Don't Look Back - Review

OK, so I received the CD's in the mail yesterday. First let me clarify that these CD's are pressed, not CD-R's, and they were shipped in standard jewel cases so I can vouch for the quality. I must have been one of the first to receive them, because I updated both CDDB and Discogs. I loaded them all to the iPod and will give them a listen over the next couple of days. I'll be back with a review and a few updates shortly.

Blog Spotlight - Musicizmylife

The last site for today is Muzikizmylife hosted by Rhymez. While not a full-fledged freestyle site, you can certainly get your freestyle fix along with a share of pop, R&B and other genres. His posts include a nice commentary and he's given me the insight on a few artists I had never heard of before.

Blog Spotlight - DJ Papa C's Dance Land

Next up is another great freestyle site called DJ Papa C's Dance Land run by DJ Papa C. It includes a wide variety of freestyle and features Papa's own hand-picked artist compilation albums.

Blog Spotlight - Freestyle Beats

I figured I would pass along a few sites worth checking out for those who may not be aware of them. The first is Freestyle Beats run by AJ. I drop by and check this site whenever I have a chance. You will come across old and new freestyle, and others that straddle the line we call freestyle.

REQ: Class - Find Another Puppet

By request, here's Class - Find Another Puppet on MicMac Records. I'll get the label scan up once I get a new scanner :-(

Club Version
Pumpin' House Mix
Radio Mix
Serious Dub

Lydia "Lee" Love - Don't Take Your Love Away (1987)

One of the early Clivilles/Cole productions from 1987 on NY Groove Records. It also features work work by Hugo Dwyer, Gail "Sky" King, and Ricky Crespo. The promo version featured Chep Nunez and The Latin Rascals.

Do It Properly Dub
Fierce Club Vocal
Kicking Live Mix
Love-Apella Mix

REQ: Edmond - Taught Me (1989)

By request, here's Taught Me by Edmond. This was released on Sleeping Bag Records in 1989. Remember that label?

Club Mix
Hard Dub
Percapella
Radio Mix
Soft Dub

Erotic Exotic - If My Love Doesn't Suit Ya (1988)

A second dose from Lewis A. Martineé, this time it's Erotic Exotic, one of the few freestyle bands. I didn't care much for this song when I first bought it, but looking back I don't think it was that bad now. It was OK for that period. The Miami Bass Mix is my pick of the bunch. The group also recorded the song L.O.V.E., which is a great song and one which I still frequently record on my mix CD's.

Dub Mix
Extended Mix
Miami Bass Mix
Radio Edit

Check out a live performance of L.O.V.E. from Chile.

Paris By Air - Voices In Your Head (1989)

From one of my all-time favorite freestyle producers, Lewis A. Martineé, comes this Paris By Air project from 1989. This guy wrote, produced, arranged and mixed some of the biggest songs in freestyle. Working with artists like Exposé, The Cover Girls, Sequal, Voice In Fashion, Debbie Gibson, Pet Shop Boys, and the list goes on and on. He did it all. This was my favorite release from this group with the Bass Mix being my favorite mix.

Atomic Mix
Bass Mix
Extended Mix
Radio Edit

Back later this weekend

My mobo died and I should be receiving a replacement tomorrow according to UPS. I'll post some stuff over the weekend.

It's Finally Here!!!

The much anticipated double CD release of NEW freestyle material produced by the one and only Carlos "After Dark" Berrios is available now. Consider it a late Christmas present folks. It's been quite some time since I have been this pumped about a new release, but there just isn't that much excitement in the world of freestyle these days. At least until now.

There is a mix of established veterans, from George LaMond, Willie Valentin and Lisette Melendez, to "relatively" unknowns, like Emma Collado and Jessica Fabus. Emma and Jessica who? Get the CD and you'll know what I mean. Jessica's track is my clear favorite thus far from the few I have heard. There are also a few Spanish tracks included in the lineup (see full track listing below).

The CD's are out now and Carlos has stated he will make digital downloads available sometime in the future, but not for at least a few weeks. So the CD's are the only option for right now. I will try and get his permission to post snippets from the sampler he put together so you can hear some of the material before ordering.

I ordered from the Amazon store but you can also purchase using PayPal on eBay. It will probably be another month or so before you can get them on iTunes.

