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

Matt Consola feat Brenda Reed & LFB - Dream Of Me

This is the latest release from the Swishcraft record label. The sensual song features the soaring vocals of Brenda Reed. Matt Consola & LFB's main mixes are circuit-oriented. They incorporate some Indian instruments, adding an exciting texture to the song. There are additional remixes by 7th Heaven, Chris Stutz, Cristian Poow, Eran Tubul & Aviv Shitrit, and Peter Barona & Bill Bouvier.

7th Heaven's mix is a nice mainstream one. Chris Stutz's is a nice techy tribal one with the Indian elements from the original. Cristian Poow's is a trance/tribal hybrid. Eran Tubul & Aviv Shitrit bring that element in too, but it's much darker. Peter Barona & Bill Bouvier's is much more anthemic.

Listen to the edits of the mixes here:


-Purchase on Beatport here and here (they sell DJ friendly WAVs)
-Purchase on iTunes here, here, and here

Grade: A

Alexis Salgado - I Need You (Remixes)

This is the latest from the Carillo recording artist. The song has a yearning urgency about it and Alexis' delivery of the vocals really bring out that aspect. The Shock Pop version  repeats the verse where Alexis sings about the butterflies multiple times like it's a chant. The mix has a twisted, fun feel. Rod Carillo's mix is has a mysterious, foreboding feel to it with the piano loop and dark bass. Noise Mac's dubstep styled mix is really contemporary and dark. Peter Barona and John Hull's big room-oriented mix makes the best use of the vocals. This one ends up being the best of the bunch.

• Watch the music video for the original here (YouTube)
• Purchase the remixes here (Amazon)

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+

DJ JST featuring Jenn Cuneta - Nothing Compares 2 U (Remixes Part 2)

(Part 1 reviewed here back in June)
Their lovely dancefloor-oriented cover of the Prince-penned song "Nothing Compares 2 U", originally recorded by Sinead O'Connor has a second set of remixes. The additional mixes are by Barona & Hull, Jason Jayma, and Glenn Friscia & Frank Lamboy. Barona & Hull's mix is actually a radio edit of their already wonderful dark circuit/trance mix from the first release. Jason Jayma's mix really shines in its extended version with the gothic synths and hard tribal drums. The edit it nice too, but it's best enjoyed long. Friscia & Lamboy's mix is very atmospheric and has a lovely 80s synthpop feel, however, it has some contemporary electro synths too. Every version is great! Overall, Jason Jayma's mix is the best of the bunch.

-Purchase the new mixes here (iTunes)

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

Tony Moran feat Jennifer Holliday - Magic

This is the latest single culled from Tony Moran's Mix Magic Music compilation. Legendary singer Jennifer Holliday delivers a fiery vocal performance. Her voice is in excellent form. The main version produced by Tony Moran, Warren Rigg, and Dave Saronson is every bit the big room anthem one would expect from them.

Charo - Sexy Sexy

The legendary performer is back with a feisty new single entitled "Sexy Sexy". Despite the jejune and lyrics, the song would be best enjoyed on a dancefloor. The straightforward original version is just average. The remixes by  Twisted Dee, Joe Gauthreaux, Barona and Hull vs Rafael M, and Peitor Angell give this song greater dancefloor appeal. All are circuit-oriented with Twisted Dee and Joe Gauthreaux providing the best ones of the bunch, however, all are pretty good. A minimal amount of vocals would make these mixes better.

Grade: B+

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)

Inaya Day and BetBoyz - Higher Place

This is a collaboration involving singer Inaya Day plus Randy Bettis and David Boyd. Inaya delivers the goods as only she can with a soulful, yet stirring performance. All versions of this song are circuit-oriented. There are remixes by Randy and David, DeMarko!, Peter Barona & Hull, JMBW & Joel Dickinson, and Almond Brown. The main version by Randy and David is hard and driving. DeMarko!'s is much harder and more big room-oriented. Peter Barona & Hull's mix is very synthy. JMBW & Joel Dickinson's mix is a bit darker. DJ JST's is both darker and harder. The Almond Brown mix is minimally produced with just a little bit of everything. Overall, every version of this song is very good!

Purchase the digital single here (Traxsource)

Grade: A+

Zelma Davis - Free Love

This is the highly anticipated new single from the C&C Music Factory songstress. Written by Bill Friar and Zelma, this song is positive, uplifting. Zelma's vocals are great on this. There are remixes by Mike Bordes, DJ JST, Solar City, Rafael M, Peter Barona, and Barry Harris. Mike Bordes offers a soulful house mix. DJ JST's has the soulful undercurrent but is more circuit-oriented. Solar City's is a little lighter. It has a Euro flavor to it. Rafael M's is more bassline driven. Peter Barona's is a nice big room mix. Very much in line with his recent work. And last but not least is Barry Harris with a light circuit mix which also maintains the soulful vibe. The entire package is really good. DJ JST and Barry Harris' are the best ones.

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

Grade: A