MUSIC REVIEWS
Contact Francis Tanneur at:
francistanneur@hotmail.comScore:
No
Stars: Useless
1
star: Poor
2
stars: Average
3
stars: Good
4
stars: Excellent
5
stars: Masterpiece
BAD BOY JOE
PRESENTS THE BEST OF FREESTYLE MEGAMIX VOL.5 (CD medleys- 2 CD set)
WHAT IF
PRODUCTIONS, LLC [
CD N°1:
Score: 3 stars
CD N°2:
Score: 2 stars
It is
indubitable that this series of medleys (remixed by Bad Boy Joe) became over a few years
an indispensable product for the Freestyle buffs who enjoy megamixes. On disc n°1, he
gathered 18 Old School Freestyle and Electro Freestyle gems: Joyce Sims “(You are my)
all and all”, Hanson & Davis “Hungry for your love”, Lisa Lisa &
Cult Jam With Full Force “I wonder if I take your home”, Nocera “Summertime
summertime”, India “Dancing on the fire”, Latin Rascals “Arabian
nights”, Sweet Sensation “Hooked on you”, Alisha “All night
passion”, Sa-fire “Boy, I’ve been told”, TKA “Come get my
love”, Noel “Like a child”, The Voice in Fashion “Only in the
night”, George Lamond “Bad of the heart”, Shana “I want you”,
Trinere “I’ll be all you ever need”, Nice & Wild “Diamond
girl”, Debbie Deb “When I hear music”, Rockell “In a dream”. And
a bonus track; the “Freestyle megamix radio edit” remixed by Bad Boy Joe
himself.
It is normal
to notice that the mobility of the mix has become palpable medley after medley. Bad Boy
Joe has found his own style: he is only editing between the tracks to easily mix the
songs.
As for disc
n°2 “Freestyle New Generation”, the medley has been concocted this time by the
Rivera “brothers”. It proposes 19 tracks: Artie “Amame”, Truvoices
“I wanna go back”, Grey “Never surrender”, Sharyn Maceren “In
just one night” & “You’re not ready”, Caramelo “You’re
the love of my life”, Olga Rivera “Do you want me?”, Nick Colon “Give
into me”, Poze “Take it away”, Ayna “Dreams come and go”, Willie
Valentin “My lady”, Christina Marie “Turning away”, Freeze
“Without you”, Latin Nation “Saying goodbye”, Phillip Anthony
“Can this be?”, Synthia Figueroa “Magic night”, Lea & Casely
“If you say my eyes are beautiful”, Adriana “Summer and the skies” and
Julissa “I must go on”.
The
producer/remixer Willie “Valentin” Rivera took care of the selection and did the
mixing while Freddy “The Edit” Rivera post-produced and multi-edited this
medley. And then, contrarily to Bad Boy Joe’s medley, it is a beachcomber of edits,
sometimes a bit confuse and unmethodical in the construction. The track selection is also
as unequal as in the other volumes; there are good songs mixed with some cheesy tracks.
This double
disc seems to prove that there is an ever-increasing rift between the Old School Freestyle
genre (it already showed its mettle) and the
CERES:
“Give me tonight” (CD Single - Limited edition -)
FLIC FLAC
RECORDS / DMG [
Score: 3
stars
Originally
produced by the late Ligosa Records’s team (Chris Barbosa & Mark Liggett), it is
obvious that it will be very difficult for any producer or singer to approach this
formidable hit by Shannon.
But, it would
provoke a kind of iniquity not to listen to this remake impeccably sung by Ceres. I have
nothing to say about Ceres’s vocal performance, it is always moving and powerful. As
for the styles, it proposes two Dance mixes (Radio mix + Extended mix) and a Freestyle
version (Freestyle remix). Whatever the Dance or Freestyle versions, Snark Music producers
got the good idea to impose a Latin flavor with the addition of a guitar. It gives some
soul and warmth to this remake. Otherwise, we can regret a little bit the style of the
Freestyle version that is too slow and common.
