Tony Moran feat Debby Holiday - I Like You

Tony Moran has teamed up with Dance diva Debby Holiday to cover Phyllis Nelson's 1985 hit "I Like You". The main version produced by Tony and longtime collaborator Warren Rigg is an uplifting peakhour masterpiece. Debby's vocals are mesmerizing. There are additional remixes by Edson Pride with Leandro Moraes, James Anthony, Nick Bertossi, Phil B with Andy Allder, and Twisted Dee. Edson Pride and Leandro Moraes keep the peakhour vibe of the main mix, however, there's is a tad harder. James Anthony's mixes are much darker and have some dazzling, Trancey synths. Nick Bertossi's mix is more tribal and has some well-timed electro buildups and breakdowns. Phil B & Andy Allder provide a Hi Nrg meets Electro House mix which has a slight 80s vibe. It has a deep bassline. Twisted Dee's mix has a big room Trance flavor to it as well. Every single remix is great with the main one being the best of the bunch, but all are thoroughly enjoyable.

Listen to clips of all the mixes and purchase the single here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Bouvier and Barona feat Amber Dirks - Dominate My Love

Those looking for a massive big room vocal track need to look no further! Released a couple of days ago, this song packs a lot of punch. Club diva Amber Dirks soars on this gem, particularly on the main version by Bill Bouvier with Peter Barona. Additional remixes are by Edson Pride, Julissa Veloz, Manny Lehman, Oliver Watts, Peter Brown, and Rod Carillo. Edson Pride's mix is in a similar style as the original as is Manny Lehman's. Julissa Veloz and Rod Carillo deliver mixes that recall Offer Nissim's style circa 5 to 7 years ago. Peter Brown goes in a Garage House direction. Oliver Watts delivers a big room mix that would also work well on mainstream floors. Overall, every mix is great.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Ranny feat. Deepa Soul - Feva (Remixes)

This collaboration of tribal producer/DJ Ranny and soulful singer Deepa Soul (of "Nowhere Love" and "As I Am" fame) has already been doing very well on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Deepa Soul's vocals soar over the synthy big room production of the original versions. There are nearly a dozen additional remixes by Carlos Gomix, Deep Influence, E-Thunder, Gustavo Scorpio, Henriq Moraes & Ranlusy Louis Mor, John Rizzo, and Karim Cato & Raffa Vergara. Nearly all of the mixes are variations of the circuit and big room styles with the exception of the Disco/Funky House Shplank mix. Of the circuit mixes, the Deep Influence one is the best of the bunch along with the original Ranny mix.

Purchase the mixes here and here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Shara Strand - I Will Carry You (Remixes)

This is the latest single from the rising star. The remarkable vocalist is a former winner of multiple singing competitions. The original is in a pretty, Adult Contemporary style. It has the feel of something from the 90s, yet it sounds modern.

The massive remix package includes remixes by D1 Music, DJ Corey Dee, DJ Escape with Tony Coluccio, Edson Pride, Klubjumpers, Mike Rizzo, and Soulbeats. With the exception of the DJ Corey Dee, Mike Rizzo, and Soulbeats mixes, all of the mixes are in different variations of the big room, circuit style. DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio is especially good, working well at peak hour and in mainstream sets. Naturally, the dub is harder. Mike Rizzo's is more of a mainstream Dance/Pop one. The Soulbeats mix has a tribal element but it's subtle. Overall, all of the mixes are really good.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Tony Moran featuring Michelle Weeks - La Musica

This is the second of two new releases from Tony Moran rounding out 2010. "La Musica" is a new version of an instrumental track called "La Muzika" that he first featured on his The Event compilation a couple of years ago. It is an updated version of the track featuring Michelle Weeks and Trey Lorenz on vocals. The vocals are hypnotic and powerful. The main mix is a gorgeous big room stormer, as is the alternate mix with Dave Saronson. There are additional mixes by Edson Pride and Alexander & Mark VDH. Edson Pride's mixes have thicker, stackier riffs. Alexander & Mark VDH's mix is a tad milder. However, all versions pack quite a punch.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A

DJ Blaine and Barona - Lane McCray - Pump It

Best known for his rapping and occasional singing with successful Eurodance duo La Bouche during the 90's, Lane McCray is back, guesting on a brand new single. "Pump It" is a floorfilling circuit track with Lane's soulful vocals taking center stage. The remix package is quite extensive, with remixes by DJ Blaine and Peter Barona, Solar City, Edson Pride, Rafael M, William Umana, DJ Juanito, and Brian McCombs. DJ Blaine and Peter's mix (which is also the original version) is very hard and dark. Solar City's mix is synthy, but isn't as hard-hitting as his usual. Edson Pride's mix is harder, but stays really one-note at times and doesn't go very far. Rafael M's gets there a little faster with his synth-driven mix. William Umana's mix is synthy as well, but feels a bit underwhelming. DJ Juanito's is really minimal and sparse. Closing out the package is Brian McCombs with a funky electro/house mix with hints of disco. Coupled with Lane's vocals, this one works the best overall.

