Party Favorz

Not many artists have successfully bridged the divide between spirituality, house music and the circuit scene.  Mary Mary has done it a couple of times, but their output is nominal at best.  In fact, Kim’s songs have been remixed by some of the biggest producers in the dance industry.  From Hex Hector, Thunderpuss, Tony Moran, Junior Vasquez, Mark Picchiotti and Razor ‘n’ Guido, the list reads like a who’s hot of any given year.

Often times it may seem ironic that her spiritual songs of hope and faith would be pounding through the speakers of any gay club form A – Z, but her music has parlayed itself into some of the greatest club anthems of all-time.  With hands in the air, roof raising power, her music transcended into something much larger than even she could have possibly imagined.

Nevertheless, Kim obviously found herself in a conundrum when on one hand her biggest fans were the gay community, and on the other hailing from a religious background that adheres to some of the strictest tenants of the Bible.

Clearly, she had the same problem that Donna Summer ran into in the early 90s.  In an interview she did with Metro Weekly she stated “I get the loudest cheering and the love feels strongest whenever I’m in front of a gay crowd.” “I feel more free [to be myself] among a gay crowd than I do at my church.” Then turns around in another interview with New York’s gay Next Magazine, while speaking about homosexuality: ‘’I don’t believe it’s a lifestyle God agrees with.” Then she goes onto say that homosexuality “is not God’s design; it’s a personal choice.'’ OUCH!

The GLBT community has become the new “Jews” of the 21st century.  With pending legislation in Uganda that would authorize the death penalty for gays and lesbians and anyone known to associate with them, and when mob rules against our community in other countries like Malawi,  this kind of hatred is potentially leading to another holocaust.  It is shameful, if not downright despicable that in this day in age, people need to find a scapegoat for their own failings.

Though I am no longer a practicing Catholic, I understand the conflictions that arise when reality confronts what you have always been taught.  At some point, you need to take a stand and not allow the antiquated teachings of anonymous priestly sources dictate who you are and what you stand for.  Jesus did not preach hatred, nor should anyone allow themselves to believe otherwise.  As such, in the spirit of Christianity, I can forgive her misstatements and/or lack of understanding.  Question is, can she accept and forgive us?

Kim, we’re waiting here with open arms, won’t you come out to play?  In these desperate times, we could sure use a healthy dose of joy.

So here it is, a decades worth of music that lifted our hearts and moved our bodies.  From “Unspeakable Joy” to “Everyday” with everything before and after, this set reads like a soundtrack to our lives.  enJOY!

Album : The Diva Series - Kim English v2

Disc : 2/2

Genre : Circuit, Club, House, Mainstream

Year : 2010

Total Time : 1:40:50:00

1. Unspeakable Joy (Razor ‘n’ Guido Vocal Mix)

2. My Destiny (Kobbe & Austin Leeds Club Mix)

3. C’est La Vie (Hex Hector Club Mix)

4. Missing You (Mindtrap Remix)

5. Time For Love (Friburn & Urik Remix)

6. Higher Things (Thunderpuss Club Anthem)

7. Treat Me Right (Guido Osario Big Room Revisit Mix)

8. Supernatural (Michael T. Diamond Remix)

9. Nitelife (Rivera & Trattner Remix)

10. Learn 2 Luv (Junior’s Education Is What You Need Mix)

11. Tomorrow (Mark’s Full Circuit Club)

12. Everyday (Hex Hector & Mac Quayle Club Mix)

13. Nothing’s Impossible (The Str8jackets Asylum Rub)

14. It Makes A Difference (Tony Moran Arms Open Wide Different Club Mix)

15. Bumpin’ & Jumpin’ (Michael T. Diamond Club Mix)

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With a heart full of soul and a voice that glides effortlessly between house music and jazz, Kim English embodies everything a true artist is composed of.  For over ten years, she has been delivering music that has not only kept us dancing but inspired us at ever turn.  With a strong belief in a higher power, her music encompasses all that is good in this world.  When she sings about finding the strength in one’s inner self or from those that surround her or even from the almighty, you know immediately that she means it.

Her music doesn’t go down the typical route of “you done me wrong” or “don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.”  Instead, she sings about faith and perseverance.  Her songs are about joy, love, happiness and self worth.  Even when she sings about lost love on “Treat Me Right”

I can’t make you love me I got to know who I’ am inside Cause I know my value I no longer waste my time There’s someone who’s for me Yes it is only a matter of time I’ am strong and can be alone Until I’m treated right

she demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T!  Mind you, not just as a person, but a woman on a mission to spread the message; in a polite way of course.

Kim is quite possibly the most unlikely diva to be honored in this series, but deserved nonetheless.  She doesn’t have a potty mouth and doesn’t thrill us with fancy costumes and jewelry.  No tricks or gimmicks here.  Instead, she captivates us with her voice and her music.  It’s for this very reason that Party Favorz is honoring Miss English by inducting her into the Diva Hall of Fame.  Step right up Kim, your honor awaits you.

I’ll be back tomorrow with part 2 and will discuss the failures of our fallen hero.  Not to belittle, but to provide understanding and forgiveness.  For now, entertain yourselves with the softer side of Kim.  Enjoy!

Album : The Diva Series: Kim English v1

Disc : 1/2

Genre : Soulful, House, Gospel, Jazz

Year : 2010

Total Time : 1:24:00:00

1. It Makes A Difference (Kyle Smith Soulful Vox Club Mix)

2. Been So Long (Wamdue Remix)

3. Time For Love (Frankie Feliciano Remix)

4. Missing You (Frankie Feliciano Album Version)

5. My Destiny (DJ Exacta Electro Chill Remix)

6. Tomorrow (Todd Edwards Extended Club Version)

7. Unspeakable Joy (Maurice Joshua House Mix)

8. Nitelife (Masters At Work Nite Mix)

9. Supernatural (Jonny Montana Remix)

10. Learn To Luv (83 West Vox)

11. Love That Jazz (Extended Vocal Mix)

12. C’est La Vie (Scott Wozniak Soulful Mix)

13. Everyday (Maurice Joshua Club Mix)

14. Treat Me Right (Maurice Joshua Club Mix)

15. Nothing’s Impossible (Nu Soul Club Mix)

16. Higher Things (Jazz n’ Groove Prime Time Club Mix)

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I like to think of this set as the second half of Janet’s career.  Much like Madonna, the first half is ensconced with the traditional house mixes prominent in the late 80s and much of the 90s.  Starting in 1997 with “the Velvet Rope,” the mixes began to take on much of what was happening in the clubs.  With big names like Tony Moran, Thunderpuss, Jonathan Peters and Junior Vasquez mixing her music, Janet was able to successfully transition herself into the millennium.  By the time “Damita Jo” came out, she was one of the earliest adopters of the burgeoning electro and progressive scene which she squarely adopted on last year’s “Discipline.”  Despite receiving critical reviews from her two previous efforts and reaching number #1 on the Billboard Album Chart, Discipline failed to garner any hit singles and to this day has sold a paltry 500,000 copies (not great for an established artist).

One could credit the misfortunate publicity incident at the Super Bowl for her downward spiral or maybe she was just ahead of the pack in mainstreaming the underground scene.  Regardless, that didn’t stop her from continuing her streak of number ones on the club charts.  Much like many of our divas, we embrace Janet whole-heartedly and welcome the next chapter in her career.  Though it is unclear, rumor mill had Janet working with Jimmy Jam on a new album that was supposed to have come out in the spring.  With the death of her brother and the greatest hits package just released, it’s obvious any new material will be pushed into 2010.  Fiercely independent, Janet has a lot of options she could take.  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what her next move is.  Miss Jackson if you’re nasty, it’s time for your encore!

