“The Only Way Is Up”
System 3 feat. Nicki Richards
Columbia
This lively new house entry will surely take your party to new heights. Using the background hook of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September,” System 3 unleashes a wicked single. Produced and mixed by Hex Hector and the Berman Brothers, all four mixes are the bomb. This energetic house groover drives relentlessly, while Ms. Richards finds the space to work her considerable chops. This one is definitely a winner. Do not miss.
Phil Turnipseed

"Compilation of the Month -
We Are Twisted: A Bit of the Best & A Lot of the New "
Various Artists
Twisted

This new double-packed CD set is armed and ready to explode across the dancefloor ’cause it’s banging right from the start. Househeads will love Michael T. Diamond’s “Hells Bells,” which starts things off. From there it gets harder, deeper and more intense as Twisted takes you on a deep progressive house journey beatmixed to perfection by executive producer Rob Di Stefano. Top tracks include DJ Dozia’s mix of Danny Tenaglia’s “Elements,” Fun Keep Runners’ mix of Funky Green Dogs’ “Can’t Help It,” Konrad Carelli’s “Elated” mix of Celeda’s “Burnin’ Up,” The Timewriter’s “Believe” and Suzanne Palmer’s “It’s My Life.” With its 28 tracks, We Are Twisted gives a great indication where this great label is at right now.
Phil Turnipseed

"Blessed"
Kenny Bobien
Soundmen on Wax

Gorgeous vocal house album from Bobien, a New Jersey-based, multi-octave gospel belter who has backed up some of pop music’s top names like Lauryn Hill. With sweet, smooth-tip garage cuts like the uplifting title track (produced by Big Moses) and the slammin’ Kerri “Kaoz” Chandler-produced “Reach,” Bobien pushes the spiritual aspect of dance music without getting preachy, and his soaring vocal performance will produce more than a few chills. It’s a blessed thing.
Jim Tremayne

"Protection"
Planet Electronica
Rampage
New indie Rampage Records jumps into the millennium with a phat new collection of juicy gems that have become DJ essentials. Deep, smokey, trippy, and edgy, this new double-CD set offers a break from the everyday 4/4 fare. Featuring artists like U2 (“Mofo”), Fatboy Slim (“Soul Surfing”), Massive Attack (“Protection”), 808 State (“Baton Rouge”), and the Chemical Brothers (“Lost in the K Hole”), Protection offers 19 tracks in all, including some rare remixes. DJs looking for a sharp electronica collection will do well to pick this up.
Phil Turnipseed.

"Be My Ambition"
Crossfire
Plastic City
You know if it’s Plastic City its going to be deliciously deep, trancey, and hypnotic. And “Be My Ambition” certainly this cut lives up to that reputation. A smokey tech-house affair that drops a moody bass, edgy keys, and an overall minimal house vibe, “Be My Ambition” is a choice club mover. Plus, with its long, aggressive intros and outros, it should be a DJ’s delight. If you like that vibey, get-inside-your-head-type house groove, you’ll love Crossfire.
Phil Turnipseed

"On The Radio"
JJ & Black Dahlia
Waako
Keeping in step with Waako’s recent penchant for remakes, producer JJ – along with vocalist Black Dahlia and remixers Peter Presta and Robbie Rivera – takes on the task of turning this Donna Summer classic into modern day dancefloor shaker. Complete with the essence of the original, “Radio” is further fitted with an assortment of silky string work, a fret of fat bass and a rhythmic beat track that is perfect for those yearning for the classic disco era. Sure to please.
For more information, contact (212) 944-2590.
Peter A. Colón

"I Love You More"
Kimara Lovelace
King Street

Written and produced by Roland Clark, “I Love You More” stands as a beautiful and melodic female vocal cut. In addition to a terrific vocal performance from Lovelace, check out the brilliant main mix by Bobby D’Ambrosia, who also executes a fine dub. There’s also a phat “Fullswing Dub” by Jon Ciafone that offers a very heavy bassline, some funky kicks and a filtered vocal sample. “I Love You More” is another vocal-house winner from Kimara Lovelace.
Shawn Christopher

