Livvi Franc - Now I'm That Bitch/Now I'm That Chick

She is the latest import from Barbados after the success of Rihanna and Shontelle. Livvi Franc is ready to make her mark on the U.S. with the cute and infectious "Now I'm That Bitch/Now I'm That Chick." It's a nice Dance/Pop track. Her vocals are pretty good.

The real gem is the Sam Sparro Remix. It continues in the same direction as the original but makes it a bit harder and adds those little elements that make Sam's music so enjoyable.

Listen to the original here (MySpace)

Grade: A

Kaci Battaglia - Crazy Possessive

She has been on the scene for a number of years now. She has been recording since her early teens. "Crazy Possessive" is a bit more mature and a tad racier. With it's edgier production and swing beat, she sings about what she would do if another woman came along and tried to steal her man away. While it is not overly groundbreaking, it's really catchy and fun.

Listen to the original here (MySpace)

Grade: B+

The Fray - You Found Me

This was the lead single off of their second album. It is a simple, minimal track in their indelible style. It's quite good.

Lenny Bertoldo's remixes of this (under the name Sylvane) transform this gem for the dancefloor. It's a piano-driven mix that maintains the serious vibe of the original, but still makes it fun. It's very pretty. One of the best remixes of a non-Dance song this year.

Grade: A

David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland - Love Takes Over

There had been considerable buzz surrounding this collaboration even before people could have a chance to hear it. It is worth of all the buzz and praise it has been getting. Of course it will be an event when a former Destiny's Child member and a French House producer come together. Kelly's voice is a great fit for Dance/Electronic music as demonstrated by the vast number of remixes that have been done for her singles. On this particular song, she showcases more of her range which is a good thing. She sounds perfectly at home on this track. The production is really great. The aggressive, energetic intro leads to a chilled, almost "Clocks"-like keyboard loop. And then Kelly's vocals come in. It's a nice blend of hard and soft. There are several remixes of this coming soon. This one will prove to be one of this year's biggest club tracks on both sides of the Atlantic.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Eminem - We Made You

This is the first proper single off of his highly anticipated album Relapse which is due for a release in the coming weeks. "Crack A Bottle" was a 'buzz single' to get the word out that he's back. It went to number 1 in the U.S. a few weeks ago.

As he has done many times before, Eminem skewers a number of current celebrities. While this song is not as gripping on the first couple of listens as similar, earlier tracks were, this one does grow with more listens.

In order to get the full effect of the song, it is necessary to watch the eye catching music video.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)
Purchase the song here (iTunes) and here (Amazon)

Grade: A-

Charlie - Love Sets You Free

This is the Florida-based artist's first proper single. The Dance-oriented track has already begun to get some club play. The main version was produced by Dom Capello. It's a nice hard-hitting, but melodic track. Charlie's vocals are really beautiful.

There are plenty of remixes. DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio's continues in the same direction as the Dom Capello one, however, it is a bit harder and not as vocally-oriented. Nick Harvey's mixes are nice and tribal as well. Even less vocals on these, but the beats and synths are just so hard and driving on these. The dub is an adventure from start to finish. The Dave Rose mix has a lot more vocals. It is also much milder in comparison to the others, but it's still great.

A strong package overall.

Check her out on MySpace.

Grade: A

DJ Escape - Global Groove: Dance

This is his latest mixed CD for Centaur Records. It is filled with a number of productions that he did with fellow collaborators Dom capello, Tony Coluccio and Johnny Vicious. The significant majority of the songs and remixes on the comp have not been released in any form previously.

The energy of the entire set does not let up until it is over. There are some ebbs and flows and changes in the intensity, but it just keeps getting harder and more frenetic. Most of the songs are vocal oriented. Some standouts include the two Sunshine Anderson cuts that both begin and end the set. "Force Of Nature" was given a very limited release on a 12" a couple years ago. Those two tracks are highly underrated. Other highlights of the mix are "Bad, Bad Boy" (which was recently released as a single), "Love Sets You Free", "Sweat", and "Give It On Up." All of the songs chosen for the set are great though.

The compilation will be released in physical form on April 14, 2009. It is available digitally at SoundPost already.

Tracklisting:
01. Sunshine Anderson - Problems (DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Mix)
02. Erin Stevenson - Sweat (DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Mix)
03. Salme Dahlstrom - C'mon Y'all (Tribal Injection Low End Mix)
04. Rivera & Schmitz - I Want Candy (Lee Schmitz & Oliver Schmitz Mix)
05. DJ Timbo & Friends - Go Go Girl (Twisted Dee Mix)
06. Edson Pride - Sweet Dreams (Original Mix)
07. DJ Escape & Eddie Baez - Give It On Up (Original Mix)
08. Charlotte - Skin (DJ Escape 2009 Mix)
09. The Perry Twins featuring Niki Haris - Bad, Bad Boy (DJ Escape & Dom Capello Mix)
10. Mena Heaven - Open Up Your Mind (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Mix)
11. Charlie featuring Pablito Drum - Love Sets You Free (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Club Mix)
12. DJ Gomi featuring Yasmeen - Glad I Found You (Soulstice Mix)
13. Sunshine Anderson - Force Of Nature (DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Mix)

Grade: A

Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello, Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox - Leave The World Behind

There had been considerable buzz surrounding this track ever since it was first discussed a couple months back. A short, live recording of it had leaked on YouTube, but those not in the know didn't know that they could get a taste of this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration. Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello and Laidback Luke have been a major force in European Dance music and Deborah Cox has been huge here in the U.S. Dance clubs. What happens when these two forces unite? Something truly major.

The production on the track is quite interesting. It's a little Electro, kinda afterhours-ish, but it's also a little filtered. Deborah's familiar vocals come in about halfway into the main mix after a nice steady buildup. She sounds wonderful.

There's only one version of this so far. That's all it may really need. The way the track is done, it could fit into a variety of sets. This will be huge on both sides of the Atlantic.

This track is available for purchase as an exclusive through Beatport right now. Search for the artist Laidback Luke and it will take you to this track.

Grade: A