Score:
No
Stars: Useless
1
star: Poor
2
stars: Average
3
stars: Good
4
stars: Excellent
5
stars: Masterpiece
CERES:
“Dancing with an angel” (CD Single - Limited edition -)
FLIC
FLAC RECORDS / DMG [
Score: 1 star
This single
was released during summer 2004 at the same time as the single “Give me
tonight”. This remake from Double You will appeal more to the attention of Euro Dance
buffs than to the Freestylers. I personally stayed insensitive to those three Dance
versions and to the Freestyle ones too!
Produced and
remixed by M-Traker, most of the versions are destined to those who enjoy dance Music and
especially those who appreciate Hi NRG, Euro Dance or the ultra commercial Trance.
The Freestyle
album’s version is also available plus a quite insignificant Freestyle remix produced
by M-Tracker. M-Tracker persists in a too common Planet Rock beat which appears quickly
syrupy and boring. As for the Euro Dance / Trance partition, well, the synths are
particularly coarse and over-familiar to this style. So, nothing new on the
horizon…unfortunately.
Ceres’s
interpretation is also less incisive, due to the fact that she only repeats the same thing
into the chorus while M.C. G. Gabriel sings away. He does what he can…in vain. His
poor vocal performance is once again monotonous and soporific.
DANCE
MUSIC ARTISTIK STYLE (CD Compilation - Limited edition-)
ARTISTIK
RECORDINGS [
Score: No star
He took a
sabbatical year after he announced his retirement from the Freestyle business! It seems to
be pretty difficult for the producer Willie Valentin Rivera to stay away from Freestyle
music especially when you have such a fondness for this genre, isn’t it Mr. Rivera?
We can
immediately notice that the 13 productions don’t really differ from one another
(except for “Here we are” by Ashley [produced by Edwin Ramos Jr.] and “Tell
me boy” by Chereé [Produced by Dengel & Alex Baldrich]). The way of singing is
often the same (for the male vocals the singers have practically the same timber of voice)
and the titles are also musically poor, using over and over the same kind of tricks
especially for the keys, rhythm beats and sounds. This is typical of Willie Valentin and
of course of Artistik! That is also really intriguing and bothering at the same time it is
the fact that even when Willie Valentin doesn’t produce a track, it sounds as a
Willie Valentin’s production (“Tell me why” by Nathan, for instance)! It
seems that this new generation of artists and producers that have been emerging for a few
years don’t possess any artistic ID. On the contrary, they plebiscite something that
already exists.
And the big
disappointment of this CD is Chereé’s track. This production is simply an offence to
the talent of this great Freestyle diva. Even some demos are more successful and serious.
Her superb voice is sometimes inaudible. This track deserves a better remix.
We could have
expected that this break would have permitted Willie Valentin to start again on new bases,
more creative and productive this time. Unfortunately, Willie Valentin still does the same
thing! This is certainly why I’m rarely feeling concerned by his productions.
This new CD
shows a total and redhibitory lack of musical concern and ideas. It can “be proud
of” featuring among the most terrible compilations out during the year 2004.
Hats off!!!!
FERRY
CORSTEN: “It’s time” (CD Single)
POSITIVA
RECORDS [
Score: 4 stars
Ferry Corsten
is certainly one of the most creative and talented DJ/remixers in the domain of Trance
with Armin van Burren, DJ Tiestö and BT… to name a few. What a surprise when I heard
from friends that the second extract (out in last June) of his album “Right of
way” was containing a few Electro Freestyle remixes. I simply ran away on this CD
single.
Nevertheless,
I needed couples of listening before appreciating this track to its fair level and to
naturally become a true addict of it. The “Radio edit” and the “Extended
mix” remixed by Ferry Corsten himself marry the genres: Electro Freestyle &
Trance music. The Electro Freestyle genre because it borrows a pure Electro rhythm beat
and it use a vocal sample of “It’s time” from the Electro Funk classic by
Hashim “Al-naafiyish (the soul)” out in 1983. And the Trance style because those
mixes allow the elements of this genre, as for instance the keys and some numerous sounds
effects. The unflagging interest is also due to the singing manner of Esmee Bor Stotijn
that is full of energy and graceful. This Dutch singer brings enormously on these two
particular versions.
She already
worked in Trance with Vincent de Moor or DJ Tiësto, but also with other vocal bands to
some varied musical horizons as Sugar & Spice, The Berget Lewis Gospeltrain, Sounds of
Faith, Vocal Affairs or Jazzed to the Max. Esmee Bor Stotijn is also a musician and a
composer; she is also capable of producing her own music. So, a very accomplished artist!
