Inaya Day and BetBoyz - Higher Place

This is a collaboration involving singer Inaya Day plus Randy Bettis and David Boyd. Inaya delivers the goods as only she can with a soulful, yet stirring performance. All versions of this song are circuit-oriented. There are remixes by Randy and David, DeMarko!, Peter Barona & Hull, JMBW & Joel Dickinson, and Almond Brown. The main version by Randy and David is hard and driving. DeMarko!'s is much harder and more big room-oriented. Peter Barona & Hull's mix is very synthy. JMBW & Joel Dickinson's mix is a bit darker. DJ JST's is both darker and harder. The Almond Brown mix is minimally produced with just a little bit of everything. Overall, every version of this song is very good!

Purchase the digital single here (Traxsource)

Grade: A+

Amy Weber - Something Kinda Ooh!

This is the latest single from the model, actress, and former WWE Diva. It is a cover of UK group Girls Aloud's song of the same name. It is a great opportunity to introduce the song to the rest of the world. Amy's vocals are pretty good, however, they lack the passion that the original had. Remixes by Tracy Young, DeMarko!, and Klubjumpers make this dancefloor ready. Tracy and DeMarko!'s are big room-oriented. DeMarko!'s is harder and just works better overall. The Klubjumpers mix has a Eurodance feel with some Rock thrown in. This is in a similar vein as the original Girls Aloud version. All are good, but the DeMarko! one is the standout.

Purchase the CD single here (Perfect Beat)
Purchase the digital single here (Amazon)

Grade: A-

Ron Perkov - Miss You

This is his latest single after nearly 18 months. Having had a circuit-oriented release of some sort every so often, this one is tailormade for that very scene. Written and produced by Tony Moran, this one isn't nearly as memorable as other releases, but the various mixes on the release help to make this resonate more with DJs and fans alike. The main version by Tony Moran and Warren Rigg is their usual uplifting, tribal goodness. Manny Lehman, Twisted Dee, and DeMarko!'s mixes are in a similar direction. Twisted Dee's is a bit more housey while Manny's is more uplifting. DeMarko! manages to be in between both styles. Mike Rizzo's mix isn't circuit-oriented. His mix is perfect for Dance radio and mixshows. A good package overall.

Buy it here (Masterbeat)

Grade: B+

DJ DeMarko! featuring Heather Leigh West - Drop A House

This is the much-awaited revisit to Urban Discharge's early 90's club smash "Drop A House." The Tamperer's 1998 single "Feel It" combined the verses and refrain from "Drop A House" and instrumental parts from The Jackson 5's "Can You Feel It". However, singer Heather Leigh West never got the proper credit for her vocals. Now she is here to show the world that it was truly her on that song.

The vocals do sound a bit different, but they sound much richer and more soulful. There are plenty of different remixes of this. Nick Harvey's are really hard and driving. The bassline is so deep. The vocal effects are really good. Wayne G & Andy Alder's mixes are a bit more big room-ish. Jaime Garcia's are a bit Latin-tinged. Razor N' Guido's call to mind the original Tamperer version from 1998. It's a nice blend of tribal/electro. Quentin Harris' mix is kinda runway-ish. The original DeMarko! mix is very tribal and big room-ish. All the mixes are top notch. The standouts are Nick Harvey's, RNG's and the DeMarko! original.

The digital single is available for purchase at most digital music stores.

Grade: A+

Junior Vasquez - Generation Next

It's hard to believe that almost three years have passed since he last released a mixed CD! Junior Vasquez's latest Generation Next consists of 14 tracks, handpicked by him that showcase some of clubland's newest rising stars. Noticeably absent are mixes done by just the master himself (only two). Some highlights include Oceana's "Body Rock", Fumi's "Dub Space", Nick Harvey's "Beat On The Drum", DJ Demarko!'s "Drop A House" and Junior with Maxi J's "Insecurities." However, all 14 tracks bring their own special something to the table. The tightly mixed set is a nice blend of the commercial and underground. In addition to the continuously mixed version, there is a special unmixed edition which contains full versions of the songs. Both digital versions of the continously mixed and unmixed versions were released today. A physical edition will be released on April 7.

Tracklisting:
01. Oceana - Body Rock (Twisted Dee Remix)
02. Junior Vasquez - I Love Music
03. Fumi Kondoh - Dub Space
04. Nick Harvey - Higher
05. Nick Harvey - Beat On The Drum
06. Ruben Vega - Tribal Massive
07. Sin Morera - Whispered Prayer
08. Bimbo Jones - Freeze (Elliot DeHoyos Remix)
09. Chris Lake - If You Knew (ATFC Club Mix)
10. Junior Vasquez Featuring Maxi J - Insecurities
11. J.Velarde & Luque & Vitti Feat. Giovanna - Sundays At Heaven (Cajjmere Wray's Heavenly Club Mix)
12. DJ DeMarko! Feat. Heather Leigh West - Drop A House (Razor N Guido Mix)
13. DJ M-TRAXXX - My Beat (DJ M-TRAXXX Deep Circuit Mix)
14. Razor N Guido - Get Up Stand Up 2009

Grade: A