DJ JST featuring Jenn Cuneta - Nothing Compares 2 U (Remixes Part 2)

(Part 1 reviewed here back in June)
Their lovely dancefloor-oriented cover of the Prince-penned song "Nothing Compares 2 U", originally recorded by Sinead O'Connor has a second set of remixes. The additional mixes are by Barona & Hull, Jason Jayma, and Glenn Friscia & Frank Lamboy. Barona & Hull's mix is actually a radio edit of their already wonderful dark circuit/trance mix from the first release. Jason Jayma's mix really shines in its extended version with the gothic synths and hard tribal drums. The edit it nice too, but it's best enjoyed long. Friscia & Lamboy's mix is very atmospheric and has a lovely 80s synthpop feel, however, it has some contemporary electro synths too. Every version is great! Overall, Jason Jayma's mix is the best of the bunch.

-Purchase the new mixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Jay Sean - So High (Remixes)

This is the latest single from the R&B singer's forthcoming new album. Produced by Afrojack, the electro/pop track is super catchy and perfect for the clubs and radio. There are some remixes by Ralphi Rosario and Papercha$er. Ralphi's main mix and edit are mainstream big room mixes while the dub packs a greater punch. The production on the dub is slightly different. Papercha$er's mixes are very synthy during the vocal sections, however the instrumental bits consist of noisy electro. Overall, the Ralphi mixes are the better ones.

Listen to the original mix here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Kristine W - One More Try

Her 2nd number one hit from the mid 90s has been given new life in this special video about how so much help is needed for those affected by superstorm Sandy. Please take the time to view the video and donate to some of the organizations mentioned in the end credits if you haven't done so already.

Coming Soon: Freemasons feat Katherine Ellis - Tears

The UK duo known for their Disco-drenched House productions are back with a brand new single to be released soon featuring Dance diva Katherine Ellis. The production is a slight departure from their usual as it has some more Electro influences and much bigger synths than we are used to. However, the excellent soulful Gospel vocals by Katherine bring it all together. Overall, this song is shaping up to be another hit for them. Look out for this in the next few weeks.

Sir Ari Gold - Play My F**kn Record

Don't judge a song by its title. Sri Ari Gold's latest single gets right to the point: he wants the DJ to play his record now! The fun song is extremely catchy Ari delivers with the vocals as he usually does. The song's chorus with the f-bombs might turn off some but it fits in so seamlessly that it almost doesn't feel that profane and is sort of cute.

The original is in an Electro/Dance/Pop style. There are plenty of remixes by Country Club Martini Crew, Radboy, Oliver Watts, bDb, Jared Jones, and Shayne B. Country Club Martini Crew's mix is in a similar style as the original but makes the song more suitable for the dancefloor. Radboy and Oliver Watts deliver two great big room mixes with great synths, hard beats, and plenty of bass. bDb's tribal mix has great percussion. The Jared Jones mix is the definitive big room and circuit mix with its massive synths and beats. Shayne B's twisted electro mix is very contemporary. Overall, every mix is great with Country Club Martini Crew, Oliver Watts, and Jared Jones mixes being the standouts.

As Aris is an independent artist, he is trying an unorthodox method of raising money to fund his current music projects He is using IndieGoGo to raise money for the music video, an upcoming remix album, documentary, tour, and promotion. If you wish to donate money to help with his projects, go to his IndieGoGo page here. Additional details about the nature of each part of the projects is there. And he has an eye catching promotional video to draw further attention to this project on YouTube (slightly NSFW)

-Buy the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A


(note: this blog was not paid/compensated to endorse or promote this release)

Priyanka Chopra - In My City (Remixes)

After releasing her first single a few months ago, the remix EP has now been released. R3hab & ZROQ, Maestro, LA Riots, Morris, Wideboys, ANSOL, and Rishi Rich provide remixes for the RedOne produced track. R3hab & ZROQ's mix is extremely noisy and not for the faint of heart. Maestro's is a little better but it just feels too repetitive. The LA Riots mix is on the chill side with just a hint of electro. The Mr. Morris mix is downtempo and in a mild dubstep style. It's close to the original. This would be a perfect alternative to the original for radio to play. The Wideboys mix is bassline driven with some nice drops and complements the vocals well. The ANSOL mix is a big room electro mix. The best mix of the bunch is the Rishi Rich one. The use of Indian instruments with modern dance beats works so well.

Listen to clips of all the mixes here:


Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: B (for the overall remix package), A- (for the Rishi Rich mix)

Miasha - Everybody's Beautiful (Peter Rauhofer mixes)

Previously reviewed in November, the Peter Rauhofer club mix of the positive song is now available to stream.



It's a hard-hitting almost full vocal mix that stays close to the original with that lovely beatless piano section which begins the song.

Purchase the mix here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Tamar Braxton - Love and War

She was a member of her sisters' group The Braxtons and even embarked upon a solo career at the start of the 2000s. Hot on the heels of her family's reality show, she is trying again with the new single "Love and War." It is a massive R&B power ballad that brilliantly showcases her gorgeous voice. The lyrics are easy for many to relate to so it will resonate well. Melodically, this song calls to mind Keyshia Cole's "Trust and Believe". This song is screaming for a massive club mix. Overall, this song is sure to help Tamar finally make it as a solo recording artist.

-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
-Buy the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Adele - Skyfall (Nick Harvey mixes)

The latest 007 theme song sung by British songstress Adele has now been remixed for the clubs. There are plenty of mixes making the rounds, however, the Nick Harvey ones are easily the best of the bunch.

