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

Barona & Bouvier feat Abigail - Surrender

This is a new collaboration of Peter Barona and Bill Bouvier with the ethereal vocals of Abigail (of "Let The Joy Rise", "If It Don't Fit", "You Set Me Free", and "Lay Down" fame). The main version has a Circuit meets Trance feel, complementing Abigail's soaring vocals and the great lyrics. The song has a melancholy feel that immediately calls to mind Talk Talk's classic "Such A Shame."

There are additional remixes by Manny Lehman, Matt Consola & LFB, Oliver Watts, Rafael M & Mr. Anderson, and Sted-E & Hybrid Heights. Manny Lehman's mix continues in a similar direction as the original, and plays up the Trance elements. Matt Consola & LFB's isn't as hard, but has an uplifting hi nrg feel. Oliver Watts also brings a Trance flavor with his mix. It calls to mind some of Valentin's work from the mid 2000s. Rafael M & Mr. Anderon's hi nrg/tribal mix is also quite pretty with the subtle piano elements. Sted-E & Hybrid Heights' mix is the most contemporary of the bunch with its aggressive Electro sound, though it works well.

Overall, every single remix is great. It's hard to pick a favorite as all are really so well done!

-Listen to clips and purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A+

Wayne G feat Alison Jiear - I Just Wanna Dance 2012 (U.S. Mixes)

This is the part 2 update of the cult classic. The first release happened earlier this month. Rosabel, Manny Lehman, Joe Gauthreaux, James Torres & LFB, and Griffin White & Aaron Christopher provide the additional mixes. All of the versions are big room-oriented.

Rosabel (the production duo of Ralphi Rosario and Abel Aguilera) deliver a hard and dark dub centering around some adlibs, vocalizations, and spoken parts. They have a knack for producing some really fierce dubs and this one is no different. Manny Lehman's mix is very tribal and energetic. He also incorporates the slow section from the original. Joe Gauthreaux's mix is dark as well with a massive synth running through it. James Torres & LFB's mix is minimal and would work as a great segue between electrohouse and tribal songs. Griffin White & Aaron Christopher's mix is quite dark as well. Overall, the Rosabel and Manny Lehman mixes are the best of the bunch even though all the mixes are quite enjoyable.

Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Paul Lekakis - Meet Me On The Dancefloor

The 80s Dance/Pop singer is back with a new club release with remixes by Solar City, Manny Lehman, Scotty K, and George Figares. The Solar City mixes are club-oriented electropop. Manny Lehman's 'radio' mix is a nice big room one. The heavily autotuned vocals work best on this one. They work on the regular Manny Lehman mix too, but the 'radio' one just feels more tailor-made for the clubs. Scotty K's circuit-oriented mix has a lot of energy and utilizes the vocals well.

Purchase the release here (Amazon)

Grade: B+

Florenza - Heartbreaker (Remixes)

This is the latest single from the Brazilian singer. She takes after vocal powerhouses Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, who she idolized growing up. Florenza beautifully showcases her vocals on "Heartbreaker" which is a lovely midtempo. There are remixes of this by The Krafters and Manny Lehman. Both deliver equally palatable big room, circuit mixes. Manny's mix is much harder hitting and more melodic and is the better one of the two. This should be a dancefloor smash in the coming year.

-Listen to the original and remixes here (Florenza's website)
-Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

India and Peppe Citatella - Tacalacateo

This is a collaboration between La Princesa de la Salsa, India, and Italian producer/DJ Peppe Citarella. "Tacalacateo" is a ferocious dancefloor anthem. India's fiery vocals are sexy and passionate. The original is a light tribal house track with a hint of Latin flavor. There are over a dozen remixes of which almost all of them are really good. The Tribal Miami and Manny Lehman mixes are the hardest hitting of the bunch, especially the latter. The Terry Hunter and Dreamapella Tribute To Masters At Work mixes are much lighter and call to mind India's early 90's work with the Masters At Work.

-Purchase the digital singles here (for the 12 track EP)
-Purchase the digital single with Manny Lehman and Gustavo Scorpio mixes here

Grade: A+

Jesse B. Williams v. Brooke Wilkes - Last Day

This is the latest single from Brooke. Written by Jesse B. Williams, the lyrics are really good. The song's style and writing calls to mind such classics as "Don't Let This Moment End". Brooke's vocal performance is memorable and effective. The original version is dance/pop-oriented. It begins like a Donna Summer song with the slow part and then the uptempo production comes in. It has a short mixable intro before the slow part. There are remixes by Manny Lehman, JMBW & Joel Dickinson, and Taz. Manny's is his usual big room brilliance. JMBW & Joel's mix begins like many of their tribal anthems with a drama-filled buildup. The slow part from the original is maintained for the beginning of the first verse and is a nice touch. Taz's version is very synthy and seems to jump through multiple styles within one mix, including big room, electro house, and minimal house. It somehow works. Overall, this is a strong record with a strong remixer lineup.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat) and here (Amazon)

Grade: A

Pamala Stanley - The Bank Of Love (Remixes)

The much-awaited remixes for "The Bank Of Love" are finally here. The financial-themed song has a new vocal dub and some big room mixes by Manny Lehman. The new dub has some additional vocals and ad-libs. It's a fun, twisted mix. DJs might want to tease with the dub before mixing into the vocal mix for even greater effect. Manny Lehman provides the scorching hot big room mixes. His mixes provide what the song really needed to take a great song to the next level.

