Edun - My Love Is Here For You

Best known for the smash hit "Put 'Em Up" in 2007, Edun is back with a new single. "My Love Is Here For You" is a lush chilled Dance/Pop song. Edun describes this song as a "...dance-pop love song, the kind that relates to everyone who is in love with someone but the other is afraid to love you back". The production, as well as Edun's vocals are top-notch. The remixes by Bassmonkeys toughen the song up just enough for the dancefloor. The soaring synths and electro-bassline (especially noticeable in the extended version) are great. This is another hit in the making.

-Listen to the original version here (YouTube)
-Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Inaya Day and BetBoyz - Higher Place

This is a collaboration involving singer Inaya Day plus Randy Bettis and David Boyd. Inaya delivers the goods as only she can with a soulful, yet stirring performance. All versions of this song are circuit-oriented. There are remixes by Randy and David, DeMarko!, Peter Barona & Hull, JMBW & Joel Dickinson, and Almond Brown. The main version by Randy and David is hard and driving. DeMarko!'s is much harder and more big room-oriented. Peter Barona & Hull's mix is very synthy. JMBW & Joel Dickinson's mix is a bit darker. DJ JST's is both darker and harder. The Almond Brown mix is minimally produced with just a little bit of everything. Overall, every version of this song is very good!

Purchase the digital single here (Traxsource)

Grade: A+

Shakira - Loca

This is the new single off of her forthcoming bilingual album Sale El Sol. Both a Spanish and English version have been recorded. "Loca" is an uptempo Latin/Dance-Pop song, based on the song "Loca Con Su Tiguere" by El Cata. Dizzee Rascal makes a guest appearance on the song's English version, adding to the fun of the song. Shakira sizzles on this playful song. The Spanish version of the song works much better overall.



Listen to the English version here (YouTube)
Listen to the Spanish version here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

(credit to Sway at Pulse Music Board for the cover art)

Tony Moran's Latin Rascal Tribute - Arabian Nights

The Latin Rascals were the duo of Albert Cabrera and Tony Moran. They were active during the mid 1980's, doing remixes and original productions. Released in 1987, "Arabian Nights" was an underground Freestyle classic. It has been revisited with some new mixes. The main XXL mix by Tony Moran and Warren Rigg turns the atmospheric dance track into a hard, driving floorfiller. Albert Cabrera offers a simple hipster dance/rock mix. Alex Cohen's mix is tribal as well, however not nearly as hard and Tony and Warren's mixes. Also included are the original Freestyle versions. Overall, this is a good update to the song.

Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

DJ Dan - Fascinated

This is a remake of the Freestyle classic made famous by Company B in the mid 80's. Suzanne Palmer and Carol Jiani most notably recorded and released covers of this as well. This remake is really faithful to the original both in terms of production and vocals (that familiar riff is there too!). The main version could basically be thought of as a modernized version of the original. The Late Night mix loses a bit of the original flavor. DJ Bam Bam's mixes keep only a little bit of the original feel. Chew Fu however uses just the right amount. In addition to the original, Chew Fu's is the best of the bunch. Fans of the original must check this out.

Listen to clips and purchase the release here (Amazon) and here (Juno)

Grade: A

Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way

This is the second single off of Aphrodite. Already a favorite by fans, this one is a cute modern disco/house song co-produced by Stuart Price. The original is simply perfect. There are remixes of this by Stuart Price, 7th Heaven, Bimbo Jones, Paul Harris, Sidney Sampson, Daddy's Groove, Mat Zo and Kris Menace. Stuart's mix is basically an extended version of the original. The 7th Heaven mix is in a similar direction as the original and plays up the disco elements. The Bimbo Jones mix is a tad darker. Paul Harris' mix is sort of the 'in-between' of the original and Bimbo mixes. Sidney Samson's mix is a bit more big room-ish. The Daddy's Groove mix has less vocals, however the instrumental production is really nice. It's hard but keeps the disco vibe of the original. Mat Zo's mix is a bit of everything but also keeps the uplifting vibe intact. Kris Menace's mix feels like a watered down, mild version of the original. Overall, the 7th Heaven and Daddy's Groove mixes are the best of the bunch.

Grade: A

Ultraviolet Sound - Suck My Kiss

This is the latest single from the electro/dance/pop act. Featuring the vocals of Sarah Hudson, "Suck My Kiss" is a cute, fun song with a twist. The song is so catchy with both its chorus and that "la la la" hook. The original is dance/pop at its finest. There are remixes of this by Johnny Vicious, Future Lovers, and Audio Assembly. Johnny Vicious offers a circuity mix which maintains some of that retro charm of the original. *Audio Assembly's mix is circuit-oriented as well. The uplifting strings and spacey synths are really good. Overall, all mixes are great.

*The Future Lovers mix was not available at press time.

