Tony Moran feat. Martha Wash - Free People (Vol 1)

The legendary big voiced diva has teamed up with Tony Moran once again for another uplifting club track. The main version produced by Tony Moran and longtime collaborator Warren Rigg is big room-oriented with big synths. Martha's vocals are fantastic. The first of two volumes of remixes has been released and features an all star lineup including Antony Reale, Cruelty, Funky Junction, Giuseppe D, The Noisemakers, Rene Ablaze, Splashfunk, Laera & Jeyjon, Victor Dinaire & Bissen, and Yinon Yahel. Antony Reale & Funky Junction deliver a big room-oriented House mix which feels like a meatier Freemasons remix. Cruelty provides a 90s Rave meets Handbag House remix. Giuseppe D's piano-heavy is especially hard-hitting and beautiful. The Noisemakers mix is in a soft House style. Coming out of left field is Rene Ablaze's epic big room Trance remix which uses only a limited amount of vocals. Splashfunk, Laera, and Jeyjon's mix is also piano-heavy. Victor Dinaire & Bissen deliver something techy. Yinon Yahel's mix is dark and dramatic. Overall, Giuseppe D and Rene Ablaze's mixes are the best of the bunch.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Fierce Angel Presents Wayne G & Peyton - High

Wayne G and soulful singer Peyton have done a new remake of this song by the Lighthouse Family. It was a hit for them in 1997 and 1998 throughout much of Europe. It had a bunch of remixes, however the François Kevorkian one is the most well-known. Tony Moran also recorded and produced a cover version for his own sets with Nicki Richards and Zhana Saunders. An alternate edit of that was released on the Circuit movie soundtrack. A different mix was unveiled last year, however, a remix by Eric Kupper and Richie Jones was released on the newest Fierce Angel compilation. It is a lush, uplifting mix that is straight out of the Disco era. It's so pretty.

Purchase the Eric Kupper & Richie Jones mix here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Tony Moran feat Debby Holiday - I Like You

Tony Moran has teamed up with Dance diva Debby Holiday to cover Phyllis Nelson's 1985 hit "I Like You". The main version produced by Tony and longtime collaborator Warren Rigg is an uplifting peakhour masterpiece. Debby's vocals are mesmerizing. There are additional remixes by Edson Pride with Leandro Moraes, James Anthony, Nick Bertossi, Phil B with Andy Allder, and Twisted Dee. Edson Pride and Leandro Moraes keep the peakhour vibe of the main mix, however, there's is a tad harder. James Anthony's mixes are much darker and have some dazzling, Trancey synths. Nick Bertossi's mix is more tribal and has some well-timed electro buildups and breakdowns. Phil B & Andy Allder provide a Hi Nrg meets Electro House mix which has a slight 80s vibe. It has a deep bassline. Twisted Dee's mix has a big room Trance flavor to it as well. Every single remix is great with the main one being the best of the bunch, but all are thoroughly enjoyable.

Listen to clips of all the mixes and purchase the single here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Tony Moran & Joe Gauthreaux feat Michelle Weeks - Let's Find A Place

This mood-setting club track takes inspiration from Voyage's Disco/Hi Nrg classic "Souvenirs." The main "let's find a place...let's keep on moving" hook is from the bridge in the Voyage song. Michelle Weeks does a great job as usual with the main vocals and the divalicious ad libs peppered throughout the dubby track. The main version and edits contain more vocals whereas the Electro Dub has just a few. The latter is more of a peakhour track.

Listen to clips and purchase the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Finbarr Massi & Dan DeLeon Presents Breathwaite feat. Deborah Cox - Show You (Tony Moran Event Mix)

This special private mashup mix was produced by Tony Moran for his 2007 magnum opus The Event. It was combination of elements of Finbarr Massi & Dan DeLeon's track "Show You" and some unused ad libs from Deborah Cox's "House Is Not A Home" which she had recorded new vocals for the club mixes in 2005, and of course some additional production. Additional ad libs from those recording sessions were used on the Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Destroy U Mix of that song. This mashup was one of many highlights on The Event and it had remained unreleased as an umixed track until a couple of weeks back when it was included on a special compilation called Flaunt by Dan DeLeon.

