dollar Bill" saw mixes by the Freemasons, Frankie Knuckles, Warren Rigg, and Peter Rauhofer. It just topped the Club Play chart.

Starting off the month of November right, additional mixes for "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" and  new ones for "I Look To You" have been promoted to DJs.

For "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", there are mixes by familiar collaborators Junior Vasquez and Jonathan Peters. Junior's mixes are dark and big room oriented. The Drama Intro one is a little milder. The choice "It's Not Right But It's Not Okay" vocal samples are a nice touch. Jonathan Peters continues in a slightly lighter direction, however, his is quite good as well.

For "I Look To You", there are mixes by Johnny Vicious, Dio, Giuseppe D, and DJ Paulo. Johnny's club mix begins in a tribal electro style but then suddenly it becomes uplifting and melodic when Whitney's vocals come in. Absolutely stunning. His Warehouse mixes are much harder and more electro. Dio's is a funky, electro-house affiair. Quite nice. Giuseppe D's is a Eurodance with a hint of circuit/tribal mix.. The addition of the piano is lovely. DJ Paulo's mashup is an interesting tribal/electro type mix. It's a well-done mashup. It doesn't feel like a mashup as it matches so well.

Overall, the mixes for both tracks are superb.

The mixes will be available for purchase in the coming weeks.

Grade: A+

Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment

This is the much-awaited lead single from his first album due in Noveber. "For Your Entertainment" is an uptempo dance/pop track very much in the same vein as Sam Sparro's "Black & Gold", Christina Aguilera's "Keeps Gettin' Better", and Amii Stewart's "Knock On Wood." Parts of the song instantly call to mind those other ones. That's not a bad thing. Vocally, Adam sounds great. His performance is restrained for a good part of it, but he really lets loose with high notes towards the middle/end.

Listen to it here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Eddie X presents Niki Haris - This Time Baby (New mixes)

First reviewed on August 10, 2009

Additional mixes of this stunning cover by newcomers Billy Waters & John Michael vs. TWB were released earlier this week.These are the big room mixes many have been waiting for. And they are definitely worth the wait. These are hard, driving, and melodic. The vocal mix is flawless from start to finish. The dub is a little more twisted and adventurous like a thrilling rollercoaster. Both are great.

Buy them here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A+

Shontelle - Licky

This is the lead single off of her upcoming second album. With "Licky", she has gone into a direction that is radically different from her first album. This song is rather sexual, and in-your-face versus the subtle sexiness on earlier songs. The song's chorus comes from the Larry Tee and Princess Superstar collaboration of the same name from a while back. This song is catchy and goes beyond the earlier song, however that works better. This song is very much in the same vein as Jordin Sparks' "SOS (Let The Music Play)" which has new verses but the chorus comes from an older song. This is a great opportunity to introduce the Larry Tee/Princess Superstar song to the mainstream.

Listen to the Shontelle song here (YouTube)
Listen to the Larry Tee & Princess Superstar song here (YouTube) NSFW

Grade: B+

Lady GaGa - Bad Romance

It has been known for a while that a re-release of her debut album The Fame was going to happen. The re-released version of the album is called The Fame Monster. It is due in November. The first single to be released from it is a new one called "Bad Romance." It's just as catchy as earlier singles. It feels like a mishmash of "Just Dance" and "Poker Face", but it's a bit more electro-ish. It has a bit of an 80's feel. It's pretty good overall.

Listen to it here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Rihanna - Russian Roulette

This is the lead single off of her upcoming 4th album (due in November). "Russian Roulette" is not an uptempo as it may have been thought to be. It's an electronic/rock/pop ballad (think "Halo" and "Already Gone"). It showcases Rihanna's voice. She may have naysayers who say she can't sing that well, however, that isn't true here. She sounds quite good. The production isn't overwelming so her vocals don't get drowned out. This could use an uptempo remix to make it more radio-friendly. This song is quite a grower with several listens.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Barry Harris featuring Simone Denny - Drama Queen (Texting U)

After some time away, Barry Harris (formerly of mega remixing duo Thunderpuss) is back with his first new track entitled "Drama Queen (Texting U)" featuring the vocals of powerhouse singer Simone Denny. This song immediately calls to mind those "my man is no good" type of songs which were a mainstay at the beginning of the 2000's. Lately there has been quite a shortage of such songs. Of course, there's a modern spin on it with the texting aspect of it. Vocally, Simone is great as usual. The lyrics are fun and oh so relatable. The production on the main mix is top notch. Perfect for peak hour play. Edson Pride hardens it up with his mixes while Wayne G & Andy Alldrer softens it. Wayne and Andy's XXL London Dub is nice and hard as well. This is a solid track with a solid remix package.

