"Lovely"
Soulstice
Om Records
Johnny Fiasco’s “Lovely Vocal Mix” kicks this sweetie off with ascending horn lines and a bumpin’ 4/4 pace, but his “Deep Chugger Mix” gets a little more down-n-dirty. The “Onionz and Master D’s Cohiba Dub” grinds sexily with a twisted flavor complete with vocal stabs, echoey samples and piano snippets, while Julius Papp’s “Sweet Itiz Mix” incorporates a breezy guitar sample and remains respectful of the vocal. A gorgeous song and a superb vocal from Gina Rene.
– Jim Tremayne

"Touch Me "
Rui Da Silva
Kismet
Framed by basic drums and some progressive-sounding fuzz and synth, Cassandra’s warm, enveloping vocals secure this track’s mid-morning anthem status. Recently picked up by a major domestic label, expect it to go the distance. Remixes from Peace Division maintain the groove, albeit it with a heavier hand.
– Kerri L. Mason

"Love You Some More"
Cevin Fisher
Subversive
Steve Lawler’s B-side mix tries to deliver this track from its deliciously sleazy ways, but to no avail. “Love You Some More” – both Cevin Fisher’s bare original mix and Lawler’s more Euro-friendly one – still sounds like the musical incarnation of a physical come-on.
– Kerri L. Mason

"Rubba"
Rennie Pilgrem and Meat Katie
Whole9Yards
Heavy and lurching, the very techy funker “Rubba” snaps with purpose. By locking down a heady groove (with MC patter), this one resonates a big, burly vibe. The flipside’s “Rubba Dub” clicks in with more of a regulation house tempo, but the rumbling groove and staccato stabs give this mix big-room appeal.
– Jim Tremayne

"Get To Know Ya"
Maxwell
Columbia
After the disappointment of his sophomore effort, Maxwell looks to rebound with this new single taken from his all new full-length, Now. “Get To Know Ya” offers a chunky slice of urban soul with sweet horn work and a delicate guitar intro. The vocal hook is catchy and radio should eat it up. It’s very simple and to the point, but “Get To Know Ya” is absolutely a work of art. Can’t wait for the album.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Keep On Touching Me"
Jaimy & Kenny D
Sondos
In my mind, there’s no doubt that this track will completely annihilate any dancefloor the second the needle hits the groove. All the essential elements for a summertime favorite are here – a slammin’ bassline laced with sultry vocals backed with some building, in-your-face tribal beats. How can you go wrong? This is just one of those universal records that should work anywhere. From the first beat, you know it’s off the hook and then when it breaks down with the police sirens and the vocal comes in, you have now been dubbed the greatest DJ in the world by your audience. Simply amazing.
– Joe Bermudez

"Once More "
The Orb
Island
As if the Bedrock mix on the A-side – with its shimmering bass and mature, but progressive groove – weren’t enough, you gotta check the B-side. Danny Tenaglia’s classic “D-Tour Mix” of “Little Fluffy Clouds” provides a bumpy, booty-shaking ride across an ambient landscape.
– Kerri L. Mason

"Keep Reaching"
Halo
Nervous
The Frankie Feliciano classic is back and with a new twist to keep us dancing all night.  Plasmic Honey’s Sal Parm and Christian Gambella do their magic on updating this soulful masterpiece into what will soon be another Roxy anthem. It’s not what we have come to expect from them lately, as they slow down the tempo focusing instead on the essence of the song. They still manage to give us a powerful kick drum and some commanding keyboards. Add a strong vocal from Carole Sylvan and your crowd will be reachin’ up, screaming for more.
– Joe Bermudez

"Music Takes Me Higher"
DJ Escape
Groovalicious
Between handling A&R duties at one of the nation’s hottest dance labels and spinning everywhere from Pump in Miami to Wet and Wild in Montreal, it’s hard to believe that DJ Escape has any time to breathe, let alone turn out an incredible track like this. Using a hot female vocal sample, some sick percussion loops, and very energetic, uplifting keys, this track is guaranteed to rock the house. 
– Joe Bermudez

"Transatlantic Anthem "
World of Shoes
Junior Vasquez Music
Side A’s queeny diva trance offers a series of dramatic builds that adds up to formulaic circuitry. Side B’s “Discoverse Mix” dives into a playful disco-funk groove with stinging, ringing basslines. Go for the booty-shakin’ flip.
– Jim Tremayne

E=VC2, Vol. 2
Victor Calderone
Tommy Boy Silver
New York DJ/remixer/producer extraordinaire Victor Calderone stretches out on this new continuous-mixed CD. Featuring tracks from Mary Mary, Angel Moraes, Satoshi Tomiie and Luke Slater, Calderone displays a more eclectic approach to his own brand of pumping house music. Kinetic, energetic and soulful, the mixes are effortless and right on time. If you’ve never heard the man live, then check out this compilation because Calderone does not disappoint. Highlights include the previously unreleased mix for Madonna’s “Skin” and his much-anticipated new single “Are You Satisfied,” which features Deborah Cooper.
– Phil Turnipseed

The Strong Blend EP
Papilion
Wave Music
Full of lovely textures and tribal rhythms, this EP offers plenty of warm, gushing, wonderful deep house. Produced by Jean F. Cochois (aka Timewriter), this is, as it purports, “New York underground.”
– Jim Tremayne

"Everybody Doesn't"
Amanda
Maverick
As Sweden’s most exciting musical import, 17-year-old Amanda has rushed the pop scene and now looks to make some moves in the club world. Discovered by Swedish hitmakers BAG and Arnthor, Amanda drops a hooky number that Soul Solution’s Ernie Lake and Guiseppe D remix into a powerful and sexy club effort.
– Joe Bermudez

"Let the Music Use You Up"
Celeda
*69
Take percolating techno keys, a banging drum track and Celeda’s sassy vocal and you’ve got another house winner from Chicago’s toughest diva. More striking than the barebones 1999 original on Twisted, Peter Rauhofer’s version keeps the energy at the top and lets Celeda play more with the vocals. With its Simon-like thunderclaps, this one’s sure to keep the party goin’.
– Jim Tremayne