"It Began In Afrika"
The Chemical Brothers
Astralwerks
Tribal, tweaky and decidedly transitional for DJ sets, “Afrika” booms with purpose, while the flip’s “Hot Acid Rhythm 1” offers the Chems’ typical trippy breaks. Bewildering and bangin’.
– Jim Tremayne

"I Wanna Be With You"
Chocalate Puma
...Records
This riveting new house number is a relentless drum assault on the senses. With a hard percussion-led groove and some minimal male vocals, this is definitely New York-styled house. A progressive groove with a choppy vocal arrangement and a bangin’ synth hook, the rhythm track is a bit repetitious, but it hits so hard you won’t mind. Produced by newcomers DJ Zki, Dobre and Evo, this is a stunning club debut and will work the progressive dancefloors.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Journey To Uranus"
Johnny Vicious feat. Lula
Groovilicious
Johnny once again goes over the top in creating this powerful underground record, which has late night written all over it. Lula’s vocals are synthesized gloriously with intense percussion sounds. – Mikey D. Merola

"My Precious Thing"
LLorca with Lady Bird
F Communications
This sweet new garage house gem features the sultry vocals of Lady Bird and a juicy production from Ludovic Llorca – a very soulful piece that has some really nice rhythm and chord changes, plus a bouncy feel. All three mixes are working, but we especially like the stripped-down R&B-ish/house vibe of Ian Pooley’s vocal mix and the punchy house feel of Llorca’s “Old Skool Mix.” In fact, the latter mix might be the sleeper with the hot vocals serving as the driving factor.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Alone"
Sal & Sandy B
Nervous
Very circuit-ready, the club mix includes a screaming diva with a beautiful arrangement of keys that would fit perfectly with a light glistening from a discoball over a sea of shirtless dancers. Excellent work from both Sal and Sandy.
– Joe Bermudez

"AM-PM"
Christina Milian
Def Soul
Hex Hector gives us another peak-hour mix that will move any crowd. With punchy keys and Christina’s quick assertive hooks, you will find yourself easily dancing to this throughout the PM and into the AM.
– Joe Bermudez

"Digital Love "
Daft Punk
Virgin
Recalling The Buggles’ poppy new wave classic “Video Killed the Radio Star,” Daft Punk’s latest is another unshakable winner with crossover potential. Sticking with that Vocoder effect that was so successful on “One More Time,” this one to my ears may not have the instant likeability as “One More Time,” but it nonetheless offers a very infectious hook. Deep filtered grooves, a catchy sample hook and some sexy keyboard work are the highlights here.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Planets of the Universe"
Stevie Nicks
Reprise
Tracy Young gives us an infectious trance groove that is impossible to resist, while Illict offers a “Vocal Dub” with a bouncy piano riff that is guaranteed to get the club rockin’.  
– Joe Bermudez

"Music All Over The World"
DJ Rene
Virgin
This 12-inch delight comes loaded with four incredible remixes for everyone’s dance-music appetite. But the winner here is the “DJ Rene & Armin Van Buuren Mix” because of its diversity as it kicks with trance, house and Euro sounds. Phenomenal.
– Mikey D. Merola

"Stand Still "
Aubrey
Groovilicious
Produced by Hex Hector and Dezrok, this record offers boundless energy for your dancefloor. The “Kinetic Journey Mix” begins with a magical epic intro and builds with a ferocious onslaught of energy. With its gorgeous female vocal resting over some incredibly alluring keys, this one will turn heads. 
– Joe Bermudez

"Sound of Today"
Majestic 12
Subliminal
Subliminal drops a sizzling new deep tech piece that features a wicked bassline and spicy synth work. Offering some sparse female vocals samples and reggae-leaning male spoken-word vocals, the song’s vibe goes with a bottom-heavy groove, some cool filter effects and a bouncy rhythm track. We also like the deep breaks and that pumping, progressive bassline. Look out for this one.
– Phil Turnipseed

"We Love You"
The Scumfrog
R-Senal
Lifting an obscure psychedelic-era Stones sample, The Scumfrog (aka Jesse Houk) drops a trancey house track with massive keys and a disorienting, swinging beat. Truly arresting stuff. The flipside “We Do” kicks more regulation tribal, gets deep and dark, then spills into funky, freaky-deaky mode. One hot single.
– Jim Tremayne

"Never Enough "
Boris Dligosch feat. Roisin Murphy
Strictly Rhythm
Strictly Rhythm Moloko vocalist Roisin Murphy works her seductive cabaret-style vocals with a super catchy chorus on this fortified hit. Teamed with German producer Boris Dlugosch, it seems that these two are a match made in heaven. He works some funky guitar licks along with a brilliant bassline and wicked percussion to create a beautiful house masterpiece.
– Shawn Christopher

"Know You Can"
Whatever Girl
Strictly Rhythm
We’re definitely feeling the “O’Neil vs. Moss Bitin’ Jazz Mix,” a deep blend of drum-drenched, electro-tribal beats and filtered vibes. We also like the “That Kid Chris Mix,” which also features some rough tribal grooves and a nasty deep bass groove, smoothed out just a bit. There are some sparse spoken-word vocals, Vocoder vocals and a little bit of diva wailing as well for a little drama. But this track is definitely a drum-laden workout that will be a peak-hour cut.
– Phil Turnipseed

"Open up Your Mind...So Cool"
Eyes Cream
Playland
A most enjoyable vocal house number, this one offers a perky guitar-led groove on the “Club 8 Extended Mix” and has commercial success written all over it. Of the four mixes, the “Club 8 Mix” has the best chance at radio, while the Finnegan Taylor vocal mix and dub are more uptempo house numbers with the vocals filtered out a little. The beats are tailor-made for clubs, as they never let up.
– Phil Turnipseed

"It's Hot "
Marcus Hunter & Stray Casa
Estereo
This unique disco-flavored banger offers great percussion and a booming funky bassline that will keep dancers on their toes. “It’s Hot” cleverly and subtly builds through the entire track and virtually explodes toward the end. This record should be in every DJ’s box to add some funk, soul and massive energy to your set during peak hour.
– Shawn Christopher

"I Didn't Say It"
The Undah* dub
Decibel
Decidedly deep with some light chord work and vocal hits, the original version features a dark bassline and a spongy synth hook. It’s got a nice catchy feel to it while “I Didn’t Dub Mix” has the same bassline and a stripped-down minimal groove to it. There’s also a Chazz Jankel sample from “Glad To Know You” thrown in for texture. We’re loving that dub mix. The other side features a bonus cut called “Return Of The Bump,” a hard deep house cut that drops some spine- tingling effects. Definitely for those fans of the harder grooves.
– Phil Turnipseed