Beyonce - Grown Woman / Standing On The Sun (Remixes)

Remixes for two songs that were to have been performed during her recent tour have been serviced.

Grown Woman
The women's empowerment anthem has been remixed by Monsieur Adi, Nervo, Ralphi Rosario, and Psyko Punks. Monsieur Adi's Electro/Disco mix had a great concept, but it ends up being a little too noisy. Nervo's is a little noisy too, but it centers around a main riff and plays up the African chants. Ralphi Rosario's mixes work the best, playing up the anthem feel of the song to maximum effect.

Grade: A- (for the Ralphi Rosario and Nervo mixes)


Standing On The Sun
This Summery song has remixes by Dizzy Bell, Mr. Vegas, Tiesto, and WAWA. The Dizzy Bell's Deep Touch mix is aptly titled as it is in a soft, deep house style. Mr. Vegas' reggae mix is a nice downtempo mix that is close to the original. Tiesto's Electro/Trance mix unfortunately has too many noisy parts ruining the mix despite a few pretty sections. WAWA's melodic big room mixes are the best of the bunch. They keep the lush vibe of the original but make it harder.

Grade: A- (for the WAWA, Dizzy bell, and Mr. Vegas mixes)

Sarah Brightman - Angel (Remixes)

This is the lead single from the mezzo soprano's new album. The building ballad-style production of the original is so beautiful. Sarah's lovely vocals are the main focus as the production is subdued enough in all the right places. It builds up bit by bit to an epic climax.

There are remixes for this by Stefan Dabruck, Von Ukuf & Dylon, and Wawa. Stefan's mix is synthy and really pretty. The Von Ukuf & Dylon mix has a big room trance feel with the synthwork and the vocals are used to great effect. Wawa's mix has a Giorgio Moroder esque "I Feel Love"-styled riff running through it. Overall, the Von Ukuf & Dylon and Wawa ones are the best of the bunch. This song is begging for a proper big room trance mix, possibly something in the style of what Giuseppe Ottaviani is  doing lately.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Colton Ford - Let Me Live Again (Remixes)

The main versions of this uplifting, inspirational song were released last year however, new remixes of this have been done by Wawa, Director's Cut (Eric Kupper & Frankie Knuckles), Craig C, JC, Tony Moran & Warren Rigg, and Bill Bennett & Tyler Nelson. Colton delivers one of his best vocal performances to date on this heartfelt song. Wawa, who also produced it, provides three main versions. The Club Mix is a synthy electro house production with the vocals heavily reverbed. The Original Back To Mine mix is a variation on their main mix but certain elements have been played up. This one sounds most like a Freemasons mix. The Endless Summer mix is more tribal. The Director's Cut beautiful 90s Disco House throwback. Craig C's mix almost seems to pick up where the second Wawa mix left off and is just a bit more uptempo and "hands in the air" sounding. JC's mix has aggressive electro synth stabs and soulful sections. Tony Moran & Warren Rigg's mix begins like their usual anthemic mixes, however, the piano loops throughout it add a little something extra. Bill Bennett & Tyler Nelson's is very pretty as well with the uplifting synthwork. Overall, the second Wawa, Director's Cut, and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg mixes are the best of the bunch, even though all of the mixes are quite good.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to clips of all the mixes and buy them here (Amazon)

Grade: A

Avicii vs Lenny Kravitz - Superlove

The original song was on his album released last year. The guitar-driven R&B/Pop/Rock track features a really lovely vocal by Lenny. The Avicii remix has gotten a lot more attention as this has been a fixture in his sets for some time now. The rocker's vocals are heavily manipulated and appear in the middle. The main riff sounds like it is based on Loleatta Holloway's "Love Sensation".

There are additional mixes by Carl Tio & Morjac, Andy Caldwell, Fred Falke, WAWA, Taped & Redtop, Stefan Dabruck, Teddy Douglas, Whatever Whatever, and Redtop. Carl Tio & Morjac's mix is much poppier than the original, however the tempo is almost the same. Teddy Douglas' mix is very hard and tribal. Redtop's solo mix is an extended version of the original.

-Watch the eye-catching music video for the Avicii remix here (YouTube)
-Buy the remixes here (iTunes)
-Buy the Avicii remix here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Loreen - Euphoria

She first won the Melodifestivalen in Sweden earlier this year with this song and went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest. The uplifting Dance/Pop track begins slow and dark, building towards a big chorus just as the beats come in. Loreen's powerful vocals are brilliant. In addition to the exquisite original are mixes by Alex Moreno, 7th Heaven, and Wawa. Alex Moreno's mix is beautiful with the piano instrumental breaks. 7th Heaven's is a bit darker until it gets to the chorus. Wawa's mix is somewhere in between in terms of the sound. It manages to be pretty and dark at the same time. Overall, the original single version is the best one, but all the remixes are good.

Listen to the various versions: (YouTube)

• Original Version
• Alex Moreno
• 7th Heaven
• Wawa

Grade: A

Ultra Naté - Turn It Up

Club diva Ultra Naté is back with a new single entitled "Turn It Up", just as "Destination" (her collaboration with Tony Moran) continues to be on DJ's playlists and top 10's almost half a year after its release. Produced by Brinsley Evans (of "I'm Beautiful Dammit" and "Make The World Go Round" fame), the song is a light electro/soulful house hybrid with super catchy lyrics. Ultra's vocals are great as usual. Remixes by Paul Oakenfold, Wawa, Ruff Loaderz vs. Scott Giles, Muthafunkaz, and Ruben Macias & Raffa Scoccia are coming soon. Based on the two previews Ultra posted on her label's YouTube channel, the Oakenfold and Wawa mixes sound really promising.

Listen to previews of the Oakenfold and Wawa mixes (YouTube)
Listen to the original here (MaxiPromotion)

Grade: A

Tiffany Evans - I'll Be There

This is the lead single off of her upcoming second album. In its original version, it is an uplifting, powerful song. Tiffany delivers a superb vocal performance on this one. The midtempo ballad is transformed for the dancefloor by remixers DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio, Karmatronic, and Wawa. Escape and Coluccio turn the song into a melodic big room anthem. Despite the hard nature of the production, the integrity of the song is maintained. Karmatronic's mix is tribal as well, but not as dark. Wawa's is milder, on the funkier house side. Overall, all versions of the song are excellent, in addition to the original.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A+

Donna Summer - To Paris With Love

"To Paris With Love" is her latest single. Co-written by Donna and longtime collaborator Bruce Roberts (most notably on the duet "Whenever There Is Love" and "I Got Your Love"), Donna sings about her love of the French city. The song is very light and delicate in its original version. Donna's vocals are much more subdued than her usual. This sounds like something one may hear at a posh cafe. There are some club mixes of this by Wawa, Craig C, and Mendy (so far). Wawa's mix is electro/dance-pop oriented. This gives the song some much needed energy. Craig C's mixes are in a similar direction but a little harder. Mendy's is electro/house-ish as well. The Wawa one is the best of the bunch so far. Additional mixes were announced so those may be released at a later time.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)
Purchase the remix EP including the original here (iTunes)

Grade: B+ (for the original)/A- (for the Wawa mix)

Nikki & Rich - Cat & Mouse

They describe their music style as "Alicia meets the Supremes while hanging out with Lauryn Hill listening to Outkast's "Hey Ya" remixed by Phil Spector." The duo's latest single "Cat & Mouse" definitely has that old school sound and is very catchy and fun. Nikki's voice has that classic quality to it and it's quite refreshing. Other songs from their upcoming album are in a similar vein.

There are remixes for this by Thrillers, LA Riots, Eddie Amador, Ian Nieman, Johnny Vicious, Klubjumpers, and WAWA. The Thrillers mix is in a similar vein as the original. It maintains the swingbeat from the original and has an electro/pop sound. LA Riots provide an electro mix that has just the right sleaze feel. Eddie Amador's is a bit more big room-ish with a hint of Electro. Ian Nieman's is similar but a little chunkier. Johnny Vicious' is a bit lighter and has an early 90's acid house feel, especially with those synths. Those are a nice touch. Klubjumpers' has a euphoric feel in addition to the core electro production. WAWA's is disco/funky house ish. The Wawa and Johnny Vicious mixes are the best of the bunch, however, all of the mixes are really good.

Buy the original version of "Cat & Mouse" here (iTunes)

Grade: A+

Sun - Fancy Free (Remixes)

First reviewed on 9/28/09

Nearly three months after the initial release of the song come the remixes. As has happened with earlier singles, there are plenty of them. Dave Aude, Digital Dog, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Mike Rizzo, Wawa, Pete Tong & Paul Harris, and 3 Amigos provide the remixes (so far, there could even end up being more later on). Dave Aude and Mike Rizzo both maintain the swing beat of the original. Both could easily pass as clubbier versions of the original. They don't stray too far from that and they sound great. Digital Dog's is their standard funky house mix. The bassline is killer. DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious provide a big room treatment that works pretty well. Wawa's is somewhat electro/funky house-ish like the Digital Dog one, but this has a fresher feel. Tong & Harris opt for a lighter, more soulful sound. Very pretty. 3 Amigos go in a minimal, afterhours direction. There's a little something for everyone.

Buy the original version of "Fancy Free" here (iTunes)
Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Ricki-Lee - U Wanna Little Of This

She rose to prominence after appearing on Australian Idol in 2004. She made it into the top 7. After a brief stint in the girl group Young Divas, she chose to focus on her solo career. Her recent chart-topper "Can't Touch It" has been picked up by Ministry Of Sound in the UK and will be released as "U Wanna Little Of This" on the Hed Kandi imprint. The new main version is by Ali Payami. It's a scorching Disco/House mix with a floorshaking bassline. It improves upon the already great original. Additional mixes by Wawa, DJ Puddy and Milk Inc. will be released soon. A
digital and physical release is planned in early June.

Grade: A