Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece (Idol Version)

This is the 3rd single from her album of the same name. The powerful song is autobiographical and is a big ballad in its original version. A remixed version was produced for the radio release which has an 80s synthpop feel. It could be thought of as a Dance mix. Kelly made an appearance on American Idol last week and performed this in a stripped arrangement. The performance received a lot of attention as Kelly got really emotional during it, as did much of the audience. Kelly has since gone into the studio to re-record the vocals and with that same arrangement. The result is absolutely stunning. This new version is easily the best version of the song. It was released today and will be appearing on a special remixed re-release of the album which is due for release on March 3.

Listen here and purchase on iTunes

Grade: A

Blind Colors feat. Melonie Daniels Walker - Found Love (Remixes)

This is a new release from the Def Mix record label which is owned by the legendary David Morales. The vocals are by Melonie Daniels Walker who is best known for her distinct background work on many of Mariah Carey's songs, and of course on those re-sung remixes by David Morales which featured radically different vocal arrangements. Melonie delivers an excellent vocal here. Her lead vocals are controlled and restrained, and then she really lets loose with the ad libs and backing vocals. The first two remixes are by David himself. The first one is in David's traditional classic House style whereas the second one has a stronger Disco flavor. The R&D mixes are in a Deep House style echoing the glory days of Masters At Work. Sami Dee's remix is softer than all of the others but it is still quite effective.

-Listen to clips and purchase the single here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Bit Error + Country Club Martini Crew feat. Inaya Day - Do What We Do

This is the first original track from DJ/producer/remixer Bit Error and Country Club Martini Crew. It features the vocals of Dance diva Inaya Day. The song has a distinct 80s flavor to it with the synths and beats, but it sounds contemporary. It is dancefloor and radio ready. The main versions are out now, but a full remix package will be released on March 4.

-Listen to clips and purchase the original mixes here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Sudad G feat. Tascha Johnson - Won't Give Up

Melodic House in the vein of stuff from the early 90s has made a huge comeback in the last year or so. This new release sounds like it could have been made back then, but it fits in nicely with all the current ones. "Won't Give Up" is a soulful song of positivity sung beautifully by Tascha Johnson. The main version has a deep bassline and a nice piano loop. The Nu Disco mix is exactly what the name indicates--it's a modern take on the sensibilities of the Disco era. Last but not least is the Yuichi Inoue remix which is a little lighter and more uplifting. All 3 versions are excellent.

Listen to clips and purchase the single here (TraxSource)

Grade: A

Jason DeRulo - Naked

This is the lead single from an upcoming re-release of his most recent album Everything Is 4. It marks a major change in musical direction for the mostly R&B and Pop singer. The production is spartse and sensual. Lyrically speaking, the lyrics are far more brazen and sexually explicit than those heard in any song he has released to date. They are very much in line with R. Kelly's recent output. The song has the feel of Future's recent work and The Weeknd's "Often" and "The Hills". Despite all that, the song is intriguing and sexy. The almost NSFW music video leaves almost nothing to the imagination as it shows Jason doing his best D'Angelo "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" impression for the camera, showing off his toned and buff body.

-Watch the music video here (YouTube) NSFW
-Purchase the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Justin Bieber - Sorry (Barry Harris remix)

The song has already been a big success all over the world in its original version. Now it is all set to fill the dancefloors at the clubs with this fierce tribal remix by Barry Harris. He maintains the melodic structure of the original but makes it hard and driving. The Unapologetic Bitch version incorporates some apropos vocal samples from Madonna's "Sorry" and OneRepublic's "Apologize." The Mixshow version only uses the OneRepublic samples. Both are incredible.

Grade: A

Jay Sean - Make My Love Go (feat. Sean Paul)

The British Indian R&B star is back with a brand new single which features Sean Paul. It is a fun fusion of contemporary R&B and Dancehall with a hint of Tropical House. Jay's vocal delivery has more of a Dancehall style The pre-chorus is actually an interpolation of Maxi Priest's early 90s hit "Close To You." It's an unlikely choice for reviving right now but it works so well. Sean Paul is a nice addition. Overall, this has the potential to re-establish Jay on the scene.

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

Grade: A