Nick beautifully preserves the already dark and dramatic atmosphere of the original and takes it up several notches. Some of the instrumental parts take on an exciting, almost dangerous feel just as the Bond films usually are. It's a big room full vocal treatment that works very well. Listen to them and download them for a limited time only.

Club Mix Radio Edit

Grade: A

2013 Grammy Nominations

The nominations for the 2013 Grammys are out now! The full list can be viewed here (Grammys official website).

These are the Dance/Electronic genre and Remixer nominations.

9. Best Dance Recording

Levels
Avicii
Tim Bergling & Ash Pournouri, producers; Tim Bergling, mixer
[Levels/Atom Empire/Interscope]

Let's Go
Calvin Harris Featuring Ne-Yo
Calvin Harris, producer; Calvin Harris, mixer
[Ultra Music]

Bangarang
Skrillex Featuring Sirah
Skrillex, producer; Skrillex, mixer
Track from: Bangarang
[OWSLA/Big Beat/Atlantic]

Don't You Worry Child
Swedish House Mafia Featuring John Martin
Steve Angello, Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso, producers; Steve Angello, Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso, mixers
[Astralwerks]

I Can't Live Without You
Al Walser
Al Walser, producer; Al Walser, mixer
[Cut The Bull Entertainment]

10. Best Dance/Electronica Album

Wonderland
Steve Aoki
[Ultra Music/ Dim Mak]

Don't Think
The Chemical Brothers
[Astralwerks]

> Album Title Goes Here <
Deadmau5
[Mau5trap Recordings/Ultra Music]

Fire & Ice
Kaskade
[Ultra Music]

Bangarang
Skrillex
[OWSLA/Big Beat/Atlantic]

68. Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical

In My Mind (Axwell Remix)
Axel Hedfors, remixer (Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl Featuring Georgi Kay)
[Neon Records/Axtone/Big Beat Records]

Lie Down In Darkness (Photek Remix)
Photek, remixer (Moby)
Track from: Destroyed Remixed
[Little Idiot]

Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix)
Eric Prydz, remixer (M83)
[Mute]

Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix)
Skrillex, remixer (Nero)
[Interscope]

The Veldt (Tommy Trash Remix)
Thomas Olsen, remixer (Deadmau5 Featuring Chris James)
[Ultra Music]

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

U2 vs Tiesto - Pride (In The Name Of Love)

U2's modern classic was released nearly 28 years ago. The epic track is often cited as a favorite by many fans of the band. Dutch Trance/Electro producer/DJ Tiesto has reworked this song. Bono's vocals on this new version sound strikingly different from the original, and not necessarily in a good way. The vocal stretch in many places just doesn't sound natural. Tiesto's new production is very uplifting and driving. Even though this rework isn't the greatest, it is done for a good cause. All proceeds from the sale of this track will go towards the (RED) foundation.

-Listen to the original U2 version here (YouTube)
-Listen to the Tiesto radio edit here (YouTube)
-Watch Tiesto talk about the (RED) foundation here (YouTube)

Grade: B+

Kelly Clarkson - Greatest Hits Megamix

Hot on the heels of the release of her first greatest hits collection comes this megamix featuring new remixed bits of her biggest hits. According to some information by Robert at DJRicoMixshow, this megamix is produced by Disco Fries and Tommie Sunshine. It's extremely well-produced and is a great overview of her hits.



Grade: A

Cher - Woman's World

The legendary icon is back with the first single from her first album in over a decade. Produced by Paul Oakenfold, the Dance/Pop song doesn't stray too far from the style of her last two records Believe and Living Proof. This is a song about empowering women in the world today. The theme is so relevant and utilized well. Vocally, Cher is in fine form sounding great. The production is perfect for radio and the clubs. This should be another big hit for her.

The digital release of the single is expected to happen on November 26.

Listen to the full song here (SoundCloud)

Grade: A

Gossip - A Joyful Noise RMX EP

The Indie Rock group known for their quirky and fun songs have enlisted the help of a number of remixers to do reworks of songs from their latest album.

Miasha - Everybody's Beautiful (Remixes)

This is the first single from the newcomer. "Everybody's Beautiful" is a rousing positive, self-affirming song. Vocally, Miasha calls to mind Florence Welch. The original is an electro/pop song that would sound at home on Pop radio today. This is something different from the usual though.

Peter Rauhofer has remixed this one to make it even more palatable for the dancefloor. He does a fantastic job of turning this into the anthem it deserves to be, maintaining many of the elements from the original version. There are plenty of energetic buildups and drops in the Big Room mix and Dub. Overall, these are outstanding.

-watch the music video for the original here (YouTube)
-buy the original version here (iTunes)
-watch a video of Miasha being interviewed by Pro Motion; a clip of the Peter Rauhofer mixes begins the video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Tori Amos - Flavor (Remixes)

This song originally appeared on her 2009 album Abnormally Attracted To Sin. It has been reworked for her new concept album Gold Dust which features classical and orchestral arrangements for some choice songs from other albums. The 2009 version is a piano-driven trip hop song. The new version is very striking in how dramatic it is with the new arrangement. It is absolutely beautiful. Tori's vocals are lovely as can be expected.

Peter Rauhofer has completed some remixes for the song. The Club mix is a Deadmau5 meets Chicane  electro/house one. The Big Room mix starts off slowly and builds up with the hypnotic synths and drums before the vocals come in. Tori's vocals usually sound amazing on a club production, and this is no exception. The Big Room mix works better. The Old Skool dub mix has a few fun vocal loops but is mostly instrumental with a hard electro synth. The vocal drop in the middle is totally unexpected and so perfect.

