"Satisfied (Native Love)"
That Kid Chris
*69 Records
After remedying some distribution issues, this sick track, which Victor Calderone memorably debuted at Winter Music Conference, finally gets its domestic release. From the This Is Star 69 comp, “Satisfied” is an uptempo, pounding tribal-loop guaranteed to get your floor rockin’. Don’t sleep on this one.
– Joe Bermudez

"Pull Up To The Bumper"
Grace Jones Vs. FunkstarDeluxe
Edel
Funkstar Deluxe follows the massive “Sun Is Shining” and “Rainbow Country” with another revamped concoction, this time working the Grace Jones classic to perfection. Dropping a percolating rhythm track on top of a sweet bassline, the vibe is very disco-house, yet possesses a nice rhythmic groove that radio will love. Both the “Funk Extension Mix” and “Funk Drive It In Between Mix” are filter-heavy with the former adding the vocals. This one has hit written all over it and should solidify Funkstar among today’s elite dance-music creators.
– Phil Turnipseed

MDMA
Anthony Acid
Reddlite Records
The third installment of the Music 4 Dance, Music 4 Attitude series picks up where the last CD left off and takes you harder and faster on this trip. Featuring slammin’ DJ Skribble & Anthony Acid mixes of Grace’s “Not Over Yet” and Olive’s “I’m Not In Love” mixed flawlessly alongside some of the biggest records of the year, this will easily kick your party into high gear.
– Joe Bermudez

"Who Told You"
Roni Size Reprazent
Talkin' Loud
From Size’s new full-length In The Mode, “Who Told You,” at its core is on the d-n-b tip, but it’s more than that as it offers an intriguing mixture of spoken-word vocals on top of some wicked tracks. There are also a couple of mixes that are more in the regulation d-n-b mode with a minimal vibe to them – like the “Die Hammer Mix.” The “Die Quicksand Mix” offers a similar feel, but with a more atmospheric approach.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Everybody's Free”
Richard "Humpty" Vission feat. Rozalla
Tommy Boy Silver
Rozalla’s dance classic gets a serious reworking by L.A.’s own “Humpty” Vission. With no less than eight mixes to bring the point home, DJs of all stripes should find something they like. The vocals are lifted from the original and pasted on some excellent remixes including “Mijangos Tribal Mix,” which is our favorite. A hard, yet soulful pace is the order of the day on this mix with numerous vocal dropouts, layered, edgy synth chords, and a tribal vibe. “Humpty” lays down his “Vission’s Cyberfest Mix,” a trance-house journey that’s active and punchy – lots of great string and synth work here. All the mixes are enjoyable and will find their way on many DJ sets.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Rise In"
Steve Lawler
Nervous
On this excellent new deep-house piece that’s all the rage in Europe, DJ/producer Steve Lawler has put together a pumpin’ vocal house track that utilizes some stirring vocal samples from a Prince Quick track. No matter, with DJs like Sasha & Digweed, Carl Cox and Pete Tong giving this cut much love, it’s no wonder it was riding high on the U.K. charts. Check out the epic “Saeed & Palash Rise In Shadow Mix,” an unflinching deep-house journey with great percussion sounds and wicked key work. Brilliant!
– Phil Turnipseed

"O"
Operatica
Emagine Music
This opera-derived single offers innovative drum tracks and synthesizer work and boasts four solid mixes. The first, “Maria’s Trance,” is not traditional trance, but a solid, steady house beat that drives the point home in a very smooth manner. “Maria’s Dream” is a guitar-driven version that builds up into the electronic age slowly and steadily. Side two begins with “Ave Maria,” which takes this single into the mainstream club and shows why this is an attention getter. The last cuts gets more ethereal and pretty .
– Michael Taylor

“The Underground" b/w "Reach Up"
Celeda
*69
Peter Rauhofer’s label has been making some serious noise lately and this newest one features the unmistakable sound of Celeda on the wickedly deep “The Underground.” The cut’s a tough deep house adventure that works a hypnotic bass and juicy percussion vibes as well as Celeda’s sinister spoken-word vocals – very minimal and very delicious. “Reach Up” comes in just as hard with more of a song-oriented vibe and delivers much more musical drama. Both tracks are for hot and heavy house nights. Excellent! – Phil Turnipseed