It’s
just a little reproach because the song is very likeable to listen to.
CHRISTINE
TURNER: “Lost in love” (CD Single- Limited edition -)
Score: 3
stars
This young
American of 26 years old, native of
Christine
Turner started her career with the song “Love at first sight” on Pryme Tyme
Records (“Freestyle a new dimension in tyme vol.2”) and then she began a long
career with the title “Lost in love”. In fact, the title was first released in
2001 on the compilation “Freestyle Parade 2K1 (CD2 of 2)” then on several
compilations on German record company Miami Bass Records from 2001 to 2004 (“Miami
Freestyle Hits vol.6”, “USA Freestyle Collection”, “100% Freestyle
vol.4” and more recently on “100% Freestyle megamix”) and also on Freestyle
vol.21 (ZYX Music GmBh). Now, at least, it’s available on maxi-CD single.
Produced by
Chris “In the mix” Sammarco, who follows and produces her since her first steps
as a singer, it features three Freestyle versions on the CD (Sammarco’s radio
Freestyle mix, Sammarco’s extended Freestyle mix and the Original mix). The mixes are
as good whatever the version.
Only the
original version (slower and melodic) differs from the two other mixes but it remains
nice. Nevertheless, as the extended version, the original version begins with a
Dance/House intro and appears again during the track or at the end (depending on the mix);
like it or not, this is definitively Chris Sammarco’s signature.
A lively
track (especially because of the way she sings)! The melody keeps running through my head
even a few hours later…and that is always a good sign!
DROP THE BEAT
(CD Compilation)
EMPIRE MUSIC
WERKS / HOT JWP MUSIC / UNIVERSAL MUSIC &VIDEO DISTRIBUTION [
Score: 3
stars
Over 14
tunes, this compilation presents a representative panel about this wonderful movement
called Electro Funk (Electro Hip-Hop) that was raging in the 80’s.
Here is the
line-up of the CD: Straffe “Set it off”, Newcleus “Jam on it”, Man
Parrish “Hip Hop, Bee bop”, Extra T’s “E.T. boogie”, Connie
“Funky little beat”, Spike VST And Taz Money “Shut up and dance”,
Trinere “All night”, George Kranz “Din Daa Daa”, Quadran Six
“Body Mechanic”, Afrika Bambaataa Featuring Soul Sonic Force “Planet
Rock”, Debbie Deb “When I hear music”, B.O.S.E. “Rock the world”,
Megatrons “Rock the Planet” and Gucci Crew II “Booty Shake”.
It’s
important to announce you that most of the hits available on the CD are the club and
extended versions from the original 12” vinyls, which are now pretty hard to find.
A must have
compilation for all those who missed those titles (remastered for the occasion) when they
were out or for those who just want to discover this musical genre.
The music
will grab you even after two decades!
HIRAM D:
“Make you mine” (CD Single - Limited edition -)
Score: 3
stars
If his
artist’s name doesn’t ring a bell to you, he has nevertheless a 13-year career
in Freestyle music behind him.
Hiram D
(don’t pay any attention to the “D”, this is a typography mistake during
the printing of the CD) is in reality Hiram Ortiz. Native of
Those are the
versions that you can now find on this first CD single from Hiram (D). As in his previous
productions (“Lost in love” by Christine Turner for instance), Chris “In
the mix” Sammarco continues to marry Dance/House rhythms to a Freestyle beat, but
this time he used a sparkling Old School Freestyle beat. It concerns three mixes”
(Sammarco’s radio & club mix + Chorus first club mix).
There is also
one purely Old School Freestyle version (Drumapella), and an “Instrumental mix”
of the club version.
Even if
Hiram’s voice is not pretty powerful, this is a real pleasure to listen to this
single.
