Mariah Carey - We Belong Together (Review)

This second single from The Emancipation Of Mimi has been number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks and counting! In addition to topping that chart, it has been number one on numerous other Billboard charts. And this song has broken the BDS record for most audience impressions ever! Simply amazing!

There have been many versions and alternate versions, both official and unofficial, of this song, so here's a breakdown of which ones are worth your time, and which ones you should skip.

The Official Mixes

There are several official ones.

The first one is an urban mix by DJ Clue. It is also known as the Desert Storm Mix. In addition to Mariah's vocals, Styles P and Jadakiss rap on this song. Mariah has re-sung the vocals, and the lyrics are quite different from the downtempo original. This mix is essential. The new lyrics are fresh and give a whole new perspective to this already amazing song. The instrumental of this version is great on it's own too.

Then there's the dance mixes. Atlantic Soul, Peter Rauhofer and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg provide the mixes this time. The first two remixers' remixes are available on some import editions of the CD maxi single, and on the U.S. vinyl single. The Moran & Rigg one is only available on a CD promo directly from the label. There have been rumors circulating that these new mixes will be made available on the iTunes Music Store for purchase. It's only a matter of time. The sales would give "We Belong Together" an always welcome boost.

The Atlantic Soul mixes are house mixes and have a late night sound to them. The vocal loops of some lines and phrases from the song give it a whole new element. This mix is just okay. It feels like it's missing some synths and some pianos. There is a Club Mix, a Radio Mix and an Instrumental for this one.

There are two different Peter Rauhofer mixes, and not just the edit and the longer one. There's the Rauhofer Reconstruction Part 1. This is a minimal, dark track. It's built around a simple bassline that repeats over and over again. There are some blips and bleeps. The vocals here don't sound like they have been sped up enough. And the vocals just don't seem to go with the instrumental. The use of vocals is good though. There are some vocal loops in the longer one. Other than that, this mix is very plain and ordinary. Overall, this mix sounds very similar to the remix Rauhofer did a couple years ago of Murk vs Kristine W's "Some Lovin." There's an edit of this one too.

Then there is the Rauhofer Reconstruction Part 2. This is not just an extension to the first mix. This is a whole other mix. It is much darker and uplifting. It has these amazing synths and a different bassline. This mix calls to mind Rauhofer's mix of David Morales' "How Would U Feel." It has a similar sound, but this one is stil darker. The vocals sound much better over this one. The same set of vocal loops are used, but it sounds much better here. It's a bit hard to believe that this one and the other mix were done by the same person. This is a good choice for circuit clubs. This one has not been commercially released yet. However, it has leaked. This one should have been released.

Then there are the new Tony Moran & Rigg mixes. These are also quite dark and tribal. Done in the same vein of the second Rauhofer mix. The vocal loops used here are different as well. The vocals are used more effectively. The use of synths is excellent. This is more on the trance tip. This remix bears a small resemblance to some of Moran & Rigg's recent productions and remixes. This mix along with the second Rauhofer mix should have been released instead of the ones that were chosen. A Mixshow Edit and Radio Mix of this mix is also included on the CD promo.





The Unoffical Mixes

There are many of them. The first one that comes to mind is the TMC's Heartbroken Mix. This is done in the style of a mid 90's hi nrg song. A very fresh sounding mix. Of the unofficial mixes, this is a good one. The only problem is the vocals. A filtered acapella based on the original has been used instead of a true acapella. The clicking beat from the original can be heard in this remix. It gets really annoying after awhile. Aside from that, it's good.

OrangeFuZzZ has done a mix for this too. This one is a dark tribal mix also. This too has the same problem as the TMC one with the vocals. The beat also just sounds totally unnatural. This mix is a good attempt, but not good enough. Mixes done after this one by OrangeFuZzZ have been much better. Maybe a new mix might be a better idea.

Uplift N' Emotion's mixes are much better. Progressive trance/breakbeat is the style they chose for this one. It's very beautiful. They even synched up the original music video with the remix and the results are quite amazing. The vocals have the same problem. Other than that, it's a great mix.