"Do It Properly"
The Collaboration
*69
This new double-packed, 12-inch remake of the Cole and Clivilles classic features the slammin’ production talents of Victor Calderone and Peter Rauhofer. With remixers Calderone, Rauhofer, Mark Picchiotti, Ralphie Rosario and Johnny Vicious, this one promises to be something special for club jocks. We’re definitely feelin’ Ralphie Rosario’s piano-driven “Epic Dub,” a gorgeous groove that’s soulful and pumpin’. We’re also feelin’ Mark Picchiotti’s “Propa House Mix,” a bottom-heavy, big-beat house groove that adds some deep soulful vibes to it. Newcomer Aymie Ramirez more than holds her own on the vocals here and hopefully we’ll be hearing more from her. Don’t miss.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Kooki Itch "
Venice 13
Neurodisc/Priority
Blending techno, alternative rock and progressive house to form a hard-hitting style, the driving “Kooki Itch” features innovative synthesizer work and well-processed vocals for winning effect. Three remixes and a tough original mix should work well for alt-oriented clubs.
– Michael Taylor

"Wishing Well"
Yanni
Virgin
You have probably noticed a white label floating around with nothing more than a “Y” on it. And after you hear this gorgeous track, you’ll have a hard time believing that this is actually Yanni – but remixer Jonathan Peters has done it again. His amazing mix will prevent you from ever looking at Yanni the same way again. With uplifting keyboards and spiritual chants, this one has become an instant favorite with my crowd. “The Sound Factory Mix” once again tests the durability of your club’s speakers with fast, driving beats, a very industrial riff, and a rather catchy cowbell that will leave your crowd breathless.
– Joe Bermudez

Incredible Sounds of Gilles Peterson
Gilles Peterson
Epic/Giant Step
Superstar DJ Sasha gives us a taste of one his world-renowned sets on this new double-CD package. With inspiration gathered from a night on the sexy isle of Ibiza, Sasha puts together a wicked collection that shows why he is one of the most respected DJs the world over. CD 1 is an atmospheric deep-house set that adds a touch of sweet ambience throughout with cuts like “The Bassline Track” by Medway and “Nothing Left” by Orbital. CD 2 is more on the progressive trance trip with cuts like “Dreamstate” by Acquilla and “Fibonacci Sequence” by BT.
– Phil Turnipseed

Plastic Vol. 4
Various Artists
Nettwerk America
This excellent electronic dance-music compilation showcases some of the genre’s coolest grooves, including BT & M. Doughty’s breakbeat extravaganza “Never Gonna Come Back Down,” Sasha & Emerson’s sexy trance-induced “Scorchio,” Trisco’s heavy-handed “Musak” and Brother Brown’s recent club hit “Under The Water.” There’s even Timo Maas’s scintillating remix of Azzido Da Bass’ “Doom’s Night.” Big beats and electro grooves abound on this one. Ten tracks round out this collection and they are all party starters. It’s non-mixed, but that’s your job – so work it!
– Phil Turnipseed

Sister Bossa Vol. 2
Various Artists
Irma
On this feel-good compilation, Irma explores warm, Brazilian vibes with jazzy overtones. With 14 groovin’ cuts, you’re sure to find some beautiful vibes. They’re the kinds of tracks that’ll have you wishing you had a tropical drink in your hand on a warm summer night with a view of the ocean. But don’t look for these cuts to be in any big clubs soon; instead they’re more appropriate for small, intimate hangouts where chillin’ and listening is the order of the day. Absolutely wonderful, do not miss!!
– Phil Turnipseed

"Tonight"
Jesika
Phat Cat
Move over Jessica Simpson, there is a new Jesika (aka Jessica Bowes) in town. This debut nine-mix single is a superb blend of crossover club sounds and strong vocals that adds up to a potential hit. Imagine a freestyle sound mixing in with strong a house sensibility and you have a record that pop-oriented jocks will love.
– Michael Taylor 

Bright Clouds EP
Ballistic Mystic
Atomcandy
These jazzy house numbers deliver gorgeous bass-driven grooves and lots of smooth keyboard work. No vocals here, just a very engaging three-track gem that delivers feel-good vibes throughout. “Bright Clouds” is the pick and will definitely find its way onto the turntables of many deep-leaning DJs as there’s plenty of sweet keys along with some cool breakdowns. Call it a smooth cut with some punch, “Bright Clouds” should keep your dancefloor flowing with good vibes and jazzy grooves.
– Phil Turnipseed