"Compilation of the Month"
The Sounds of Science
Beastie Boys
Grand Royal
OK, so it’s a Hawthorne Wingo slamdunk of a pick here, but whether you spin hip-hop, DJ in hit-oriented clubs or even work mobile parties, there’s plenty for you on this fairly complete double-CD “best-of” collection. In addition to the big hits like “Intergalactic,” “Sabotage,” “Fight for Your Right,” and “So What’cha Want,” the Boys also included the slammin’ Fatboy Slim mix of “Body Movin’.” The tasty club hits – “Slow and Low,” “Shadrach,” and “Root Down” – should fill your dancefloor and the manic punk stuff – “Egg Raid on Mojo,” “Time For Livin’,” and “Beastie Boys” – might clear it. Plus, the booklet with liner notes on each song is a hoot. A must-buy if you don’t have this material already.
– Jim Tremayne

“The 'B' Sides”
Bailey & Buzz
Reddline Records
Two excellent tracks here. Side A brings us “Special Love,” which is your typical Staten Island song with a great female vocal sample, nice builds, and a funky breakbeat midway through. Then, Side B brings us “Ultimate High,” a tough, peak-hour song. If you’re playing “Big Love” and “That Sound,” this is not for you because it’s hard as an anvil.
– Joe Bermudez

“Dance Party (Like It's 2000)”
Various Artists
Robbins Entertainment

Robbins’ latest release in this ongoing series of party favorites features 16 smash radio hits packaged perfectly into a non-stop dance mix. Choice tracks include the U.K. chart-topping collaboration of “U Don’t Know Me” by Armand Van Helden featuring Duane Harden, “Up And Down” by poppy party-starters the Vengaboys, the dancefloor-filling “Skin” by Charlotte, and the unstoppable club anthem “Unspeakable Joy” by superdiva Kim English. If you are looking for a party CD that packs a punch, Dance 2000 will knock you out! For more information, contact (212) 675-4321.
– Peter A. Colón

“Primordial Passage”
Underground Evolution
PeaceFrog
A collection of jazzy Afro-Cuban vibes masterminded by Grazyna Auguscik, Primordial Passage offers 10 cuts that are instant grabbers. Standout cuts include “Resonance II” and “Walk on Water,” plus the ultra-trippy “Ancient Echoes.” Definitely for the open-minded DJ, Primordial Passage is a great asset for any groove-oriented DJ.
– Phil Turnipseed

“The Chase” (Remixes)
Giorgio Moroder
Logic Records
Here we have an interesting double-pack full of great remixes of Moroder’s timeless classic. Check Paul Oakenfold’s hard trance anthem – it will have big rooms screaming for more. For more house fare, check the bangin’ four-to-the-floor remixes by hot up-and-comer Junior Sanchez and the legendary Todd Terry. Get your hands on this one. You can’t lose.
For info, call (212) 214-2040.
– Shawn Christopher

“Got Me”
Eighties Funk Masters
Episode/Waako
Producers Robbie Rivera and Frank Barkey hit us off with a funky house groover full of filters and fun. Beginning innocently enough with a slap-happy kick and a straight forward four to the floor, “Got Me” eventually pumps its way into a beat-driven, bass thumper surrounded by blaring horn bits, retro-flavored sample snips and a series of heavy-handed drum dips. It smokes. 129.5 BPM. For more information, contact (212) 944-2590.
– Peter A. Colón

“My Way”
Subculture feat. Le Juan
Afterhours
Taking a phat sample loop from the First Choice classic “Doctor Love,” producer Rick Garcia and Subculture have put together an inspired house piece that has all the elements to rock a party. Vocalist Le Juan gives an inspired performance, as he takes us on a soulful filter-laden, house groove on Rick Garcia’s “Original Mix.” Long and deep, this one’s going to be the DJ’s choice. But don’t miss the bumpy bass-led groove of Minister’s “Way Mix,” because it’ll be a nice mix to blend into any deep set.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Without Your Love”
Robyn Z.
Robyn Z. Records
A tightly produced vocal pop dancer with an eye towards commercial radio play, “Without Your Love” weaves a subtle musical score around a determined lead. An uplifting go-getter with a personal message, Robyn Z offers an interesting combination of style and simplicity. 132.1 BPM. For more information, contact (954) 429-9634.
– Peter A. Colón

“In Front (Wan' It)”
Victor Calderone presents N.Y. Connection
Nervous Records

As if Victor Calderone wasn’t enough, we also find Dawn Tallman from “Wake Up” fame on vocals and Anthony Acid lends a programming hand on this hard-pounding track. Great tribal drum loop, nice builds, and fierce energy, it is no wonder why Calderone is one of Madonna’s favorite remixer/producers. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.
– Joe Bermudez

