*Compilation of the Month*
X-TREME Underground
Non-Stop Club Mix
X-TREME Records
Looking for that perfect compilation to blast from your vehicle when you’ve got the top down this summer? Well, here it is. X-TREME Underground gives you some of the past year’s biggest clubs anthems like “Sssst (Listen),” “Void (I Need You),” and “That’s The Way Love Is” remixed by the biggest names in music like Jonathan Peters, Johnny Vicious and Junior Vasquez. You also get some great new songs from the X-TREME library such as “Tonight’s Agenda” and “The Theme (For Elise).” With quick, smooth mixes and five-minute edits of your favorite songs, this is 74 minutes of peak-hour energy and a great soundtrack for your summer.
– Joe Bermudez


“Change”
Fluid X
Wave Music
An awesome deep-house track brought to us by Rob Rives AKA Floppy Sounds and master producer/Body & Soul DJ Francois K. Rives uses a deep, flowing bassline, some rich dreamy keys and a wicked funky tribal kick. It’s 15 minutes long and smooth as hell. For info call (212) 757-8466.
– Shawn Christopher

Green Velvet
Green Velvet
F-111/Warners

For those who don’t have the original singles, this delicious collection of Velvet’s recent work injects a wacky persona on the often-faceless world of house music. Mr. Velvet’s droll observations can leave you laughing or scratching your head, but the tracks never lose their edgy, techy grooves. Stark, moody minimalism (“The Stalker”), ravey self-referentialism (“Flash”), a Firesign Theater sketch (“Answering Machine”) and a bad acid trip (“Water Molecule”) add up to one of the year’s more bizarre, yet satisfying dance music albums. And don’t sleep on the “Flash” remixes by Danny Tenaglia and Timo Maas.
– Jim Tremayne

"Higher"
Moca Feat. Deanna
Definity
An unbelievable female vocal record from David Morales label, “Higher” features brilliant production from Morales, Albert Cabrera and “Little” Louie Vega. On the “Eve of Souls Mix,” Vega works his magic with some soothing organs, tight keys and a wicked bassline. Don’t miss this gorgeous track.
– Shawn Christopher

The Mix (Afterhours)
David Padilla
Max Music
If you were one of the many attendees of this year’s Winter Music Conference that was shunned from the door at The Mix nightclub because you were wearing comfortable sneakers, here’s a taste of what you missed. Recorded live from the Miami Beach after-hours haunt, Padilla takes us on an incredible journey of uplifting trance and proves why he is one of Florida’s top DJs. With two CDs of tracks like Hidden Sound System’s “I Know” and Kay Cee’s “Escape,” you’ll wish that you’d have left your Nikes at home.
– Joe Bermudez

“Face EP”
Julius Papp
Estereo
This new four-track EP is a study in deep club vibes. Papp gets down and dirty with the first track, “Rhode(s) Warrior,” with a cool keyboard hook, some fancy filtering and an ultra busy percussion program. It all adds ups to a slammin’ instrumental-house workout. “Control” is more on the tribal side with a drum-infested vibe on its original and “Twin Towers” mixes. Some minimal vocal snippets are thrown in for texture in what amounts to a dark deep ambient house groove. Definitely for the 3 a.m. crowd.
– Phil Turnipseed

“With You ”
Nomad
Rasam
Easily one of the coolest tracks currently in clubland, “With You” features an amazing remix from Junior Vasquez. Influenced heavily by Australia’s Aboriginal culture, this track is complete with vocal tricks that at times make it seem like Nomad is singing underwater, a killer keyboard riff from Fred Jorio, and Aboriginal chants of “Djut Djut Djane” that will be stuck in your heads for weeks to come. (Translates to “Goodbye, until I see you again.”) This is a wonderfully melodic journey that should not be ignored.
– Joe Bermudez

"Don't Call Me Baby"
Madison Avenue
Colombia
This sassy and seductive female vocal cut features a great “Dronez Vocal Mix” done by Subliminal’s own Jose Nunez, Harry “Choo Choo” Romero and Eric Morillo. They incorporate chunky drum programming with some catchy organ riffs for terrific results. Also check the wicked “Dronez Dub.” Don’t miss this one.
– Shawn Christopher

"Off the Wall"
Terry Hunter
Vinyl Soul

I feel you, Terry – I am feeling you! Chicago’s most-wanted label springs up another offshoot with the debut of Vinyl Soul and Hunter drops the goods. With an absolutely inspiring female lead vocal, the vibe is set off by a bangin’ bass groove on the “GT Express Mix” – lots of filtering going on as well. There’s a “GT Express Dub” that will also turn a few heads. Perfect for a groovy, garage house party. Soulful and deep just the way we like it. Work it, baby!
– Phil Turnipseed