-Listen to a clip and purchase the remix here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Tony Moran & Deep Influence feat. Jason Walker - Ball Of Confusion

This was previewed several weeks back and it was quietly released yesterday. This song is indeed a partial cover of the classic by The Temptations. Jason Walker puts his own spin on it with his signature falsetto style. He sounds fantastic. The peak hour production by Tony Moran and Deep Influence is fierce and uplifting. The song works best in its longer form with the additional vocals whereas the radio edit just feels like it's over too soon. The dub is basically the instrumental of the longer version with a handful of vocals. The beatapella is just the vocals and the drums. This is a strong release overall.

Purchase the single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Amy Grant - In Motion (The Remixes)

The Christian/Pop artist's highly anticipated remix album was released today. It was announced late last year that this was in the works. A handful of some of her biggest hits were selected for this collection and they were remixed by an A-list team of remixers. Every remix is produced in an uplifting style that maintains the emotional and spiritual message of the original songs. Some of the songs will take some getting used to with the club-oriented productions. This is another rare case where every remix is well-produced and suits the songs. The remixes of "Say Once More", "You're Not Alone", "Better Than A Hallelujah", and "Stay For Awhile" (both of them) are outstanding, though every remix is excellent. The only downside of this collection is that 90% of the main tracks are radio edits and not full length or mixshow length.

Tracklisting:
01. That's What Love Is For (Chris Cox Radio Edit) (3:12)
02. Stay For Awhile (Tony Moran Radio Mix) (4:08)
03. You're Not Alone (Guy Scheiman Radio Edit) (3:46)
04. Every Heartbeat (Moto Blanco Radio Edit) (3:24)
05. Better Than A Hallelujah (Mark Picchiotti Gospel Radio Edit) (3:47)
06. Find A Way (Ralphi Rosario Big Room Radio Edit) (3:37)
07. Baby Baby (Dave Aude Radio Edit) (3:57)
08. Say Once More (Hex Hector Radio Edit) (3:32)
09. Out In The Open (7th Heaven Radio Edit) (4:04)
10. Stay For Awhile (Tony Moran Destination Mixshow Edit) (6:45)
11. Mega Mix (DJ Andy 7th Heaven Medley) (8:49)

-The album can be purchased in physical formats including CD and vinyl on Amazon
-The album can be purchased digitally on Amazon and iTunes

Grade: A+

John LePage feat. Niki Haris - Not Enough

This is indeed a remake of the Melanie Williams song of the same name from the mid 90s which was remixed by Junior Vasquez and Love To Infinity. Niki Haris delivers a fantastic vocal performance. She remains true to the original, though she did put her own spin on some of the notes. The main version produced by John LePage and Brian Cua is in a similar vein as the classic Love To Infinity mix of the Melanie version. It's a modern take on handbag House. There are additional remixes by Julian Marsh, NovoGain, Peter Brown, and Tony Moran with Warren Rigg. Julian Marsh's happy Hi Nrg inflected House mix is uplifting and pretty. NovoGain's big room, peak hour mix is anthemic. The soft yet moderately anthemic Peter Brown mix has an Ibiza House feel. Tony Moran and Warren Rigg's mix is also for the big room and circuit floors. Theirs is uplifting as well. Overall, every remix is wonderful, however, the NovoGain and Moran & Rigg ones are the standouts.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Tony Moran feat. Orion - I Give In (Remixes)

This song first appeared as a radio edit on the Sugarhouse Divas unmixed compilation nearly a year and a half ago. The full mix had been a staple in Tony's live sets for nearly 4 years. The full remix package was released earlier this week. The main version is an epic 10 minute mix with a massive tribal and synth buildup leading to the hot vocals. Bonnis Maxx & Marcelo Rivera, Eddie Baez, and Ennry Sena & Mauro Mozart provide the additional mixes. Bonnis & Marcelo's mix is suitable for peak hour but is not as hard as the original. Ennry & Mauro's mix packs quite the punch despite being less than 7 minutes long. Eddie Baez's mix gives the song a hard, tribal workout with lots of buildups and breakdowns. An acapella based on the main mix is also included. The main long mix ends up being the best of the bunch along with Ennry & Mauro's mix.

