4 Rare and Unreleased Donna Summer songs

The Queen of Disco passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. In addition to the vast number of releases she had, there are many songs that have remained unreleased and unheard for a long time. Among them were "My Life", "Love On And On", "Valley Of The Moon", and "Adonai." Certain versions of these four songs have surfaced during the last few months since her death.

Tony Moran - The Event Unmixed Total Collection 2012

The double disc compilation containing mostly brand new material was originally released in 2007 along with a modified digital edition the following year. This special unmixed edition includes 41 tracks comprised of full length versions of most of the songs that appeared on both compilations plus some alternate versions, radio edits, dubs, and some previously unreleased tracks.

Some of the highlights include the alternate mix of Kristine W's "Walk Away" that is far more hard-hitting and anthemic than the well-known original version. The full length version and alternate mixes of Nicki Richards' "Freedom" are lovely as well. The previously unavailable 10 minute Altar mix of "La Fiesta (Relive Your Kiss)" featuring vocals by Kara Dioguardi is a floorburner. The original version of that song appeared on one of Tony's compilations over a decade ago.

Overall, this is an excellent collection at a great price.

Purchase it at Amazon | iTunes

Grade: A

Erika Jayne - Party People (Ignite The World)

She is back with another dancefloor smash waiting to happen! "Party People (Ignite The World)" is an extremely catchy little ditty. The original version is in an electro/tribal style that is both suitable for the clubs and radio. This song feels like the sassier cousin of The Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling." There are remixes by Bimbo Jones, Cory Enemy, Hector Fonseca, Jody Den Broeder, and Whiiite. The Bimbo Jones mix is in a similar vein as the original with some additional electro synth breaks. Cory Enemy's big room mix is uplifting, however, it is more like a dub. Hector Fonseca's mix is similar, however, it lacks direction. Jody Den Broeder's big room/electro house mix contains the full vocals ans is really pretty. The Whiiite mix is mostly instrumental with a few vocal drops here and there. The buildups with the funky synthline are really great. Overall, the Original and Jody Den Broeder mixes are the best.

Grade: A-

LaKisha Jones - Let's Go Celebrate

This is the first proper single from the former American Idol contestant. She gained notoriety for her performances of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "Diamonds Are Forever" during her time on show. Taken from her debut So Glad I'm Me, "Let's Go Celebrate" is a mild club banger. With it's happy synths, clap-beats, and lyrics about going out to an evening of dancing at a club, it would lend itself really well to remixes. LaKisha delivers an on-point, restrained performance.

There are remixes by Jody Den Broeder, Friscia & Lamboy, and One Cool Cuban. Jody delivers the goods with a funky piano-driven Disco throwback. It's very classy and just what the song needs. Friscia & Lamboy provide an electro/house mix that is a bit dirtier. It's an interesting throwback to the rave-type mixes of the 90's. The amount of vocoding on the vocals as heard on the original is a bit distracting at times and sometimes clashes with the production. One Cool Cuban's are sort of in-between what the other two did. They're just okay. Jody's is the best overall.

Radio edits of the Jody Den Broeder and Friscia & Lamboy mixes are available as bonus tracks on the iTunes release of her album. Get them here.

Grade: A-

The Abbey Compilation Volume One

The Abbey Food And Bar has been a fixture in West Hollywood of L.A. for many years now. And they have just released their first CD compilation featuring some songs that capture the essence of what The Abbey is all about and the feeling it gives people when they are there.

This is the tracklisting:

01. Enrique Iglesias - Somebody's Me (Jody Den Broeder Mix)
02. Debby Holiday - One World (Manny Lehman & Peter Barona Anthem Mix)
03. One Republic - Apologize (Richard Vission Mix)
04. Erin Hamilton - Control Yourself (Manny Lehman Big Room Vocal Mix)
05. Guy B. - Within M (Manny Lehman Tribal Mix)
06. Paris Hilton - Turn It Up (Manny Lehman Re-Turned Mix)
07. Oceana - Just The Way You Like It (Steven Nikolas & Brendon Sibley Mix)
08. Bryan Hawn - More Than Enough (Manny Lehman Spiritual Mix)
09. Shwayze - Buzzin' (Manny Lehman & Peter Barona Progressive Tribal Vocal Mix)
10. Twisted Dee - Drop That Beat (Twisted Dee Mix)
11. Flava - Hands Up To The Sky (Manny Lehman Mix)
12. The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha (Ralphi Rosario Mix)

In association with Suretone and Interscope, this CD is continuously mixed by New York circuit DJ/remixer Manny Lehman. The majority of the songs and remixes are new and many are previously unreleased. Some are a couple of years old, particularly Paris Hilton's "Turn It Up" and The Pussycat Dolls breakthrough hit "Don't Cha", however, the former is featured here with a new remix. The latter may have been included as it was a club classic. The new Debby Holiday, Shwayze and Bryan Hawn tracks are just some of the highlights.