Together Again (Tony Moran 12′’ Club Mix Edit)

Call On Me (Tony Moran’s ‘Autumn Leaves’ Club Mix)

The Pleasure Principle (DT’S Twilo Dub)

Make Me (Dave Aude Club Mix)

Rock With U (Soundpusher Remix)

All Nite (Don’t Stop) (Low End Specialists Main Mix)

Just A Little While (Peter Rauhofer Club Mix)

Son Of A Gun (Al B. Rich Son Of A Club Remix)

Throb (David Morales Legendary Club Mix)

Feedback (Jody Den Broeder Club)

All For You (Change It Up Mix)

So Excited (Junior Vasquez Club Mix)

Come On Get Up (Milk & Sugar Retro Mix)

Twenty Foreplay (Junior Vasquez Jungle Club Mix)

Someone To Call My Lover (HQ2 Club Mix)

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Janet was signed to a five record deal with A&M Records in the early 80s.  After the first two albums failed at radio and in the clubs, A&M was none to thrilled with their decision and even less excited about Janet going back into the studio for her third album in 1985.  Seeking to take control away from her domineering parents (both personally and professionally), Janet hooked up with music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of “The Time” fame.  The end result, was a more mature sound with a harder, funkier edge than anything she had ever done.  That album was the mega-selling “Control.”  With no less than six top ten singles spawned from the album, “Control” set the stage for a new Jackson family superstar.

By the time she released “Rhythm Nation” in late 1989, Janet sealed the deal and all bets were off; she had now entered into the stratosphere of worldwide mega-entertainers.  Spawning seven top ten singles, “Rhythm Nation” was a mixture of hard hitting dance songs with a serious undertone and fun carefree songs that mixed well with Janet’s shy and easygoing personality.  By the time she performed “Black Cat” at the MTV Music Awards, we began to witness a slimmer and more confident Janet.  Once “Love Will Never Do Without You” was released, Janet’s image had morphed from tough little girl, to full out sexy beautiful woman.  With the transformation completed, she released a greatest hits album and signed a new multimillion dollar record deal with Virgin Records.  With a purported $80 million dollar contract in her mid-twenties, Janet was the highest paid artist in the industry, until Mariah Carey left Sony several years later.

From there, Janet went on to have great success with her releases.  That is until the incident involving a “wardrobe malfunction” at Super Bowl XXXVIII in early February of 2004.  While I’m not going to rehash the incident with her and Justin Timberlake here, the publicity stunt caused her record sales to plummet and a backlash at radio.  No matter what you might think of the “nipplegate,” controversy, Janet is a bonafide superstar worthy of her inclusion in this series.

Control (Acapella)

Miss You Much (Shep’s House Mix)

If (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix)

Love Will Never Do (Without You) (U.K. Funky Mix)

Runaway (Junior’s Factory Mix)

When I Think Of You (Morales House Mix)

Got ‘Til It’s Gone (Def Club Mix)

Go Deep (Masters At Work Alternative Mix)

You Want This (Disco Theory - No Rap)

Black Cat (3 Snaps Up 12′’)

Rhythm Nation (House Nation Mix)

Escapade (Shep’s Housecapade Mix)

Doesn’t Really Matter (Jonathan Peters Soundfactory Club Mix)

I Want You (Dr. Octavo Funk’n'Stein Club Mix)

Because of Love (Frankie & David Classic 12′’)

Together Again (Tony Humphries Club Mix)

Alright (12′’ House Mix)

Scream (Classic Club Mix)

I Get Lonely (Janet vs. Jason -The Club Remix)

The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Club Mix)

That’s The Way Love Goes (CJ FXTC Club Mix)

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In the digital age of of one hit wonders and one-offs seemingly thrown at the music buying public as if we are a bunch of unintelligent money machines, it’s refreshing to actually see an artist put out an entire album that is not only cohesive and speaks to who they are, but is actually damn good.  Erika Jayne is that artist and Pretty Mess is that album.  With obvious influences ranging from disco, funk, hip hop, electronic, garage, pop and house music Erika wear’s her influences on her sleeve like a proud girl scout who received a badge for selling the most cookies in her troupe.

Erika broke onto the scene in 2007 with the dirty electro-funk number one Billboard club hit Rollercoaster.  In 2008, she followed up with Stars which also reached the top spot on Billboard’s Dance and Club Play charts.  It’s extremely rare when a debut artist comes out of nowhere and makes such a huge impact on the charts right out of the gate.  Since then, Erika has been working with some serious heavy weights like Peter Rafelson, Eric Kupper, Esthero (Pinklake), Jahi Lake and Ike Dirty to create this mish-mash of beautiful pop music that has you up and dancing one minute and chillaxing the next.  Pretty Mess has been on permanent rotation in my home, car and the gym all summer long.  Now that her third single Give You Everything has reached the top of the club charts, I decided it was time to find out more about Erika and see what this Atlanta native is all about.