Listen to all of the mixes here:


Purchase the mixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Martha Wash - I'm Not Coming Down (Remixes)

The legendary, powerhouse vocalist released her new album several months back. She reunites with Tony Moran for this set of remixes for her song about overcoming difficulties. The original is a guitar-driven midtempo. Tony provides 3 different mixes. His main mix is a trancey, big room one allowing for Martha's vocals to soar. The 2nd mix with Deep Influence is harder and darker. The final one with Mauro Mozart is more contemporary, having a techy sound.

-Listen to clips and purchase the remixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Cher - Take It Like A Man (Remixes)

After part 1 came out earlier this month, the second set of remixes by DJ Paulo with Alain Jackinsky, JRMX, and Tony Moran with Joe Carrano were recently serviced to DJs.

Paulo and Jackinsky deliver some really dark and synthy mixes that recall Peter Rauhofer's work. JRMX's mainstream Dance/Pop mix is in a similar style as the 7th Heaven mix. Tony Moran and Joe Carrano deliver with some hard anthemic mixes. They arranged their mix in a way that has lots of peaks and valleys in the energy level to play up the drama at just the right times. Every mix on this second set is great.

Grade: A

Kristine W - So Close To Me (Part 1)

The first package of remixes of her new single were released yesterday. Oscar G, Subgroover, Todd Terry, and Tony Moran with Joe Carrano provide the remixes. Oscar G's mixes have a funky old school flavor to them. The analog loop running throughout it that is also heard in the Subgroover and Todd Terry mixes, and the Latin percussion elements are a nice touch. Subgroover's mix is a bit more mainstream, but it has that late 90s filter disco sound that was really popular for a time. Todd Terry's smoother, chilled mix is delightful. Tony Moran with Joe Carrano, on their first remix together deliver a big room, Eurohouse mix with a big trancey synth riff. A percapella and synthapella of their mixes are included as well which showcase additional dimensions of their main mix. Overall, every mix is really well done, though the Todd Terry and Tony Moran with Joe Carrano ones end up being the best of the bunch.

Listen to all of the remixes here:


Purchase the digital single here (iTunes), here (Amazon), here (Juno), or here (Beatport) [DJ friendly lossless files available at Juno and Beatport]

Grade: A

Kristine W. - New and Number Ones Club Mixes Part 2

This is the second volume of the New and Number Ones album featuring some brand new remixes as well as some previously unreleased rare ones.

Here is a track by track overview of the digital edition (the CD edition does not include track 11, however "So Close To Me" is supposed to be released as single very soon):

1. Lovin' You (Soul Seekers Club Mix)
This brand new funky electro-disco rework of the hit maintains much of the melody that is characteristic of the original. It's really well-done.

2. Happiness (Twilight Club Mix)
This darker take on the song from The Power Of Music is delightful.

3. Love Come Home (Kristine W. & Frankie Pharoah vs. Bitrocka Epic Duet Mix)
The edit of this appeared on the first volume of this album. This is so uplifting and pretty.

4. Everything That I Got (Offer Nissim's Tel Aviv Mix)
This mix was released a short time after the initial remix packages had been made available. This one could be thought of as an entirely new track as it centered around some spoken parts and ad libs instead of the verses and chorus.

5. Clubland (Junior Vasquez Big Horns Club Mix)
This was done around the time of the Thunderpuss mixes and the original however this was not released properly. It has circulated on the internet, but now it's finally here in great quality. This is a festive horn-laden mix with select elements of Royal Party's "Can You Party" and Lil Louis' "The Conversation" in it.

6. Sometimes Like Butterflies (Simon Langford and Soul Seekers Summer Club Mix)
This gorgeous cover of the Donna Summer b-side appeared on the first volume of this album, however, it gets extended and a little harder here.

7. Stand in Love (Stonebridge Alternate Radio Mix)
A slightly different version of this was released a few years ago for sale through the now closed Perfect Beat digital store when they had a large number of rare and unreleased Kristine material. Stonebridge's treatment makes it more uptempo.

8. Shower the People (Welcome & Joe Carrano Vegas Nightclub Mix)
The full version of this remix was made available as a bonus download with the purchase of the "Everything That I Got" CD maxi from Kristine's website last year. The midtempo was made over into a lush disco/house floorfiller.

9. Sweet Mercy Me (Junior Vasquez Icon Club Mix)
This was also made available as part of the Perfect Beat digital release of the unreleased material, however, this is a much clearer, restored version than the one released before. This had been at the top of many collectors' wishlists for almost 15 years and it was worth the wait. This mix is quite the club anthem.