Listen to the original here (the player is at the top of the screen)
Grade: A

Cascada - Night Nurse

This is reportedly the new single off of their fourth album. Lyrically, "Night Nurse" uses nearly every nursing-related cliche. Production-wise, this song sounds like a mishmash of Lady Gaga's first few singles, particularly "Just Dance" and "Poker Face", as did much of their last album. The addition of a male rapper doing shoutouts throughout the song doesn't help much. Natalie Horler's vocals sound good though. Overall, the song is just okay and leaves much to be desired.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: B

Brandon Flowers - Crossfire

This is the lead single off of The Killers' lead singer's debut solo album Flamingo due later this year. "Crossfire" is a midtempo pop/rock song. A tad milder than his work with The Killers, however, this is quite good. Lyrically, it doesn't stray too far from that aesthetic. This is a great start to his solo era.

There are dance mixes of this by David Morales. David keeps the melody of the original as a backdrop for the entire vocal mix. The mix has both hard and soft parts which both work effectively. The mix could fit into a variety of sets as it's 'just right' for most of them. The dub plays up the harder, darker elements and is nice and tribal.

The original is quite good and the remixes make this song great.

Watch the music video of the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Scissor Sisters - Any Which Way

This is the second single off of Night Work. This funky, sexy disco throwback is much more catchy than the previous single "Fire With Fire." Featuring Jake's falsetto, this one is lots of fun. The lyrics have the right amount of sass and attitude. There are remixes for this by 7th Heaven and Keljet (so far). 7th Heaven's mix has a slight 80's new wave sound which fits so well. Keljet also takes a retro approach, giving the song a funkier feel. Both are quite good.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)
Listen to the 7th Heaven mix here (YouTube)
Listen to the Keljet mix here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Donna Summer - To Paris With Love

"To Paris With Love" is her latest single. Co-written by Donna and longtime collaborator Bruce Roberts (most notably on the duet "Whenever There Is Love" and "I Got Your Love"), Donna sings about her love of the French city. The song is very light and delicate in its original version. Donna's vocals are much more subdued than her usual. This sounds like something one may hear at a posh cafe. There are some club mixes of this by Wawa, Craig C, and Mendy (so far). Wawa's mix is electro/dance-pop oriented. This gives the song some much needed energy. Craig C's mixes are in a similar direction but a little harder. Mendy's is electro/house-ish as well. The Wawa one is the best of the bunch so far. Additional mixes were announced so those may be released at a later time.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)
Purchase the remix EP including the original here (iTunes)

Grade: B+ (for the original)/A- (for the Wawa mix)

Jason Walker - Leave It All Behind

The soulful singer is back with a brand new single after being out of the spotlight for some time. "Leave It All Behind" is a nice return to form after venturing into a different direction for a short time. Lyrically and vocally, this song is top notch. The main version is a fun hybrid of Dance and Rock. There are remixes by Joe Carrano, Chad Jack, and Quentin Harris. Joe's mixes have that familiar sound he has come to be associated with during the last decade. They are energetic while having an uplifting feel. Chad delivers two different versions, each bringing something different. The first one is circuit-driven with some piano-house elements. His second one his a bit harder. Quentin's mixes are electro/circuit-flavored. Overall, all the mixes are great.

Purchase the CD maxi here (PerfectBeat)

Grade: A-

Freemasons featuring Wynter Gordon - Believer

The British duo is back with a new vocal track featuring the vocals of rising star Wynter Gordon. This is just as memorable as many of their previous singles which they have released during the last 5 years. Production-wise, this one is a bit more chilled than their usual Disco/House masterwork. The familiar beats, strings, and bassline are there, however everything else is a bit different. It's very nice. Wynter's vocals are lovely.

Listen to the main Summer Of Pride Mix here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Divine Brown - Sunglasses

This is the latest single from Canadian singer Divine Brown. Sung about the oft worn accessory, this song is a lot of fun. "Sunglasses" shows off Divine's soulful voice really nicely. This is perfect for club consumption with the Cajjmere Wray and Worms remixes. Cajjmere opts for an electro/tribal styled mix which lends itself well to the song. The Worms mix is electro-house as well, but a little funkier. Both are quite good.

Watch the Cajjmere Wray remix video here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Martin Clancy and the Witness Protection Programme - Flat Foot

This one has 'classic' written all over it. From the lush strings to the funky bassline and understated beats, this one has all the makings of something from the heyday of Disco. The vocals are great, complementing this retro jam perfectly. The main mix is pure Disco heaven. There are additional mixes by Stonebridge, Richard Morel, DJ Meme, Liam Bates, DJ Bander, and Louie Balo & Trakkula. Stonebridge toughens things up just a little while Richard Morel toughens it up a lot more. DJ Meme and Liam Bates both preserve the Disco atmosphere of the original while making it slightly more modern. DJ Bander vs. Floppy Kid's mix is sparsely produced keeping it to the bare minimum. Louie Balo & Trakkula's mix is a noisy, electro mix which doesn't really bring much. Also included is a mix called the Clancyhouse Elizabeth Jane mix which has an electro-tinged "I Feel Love" type production. Overall, the original, DJ Meme, and Liam Bates versions are the highlights, however, Stonebridge and Morel's closely follow.

Listen to the full original version here (MySpace)
Buy the vocal mixes here and the dubs here (Amazon)

Grade: A+