11.24.2006

Kristine W. - Be Alright

Kristine is back again with another amazing song. This time, she teams up with Israeli DJ/remixer/producer/artist Offer Nissim for this vocal anthem. Offer reportedly produced this track.

Offer previously remixed Kristine's "The Wonder Of It All" last year, and before that, he gave her song "Save My Soul" some significant play in his sets through the phenomenal Gabriel & Dresden mix.

This collaboration works just as well on paper as it does in execution. There's not a lot of vocals, however, the amount of vocals that are there work quite well. It is done in the way most of Offer's vocal tracks with Maya are done. But this one has more of an emotional element to it because of the stellar production work. Kristine's vocals are simply gorgeous. The vocal effects only add to the beauty of her voice.

This one is an essential right now.

Tony Moran has reportedly remixed this one as well. Perhaps his will have more vocals. If not, no problem.

Shakira - Illegal [Johnny Vicious Remixes]

After the international smash hit "Hips Don't Lie", Shakira is back with "Illegal", which features the legendary Carlos Santana. After a stream of less-than-stellar mixes from the Oral Fixation Vol. 2 album, some mixes that are really great have been done for "Illegal."

Johnny Vicious does the remixes this time.

Epic shipped a CD promo to DJs:

01. Johnny Vicious Warehouse Mix
02. Johnny Vicious Warehouse Radio Mix
03. Johnny Vicious Roxy Mix
04. Johnny Vicious Roxy Radio Mix
05. Johnny Vicious Ballroom Mix
06. Johnny Vicious Ballroom Dub


The Warehouse mixes are really dark and are reminiscent of some of Johnny's mixes from the mid to late 90's. It's a nice throwback. In some places, Shakira's vocals don't really fit. They're not off-beat. But they seem out of place.

The Roxy mixes are not as hard. These are much housier. The "chugging" hook in the background is really good. And the piano breaks are very beautiful. This is the mix of choice. It's perfect for clubs and radio.

The Ballroom mix is very dubbish. There's only some vocals and the few that are there are heavily manipulated. These are quite tribal. The whole track builds and builds to this amazing beatless break which then leads to this amazing synthy bass. Then the beats come back in and it's great. The Ballroom dub has more vocal samples and loops than the mix. This could be considered the accompanying dub to the Roxy versions.

Vicious' dubs are always a treat. And these last two are quite well-executed.

Check out these mixes.

11.19.2006

David Guetta - Love Don't Let Me Go [Maor Zohar Mixes]

This song has been out for quite some time now in various forms, including that one mashup with that The Egg song.

Israeli DJ/remixer Maor Zohar has remixed this song and given it a darker, more circuit makeover. Not that the original needed work, this mix takes it to another level.

Medium tribal beats, a pulsating bassline and soaring synths are the highlights of Maor's new production. The vocals have just the right amount of effects and looping to make the song fun. The vocals feel right at home with this new production.

On the digital promo, there are two mixes. One is a full club mix and the other is an "intro version" that goes right into the club mix after a short, stunning, beatless intro.

Those who could not play this record because it did not fit into their circuit house sets have no excuse to not play this record.

Check it out!

Promo tracklisting:
01. Maor Zohar 2006 Club Mix
02. Maor Zohar 2006 Intro Mix

11.18.2006

DHT featuring Edmee - I Go Crazy

This was originally the b-side to the UK release of "Someone." It is now the third official U.S. single.

Just like their breakthrough hit "Listen To Your Heart", which was a cover of a Roxette song, "I Go Crazy" is also a cover. This is a cover of a song by Paul Davis.

Lead singer Edmee does justice to this song. Her vocals are simply perfect and spot on.

The Album Version is a simple piano-based ballad. The main single and club versions are remixed by Giuseppe D. It is a hard, thumping energetic mix. It calls to mind the Furious mixes of "Listen To Your Heart" and "Someone." However, this one is much more melodic. The piano elements from the original are still present though.

In the HardBounze edit and extended mixes, the beats are a not as hard as they usually are. These call to mind Cascada's signature sound just in the style. This song is really begging for a Cascada mix. The breaks elements that are there every so often in the verses are really nice too.

House mixes are also available too. The previous DHT releases did not have House mixes for the U.S. Many DJs voiced their concerns and they have been taken into consideration. Hardino's mix is a sophisticated funky house confection. It is so perfect. Again, the piano elements are still present. The vocals just sound great over this simple layered production. Closing the single is the stellar Old School House Remix. Sporting newly recorded vocals, this mix is a lot more soulful than the Hardino mix. It calls to mind 70's disco and the soulful house of the early 90's. It works quite well.

All these mixes are quite good. This is a must-have.

Here is the tracklisting of the U.S. CD maxi single:

01. Giuseppe D.'s Radio Edit (3:29)
02. Hardbounze Edit (4:12)
03. Album Version (3:45)
04. Giuseppe D.'s Euro Madness Mix (4:50)
05. Hardbounze Extended (5:33)
06. Hardino Remix (6:43)
07. Old School House Remix (3:12)


The CD maxi single is now in stores and online, and the digital single as well as individual mixes can be purchased on iTunes.

11.17.2006

Beyonce Knowles featuring Jay-Z - Deja Vu (Offer Nissim Mix)

Okay, "Deja Vu", the first single from Beyonce's highly-anticipated followup to Dangerously In Love has been out for quite a long time now. Same thing with the remixes. An announcement was made about 6 weeks ago that Israeli DJ Offer Nissim had done a remix of this song for his own sets. He has been known to remix many current non-Dance songs for his sets, and this was a pleasant surprise. Many had been discussing who they would like to see remixing Beyonce in the future, and even particularly with this song. While Maurice Joshua, Junior Vasquez and most recently the Freemasons have been turning out mixes of Beyonce's tracks, many fans were ready to hear some other mixers work on Bee's tracks. The Freemasons and Junior Vasquez mixes were the ones sent to the clubs and promoted. "Deja Vu" peaked at number one on the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart some months back.

Offer Nissim has taken this song in another direction. His signature dark, synthy, tribal sounds are more present in this mix than in some of the other mixes he has done this year. The energy in the mix is comparable to the amount found in Offer's amazing mix of "Isaac" by Madonna. The vocals are very minimal. He only uses the vocals from the chorus and they have been totally manipulated. The vocals have been stretched and reverbed into oblivion (that's a good thing). The repetitive synth hook is really gorgeous. And the matching bassline goes really well with it. This mix is best enjoyed turned up very loud. Listen up for this one at Offer Nissim and Peter Rauhofer's future spinning engagements. You know they will play it.

Speaking of Offer Nissim and Peter Rauhofer, they are both remixing two more Beyonce songs. Offer will be working on a mix of "One Night Only" from Dreamgirls (the movie Beyonce stars in this Winter) and Peter is working on a mix of "Upgrade U" from Beyonce's B'Day album. As per information right now, the "One Night Only" mix is a private mix. No word on the other one.