Jared Jones feat.Tascha Johnson - Get Up! (It's The Weekend)

Just released is an essential, feel-good song that will make you want to dance this weekend. It features the soulful vocals of Tascha Johnson and the mainstream yet big room production by Jared Jones. The main version's style recalls that of the Soul Seekerz, except it is a bit harder. Additional remixes are by Jadin Recks, Jared Jones, Jeff Morena, Matt Moss, Naked Highway, Oliver Watts, Sean Niles, and Sudad G. Jadin Recks delivers a techy-tribal mix with lots of cool vocal effects. Jared Jones' remix is in line with MK's classic production style that has recently been revived. Jeff Morena's electro mix is totally twisted with all its loops and manipulations. Matt Moss provides a softer, Deep House treatment. Naked Highway delivers the usual 80's leaning electro mix which is lots of fun. Oliver Watts' bass driven tribal mix will be perfect for peak hour. Sean Niles' Dance/Hip Hop fusion recalls early 90s Booty House with Freestyle elements. Sudad G's mix closes out the package in a hard yet Deep House style. All versions of the song are top notch with Jared Jones' remix being the best of the bunch along with the Naked Highway one.

-Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

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

Amber Dirks - Feel The Love (2013 Mixes)

Originally released in 2009 with Reflex, the song has been given some new remixes by Oliver Watts and Peter Barona with Bill Bouvier and John Hull. Amber's soulful vocals are great. With the dreamy, happy synths, the Oliver Watts mixes are heavenly. Peter Barona along with frequent collaborators Bill Bouvier and John Hull deliver another lovely big room anthem. It packs quite the punch despite being a little over 5 minutes long. These are wonderful mixes.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes) and here (JunoDownload)

The original package of mixes from 2009 by DJ Amy Alderman & Bryan Reyes, DJ Ting, Drew G, Mike Bordes, Rafael M, and Reflex is also available
-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes) and here (JunoDownload)

Grade: A

Becky Baeling - Diva (The EDM Mixes)

The first set of mixes came out in mid June. This is the second set of remixes geared towards those enjoying the current hands in the air, synthy EDM production style. Beechkraft, Jason Scot Taft, and Sam Michaels vs. Klubjumpers provide the remixes this time. Beechkraft's big room Electro-oriented mix is clubby yet mainstream sounding. Jason Scot Taft (he has produced under the name DJ JST in the past) delivers two hot synth and drum-heavy mixes. Sam Michaels vs. Klubjumpers' mixes are very mainstream as well. Every mix on this second package is well-done too.

-Purchase The EDM Mixes here (iTunes) or here (JunoDownload)

The first set of mixes of "Diva" by Griffin White, Mike Bordes, Oliver Watts, Peter Barona & John Hull along with the brand new Tony Moran mix of "Supernova Light" are also available for purchase.

-Purchase the first set of mixes here (iTunes) or here (JunoDownload)

Grade: A

Becky Baeling - Diva (Remixes)

The Dance/Pop singer-songwriter and TV personality's claim to fame were the club and Dance radio hits "Getaway" and "If You Love Me" nearly 10 years ago. She released an album called Becstasy. Sadly no other singles were released at that time. One of the album tracks, "Diva", has been given some brand new remixes courtesy of Griffin White, Mike Bordes, Oliver Watts, and Peter Barona with John Hull. It's a Dance/Pop song in its original version. Griffin White's big room-oriented mix is very synthy and pretty. Mike Bordes' mix is in a similar vein, but has an 80s synthpop feel. Oliver Watts also delivers a big room style mix, but this is more mainstream. This will have the widest appeal. Peter Barona and John Hull's mix is the definitive circuit anthem mix for this track. Overall, every mix is superb.

A bonus track on this digital EP is the exclusive new Tony Moran mix of "Supernova Light." The original also appeared on Becstasy. The pulsating, trancey mix is gorgeous. It is an absolutely massive update of the already great song.

Listen to previews of all the tracks on the single and buy it here:



This release will be available at other digital music retailers next week.