Purchase the digital single here (Amazon)

Grade: A

Mariah Carey - HATEU

This is the third single off of Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel. This too had been a favorite at the listening parties held over the summer. The original is a smooth R&B midtempo. Vocally, Mariah sounds great. The lyrics are nice as well. The real gem is the new remix which is slated to be on an upcoming remix album of the MOAIA album. The remix is an energetic uptempo. Sampling heavily from the mid 90's R&B/Freestyle hit "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJs, Mariah re-recorded her vocals and added some new lyrics. She even sings some of the hook from the "My Boo" track. It's refreshing to hear her do a remix of this sort as it has been a while. It's a great way to introduce the classic to a new generation in this form. Also featured are some verses by OJ Da Juiceman, Big Boi & Gucci Mane. Both versions are wonderful.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)
Listen to the remix here (YouTube)
Grade: A

Michael Jackson - This Is It

This is the first single released since the legend's passing this past June. It shares a name with the soon-to-be-released This Is It concert movie. A midtempo-ballad, "This Is It" was written by Michael and Paul Anka in 1983. The song was recorded by Freestyle/Dance artist Safire in 1991. Her version was more of a midtempo while Michael's is a bit softer. Overall, the song is decent for what it is. Many were expecting an uptempo song to be released. Perhaps there will be some other new songs in the future. This song will appear on the This Is It CD being released at the end of the month.

Grade: B+

Lectroluv featuring Alvaughn Jackson - Struck By Luv

It's hard to believe that this song was released over 15 years ago. "Struck By Luv" became one of the many classics at the legendary Sound Factory club in New York. This revisit is signed to the new label Nick Harvey Music. This is the first of a two part release. The first release features mixes by Nick himself. The Tribalelectric mix is hard and tribal, but the classic, soulful feel of the song is somehow maintained and sounds great. The Sweet Luv mixes are lighter. These are more in line with the original and 1999 remixes from back in the day. Overall, both are very good.

Listen to clips of Nick Harvey's edits:
Nick Harvey Sweet Luv Mix Edit (YouTube)
Nick Harvey Tribalelectric Radio Edit (YouTube)

The proper release with full length club mixes and dubs is planned for the end of this month.

Grade: A

Usher - Papers

This is supposed to be the lead single off of his upcoming album Raymond vs. Raymond. On "Papers", he sings about the nightmare that was his marriage to Tameka Foster. His divorce was finalized only recently. Very few details about the marriage have come out at the moment as it seems this album will be devoted to all that. If "Papers" is a preview of things to come, it could get pretty scandalous. While the lyrics do sound honest, it does come across as a bit tacky. Either way, the song is well-written and produced.

Listen to the song here (official website)

Grade: B

Allison Iraheta - Friday I'll Be Over U

She came in 4th place on this year's season of American Idol. Despite the judges harsh criticisms of her performances, she was a fan favorite. Her punk/rocker performance style distinguished her from many of the other contestants. On the Max Martin produced "Friday I'll Be Over U", it is totally in that style. It's a catchy uptempo that really showcases her great vocals. This one could prove to be a good sized hit for her.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Frankie GoesTo Hollywood - Relax 2009

This is considered a classic in many circles. There have been several revisits to this song ever since the early 1980's release. Most notably the 1993 one by Jam & Spoon and then again in 2001 by Peter Rauhofer (and others of course). While an update of this nature isn't necessary, it's a great opportunity to introduce this song to a whole new generation.

New mixes by Chicane, Jody Den Broeder, LMC, Lockout, Spencer & Hill, and Scott Storch have been completed. Chicane may seem like an unusual choice, but he delivers a nice chilled mix which has a similar vibe as the original, but nice and modern. Jody's has some elements from the original. But it's mostly funky house. It's pleasant. The LMC mix is very true to the original. This is close enough to the original that it has the right amount of nostalgia, but brings something new. The Lockout mixes do the same thing as LMC's. A little less Euro-sounding. Spencer & Hill's mix sounds good during the beatless parts, but it's mostly electro-house-ish and not very fresh. Scott Storch turns this into a hip/hop club banger. It actually works. Overall, this package is quite good. A little something for everyone.

All clips are hosted by YouTube

• Chicane
• Jody Den Broeder
• LMC
• Lockout
• Spencer & Hill
• Scott Storch
  

Grade: A

Plumb - Hang On

This is the lead single off of her next album entitled Beautiful History. Having found success on both the Christian and Dance formats, this is sure to be another hit. "Hang On" is just as beautiful and powerful as earlier releases. There are plenty of remixes of this by Digital Dog, Dave Aude, Pete Hammond, and Bronleewe & Bose. Digital Dog's is funky electro/house. Dave Aude's is also in a similar direction but a bit more chilled. Pete Hammond's is old school-sounding as can be expected. It immediately calls to mind the production on Dead Or Alive's "You Spin Me Round." But it works. B&B deliver an electro/house, chilled mild big room mix. Overall, the entire package is solid.

Buy the remix package here (Amazon)

Grade: A