Divas on My Turntables: Lady Gaga, Cher, Ultra Nate, Hazell Dean

I received a series of remixes of Lady Gaga's newest single, "Applause." The original version was released August 12 and bears a very techno '80s sound in which La Ga's vocals recall Lene Lovich's during the verses. Gaga is certainly a pop genius of sorts, able to process and recycle various musical styles into a fresh-sounding synthesis moving your spirit and your feet.

The Alessio Silvestro mix I listened to is upbeat enough, though I found the instrumental bridges to be a bit unimaginative and even a tad annoying. Jerry's Standing O remix was too busy to be completely satisfying. Matt Nevin gave his dance mix a nice, house-like flavor that focuses on the '80s New Wave-retro intent. Liam Keegan, of course, goes full throttle contempo-house, guaranteed to bring people onto the floor (posted below), though best of all is Felipe Angel's superlative prog-houser.

Cher, "(This Is a) Woman's World." Take that, Republicans! There are a new batch of top-drawer dance remixes. Jason Nevins does his typically smooth work on this song, wisely bringing the diva's vocals more to the forefront. I love Edson Pride's six-and-a-half-minute hands-in-the air big room sound. And David Morales' "Pride Anthem" mix is on hand with a brilliant classic touch that makes the most of a slow-build intro.

Predicting Ultra Nate to have another Billboard dance smash with "Everybody Loves the Night." It is always a special joy when this club diva's club diva releases a new song. Her distinctive voice and excellent songwriting skills are again on hand, though the original mix suffers a bit from a somewhat overly "busy" production.

WaWa's extended mix gives the number a beautifully retro-disco intro (funky guitar riff and synth strings included) leading into a satisfying hi-NRG beat, while Hector Fonseca's Big Room Mix is just that,with a pronounced overdub on vocals over pounding beats. Eddie Amadour's effort is a bit disappointing; neither here nor there with the material. We have David Morales again on hand, framing this song perfectly in '90s house-music style.

By the way, among the back-up vocals on "Everybody Loves the Night" are those of sister club diva Inaya Day, now on the Billboard dance chart with a hit of her own ("Make Some Noise").

You can download "Everybody Loves the Night" remixes at Amazon.com.



Hazell Dean, the Petula Clark of  '80s/'90s hi-NRG, has just done a disco cover of "This Is My Life," famously rendered by Shirley Bassey. Dj Buddy B wouldn't dream of leaving this out of a set due to camp value alone, let alone the incredible clarity of Ms Dean's voice.

Almighty's remixes of this song come in all shapes and sizes: their 7" and 12" mixes (bigger is better), and their Piano mixes at both lengths, too. The Almighty Mix possibly appeals more to American djs though I prefer the Almighty Piano remix with its Euro-house piano keyboards in the blender.

My dj promo also included the 2012 Matt Pop and Sleazesisters remixes of "In the Name of Love," Hazell's cover of the Sharon Redd didsco classic from the '80s. (Sample below.)

Hazell Dean's "This Is My Life" is available on iTunes in mp3 format. (Sample below.)

Support your divas. Your disco needs you!

Gay Pride Anthem 2013?

With Memorial Day weekend nigh, Gay Pride events will be launched, lasting through the month of June. And what will the club anthems be on the floats, decks and dancefloors this year? Who will our Pride 2013 divas be?

Christina Aguilera's strong pipes send "Let There Be Love" up the charts. It is #2 on Billboard's Dance/Club and looks bound for #1 next week despite its less-than-memorable melody.  The very same criticism can be said about dance mixes of Kelly Clarkson's club charter, "People Like Us." The tune is meant to be anthemic, yet all that really registers is its hook. There is something cold and robotic about this "anthem," too. Kelly's vocals are strong but punched across without much genuine feeling; a technical exercise.

Sometimes, it's all in the remix. Chris Cox works wonders with Kat Deluna's "Stars," letting the young diva's vocals skim above the haunting electronica that's sure to draw you to the dancefloor. The disco-influenced Jump Smokers remix of Rod Stewart's "Sexual Religion" also brings that '70s "diva" back to the limelight. Nice work, Jump Smokers! And people, do you want Rod's body? Still?

Celebrating 40 amazing years in the industry, Chaka Khan has a new release to drop just in time for Pride. And her new body's looking very sexy, indeed. "It's Not Over" is a well-written, soulful tune with a powerful hook that is bound to chart and make you want to move onto the dancefloor. Ralphi Rosario's remix is distinctly the cream of the crop. And, yes, when Chaka socks it to you, it's from the gut.

But the true club divas rule. Ultra Nate's latest tune, "Everybody Loves the Night" is a dancefloor-designed beauty produced and mixed by Brinsley Evans, RedTop, Bill Coleman and Count DeMoney with back-up vocals by Inaya Day, joe DNA, Lisa Molina, & Toni Seawright. Irresistible!

Inaya Day has her own new club song out, done with Dj Escape, "Make Some Noise!" And she does make noise. Beautifully. These are the divas who may dominate this year's Pride around the world. Check them out. And download. MP3s available from Amazon.com.

It's time to party!

David Morales' Changes: Divahood Is Powerful

   As autumn breezes sweep in a fresh, new season, there has probably been no finer dance-music album this past summer -- or perhaps for all 2012 to date -- than David Morales' Changes, available through iTunes and CD Universe. It is the first album from the Grammy Award-winning producer/remixer/dj since Two Worlds Collide in 2004.

The beautifully conceived and executed techno-disco single, "Golden Era" preceded the album release. It features the outstanding Roisin Murphy on vocals, in a swirl of strings and cowbells above the got-to-move bass line. Morales says of Murphy, in an interview with Joonbug, "She is not just some bubblegum chick that went la-la-la." In fact, this is not a "la-la-la" album of house tracks by any means. Here, we're going deeper with meaning, with diva attitude, with style, with music. But it's an upbeat series of tracks in any event. Just get that bubblegum out your mouth when you shake your ass to the rhythm.

The remixes of "Golden Era" are highly recommended and can be purchased from Amazon.com.

Ok, this album is simply amazing, and the divahood factor is through the roof as Morales works with a sampling of clubland's best. Janice Robinson is totally fantastic singing her self-penned "What Do You Believe In?" It's a touching number that will also make you want to move. Janice has recently been writing hits for others, like Frenchie Davis and Deborah Cox, so it's livin' joy to find her returning to the studio and stage as vocalist, reclaiming her spotlight.

Divahood is powerful, David acknowledges, with no less than three numbers from the divine Ultra Nate. Her "I Really Love" kicks off the album with regal style, though "Planet Called Love" may be my fave of the three.

Polina is on hand with the dreamy "Holiday" (no, not the song by you-know-who), "Stay" (the album's second single with remixes) and "Fall In Love." Tamra Keenan has two offerings included (the catchy "I Don't Belong Here" and "7 Days"), and Jonathan Mendelsohn is the sole male artist, offering some controlled testosterone vocals ("You Just Don't Love  Me" and "Last Time") on two tracks as well.

This is an expertly produced, melodic work of disco genius. Strong artists, strong lyrics, just beautifully done music from a true maestro in the world of dance, David Morales. So, say goodbye to summer -- and bubblegum!

Below, my favorite remix of "Stay" by the fabulous Joe T. Vannelli, who knows how to work a song: