Dance Music Reviews
Singles --
“Rainwater” by Astrid Suryanto (Statra)
A huge hit - from Victor Calderone’s Statra label – currently in a number of different dance music genres, “Rainwater” showcases the beautiful voice of Astrid Suryanto with a strong progressive feel to it. The energetic tribal mix by Calderone and That Kid Chris is top-notch and not just a simple addition of drums and beats. My personal favorite mix within the very DJ-friendly vinyl double pack (there are six mixes in all) is the SOLU Music Mix, which has a sexy deep underground house vibe that works really well in my moderate tempo sets. This is high quality stuff here. – DJ Plez
“Fake” by Simply Red (Simply Red Music)
Sometimes there are songs better off left alone with no dance remixes attempted. That was definitely my opinion of Simply Red’s cover of “You Make Me Feel Brand New” after I heard the collection of dance floor offerings. However, as unwelcomed as I found those efforts to be, I’ve got nothing but praise for the “Fake” remixes. The Eric Kupper Club mix is a solid general house music track while the Love 2 Infinity Classic mix has big bold sound for big room dance floors. Finally, the Phunk Investigation Exte Club Mix uses a sample of the house music classic “Let’s Get Together” to provide an old-school disco vibe. – DJ Plez
“Uptown” by Aya (Naked Music)
Deep house music doesn’t get much better than this and it’s no surprise that the Naked Music record label is involved. The slightly understated vocal presentation on the Jay’s Up! Dub balances exquisitely with the percussive groove that’s laid down. And the Trentemoller Vocal Mix is a nice broken beat electro funk offering. Anyone who appreciates the deeper aspects of House music will find pleasure in “Uptown.” - DJ Plez
“Unique” – by Peter Rauhofer (Star 69)
This is a scorcher of a song with two mixes. While the Andrea Doria mix will satisfy those wanting an electro sound, the true gem on this 12-inch single is the Airmale Remix. WOW! Despite the female voice periodically declaring the subject’s uniqueness, there is a rough and raw masculine sexuality in this song that brings out the carnal instinct of a dance floor. In my opinion this is one of the best tracks to come from Star 69 in quite a while. – DJ Plez
“Activator (You Need Some)”Remixes – Whatever, Girl (Yoshitoshi)
For those of you looking for a modern take on the original track-y house sound of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Whatever, Girl vs. Albert Cabrera mix of “Activator” is pure gold. Just think of “Percolator” with tribal energy. Placed in the mix, this track will bring any dance floor to a sweaty frenzy. Other remixes – more progressive in nature – in the vinyl double pack include a Deep Dish undertaking and two from PQM. – DJ Plez
Compilation --
Horizons – mixed by Marques Wyatt (Om Records)
This is a wonderful presentation of underground house music that’s brilliant in conception and moody in feeling. The mix starts off strong with a gospel vocal house cut, “You Gotta Believe” by Intense & Voices of 6th Avenue featuring Cassondra. It then makes its way toward a West Coast house sound and turns up the funk meter with Mark Grant’s “Girl With U” dub, Walter Jones’s “GC’s Theme,” and “Slangin” by E-Man. Wyatt’s hits an energetic stride with “Echu Aye” by Antonio Ocasio and “Starlite” by Sicania Soul and then delivers the trademark smooth house rhythm of Osunlade in “Same Thing.” Wyatt’s creative use of EQ layering throughout the mix adds significantly to its richness and helps to define the moodiness I hear. I liked Horizons on my first listen and my adoration has grown exponentially after repeated plays. This a must for those seeking to be challenged and rewarded with a sophisticated mix of the deep underground house variety. – DJ Plez
Singles --
“Rainwater” by Astrid Suryanto (Statra)
A huge hit - from Victor Calderone’s Statra label – currently in a number of different dance music genres, “Rainwater” showcases the beautiful voice of Astrid Suryanto with a strong progressive feel to it. The energetic tribal mix by Calderone and That Kid Chris is top-notch and not just a simple addition of drums and beats. My personal favorite mix within the very DJ-friendly vinyl double pack (there are six mixes in all) is the SOLU Music Mix, which has a sexy deep underground house vibe that works really well in my moderate tempo sets. This is high quality stuff here. – DJ Plez
“Fake” by Simply Red (Simply Red Music)
Sometimes there are songs better off left alone with no dance remixes attempted. That was definitely my opinion of Simply Red’s cover of “You Make Me Feel Brand New” after I heard the collection of dance floor offerings. However, as unwelcomed as I found those efforts to be, I’ve got nothing but praise for the “Fake” remixes. The Eric Kupper Club mix is a solid general house music track while the Love 2 Infinity Classic mix has big bold sound for big room dance floors. Finally, the Phunk Investigation Exte Club Mix uses a sample of the house music classic “Let’s Get Together” to provide an old-school disco vibe. – DJ Plez
“Uptown” by Aya (Naked Music)
Deep house music doesn’t get much better than this and it’s no surprise that the Naked Music record label is involved. The slightly understated vocal presentation on the Jay’s Up! Dub balances exquisitely with the percussive groove that’s laid down. And the Trentemoller Vocal Mix is a nice broken beat electro funk offering. Anyone who appreciates the deeper aspects of House music will find pleasure in “Uptown.” - DJ Plez
“Unique” – by Peter Rauhofer (Star 69)
This is a scorcher of a song with two mixes. While the Andrea Doria mix will satisfy those wanting an electro sound, the true gem on this 12-inch single is the Airmale Remix. WOW! Despite the female voice periodically declaring the subject’s uniqueness, there is a rough and raw masculine sexuality in this song that brings out the carnal instinct of a dance floor. In my opinion this is one of the best tracks to come from Star 69 in quite a while. – DJ Plez
“Activator (You Need Some)”Remixes – Whatever, Girl (Yoshitoshi)
For those of you looking for a modern take on the original track-y house sound of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Whatever, Girl vs. Albert Cabrera mix of “Activator” is pure gold. Just think of “Percolator” with tribal energy. Placed in the mix, this track will bring any dance floor to a sweaty frenzy. Other remixes – more progressive in nature – in the vinyl double pack include a Deep Dish undertaking and two from PQM. – DJ Plez
Compilation --
Horizons – mixed by Marques Wyatt (Om Records)
This is a wonderful presentation of underground house music that’s brilliant in conception and moody in feeling. The mix starts off strong with a gospel vocal house cut, “You Gotta Believe” by Intense & Voices of 6th Avenue featuring Cassondra. It then makes its way toward a West Coast house sound and turns up the funk meter with Mark Grant’s “Girl With U” dub, Walter Jones’s “GC’s Theme,” and “Slangin” by E-Man. Wyatt’s hits an energetic stride with “Echu Aye” by Antonio Ocasio and “Starlite” by Sicania Soul and then delivers the trademark smooth house rhythm of Osunlade in “Same Thing.” Wyatt’s creative use of EQ layering throughout the mix adds significantly to its richness and helps to define the moodiness I hear. I liked Horizons on my first listen and my adoration has grown exponentially after repeated plays. This a must for those seeking to be challenged and rewarded with a sophisticated mix of the deep underground house variety. – DJ Plez
