“Rise Above the Storm”
Kenny Bobien
MAW
A smooth house offering produced by the Masters Kenny Gonzalez and Louie Vega, “Rise Above the Storm” will grab you with its catchy bassline, super piano hook and inspirational lyrics. Like much of his work, Bobien’s performance is effortless and beautiful. A definite pick hit.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Find Another Woman”
Reina
Groovilicious
This bangin’ new track is raw, progressive house power. With a punchy liquid bass vibe and all sorts of keyboard stabs, “Find Another Woman” has great energy. Armed with terrific vocal and keyboard hooks, this club-ready cut could also find radio play.
– Phil Turnipseed

Jock Jams, Vol. 4
Various Artists
Tommy Boy
As with this series’ previous three CDs, the latest edition features an all-star line-up of ultra party jams full of life and energy, guaranteed to get any crowd out of their seats. Mobile and Top-40-leaning club jocks bag a load of party anthems in just one disc. Fan favorites include: Will Smith’s floor bender “Getting Jiggy With It”; Salt ‘N Pepa’s unforgettable hand-clapper “Push It”; Brooklyn Bounce’s techno-flavored “Get Ready To Bounce”; Reel 2 Real’s Latin house sizzler “Mueve La Cadera (Move Your Body)”; and House Of Pain’s hip-hop classic “Jump Around.” Other hitmakers include Quad City DJ’s, Backstreet Boys, Amber and Chumbawamba. As an added bonus, DJs get two customized megamixes full of pick hits that are sure to please. This CD was made to order for DJs. For more information,
contact (212) 388-8306.
– Peter A. Colon

“Let Me Go...Release Me”
Veronica
H.O.L.A.
Top remixer Johnny Vicious spins a tale of dancefloor dramatics that should please fans of Latin-leaning house styles. Meanwhile, Veronica projects confidence, flamboyance and serious vocal prowess on this feverishly catchy cut. Captivating and marvelous. 127.6 BPM. For more information, contact (212) 777-5678.
– Peter A. Colon

“City Got Soul”
N’dshea
Hipbone
The word here is smooth. This deep house cut features soulful vocals and four solid mixes. The “Papa/Warrin Excursion Mix” utilizes a sexy horn solo and some tight percussion work, while the B-side houser “The Vibe Is High” kicks a more persistent bassline. N’dshea’s vocals are sexy, jazzy and, yes,
smooth. Find this one.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Don’t Stop The Rock 2000”
DJ KJ Presents Freekstyle
Nu Gruv
This Florida-flavored electro cut rides high on a Miami bass foundation of brightly colored synthesizer patches with crisp Vocoder graphics and a tight array of precisely positioned breakbeats. Also weaved into this pattern of Deep South dance is an infectious blend of old-school melodies. Intriguing. 129.1 BPM. For more information, contact (407) 238-1320.
– Peter A. Colon

“What Is It (About You)”
Jennifer Delgado
Columbia
With all the elements of a hit – including Delgado’s siren-like delivery – this new pop-dance gem is a radio-ready groove. With mixes from Soul Solution and producers John Mortera and Vaughn Stewart, there’s plenty for club jocks to play with. The pick here is the “Prophet Party Remix,” which is a great mix for radio or club. Soul Solution’s mix kicks more percussion-heavy early, then smoothes out nicely into a great pop groove. Excellent!
– Phil Turnipseed

“Shed Your Skin”
Indigo Girls
Epic
Indigo Girls (yes, the Indigo Girls) get housey with a new release chock-full of bangin’ remixes. The Stephen Nikolas vocal and dub mixes are in-your-face house mixes with hard percussion and plenty of keyboard hits flying in and out – definitely a club pick. Of course, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray’s distinctive harmonies add a nice, yet somewhat unusual element (for house music, anyway) to the groove. The pick here is the offbeat “A.D.S. Ascension Mix” – by Audio Dependency Syndrome’s D. Scott Moskos and Barry Suttle – for its dramatic intro and almost breakbeat-meets-house groove. This one’s definitely for the adventurous
DJ, but it’s workin’.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Azucar”
Tito Puente, Jr.
La Casa/Compose Tropico
This dance-infected Latin house flame thrower from the son of timbale legend Tito Puente comes to us in the shape of a Miami-flavored crowd pleaser. “Azucar” is also giftwrapped for DJs with sensational salsa tendencies and a generous helping of New York City mood and attitude. Puente’s aggressive lead vo- cals complement the harmonious background stylings of Cali Aleman to the point of perfection. Famed remixer Norty Cotto then takes the project one step further by fitting the tune with a hard-house edge that cap- italizes on the song’s powerful per- cussion segments and throws in some foggy filtered effects and a Todd Terry-influenced sample for good measure. If you are looking for some- thing sweet to add to your Latin set, try a little “Azucar.” It’s hot. 128.2 BPM. For more information,
contact (973) 344-4214.
– Peter A. Colon

Jigsaw Pieces
The Timewriter
Twisted
With deep, hypnotic instrumental grooves throughout, this new full-length is a rewarding study in deep house. With a few soulful vibes and ambient snip- pets as well, Jigsaw Pieces takes listeners places and offers moments of color and drama. Put the needle anywhere and you’ll be entranced. Deep DJs will love it. Top cuts include “Sunset Walkin’,” “Deliver Me”
and “Skywritings.” Beautiful.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Let’s Go All The Way”
React
Columbia
Pop sensations React drop a wicked piece that features six excellent remixes. Standouts include Johnny Vicious’ dub, a dramatic concoction of bangin’ percussion, progressive grooves and a wild keyboard hook. The other pick is the Berman Brothers’ “Club Attack Mix,” which features a deep, growing bassline and a real pop feel along with drum builds and an
impeccable vocal arrangement.
– Phil Turnipseed