Sunday, July 5, 1998

Single Reviews - July 5, 1998

Sunday July 05 1998 - 1:53:11 AM

Ultra Nate - Found A Cure (REMIXES II) - Strictly Rhythm Double 12"
Here comes two more platters of vinyl with remixes of Ms. Nate's latest smash. This time around, the mixes are provided by Club 69, Mood II Swing, Steven Nikolas and Albert "Rascal" Cabrera. The label misleadingly implies that there's a new mix from Masters at Work, but it's really just Louie Vega doing effects on The Rascal Dub Edit mix. The best mixes are provided by Mood II Swing. 

The Underground mix has more of a deep, jazzy mood, reminding me of Jamiroquai's "Revolution". You also get Acapellas, with and without guitar. Club 69's Peter Rauhofer reinterprets the track into a harder tribal sound, which is alright. The Hooker Bisquit remix by Steven Nikolas is a bit too euro for my taste. I'm getting tired of those pizzicato strings...overall not bad, stick with the Mood II Swing mixes.

Ce Ce Peniston - Nobody Else - Silk Entertainment 12"
Ce Ce Peniston, one of my favourite singers, is going back to her dance roots with her latest release. Produced by the legendary Steve "Silk" Hurley, this track shows the two back in fine form. Ce Ce gives a strong vocal performance, and the music is centered around a bass loop and simple keyboards. It's not going to be a massive pop hit, but I don't think that was their intention with this song. I'm looking forward to Ce Ce's upcoming album on Steve's label.

Tatyana Ali - Daydreamin' - MJJ Music/Work 12"
Little Ashley from TV's "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" releases her debut single and it's a good one! Produced by Rodney Jerkins, the track is based on the same loop of Steely Dan's "Black Cow" used in "uptown baby" and also features a rap from Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. Fun summertime R&B.

Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You - Roule 12"
This track is one of the hottest house jams right now! It's produced by Thomas Bangalter, who you probably know more from Daft Punk. It's built around a sample from "Fate" by Chaka Khan. Simple and sweet! Apparently this song is extremely difficult to find in England as VC recordings licensed it from Roule for something like $500,000, and is trying to block any copies coming in. They will release it in October from what I've heard. If you see it pick it up! You'll wonder how you lived without grooving to this track!

Sao Paulo - Be Yourself Be Free - Ministry of Sound 12"
Beautiful Jazzy Disco house from the UK. The main track used in this song is "brazilian love affair" by George Duke. Side A has the original mix and the b side features a summery disco reworking by Joey Negro, one of my fave remixers. Dave Lee does it again! There's also a "twisted punk" mix, which is a little Daft Punkish.