*Compilation of the Month*
Designer Music: The Remixes, Vol. 1
Carl Craig
Planet E
From his beautiful, swirling take on Incognito’s “Out of the Storm” to the deliberate Teutonic crunch of Telex’s “Moskow Diskow,” Craig offers a world of deep, inventive beats and diverse, sonic textures. Other winners include remixes of Inner City’s uplifting “Buena Vida,” BT’s spacious and sputtery “Moment of Truth” and Alexander Robotnik’s hypnotic “Problemz.” And don’t sleep on Craig’s “East Side Remix” of Ron Trent’s “Altered States,” a perfect melding of techno squiggle and housey soul.
– Jim Tremayne

“Stand Right Up” b/w “In My Mind”
“Roaches (In NYC)”
Trancesetters
Dot Dot Dot Records
One of the biggest imports of the past year has finally come Stateside with a double-pack of new remixes. The “Jon Creamer & Stephane K Main Program Mix” adds some signature New York flare with a tribal loop and some great, deep keyboard stabs. Then the “Mind Medicine Mix” takes the track in a friendly trance direction. But for me, it’s still all about the “Peace Division Mix.” Already a massive anthem for Sasha, Carl Cox, and a host of others, the mix offers a memorable vocal passage, great beats and a dark bass groove that will leave your crowd helpless.
– Joe Bermudez

“Stronger”
Kristine W
RCA
With mixes from Junior Vasquez and Johnny Vicious in tow, Kristine W comes back in a big way after an overlong wait. The pick here is the more energetic Vicious “Club Mix,” which knocks your socks off with its stellar, fast-paced vocals and heart-pounding production. Also, Thunderpuss’ remix of “Clubland” – a cut from her new Stronger album – should move some floors. The 12-inch is also dedicated to the late Stuart Gardner, a legendary Atlanta-based DJ and longtime Kristine W supporter. Well done.
– Joe Bermudez

“Freebase”
This beat-driven go-getter gets its charm from a sweet combination of energetic techno elements and trance-infused dynamics. And while Jam & Spoon transform this UK anthem into a fit of emotions, Dave Aude gives this power-pumper a sharp U.S. twist with some heavy afterhours aggression. Edgy at 140 BPM.
– Peter A. Colon

“From Here to Eternity”
Giorgio Moroder vs. Danny Tenaglia
Logic
Tenaglia whips up five earth-shattering remixes here. In the extended club mix, he blends his hard, dark sound beautifully with the classic Moroder chords and haunting vocal. His dubs are heavy, deep floor-stompers. There’s also a wicked a cappella to play with. Have fun.
– Shawn Christopher

“Dive In the Pool”
Barry Harris
Nervous Dog
Thunderpuss’ Harris builds a thunderous late-night anthem that commands attention. Everything from the track’s crafty keyboard riffs to the distant battle cry to guest vocalist Pepper Mashay’s hungry spoken words will force your crowd to get loose. 132.8 BPM.
– Peter A. Colon

The Return EP
Various Artists
Bumble Beats
Five potential singles grace this compilation EP, with “Easy Love” by French Connection and “Take Me Back” by Karen Pollard being the standouts. Both cuts offer up some nice disco grooves for DJs so inclined. Also “Boogie Down” by Tampura works Sylvester’s “Do You Wanna Funk” sample hook to perfection.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Mexican Flyer”
Space Channel 5
Tommy Boy Silver
Chris “The Greek” gives this Sega/Dreamcast action video game theme a new lease on life with a thundering, dance-oriented transformation, full of big-room graphics and after-hours atmosphere. Fellow remixer Gomi induces Dan the Automator’s original retro-flavored production with a blast of sass.
– Peter A. Colon

“Bad Habit”
“Bad Habit” A.T.F.C. pres. Onephatdeeva feat.
Lisa Millet
Subliminal
Subliminal Wicked, absolutely wicked. Jenny Burton’s ’80s classic gets revamped, reshaped, and redone into a blistering doubled-pack 12-inch extravaganza with seven stompin’ mixes to shake the dancefloor. If there’s a problem with this, it’s choosing which mix to play – all seven work it. But the efforts by DJ Spen and Karizma Piano Habit seem to be getting the most play, along with the “Original ATFC Mix,” which borrows its hook from an old Chaka Khan track. But drop the needle anywhere on this cut and watch your dancefloor explode.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Come Back To Me”
Kelly Bienvenue
Strictly Rhythm
Diva-on-the-rise Kelly Bienvenue gets all disco-y on us on this slick new track. Four hot mixes are provided, including the “Welcome’s Disco Remix” and “Vocal Dub,” which by the way both utilize the rhythm hook of the disco classic “Shame.” And it works! Bienvenue’s vocals are subtle and dreamy, while the track percolates at a nice smooth pace. The other two mixes are more on the traditional house tip and pump just as hard.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Toca’s Miracle”
Fragma
Groovilicious
From the start, this has been a breakout hit all over the place. Without relying on rehashed or played-out sounds, “Fragma” offers three excellent mixes – each stronger than the one before. The “Toca Club Mix” boasts outstanding bass lines and light vocal samplings. The “In Petto Remix” goes for a deeper underground feel that grabs you with its sharp drum tracks. The “Miracle Extended Mix,” however, is the big winner because it incorporates the vocal track in a way that especially commands your attention – a real gem.
– Michael Taylor

