*Compilation of the Month*
Soul Train: 1971
Various Artists
Rhino
Yes, 1971 was a very good year for soul-stirred pop songs and this comp serves up some of the early decade’s best. A mix of hits from genuine superstars (J-5, Tempts, Aretha, Marvin) and one-hit wonders (Jean Knight, the Honey Cone), the CD offers something sweet for nearly every audience – even those who don’t remember the hot-pants era. Highlights include The Honey Cone’s “Want Ads,” Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff,” Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose’s “Treat Her Like A Lady,” The Staple Singers’ “Respect Yourself” and Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On?” Righteous.
– Jim Tremayne

“Ain’t Got Time”
Tiki Jones
Gossip
This top-notch, double-packed 12-inch is a study in quality house music. Production team Live Element has put together a rousing soulful house concoction that’s topped off by a stirring vocal performance by Jones. Her style is reminiscent of some of house music’s greatest divas, but she definitely carries her own brand of sweet soul. The four mixes included are all bangin’ with deep luscious basslines, filtered vibes, and soaring keys. Drop the needle anywhere – you will not be disappointed.
– Phil Turnipseed

“2 Much Happened”
Junior O. pres. Starchild
R-Senal
More quality house vocals from Roger Sanchez’s label, as producer Junior O. pulls out all the stops with this garage-flavored gem. Vocalist Christian Urich brings a smooth, yet intense style to the forefront and the groove is driven by a deep, rich bassline and some great acoustic guitar sounds. Live horns are added to really bring this track out. Both the “Junior O. Club Mix” and “Ride The Dub Mix” are similar in approach with the emphasis on filtered, bottom-heavy house. Very sweet.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Don’t You Want My Love”
Rosabel feat. Debbie Jacobs
Tommy Boy
This heavy-handed house offering should find itself on many mainstream charts this summer. Featuring a very infectious chorus hook and a stirring lead vocal by Jacobs, producers Rosabel have put together a delicious four-mix gem that is really something to get excited about. Both the “Rosabel Discofied Vocal” and “Rosabel Discofied Dub” mixes are plush pieces that have scintillating synth sounds sure to grab the DJ’s attention.
– Phil Turnipseed

Killing Puritans
Armand Van Helden
Armed

If you loved last year’s effortlessly eclectic 2Future4U, with its unshakable mix of Latin, pop, garage and hard-house nuggets, don’t expect more of the same on Killing Puritans. It’s still house-based – as opposed to 1998’s uneven, hip-hop-oriented Sampleslaya – but this time out Van Helden doesn’t juggle as many sub-genres. Nonetheless, he offers more satisfying surprises. Super-cruncher single “Koochy” is surely the album’s centerpiece – it’s Gary Numan’s “Cars” gone booty-shakin’ crazy – but the buzz of Killing Puritans comes more from Van Helden’s bold resurrection of early ’90s hip-house stylings. DJs of all stripes will freak over “Full Moon,” which features Common’s party-starting flow put to a bumpin’ disco track. Phat. Also, check “Runaway>Love” and “Conscience” (featuring Wu-Tang’s Tekitha) for some bomb-track filter flavors. Another consistent effort from America’s greatest dance-music producer.
– Jim Tremayne

“Penetrate My Body”
ACL
SFP
“Penetrate My Body” features a provocative spoken-word female vocal that describes the sensations one gets from the sounds of house music and includes a sweet DJ-friendly a cappella. All three other mixes are very much on the deep-house tip with the menacingly intense “Montanari Vae Victis Mix” being just a cut above the others. The “Greppi Metropole Mix” also adds some Tenaglia-like dark/soulful grooves. Excellent in every way!
– Phil Turnipseed

Hellz Army
Tense, Nevermind & The Tyrant
Apocalypse
Continuing in fine, dark speedcore fashion, this trio’s latest is strictly for the hardcore. Gritty and heavy, the tracks strike a rare balance between sizzling noise and clean sequences. The head-bangin’ basslines are absolutely stunning on “Fuckore” and “Hellz Army,” and “Frustrations” is the musical personification of raw emotion. A must-have for any hardcore junkie, Hellz Army will take you on a twisted journey three times over before you ever realize what hit you. For more info, visit www.Apocalypse-Recordings.com.
– Erin McFee

“Everyday Girl” b/w “Bad Girl”
DJ Rap
C2

Continuing a tradition of great club sounds from the U.K., all tracks on this five-cut single share a sharp Euro-house feel with a strong late-night influence. Starting with the “Sneaky Vocal Experience Mix” of “Everyday Girl” and working right into the “Hybrid Remix” of “Bad Girl,” the energy from this pair of great DJ Rap cuts is undeniable. Another pair of winners from DJ Rap.
– Michael Taylor

