Cher - I Walk Alone (NovoGain Remixes)

The latest remix package for Cher's empowerment anthem has been serviced. This set of big room mixes by NovoGain are the hardest ones released so far. NovoGain delivers a set of mixes that are dark, tribal, and techy. All of them are loaded with hard, massive beats, deep, twisting synths, and gorgeous dramatic buildups and breakdowns. The main vocal mix is a tad more mainstream as it has all the vocals while the dub keeps just a handful of them and is perfect for peak hour and afterhours.

Listen to the main mix here:

The main NovoGain mix will be available for purchase on April 29 on Amazon.

Grade: A

Cher - I Walk Alone (Remixes)

The latest single from her Closer To The Truth album has been remixed for a club release. Pop/Rock diva P!nk wrote this song and also performed the background vocals. The rock tinged song was a fan favorite. The Dance/Rock/Country style of the original works really well and Cher sounds great singing over that production. There are remixes by JRMX, Mike Rizzo, Morlando, and Tracy Young on this first set. JRMX delivers a Disco/House mix reminiscent of the Freemasons' signature sound that works surprisingly well. Mike Rizzo provides an interesting mix that incorporates dub step elements which somehow works. Morlando's 80s sounding mix is anthemic, however, it lacks a certain something that would take it over the top. Tracy Young's mix is a big room oriented Electro House one. It's the most mainstream mix of the bunch.

Grade: A

Cher - Take It Like A Man (Remixes)

After part 1 came out earlier this month, the second set of remixes by DJ Paulo with Alain Jackinsky, JRMX, and Tony Moran with Joe Carrano were recently serviced to DJs.

Paulo and Jackinsky deliver some really dark and synthy mixes that recall Peter Rauhofer's work. JRMX's mainstream Dance/Pop mix is in a similar style as the 7th Heaven mix. Tony Moran and Joe Carrano deliver with some hard anthemic mixes. They arranged their mix in a way that has lots of peaks and valleys in the energy level to play up the drama at just the right times. Every mix on this second set is great.

Grade: A

Cher - Take It Like A Man (Remixes)

This is one of two singles that were released as a followup to "Woman's World." The Jake Shears-penned song is dripping with the camp and fun that is his work with the Scissor Sisters. It's a perfect dancefloor anthem for the ageless diva. This is one of the many highlights from the album. The first remix package includes mixes by 7th Heaven and Over The Top. 7th Heaven's fabulous mainstream, big room mix is so well done. The Over The Top mixes are in a similar vein as the original, but they have a subtle 80s Hi Nrg flavor which is so appropriate for a song such as this. Both sets of mixes are great.

-Listen to clips and purchase the remixes here (Amazon Germany)
(the U.S. store will have this next week)

Grade: A

Cher - Woman's World (Remixes)

The official release of the single finally happened today. The song was first streamed on her official website late last year. The album's release campaign kicked off with the release of the single and a performance of the song on NBC's The Voice.

The new version of the song is very similar to the previously streamed one. That is being considered the demo version. The vocals and production are pretty much the same, but everything is much smoother and cleaner sounding. The song Paul Oakenfold produced song is an empowerment anthem for women in every sense of the word. Cher sounds great.

There are some remixes by Danny Verde, R3hab, and Tracy Young. Danny delivers a hard, dark pulsating circuit anthem. It is the definitive peak hour mix of the song. R3hab's mix has some nice moments, but the noisier sections end up ruining it. Tracy's mix presents her newer sound that is more akin to what is in many of the Electro Dance/Pop songs flooding the radio airwaves right now. This version would actually be the one to use if the song is given a top 40 push. Tracy's mostly instrumental dubs with an emphasis on the piano sections are pretty. Overall, Danny and Tracy's are the best of the bunch.

Listen to the original version here
Danny Verde | R3hab | Tracy Young

Grade: A

DJ/Remixer Peter Rauhofer, 48 passes away

The Grammy winning DJ/remixer/producer/record label owner lost his battle with brain cancer today at the age of 48. Originally from Austria, Peter began his career working as a record label A&R for Gig Records. He made forays into DJing and production a short time after.

Peter's first major release was under the alias Danube Dance with "Unique." which went on to be an underground hit. Under his most famous production alias of Club 69 with Eric Kupper and Georg O'Luksch, "Let Me Be Your Underwear", "Sugar Pie Guy", and "Take A Ride" followed. These appeared on the full length album Adults Only released in 1995. A second album, Style was released in 1997. In addition to usual vocalist Kim Cooper, he introduced a new singer Suzanne Palmer who had only done a handful of songs at the time. "Drama", "Much Better", "Alright", and "Muscles" were the major hits from the album. After Twisted Records closed, Peter created the Star 69 label to release his own tracks as well as for a number of other artists. Amuka, Lula, Offer Nissim with Maya Simantov, and Suzanne Palmer were some of the label's biggest successes.

In addition to the original productions, Peter remixed almost every major artist including Annie Lennox, Beyonce, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Deborah Cox, Depeche Mode, Donna Summer, Duran Duran, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, k.d. lang, Kristine W, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado, Pet Shop Boys, P!nk, Rihanna, Seal, Scissor Sisters, Shakira, Toni Braxton, Tori Amos, Whitney Houston, and Yoko Ono. These are just some who he did remixes for. Of the aforementioned artists, he notably remixed Madonna's songs more than any of the others. Peter won a Grammy in 2000, and was nominated again in 2001 and 2004 (for his mix of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful"; the category of Best Remixer used to be for a body of work for a particular year until it was changed in 2002).

In just the past year, Peter had begun to actively remix again completing both official and private mixes of Adele, Alicia Keys, Gossip, Inaya Day, Janet Jackson, Kazaky, Madonna, Miasha, Mika, Offer Nissim, P!nk, Rihanna, Scissor Sisters, Swedish House Mafia, Toni Braxton, Tori Amos, and will.i.am & Britney Spears.

In addition to his many remixes and productions, Peter DJed regularly, often playing his many private collection mixes. For several years, he had a regular residency at the legendary Roxy club until its closure. He also played at Spirit and Stereo at various times too. He notably played at The Saint At Large's Black Party held at Roseland. Peter had his Work party events several times year, often co-headlining with other newer DJs.

Despite the many changes in Dance music both in terms of tastes, styles, and industry shifts, Peter constantly reinvented himself staying relevant and successful more than 2 decades. He leaves behind a tremendous body of work that is almost unparalleled by any of his contemporaries. He will be truly missed.

Condolences, messages, and stories may be posted and shared on his official Facebook page here

Some of Peter's best remixes:

Eurythmics - 17 Again (sorry, it won't let me embed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIfsXlSMbYw

 

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

Cher - You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me

This is one of two solo songs sung by her on the soundtrack for the movie Burlesque. This is a dramatic, power ballad written by Diane Warren. Vocally, Cher sounds fantastic. Her voice has held up quite well. The song starts off slow and then builds to a massive climax. It's great. There are remixes for this by Almighty, Dave Aude, and Stonebridge. Unsurprisingly, Almighty's production fits this song the best. They have remixed Cher numerous times to great effect. The piano-driven production is uplifting and allows the vocals to truly shine. Dave Aude's mix is a tad on the minimal sound. It calls to mind the 2008 revisit of "Infinity" by Guru Josh Project in some parts. The vocals sound good on this one too. Stonebridge's mix leaves much to be desired as much of the vocals are not used for whatever reason. It's a shame because the production is quite good. Overall, the Almighty and Dave Aude mixes are the best of the bunch.

Grade: A