"Box of Chocolates"
Kevin Aviance
Wave

Full of percolating tribal grooves, mostly from producer Gomi, and queeny wit, all from the incomparable drag performance artist Aviance, Box of Chocolates features chart hits and underground flavors that have rocked dancefloors for the last three years. Primo bitch track “Cunty,” chart-topping George Krantz remake “Din Da Da” and recent club scorchers “Rhythm Is My Bitch” and “Join in the Chant” make Box of Chocolates a solid addition for underground jocks. Also, check Junior Vasquez’s powerful production turn on the dark, moody “Robots.”
– Jim Tremayne

“The Return of Nothing”
Sandstorm
Blueplate
Look out for this slammin’ progressive tribal floorstomper. On Peter Rauhofer’s remix, the Austrian Club 69er works a hard, vibrating drum program and a killer key riff that’ll go right to your head. It’s non-stop action from beginning to end. You can’t lose with this one – a definite must-have. For info call, (312) 654-1444.
– Shawn Christopher

“Sanctuary”
Johnny Vicious feat. Dangerous Dave
Groovilicous
On “Sanctuary,” Vicious unleashes a progressive house attack that has a surprisingly smooth NRG feel to it. Dave’s spoken-word entry adds a sinister touch to a rather lively workout. On the dub version, Vicious returns to a deeper tech style – minimal and effective. Add a few dramatic breaks and you’ve got the makings of a 2-a.m.gem.
– Phil Turnipseed

“All Your Lovin”
Live Elements feat. Deborah Kelling
Gossip
An uplifting female vocal with an energetic, but deep vibe, “All Your Lovin’” offers a cool, punchy bassline and some fierce keys to boot. The end of the track breaks down into a wicked hip-hop feel then launches back into house mode. A pumping vocal records not to be missed.
– Shawn Christopher

“Alright”
Richard “Humpty” Vission
Tommy Boy Silver
This slammin’ release, to be featured on upcoming I’ll House You compilation, is an awesome smoothed-out male vocal with some elegant keys and a super funky bassline. There’s also a stronger mix for those hard-house heads. For info call (212) 388-8300.
– Shawn Christopher

“Cuidado Con Los Enbori”
Miguel Plasencia feat. Figueroa
Yellorange Records
This terrific deep-house track features excellent soft tribal drum programming, a really nasty xylophone, keys that never stop and some climactic drops with killer basslines. A bomb cut. For info call (973) 676-0624.
– Shawn Christopher

The Way I See
A.D.N.Y. pres. Leiva
Plastic City
On this concept album, producer Alexi Delano goes much further than the average deep-house collection. At its core, The Way I See is definitely deep tech-house, but the abstract grooves, arrangements and eccentric effects take this collection into a whole new realm. The basslines go deep and chunky and the beats kick big. On the double 12-inch EP, you’ve got eight juicy grooves and the full-length CD features 13 tracks.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Bug a Boo”
Destiny’s Child
Columbia
Maurice Joshua and Wyclef Jean turn in excellent remixes that lift the latest from Destiny’s Child to new dancefloor heights. First off, Joshua’s “Bug a Dub Mix” and “Bug A Boo Vocal Mix” are sheer delights. Joshua’s vocal dub offers a pop-house feel with elements of jazz, while the dub mix bangs a deep-house groove. Jean’s “Refugee Camp Remix” comes with a big-beat hip-hop feel along with a frantic kick drum that’ll get the dancefloor’s attention. There’s also some male vocals added for drama. And the ladies, of course, are in top form.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Feel My Love”
Neil Christian Feat. Terisa
Metropolitan Underground
This progressive journey from New Jersey’s Christian, features four mixes of aggressive, synthesized dramatics, ranging from hard house to tribal, but the pick here is the trance mix. Co-produced by Willie Weiss, it offers a terrific combination of instrumentation, rhythmic melodies and a subtle vocal presence by Terisa. For more information, call 973-483-8080.
– Peter A. Colón

“Above the Clouds”
Amber
Tommy Boy
With plenty of remixers in the house, Amber’s latest has got it goin’ on. First off, Jonathan Peters’ vocal mixes are incredible. His “Velvet Mix” features dark keys, a vibrating bassline and mind-blowing percussion, while his “Sound Factory Mix” is a great full-on commercial vocal mix. Definitely a hit. Sal Dano and Brain K. mixes give us more New York hard-house fare. For info call (212) 388-8300.
– Shawn Christopher

“Nastradamus”
Nas
Columbia

Nas continues his verbal assault with another juicy funk-laden jam. Taken from his new album of the same name, “Nastradamus” is laced with sharp lyrics and intelligent grooves, plus there’s the radio-friendly hook.
– Phil Turnipseed