Philly J's Soul Crunk mix is horrible. The vocal cannot be heard without turning the volume up, and even then it is still hard to hear it. This is an urban mix. The new instrumental added to it is just too loud.

Then there is the ZAX mix. This one doesn't sound that good either. It speeds up the original, adds a new beat, and adds some DJ scratching sound effects. It doesn't go with the song at all and just isn't that great. The scratching is very distracting.

And then finally, there is the EarKandi mix. This is a mashup. It utilizes Hex Hector's dub of "Love Don't Cost A Thing" by Jennifer Lopez. This one sounds pretty decent.

hot new Kelly Clarkson remix

Energy 92.7 and Sirius The Beat 66 have been playing this hot remix of Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes." The remix is by Mynt. You can download the radio rip here.

Nu Donna Summer!!

So are you all ready to "feel love" again? Well you can! Donna Summer's revolutionary classic "I Feel Love" has been remixed and the mixes have been made available.

PerfectBeat has this limited promo. Featuring one mix by Almighty and another by Qattara, this promo is an essential purchase. Even if you are not a Donna Summer fan, you must get this piece of history.

Here is a sample of the Almighty Mix.

Energy 92.7: A Report Card

This isn't like when in school the teacher sat you down and told you everything that you had done wrong. Oh the power trip teachers get to exhibit is amazing! (j/k)

Since the last time I have written about Energy 92.7, a lot has changed. They have added a good number of songs, have kept up the quality of their mixshows, and the on-air talent is very interesting.

Over the course of the last couple of months, some major songs have been added. The Rauhofer Reconstruction Radio Edit of "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey, the Kaskade Radio Mix of "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls, and the Jason Nevins Mix of "Lonely No More" by Rob Thomas are just some of the dance mixes of pop/R&B songs that have recently been added to Energy 92.7's rotation. I have been loving these songs too. Through the First Spin segment during Matt The Bratt's show during Mondays thru Thursdays at 9:15 P.M. where two songs "battle" to get the listeners votes. A song that gets a majority will go on and compete with another song. Any song that successfully wins for 4 consecutive nights will be officially added. A couple songs that didn't win during the battle got added too. Reina's "Forgive" and Ian Van Dahl's "Inspiration" are two such examples. A good number of songs have gotten exposure through this segment. Major props to Matt and the rest of the Energy administration for allowing that segment.

The mixshows are always a joy to hear now. Cardio Radio which airs Mondays thru Fridays feature some classic dance tracks and some current ones. And it's always refreshing to hear a bunch of 90's songs. Especially in the Bay Area. It's a rarity to hear many of those songs. Energy has surpassed Wild 94.9!!! Seriously. It's hot and fresh everyday on Energy!

The Weekend Kick Off Mix is great too. Trevor has been choosing some great records lately. Aaron Smith's "Dancin", the Lenny B mix of Ciara's "Oh", the Atlantic Soul Mix of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together", Kyria vs Velez's mix of "Killin' Me" by Jenna Drey and Studio B's "I See Girls" are just some of the exclusives Trevor has been throwing in the mix lately.

Massive Mix, Clubber's Commute and other such mixshows on the weekends are great too. Lots of music that is hot in the clubs and in Europe. If I turn the volume high enough, I can't tell the difference between being in my living room or being in a club. The quality of music and mixing is great.

The on-air talent is top-notch. I couldn't summarize it any better.

And I couldn't finish without mentioning that the online stream is still the best! The quality is amazing and it must be said.

Keep up the good work!

Review: Erasure - Breathe

This review was supposed to be posted a week ago, but I have been extremely pre-occupied with other things. Here it is.