HIT FACTORY
JOHNNY BUDZ (CD Medley)
TOMMY BOY
ENTERTAINMENT,LLC. [
Score: 4
stars
This megamix
is mainly destined to Dance music & Trance music addicts; 10 titles over 15 are
associated to these two categories. But it also contains some tunes that are very close
from Freestyle or oriented to Breakbeat. It should sparkle a keen interest in Freestyle
buffs as for instance David Guetta “Just a little more” [Electro mix], The Roc
Project Featuring Tina Novak “Déjà vu (it’s hard to believe)” [Johnny
Budz Breaks mix], Tina Ann “Too late” [JJ Flores remix], Jocelyn Enriquez
“Why” [Revolution mix] and Motorcycle “As the rush comes” [Breaks
mix].
It’s
good to precise that the content of this medley is really enthusiastic and the work done
by Johnny Budz is particularly inspired and truly rejoicing for the ears! He notably made
the good choice in the classification of tracks and his manner of mixing is simple but
delightful.
This is one
of the best medleys (all kind of genres) from Johnny Budz but also the CD that I listen to
over and over, without getting bored. I can’t wait for the second volume!
Johnny Budz,
you know what to do…
LATIN ONE
STOP MUSIC PRESENTS THEN AND NOW! (CD Medley)
LATINO ONE
STOP MUSIC [
Score: 1 star
Luis
“Like Dis”
He comes back
under the banner of a famous retail store very well known from the
This medley
mixes songs from “then” and “now”, it contains some Old School
Freestyle tracks especially from the East Coast but it privileges mainly the local
production and many titles sung by the Bay Area artists. It’s not a chance because
most of the Texan production possesses a similar sound to that of the Bay Area; I mean
Progressive Freestyle and West Coast Freestyle.
It is very
regrettable to notice that Luis Mendoza’s job is this time pretty disappointing; the
mixing is boring and the few edits between the songs are simply ridiculous. Besides, there
is a lack of professionalism as far as concerns the sound of this medley, certain songs
(the original source is a vinyl) weren’t cleaned up with a software (useful for this
job).
So, you will
perhaps be seduced by the pin-up available on the CD cover but less by the content.
MC.G GABRIEL:
“Depends on you” (CD Single - Limited edition -)
Score: 1 star
Maybe I keep
repeating myself but unfortunately there is nothing to say about this CD single. Alright,
the style of the 2 Freestyle versions (Radio mix + Extended mix) is not disagreeable but
it sounds like the old stuff already produced by MC.G. Gabriel (with Snark Music) or as a
singer with his previous title “Fantasy”. The arrangement sounds are always the
same. Fortunately, the female vocal presence of Sherly brings some rhythm and efficacy, if
not, we’d be bored to death!
I won’t
talk about the two Euro Dance mixes, they are execrable.
The formula
is easy, but I can’t resist doing it: “It depends on you to buy it”!!!
MICMAC
RECORDS, INC; PRESENTS BANGIN’ BEATS THEN & NOW! (CD medleys- 2 CD set)
MICMAC
RECORDS, INC. [
CD N°1:
Score: 1 star
CD N°2:
Score: 3 stars
After the
2003 limited edition CD “MicMac 360 Tour” that was available during the tour,
this double disc is officially the very first production from the mythic Freestyle/Dance
music label that Mickey Garcia decided to re-launch.
Disc n°1
“Then” (mixed by Baron Lopez) retakes the classics from the MicMac
Records’s catalogue: “No more tears” (Abby Lynn), “Listen to my
cries” Body & Style, “Crying over you” (Soavé), “You” (Rios
Sisters), “Kiss me touch me” (Angie), “Why did you do it” (Exo),
“Wondering” (Tonasia), “First true love” (Tiana), “No
regrets” (David), “You’ll never find another love” (And More),
“Soul on fire” (And More), “Missing you” (Charlie Rock), “In the
name of love” (Charlie Babie) and “Games of love” (Tonasia). The final
result is a disappointment.
Of course,
the track selection is exceptional, but his way of mixing and editing is a pure disaster,
a real catastrophe to be honest! There is no construction, and the transition between
songs is most of the time not well done. Assuredly, we gonna forget about this medley
quickly.
