Volume 2
Eddie Baez
Logic
Another hot mix comp from New York’s Baez. With pounding underground beats from Robbie Tronco and TAIKO, Baez features many of New York’s daily radio anthems such as Da Buzz’s “Let Me Love You Tonight” and “Without You” by Digital Allies (aka Rich Luzzi, John Kano and Baez). Check out why Baez has become one of America’s rising DJ stars.
– Joe Bermudez

“Why Can’t You Free Some Time”
Armand Van Helden
Armed
While the original mix comes from his groovin’ and filter-flavored Gandhi Khan album, the “Superchumbo Vocode Mix” has been getting an incredible response from the dancefloor. Offering a sexy bassline, evil synth stabs and a male disco vocal, this record is impossible to resist. As with much of Van Helden’s better work, less is more – and, once again, that’s plenty. Pumpin’.
– Joe Bermudez

Underground Sounds of America EP
Various Artists
Perfecto
Bill Hamel & Rosario’s “Disco Volante” is a percussive and positive tune, with a distinctive synth hook and dreamy vocals weaving over the top. Mark Lewis’ “Infa Red” is tops – a mechanical tune with an odd and fascinating breakdown, building back up into a borderline-messy, siren-driven acid frenzy. Fade’s “Light to Motion” steals the show, though. Its wonderfully smooth melodies and subtle, yet deep beats make for a pretty unbeatable ride.
– Damion Brown

25 Years in the Mix 1974-2001
Various Artists
Nite Grooves
Li’l Louis come back strong with this massive compilation. It’s an incredible mix of deep soulful house cuts like Latina Café’s “Power to Conquer,” funky tracks like Johnick’s “Play the World,” and disco classics such as Loose Joint’s “Is it All Over My Face” and Taana Gardner’s “Work That Body.” They’re seasoned records beautifully mixed like only Li’l Louis can. Other notable tracks include Aztec Mystic’s “Jaguar,” Kevin Yost’s “One Starry Night” and Men from the Nile’s “Watch Them Come.”  
– Shawn Christopher

“Drifting”
Mojolators
Moody
By dropping the single’s very catchy keyboard hook and building from there, the Mojolators offer some very capable remixes – seven in all. The wicked “Original Mix” is a standout. It’s just a peak-hour blend of disco-house and filter-driven grooves with some juicy keyboard work and edgy effects. The “King Unique Mix” comes in a little harder with a deeper, almost techy vibe, while still working that sweet keyboard hook. We’re also feeling the underground sound of the “Soul Phusion Mix,” which offers a deliciously deep vibe and plenty of perky gauitar-like synth as its foundation. The “Mojolators Vocal Mix feat. Camilla” is shortened version of the “Original Mix” with Camilla giving an unflinching vocal performance.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Forever Pt. 2”
Sandy Rivera & John “DNR” Alvarez feat. Shawnee Taylor
Subliminal
Coming off the phenomenal success of “Finally,” Sandy Rivera and John Alvarez drop a couple of very nice remixes here. Remixer Harry “Choo Choo” Romero gets into the act as well with his “Bambossa Dub,” a deep, sinister piece with tribal flavor. With lots of dirty filtering and a pumping groove, this mix is perfect for those big-room sets and peak-hour nights. It builds, breaks down and builds again as Choo Choo retains his vintage form. We also love the “Live Mix,” which features a sexy guitar solo, a smoldering groove and a nice jazzy element. Shawnee Taylor’s smooth vocals add a nice touch and this mix is the pick here. And you gotta love the keyboard work on this mix...just a bangin’ groove.
– Phil Turnipseed

Fade EP
Robi Uppin
Driftwood
For those on that deep, hypnotic tip, you must check out new indie Driftwood and its lush, new EP. Producer Robi Uppin delivers a competent three-track gem that is all about the deep tech sound – minimal and subliminal. The highlight here has to be the hypnotic “Midnight Society’s Blurry Vision Mix.” An epic piece with a chunky bassline groove to it, it also features deep atmospheric keys and some top percussion work. We were feeling this one on the first listen. “Robi Uppin’s Original Mix” goes even further into the house depths with a skeleton-like production – and we do mean very minimal. It’s very much a mind-bending, subconscious house trip. There’s not too much in the way of vocals on this EP, just raw soulful beats and vibes – excellent in every way.
– Phil Turnipseed

“What I Mean”
Modjo
Universal
French production team Modjo has been on fire since its first hit single “Lady” began dominating the airwaves. On the latest single, Mood 2 Swing’s Lem Springsteen and John Ciafone step up with a spectacular mix – the pounding bassline and sharp filter effects on the vocal will give you goosebumps. Also, Ian Pooley’s mix kicks in with a little Latin edge and Flamenco guitar. Another dancefloor winner from France.
– Shawn Christopher

“Ride The Storm”
Akabu feat. Linda Clifford
NRK
Brought to us from super producer Joey Negro, this beautiful deep-houser offers great energy. Soft melodic keys (sampled from Pepe Braddock’s “Burnin’”), pumping rhythmic bassline and tight drum programming combine with Clifford’s sassy spoken-word vocal to make this an ass-shaking dancefloor gem. Other mixes include a dub and a cappella and some beats for DJs to play around with.
– Shawn Christopher

“Carpe Diem” b/w “Intercity”
Human Blue
Spiral Trax
Sweden’s Human Blue is back with his trademark epic, swirling, emotional psytrance and these two previews from his forthcoming album are very impressive. “Carpe Diem” is gorgeous, with a high-end melody to die for. It bridges the gap between uplifting and unnerving, keeping the vibe positive. With a solid rhythm section and 303-led climax, it’s nigh-on faultless. “Intercity” goes more progressive, a cooler more laid back number – quality all the way. – Damion Brown

Party Time 2002
DJ Escape
Groovilicious
DJ Escape mixes up some of the best tracks in the Groovilicious catalogue here. From disco hits like Spiller’s “Groovejet” to tribal monsters like Robbie Rivera’s “Feel This” to trance anthems such as Ian Van Dahl’s “Castles in the Sky,” this double CD has something for most DJs.
– Joe Bermudez

“Heard It All Before”
Sunshine Anderson
Atlantic
A most enjoyable vocal houser ably remixed by Junior Vasquez. Kicking a little old-school flavor, Anderson’s colossal vocals are accented with awesome percussion, crisp orchestration, sharp saxophones and great effects. Vasquez’s style will move any wallflowers. 126 BPM.
- Mike D. Merola