This is the latest single from UK duo Erasure. They are back with their current album Nightbird. "Breathe" is a breath of fresh air. Opening the CD-5 is the Radio Version. This is a downtempo, electro style that beckons you to play it over and over again. The vocals from Andy Bell. are in top form, as is the instrumental. Next is the Album Version. This one starts very differently from the Radio Version., but is equally enticing. Strangely, both versions are almost the same length. There are only some minor differences. Then we come to to track 3, "Gone Crazy." This is another downtempo track. The vocals are a bit more subdued than they were on "Breathe." This isn't a bad track. The filtered guitar/synth sounds in the middle sound very retro, like some of the 1980's stuff by Depeche Mode. Next is a track called "Mr. Gribbers and His Amazing Cat." This is an amazing piano-based instrumental. Despite being only 2:40, it packs the punch of a much longer piece. The is deeply haunting while it is uplifting. Then it is back to the "Breathe" remixes. The Acousic Version comes next. This is an excellent mix. It is very light on the ears in its stripped down form. The guitar on this version is noteworthy. Adult contemporary and chillout stations should have jumped on this treasure. Pete Heller's Phela Mix comes in with a bang! Deeply electro and beat-heavy, this mix is perfect for playing with all those Armand Van Helden, Felix Da Housecat, Mylo and Miss Kittin songs. It fits right in easily. The echoed vocal adds some depth to the track. Immediately following this is LMC's Extended Mix. This is a trance/hi nrg mix. Many elements from the original version are present in this darker mix. There is only some resemblance to LMC's recent work in this remix, but the quality of the production lets you forget that other remixes they have done have a similar sound. A radio edit should have been included of LMC's mix, but it wasn't. Import releases of the single included the edit. Finally, we come to the When Andy Bell Met Manhattan Clique Extended Mix. Almost completely driven by the bassline, this version builds greatly on the original version. This is a good alternate mix. This too has a retro feel. All in all, this maxi single is worth purchasing. In addition to the multiple mixes and other songs, the music video is included. This is an essential single for DJs and Erasure fans alike.

Madonna on ABC's The View

Today, Madonna made an appearance on The View. In addition to talking about her husband, children and her life now, she spoke about her childrens's storybooks and her upcoming album.

Here is the complete interview in mp3 format.

Dance Artists On ABC's The View!

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week (the 7th and the 8th, respectively) two major artists who have made contributions to dance music will be making appearances on ABC's gabfest The View.

On Tuesday the 7th, Shakira will be stopping by to promote her latest Spanish-language album Fijacion Oral which has already spawned the growing hit "La Tortura." This album just happens to be coming out on the 7th.






And on Wednesday (the 8th), the Material Girl herself, Madonna will be making an appearance promoting her latest children's storybook entitled Lotsa Da Casha. She may even discuss her upcoming documentary which goes behind the scenes of the hugely successful Re-Invention tour from 2004. It had been previously titled Reinvented Process, but it has been re-titled as I'm Going To Tell You A Secret. Also, Madonna has been in the studio working on some new songs for her upcoming album. No word on dates, but some insiders see the album coming out towards the end of this year to early next year. Next, Madonna will be seen in an upcoming photo spread with an accompanying article in the July issue of the Ladies Home Journal. I have already seen the photos, and they are amazing! This issue should be on newsstands very soon. Here is the cover.

More songs going MIA on Energy!

Some more songs have gone MIA on Energy. Here is a list of the casualties.

Emma - Free Me
Scissor Sisters - Filthy Gorgeous
No Doubt - It's My Life
Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes
Stellar Project - Get Up Stand Up
Lasgo - Surrender
Kaskade - Steppin Out
Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started

Mariah fans rejoice! Mariah haters hide!

Energy 92.7 has officially added the Peter Rauhofer Reconstruction Mix of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together." It was totally obvious that this song would be added, and it has been. Congrats Mariah!

Listen to it here.

New Energy 92.7 Contest

Energy 92.7 is giving 44 people $500 cash, why not be one of them...

We’ve created a new radio station with the people of the Bay Area in mind. It’s new, and it’s different than anything you’ve heard on the radio. It’s the new Energy 92.7 FM. It will energize you all day and all night long.

We’re so confident you’ll love the new Energy 92.7 FM, we’re willing to bribe you to listen. It’s simple. All you have to do is enter below and listen to win.

During June we’ll be calling out names every weekday at 8:45am and 5:45pm. If you hear us announce your name, call us within thirty minutes at (866) 534-0927 and you’ll win $500. You won’t hear us announce this as a contest; we’ll just be saying thanks to you for listening.

So what have you got to lose? Check out the new Energy 92.7 FM on your radio, or listen to us online at www.energy927fm.com and start thinking about what you are going to do with an extra $500!