"Why Can’t You Be Real?"
Byron Stingily
Nervous

You need this record! For starters, “Danny’s Dubby Vocal Remix” is 12:52 for you to lose yourself. In typical Danny Tenaglia fashion, we find deep keyboards and plenty of catchy percussion loops - great, vibey stuff. Also, check Stingily’s lyrics, which hit home in a similar fashion to Armand Van Helden/Duane Harden’s “You Don’t Know Me.” A great sing-along cut that rocks the dancefloor.
– Joe Bermudez


*Compilation of the Month*
Y2K: Underground Progressive Mix
DJ Mike’y D
Full Blast
NYC mix-show jock Mike’y D. Merola of WKTU lets loose on this mix-CD that’s all about aggressive-progressive New York-style house. Mixing effortlessly from one jam to the next, Mikey D’s got the goods to rock the party. His selection, which includes “Amadeus 2000” by Giuseppe D, “My House” by DJ Rev and “X-IT” by Mickey G., also shows Mike’y D knows his music. Next time you wanna take a break, drop on Y2K and watch the dancefloor explode.
– Phil Turnipseed

“If I Was Your Man”
Stephen Simmonds
Priority
This seductive new R&B groover features newcomer Simmonds, who showcases a silky vocal style that raps itself around a simple, but gorgeous vibe. Producer Raphael Saadiq weaves a smooth, jazz-flavored rhythm and includes plenty of soulful keyboard work that entrances the mind and allows Simmonds to work his vocal magic. All four mixes are on the midtempo style, but with its catchy hook, they’re all radio-ready.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Blue”
Adam Starr
Azucar
Welcome to the world of electronic sensations. Adam Starr creates a concept album that delivers an unrelenting mixture of spaced-out trance vibes that will work the raves and progressive-electro floors. The productions are tremendously entrancing. Of the 11 tracks, “My Father And My Best Friend,” “Plaything” and “Beautiful Asian” are the standouts. Whether you’re into spinning electro or not, this is good stuff.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Ghetto”
Madd Rapper feat. Raekwon
Columbia
Streetwise poetry comes to play on this downtempo hip-hop gem that gives some realistic accounts of struggling in da ghetto. Straight and brutally honest, “Ghetto” is more about the life than the party. Madd Rapper enlists the help of Raekwon to work the mic, while singer Carl Thomas brings the soulful emotion to the table. Check it.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Up In Flames”
Satoshi Tomiie
C2/Colombia
With sexy, sassy vocals by Sneaker Pimps singer Kelli Ali and remixer David Morales serving up a slammin’ house mix with some serious hard bass hits, “Up in Flames” is a red-hot release. John Digweed offers a trance gem with his “Bedrock Mix” and, of course, there is a hard and dark mix by Tomiie himself. Smokin’.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Sensation”
B.K.N.Y.
Ironic Recordings
Of the several great mixes on this double-pack, check the wonderful “Lifted” trance mix. The “Tribal Mix” speaks for itself and the “Disco Mixes” offer up funkier deep house. A good find.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Give Me Tonight”
(The 2000 A.D. Mixes)
Shannon
Contagious

Reinvented for the new millennium, “Tonight” comes off as a sharp-edged early-morning breaker. Hex Hector rips another hole in the ozone with a progressive remix that’s as aggressive as it is abrasive. His textured synths perfectly compliment Shannon’s timeless lead and Jimmi Tunnell’s classic background vocals. The 12-inch also comes with a true-to-original production by Chris Barbosa. Good effort.
– Peter A. Colón

“Missing You”
Kim English
Nervous

DJs should know this peak-hour power puncher by now because it’s the definition of quality house. Aside from English’s always-engaging vocal, check Mind Trap’s deep reconstruction, which features driving rhythms and dynamic melodies. Another gem from Kim English.
– Peter A. Colón

“Doom’s Night”
Azzido da Bass
Edel
Get ready to be knocked off the dancefloor. This scintillating four-mix burner goes from a bangin’, housey progressive assault on the “DJ Jamx & De Leon’s Dumonde RMX” to a harder, progressive trance-like vibe on “Azzido’ Real Club Mix.” A deeper house groove shows up on “Da Hardstylaz Remix” and a bit of breakbeat house is cooked up on the funky “Timo Maas Remix.” Don’t sleep on this one because it’s one of those secret weapon tracks you could drop on your floor.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Still In My Heart”
Tracie Spencer
Capitol
The former teen-pop sensation returns by teaming with Hex Hector for phenomenal results. His “HQ2” remix features infectious keyboards that captivate and Tracie’s unmistakable voice will win you over. The production is very smooth and, before you know it, you’re singing along to this touching song. Co-written by Andrea Martin of “Share The Love” fame, this is an anthem for anyone who has ever lost someone they truly love.
– Joe Bermudez

“Be Quiet”
Junior Vasquez
Junior Vasquez Music
Just imagine if you took one of the hottest records out there right now and combined it with an unforgettable classic. Well, if you’re short on imagination, all you have to do is snag this. In the “All Y’all Be Quiet Mix,” Vasquez takes the dark “be quiet” whispers and hard-hitting keyboard riffs from Jonah’s “Sssst…(Listen)” and layers them with drum loops and that amazing Todd Terry riff from Royal House’s “Can You Party?” Do not miss because the dancefloor loves this one.
– Joe Bermudez

“If It Don’t Fit”
Abigail
Groovilicious
It’s hard to believe that this is Abigail, who has come a long way since the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” days. Really, this is an incredible effort and Thunderpuss 2000 does a fantastic job. Packed with plenty of hard-hitting beats, dramatic builds, and some traditional piano in there, it’s the “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay” of this year. Before too long, this one will be unavoidable.
– Joe Bermudez

“Soulmate”
Summerland
Naked Music
If you’re seeking beautiful, smoothed-out soulful house, Naked Music is the label to look for. “Soulmate” is a well-crafted male vocal cut with four mixes, and all of them are spectacular. The “Restless Soul” and “Migs Petalpusher” mixes are slammin’ house efforts, while the “Swag Mix” is more on the chilled-out tip. Awesome!
– Phil Turnipseed

“Something’s Goin’ On”
Mystic 3
Subliminal
Something’s goin’ on is right. From out of the U.K., Ricky Morrison, Fran Sidoli and Brandon Block have got it goin’ on with this absolutely delicious vocal workout that garage heads should love. With a sweet vocal performance by Daniel Thomas, this track can become a legitimate house hit. And there’s nothing like good vocals! Of course, the Dronez Crew (Romero, Choo Choo and Morillo) delivers its own juicy filter-driven concoction that is on-point. This is a pick hit – do not miss!
– Phil Turnipseed