“Desire”
Ultra Naté Strictly Rhythm The lady has returned with a sweet taste of her forthcoming album, Stranger Than Fiction. This sexy new piece is given six Ultra mixes, including the beautiful “Original Extended Mix.” With its soaring quality, the mix offers great string work, guitar, and filtered key sounds, along with a vintage Ultra performance. Five other mixes include Kerri Chandler’s drum-drenched Brazilian mixes, Thunderpuss’ progressive “Club Anthem” and Joey Negro’s house-heavy “Extended” and “Z” mixes.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Shaft”
Isaac Hayes
La Face
On this remake of the classic theme song, New York remixers Razor N’ Guido provide the goods. Dropping four supercharged mixes that will work the progressive rooms, the dynamic duo has transformed Hayes’ single into a blistering beat-happy gem. Of course, Hayes’ vocals add a classic feel to these new mixes. There’s also a groovy “Karmadelic Sex Machine Mix” that offers phatter house vibe and works some of those old classic sounds from the original single – not a bad way to work a true classic.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Can’t Go For That”
Tamia
Elektra
With producer Missy Elliott behind the track and Jonathan Peters working the remix, R&B belter Tamia does a fine job with this Hall & Oates cover and she hits the dance scene in style. A six-mix record that ranges in BPM, “Can’t Go For That” gets off to a great start with Peters’ 127 BPM “Sound Factory Vocal Mix,” which features samples of the original cut and tasteful backbeats and synth work. The B-side goes into 133 BPM overdrive with energetic, underground and trance-style tracks. Hard, driving basslines and long instrumentals make these mixes perfect for late-night audiences.
– Michael Taylor

“Free”
Sevynn
Silk Entertainment
Housemaster Steve “Silk” Hurley’s label drops an enjoyable new gem that rides that fine line of commercial R&B and underground house. “Free” is actually a smooth garage-house groove that has some nice R&B elements, starting off with Sevynn’s beautiful voice, which is tailor-made for commercial consumption. With four very able mixes, including three by Hurley himself, this track should find success on the club and radio level. It is pumping.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Movin Up”
DJ Mike Cruz Presents Inaya Day & Chino Rio
Nervous
Check out these incredible deep-house mixes brought to us by Wamdue. Including an uplifting full-vocal mix and an awesome dub, they may be a bit more pumping than what we’re used to from Wamdue, but they’re definitely not lacking in any way. A sure-fire hit.
– Shawn Christopher

“DJ...Cut!”
Ibiza United
Radikal
German DJ KK’s stomping single is an earful of mesmerizing beats and synthesizer inserts that gives you a solid look into the Euro-House sound that has dominated the underground for so long. Choose any one of the four versions that appear on the single and you won’t be disappointed. From the “Extended Mix” all the way down to the “Lightforce Mix,” it’s evident that this is a Euro-house classic in the making.
– Michael Taylor

“Look At Us”
Sarina Paris
Playland/Priority
This four-mix single offers a be-bop/dancefloor-friendly feel that recalls the Vengaboys – strong female vocals and spicy synths. The “Extended Mix” goes very mainstream, while “ A Little Bit Faster Version” adds more juice for the energy fans. With its tuned up b-line and diminished vocals, the “Beam & Yanou Club Mix” stands a little more adult friendly. Catchy with wide appeal.
– Michael Taylor

“Let’s Get Loud”
Jennifer Lopez
Epic
The “A” side rolls into two very long anthem-style tracks that rely heavily on the vocals to make them both distinct and crossover friendly. The “D.DM Strong Mix” is a heavy house groove that uses all types of driving beats to get the point across. The “Castle Hill Club Mix” hints of freestyle and modern Latin dance sounds and it gives the cut more widespread appeal. A solid and very clubby follow-up for Lopez.
– Michael Taylor

“I Think I’m In Love With You”
Jessica Simpson
Columbia
Drawing from the remix talents of Peter Rauhofer and Lenny Bertoldo (Lenny B), this spiced-up pop song is now a great mainstream club record. On the “Club Mix,” Rauhofer deftly recreates the track while maintaining the strong trademark vocal – the dub also kicks. “Lenny B’s Club Mix” is another crossover gem with its strong vocals and solid backing tracks.
– Michael Taylor

“Rise”
Gabrielle
Universal
Two outstanding mixes here deserve your immediate attention. First, the “Deep Dish Hi-Rise Remix,” which Gabrielle’s core audience will enjoy, offers deep, dark layers of rhythm, several percussion loops and her trademark gentle voice – an unforgettable journey. The pick here is the “Mash Up Matt Darey Remix,” which cranks along at 144 BPM. Your crowd is in for a real workout.
– Joe Bermudez