Kristine W - The Power Of Music

This is the title track off of her 4th album. This song's existence was first mentioned a couple of years back but it was not until this year that the public got to hear it. Featuring rapper Big Daddy Kane, the original version is hip hop-oriented, a departure for the Dance diva, however, she does it well. She didn't forget about her loyal clubland following as there are many remixes of the song by the Wideboys, Groove Police, Sweet Team, Virgo Brothers, Tony Moran, and Joe Gauthreaux. The Wideboys provide a funky, bassline-driven mix as usual. Groove Police's is a simple, groovy mix. It has a fun feel. Sweet Team take things in a lighter, soulful direction. The Virgo Brothers go into a light, but electro styled mix. Tony Moran and Joe Gauthreaux both provide big room, circuit-oriented mixes. All the mixes are quite enjoyable. Great song with a great package.





Buy the digital single here (Amazon)

Grade: A+

Kaylah Marin - On The Floor (Oh Baby Please)

This is the sexy new single from rising star Kaylah Marin. She sings about how she wants her potential suitor to take her on the dancefloor. Her vocals are quite good on this track. The original is a midtempo and would work well remixed. There are remixes by Mike Rizzo, Tracy Young, Rod Carillo, Josh Harris, and The Perry Twins. Mike Rizzo's is a simple dance/pop mix. Tracy Young's is her usual big room, circuit mix. Rod Carillo's is electro-oriented. Josh Harris' mix has a nice 80's synthpop feel to. The Perry Twins go in a simple dance/pop direction as well, a bit of a departure from some of their other work. The package is really great overall.

Buy the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Almighty presents We Love Diana Ross

This is a special remix album that has been in the works for several years. It was first announced a couple of years ago but was canceled for unknown reasons. Unlike some of the other titles in the Almighty 'We Love...'series, this Diana Ross one actually features her original vocals. Several of the versions have appeared on other Almighty compilations over the years and/or have been promoted. This collection features a good amount of her big hits, plus some lesser known ones. A number of the mixes stay true to the original and just feel like freshened up, modernized takes on the classics. Some of the songs that fall into that category include "Love Hangover", "The Boss", "Upside Down", "No One Gets The Prize", and "Lovin', Livin' and Givin'". Some go in a totally new direction, like "Touch Me In The Morning" which is a euro/hi-nrg styled uptempo mix, unlike the ballad original. It does have a piano beginning though. The "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand" is particularly noteworthy as it is not an uptempo remix. It's a nice surprise. The only mixes that aren't as spectactular are the "I'm Coming Out" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" which have seen countless revisits done to perfection by other remixers. Oher than those minor things, this collection is pretty solid.

Buy the collection and listen to clips here (Almighty's website)

Grade: A-

Keo Nozari - Like Lightning

After the smash hit "Rewind", Keo Nozari is back with a hot new single entitled "Like Lightning". This is the lead single off of his upcoming second album. Written and produced by Keo himself and Ellis Miah, this is an R&B-oriented club track. It immediately calls to mind some of George Michael's material of the late 80's/early 90's without sounding dated, both in terms of the production and Keo's vocals. Keo's voice has that same likable quality. The song is fun and playful. This could be the one that finally introduces Keo to the rest of the world . This feels like a classic already.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)
Buy the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Jason Dottley and Debby Holiday - Party Round The World

This is the newcomer's first single. He teams up with club diva Debby Holiday for "Party Round The World." Featuring mixes by Barry Harris and Chris Thomas, the song is meant to be a feelgood, fun song. Unfortunately, Jason's vocals make the song difficult to enjoy. They feel lifeless and lack the energy needed for a song about partying. However, Debby is her usual best. Jason could potentially do well with a different song somewhere down the line. Based on some of Jason's other songs, he has a decent voice so this song doesn't truly do him justice. The Barry Harris remixes have a nice Latin/light tribal feel. The dub is the one to go for. It has just enough of Jason and Debby's vocals. And the fun Latin production is really highlighted. Some of the drums call to mind Barry's club classic "Dive Into The Pool." Chris Thomas' are electro/tribal-oriented and a bit more hard-hitting. Pretty good as well. Overall, this is a good track.


Grade: B+

Sade - Soldier Of Love

It has been nearly 10 years since Lovers Rock was released. It was announced late last year that Sade would release a new album this year, however, the album entitled Soldier Of Love will be released on February 8, 2010. The much-awaited single of the same name was absolutely worth the wait. Stylistically, this isn't different from the Sade that many have loved and cherished for so many years. It almost feels like they picked up where they left off. The midtempo track is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Sade Adu's vocals are silky smooth. The production is crisp and rousing.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Utada - Dirty Desire

This is the latest single off of her second English language album. "Dirty Desire" is much racier than some of her earlier singles. It has a sleazy, naughty feel that may be a bit much for some of her fans, but it's nice to see Utada doing different types of songs. There are some remixes of this song for the clubs by Digital Dog, Mike Rizzo, and Razor N' Guido so far. Digital Dog provide a funky electro house mix with some light synths. Razor N' Guido offer some dark circuit-oriented mix that take the sexual aspect of the song up like 100 notches. This song lends itself well to remixes.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

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-

Anjulie - Rain

Having already had two club hits with "Boom" and "Love Songs", her new single "Rain" will repeat that success. A folky, guitar pop song in its original version, DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio make the song into an anthem. Their production is very layered and beautiful. It has a rich, complex feel to it that is just so lovely. The production complements Anjulie's subtle vocal performance. There may be other mixes on the way, but this is the mix of choice so far..

