Groove Line

Who's #1?
DJ Magazine recently conducted its worldwide poll to determine the Top 100 DJs on the planet and for the second year in a row Germany's Paul van Dyk came out on top, just ahead of Dutch trance master Armin van Buuren. PvD's two-time achievement matches that of Carl Cox and Paul Oakenfold and trails the only three-time titleholder Tiesto. While the Top 100 list is typically dominated by Europeans, notable American placements for 2006 include Deep Dish (#10), Erick Morillo (#25), Danny Tenaglia (#58), and Victor Calderone (#83).

Fusion Musings
Fusion Radio, the Chicago-based internet radio station, has made quite a splash on the web during this past year and grown significantly in popularity. Playing a wide range of dance music, the station can be heard directly from its web site at www.fusionchicago.com or via iTunes Radio in the electronica section. Fusion regularly simulcasts on Saturday nights from Circuit Nightclub and provides the 24/7 dance music radio station that can be heard right here on ChicagoPride.com. And of course Fusion hosts a variety if DJ mix shows, including a Sunday night line-up with my weekly “Groove Line” program at 10 pm followed by DJ Deanne's “FixXxation” at 11 pm. It's a great way to end the weekend.

Ms. Young Hitting Home Runs!
DJ Tracy Young is on a very impressive run of late with two new remixes I've recently come across and charted on my Top 20 playlist. Her Extended Club Remix of “Number One In Heaven” by Nemesis (Curb Records) - an infectious electro-pop track in it's original form from the gay twin brothers of Logo fame - has fantastic energy and wonderful sophisticated instrumentation supporting the lead vocals. This dance remix will likely have wide appeal and chart-topping success.

Even better than her Nemesis remix is Young's Club Mix of “Lay Down” by 10 Monkeys featuring Abigail (Eden Music). It has actually been out since August but it's just come onto my radar screen and it should be on yours as well. This sweeping big room track is a stellar effort with a dynamite vocal performance by Abigail. I've not always been the biggest fan of this dance music sub-genre, but “Lay Down” is an excellent track that is getting my full support. There's also a very good Hex Hector remix of the song, but Young's version is the best in my opinion.

Cold Weather Grooves
One of my favorite record labels – Om Records – has just released a continuously mixed CD featuring one of my all-time favorite house music DJs: Chicago's one and only Johnny Fiasco. The double CD set, called Om: Winter Sessions - is chock full of funky and chunky house music goodies with DJ Justin Martin soulfully guiding CD1 and Fiasco in obvious complete aural and jack rhythmic control of CD2. Utilizing their own tracks as well as those by the likes of Andy Caldwell, Jacob London, and Soul Avengers, both Fiasco and Martin have programmed mixes that will not only keep those in cold climates warm during winter months, but produce smiles on faces worldwide. This is a fantastic release from Om!

‘Tis The Season
Wondering what holiday-themed CD to get for yourself or as gifts for others this holiday season? Well, look no further than the new Sarah McLachlan offering, Wintersong (Arista Records). This 12-track CD is the first ever holiday album for the 3-time Grammy winning artist and starts off impressively with a cover of John Lennon's “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and the classic “What Child Is This (Greensleeves).” McLachlan offers up other standards such as “Silent Night,” and “I'll Be Home For Christmas” with that voice of hers sounding as strong and as beautiful as ever.