“Lights Down”
Macaluso
En-Soul Records
Mike Macaluso comes through again with a progressive tribal anthem that is nothing less than nasty. The samples are tweaked through the hard-hitting kicks and they’re right on time for peak hour.
– Mikey D. Merola

“Safe from Harm”
Narcotic Thrust
Yoshitoshi
One of the biggest records of the year finally gets a domestic release with three new and exclusive remixes, including the much sought-after “Dean Coleman Bootleg Mix.” My personal favorite is still the much-championed original though. With its funky bassline and glimmering synths, it is impossible not to immediately fall in love with this record. The brainchild of Stuart Crichton of Z Management and Kiss-FM DJ Andy Morris, this cut could easily be the next “Rapture” or “Hide U,” thanks in part to the charming vocal performance from Yvonne John Lewis. Already a staple in sets from many of today’s most esteemed DJs, this is one not to be missed.
– Joe Bermudez

“We Get Together”
HQ2 Hex Hector Pres. Kim Sozzi
Ultra
Sozzi’s sultry vocals work over the awesome basslines courtesy of HQ2 – the studio team of Hex Hector and Mac Quayle. The “Club Vocal” and radio edits are gentle, yet to-the-point enough to grab you. Then comes the dub mix, which has all the effects of a high-end peak-hour pounder.
– Mikey D. Merola

“Keep Your Head Up”
Harry “Choo Choo” Romero
Subliminal
This is a monster just waiting to blow up. A solid kick drum, arpeggiated bassline and an infectious guitar riff make this the dancefloor powerhouse that it is. Keep your eyes open for this one.
– Joe Bermudez

“Say You’ll Be Mine”
Mimosa feat. Angie Giles
Deep Touch
Ah yes, the deeper side of South Beach. The ever-reliable Deep Touch Records unleashes another sexy deep-house floor burner in the form of this three-track gem. A straightforward house cut that works a seductive Fender chord and a bouncy bass groove. Giles’ vocals get the reverb treatment on the original mix, but you can hear the potential for something more as she kind of glides over the groove. The “Dubby Mix” has a more strip- ped-down, almost laid-back approach, but still kicks it at about 126 BPM. We’ll call this one deep tech with a lot of soul.
– Phil Turnipseed

Party Time 2003 (Part 1)
DJ Escape
Groovilicious
By licensing massive dancefloor anthems from Narcotic Thrust, Angie Stone, and Iio, as well as including up-and-coming hits from the Dark Monks and Reina, you are immediately drawn to this compilation’s track listing. Add Escape’s flair for mixing perfection and you have a smooth comp containing all your favorite dancefloor delights.
– Joe Bermudez

“Gangsta Lovin’”
Eve feat. Alicia Keys
Interscope
This funky new hip-hop/R&B number finds Irv Gotti and 7 dropping a lush production that works a cool vocal hook and some chunky bass- lines. Eve does her thing, spittin’ out the science over the mic, while Keys serenades us with an excellent vocal hook. A nice little bouncy track that radio is already devouring.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Rule”
Nas
Columbia
Taken from the still-pumping Stillmatic, “Rule” finds Nas dropping a serious groove and using the hook from Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” The master of the mic works it and gives us a lesson on the price of power and fame and how we should keep it in perspective. Nas just may have a bonafide commercial hit on his hands. 
– Phil Turnipseed

Diary Of A Lonely Sailor
Timewriter
Plastic City
DJ/producer Timewriter gets down and serious with a smooth collection of house-inspired grooves on this new full-length. Deep and, at times, dark and moody, Timewriter’s signature sound is in full effect. But there is also much more to Timewriter than just dark, heavy beats – like the cool and breezy “The Soul Redrive,” a laid-back piece that certainly shows his musical chops. There are some cool vocal tracks included, too, like “Life Is Just A Timeless Motion” and “So Free” feat. Jay. A great 14-song collection that also includes terrific interludes.
– Phil Turnipseed

The Soulful House Experience
Various
Nervous
Nervous delivers an excellent collection of 12 deep garage tracks that should make any househead scream for more. Some of the notables include Kim English with the current club hit “Treat Me Right,” Bang the Party’s E-Man and his eclectic “Caves Of Altimira,” the sexy remake “Paradise” by the Pride feat. Byron Stingily and Norma Jean, Kerri Chandler’s excellent “Rain” and Billie with her way-cool club hit “It Comes Back
Around.” An essential collection for any house DJ.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Insolacion”
Gaston & Phillips feat. Neve
POD
We received a dubby instrumental of this cut recently and it was the bomb. Now POD have decided to drop four more wicked mixes, including two vocals so this cut can get the recognition it deserves. Very much on the ever-growing deep-trance/deep-tech tip, “Insolacion Original Mix” showcases vocalist Neve’s dreamy vocal style sailing over a rugged bass-driven production. The “WaWa Vocal Mix” is a little more progressive side with a sick synth hit that just takes this cut to the stratosphere. If you’re into the Danny Tenaglia, Sasha, or Yoshitoshi vibes you will adore this cut.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Feel The Funk”
Back 2 Back
*69
This has all the amenities of a full-fledged, high-energy club record played at least three times a night in your club set. This cut’s tribal-edged flavor and synth work grabs you. Also, the tweaked-out sampled vocals at the break offer a seductive build up and lift-off. A must-have.
– Mikey D. Merola

“The Wall”
Puncher
*69
The “Over The Wall” remix has all the ingredients for a No. 1 club record – a catchy, hooky, and uplifting song for any DJ set. The B side’s “Wallclimber Remix” has peak-hour all over it with the darker, deeper tribal kicks and filtered synths. The reaction on the floor will amaze you. Bangin’!
–Mikey D. Merola

“Gangsta Funk”
E-A-SKI
Columbia
This down-home, Dirty South rap piece borrows the unstoppable hook from Tom Browne’s classic “Funkin’ For Jamaica” and the result is, of course, a funky groove that hip-hop fans will love. A fun radio-ready track that’ll fit right into today’s current sounds.
– Phil Turnipseed

“A Different Kind of Love Song”
Cher
Warner Bros.
By incorporating the same quirky vocal trick that helped make “Believe” such a phenomenon and even adding more studio magic than before, “A Different Kind Of Love Song” looks to be Cher’s next global hit. On the dance front, Rosabel give us the “Attitude Mix,” which is loaded with hard-hitting tribal beats and dark synth work. Then there is the “Lenny B Remix,” which is very energetic and radio-friendly. A perfect fit for the mixshows.
– Joe Bermudez

“Show Me Love 2002”
Robin S
Atlantic
Originally produced by Stonebridge, the original still works very well in most clubs, thanks in part to the sassy, big voiced belter behind the microphone. It is probably one of the most memorable dance anthems of the past decade. This classic, however, has been given new life with an updated set of remixes. Aptly titled, the “Outstanding Club Remix” rejuvenates the song in a way I never thought possible. Washington, D.C.-based DJ Yiannis pumps it full of new energy with his punchy tribal loops and circuit-style synth arrangements.
– Joe Bermudez