“The Best Of Me”
Mya
Interscope
As R&B and mainstream radio formats come closer and closer together, this record is a great example of what they both appreciate. With that upbeat R&B/urban feel, “The Best of Me” is sure to please a wide variety of club and radio jocks. The album cut is a smooth groove that could well be a chart hit, but the club cut – remixed Fernando Garibay – has turned this smooth track into a upbeat dancefloor attention-getter. At 120 BPM, “The Best Of Me” is a definite, recommended add to even the most mainstream club formats.
– Michael Taylor

“They Just Want”
A Man Called Quick
Strictly Rhythm
This filter-driven groove made a splash at Winter Music Conference this past spring and, yes, it’s all that. The sample-filled production features a nasty guitar solo, a raspy female vocal sample and a disco-type rhythm track. Of the three excellent mixes included, “Pom’s Disco Frenzied Pass” got the most play at WMC with its old-school “Down To Love Town” bass sample. That trend should continue, but the “Pom and DJ Dome Pass” will also score points with filter-happy DJs.
– Phil Turnipseed

“He Wasn’t Man Enough”
Toni Braxton
LaFace/Arista
From the opening name on the remix (Junior Vasquez) to the last driving note, this strong house anthem will catch the attention of DJs and should dominate plenty of summer dancefloors. Vasquez leaves in most of Braxton’s unforgettably strong vocals and adds a driving, marathon house beat to back it up – a great combination that has proven to be a winner time and time again. As dancefloors all over become more and more demanding, Vasquez steps up and delivers another smash hit remix.
– Michael Taylor

“I Wanna Be With You”
Mandy Moore
Epic
Though Mandy Moore has become one of those names DJs generally associate with bubblegum pop music, jump back and take another listen to the Soul Solution remix of this cut – you will not be sorry. With great vocals and a very dancefloor-friendly track, “I Wanna Be With You” is sure to appeal to more than the teen demographic. Indeed, look for this mix to hit the clubs and crossover to the mainstream quickly. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
– Michael Taylor

Ro Sham Bo
Interrupt Vector
Lame Ass
An album of pulse-pounding 220-BMP assaults, great samples and original track concepts, Ro Sham Bo definitely picks up the pace of speedcore as we know it. “Pump” has some great integration of mid-range lines and samples, while maintaining an uncut free-flow feeling – definitely one of the album’s highlights. As for the grand finale, “Evil Homer” you will be laughing on the floor begging for more. For more information, visit www.interruptvector.com.
– Erin McFee

“I See Stars”
Robin Fox
StreetBeat
A good mix of strong vocals and great driving bass line make this a really strong pop-freestyle release. With four mixes, it has something for almost all clubs and current dance musical tastes. As freestyle is on the rise again in some areas, this track might be the one to help resurrect the genre back to the mainstream.
– Michael Taylor

Bossa Mundo
Various Artists
Wave
This soothing, percolating comp of Brazillian/Afro rhythms offers a number of dancefloor winners that transcend genre category. Highlights: Masters At Work’s sleek mix of Yasushi Ide’s “Plein Soleil” and François K and Eric Kupper’s sensual mix of Tom & Joyce’s “Vai Minha Tristeza.” Bomb Track: Salomé de Bahia’s euphoric “Outro Lugar.”
- Jim Tremayne

“I’ll Fly With You”
Gigi D’Agostino
Arista
This curious new track out of Italy features an unusual female lead vocal and an infectious beat pattern that should win over plenty of dancefloors. D’Agostino’s unique new sound brings a fresh approach and a captivating groove. With an almost breakbeat-meets-trance rhythm, “I’ll Fly With You” could be a real sleeper. The bass is deep and hypnotic, yet there is a sweet, Euro-pop sound to it. DJs should be on the lookout for other cuts from the eccentric D’Agostino. Recommended.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Rise”
Gabrielle
Go Beat/Universal
Gabrielle returns with another gorgeous house groover that features two brilliant Deep Dish mixes. “Hi-Rise Remix” and “Hi-Rise Dub” offer up deep, murky grooves intensified by a phat bassline. Add some spicy keys and Gabrielle’s vocals and the deal is done.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Don’t Call Me Baby”
Madison Avenue
C2

Dynamic duo of Andy Van and Cheyene Coates (aka Madison Avenue) break out in a big way with an absolutely gorgeous track that’s highlighted by Cheyene Coates’ distinctive vocals. Sort of like a cross between Crystal Waters and Stevie Nicks, Coates gives an unflinching performance. The mixes are all heavy-handed, upbeat house with the Dronez’s “Old School Vocal Mix” being a juicy highlight. This could be the start of something big. Look out!
– Phil Turnipseed

Combat Noise EP
DJ Shuai
Shuai
Shuai’s music is dark, nasty, twisted – and absolutely beautiful. Refreshingly original, and both technically complex and precise, Combat Noise pulls you into the tracks and through an amazing journey of digital construction. Initially, you’re teased with bassy arpeggios, but the EP gets more intense with multi-dimensional sound patterns. This is digital punk at its best.
– Erin McFee