The other
terrific Electro Freestyle version is the one done by Luke Slater (“Luke
Slater’s rockers shock remix mix”) that is a combination of Electro and Breaks
to vocoders. Simply brilliant!
The other
mixes (by Ferry Corsten, Agnelli & Nelson, and Kai Tracid) go to the Trance sound
including sometimes some superb melodies and synths. Those mixes are as gripping as the
other Trancy Electro Freestyle versions.
And an
enhanced video is also available on the CD single.
A first
Trancy Electro Freestyle by Ferry Corsten that appears successful and that will delight
the buffs of these two genres. Remarkably thrilling! So, check this out as fast as
possible!
FREESTYLE
HEAVEN CLASSICS / PARTYMANIA 3 “Dance hits” (CD medleys- 2 CD set)
SPG MUSIC
PRODUCTIONS LTD [
Score: No stars
Two CDs for
the price of one, this is naturally an idea that should become irresistible to anybody!
Nevertheless, I fondly recommend you to keep your money preciously in your wallet for some
more clear-sighted expenses.
Except for
the superb track “Burned with desire” by Armin van Buuren Featuring Justine
Suissa, “Partymania 3 - Dance hits -” gratifies us of 16 old-fashioned and
insignificant titles. I rarely got the occasion to laugh as much as I did and to be as
annoyed by a CD. This is frankly a disgrace to customers!
“Freestyle
heaven classics” is a thin succession of Freestyle classics, already available in
other compilations or medleys: Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force “Planet
rock”, Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam With Full Force “Can you feel the
beat”, Will to Power “Dreamin’” (Manhattan mix), Cynthia & Johnny
O “Dreamboy / dreamgirl”, Collage “I’ll be loving you”,
Intonation Featuring Joeé “Died in your arms”, Elissa “Show me how you
love me”, Tamara “Never gonna let you go”, Lil Suzy “You’re the
only one” and Stevie B “Funky melody”. The weakness of the mix provokes a
severe anaemia of interest that won’t urge you to buy this kind of cheap and cheesy
product.
I warn you
seriously about this 2 CD set, SPG Music touched the bottom of mediocrity once more. If
you want to be saved from the wreck, don’t buy it!
LEGENDS
OF FREESTYLE VOL.1 (CD Medley)
HOT
MIX MUSIC, INC. [
Score: 3 stars
Isaac Curiel
has had a passion for DJing since the age of 16, but it’s only at the age of 31 that
he got out of anonymity with his first official megamix. For this Freestyle addict, this
is a project that he has had his heart set for a long time now.
The first
important thing to know is that 85% of the CD content was decided by the fans. The
following step was to contact the labels concerned and especially the mythical Freestyle
and Dance record company “MicMac Records” re-launched last year by Mickey
Garcia. After the agreement of Mickey Garcia the project got started under the aegis of a
young label “Hot Mix Music, Inc.” (HMM) located in the
So, is
“Freestyle Legends vol.1” a hot music mix??? This medley is mixed very simply
but it goes straight to the point! Indeed, Isaac Curiel decided to focus his work on
mixing without the addition of edit sessions or the use of bit and pieces. The mix is
efficacious and the selection is excellent. Over 22 gems (21 titles distributed by MicMac
Records) compose this megamix: Exo “Why did you do it”, Cynthia “Change on
me” / “Endless nights” & «Thief of hearts”, Tonasia
“Wondering” & “Tears of tears”, Johnny O “Fantasy girls”
& “We can’t go on this way”, Body & Style “Listen to my
cries”, Soavé “Don’t look back” & “If you want me”,
T.P.E. “Then came you”, Tiana “First true love”, Marisol
“Beginning of the end”, George Anthony “What will it take”, Lorenzo
D’Lan “If you were mine”, Poze “Let me know”, Pure Pleazure
“Only you”, &More “Materialistic girl” and Self Image Featuring
Willie Valentin “One true love affair”.
The only
track which is not part of the impressive MicMac catalogue is a local single from Latin
Soul (Featuring Sandy Castillo), “Promise me”, out in 1991 on World Records.
We just
deeply hope that the second volume (remixed by Juan “2 big” Perez) will contain
tracks as good as those available on this medley and it will be also full of more
Freestyle rarities.
MC.
