Erika Jayne's follow up to the popular "Roller Coaster" is "Stars," a track that strives hard but falls short of the previous effort. Now don't get me wrong, "Stars" is a great, groovy track. Jayne uses her voice ethereally in a way that really compliments the heavenly subject. That, I feel, is the track's biggest weakness. Let's delve into the remixes though.
The first on my list is Steve Mac, and in proper Steve Mac fashion, we have a groovy housy mix that tries to buoy Jayne's vocals above the funky beats and deep into your brain. It does a pretty good job, and I have to say I enjoy this mix. The DJ Escape and Johnny Vicious mix, at first, really irritates me. This track should not be circuit, her vocals are not strong enough to support it. About halfway through (around 4:10) it really starts to amp up though, as it breaks into the bridge and the talents at the decks really bring in their united strengths.
Johnny Vicious is known for working some serious magic, and I know DJ Escape has some great mixes under his belt. Ultimately, this mix does not disappoint. Do not be mislead, as I was, by the first couple minutes. Moto Blanco serves up another Piano and Mojito (yeah, that's a Ben term) mix that made them so popular, think Mary J. Blige, and it works. It has great energy and really compliments Jayne's singing. Then Tony Moran's mix comes on, and again I am wondering why this track has a circuit remix. I cannot say I am very fond of this mix, and overall I find Tony Moran's mixes less than inspiring. Perhaps it is a bias, perhaps not. Eric Kupper's Poolside Mix is just that, a great tune to have in the background while enjoying the rays on a hot summer day at the pool. Do not expect to dance to this mix. It is purely for lounging purposes, or perhaps for impressing your friends with your laidback grooves. Mike Rizzo serves up a bass-light mix that skitters across the surface of a couple styles without delving too much into any. Definitely an early hours mix, and for some reason his piano makes me think of M*A*S*H* (the TV show).
The next mix, by Peter Rafelson, lays on some thick beats with a horn line you've heard before. Kool & The Gang might be impressed by Rafelson's use of the "Celebration" sound, and it definitely makes for an interesting mix, but at the end of the night… would I remember this track? Not from this mix. Cagedbaby is probably the most interesting name to be included in this package, as I consider them more IDM (intelligent dance music – hey, I didn't make the acronym) than dance floor club mixes, but I'm glad to hear their stab at "Stars." And it definitely is interesting, although it plays more like a dub than a mix, and dwells way too much in repetition for my liking.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is that, despite a relatively incongruous vocal performance from Erika Jayne, the track survives and flourishes at the ready hands of some seriously talented men.
Summary – Moto Blanco leads the pack, followed closely by Steve Mac and DJ Escape/Johnny Vicious. Worth the money just for those three.