Overall, this is a great set of remixes for a great song.

Listen to the remixes here (Soundcloud)

Grade: A

Aiden Leslie - Diamond Dreams (Remixes)

The original version was released a short time back. Now the remixes by Klubjumpers, Tim Letteer, Julian Marsh, The All Nighters, Joe Mancuso, and Mike Degen have been released.

The Klubjumpers mix is a straightforward circuit mix. Tim Letteer's is in a similar vein, however, it builds up nicely to the vocals. This is the anthem mix of the release. Julian Marsh's circuit-oriented mix is very uplifting with the huge synths. The All Nighters mix lives up to its name being much darker. Joe Mancuso's percussive mix is a bit lighter. Last but not least is the Mike Degen Rockapella which is just the vocals and the rock production of the original minus the beats.

Every version on the release is excellent with the Tim Letteer and Julian Marsh mixes being the best of the bunch.

Listen to clips and purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

will.i.am feat Britney Spears - Scream and Shout

This is a new collaboration between the sexy popstar and the Black Eyed Peas hitmaker. They previously worked together on Britney's last album Femme Fatale. The electro/pop production is really repetitive and lacks a proper beat. It feels just too soft for a club-oriented track such as this. The lyrics are extremely basic and repetitive. Britney's voice in the spoken parts is almost unrecognizable as she is doing all sorts of faux British accents. She sounds okay during the few actual singing parts. will.i.am's voice is autotuned to hell and back so there is not much more to be said about that. The "It's Britney bitch!" sample from her own "Gimme More" is thrown in at a few places for effect. Britney and will.i.am just do not complement each other at all and the song ends up feeling far too disjointed and soulless. Overall this is a poor effort.

Listen to the song here (LoveBScott)

Grade: D

4 Rare and Unreleased Donna Summer songs

The Queen of Disco passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. In addition to the vast number of releases she had, there are many songs that have remained unreleased and unheard for a long time. Among them were "My Life", "Love On And On", "Valley Of The Moon", and "Adonai." Certain versions of these four songs have surfaced during the last few months since her death.

Mars and Vans feat Adam Turner - Amazing

This is a gorgeous new release from the Swishcraft record label. It features the vocals of Alt-Rock sounding Adam Turner. The Original Club Mix is a funky big room House mix. It makes best use of the vocals. The Mixshow edit of that one shortens it just enough for easier mixing. Matt Consola & LFB Swishcraft's mix is harder and more anthemic. Nick Bertossi's mix is in a contemporary Electro/House style. Cristian Poow's mix is in a similar style as the original but has harder beats and sounds a little more Almighty-ish with the synths. A minimal piano ballad mix called the Moonlight mix is included as well. The song works quite well in this arrangement.

The Original Club Mix of the song is featured in the promo video for Abercrombie & Fitch's new store opening in Munich, Germany.

Overall, every mix of this is really great, however the Original, Matt Consola & LFB, and Moonlight mixes are the standouts of the package.

Listen to clips of the song and purchase at the following places:

• AAC files available at iTunes
• 256 KBPS MP3s available at Amazon Radio Edits | Club Mixes 
• WAVs available at Beatport|

Grade: A

Sandra - Infinite Kiss (Remixes)

This is the second single from her 80's throwback album Stay In Touch which was released last week. The remixes for this song are now available. The Extended Version is a straightforward longer mix of the original. The Hubert Kah mix is a slightly stripped version of the original at the same tempo. The beats are less synthesized and the male vocals have less manipulations and effects.  The 80s Retro Mix is a faster, souped up version of the original. It's in the style that many club mixes were in the 80s with the original having all the right things made louder, faster, and better. It differs from the Extended Version of the original as it has a few more elements. The Ibiza mixes are mostly instrumental with just a few vocal samples. Also included is a bonus track called "Russian Eyes." It's a nice, dreamy uptempo which recalls her song "Little Girl." Overall, the 80s Retro Mix is the best of the bunch.

Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Deborah Cox and George Vector - Remember Me

After having tackled classics by Dinah Washington on her Destination Moon album several years back, Deborah has done a partial remake of Marlena Shaw's soulful "Woman Of The Ghetto." Some select samples from the live version of that song formed the basis for Blue Boy's 1997 club hit "Remember Me." The "Remember me? I'm the one who had your babies!" and "Ging g-geng..." vocals that were in that one form the basis of the chorus and bridge, respectively on this new song. As she always does, Deborah is in fine form vocally. The Eurohouse production fits the song fine, however, it would have worked better as a soulful House one.

Listen to the song here (Perez Hilton)

Grade: A-

York feat Jennifer Paige - Lost Under The Sun

This is a collaboration between trance duo York (known for the classics "The Awakening", "On The Beach", and more) and singer-songwriter Jennifer Paige ("Crush", "Always You"). "Lost Under The Sun" is actually a remix of Jennifer's own song "Bloom" released on one of her albums from 2008. Jennifer's voice is perfect for a mellow electro house with a hint of trance song like this. The original light pop/rock with a hint of electronic influence is great on its own, but this new version takes it up a notch. Those who enjoy this new one might want to check out the original too.

