Chad Jack vs Nasty Pig - Gag On It

Producer/DJ is back with a new a underground track that is a takeoff on the runway classic "Why Are You Gagging?" by Jade Elektra. Only a few bits of vocals in both filtered and unfiltered incarnations are spread throughout the track. In addition to the building tribal/electro original, there are mixes by Barry Harris, Superchumbo, Coletta & LaCava, and Still & Havoc. Bringing plenty of drama, the Barry Harris mix is faithful to the main version, however, he adds some fun synth lines and effects. With its blips and bleeps and thick electro synths, Superchumbo's mix is rather repetitive. Newcomers Coletta & LaCava channel the Iberican underground with their interpretation. Their mix is excellent for layering with some other sounds or samples. Finally, the Still & Havoc mix has intense rushes of electro coupled with driving synths. Overall, the Barry Harris and Coletta & LaCava mixes are the best of the bunch.

Listen to an edit of the main version here:
Gag On It (NSFW Sound Cloud Edit) by Chad Jack Vs Nasty Pig

Purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Jason Walker - Leave It All Behind

The soulful singer is back with a brand new single after being out of the spotlight for some time. "Leave It All Behind" is a nice return to form after venturing into a different direction for a short time. Lyrically and vocally, this song is top notch. The main version is a fun hybrid of Dance and Rock. There are remixes by Joe Carrano, Chad Jack, and Quentin Harris. Joe's mixes have that familiar sound he has come to be associated with during the last decade. They are energetic while having an uplifting feel. Chad delivers two different versions, each bringing something different. The first one is circuit-driven with some piano-house elements. His second one his a bit harder. Quentin's mixes are electro/circuit-flavored. Overall, all the mixes are great.

Purchase the CD maxi here (PerfectBeat)

Grade: A-

Tim Letteer featuring Zhana - Broke Free

2010 is shaping up to be the year of the diva anthem. "Broke Free" is a song which can be added to this growing category. Featuring the soulful and powerful vocals of Zhana, this song is really great. The original has a big room feel, but is very accessible. Tim's Dark mix is a bit synthier and more suited for peak hour play. There are plenty of additional mixes by Chad Jack, Nick Harvey, Reed McGowan with Warren Rigg, Michael Hades, and Jamie J. Sanchez. Chad Jack offers an electro-flavored circuit mix. Nick Harvey's mixes are hard, dark, and driving. Reed and Warren's circuit-oriented mix is both soulful and hard at the same time. Michael Hades's mix is minimal and best for an afterhours set. Jamie J. Sanchez's mix is also hard and circuit-oriented. Overall, all the mixes are great, however, Nick, Reed with Warren and Jamie's mixes are the standouts.

Purchase the digital single here (Juno)

Grade: A

Vernessa Mitchell - Love Is The Message

Nearly several years in the making, Love Is The Message, a collection of singer Vernessa Mitchell's club-released singles from 1995 through 2010 is finally available. All singles released during that time are represented with one version per song. In most cases, the main version or the popular remix, when appropriate was chosen. Assembling a tracklisting that would satisfy each and every fan was going to be a nearly impossible task, but this is pretty close. All versions are full length. Several have never been released digitally. In addition to the older singles, the new song "Rise!" is included (see separate review here).

Tracklisting:
01. Reap (What You Sow) (Junior's Sound Factory Mix) 12:29
02. This Joy (Razor & Guido Remix) 10:45
03. Issues (Junior's Earth Anthem) 13:05
04. Higher (Junior Vasquez Marathon Remix) 10:26
05. Trouble Don't Last Always (feat Barbara Mitchell - Twilo Mix) 7:47
06. Serious (Junior's Earth Anthem) 12:50
07. Took My Life (Chad Jack's Club Remix) 11:34
08. Accept Me (Junior's Massive Club Mix) 8:53
09. Love Will Find A Way (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) 8:43
10. Rise! (feat Barbara Mitchell - Jerome Farley Floor One club Mix) 9:20

Overall, this is a great collection. Cheers to everyone who helped to make this collection a reality!

Purchase here (Juno)

Grade: A+

Chad Jack & Tim Letteer V. Fawn - Wish U Love

This is the latest from the up and coming producers Chad Jack and Tim Letteer plus new talent Fawn. "Wish U Love" is a pretty, positive vocal track. Fawn's vocals are quite good. The production on the main versions is Electro/Circuit-oriented, however, it could easily fall under the Dance/Pop catergory. This could be a hit on the Dance Radio format if promoted there.

There's no shortage of remixes. Tim Letteer provides a nice chilled, electro/tribal dub. It's really pretty. Nick Harvey does his usual tribal fierceness. All sorts of fun vocal loops and effects can be found throughout the mix. Nick Wax's mix could be thought of as an electro/dance mix meets mild big room mix. The lush pianos in certain parts are really great. Danny James' mix is a twisted electro affair. KJ Sawka's mis is a total departure of the other mixes. It's at a higher tempo and a lot more trance/break-oriented even though it is labeled as a Drum & Bass mix. It is very drummy and bassey. Finally is Jeff Poirier's mix which is also a circuit/electro/tribal, almost big room mix. The whole package is quite strong and there's something for everyone.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A