Chicago, IL -
As mentioned last time, Chris Eterno has taken on new responsibilities as a Billboard club reporter (congrats!) and has turned over the position of ChicagoPride.com Music Editor to me. Chris is not one to stay quiet so you'll see many of his music reviews posted here. I plan on continuing with the high standards set by Chris on this page and appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Now, let's take a walk through the club and hear the latest sounds from a big room.
Starting in the vocal corner, Faith Trent follows up on her hit from last year ("Body") by delivering another anthem, "Foolish Mind Games" remixed by Junior Vasquez. Effin Records has released more cuts of Crystal Waters' summer hit "My Time" with Lee Cabrera and Tee's mixes taking this track to the next level. Gabriel & Dresden continue to pump out progressive vocals with a tech-house twist with their take on "Anything" by Lili Haydn (Private Music/BMG). Based on recent changes at Nervous Records (see below), it may be hard to track down "porn star turned pop star" Colton Ford's first release "Everything" but the mixes from Guido Osorio and Solar City are worth a listen. As for oldies revisited, Harlequin features mixes by Blue Room (John Rizzo & Gerald Goode) of the classic "Proud Mary", recently re-made by Randy Friess. You have to hear it to believe it! Following on the heels of the re-make of "Time", another Pretenders tune gets a makeover in Ultra Nate's "Brass in Pocket", released by Blufire Records. Extra credit goes to the but by Q&K Session, mixing electro-funk with the deep sounds of Nate's brassy voice. Fans of "Fired Up" by Funky Green Dogs should look for a white label release called "Tribalism 2003", re-making the classic hit by adding tribal beats reminiscent of Antoine Clamaran's "Supala" (sans horns).
Wandering over to the darker corners, we find several tracks for those who like tribal sounds and progressive beats. Twisted Records releases another drum-filled hit from Darrell Martin (aka Kiwi Dreams) blending synth sounds, snippets of vocals and heavy beats in a track called "Luv Me". Norty Cotto has been proving his production talents of late and his release on Cutting Records is no exception. One side features "Feels So Hot" with "I'm Feelin' High" on the flip, both delivering tribal mayhem layered with repetitive vocal samples (a cappella versions of both tracks are an added treat!). YO Records continues its progressive streak with "No Other Man" by G-Pal, layering a steady synth sound with male vocal samples and delivering a housy version on the flipside with a slight Latin undertone. D. Ramirez fans will be pleased to hear the latest tracks he has unleashed. First is "Kemikal" (Junior Records) which pairs Ramirez with Deep Groove and is not for the faint of heart. The second track, "Share Your Love" by Heart & Soul, adds a deep house flavor to the Ramirez sound on this release from Big Love Music. Finally, close your eyes and listen to the dark beats and enticing vocals of "Tie Me Up" by Antranig (Sondos Records). Do you smell the leather? Are those ropes too tight? Sorry... I digress...
Let's take a break from the darker elements and check out some house beats before exiting the club. Of special note is "We Got Love", the much-anticipated release from Praise Cats on Subliminal Records. Best known for their previous release, "Shined on Me" ("deep, deep in my soul, I got love making me whole"), Praise Cats follows up with a solid track mixed by E-Smoove, sure to be heard on dance floors for months to come. Also worth mentioning is a re-make on Susu Recordings of "High Energy", with Axwell feat. Joceyln Brown doing justice to the original.
watch for - Upcoming releases from NY will dominate the market this fall, including several from Star 69 Records "Just About Had Enough" by Beat Hustlerz, Industry's "Release Me", Lula's "My Empire", and "I Try" by Made by Monkeys (the last two tracks were first heard on Live @ Roxy Volume 2). Peter Rauhofer has also remixed Madonna's "Nobody Knows Me" and Suzanne Palmer's "Help Me", but no word yet on when they'll be available. Not to be outdone, Junior Vasquez has been spending more time in his studio (is that possible?) remixing a variety of artists, including Jessica Simpson ("Sweetest Sin"), Frankie J ("Don't Wanna Try") and the hot new singer, Nina Valez ("Shy").
have you heard? - Tracy Young recently announced her newest project - the creation of her own record label, FEROSH! More news to follow - Meanwhile, word on the street is that Nervous Records (label for Kim English, Inaya Day, Sandy B, Byron Stingily and more) has closed its doors on future dance releases.
track of the week - Jody Vukas & Stingray - "Spread Love" (Distant Drum)
Big room mayhem! Released back in May, this track is picking up steam on the dance floor and has gone to the front of my record bag. Strong tribal drums, repetitive vocal sampling and well-placed drops build toward a crescendo that makes the dance floor scream for more. A must have!