G. GABRIEL: “Fresh” (CD Single - Limited edition -)
Score: 1 star
Kool And The
Gang was among the elite of Funk bands! This group has released many great hits and
especially this great anthem “She’s (Fresh)”. In 1985, it blew away the
worldwide charts. Assuredly, it won’t be the same success for MC. G. Gabriel!
Why? Because
MC. G. Gabriel doesn’t possess the same vocal talent as Kool And The Gang and his
manner of singing is really bothering and without any warmth. At any moment, Snark Music
doesn’t manage to stir us or to reproduce the originality and freshness of the
original song, whatever the genres (Freestyle, Dance Music or House Music).
You
won’t find something fresh for sure. On the contrary you risk obtaining a dull and
perished good. Beware of using it on time, you will avoid a possible sound poisoning!
M-TRAKER:
“Shining star” (CD Single - Limited edition -)
FLIC
FLAC RECORDS / DMG [
Score: 3 stars
Even if
M-Tracker (Markus Pernesch & Christian Bildersheim) has already released a bunch of
Freestyle tracks mostly for the German market (Natural Sonic Featuring Sue C.
“Chinagirl”, Maureen “Rain falls down on me”, M-Tracker “Rock
your Body”, DJ Sally B “When I See You”, Ceres “Dancing with an
Angel”…), this is the very first time that I was fired with enthusiasm for one
of their productions.
Usually,
I’m not very receptive to this kind of production that marries a Freestyle beat
(close to the Planet Rock beat) to Trance or Euro Dance (for the melody). But this time it
was difficult for me to resist. This is certainly due to the sensual and calm voice of
Franziska Otto who sings magnificently well and brings an emotional density to the song.
But this time the musical style is also quite interesting especially for the two original
versions (“Original Freestyle Radio RMX” & “Original Freestyle Extended
RMX”), the keys go to the Trance genre offering a nice melody quite agreeable to
listen to. As for the two other Freestyle versions (“Canadian 2004 Radio RMX”
& “Canadian 2004 Extended RMX”) they seduced me a little bit less; the Euro
Dance / Trance keys are too presents on those versions.
You have to
know that this title was originally a Techno song. But one year later (end of summer 2003)
it was released as two Freestyle versions for the Canadian radio stations. They worked
quite well. So, Markus Pernesch decided to remix them in 2004.
Officially,
“Shining star” is the first Freestyle maxi CD single ever released by M-Tracker
that nevertheless started his career in 2002.
We can show a
certain leniency for this CD. It is not perfect but otherwise it’s enough to seduce
you!
100%
FREESTYLE VOL.6 (CD Compilation)
Score: 2 stars
Each volume
of this series usually carries its share of “up and down” tracks qualitatively
speaking (good and bad). This sixth volume doesn’t escape this rule.
The record
company still continues compiling titles (not always the best ones) produced by Chris
Phillips and especially those available on the Canadian compilation “The return of
Planet Freestyle” (DRC Project “And I”, Linda Furtado “Wait for
me”, Serge “Thinking of you”, Freda “See the sun” and Lucy
Falcone “I could never let you go”). But we can only be happy to see Ashley
doing her first steps on the German territory with these two great gems: “Here we
are” [Extended club mix] & “When’s it all gonna end?”. Richie
Santiago (the other American citizen of this compilation) offers us a new track “Even
my heart cries” that is very likeable. But his vocal performance is less emotional
and convincing that his previous song “Black rose of love”. There are also two
plain reprises, one is “Want me” by Kim Estey (“Don’t you want
me” by Jody Watley) and the other one is “
As for the
German local production, we are knocked out by the musical and vocal poverty. It’s
difficult to understand that some tracks (Double Effect “Back on the door”,
Real-X Featuring Ann “Without a fight” and DJ Bikini “Cha cha slide”)
that feature some male voices or raps as unbearable and contemptible are still compiled!
The other tracks are quite insipid.
Only the
Electro Freestyle track “My love is hot” by Electrocute Featuring Supremeja is
interesting and not badly edited for once.
This is 100%
Freestyle but not 100% successful. Once again, it would be of prime importance for the
label to privilege quality instead of compiling some very bad tracks that don’t
deserve any attention, really!
1]
Nu Image: “I’ll always love you” (Multi Edit) Aria Records [
2]
Ashley: “Here we are” Sterling Records [
3]
Joée: “Better than you” SPG Music LTD / DEP [
4]
Ferry Corsten: “It’s time” Positiva Records [
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