-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
-Buy the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Paul Van Dyk feat Plumb - I Don't Deserve You

The German trancemaster has teamed up with Christian artist Plumb for this new single. The emotionally charged song is absolutely gorgeous with Plumb's stunning vocals and the electro-house/trance production. There are additional mixes by Seven Lions, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Jerome Isma-Ae, Lucky Charmes & Tony Verdult, and Maor Levi & Bluestone. With the exception of the Giuseppe Ottaviani mix, all the other ones are variations of hard electro house with a trance undercurrent. Giuseppe Ottaviani's big room trance mix is the best of the bunch. It is styled in the way much of Paul's early 2000s mixes were. The uplifting production complements the vocals perfectly.

Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Wayne G feat Alison Jiear - I Just Wanna Dance 2012 (U.S. Mixes)

This is the part 2 update of the cult classic. The first release happened earlier this month. Rosabel, Manny Lehman, Joe Gauthreaux, James Torres & LFB, and Griffin White & Aaron Christopher provide the additional mixes. All of the versions are big room-oriented.

Rosabel (the production duo of Ralphi Rosario and Abel Aguilera) deliver a hard and dark dub centering around some adlibs, vocalizations, and spoken parts. They have a knack for producing some really fierce dubs and this one is no different. Manny Lehman's mix is very tribal and energetic. He also incorporates the slow section from the original. Joe Gauthreaux's mix is dark as well with a massive synth running through it. James Torres & LFB's mix is minimal and would work as a great segue between electrohouse and tribal songs. Griffin White & Aaron Christopher's mix is quite dark as well. Overall, the Rosabel and Manny Lehman mixes are the best of the bunch even though all the mixes are quite enjoyable.

Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Jennifer Holliday - People Come Together

This is the ferocious dub version of "Magic" released last year. It centers around the adlibs, high notes and the title's vocal loops, and a little bit of the chorus. The production is much harder and darker. It is perfect for peak hour and as a teaser to the vocal mix of the song. An acapella version is included on the single for layering and your own productions. This is an exciting release!

Purchase the single 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

Paul Lekakis - Meet Me On The Dancefloor

The 80s Dance/Pop singer is back with a new club release with remixes by Solar City, Manny Lehman, Scotty K, and George Figares. The Solar City mixes are club-oriented electropop. Manny Lehman's 'radio' mix is a nice big room one. The heavily autotuned vocals work best on this one. They work on the regular Manny Lehman mix too, but the 'radio' one just feels more tailor-made for the clubs. Scotty K's circuit-oriented mix has a lot of energy and utilizes the vocals well.

Purchase the release here (Amazon)

Grade: B+

Kelly Clarkson - Catch My Breath

The first ever American Idol winner is all set to release her first greatest hits album covering the first 10 years of her career. "Catch My Breath" is one of several new songs that will be join her earlier hit singles. It is catchy Pop/Rock uptempo with a hint of 80s synthpop. The song sounds like a classic already. Vocally this is really good. The lyrics capture where Kelly might be at this stage of her career or in general. Overall, this is a great song.

Listen to it here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Tony Moran - Sugarhouse Divas

Weeks after releasing a collection of songs from his recent podcast comes another one dedicated to showcasing a number of the dancefloor divas he has worked with recently and in the past. Nearly all the songs are radio edits with just a couple being mixshow length. Several new tracks including "Shine On 2012", "I Give In", "Heartbeat", "Alegria Anthem", and "Over The Rainbow" accompany the older and classic songs. "Shine On 2012" features original vocalist Cindy Mizelle. The new version is an uplifting circuit anthem. "I Give In" is another vocal anthem that had remained unreleased for at least a couple of years. The hard production calls to mind the earlier track "Rock Into Your Soul" which featured Lisa Lisa. The rousing "Heartbeat" appeared on the last collection, however this is a mixshow edit. "Alegria Anthem" is the hands-in-the-air track generally for the Alegria parties. "Over The Rainbow" is indeed a partial remake of the Judy Garland song. It is produced in the style of Tony's early 2000s mixes. Overall, this is a solid collection.

Tracklisting:

# Title	Artists
1. Shine On	Tony Moran, Cindy Mizelle
2. If I Was Your Boyfriend	Tony Moran, Anastacia
3. Live You All Over	Tony Moran, Deborah Cooper
4. Walk Away	Tony Moran, Kristine W
5. You Are	Tony Moran, Frenchie Davis
6. Rising	Tony Moran, Elizabeth Withers
7. Freedom	Tony Moran, Nicki Richards
8. Keep Your Body Workin'	Tony Moran, Martha Wash
9. I Give In	Tony Moran, Orion
10. La Musica	Tony Moran, Michelle Weeks, Trey Lorenz
11. Destination	Tony Moran, Ultra Naté
12. Heartbeat	Tony Moran, Diva Convention
13. Tenderness	Tony Moran, Deborah Cox
14. Sensation	Tony Moran, Orion
15. Alegria Anthem	Tony Moran, Zhana Saunders
16. Get Down	Tony Moran, Katherine Russell
17. Over the Rainbow	Tony Moran, Lilias White, Nicki Richards

Listen to clips and buy the release here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Adele - Skyfall

The much-awaited song from the new 007 James Bond movie is here! Hot off of the hit streak with her 21 album, Adele is back for a bit with this. The song showcases a more subdued vocal performance. It is quite dark and dramatic. The big room orchestral arrangement is a perfect match for Adele's soaring vocals. The song is up there with some of the best Bond film songs such as "Diamonds Are Forever", "For Your Eyes Only", and "Goldeneye."