"Coro"
Kerri Chandler
King Street
This deep-house gem already is being slammed at New York’s Body & Soul party and if you’re into the soulful side of house it’ll work for you. “Coro” features a monstrous bassline, a funky scat vocal, and a really unique and infectious tribal kick. Deep house jocks shouldn’t sleep on this one.
For more info, call (212) 594-3737.
Shawn Christopher

"That’s The Way Love Is"
Byron Stingily
Nervous Records
Top remixer Johnny Vicious brings us a massive hard vocal anthem mix with a bouncing trancy bassline – and lot’s of drama. Also, in his usual style, he gives us two separate dubs to work. Really nice. Get two copies. (212) 273-1135
Shawn Christopher

"Stop And Panic"
Cirrus
Moonshine
“Stop and Panic” offers an engaging beat that has enough kicks to tweak any dancefloor into overdrive. Also check the scornful bassline that rides over the forceful drum pattern. A techno blazer.
Peter A. Colón

"N***a Please"
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Elektra

OK, I know much of this stuff is indefensible – if you didn’t know it yet, ODB likes to get high, get laid and he might hurt you if you get in his way – but all the shenanigans aside, N***a Please is strangely alluring. Hysterical ad libs/shout outs, an absolute massacre of Rick James’ funk classic “Cold Blooded” and a genuine tuneful hit in the Big Willie-style “Got Your Money” make N***a Please this year’s most guilty hip-hop pleasure. Please forgive me.
Jim Tremayne

"You Are Love"
Lovetronic
Naked Music
A beautiful deep house record brought to us by Jay Denes. Featuring an enchanting filtered female vocal, superb soft tribal kicks, sweet soothing keys and fierce percussive beats, “You Are Love” stands as a great early-morning record.
For more info, call (415) 864-3942.
Shawn Christopher

"Central Reservation"
Beth Orton
Arista
Get ready for this unbelievable female vocal – a remix from U.K. folkie Beth Orton, who many remember for her 1997 collaboration with the Chemical Brothers. DJs will love the slammin’ mixes by Deep Dish, which feature a heavy, funky bassline with incredible kicks. And toward the end, they add a nice guitar. Also check Joe Claussell’s brilliant mixes, which have a sweet and light tribal percussive edge.
Shawn Christopher

"Waiting 4 The Sun"
Ruff Driverz
Tommy Boy Silver
This Latin inferno of progressive dance and aggressive, prime-time house features alluring spoken words and juicy techno elements. The combination of raging synthesizer splashes, thumping drum riffs and the occasional rifling of a distant trumpet makes “Waiting 4 the Sun” a prime mover. Que rico!
For more information, contact (212) 388-8395.
Peter A. Colón

"For Love"
P-Ditty
Strictly Rhythm
This ultra-driving, after-hours anthem builds slowly into a full-fledged disco/house extravaganza and plays to the crowd through a mirage of filtered clips and vicious drum dips. Add to that formula a pinch of producer DJ Pierre’s personality and you have another dancefloor winner. Lovely.
For more information, contact (212) 254-2400.
Peter A. Colón

"Livin’ La Vida Loca"
Area Code 609
Pure Music
With this cover of the Ricky Martin chart topper, 609 presents us with four versions of “The Crazy Life” that range from a Eurosized, Hi-NRG splasher to a laid back, South Beach-flavored hip shaker full of color and charm. It’s the perfect substitute for the DJ looking for a different spin of the original.
For more information, contact (212) 944-2590.
Peter A. Colón

"Golddust"
Everest
Groovilicious
Groovilicious drops another one of its patented gems courtesy Everest (aka producer Pete Zirians). What starts out as a trancey house workout ends up as an over-the-top Euro-styled scorcher. Remixer Peter Black cuts right to the chase as he works the spacey synth and tribal groove into a progressive Euro vibe. Slick and sweet.
Phil Turnipseed