1) http://www.amazon.com/shops/admrecords
or here
2) http://stores.ebay.com/admrecords

Session One:
1. The Jump Off (feat. K7)
2. You Better Stop (feat. Bethaney)
3. I've Been Waiting (feat. Willie Valentin)
4. Physical Attraction (feat. Nyasia)
5. Veronica (feat. Tomax)
6. Do You Want It Right Now (feat. Joei Mae)
7. Obviously (feat. Jessica Fabus)
8. I Need A Lover (feat. Lisette Melendez)
9. I Can't Go On (feat. Joei Mae)
10. You Left Me (feat. Miles Petty)
11. Se Marcho (feat. Katya)
12. The Ultimate Edit Battle (Part One)

Session Two:
1. What Is Love (feat. George LaMond)
2. For Your Eyes Only (feat. Joei Mae)
3. Light Of My Life (feat. Ron Esco)
4. No Hay Nada (feat. Katya)
5. Let It Go (feat. Miles Petty)
6. Don't Ever Say (feat. Lisette Melendez)
7. Walking Away (feat. Emma Collado)
8. I'm Torn (feat. Synthia Figueroa)
9. Rescue Me (feat. Julie Carrozzi)
10. No Lo Niegues (feat. Tomax)
11. Sexy Boy (feat. Connie Lapera)
12. The Ultimate Edit Battle (Part Two)

I'll post a full review once I receive my CD's.

Subtle Touch - When You Leave (1989)

This is one of those female empowerment songs :-), but I still love it. Where would freestyle music be without all the heartbreak? Produced by Arnold "Mad Dog" Rodriguez and Dave Darlington, it was released on Polygram Records in 1989. The edits were done by some guy named Omar Santana. The name rings a bell but I can't put my finger on it.

12" Version
7" Version
Acapella
Drumapella

Nas-T Boyz - Intimate Strangers (1991)

This was put out by one of my favorite labels, Onna Roll Records, back in 1991. Their small catalog also includes a full length CD from the Nas-T Boyz and material from Donna Williams, Of Unknown Origin, Visage and Rios Sisters among others. I only wish they were able to hang around longer because they released some nice tracks during their time. This single was Produced, Mixed and Remixed by John Bastianelli and features backing vocals by the great Jason Tomi whose name is mispelled on the label.

Nas-T Radio Mix
Pop Radio
LP Version
Back To school Club
Extended Club
Drumapella Dub

Mark Milan - One More Chance (1991)

I would guess this came out late 80's/early 90's on Metropolitan Records (they rarely included the release year on many of their single releases so it's hard to tell now). This was a great track. Written, Produced and Mixed by "Naughty" Norty Cotto with Yianni Papadopoulos. It contains samples from Shannon - Give Me Tonight, C-Bank ft. Jenny Burton - One More Shot and Ralphi Rosario ft. Xavier Gold - You Used To Hold Me.

First Impression Mix
Radio Mix
One Mo' Dub
Naughty Boy Beats

Joey Kid - Counting The Days (1990)

I believe this was the third single released by the former Trilogy member. Issued first through Bassment Records, then major label Atlantic Records in 1990. It was Written, Produced and Mixed by Craig Bevan with Joey's Loose Touch partner George LaMond contributing backing vocals.

New Links Here

Miss Issa vs. Exposé - Let Me Be The One

Continuing on with the theme, next up is Let Me Be The One originally recorded by Exposé. This cover version was recorded by Miss Issa. To say she is easy on the eyes is an understatement. She has appeared on the cover of Maxim en Espanol among others. She has also collaborated with Fat Joe and Trina.

The original was first released on Exposé's debut album, Exposure, in 1987, though I pulled this from their Greatest Hits compilation from 1995. Fast forward 20 years to Miss Issa's version.

Miss Issa - Let Me Be The One

Expose - Let Me Be The One

Kyss Major vs. Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart

Two different styles on this next set. This is an R&B flavored remake of Tell It To My Heart from Kyss Major. She was previously a member of the group Ebony Vibe Everlasting and is currently in Germany wrapping up work on her debut CD. The original comes from the Taylor Dayne 12" single from 1989.

ROCFAM ft. Kyss Major - Tell It To My Heart

Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart

Mariah Carey vs. Judy Torres - Weakness Of The Body

The song Weakness Of The Body was recorded as a demo by Mariah Carey but never commerically released. Mariah eventually recorded and released Vision Of Love from her self-titled debut album which began her string of consecutive number one singles. Weakness eventually fell into the hands of Judy Torres who recorded the track for her album Love Story released in 1989.

Here are both versions of the track. Even though I am one of Judy's biggest fans, I have to give the nod to Mariah. This is vintage old-school Mariah, back when she still sang and showcased her vocal abilities. I also think the music is much better than on Judy's version and not just because the audio quality is a bit clearer.

As always, judge for yourself...multiple links available below.

Mariah Carey - Weakness Of The Body

Judy Torres - Weakness Of The Body

New Updates Coming Soon

I will be resuming updates on this site very soon. In the meantime, you can check out some of the stuff I have posted over at Multiply. Follow this link ---> http://kangle108.multiply.com