"Amadeus 2000"
Giuseppe D
Blast!
A gritty, hardcore edge runs through a river of rabid string riffs and rifling drum rolls on this Mozart-goes-progressive-house moment. Add to that combination an assortment of filtered sound fragmentation and a helping of raw street beats and you've got a novelty dancefloor winner.
For more information, contact (718) 317-2277.
Peter A. Colón

 

World Wide Funk
Expansion Union
Wax Trax!/TVT

This trip through almost every genre of modern electronic music careens into moments of acid-funk ("World Wide Funk"), trippy breaks ("Goop"), trancey turntablism ("Playing with Lightning"), straight-up trance ("Psionic"), and ethereal waft ("Shaku"). Well-conceived, uncommonly musical and very heady _ minimal Detroit-ism "Technology" is the fave here _ World Wide Funk offers something for anyone who likes artful techno. The remixes should be interesting.
Jim Tremayne

 

"The Returning"
Parliament of House
Deep Touch
One of the few surprises to come out of Miami lately is the way-cool Deep Touch, a truly deep house label that releases dancefloor gems. Check out this new one from POH and you'll understand. A slammin' groove on top of a moody bass and a scintillating chord lick are the highlights here. All four mixes are absolutely delicious with the "Original Economy Full Mix" and the "DPN Club You" mix doing the most dancefloor damage. And check that spoken word stewardess vocal sample. Absolutely mental.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"Flow" b/w "Juice"
Deep Fellow
Wave
Ultra-smooth houser from producer Takayuki Higo that recalls Chicago's better moments. Sweet, fluid keys and a throbbing rhythm make "Flow" a real body mover. Meanwhile, "Juice" kicks more tribal and drops a moody vibe. A solid 1-2 punch on the "Body & Soul" smooth tip house.
Jim Tremayne

 

"Moments"
Johnny Vicious feat. Myndy K
Groovilicious
Johnny's at it again and there's no stopping him on this long-anticipated release. Light, but powerful snares _ reminiscent of The Goodmen _ creep along in the background with trancy keys and a pumping female vocal sung by Myndy K leading the way. Check the nice build that gets really strong toward the end. The dub offers a much harder flavor for those so inclined.
Shawn Christopher

 

"Ladyfingers"
Luscious Jackson
Grand Royal
Among the five mixes of this mega-catchy pop-funker, check the Big Beat "Smackit" mix by Americruiser, which rocks a whopping techno vibe a la Fatboy Slim. Also DJ Wally's mix drops breaks and sharp scratching, but maintains the song's melodic charm. Outrageously memorable chorus could make "Ladyfingers" Luscious Jackson's next big hit. Highly recommended.
Jim Tremayne

 

"Freak It"
Studio 45
Nervous Records
This DJ fave has finally become available domestically, but it's well worth the wait. Now we have slammin' new remixes by Jon Ciafone of Mood II Swing that are very reminiscent of his Chiapet work _ and don't forget the original energetic disco track that will keep any dancefloor packed. A must-have record for any househead. For info, call (212) 273-1135
Shawn Christopher

 

"Spread the Love"
Marcia Boynton
Authority
Super groovy and catchy garage cut with a hands-in-the-air performance by Boynton and a Chic-like production that features unsampled guitar and bass. Go for the "Disco Mix" for those great diva moments. Millennium's "Deep Love" mix goes more 3-a.m. tweaky with big dropouts and massive builds.
Jim Tremayne

 

* Compilation of the Month*

 

"Love's Gonna Bring You Home"
The Rockmellons
Hysteria
This former U.K. No. 1 hit gets revisited, re-tweaked, and remixed by Bobby D'Ambrosia and Eric Kupper on Kupper's Hysteria imprint. The results are soulfully satisfying, with both remixers taking a more garagey approach to the track. D'Ambrosia's "Club Mix" and "Osia Dub" are housey journeys that feature deep basslines, sexy chord licks and vocalist Doug Williams' Luther Vandross-like delivery. Kupper's "Classic Club Mix" is a piano-drenched affair that goes a little less deep but is very, very stylish in its approach.
Both mixes will give DJs plenty to smile about.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"Sounds of a Synthetic Future"
Various Artists
Container/Max Music
Hard and edgy with lots of electro breakbeat flava, this new EP showcases some of the best of that genre. Included here are such mind-bending alternatives like Propellerheads' "Take California" and Crystal Method's "Coming Back." Plus, there's two cool remakes _ the Back to Basics remixes of Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" and Newcleus' "Jam On It 2000." There's even an absolutely bangin' remake of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's "Karn Evil #9." (I swear.) A must-have collection for any dance music enthusiast.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"Someday"
Charlotte
Nervous

After the phenomenal success that Charlotte has enjoyed, some DJs are probably wondering if she can keep it up. Based on this new single she is definitely not a one-hit wonder. This new cut features a great hook that will make radio smile and Keith Litman's epic 12:33 vocal mix is a club-ready monster. Lively and intense, it'll be an instant floor-filler. David Morales adds a more soulful garage mix that is driven by a gorgeous piano. Yeah, I'd say Charlotte's here to stay.
Phil Turnipseed

 

Devil Dubs
Ben Wa
Black Hole
Smokey, deep, dark, dubby, and moody, this most excellent collection of trippy dub tracks should work well for smooth-tip jocks. With vocal samples taken from movies and television, this collection is all about phat bassy grooves and treble. All 13 tracks offer a unique look into subterranean style and will work as an excellent chill-out set. Not to be missed.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"I'm Telling You"
Chubby Chunks feat. Kim Ruffin
Cleveland City (U.K.)
A tough Stardust-like remake of "Testament 1," this one features hard house beats, discoey elements and soaring vocals from Ruffin. The Dominatrix mix offers big breakdowns and wild windups, while the Profits of Sound mix gets funkier and goes hi-hat crazy. A stormer. For more information, call 323-466-5141.
Jim Tremayne

