"Hit Factory 2" mixed by Johnny Budz features 15 solidly-mixed dance
tracks. Most tracks are current and from a healthy variety of labels. To
categorize, put this one in mainstream vocal dance. Opening with Lenny B's
remix of Nina Sky "Turnin' Me On" we hear Lenny putting in a solid mix for
the duo, and the pressure is on considering how Norty Cotto absolutely nailed
down their remix of "Move Ya Body." Stonebridge feat. Therese "Put 'em High"
follows with its totally infectious and anthemic sound. All of Budz' mixing
is straightforward: nothing bombastic and no magic tricks, the showcase in
this instance are the songs, and the DJ shows wisdom in letting them carry
the mix. The energy settles down a little with Sin Plomo's "It's You" (JJ
Flores remix) and then lifts off again when Emma's "Free Me" (Dr. Octavo
mix) hits: a soaring romp of happiness, and the pizzicato strings in the
background are used to great effect. The thick bassline from George
Clinton's "Atomic Dog" woofs into the mix with Fannypack's new single "Nu Nu
(Yeah Yeah)" (Double J and Haze remix). This one is an old school house
cover and fun as ever. Next, the 70's-esque feelgood track "The Weekend"
from Michael Gray segues smoothly into the mix.
And so it goes: this CD is
full of vocal uplifting ditties.
Although most of the tracks are mainstream-oriented, several of them hail
from the circuit realm: namely David Morales "How Would You Feel" (Peter
Rauhofer mix), Suzanne Palmer "Home" (Offer Nissim mix) and Murk "Doesn't
Really Matter" (Frisca & Lamboy remix). Probably the hardest track and one
of my favorites here is Paul Masterson presents Subway "What U Got, What U
Do," which is the thirteenth track on this fifteen track mix. The CD ends
with D.H.T. "Listen to Your Heart," a full-on euro energy vocal track. It's
been buzzing lately as a heavily-added track on dance radio stations in the
U.S. (although that type of station seems pretty hard-to-find lately!)
Overall, the CD begins with a commercial house vibe, going deeper and harder
before ending with some faster, eurostyle tracks. It's a fun, mainstream
trip and tightly mixed ensuring you will get to the meat of each song
quickly. Yet the continuous mix allows everything flow from start to finish
without any abrupt gaps. A fine CD for those looking for relatively current
dance tracks in the continuous mix format.