Watch the music video for the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Nick Harvey - Wurkin

Already on a roll with a number of releases on his label, Nick Harvey's latest track "Wurkin" will also be quite huge. It is a dark, tribal mostly instrumental track, save for some select vocals. It would fit in well during slightly deeper, afterhours type sets in its main versions. Remixes by John Michael & Billy Waters, Michael Hades, Taz, and Streamweaver help this song to fit into other types of sets. John and Billy take the song in a dark, peakhour circuit direction. The synthwork calls to mind the NY club classic "Lift Up The Needle." Michael Hades also takes the song in a slightly more commercial peakhour direction. Taz's is a bit more minimal but it works really well. It calls to mind some of Armand Van Helden's really dark, dubby treatments of songs during the mid to late 90's. Streamweaver takes things in an epic, trancey direction. It's really great to see that much variety on a remix package.

Buy the digital single here (iTunes)
Grade: A

Beyonce featuring Lady Gaga - Video Phone

This powerhouse collaboration between Beyonce and Lady Gaga was first reported about a month or so ago when the music video was being filmed. Lady Gaga makes a guest appearance on this new remix of the song which is a new single off of the re-release of I Am...Sasha Fierce. This new version replaces the solo version that appeared on the original pressings of the album. "Video Phone" is a sexy song about the device of the same name. Lady Gaga fits in quite well with her parts, especially with the spoken word hooks throughout the song. The video is quite sexy as well. There is an alternate uptempo mix featuring Pitbull too. Lady Gaga is not on that one though. Both versions will be quite the floorfiller in clubs.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

VA - Just Dance 2

This is the second release from the new series this year. The first release which came out a few months back was fairly successful. This releasese, too, features a good blend of both dance remixes of non-dance songs and some pure dance songs too. The significant majority of the songs and their versions have been previously released. One of the exclusives is the new Jump Smokers mix of "Russian Roulette" by Rihanna which is not available anywhere else at this time. Only a couple of songs are a bit older, however it's great that those have been included as they do deserve to be heard by a wider audience.

Tracklisting:
01. Rihanna – Russian Roulette (Jump Smokers Remix)
02. Mariah Carey – Obsessed (Jump Smokers Remix)
03. Honorebel featuring Pitbull & Jump Smokers – Now You See It (Club Mix)
04. Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck Without You (Chriss Ortega Club Mix)
05. Tinchy Stryder featuring Taio Cruz – Take Me Back
06. The-Dream featuring Kanye West – Walkin’ On The Moon (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix)
07. Kim Sozzi – Cry Tonight (Kiss Me Back) (Extended Mix)
08. Jessica Jarrell – Armageddon (StoneBridge Club Mix)
09. Kristinia DeBarge – Goodbye (Mike Rizzo Funk Generation Club Remix)
10. Noisettes – Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go) (Dave Audé Club Remix)
11. Armin van Buuren feat. Jacqueline Govaert – Never Say Never (Alex Guadino Remix)
12. Kaskade with Tamra – Angel On My Shoulder (EDX’s Belo Horizonte at Night Remix)
13. Calvin Harris – I'm Not Alone (deadmau5 Mix)
14. deadmau5 & Kaskade – I Remember (Vocal Mix)
15. Tiësto – Louder Than Boom (Extended Mix)
16. Basshunter – Every Morning

The compilation will be available in both physical and digital formats on December 1, 2009.

Grade: A

Tony Moran featuring Frenchie Davis - You Are

This is the much-awaited new single from the former American Idol contestant. Although the song was recorded last year, it was not released until just a few of days ago. This song is quite the anthem and could stay around well into the new year. Armed with mixes by Tony Moran with Warren Rigg, Dave Saronson and Giuseppe D, plus Joe Gautheraux, Mauro Mozart, Scotty K, and Klubjumpers, this one is aimed mainly towards a circuit-oriented audience. Tony and company's mixes are nice and hard. They have the right anthemic feel. Joe Gauthereaux's are a tad lighter, but also good. Mauro Mozart's is good, but it feels like it could have been harder. Scotty K and Klubjumpers both go in a similar circuit-lite direction. Frenchie Davis sounds great on "You Are." Here's to a long, successful recording career. Overall, the package is really great.

For now, the CD single is an exclusive at Perfect Beat. Click here (Perfect Beat) to listen to clips and buy the single.

Grade: A+

Lucas Prata - Remember

It has been a little while since he's had a single out. Now signed to Robbins Entertainment, his new single "Remember" will be coming out soon. He is currently working on a new album which will be released next year. "Remember" is just as catchy and memorable as his earlier hits and this one should do quite well too. Lucas sounds great on this too. No word on other remixes at this time, but there should be some. This song is currently featured on the new Robbins mixed compilation Dance Party 2010. A digital release of the song is planned in the coming weeks.

Buy the compilation here (Amazon)

Grade: A-

Billie Myers - Wonderful

English singer-songwriter Billie Myers is back after a short break with a new album, her third overall entitled Tea & Sympathy. "Wonderful" is the first single off the new album to be remixed. Barry Harris and Cajjmere Wray completed mixes for the song. It's a nice guitar and piano driven midtempo. Billie's vocals are in fine form here. The lyrics are lovely as well.

There are three remixes by Barry Harris. On the Saturday Night Club Mix, he takes things in a Latin/Tribal/Electro direction. Billie's vocals have a light, ethereal feel over the production. Things get a tad darker on the Late Night Club Mix. It has that same great feeling too. On the Accatribalelectro Mix, it's a tad percapella-ish until about 3/4 of the way in, however, the lack of other production elements allow the vocal to be further highlighted so that's fine. Cajjmere Wray's is a chunky electro house-oriented mix. It's just hard enough. Overall, this great track gets made even better with such great remixes.

Watch Billie talk about the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A