Los Grandes Exitos En Espanol
Cypress Hill
Ruffhouse
Now this is very cool. DJ Muggs, Sen-Dog, Bobo, and B-Real drop a phat, new greatest-hits collection – all done in Spanish – and it’s workin’. If you can’t decipher the lyrics, no worries, because you’ll definitely know those familiar beats and hooks. Blunted classics like “I Wanna Get High,” “Insane In The Brain,” “Make A Move,” and “How I Could Just Kill A Man” are all here in the Latin Lingo. Also check out the phat new track “Siempre Peligroso.” Definitely on the money.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Deep Down”
Richard Grey pres. House Republic
Subliminal
French producer Richard Grey serves up two mixes of aggressive, effect-filled house. The “Bizaroid Mix” bangs along crisply, anchored by a sharp female vocal, while “The Deep Deep Mix” goes subterranean. Its crazy, filtered piano should sizzle some heads. An underground pounder.
– Jim Tremayne

“Nowhere Love”
Soul Seekers feat. Deepa Soul
Nervous
Here we go, Junior Vasquez fans. On this big-room female vocal cut, Vasquez starts it off with some commanding tribal drums then moves into a guitar lick with some stuttering claps. Then he hits you hard with an overpowering bassline – big and dramatic, just the way you like it. Check it out. For info call (212) 273-1135.
– Shawn Christopher

“Mechanism”
Tommy Guerrero & Gadget
Function 8
Another way-cool groover from Frisco indie Function 8. On this new one, Tommy Guerrero brings his acid jazz/trip-hop style to the forefront with a smoldering track that attacks the senses in a slow-burn, deliciously groovy style. “Mechanism” gets edgy, but doesn’t kick too hard – it’s a nice, trippy groove. On the flip, check out “Ton Souperman,” which delivers a more uptempo jazz groove. Great vibes.
– Phil Turnipseed

“La Mouche”
Cassius
Astralwerks

More French filter disco that carries the on-and-on-til-the-break-a-dawn vibe. The original mix’s groove runs out of steam midway, but Pepe Braddock’s mix gets a little more tweaky with its piano builds and heady vocal stabs. Of the three, however, DJ Falcon’s mix rides the tastiest groove and offers the best dance-floor moments.
– Jim Tremayne

“Mysterious Times”
Sash! Feat. Tina Cousins
Contagious
Contagious hits us off with a powerfully motivating dance floor charmer that features remixes by the industry’s finest. Soul Solution turns the A side of this Sash! and Tokapi production into a dreamy display of radio-friendly bliss that caters perfectly to Cousins’ solid vocal presentation. Also, Todd Terry flips the script with a dub-inspired movement full of frenzy and afterhours fun. Sweet. For more information, contact (212) 686-1888.
– Peter A. Colón

*Compilation of the Month*
Nude Dimensions, Vol. 1
Various Artists
Naked Music
This wickedly smooth and soulful compilation, beautifully mixed by Miguel Migs, offers terrific chillout vibes with deep-house hits like Lovetronics’ “You Are Love” and Blue Six’s “Music And Wine” – both cuts showcase Jay Denes’ amazing production. If you like your club cuts to go deep, this is the compilation for you. For more info, call 415-884-2204.
– Shawn Christopher

“Why Go?”
Faithless
Arista
Featuring enchanting vocals from Big ’80s guru Boy George, “Why Go?” works as a nice comeback record for Faithless. Ferry Corsten’s stomping remixes offer some nicely placed breaks to go with the Boy’s mysterious vocal. The mix also features a blasting, reverberating bassline and an unforgettable trance build toward the end. Sure to keep dancefloors packed.
– Shawn Christopher

“Al-Naafyish (The Soul)”
Hashim
Cutting
In retouching Hashim’s 1983 electro hit, remixer Johnny Vicious offers an outstanding interpretation that displays some nice trance keys while maintaining that classic riff. Also, the “Chip-Chop Mixes” are a little harder and are set up with some killer drum programming. Look out for more trance mixes in the future.
– Shawn Christopher

Double Coded EP
George Llanes, Jr.
Kult
On this three-cut EP, Llanes puts together an intriguing blend of sounds and ideas. Initial track, “The Force,” is a proud beat thumper full of big-room ruggedness. Sneaky synth-filled groover “Mambo Swirls” offers mambo-inspired hooks, while “Plastic Freak” punches along nicely. For more information, call 212-564-7134.
– Peter A. Colón

“Everything Will Flow”
The London Suede
Colombia
This pounding record, already being slammed in Europe and abroad, is now available Stateside with amazing remixes by Rollo. With its haunting males vocal, phat, pumping bassline and anthemic big-room keys, “Everything Will Flow” will blow your mind. Also check out the great instrumental mix. For more info, call 212-833-8000.
– Shawn Christopher

Starlight City EP
Laid
Fiji
This cool tech-house EP offers up some delectable vibes for those late-night sessions and is reminiscent of work from Timewriter and Terry Lee Brown. With four minimal and deep soulful gems, Starlight City offers a unique journey. Pick hits include “Night Shift” and “Soul Kisses,” both prime examples of what great deep tech-house is all about.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Believe in Yourself”
Soulswitch feat. Melisa Morgan
Yellorange Records
This nice double pack of mixes from Tony Humphries’ label offers inspirational gospel vocals from Morgan that match a deep, funky bassline and some inviting church organs. If you love that soul sound, these are top mixes up and down. For more information, call 973-676-0624.
– Shawn Christopher