Purchase all the versions including the previously released main version here

Grade: A

Jamie J. Sanchez featuring Ria Spencer - Lift Me Up

2010 is still shaping up to be the year that the diva anthem returned! "Lift Me Up" is a positive song with a light spiritual aspect (it can be interpreted in a religious way as well much in the way of Vernessa Mitchell and Sabrina Johnston's work). Singer Ria Spencer's vocals are quite lovely. Jamie J. Sanchez's main version is circuit-oriented with a touch of electro. Ranny and Bryan Reyes's mix is a bit harder. Manny Lehman's is really hard and big room-oriented. Ria's vocals work a lot better on this particular version. All versions are good, but Manny's really shines.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A

Jipsta - Nasty Boy

He's back with a brand new single entitled "Nasty Boy". This song is pretty sexual, just as some of his previous releases were. This song gets its inspiration from the Vanity 6 classic "Nasty Girl". It has some circuit-oriented mixes by Alexander & Mark VDH, Cajjmere Wray, Jamie J. Sanchez, and Manny Lehman. Alexander & Mark VDH's is very drummy. Cajjmere Wray's is a little synthier. Jamie J. Sanchez's begins a little lighter and then becomes harder and darker. Manny Lehman provides a big room mix with nice synths and drums, as can be expected. All are pretty good though.

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+

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-

Oceana - Body Rock

There has been considerable buzz surrounding this song ever since it was featured on Wayne G's recent Atlantis compilation for Tommy Boy earlier this year. Junior Vasquez also featured it on his new comp which came out earlier this week. The wait is finally over as the full remix package was released today (on a limited basis).

"Body Rock" is a club anthem in every sense of the word. Oceana's powerful vocal performance really drives this song home. There are a number of mixes that will help this track fit into a variety of sets.

The main mix by Nikolas & Sibley is a nice light Dance/Pop confection. Perfect for Dance radio. Wayne G & Luke Johnstone take things in a harder direction. Manny Lehman's has some deep synths, but not-so-hard beats. It's not as big room-ish as the name implies, but is pleasant. On the dub version of his mix, it works a lot better. The vocal loops are interesting and the 12:45 length just flies by. Jamie J. Sanchez's continues in that direction. Twisted Dee's is a bit more peak hour-ish as well. Dave Aude also delivers something that is in that same vein. His could work well on Dance radio too. The real gem of this package is the Tony Moran mix. It's a hard, driving peak hour epic. It's really beautiful. Rafael M's mix doesn't really go very far. It's really minimal. It lacks the energy and joy that all the others have plenty of.

Overall, the package is exquisite. This will be one of the year's biggest successes.

Masterbeat is selling the mixes as an exclusive for now. The mixes are spread out over two parts, both of which are available at this time. Other digital stores will have the mixes in the coming weeks.

Grade: A+

Deep Step - Promise You

Deep Step is a Brazil-based studio project created by producers Fabianno Almeida and Ian Duarte (of Kasino fame). This is the followup to “Just A Little Love."

This vocal track has remixes by Ricky Verona, Twisted Dee and Manny Lehman. Ricky's mix continues in the same direction as the original making it a little Dancier for the clubs. Twisted Dee's is a bit more big room-ish and harder. Manny Lehman's is in a similar vein. It must be noted that it has an uplifting feel.

Overall, it's a great track with a great remix package.

Listen to the Radio Edit here (YouTube)
Listen to the Extended Mix here (YouTube)

The Twisted Dee and Manny Lehman remixes are available for purchase at Masterbeat and Beatport.

Grade: A

NOTE: This entry has been modified and updated to reflect new and current information.

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

Erin Hamilton - The Flame 2008

She burst onto the club scene in the later part of the 90's with a string of successful singles and an album. After a brief, 6 year break, she is back with updated mixes of her cover of Cheap Trick's "The Flame." This is the first artist/single release from MasterBeat Records, previously known for their circuit compilations. They recently rang in the new year with a launch of a new digital download store. This was one of the first digital releases on the site. While the original set of mixes were quite great, this new set is comparable. The Tony Moran & Warren Rigg and Twisted Dee mixes stay true to the mellow Circuit vibe of the original ones. The Solar City (a new mix) Manny Lehman, Jose Spinnin and Offer Nissim ones are quite good as well. A CD maxi with all of the new mixes, except one of them, was released last week. The full digital single is available at MasterBeat exclusively.

Grade: A- (overall)