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

Bill Bennett

Two new singles off of Bill Bennett's Big Muscle album have been released. The singles are "Manhunt" featuring Pepper MaShay and "Forever Young" featuring Abigail.

Bill Bennett featuring Abigail - Forever Young
This is the latest remake of the Alphaville classic. Some may be thinking that this cover might be a bit unnecessary as this song has been done hundreds of times if not more. But this is actually a pleasant remake. Abigail (of "Let The Joy Rise" and "You Set Me Free" fame) does justice to this one. The main version has a nice Euro/Hi-Nrg feel. The addition of the male harmonies in the back are a nice touch. Electric Allstarts provide a nice Euro/Electro/Pop mix. It calls to mind some of Madonna's Confessions Of A Dance Floor album. Edson Pride & Filipe Guerra's mix is circuit-oriented and does what it's supposed to. It's not overly special. Pete Barona and Blaine Soilieu's mix is circuit-oriented as well, but it's a lot more melodic and keeps some of the instrumental elements that made the original Alphaville one such a classic.

Purchase the single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A-

Bill Bennett featuring Pepper Mashay - Manhunt
This sexy new single features club legend Pepper Mashay. She sings about her search for that perfect man. It has an old school feel, but is modern-sounding. The Guitar Hero Edit is a Dance/Rock-hybrid. It immediately harkens back to the underrated Eurythmics single "I Need A Man." The Jose Spinnin Sex In The Office Mix stays close to the previous version, but it loses all the rock elements. The Bryan Reyes and Amy Alderman mix is a nice tribal/circuit one. Edson Pride provides a good Latin/Tribal mix. Chris Wren goes in a chilled, Summery sounding direction. It calls to mind some of Yves LaRock's recent work. The Butchers Dub is Electro/House-oriented.

Purchase the single here (Masterbeat)

Watch the video here (YouTube)
Warning: It's a little NSFW.

Grade: A-

Suzanne Palmer - Fame

Nearly a few months have passed since DJ Bill Bennett brought us an anthemic cover of Big Pig's "Breakaway" featuring the vocals of Inaya Day. Another cover will be the followup. This time it is "Fame" originally by Irene Cara. Circuit diva Suzanne Palmer is the vocalist on this one. Some have said it was almost blasphemy to cover such a classic. The same has been said about many covers that turned out fine. And this one is no exception. Ms. Palmer nails it. Comparisons will definitely be made between the original and this new cover, but this cover is totally comparable. A release of this cover with some additional club-ready mixes by Bill Bennett will happen in a few weeks. This is yet another single off of his forthcoming mega album Big Muscle Of The Rhythm. Songs featuring the vocals of Thea Austin, Pepper MaShay, Lonnie Gordon, Celeda, Marty Thomas, Noa Tylo and others will be on the album. Check out the radio mix at Bill's MySpace.

Grade: A-