Gloria Estefan - Wepa (Remixes)

The highly anticipated remix package for the Pharrell Williams-produced song has finally arrived! Gloria's song is reworked by long-time collaborators Pablo Flores and Rosabel. This release marks the return of Pablo Flores to remixing after nearly a decade away. There are many, many remixes by Ralphi Rosario, Rosabel, Pablo Flores, R3hab, Gustavo Scorpio, DJ Africa, Keisha Mai Ash & Tony Mardini, and Emilio Estefan & Tony Mardini so far.

Ralphi's solo mixes are straightforward circuit/tribal. The dub works a lot better here. Rosabel's mixes are the hard-hitting circuit anthem that this song is screaming for. Pablo Flores shows us that he's still got it with his Latin House mixes. They are in a similar tempo as the original and add a frenzied carnival feel. He delivers both an English and Spanish version. R3hab's gritty electro treatments leave much to be desired as it is a mostly instrumental take. Gustavo Scorpio offers up a chunky Latin-ized big room mix. The Klubjumpers electro/house mix also doesn't go very far. DJ Africa's simple tribal/electro mix is effective as well. The Keisha Mai Ash & Tony Mardini mix is a festive, drummy one. Emilio Estefan & Tony Mardini's tribal/electro mix has some well-timed electro breaks, but it just lacks cohesiveness.

Overall, the Rosabel, Pablo Flores, and Gustavo Scorpio mixes are outstanding with the Klubjumpers and R3hab ones being the weakest.

Purchase the digital EP featuring a few of the mixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Lula - Master & Servant Part 1

The underground house diva is back with a new S&M-themed track. Lula's voice is even more hypnotic than usual. Armed with mixes by DJ Paulo, Alain Jackinsky, Ralphi Rosario, and David Lara, this one is for the circuit floors. Minimal and techy-tribal, DJ Paulo's main version is like a percapella and would be fun for layering. Paulo's mix with frequent cohort Alain Jackinsky builds with dark stacky riffs and strange effects all throughout it. Ralphi Rosario's mixes are dark and peakhour-oriented. The dub is just fantastic. David Lara's mix is similar to DJ Paulo's first mix, functioning only as a percapella. Overall, the Paulo & Jackinsky and Ralphi mixes are the best. This is another hot one from the Kult stable.

Grade: A

Tony Moran feat Trey Lorenz - Can I Love You More

This is an update to a song Tony previewed a year or so ago with Zhana Saunders as a guest vocalist. Trey and Tony provide the vocals this time around. Their vocals are just lovely. There are plenty of remixes by Tony Moran & Warren Rigg, Mauro Mozart, Ralphi Rosario, Alex Cohen, Max Sanna & Steve Pitron, and Loverush UK. The Tony & Warren extended mix is an energetic circuit anthem. Their Symphony remix takes the anthem factor up several notches. Ralphi's mixes are peak hour-ish, with both the club and dub being great. Mauro Mozart's mix is in a similar vein as the main Tony & Warren mix and is quite good too. Alex Cohen's mellow piano-driven mix is for the circuit too, but is a little lighter. Max Sanna & Steve Pitron's funky electro/house mixes are really good as well. These could fit into circuit sets as well. Loverush UK's mix is similar in style, and works just as well. Overall, every one of these mixes is excellent.

Purchase the digital single here (Masterbeat)

Grade: A+

Mariah Carey - Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)

Culled from her second Holiday album Merry Christmas II You, her take on "Auld Lang Syne" is the second single. Released just in time for the upcoming New Year's celebrations, Mariah's version of the song is very festive, and oh-so-anthemic. Beginning traditionally, the song builds gradually to a festive, upbeat tempo. Vocally, Mariah is excellent. There are remixes for this by Ralphi Rosario and Johnny Vicious. On his tribal/house-oriented Festive mixes, Ralphi keeps the slow intro from the original. These are really nice. His Alternative mixes are a little harder. Johnny's mixes are more electro/house/circuit-ish (think of Peter Rauhofer's recent work). He also keeps the intro. These have a little more drama to them. Overall, both sets are really good. Ralphi's Festive mixes are the best though.

Purchase the digital single here (Amazon), Masterbeat and iTunes also have it for sale

Grade: A