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A+

Wayne G feat Alison Jiear - I Just Wanna Dance 2012

Taken from the stage show Jerry SpringerL The Opera, the song "I Just Wanna Dance" was remixed in the mid 2000s by Wayne G and the Sharp Boys and became an underground club classic. It has been given an update for 2012 by Wayne G with Andy Allder and Jon M, plus Pagano with all new vocals by the big voiced Alison Jiear. Wayne and Andy's mix is a modernized version of the original mix Wayne did previously. The slow section which begins the original song is kept in this version building to a nice drama moment. Wayne and Jon's mix is a bit darker. Pagano's largely instrumental dub uses many loops and samples of the more profane lyrics of the song. This works as a fun tease to some of the  other vocal mixes. Overall, Wayne and Andy's main mix is the best of the bunch. An additional package of mixes is expected later on.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Sandra - Infinite Kiss

This is the second single from the German singer's new Stay In Touch album which will be released on October 26. Just as with the previous single "Maybe Tonight", this one is a throwback to her 80s Hi Nrg/Italo Dance brand of Pop music. This one calls to mind her classics "Heaven Can Wait" and "Secret Land". Blank & Jones are on production duties again along with Jens Gad and Hubert Kah on songwriting. Overall, this is a nice song. Fans of her earlier work should definitely check this out.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Chris Rene - Rockin' With You

The X-Factor alum's latest single from his I'm Right Here EP is called "Rockin' With You." The 90s sounding R&B/Pop song calls to mind some of Maroon 5's recent singles, which is a good thing. The song's melody resembles Eternal's UK hit "Angel Of Mine" (which R&B songstress diva Monica later covered). Whether intentional or not, it works quite well. Chris displays his strongest vocal performance to date. Each single released so far has been better than the previous one, and this is no exception.

Purchase the EP on iTunes here

Grade: A

Rihanna - Diamonds

This is the new single of off her new album due this November. The song is produced by Stargate and written by Sia Furler ("Breathe Me", "The Girl You Lost To Cocaine", "Titanium", "Wild Ones"). This is not the Dance/Pop clubbanger many may have expected. It is a mature, atmospheric midtempo. The vocal delivery shows obvious signs of Sia's influence. Lyrically, the song is really simple, and somewhat repetitive, but it really comes together with Rihanna's stellar vocal. The production is very 80s, and almost calls to mind M83's "Midnight City."  The melody and phrasing of the chorus call to mind Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die." Overall, this is a very strong single.

-Listen to the song here (Soundcloud)
-Buy the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

The Scumfrog feat Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith

Sting has been no stranger to clubland with a handful of remixes of his singles having been released over the years (most notably for "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot", "Sister Moon", "Desert Rose", "Send Your Love", and "Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing"). The Scumfrog's latest is a full vocal treatment of Sting's 1993 single. The light Electro House production fits the vocals very nicely. The vocal stretch however doesn't sound that great in some parts. Carl Cox, Beckers, and Kruse & Nuernberg have done the remixes. Carl Cox's mix is in a similar style as the original, however, it has very few vocals. The Beckers mix is a bit more minimal, however, it has most of the vocals. The repetitive synth which comes in about half way into the mix could be done without. The Kruse & Nuernberg mix ends up being the best of the bunch as a dark, soft Electro-House full vocal mix.

-Listen to previews of the mixes here (YouTube)
-Purchase the digital single here (Beatport)

Grade: A-

Meital De Razon and Asi Tal - Le Lo Le

This is the latest single from the Israeli Dance/Pop diva. She teams up with Asi Tal for this ethnically flavored track. It has elements of traditional Middle Eastern instruments mixed with current Electro Pop. Meital's vocals are hypnotic and soaring. The song is very catchy. There is a remix by Offer Nissim with Asi Tal which picks up the tempo, plays up the ethnic elements, and totally transforms the song for the clubs while retaining the original's essence. This remix improves upon the original making a great song into an excellent song.

-Watch the beautiful music video here (YouTube)
-Purchase the original version from Meital's store

Grade A

Priyanka Chopra feat will.i.am - In My City

The Indian actress and former beauty queen is all set to make her foray into music. She has demonstrated her singing abilities when she went on international performance tours. She teams up with RedOne and will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas on this uptempo song. It is a feelgood Dance/Pop song with some subtle Indian musical elements. Vocally, Priyanka sounds quite good. One could compare her to Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Lopez. will.i.am's brief section complements her vocals quite well. Overall, this is a great first single.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Gomi and Don Philip - It's A Good Thing (Remixes)

Don Philip was most notably an early duet partner of Britney Spears on her first album. After parting ways with the major label he was signed to, he released several albums independently. He auditioned on the 2nd season of X-Factor, however, it didn't go quite as planned.

"It's A Good Thing" was quietly released earlier this year. He teams up with longtime producer/programmer/DJ Gomi for this song. Don's vocals are quite good. Despite the simple lyrics, they are good. The uptempo song could easily be on Pop radio right now if were to be worked there. There are some club-oriented remixes by Gomi with Rasjek and Yasuo Yamada. The Gomi with Rasjek mix is more mainstream. It is just as suitable for radio as it is for the clubs. The Gomi with Yasuo Yamada one is harder. Overall, every version is great.

Purchase the digital single here:
-Original Amazon
-Gomi with Rasjek mixes Amazon | Beatport

-Gomi with Yasuo Yamada Amazon | Beatport

(these versions are available at nearly all digital music stores)

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

P!nk - Try

This is the second single from her upcoming album. It is a midtempo Rock power ballad with a massive chorus originally written by Busbee and Ben West, and produced by Greg Kurstin. This is the single many have been waiting for as P!nk really shines on it. The song sounds like something out of the 90s, but not in a dated way. The song has all the makings of becoming a modern classic and a huge hit.