Starting in the vocal corner, Faith Trent follows up on her hit from last year ("Body") by delivering another anthem, "Foolish Mind Games" remixed by Junior Vasquez. Effin Records has released more cuts of Crystal Waters' summer hit "My Time" with Lee Cabrera and Tee's mixes taking this track to the next level. Gabriel & Dresden continue to pump out progressive vocals with a tech-house twist with their take on "Anything" by Lili Haydn (Private Music/BMG). Based on recent changes at Nervous Records (see below), it may be hard to track down "porn star turned pop star" Colton Ford's first release "Everything" but the mixes from Guido Osorio and Solar City are worth a listen. As for oldies revisited, Harlequin features mixes by Blue Room (John Rizzo & Gerald Goode) of the classic "Proud Mary", recently re-made by Randy Friess. You have to hear it to believe it! Following on the heels of the re-make of "Time", another Pretenders tune gets a makeover in Ultra Nate's "Brass in Pocket", released by Blufire Records. Extra credit goes to the but by Q&K Session, mixing electro-funk with the deep sounds of Nate's brassy voice. Fans of "Fired Up" by Funky Green Dogs should look for a white label release called "Tribalism 2003", re-making the classic hit by adding tribal beats reminiscent of Antoine Clamaran's "Supala" (sans horns).
Wandering over to the darker corners, we find several tracks for those who like tribal sounds and progressive beats. Twisted Records releases another drum-filled hit from Darrell Martin (aka Kiwi Dreams) blending synth sounds, snippets of vocals and heavy beats in a track called "Luv Me". Norty Cotto has been proving his production talents of late and his release on Cutting Records is no exception. One side features "Feels So Hot" with "I'm Feelin' High" on the flip, both delivering tribal mayhem layered with repetitive vocal samples (a cappella versions of both tracks are an added treat!). YO Records continues its progressive streak with "No Other Man" by G-Pal, layering a steady synth sound with male vocal samples and delivering a housy version on the flipside with a slight Latin undertone. D. Ramirez fans will be pleased to hear the latest tracks he has unleashed. First is "Kemikal" (Junior Records) which pairs Ramirez with Deep Groove and is not for the faint of heart. The second track, "Share Your Love" by Heart & Soul, adds a deep house flavor to the Ramirez sound on this release from Big Love Music. Finally, close your eyes and listen to the dark beats and enticing vocals of "Tie Me Up" by Antranig (Sondos Records). Do you smell the leather? Are those ropes too tight? Sorry... I digress...
Let's take a break from the darker elements and check out some house beats before exiting the club. Of special note is "We Got Love", the much-anticipated release from Praise Cats on Subliminal Records. Best known for their previous release, "Shined on Me" ("deep, deep in my soul, I got love making me whole"), Praise Cats follows up with a solid track mixed by E-Smoove, sure to be heard on dance floors for months to come. Also worth mentioning is a re-make on Susu Recordings of "High Energy", with Axwell feat. Joceyln Brown doing justice to the original.
watch for - Upcoming releases from NY will dominate the market this fall, including several from Star 69 Records "Just About Had Enough" by Beat Hustlerz, Industry's "Release Me", Lula's "My Empire", and "I Try" by Made by Monkeys (the last two tracks were first heard on Live @ Roxy Volume 2). Peter Rauhofer has also remixed Madonna's "Nobody Knows Me" and Suzanne Palmer's "Help Me", but no word yet on when they'll be available. Not to be outdone, Junior Vasquez has been spending more time in his studio (is that possible?) remixing a variety of artists, including Jessica Simpson ("Sweetest Sin"), Frankie J ("Don't Wanna Try") and the hot new singer, Nina Valez ("Shy").
have you heard? - Tracy Young recently announced her newest project - the creation of her own record label, FEROSH! More news to follow - Meanwhile, word on the street is that Nervous Records (label for Kim English, Inaya Day, Sandy B, Byron Stingily and more) has closed its doors on future dance releases.
track of the week - Jody Vukas & Stingray - "Spread Love" (Distant Drum)
Big room mayhem! Released back in May, this track is picking up steam on the dance floor and has gone to the front of my record bag. Strong tribal drums, repetitive vocal sampling and well-placed drops build toward a crescendo that makes the dance floor scream for more. A must have!