“You See the Trouble With Me”
Black Legend
Rise
This slammin’, big-room crowd pleaser offers massive, heavy-hitting beats that are very reminiscent of the early techno classic “The House Of God.” The dramatic male vocal breakdown has lots of action and I’ve seen this piece at work in the clubs. There’s no doubt this will drive any dancefloor crazy. Hot.
– Shawn Christopher

“Take Me Higher”
Mike Takeover
Reddline
Using a “Take Me Higher” sample from an old Modifiers cut, Staten Island’s Mike Takeover drops a serious jam. Inspired by the likes of Johnny Vicious and Anthony Acid, the “Main Mix” gives us a sort of hard-edged, New York trance feel to it. Then on the flip side comes a dub, which pays heavy attention to the snare drums to move the crowd. A tough tune.
– Joe Bermudez

“White Label”
Various Artists
Mythic Music Group
If you’re seeking a party, look no further. MMG have put together a juicy new mixed CD that features some very cool dance grooves. With tough beats and basslines throughout, White Label looks to push its way into the overcrowded compilation market with a CD loaded with potential radio hits. Cuts like the recently released “Corazon” by Eduardo Xol, the deliciously smooth “Mood Is Right” by DJ Miguel Migs or the hyped house energy of “That Man Of Mine” by Sugarshop and Cindy Mizelle. Fourteen cuts round out this party starter that has a little dance energy for everyone.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Membrane”
Jhno
Delicate Ear
Out of Frisco comes a concept album filled with deep, ambient persuasions. Jhno has created a witch’s brew of beats, vibes and smoky rhythms that is perfect for the lounge crowd or a spiritual retreat. With eight cuts that lean spacey-ambient and others that have abstract beats, the whole creation is a study in creativity and experimental grooves. No 4/4 here, just mindful sweet musical energy. Something special for lovers of experimental concepts.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Mary’s Garden”
Gene Douglas
GD
Now this is sweet. Producer Gene Douglas has put together an engaging instrumental house cut that’s got some real kick, but it never gets too wild. Featuring luscious chords and a light, but distinctly pleasing piano hook, this is very much a feel-good summer record. The “Music Garden Mix” is a little bit on the harder side, but retains a deep, garagey style. It’s actually a perfect complement to the original mix, which is the pick. Very cool!
– Phil Turnipseed

“Above The Clouds (Remixes)”
Amber
Tommy Boy
Well, if you are not already playing either of the two incredible mixes out there from Brian K & Sal Dano or Jonathan Peters, it’s time to move out of the cave. This is one of the biggest records of the year and Tommy Boy wants to keep it that way so they have issued a new 12-inch to radio mix shows with remixes from Thunderpuss. It has a “Sexual” feel to it with the trademark Thunderpuss crashing beats, but this month’s cover subjects also tried to go a little deeper with the synths making it a little more club friendly. An incredible dose of energy was given to Amber’s great vocals and it works! Everywhere I have heard this people go nuts – nothing but smiles across the dancefloor.
– Joe Bermudez

“Take My Heart”
Zhana
Groovilicious
This blistering new cut features a fierce vocal performance by Zhana on top of some bangin’ progressive grooves. The rhythm is definitely on progressive, almost Euro tip. In fact, with the infectious hook, you could put this cut in that catchy “Believe” category. The “Main Mix” is just what mainstream club DJs have ordered, while Davey’s “Chorus Dub” is a relentless, beat-drenched journey. “Take My Heart” is very much on that radio-ready vibe with a great hook and great vocals.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Not That Kind”
Anastacia
Epic
Even though her debut single “I’m Outta Love” is still smoldering in clubland, Anastacia unleashes a new soulful offering that should blow away any notions of a sophomore jinx. Mixed by New Jersey house maven Kerri Chandler, and given a decidedly garage touch, “Not That Kind” sports Anastacia’s powerful vocal style. Of the mixes included, check the “Main Mix” and the simmering “Organ Dub” and “Dub 2.” Both offer up a phat house groove and a wicked organ piece. A definite DJ delight.
– Phil Turnipseed

“The Best Things”
Filter
Reprise

After experiencing huge club success with the “Club 69 Trance Mix” of “Take A Picture,” Reprise goes for it again – this time using the prodigious remixing talents of Johnny Vicious. (When you think about it, who’s better to remix a rock band than someone who looks like he belongs in one himself?) With a passionate male vocal and some absolutely wicked synths, you just can’t help but to play this louder and louder. It’s a real party rocker. The “Johnny Vicious Club Mix” is sure to keep the momentum rolling in clubland for Filter for quite some time.
– Joe Bermudez