Listen to the song here:


Grade: A

The Wanted - I Found You

This is the lead single off of their 3rd album due out early next year. As "Chasing The Sun" completed its run on radio, this one is all set to launch their next record. The song's production calls to mind their previous hit "Glad You Came" as it has an accordion type of instrumental hook. The guys show off their falsetto vocals on the chorus, something they have only done sparingly on their other songs. It's very Bee Gees.  Overall, this is a great song and should be another hit for them.

Clips of the song (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Alicia Keys - Girl On Fire

This is the latest single from the R&B chanteuse's new album. It's co-written by Alicia herself, Jeff Bhasker, Billy Squier, and Salaam Remi. Alicia delivers a really stellar vocal on this well-written song. Her vocals on the chorus are fantastic. There are multiple versions of the song to make it more suitable for airplay on different formats. The main version has a Pop/R&B type production. The beat calls to mind fun.'s "We Are Young." The Inferno mix has harder beats and features rapper Nicki Minaj delivering some guest verses. Her verses feel a little pedestrian, but they work. The Bluelight version is more suited for CHR/Pop and AC with the lighter production. Overall, this is an excellent song.

Listen to the versions on YouTube:
-Original buy it here
-Inferno Version buy it here
-Bluelight Version buy it here

Grade: A

Voyage - Voyage (Special Edition) and Fly Away (Special Edition)

The highly underrated French Disco group were active from 1978 until 1982. They are best known for the song "Souvenirs" which was a classic at the legendary Saint club in New York. Their first two albums have been re-released as special editions back in July via the Harmless label in the UK. All remastered quite nicely, both special editions contain the original album plus the instrumental versions from the Special Instrumental vinyl collections on the first disc. These instrumental versions have never ever been released on CD previously. The second disc includes additional 7", 12", and alternate versions. Most of the 7" versions have been very hard to get in one place like this. Overall, both of these special editions are very well done.

-Tracklisting for Voyage (Special Edition)
-Tracklisting for Fly Away (Special Edition)

Grade: A

Nicole Moudaber and Victor Calderone - The Journey Begins

They are two underground house DJs/producers who have collaborated on two new recordings released last week. "The Journey Begins" is a 12 and half minute largely instrumental track with and uplifting synthline, twisted filtering, and a hypnotic male vocal. It changes throughout. Although quite well-produced, it could be a bit shorter. "Vertical Limit" is over 11 minutes and is something suitable for play during afterhours. However, the track is extremely repetitive. It could work well with an acapella played over it though.

Purchase the digital single here (Beatport)

Grade: B+

Avicii vs Lenny Kravitz - Superlove

The original song was on his album released last year. The guitar-driven R&B/Pop/Rock track features a really lovely vocal by Lenny. The Avicii remix has gotten a lot more attention as this has been a fixture in his sets for some time now. The rocker's vocals are heavily manipulated and appear in the middle. The main riff sounds like it is based on Loleatta Holloway's "Love Sensation".

There are additional mixes by Carl Tio & Morjac, Andy Caldwell, Fred Falke, WAWA, Taped & Redtop, Stefan Dabruck, Teddy Douglas, Whatever Whatever, and Redtop. Carl Tio & Morjac's mix is much poppier than the original, however the tempo is almost the same. Teddy Douglas' mix is very hard and tribal. Redtop's solo mix is an extended version of the original.

-Watch the eye-catching music video for the Avicii remix here (YouTube)
-Buy the remixes here (iTunes)
-Buy the Avicii remix here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Exposé - Shine On

The Dance/Pop trio in its original hit configuration is back with their first new single in over 20 years! They released a new version of their big hit "Point Of No Return" last year. "Shine On" is a beautiful, uplifting track featuring the ladies' signature great vocals. The production is very simple and effective on the main Drew Pearson mix. There are remixes by DJ Amy Alderman, Chris Thomas, Klubjumpers, and Oliver Watts. DJ Amy Alderman's mix is really hard and dark, making it perfect for the circuit floors. The Chris Thomas mix is aptly named as the mix is very light and pretty. The Klubjumpers mix is good, however, it feels very basic in its construction. The Oliver Watts mix is the best of the bunch with its uplifting circuit-oriented production. The synthwork really complements the vocals nicely. Also included on the single are re-recorded versions of their hits "Come Go With Me", "Let Me Be The One", "Seasons Change", and "Point Of No Return."

Purchase the CD maxi single for "Shine On" directly from the group's website (a digital download release is expected to happen eventually)

Grade: A

Kristine W - Everything That I Got

This is the latest single from the veteran Dance diva. The song is sassy and festive, recalling some of her earlier songs such as "Clubland", however, it lacks the excitement of her earlier work. Vocally she sounds great though. Bimbo Jones, Stonebridge, Subgroover, and Twisted Dee provide the remixes this time around. Bimbo Jones' mixes are straight-forward mainstream ones. Stonebridge's organ-driven mixes are surprisingly hard-hitting. Subgroover's are string-driven with a hint of electro. Twisted Dee's mix is the most anthemic of the bunch. Overall, Twisted Dee and Stonebridge deliver the best mixes of the bunch. It must be noted that the club mix and dub versions are very short (the longest version on the package is 6:23).

