NINA SIMONE - Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat) - This sounds like a bootleg, but it's an official release. Take a simple house groove and a walking bassline, add a little looped piano hook and Ms Simone's distinctive bluesy vocals and presto...one hugely catchy track. Should break big.
JUDY CHEEKS - Reach (Hoxton Whores) - Originally released back in 1994 on Positiva, this classic anthem gets the remix treatment from one of today's hottest teams, the Hoxton Whores. Driving yet hypnotic, this percussion and synth laden gem gets me wet.
SUPERCHUMBO - This Beat Is - Hard and intense. Superchumbo pulls out all the weird sounds he's known for and puts them all together in an onslaught of aural madness that will have any Tina queen popping her cork. Supercharged Superchumbo!
LOUIE VEGA featuring JULIE McKNIGHT - Diamond Life (Stephane K) - OK. Club name dropping alert! If you were lucky enough to visit Vinyl in NYC on any given Friday night a couple of years ago, you would have been treated to one of the best times in all clubdom...Be Yourself with Danny Tenaglia. Deep dark and delicious. This track would have ruled. Absolutely brilliant!
MIKE CRUZ - Release Me - The man behind the classic circuit anthem "Movin' Up" is back with another big room monster that will have everybody's hands in the air. Tribal beats and vocal stabs galore. On Star 69.
LULA - My Empire (Peter Rauhofer/Airmale) - Also new on Star 69 is the latest from clubland's most unique muse, Lula. Dark and trippy, Peter's mix is more synthy and the Airmale mix is more tribally. Weird and wonderful.
JEWEL - Stand (Mike Rizzo/Boris & Beck/The Scumfrog/Markus Schulz) - Mixes here for everyone. The Mike Rizzo reminds me of "Give Me Luv" by Alcatraz. Boris & Beck take an almost retro disco direction. The Scumfrog...well...it's The Scumfrog. Markus Schulz' mix sounds like 80's new wave. Oh yeah, Jewel's on the record too.
ARETHA FRANKLIN - The Only Thing Missing - The Voice. The History. The Wardrobe. If anybody needs the Queer Eye treatment, it's Ms Franklin! However, you simply cannot deny the power of this woman's voice. The Queen Of Soul is back with another awesome performance. Soaring yet soulful. Close your eyes and forget that she dresses like a baglady.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Senorita (Hani/Thick Dick/Danny Tsettos) - For me, this is one of his better tracks. All the mixes are strong, his vocals work and the song is well written. Should do the business in the more commercial venues.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA featuring Lil' Kim - Can't Hold Us Down (Sharp Boys) - Catchy little thing. Ms Aguilera returns with more of her signature material. Bouncy groove and hooky vocals. Another pop gem.