10. Wonder of It All (Joe Carrano Progressive Club Mix)
The previously unreleased mix is far more anthemic than any of the previously released mixes. This is easily one of the many highlights of this album

11. So Close to Me (Tony Moran Destination Mixshow Mix)
This brand new mix by Tony Moran and Joe Carrano is in a trancey, big room style. It ends up being more chill than anthemic as the beats could have been a little harder.

Overall, this is a solid collection of tracks as it includes some of the rarest mixes and they have been beautifully remastered.

Grade: A

Vernessa Mitchell - Rise!

This was originally released 3 years ago with over 2 dozen remixes. The song has been remixed by Tony Moran and Vernessa's longtime collaborator Joe Carrano. The positive, uplifting lyrics written by Steven Feldman, Jerome Farley, and Vernessa herself are just as relevant today as they were back then. Vernessa really takes listeners to church with her vocals. The new production by Tony Moran and Joe Carrano is a great fusion of both of their signature styles. They deliver the definitive mix of the song. There are just 3 different versions including a radio edit, mixshow edit, and full club mix, all packing quite the punch.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Tony Moran Presents Liquid Soul feat. Deep Influence - Planet XL (That's How We Do)

This is the latest release from the veteran producer/DJ. This song is supposed to be the theme for a special club event he will be playing at this weekend. Featuring the soaring vocals of longtime collaborator Deborah Cooper, the song is a nice tribal floorfiller. The production is hard and driving. All of the versions except two are based on the same production. The NYC mix is a bit more peak hour. Jerome Farley & 6KU's mix is even darker. Overall, it's a great track.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

This is the promotional banner for the club event happening this weekend featuring DJ sets by Tony Moran and Gustavo Scorpio, and live performances by Kristine W and Vernessa Mitchell

Post by Jerome Farley.

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

Tony Moran vs Deborah Cooper - Heartbeat (The Gold Mixes)

There is another package of remixes of the song that has just reached a new peak of 3 on the Billboard Club Play chart. The new mixes are by DJ Head, DJ Paulo with Alain Jackinsky, Durtyleg, Ennry Sena, Jerome Farley & Joel Dickinson, Mark VDH, and Mauro Mozart. Every single mix is circuit-oriented. The DJ Paulo & Jackinsky and Farley & Dickinson mixes are the best of the bunch, though the others are good too.

Two bonus tracks round out the package including an unreleased private Tony Moran dub of "Real Love" and a new Allan Natal mix of "Live You All Over". Both feature Deborah Cooper on vocals. The dub of "Real Love" is really drummy and tribal as is the new mix of "Live You All Over."

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

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

Tony Moran vs Deborah Cooper - Heartbeat (Farley & Dickinson Mixes)

The Jerome Farley & Joel Dickinson mixes of this still rising top 10 Billboard Club Play hit have recently been promoted. These peak hour, tribal stompers are extremely well produced. There are some nice soft piano sections as well as some drummy and synthy sections. Deborah's vocals always remain the focal point of the mixes. A main vocal mix, a dub, and a radio edit make up the package.

A divalicious music video for the original single edit has also been produced.

Grade: A

Tony Moran's Sand Blast Weekend Podcast

Podcasts are generally not featured here, but this one featured some exclusives that were really worth mentioning. Tony Moran's podcast series regularly includes some classics and unreleased gems from the vault (like the Cher and Donna Summer mixes on prior podcasts).

The latest one includes Tony's rework of The Saint classic "Souvenirs" by Voyage which features Michelle Weeks on vocals which uses just some of the main riffs from the bridge and Michelle singing the vocals. It's a nice update to a song which hasn't really seen any mixes of this sort.

The new song "Where The Sky Meets The Sea" with vocals by Orion is amazing as well. The lyrics are so beautiful.

The main attraction of this podcast is the Tony Moran & Orlanda Fussalva mix of Deborah Cox's "A New Life." This is from the Jekyl & Hyde show Deborah is currently playing the lead in. Deborah is stunning vocally and the production is amazing. This is expected to be released soon.

Also included is the Gustavo Scorpio mix of the top 10 hit "Heartbeat" which features Deborah Cooper and several private mashups and re-edits of some other current Pop Top 40 songs.

Listen to and download the podcast here: