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

The Wanted - We Own The Night

This is the new single from the UK boyband's upcoming 3rd album Word Of Mouth. After the underperformance of "Chasing The Sun", "I Found You", and "Walks Like Rihanna" in the U.S., this is their latest attempt at stateside success. "Glad You Came" has continued to receive strong recurrent airplay in the past year, however, those other singles were met with a mixed response. "We Own The Night" ends up being a much catchier song Pop/Rock song with a hint of Electro. It immediately calls to mind last year's hit "Some Nights" by Fun and Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive". This one could very well be a big hit for them with the right promotional push.

-Listen to the stream here (Ryan Seacrest)

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

Vengaboys - Hot Hot Hot

The Dutch Eurodance group's latest single is a cover of the Arrow song. It is most famous in its cover version by Buster Poindexter. The production on the song is far more contemporary than their earlier work. Some parts resemble that Eurodance style, but there is the "Gangnam Style" electro synth riff that comes in occasionally. Their remake ends up being a lot of fun, but it's nothing groundbreaking. There are plenty of remixes on the single. The Scorpio mix is close to their earlier style so fans of that will enjoy it.

-Watch the music video here (YouTube)
-Purchase on iTunes here
-Listen to all the mixes here:



Grade: B

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

Selena Gomez - Slow Down (Remixes)

The first package of remixes of the Cataracs produced dance/pop song have been released. Chew Fu, Danny Verde, DJLW, Jason Nevins, Smash Mode, Paolo Ortelli & Luke Degree, and Sure Shot Rockers provided the first set.

Chew Fu's mix is close to the original, but it feels watered down. Danny Verde's tribal mix makes it into an anthem. DJLW's has lots of synths and electro breaks but not much else. Jason Nevins' ends up sounding like a noisier version of the original. Smash Mode's mix feels rather underdeveloped. Paolo & Luke's mix is pleasant, staying close to the original but making it more uplifting. The Sure Shot Rockers Reggae mix is soft and summery. Overall, the Danny Verde mix is the best of the bunch.

Listen to all the mixes here:


These mixes will be available for purchase on August 20.

Grade: B+

Duck Sauce - It's You

The duo is back with another quirky new single. This isn't as bizarre as their last outing "Big Bad Wolf." The Motown-esque vocals coupled with the swirling electro production make for an unlikely marriage of sounds, but it manages to work. There are nearly a dozen remixes, but none manage to come close to the original version.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: B+

Joi Cardwell - Music Saved My Life

The always soulful House veteran's latest single speaks of the power of music. Joi is in fine form vocally. Maurice Joshua, Wayne Williams, and Azza K provide the mixes. Maurice's Disco/Tribal mixes are stunning. They sound straight out of the early 90s recalling the flavor of David Morales and Masters At Work's productions from that period. Wayne's are in a similar vein, though they are more Discoey. Azza K's is far more contemporary, adding a techy element to it. This is a solid release with every mix being well-done.

-Purchase here (TraxSource)

Grade: A

Antigen feat Andrea Martin - So What

Antigen is a collaboration of House heavyweights Gomi and Hani. This song originally came out in 2005, however, some brand new mixes have been completed. The 2005 versions have been remastered. They are delightful throwbacks to the heyday of Disco from the orchestra to the bassline to Andrea Martin's warm, divatastic vocals. The new Extra Sauce mixes are deeper and softer. They lose much of the Disco flavor of the earlier versions. These are great as well. 

Purchase all the mixes here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Daft Punk feat Pharrell Williams - Lose Yourself To Dance

This is the followup to the surprise international success that was "Get Lucky." This also features Pharrell Williams on vocals. Given his return to the music scene with a number of production and vocal appearances, this should also do fairly well, though not quite on the same scale as "Get Lucky." The repetitive nature of the vocals and production will necessitate a succinct edit. The funky song's tempo is a bit slower, but that would really help it to stand out on radio.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

House of Wallenberg feat Jwl B - Love Yourself

This throwback Hip House track from Sweden is part of a campaign to raise awareness for getting tested for HIV (Love Yourself Test Yourself). The song sounds straight out of the 90s with the handbag house piano sections and the female rap a la Shawn Christopher and Technotronic. The lyrics about loving oneself will resonate with almost everyone in all parts of the world, as would the message about getting tested. Stonebridge's remix hardens up the song making it a little darker, but the original is the best version.

-Watch the fun music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

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)

Freemasons feat Katherine Ellis - Tears

The British House duo's new single, previewed nearly six months back is finally here. The Electro Disco/House song is just as catchy as their earlier work. Katherine's vocals have a haunting feel to them, reminiscent of the ones in Red Carpet's "Alright" by Ramona Korber. The Futureretro mix is a throwback to the 80s with its Human League sound. The Pegasus mix has that early 90s Balearic House sound. The Pegasus 6AM mix is a softer, uplifting take, excellent for starting off the evening, or ending it.

Grade: A 

Ron Perkov - Basura

The circuit singer's latest single is not just about the trash ('basura' is Spanish for trash). It's about throwing your troubles and problems away and celebrating instead. The festive party song has remixes by Eddie Baez, Gustavo Scorpio, and Mike Lorello. Eddie's mix is perfect for peak hour play. Gustavo's is a nice Latin/Circuit mix. Mike Lorello's mix is the one that works the best. It's a full on Latin production.

Grade: A-

Enrique Iglesias - Turn The Night Up

This is the latest single from his upcoming new album. Produced by The Cataracs, Enrique is trying something a little different from his usual, though it ends up not really varying all that much. The majority of the song isn't sung in a traditional way. Enrique talk-sings the verses. The pre-chorus immediately calls to mind the one in Kylie Minogue's club hit "Timebomb" from last year. The lyrics are terribly boring and the production sounds dated and generic. Remixes by Martin Solveig and Ralphi Rosario will be coming soon.

-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
-Pre-order the song on iTunes here

Grade: C