 

"Git Wit Me"
Paris Red
Glow Recordings
With his unique and enchanting style of deep house, DJ/remixer Timewriter is on fire. His "Git Wit Me" offers a haunting female vocal with a warm bassline and a very groovy and melodic track. There are several unexpected changes along the way, but "Git Wit Me" never loses its flavor. Check out the Farley & Heller mix. Shawn Christopher

 

"Red Alert"
Basement Jaxx
Astralwerks
This year's Stardust? Too early to tell, however, "Red Alert" remains about as perfect a club record as you'll ever hear _ anthemic vocal, insistent groove, totally memorable. Get used to hearing the "Club Jaxx Mix" because it's the bomb. As for other mixes, Eric Morillo and Harry "Choo Choo" Romero's dub gets stripped-down and tweaky, while Steve Gurley's vocal mix goes for the breaks. From the upcoming Remedy album, "Red Alert" will rock clubs for many months.
Jim Tremayne

 

"B With U"
Junior Sanchez feat. Dajae
R-Senal
Roger Sanchez's new label opens up with a bang as potent upstart Junior Sanchez gets pumped on this new jam. Featuring the unmistakable sound of Dajae, this track should find immediate chart action. With its very commercial feel and infectious lyrics, "Be With U" nonetheless retains its club feel compliments of a big kick and a percolating percussion groove. Very, very radio ready on the vocal mix. Can't wait for those dubs to be released.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"Westworld"
Chiapet
Yoshitoshi
John Ciafone (one-half of top production/songwriting team Mood II Swing) unleashes a fierce, deep house thriller that's tailor-made for those sweaty club nights. Long and dramatic, the groove serves as a relentless study in bass, effects, and beats. Though it goes very minimal, there's an intensity in its simplicity. Both mixes are awesome with the "Medieval Mix" being the choice pick. This one's for the househeads...and believe me you will not be disappointed.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"Ieee Mitten Menu"
Speedy J
Nova Mute
Rim-rattling bass punishes the subs on this stutter-funk bruiser. Dutch DJ Speedy J drops off-kilter EQs are all over the place here, making for an alarming lo-fi aesthetic that pushes "Mitten Menu" toward industrial land. And then there's the rigorous "Fart Essen" _ if you don't know the translation, I'll spare you _ which pummels, quakes and stuns your dancefloor sensibilities. Manic.
Jim Tremayne

 

"Wild Wild West"
Will Smith
Columbia
Big Willie rides into town again on his new single taken from his new movie of the same name. It's a funky little number that takes the bassline from the Stevie Wonder classic "I Wish" and the hook from Kool Moe Dee's old-school hip hop jam "Wild Wild West." In fact, Moe Dee adds some vocals here, along with Dru Hill. Of course, this will see huge radio action and should blow up to the point of omnipresence.
Phil Turnipseed

 

"Let It Ride"
Todd Terry
Astralwerks

Numbing drum-n-bass cut with big, bouncy drops and super-filtered vocals by Antoinette Robertson. More than an admirable effort from the house legend, "Let It Ride" rocks dark, deep and hard. "Tee's Mix" kicks off like a Q.M. Production theme before easing into its frenetic breaks. B-side "Blackout, previously available as a DJ promo pack, gets more heady and punches in a forceful, head-bobbin' groove. Terry breaks artistic ground and finds a new muse.
Jim Tremayne

 

"Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me"
Aniki feat. Shawnee Taylor
Velocity
Sandy Riviera of K.O.T. is a master at transforming disco classics into modern day house hits, this time he brings us a remake of Patti Austin's "Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me." With a smooth bassline flowing right along with an emotional vocal, this cut also offers some hypnotic disco-like strings. The dub includes some heavier drum programming. Try the dub first and then bring in the vocal. A great production from beginning to end. For more info, call 212-594-2923.
Shawn Christopher

 

"Searching"
M.B. Industry
Tommy Boy Silver
Darrell Martin and Billy Brown have a track record that's rocked many a dancefloor. Martin's perhaps best known for his underground house collaborations with Junior Vasquez and Danny Tenaglia, while DJ-turned-producer Brown has worked with freestyle divas Judy Torres and Rockell. On "Searching," the tandem teams up with newcomer vocalist Toni Ann Bardell on a tasty houser that offers irresistible commercial flavor. With Bardell's soulful stylings, Martin's edgy after-hours flair, and Brown's pop sensibilities, "Searching" has a little something for most DJs. A real winner. For more information, call 212-388-8395.
Peter A. Colón

 

"Feel It"
The K & M Project
Waako
From Canadian duo Billy K and Vinnie Mac comes a peak hour disco stormer that will have your dancefloor moving and grooving to every beat. While the track's retro rhythms and familiar sample snippets capture the hearts of the sassy and sophisticated, the Nuevo-flavored beat patterns and salty acidic lifeline that races throughout the production will send the floor into a tailspin. Electrifying. For more information, contact 212-944-2590.
Peter Colón

 

"Touched By Love (Krisco Mixes)"
Cristianne
Kult
Available in vocal and dub flavors, "Touched" features Cristianne's off-centered vocals and a laid-back house flow that's sanctified by a low-key string arrangement. The mellow mood gets intensified by a sharp sound patch that bounces playfully throughout the production. Think of it as a slick, non-commercialized interpretation of "Missing" by Everything But The Girl. Touching! For more information, contact (212) 564-7165.
Peter A. Colón