"Dream On "
Depeche Mode
Reprise
This double pack boasts mixes from Bushwacka!, Dave Clarke, Kid 606, and newcomers Pink Noise. Mr. Moody Techno Bollocks, Dave Clarke takes two turns on the track, one slightly experimental, leaving a lot of the original track’s acoustic guitar elements and adding some midtempo electronic beats, while the other goes straight for the underground dancefloors – hard, jacking, and totally Dave Clarke. West Coast laptop techno hero Kid 606 contributes something sublime for the armchair aficionados, twisting snippets of the original parts into a beautiful, chiming atmospheric electro mix. Matthew “Bushwacka,” fresh off high-profile mixes of Roni Size Reprazent, Simon, and Renegade Soundwave, takes on his boyhood pop heroes with three mixes. The “Tough Guy” mixes (dub and vocal) go for a deeper, sexy late-night groove by just incorporating the vocals and some chord textures from the original – they’re mixes that wouldn’t sound out of place on his own Oblong imprint. His third effort, “The Blunt Mix,” is moodier and more reminiscent of his recent work with partner Layo Paskin, as it sucks you in with its long dreamy intro and pulsating bass tones, building up into the original track’s acoustic guitar before dropping in the beats. The result is a smooth, liquid, but multi-layered mid-tempo experience. All in all, a tasty appetizer to their upcoming Exciter album.
– Peter Wohelski

"Falling For You"
Ananda Project feat. Terrence Downs
Nitegrooves
No need to look any further than the G-Pal mixes on this luscious house track, which feature the intoxicating vocals of Tee Downs, who brings a subtle soulful flava to the party. G-Pal’s deep, chunky “New York Vocal Mix” and “New York Dub” both offer up tribal-like beats and minimal house flava. While the vocal mix delivers sexy chord and string work, the dub is a skeleton version of the vocal with a barrage of deep-house beats. G-Pal also drops the eccentric “Children Of The Sun Mix,” a laid-back, deep tech-house piece that has a more rhythmic feel than the other mixes and will be perfect for garage clubs. Very cool!
– Phil Turnipseed

"Circuit Breaker"
ECVM
Vicious Disc
This long-awaited hard houser was first featured last year on Deep Dish’s Renaissance in Ibiza compilation. Dark percussion gives way to a fun bassline and an eerie voice sample for a complete dancefloor packer. This chugging remix by Pascal Vegas should not be missed by anyone who has a taste for the heavy Danny Tenaglia-styled sound.
– Shawn Christopher

"True Faith"
New Order
Qwest
This 1987 classic gets a fresh once over with vocal and instrumental mixes by Pink Noise, which updates New Order’s sound into an almost Underworldesque vibe. They give the vocal club mix upfront underground credibility, yet retain the catchy pop sensibility of the original. Underground jocks will find the darker “I’ve Taken Too Much Dub” more to their liking.
– Peter Wohelski

"You Make Me Feel (More and More)"
Becca
Cutting Records
With Becca’s sexy and sultry vocals flowing over soulful, yet hard sounds, this record has plenty to offer your dancefloor. Several versions are here, but my favorite is the “Bradski and Jenski Club Mix.” The big surprise hits when the BPMs change unexpectedly at 3:05 minutes into the song to a break that is totally off the hook. The mood changes completely with high-energy horns and melody builds – all used to good effect.
– Mikey D. Merola

"I Touch Roses"
Book Of Love
Reprise
This late-’80s synth-pop classic gets a new millennium rework from U.S. progressive producer/remixer Markus Schultz. The main mix time-stretches the vocal to fit the tempo and lays it over pumping, moody tribal beats and chopped and filtered snippets of the original’s bouncy synth melody and a new pulsating bassline. It then builds up to a shimmering crescendo of almost orchestral synths. Also included is a dub – two copies would go a long way here. Effective and familiar, this will appeal to fans of the new tribal progressive house sound a la John Digweed, Steve Lawler and Futureshock.
– Peter Wohelski

"Damaged"
Plummet
Nebulous
Producer DJ X has hooked up with vocalist Nikki to create one of the year’s dance anthems. Nikki’s incredible soft vocal feel and the sharp synths on Ford’s trance remix make this one a definite floor banger. Also Johnny Cage, a hot new breakbeat master from Louisiana, sets his remix to blow up the radio airwaves. Look for this one.
– Mikey D. Merola

"Maybe"
Toni Braxton
LaFace
Remixer of the year Hex Hector and partner Mac “HQ2” Quayle deliver the goods on this sexy new single by dropping an 8:33 club mix that starts off with a period-piece sound then breaks into a beat extravaganza. We’re loving the string work here and the big-room sound. Dynamix NYC (aka Eddie Cumana and Beppe Savoni) comes up with a sizzling progressive house vibe that is hard and aggressive with a simmering synth hook. Braxton’s time-stretched vocals actually work at this frenetic tempo and mainstream clubs will definitely feel these mixes.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Finally"
Kings of Tomorrow feat. Julie McKnight
Distance Music
An explosive vocal piece that is ready do dancefloor damage worldwide. Julie McKnight sings a refreshing catchy vocal with epic Masters At Work mixes to top it off. Their “Dance Ritual Mix” is a classy musical rendition of this floorfiller, while their “Nuyorican Soul Mix” works some funky Latin percussion. “Sting International’s Reprise” morphs this already sick bassline and holds up a nice mix on his own. Also, Kevin Yost works his super deep magic on his version and let’s not forget the simple, but extremely effective original that’s quickly becoming a dancefloor anthem.
– Shawn Christopher

"Paranoize"
Bi-Path
Saw Recordings
This new Satoshi Tomiie production comes to us on his newly founded label and it’s a tribal-drum joyride. He works some percussive magic for a non-stop sweatbreaker, which offers some nice trance elements. Look out for some more high-quality hard house goodies on this up-and-coming imprint. Relentless.
– Shawn Christopher

Natural Blaze
Blaze
Lifeline
Dance-music pioneer Kevin Hedge brings us this soulful album of nine deep-house works. Starting out with the haunting vocal “Time For Love” and on to the Shelter anthem “How Deep Is Your Love?” this is a terrific effort. It also includes other brilliant cuts such as the smooth and uplifting “Better Days,” “The Lovely Ones” and the previously released “Elevation.” Blaze’s production mastery serves up a flawless album from beginning to end.
– Shawn Christopher

"Right Back On You"
Dupl'x feat. Richard Rogers
Music Plant
Music Plant continues to shine with this filtered house number that utilizes an old-school garage/disco sample to perfection. Uptempo and soulful, the groove offers an uplifting feel, especially with Rogers’ stirring vocals and that wicked sample. Terry Hunter’s “Main Mix” delivers with a sweet soulful style, while SF Groove drops a more minimal filtered club mix and an aggressive dub.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Feel the Beat"
Darude
Groovilicious
Darude follows up “Sandstorm” with another hard, peak-hour explosion. Powerful, deep sounds fuel “Feel the Beat,” which features a strong melody similar to the previous hit. The song offers some wonderful and creative breaks, which offer a powerful punch for your dancefloor.
– Mikey D. Merola

"Ask Me, Part One"
Playin' For the City
Music 101
This is a classy deep-house track brought to us by French musician Olivier Portal, who is well known for his incredible sets that infuse house music with live instrumentation. Here he combines the sultry vocals of Carla Prather with his smooth drum programming and nimble keyboard action. Add a deep bassline and you’re in store for a real joy.
– Shawn Christopher