“I Believe In Love”
Paula Cole Band
Warner Bros.
I’m going to be honest with you: When I heard the original version months ago, I was less than impressed. But the captivating “Jonathan Peters Anthem Mix” has changed that line of thinking with one of the most incredible pieces of production I’ve ever heard. It mesmerizes. But most of all, it’ll get your floor shaking in no time. You may not like the original either, but don’t let that discourage you from this amazing piece of work.
– Joe Bermudez

“Can't Turn Around”
DKMA feat. La-Forne Hope
Sugardish
This sexy, souful house offering definitely has the right stuff for mass dancefloor consumption. Three excellent mixes are included, as are the outstanding vocal talents of newcomer La-Forne Hope, who really stretches out on this cut. Of the three mixes, check the extra-long dub on the B-side, which offers a deep, edgy groove with an absolutely wicked synth hook – very, very nasty. This mix alone will work the crowd. Do not sleep on this one.
– Phil Turnipseed

“K.O.B.E.” b/w “THUG POET ”
Kobe Bryant
Columbia
L.A. Laker basketball phenom Kobe Bryant follows Shaq Diesel’s footsteps and jumps into the rap game with this way-cool new single that shows he can work the mic just as well as his center. Enlisting the help of producers the Trackmasters, “K.O.B.E.” is a simple, modest cut that works a scintillating synth and delivers on Kobe’s mic presence alone. “Thug Poet” may not grab you at first, but it certainly shows that Kobe can hold his own with hip hop’s current crop of stars. Now if he’d only dump the ball in to Shaq a little more...
– Phil Turnipseed

“Move Your Body (House Music Anthem)”
Johnny Vicious feat. Judy Albanese
Jellybean

DJ/producer Johnny Vicious puts his own spin on Marshall Jefferson’s house music classic with a little help from fellow Jerseyite Judy Albanese. Turning out a hard progressive groove, Vicious takes the Chicago hit for a new kind of trancey ride. We’re talking long snare rolls, hyped-up piano hits, soaring synth strings – just overall peak-hour stuff. And with three epic mixes on two 12-inch singles, there’s plenty of room for a DJ to stretch out. Also check out “U Can Rock My Body Mix,” a deliciously deep beat-drenched workout. This is definitely the mix to watch for.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Echekeboom”
Little Eric
Kaos Records
Junior Vasquez’s favorite Twilo toy is finally available to the rest of the working-DJ world. A hard, tasty tribal track, “Echekeboom offers some punchy keys, exquisite drums, lots of drama and a very catchy vocal snippet. A really fun track that’s already proven itself in big venues, “Echekeboom” should shake your dancefloor, too.
– Shawn Christopher

“Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad”
Moby
V2 Recordings

Everything DJ/producer Ferry Corsten dabbles in seems to turn out to be a big hit with upfront club DJs. On Moby’s latest single from the excellent Play album, Corsten uses his formula of hard hitting basslines and flavor-filled anthemic trance keys – and the results are astounding. Corsten’s mix is a trance masterpiece that will make your hair stand on end.
– Shawn Christopher

“Say Wuut ”
Crooklyn Clan feat. Stik-E & The Hoodz
AV8
Hip-hop heads not hip to of the Crooklyn Clan better wise up. One the genre’s finest crews unleashes another funky sample-laden concoction that is sure to bang the party. The crew continues to use their creative skills with “Say Wuut,” as they use several deep breaks, scratches and phat loops. The mic work is raw and very much on the “everybody-say-ho” party tip, as opposed to straight rapping. But it’s working and it’s a party starter.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Get up”
Delourious
Strictly Rhythm
New York-based producer Frank Delour drops an engaging new disco-house cut that simmers with deep, filtered soul. Featuring a phat ’70s disco sample, “Get Up” works the filter effect to perfection on “Delour’s Anthem Mix.” Check the added screaming female vocal and the phat percussion work. On the house gem “Soul and Body Mix” things get deeper and juicier, plus it includes an African spoken word male vocal. A house set essential.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Dammit Janet ”
Nude Dimensions, Vol. 1
Various Artists
Naked Music
Do not pass “Go,” do not collect $200. Go directly to the “Future Primitive Mix.” With haunting keyboards, a lengthy build, and a kick from hell, this track is sure to get your crowd moving. Already one of Junior Vasquez’s anthems at Twilo, it is no wonder why club kids everywhere absolutely love this song. It slams! Anthony Martinez and Christian Scott (a.k.a. Future Primitive) really turn it all the way out on this one. Two big thumbs up.
– Joe Bermudez