As for disc
n°2 “Now” mixed by Mickey Garcia and edited by Dynamic Duo XL (Dave “The
One” Mendez & Freddy “The Edit” Rivera), it mainly compiles the new
generation of Freestyle artists & bands: Truvoices “Dedicated”, Synthia
Figueroa “Touch me”, Artie & Aby “Sinful eyes”, Grey “Never
surrender”, Artie & Judy Torres “A man with a dream”, Danielle Simeone
“Radio (everybody’s dancin’)”, Exo “Why did you do it
(remix)”, DJ CSI featuring Allison “Won’t say goodbye”, Joee
“Better than you”, Zoe “All alone”, Nick Colon “Release me”,
Christina Marie “Now I know”, Nu Image “There’s no love”, Two
Without Hats “Try yazz again (remix)”, Willie Valentin “No matter
what”, Ruben Gonzalez “You’ll never know” and Joey Altura featuring
Poze “You are the only one”. In general, the selection is agreeable to listen
to. But the main interest of this megamix is the editing work done by Dynamic Duo XL. Even
if sometimes we can find some titles exaggeratedly edited, nevertheless, their work
confers to the medley a nice rhythm and a supplementary interest.
Until the
release of new productions that should be out at any moment (we hope so!) it is
disappointment that takes the first place in this release.
100%
FREESTYLE MEGAMIX (CD Medley)
Score: 1 star
This medley
is supposed to summarize (in less than one hour) about 32 titles published in the 5
previous volumes of the series “100% Freestyle”. So you can imagine the
dexterity of the DJ. It is Markus D’Ambrosi (a.k.a. DJ Diavolo) who buckled down to
the task again, the appointed DJ from Distel Media GmBh (DMG)
The major
problem of this DJ is its way of mixing the tracks; there is no personal touch (no
sessions of edits or at least a more polished / neat work between the titles). My point is
that you only have a succession of clips! It becomes inevitably uninteresting!
Besides, the
selection doesn’t always give us satisfaction! Why? As in most of medleys, there is a
bunch of good and pretty bad titles that don’t fit together mixed without any
creativity. Voilà!!!!
So, in my
opinion, if you already possess these five volumes from that series I wisely advise you to
make a deadlock on that medley. And I invite you to record all the titles that you are
interesting in and judiciously use all the professional software that are available on the
market. I’m sure that you will do a better work than DJ Diavolo!
VINCENT
VEGAS: “
ONE X MUSIC [
Score: 1 star
One X Music
is a new Indie label located in the
DJ Frank
Alexander is not a newcomer in the Freestyle business because he was a mobile DJ
(1990/1999) and he has already worked with some singers as Manuella (one of the best
Canadian Freestyle singer). He notably produced and wrote the superb tracks
“Don’t try to come back to me” and “Do you”, and the Dance track
“
It is a pity
that the quality of their first production is so bad. “
For the
second single we hope for a more powerful track, vocally and musically speaking!
1]
Nu Image: “I’ll always love you” (Multi Edit) Aria Records [
2]
Jennifer Glass: “Dreamin’” (Christian Dio Magical mix) Power Jamm
Productions / Caliber Records [
3]
Ashley: “Here we are” Sterling Records [
4]
Joée: “Better than you” SPG Music LTD / DEP [
5]
Richie Santiago: “Black rose of love” Miami Bass Records / DMG / Sony Music [
1]
Hit Factory Johnny Budz (medley) Tommy Boy Entertainment LLC [
2]
Bad Boy Joe Presents The Best Of Freestyle Megamix vol.5 (medley – Old School mix)
What If Productions LLC [
3]
100% Freestyle Vol.5 (compilation) Miami Bass Records / DMG/ Sony Music
[
4]
NONE
5]
NONE
1]
Nu Image: “The Album” Aria Records [
2]
NONE
3]
NONE
4]
NONE
5]
NONE