Tony Moran & Deep Influence feat. Jason Walker - Ball Of Confusion

This was previewed several weeks back and it was quietly released yesterday. This song is indeed a partial cover of the classic by The Temptations. Jason Walker puts his own spin on it with his signature falsetto style. He sounds fantastic. The peak hour production by Tony Moran and Deep Influence is fierce and uplifting. The song works best in its longer form with the additional vocals whereas the radio edit just feels like it's over too soon. The dub is basically the instrumental of the longer version with a handful of vocals. The beatapella is just the vocals and the drums. This is a strong release overall.

Purchase the single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Amy Grant - In Motion (The Remixes)

The Christian/Pop artist's highly anticipated remix album was released today. It was announced late last year that this was in the works. A handful of some of her biggest hits were selected for this collection and they were remixed by an A-list team of remixers. Every remix is produced in an uplifting style that maintains the emotional and spiritual message of the original songs. Some of the songs will take some getting used to with the club-oriented productions. This is another rare case where every remix is well-produced and suits the songs. The remixes of "Say Once More", "You're Not Alone", "Better Than A Hallelujah", and "Stay For Awhile" (both of them) are outstanding, though every remix is excellent. The only downside of this collection is that 90% of the main tracks are radio edits and not full length or mixshow length.

Tracklisting:
01. That's What Love Is For (Chris Cox Radio Edit) (3:12)
02. Stay For Awhile (Tony Moran Radio Mix) (4:08)
03. You're Not Alone (Guy Scheiman Radio Edit) (3:46)
04. Every Heartbeat (Moto Blanco Radio Edit) (3:24)
05. Better Than A Hallelujah (Mark Picchiotti Gospel Radio Edit) (3:47)
06. Find A Way (Ralphi Rosario Big Room Radio Edit) (3:37)
07. Baby Baby (Dave Aude Radio Edit) (3:57)
08. Say Once More (Hex Hector Radio Edit) (3:32)
09. Out In The Open (7th Heaven Radio Edit) (4:04)
10. Stay For Awhile (Tony Moran Destination Mixshow Edit) (6:45)
11. Mega Mix (DJ Andy 7th Heaven Medley) (8:49)

-The album can be purchased in physical formats including CD and vinyl on Amazon
-The album can be purchased digitally on Amazon and iTunes

Grade: A+

Amber Dirks - One Last Time

This is the latest single from the Dance diva and the subject is one final intimate encounter before the relationship comes to an end. This relatable subject is handled in a tasteful manner. The main QUBIQ versions are big room-oriented, however, they could fit into mainstream sets as well. Griffin White and The Popstar's remixes are full blown peak hour stormers. The latter is harder while the former is synthier. All of the mixes are great.

-Watch the music video set to the QUBIQ radio edit here (YouTube)
-Purchase the digital EP here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Jared Jones feat.Tascha Johnson - Get Up! (It's The Weekend)

Just released is an essential, feel-good song that will make you want to dance this weekend. It features the soulful vocals of Tascha Johnson and the mainstream yet big room production by Jared Jones. The main version's style recalls that of the Soul Seekerz, except it is a bit harder. Additional remixes are by Jadin Recks, Jared Jones, Jeff Morena, Matt Moss, Naked Highway, Oliver Watts, Sean Niles, and Sudad G. Jadin Recks delivers a techy-tribal mix with lots of cool vocal effects. Jared Jones' remix is in line with MK's classic production style that has recently been revived. Jeff Morena's electro mix is totally twisted with all its loops and manipulations. Matt Moss provides a softer, Deep House treatment. Naked Highway delivers the usual 80's leaning electro mix which is lots of fun. Oliver Watts' bass driven tribal mix will be perfect for peak hour. Sean Niles' Dance/Hip Hop fusion recalls early 90s Booty House with Freestyle elements. Sudad G's mix closes out the package in a hard yet Deep House style. All versions of the song are top notch with Jared Jones' remix being the best of the bunch along with the Naked Highway one.

-Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

LeAnn Rimes - Dance Like You Don't Give A...Greatest Hits Remixes

The Country star has had a string of chart hits throughout her nearly 2 decade career. A number of her singles were remixed for the clubs and she had success on the Club Play chart. An album consisting of both previously unreleased and released mixes was released last week. It is completely unmixed and features remixes of some of her biggest hits as well as a few other selected singles that didn't quite get the attention they deserved. Every single one of these remixes is melodic and is a good match for the original song. The highlights include the remixes of "Gasoline And Matches", "You've Ruined Me", "Can't Fight The Moonlight", "I Need You", "How Do I Live", "Strong", "Nothin' Better To Do", and "Headphones." This is an outstanding collection of remixes.

Tracklisting:
01. Gasoline And Matches (Dave Aude Remix)
02. What I Cannot Change (Kaskade Remix)
03. Crazy Women (7th Heaven Remix)
04. I Need You (Digital Dog Remix)
05. Help Me Make It Through The Night (Fear Of Tigers Remix)
06. Spitfire (Fagault and Marina Remix)
07. Can't Fight The Moonlight (Alias Remix)
08. You've Ruined Me (Dave Aude Remix)
09. How Do I Live (Cahill Remix)
10. Strong (Cicada Remix)
11. Nothin' Better To Do (Soul Seekerz Remix)
12. Headphones (Headspinners Remix)
13. Grace (LeAnn Rimes and The Crystal Method)

Purchase the remix album on iTunes here

Grade: A

Tim Rex - Relentless (The Serving Ovahness 2K14 Mixes)

Originally released in 1998, the instrumental tribal track based on a repeated horn riff first got noticed by clubbers and DJs when Junior Vasquez would play it at Twilo. Elements of this track went on to be incorporated in many remixes by Junior and others. The song was re-imagined in 2005 as "Relentless (Was It Just A Game)" with singer Veronica providing vocals (of "Someone To Hold", "Let Me Go...Release Me", and "I'm In Love" fame). The original mixes which only released on vinyl were given a new digital release last month. Newcomer Serving Ovahness has given the song 2 hot and fresh remixes which retain the soul of the original but also update it slightly. The main version is darker and in line with the original while the Deeper one lives up to its name. Both are extremely well done.

Purchase the new 2K14 mixes by Serving Ovahness here (Beatport)

Grade: A