-The digital single is available for purchase here (iTunes)
-The CD maxi is available for purchase from Kristine's website here (purchase includes a free download of a previously unreleased remix of "Shower The People" by Welcome)

Grade: B+

Justin Bieber feat Big Sean - As Long As You Love Me (Remixes)

This is the second single off of his Believe album. The dubstep influenced track marks a major change in the popstar's sound. This is far more infectious than the previous single "Boyfriend." Rapper Big Sean's appearance on the song is pretty good.

This is his second consecutive single to have a full package of remixes for the clubs. There are remixes by Paulo & Jackinsky, Ferry Corsten, Audien, and Audiobot. DJ Paulo & Alain Jackinsky's signature big room sound works very well with the song. Ferry Corsten's electro-house mix feels a tad too aggressive for such a light-hearted and fun song. The Audien and Audiobot mixes are in a dubstep style. Audien's mix is a bit more uplifting while Audiobot's is very dark and aggressive. Fans of the original wanting something similar to that will enjoy the latter two.

Watch the music video for the original version here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Christina Aguilera - Your Body

There had been some rumors since late last year that this single would be released to start off Christina's new album era, however, it remained unreleased and unheard until now. The Max Martin-produced song is a Dance-oriented R&B midtempo. The sexy song is far catchier than some of her earlier first singles. Compared to her last outing with "Not Myself Tonight", this one is much more subtle. "Fuck Your Body" was the original name for the song as she sings that line in the chorus, but there are edited versions coming out that reportedly change "fuck" to "love". Vocally, Christina shows a bit more restraint limiting her signature runs and ad libs. Overall, this is a really strong lead single.

Grade: A

Kathy Griffin - I'll Say It (Remixes)

Known for her outrageous and hilarious brand of comedy, the comedienne, actress, and now talk show host is releasing a song. This is actually the theme song for her new Bravo network show Kathy. The original is a Country/Rock/Pop track. Despite the use of some autotune on the vocals, Kathy sounds pretty good. She sounds far more convincing than some of today's popstars. There is a full package of remixes by the Majik Boys, Razor N Guido, Sted-E & Hybrid Heights, Gustavo Scorpio, and Keisha My Ash. The Miami Radio mix is a clubbier version of the original. The Majik Boys mixes have that "Tik Tok"/"California Gurls" type of synth running through them. These are nice electropop mixes. Razor N Guido provide a nice big room synthy mix with some hard beats. Sted-E & Hybrid Heights provide and uplifting electro mix with some pretty piano sections. Gustavo Scorpio's hard circuit-oriented mix makes the song into a dancefloor anthem. The Keisha My Ash mix is a techy, aggressive electro mix. Overall, every version works well with the Majik Boys, Razor N Guido, and Gustavo Scorpio mixes being the best of the bunch. This is a very fun release.

Listen to clips and buy the remixes of the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Aiden Leslie - Diamond Dreams

This is his latest single. Stylewise, this marks a bit of a departure for him as the song has strong Rock influences coupled with his usual Dance/Pop. Aiden's vocals are much stronger on this song demonstrating his growth since prior singles. The song has more lyrical depth as well. Overall, this is his strongest single to date. It is perfect for the clubs and radio.

Watch eye-catching the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Brook Penning - My Heart!

This is the singer-songwriter's new single produced by the legendary Robert Clivilles (of C+C Music Factory). Brook's vocals are comparable to Beyonce and Kelly Rowland in terms of abilities and style. The production on the song is a throwback to Enur's "Calabria 2007" which was a big hit throughout much of the world. The sax hook in the back and the programming bears a striking resemblance to it. The Samba After Hours mix gives the song a nice tribal workout. Overall, the song is very catchy and fun.

Listen to the song here:


Buy it on iTunes

Grade: A

Swedish House Mafia feat John Martin - Don't You Worry Child

This is their latest single. It is vocal-oriented track in a similar vein as last year's "Save The World." Lyrically it is very positive and hopeful. The vocals by John Martin are beautiful. They call to mind some of Bryan Adams' earlier work. The instrumental production is ethereal and uplifting. The main riff calls to mind the ones used in Coldplay's "Every Tear Is A Waterfall" and Avicii's "Levels." This one would find success in both clubland on mainstream radio.

Listen to the main version here:


Grade: A

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) [Remix]

Originally released in 1985, the song was a big hit in many parts of the world. Kate has re-recorded the song. It was featured during the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony. The new version is based structurally on the original 12" version. It feels a bit more modern, while retaining the original flavor. Kate's vocals are noticeably different as her voice has changed a bit over the years, however, the deeper vocals give the song a totally different feel. The song was wonderful in its original version, however, this remix is quite lovely as well.

Purchase the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Aaliyah - Enough Said (feat Drake)

During her brief career that was cut short by her tragic death in 2001, Aaliyah had left quite an impression on the R&B music scene with her unforgettable voice. A previously unreleased song has now been produced by Noah "40" Shebib and adds in red hot rapper Drake. The song is dark and haunting with Aaliyah's beautiful vocals bringing it all together. Her "yeah yeah yeah  yeah yeah yeah" hook is so simple yet so devastating. Drake's rap verse works, but the lyrics throwing shade at rival Chris Brown feel really out of place and inappropriate. There is also a solo version that limits Drake's vocals to just some shoutouts in the background. Hopefully there is more unreleased music to come.