PF: Hi Erika, my name is Keith from the Party Favorz blog.  First, I want to congratulate you on the success of your first three number one singles and now the release of Pretty Mess.  I have to say, I haven’t been able to get enough of your album since it was forwarded to me for review.  You’ve done an outstanding job, something really rare these days.

EJ: I’m so glad you like it! I always like to hear that people had a good time listening to it.

PF: I understand you were always surrounded by music growing up.  At what point did you decided that this is what you wanted to do and what kind of plan did you have in place once you made that decision?

EJ: I started as a little girl in musical theatre, went to a performing arts high school and really never thought of doing anything else.

PF: For all the wannabes out there, how much time, work, patience and networking goes into making this a reality?

EJ: The road to being successful at anything is long and hard, this is just a more interesting journey.

PF: What was it like working with some heavy weights in the music industry and how did you get them to agree to work on your project in the first place?

EJ: I really enjoyed working with everyone on the record, great artist are always crazy fun.

PF: You have performed for various Pride Events including Logo’s NewNowNext Awards show.  How important is the gay community to your initial success and how do you plan on taking it to the next level to reach a wider audience?

EJ: The gay community is always in front of new trends, new music. They set the tone for the rest of the audience and with more exposure and more media you begin to capture others and take it to the next level.

PF: Pretty Mess showcases an abundance of influences.  Who are your heroes and how did they influence your writing when making this album?

EJ: I’m a fan of Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. They all pop up from time to time in the album.

PF: Looking over all of your promo shots, I’ve got to say that you have one heck of a fashion sense.  Is this something that you work at or is it just something that comes naturally?  Frankly, I’m leaning towards naturally since you make everything look so effortless.

EJ: I like clothes and playing dress up so it’s fun for me.

PF: Now that “Give You Everything” has gone to number one, what’s the next single from the album and can we expect some more big name remixes like its predecessors?

EJ: We are looking to release another single but I’m not sure which one just yet.

PF: In all honesty, this album is so full of potential hits, I see it keeping you on the road for some time to come.  When and where can we expect you to perform next and will your backup hotties dancers be with you?  Also, do you have any plans to take your show to our good friends across the pond?  Keep in mind, Atlanta’s Pride Celebration isn’t until the end of October (hint hint)

EJ: I just got home from NYC, this weekend I will be in West Hollywood, and Sept 5 in Vegas. Any time Atlanta wants me there I’m there.

PF: Well Erika, that’s all I have for you today.  Once again, I want to congratulate you on the release of Pretty Mess and wish you continued success that you clearly deserve.  Frankly, I still can’t get over just how good this album is and I’m certain that your fans and those coming aboard shortly will feel the same way.  Thank you for taking the time to allow me and my followers to get to know you better.

EJ: Thank you for the kind words. I’m so pleased you like the music. Enjoy and take care of one another.

Pretty Mess is currently available for purchase via iTunes.  If you only buy one album this year, I can’t recommend this one enough.

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Possibly the one person who is compared more often than not to Whitney Houston is Mariah Carey.  Breaking onto the scene in the early nineties, her debut album spawned four #1 hits and there was no stopping her after that.  Well, there was that little hiccup after leaving Sony/Columbia for Virgin for a very lucrative financial deal.  Hey, you can’t be perfect all the time and in the end, they paid out her contract and let her go.  As the Emancipation of Mimi later proved, it was their loss.

Much has been made about Mariah re-recording her vocals only for David Morales, her preferred remixer.  No doubt he’s has been an important part of transferring her big voice to the dancefloors across the world.  After going back and listening to a lot of these mixes, I can pretty much bet you she also re-recorded the vocals for the boys of C+C Music Factory as well as Junior Vasquez.  All you have to do is go back and listen to the full length originals of Anytime You Need a Friend or Heartbreaker which were more characteristic of David Morales mixes with the big gospel choirs, the prolonged mid-sections that sound like you’ve just been worked over for several hours on Sunday at your local black Baptist church.  It’s not likely these were outtakes from the original recording sessions and once you get Mariah in front of that gospel choir, the girl just tears it up!