Purchase the CD single here (Perfect Beat)

Grade: A- (for the track)/B+ (for the remix package)/A (for the Brian McCombs mix)

Edson Pride feat Cyon Flare - Free Your Body

This is the latest release from Brazilian producer/remixer/DJ Edson Pride. "Free Your Body" is a circuit-oriented record featuring the soulful vocals of Cyon Flare. The main mix isn't slutty or dirty as the remix name would indicate. It's quite positive actually. There are additional mixes by William Umana, Tony Moran & Mike Lorello, Alexander & Mark VDH, Jonnas Roy & Tony Dark, Jose Jimenez, and Ronald Rossenouff. William Umana's mixes are synthier and feature more vocals. Tony & Mike's mix is very anthemic and showcases the vocals really nicely. Alexander & Mark's mix is a tad darker. Jonnas & Tony's mix is in that familiar Offer Nissim tribal dub style. Jose Jimenez's mix has a Latin tribal feel. Ronald's mix is a bit more electro-styled. Not a bad mix in the bunch. Tony & Mike's mix works the best overall.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A-

DJ Escape - Global Groove: Dance

This is his latest mixed CD for Centaur Records. It is filled with a number of productions that he did with fellow collaborators Dom capello, Tony Coluccio and Johnny Vicious. The significant majority of the songs and remixes on the comp have not been released in any form previously.

The energy of the entire set does not let up until it is over. There are some ebbs and flows and changes in the intensity, but it just keeps getting harder and more frenetic. Most of the songs are vocal oriented. Some standouts include the two Sunshine Anderson cuts that both begin and end the set. "Force Of Nature" was given a very limited release on a 12" a couple years ago. Those two tracks are highly underrated. Other highlights of the mix are "Bad, Bad Boy" (which was recently released as a single), "Love Sets You Free", "Sweat", and "Give It On Up." All of the songs chosen for the set are great though.

The compilation will be released in physical form on April 14, 2009. It is available digitally at SoundPost already.

Tracklisting:
01. Sunshine Anderson - Problems (DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Mix)
02. Erin Stevenson - Sweat (DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Mix)
03. Salme Dahlstrom - C'mon Y'all (Tribal Injection Low End Mix)
04. Rivera & Schmitz - I Want Candy (Lee Schmitz & Oliver Schmitz Mix)
05. DJ Timbo & Friends - Go Go Girl (Twisted Dee Mix)
06. Edson Pride - Sweet Dreams (Original Mix)
07. DJ Escape & Eddie Baez - Give It On Up (Original Mix)
08. Charlotte - Skin (DJ Escape 2009 Mix)
09. The Perry Twins featuring Niki Haris - Bad, Bad Boy (DJ Escape & Dom Capello Mix)
10. Mena Heaven - Open Up Your Mind (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Mix)
11. Charlie featuring Pablito Drum - Love Sets You Free (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Club Mix)
12. DJ Gomi featuring Yasmeen - Glad I Found You (Soulstice Mix)
13. Sunshine Anderson - Force Of Nature (DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Mix)

Grade: A

Jipsta - I Want Your Sex

This is the Chicago-based rapper's followup to last year's club hit "Middle Of The Dancefloor." This is a cover of the popular George Michael song. Instead of singing the song, Jipsta speaks/raps it instead. As a club track, this sort of delivery of the lyrics actually works.

The main version by Mike Rizzo has a gritty, sleazy feel which is appropriate given the content of the song. Alexander & Mark VDH take the song in a darker, tribal direction. Manny Lehman's is much harder and more tribal. The After 6 mix is a bit more afterhours-ish and is quite minimal. Oscar Velazquez, Ranny, and Edson Pride's are all tribal in nature as well. Twisted Dee's is surprisingly lighter than all of the other mixes. It could be played during peak hour, but also during other times.

It's good that the package is quite extensive, There is not as much variety as there could have been. The Mike Rizzo mix is the real gem of the release. It's just right. Twisted Dee's is a close second.

Listen to the George Michael original here (YouTube)
Listen to the Jipsta version here (MySpace)

Grade: A-