Listen to the solo version here:



Grade: A-

David Guetta feat Sia - She Wolf (Falling To Pieces)

This is a new single from the upcoming re-release of his Nothing But The Beat album. Just as the song "Titanium" featuring Aussie vocalist Sia has finally found success in the U.S. comes this new one. This is an incredible aggressive Electro/Dance/Pop track with a hint of Rock. Stylewise, this is a bit different from some of the other singles released from the album. Sia's vocals are stunning as can be expected. With the right push, this could be another hit for both artists.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Peter Rauhofer feat Zander Bleck - The World Is Mine

Originally released in 2004 by David Guetta featuring the vocals of JD Davis, the song went on to be pretty huge in clubland. Peter Rauhofer has teamed up with vocalist Zander Bleck to do a remake. Zander manages to capture the vocal nuances of the original vocalist, although nothing compares to the original. The new production is electro with some big room synths. It's a really energetic take on the song.

Listen to a clip and purchase the mix here (Beatport)

Grade: A-

Christophe Willem - Starlite

This is the latest single from the French popstar who is best known for winning on Pop Idol in France 6 years ago. The song is a throwback to the heyday of Disco music. The song interpolates Rufus & Chaka Khan's classic "Ain't Nobody" both in terms of the production and the main refrain ("ain't nobody, loves me better, makes me happy, makes me feel this way"). The stunning production is modern yet has a classic feel making it appealing to a wide variety of audiences. The song's lyrics are a mixture of French and English. Christophe's voice is impressive, immediately calling to mind George Michael and Darren Hayes. The remixes by Freemasons and Priizm are great too. The Freemason mixes basically soup up the original making it more suitable for the dancefloor. The Priizm mix is a lush piano house mix.

-Watch the original music video here (YouTube)
-Listen to the Freemasons remix here (YouTube)

Grade: A+

Mariah Carey - Triumphant

This is the highly anticipated new single off of her new album due later this year. She teams ups with rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mil on this inspirational hip hop song that is co-written and co-produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox. The song is inspirational in nature and bears some resemblance melodically to her critically acclaimed "Fly Like A Bird". Mariah's singing is limited to the hook, chorus, and bridge on the album version as the guest rappers perform the verses. However, it has been announced that there will be additional versions featuring more of Mariah. With Mariah basically guesting on her own song, it just doesn't work that well.

The song will be available for purchase next week.

Listen to the song on her website here

Grade: B

Scissor Sisters - Let's Have A Kiki (Music Video)

The Scissor Sisters have released a cute video of them dancing and performing this Summer's sleeper hit "Let's Have A Kiki." Remixes were serviced to DJs last week.

The Veronicas - Lolita

The Australian twin sisters are back with their highly anticipated new single. The Dance-oriented track features a hard thumping beat reminiscent of the Eurodance of the 90s coupled with a bit of dubstep electro. Vocally and lyrically, this doesn't deviate much from their usual but it's nice to hear after so long. The main version feels a bit shorter than it should be. It leaves one wanting more. Hopefully this is indicative of their upcoming third album. This should be another big hit for the ladies.

-Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A

GooGoosha - Round Run

Originally from Uzbekistan, the singer is all set to make her U.S. debut with "Round Run". It is an electropop track with lush pianos and synths. The mysterious-sounding breathy vocals give the song an unusual feel. It has remixes by DJ White Shadow and Razor N Guido. DJ White Shadow's mix is basically a souped up version of the original making it a bit faster and more suited for the dancefloor. Razor N Guido's mix is really hard and a bit darker. Their Duhb is the more exciting version.

Grade: A-

Glamrock Brothers & Sunloverz feat Nightcrawlers - Push The Feeling On 2K12

The House classic was originally released in 1992. It was a full vocal midtempo Disco-inflected Pop song in its original version. It was the dub remix by Marc Kinchen (The Dub Of Doom) that used only a small bit of vocals and a distinctive loop that became the most famous version. Some had speculated about what the actual lyrics were because they were seemingly indecipherable, but the original version will clear up any questions one has. An updated version of the dub version with additional vocals came out in 1995, topping the charts once again. A further revisit happened in 2003-2004 with remixes by JCA and Rosabel.

This new one has some interesting mixes. All of the mixes use the elements and vocals from the MK mix from 1992, however the main vocal mix has some additional vocals making this a totally new track with the Nightcrawlers song serving as the hook. The Big Room mix is mostly instrumental with just some vocals. The new production doesn't really fit that well. The SL Bootleg Version is circuit-oriented and is mostly based around the MK version and the beats from the Steve Angello & Laidback Luke track "Be" which was notably mashed up with Robin S' "Show Me Love" acapella few years back.

Listen to the clips of the new versions here (SoundCloud)

Grade: A- (for the SL Bootleg Version)

Scissor Sisters - Let's Have A Kiki

Taken from the glampop band's 4th album Magic Hour, this has been a fan favorite and underground club hit. It is a throwback to the runway and bitch tracks that were a mainstay of the NYC circuit scene in the 90s. It's a cute tribal romp that you just can't help but smile and dance along to.

There are remixes for this by 2 Bears, Almighty, Danny Verde, DJ Nita, and Olugbenga. The 2 Bears mix is a lower tempo, minimal electro house one. It would work well as a transition record. Almighty's big room electro house treatment feels too pretty for such a sleazy, naughty song. Danny Verde nails it with his dark tribal circuit mix. This is every bit the tear-off-your-shirt anthem that fans and DJs have been waiting for. DJ Nita gives the song a hot runway feel. Olugbenga's mix is very downtempo and almost romantic-sounding, but such a production doesn't work with the song. Overall, Danny Verde takes the prize with this one.

Watch the bootleg music video here (a little NSFW)

Grade: A