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+

Sir Ari Gold - Play My F**kn Record

Don't judge a song by its title. Sri Ari Gold's latest single gets right to the point: he wants the DJ to play his record now! The fun song is extremely catchy Ari delivers with the vocals as he usually does. The song's chorus with the f-bombs might turn off some but it fits in so seamlessly that it almost doesn't feel that profane and is sort of cute.

The original is in an Electro/Dance/Pop style. There are plenty of remixes by Country Club Martini Crew, Radboy, Oliver Watts, bDb, Jared Jones, and Shayne B. Country Club Martini Crew's mix is in a similar style as the original but makes the song more suitable for the dancefloor. Radboy and Oliver Watts deliver two great big room mixes with great synths, hard beats, and plenty of bass. bDb's tribal mix has great percussion. The Jared Jones mix is the definitive big room and circuit mix with its massive synths and beats. Shayne B's twisted electro mix is very contemporary. Overall, every mix is great with Country Club Martini Crew, Oliver Watts, and Jared Jones mixes being the standouts.

As Aris is an independent artist, he is trying an unorthodox method of raising money to fund his current music projects He is using IndieGoGo to raise money for the music video, an upcoming remix album, documentary, tour, and promotion. If you wish to donate money to help with his projects, go to his IndieGoGo page here. Additional details about the nature of each part of the projects is there. And he has an eye catching promotional video to draw further attention to this project on YouTube (slightly NSFW)

-Buy the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A


(note: this blog was not paid/compensated to endorse or promote this release)

Exposé - Shine On

The Dance/Pop trio in its original hit configuration is back with their first new single in over 20 years! They released a new version of their big hit "Point Of No Return" last year. "Shine On" is a beautiful, uplifting track featuring the ladies' signature great vocals. The production is very simple and effective on the main Drew Pearson mix. There are remixes by DJ Amy Alderman, Chris Thomas, Klubjumpers, and Oliver Watts. DJ Amy Alderman's mix is really hard and dark, making it perfect for the circuit floors. The Chris Thomas mix is aptly named as the mix is very light and pretty. The Klubjumpers mix is good, however, it feels very basic in its construction. The Oliver Watts mix is the best of the bunch with its uplifting circuit-oriented production. The synthwork really complements the vocals nicely. Also included on the single are re-recorded versions of their hits "Come Go With Me", "Let Me Be The One", "Seasons Change", and "Point Of No Return."

Purchase the CD maxi single for "Shine On" directly from the group's website (a digital download release is expected to happen eventually)

Grade: A

DJ JST feat Jenn Cuneta - Nothing Compares 2 U

DJ JST and Jenn Cuneta step up to the challenge of taking on one of the most beloved songs of the 90s and covering it as a dance track. The original was written by Prince and most famously sung by Sinead O'Connor. The dramatic, melancholy nature of the original is preserved in this update. Jenn does change up the delivery of the song slightly, however, she does a wonderful job. The production on the main version has a beautiful, haunting violin break. Barona & Hull, Jared Jones, Oliver Watts, and Phil B provide the remixes. Barona & Hull pack in lots of drama with their dark mix. Jared Jones manages to give the song an Ambient Trance feel a la early 2000s era Chicane and Alex Gold. Oliver Watts and Phil B both keep things uplifting. Every remixer does a stellar job maintaining the overall mood of the song and letting Jenn's vocals remain as the focus.

-Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)
-Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Consuelo Costin - Feel So Alive

After her first single "Naked" comes the much stronger followup with remixes by Almighty, Oliver Watts, DJ JST, Gustavo Scorpio, and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg. Consuelo finally comes into her element on "Feel So Alive." The Euro-house mixes by Almighty are uplifting and pretty. Oliver Watts' mixes are uplifting and lighter, being a good fit for Dance radio. The last three offer up circuit/big room treatments. DJ JST's is the hardest of the bunch with the hard drums and trancey synths. Gustavo Scorpio's is much lighter. Tony Moran & Warren Rigg's mix isn't quite the anthem some may expect, but it is lovely too. Overall, every mix is great! The Oliver Watts and DJ JST ones are the standouts.

Grade: A