Overall, this compilation is well-mixed and the energy doesn't let up for even a second throughout the 77 minute mix.

This is available for purchase as a CD from Suretone and Perfect Beat. It is also available for digital download through iTunes.

Grade: A

Keo Nozari - Rewind

This is his latest single. It is the followup to last year's "Question Of Monogamy". Both songs came from his 2005 Late Nite V.I.P. album. A digital EP with remixes was released a couple weeks ago. In its main version, it's a simple, Dance/Pop track. A little retro. This feels like something George Michael would have done in his prime, however, this is even better. Remixes by The Wideboys and Jody Den Broeder give the track more oomph. Both are Electro/Dance-oriented mixes. Especially Jody's. The main vibe and feel of the original is kept though. Overall, this one has the potential to be a major hit in and out of clubland.

Grade: A

Madonna - Give It 2 Me

This is the followup single to the worldwide hit "4 Minutes." There had been some speculation as to whether this would be the single or some other song would be chosen. The lyrics are very fun and are just right for the Summer. Some are either loving or hating the "get stupid, get stupid" break. There are plans for a radio edit that removes that portion or shortens it. The video was released a few weeks back. While it pales in comparison to the over-the-top "4 Minutes", this one is simple and kinda fun.

An extensive remix package is planned. So far, there's the Paul Oakenfold mix. It was available on some of the digital download editions of the album. This mix sounds like it would be perfectly at home with album cuts on Madonna's last album. It's pure electro heaven. Additional mixes by Jody Den Broeder, Eddie Amador, Fedde Le Grand and a couple of more will be released in the next few weeks.

Grade: B+ (Album version)
Grade: A- (Paul Oakenfold mix)

Tatiana Okupnik - Don't Hold Back

Tatiana represented her native country of Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004. She placed 17th. But that's not where it ended. She went on to be quite successful in Poland. And now she hopes to become established outside of her country with the song "Don't Hold Back." The album version is a mid-tempo Dance-oriented vocal track. This one calls to mind NY-based electronic music duo iiO's "Is It Love" (the original album version, not the new main version that became the single version). Tatiana's vocals are slightly accented, but it gives it some distinction. Her voice is very rich and controlled. The backing vocals for the pre-chorus and chorus are almost choir-like. They really add to the song and give it an inspirational feel. There are some remixes for this one. The main one is the NY Dance Mix which was done by Tony Moran with Jody Den Broeder and Warren Rigg. The mid-tempo is transformed into a thundering club anthem. All vocals are intact, and the new loops and effects that were added make it even better. It is absolutely stunning.

Album Version
Grade: A

NY Dance Mix by Tony Moran, Jody Den Broeder, Warren Rigg
Grade: A+

Inez - Stronger

With the opening vocals of the song, many may swear they are listening to an iiO/Nadia Ali song, but they're not. Inez's voice has the same ethereal, earthy quality that Nadia's has. After having seen a small release over a year ago, "Stronger" finally gets the proper release it deserves via Tommy Boy Records.

In addition to some of the mixes that appeared on the original release, there's a new mix by Jody Den Broeder. Jody's is a light electro-house production that stays close enough to the original. Eric Kupper's mix is a perfect balance of Dance with Pop sensibilities. Inez's vocals are the focal point on all the vocal mixes.

A CD maxi with the Jody Den Broeder mix can be purchased at PerfectBeat. The U.S. iTunes store has some of the mixes from the original release too.

Jody Den Broeder mixes
Grade: A

Eric Kupper mixes
Grade: A

All the other mixes
Grade: A- (average of all of them; they were all pretty good though)

Rihanna to the DJ: "Please don't stop the music!"

Rihanna is everywhere right now! She just released her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad, has a number one single in the U.S. ("Umbrella"), an already huge second single "Shut Up & Drive", and an upcoming club smash "Don't Stop The Music."

Her Michael Jackson-sampling track is quite dancey in its main version and beckons you to turn it up loud and dance too. This has Summer club anthem written all over it. This is not the next single for radio, but should it be?

Armed with remixes by Jody Den Broeder, The Wideboys and Solitaire, there's a little something for all the DJs out there. And there's always the album version. All the mixes utilize a bit of the "Mama say mama sa..." chant from "Wanna Be Starting Somethin'" in various amounts. This is an instance in which a sample is used properly.

Buy this right away.