Enigma - Sadeness Part 1 (Serving Ovahness Remix)

The sensual, spiritual track was a number one hit around the world. It combined Gregorian chants, breathy female vocals, club beats, and lyrics speaking of controversial writer Marquis De Sade. Newcomer DJ/remixer/producer Serving Ovahness has given the classic a makeover in the vein of mid 90s mega club Twilo. Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Junior Vasquez, and Sasha were some of the club's most famous resident DJs. This song has a deep production with tribal beats, big synths, some cool narrations by Lula (from her own song "Twilo" which was an ode to the club), and of course some selected bits from the Enigma song. Despite the original version being the basis for the mix, it all blends beautifully with the new production.

Serving has made this remix downloadable for a limited time.

Grade: A

The Thrillseekers with York and Asheni - Daydream

The Enigma-esque track appeared on York's most recent album. The song even has a similar vocal style as that of Sandra who did much of the vocals on Enigma's earlier work. Newly remixed for the dance floor by the Thrillseekers, the song is no longer downtempo. It recalls the early 2000s big room trance period. Many of the vocals have been removed on this version. The additional remixes by Lostly and Will Atkinson also continue in that direction with their respective 138 BPM mixes which are absolutely stunning. They too omit the majority of the vocals, however, they kept the melodic hook of the main version. Will Atkinson's ends up being the best of the bunch along with the unremixed, downtempo original, though every version is exquisite.

-Listen to the original, unremixed version here (YouTube)
-Listen to clips and purchase here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Sandra - Infinite Kiss (Remixes)

This is the second single from her 80's throwback album Stay In Touch which was released last week. The remixes for this song are now available. The Extended Version is a straightforward longer mix of the original. The Hubert Kah mix is a slightly stripped version of the original at the same tempo. The beats are less synthesized and the male vocals have less manipulations and effects.  The 80s Retro Mix is a faster, souped up version of the original. It's in the style that many club mixes were in the 80s with the original having all the right things made louder, faster, and better. It differs from the Extended Version of the original as it has a few more elements. The Ibiza mixes are mostly instrumental with just a few vocal samples. Also included is a bonus track called "Russian Eyes." It's a nice, dreamy uptempo which recalls her song "Little Girl." Overall, the 80s Retro Mix is the best of the bunch.

Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Sandra - Infinite Kiss

This is the second single from the German singer's new Stay In Touch album which will be released on October 26. Just as with the previous single "Maybe Tonight", this one is a throwback to her 80s Hi Nrg/Italo Dance brand of Pop music. This one calls to mind her classics "Heaven Can Wait" and "Secret Land". Blank & Jones are on production duties again along with Jens Gad and Hubert Kah on songwriting. Overall, this is a nice song. Fans of her earlier work should definitely check this out.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

so80s presents Sandra: Curated by Blank & Jones

German Dance/Pop singer Sandra's 80s hits have been assembled together on a new collection called so80s presents Sandra Curated: by Blank & Jones. It's two discs filled with extended versions, instrumentals, and dubs of her hits all unmixed and digitally remastered. Many of the versions on the first disc appeared on the third disc of her The Platinum Collection several years back, however, the quality of the versions is even better. Disc two includes a number of rarities including the previously vinyl only U.S. Mix of "Heaven Can Wait", the Japan exclusive M.I.D. DJ Mix of "Secret Land", and various instrumentals and dubs from her 7" and 12" vinyl singles. The 7" PWL mix of "Everlasting Love" is also thrown in as a bonus. Overall, this is a must have for Sandra fans and collectors.

Sandra - Maybe Tonight

80s German Dance/Pop star best known for the hits "Maria Magdalena", "In The Heat Of The Night", "Heaven Can Wait", and many more is back with a new single produced by Blank & Jones. This comes on the heels of a new collection featuring extended versions, instrumentals, and dubs of her 80s hits also assembled by Blank & Jones called So80s Presents Sandra 1984-1989, Curated By Blank & Jones. The song is pleasant but is a very obvious throwback to her songs "Around My Heart" and "Heaven Can Wait". Fans of her earlier works will want to check this out. This is much stronger than some of her recent Dance-oriented releases. A CD single will be released in Germany, plus an international digital release on May 11.

Grade: A-