While I have personally been less than impressed with her most recent work starting with last years E=MC² where many of the songs sound like they should be sung by some 21 year old pop tart as opposed to a true diva with the vocal ability bestowed on her by the gods.  If she thinks she needs to keep up with the kiddies, she doesn’t.  That was proven by last years Leona Lewis who’s debut album was a worldwide smash and was much more sophisticated and mature in it’s overall tone.  In fact, she stands to possibly dethrone the current reigning queen if she’s not careful.  Girlfriend, watch your back.

Regardless, the songs contained on this 2+ hours of non-stop house music are a true testament to Mariah’s incredible abilities.  It’s for this reason that Party Favorz honors Miss Carey with her induction into the Diva Hall of Fame.  Ladies and gentlemen…Mariah Carey!

Track : 1 Title : Emotions (12′’ Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 2 Title : Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme) (Morales Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 3 Title : Heartbreaker (If You Should Ever Be Lonely) (Junior’s Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 4 Title : Touch My Body (Seamus Haji Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 5 Title : Fantasy (Def Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 6 Title : Anytime You Need A Friend (C+C Club Version) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 7 Title : It’s Like That (David Morales Classic Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 8 Title : Bringin’ On The Heartbreak (Mike Rizzo’s Global Soul Mix Show) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 9 Title : Shake It Off (Constantine Club Mix) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 10 Title : We Belong Together (Peter Rauhofer Reconstruction Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 11 Title : Don’t Forget About Us (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Dance Floor Anthem) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 12 Title : Bye Bye (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Remix) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 13 Title : Obsessed (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix) Purchase : Promo

Track : 14 Title : Dreamlover (Def Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 15 Title : My All (David Morales Classic Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 16 Title : Honey (Classic Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 17 Title : Butterfly (Meme’s Extended Club Mix) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 18 Title : Always Be My Baby (David Morales Always Club Mix) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 19 Title : Say Somethin’ (David Morales Stereo Anthem Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 20 Title : Loverboy (David Morales Club Of Love Mix) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 21 Title : I Stay In Love (Jody Den Broeder House Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 22 Title : I Still Believe (Morales’ Classic Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

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First, I just want to thank everyone that expressed their support over Rick’s situation publicly and privately.  You’re concern meant a great deal to me.  During the time that Rick was away, I went on an obsessive compulsive cleaning binge.  All I can say is that our place sparkles from top to bottom…LOL.  I also went back and took a look at this mix and decided to create several mixshow edits of the songs.  Let’s face it, anyone who already has most if not all of these mixes, knows just how ridiculously long many of them are.  Often the big name DJs would go off in some direction that had little or nothing to do with the song.  I suppose it was a way to showcase their skills.  Personally, I think it was an ego trip.  That’s not to say that these mixes are not brilliant, because they are.  My goal was to go back and provide more cohesiveness to the listener.  As far as I’m concerned, if you forget what song your listening to about half way through because it jets off to some alternate universe, then it’s ripe for re-editing.  Probably the most difficult of these songs is Jonathan Peters’ productions.  They weren’t only excessive, but used a different timing to the beats making it a challenge for anyone attempting to give his mixes a good flow.  For the most part, I did the best I could and I think the end result is fantastic, if not stellar.

Given the controversy that has surrounded Whitney over the past years, I’m glad to see she’s back, looking and sounding great (despite what some of the critics might be saying about her vocals, which is typical for a bunch of talentless hacks who think Miley Cyrus is the second coming).  Let’s face it, she can still sing rings around anyone in the top 40 at any given moment, including Mariah.  I understand no one was happy with “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” as the possible first single and rightfully so.  It’s a typical Diane Warren schlock-fest that wouldn’t be out of place as the next American Idol’s first single.  What’s good about that kind of song is that it usually lends itself to great remixes.  IDKMOS is very diva, very over the top and represents the syrupy melodramatic sentiment that every budding drag queen wants to showcase their best Whitney impersonation with.  Hopefully, we’ll be seeing some official remixes (Hex, I can see your name all over this) prior to the release of the album in September.

Ultimately, Whitney’s induction into the Diva Series Hall of Fame serves as a reminder as to why we fell in love with her in the first place.  Her beauty, her voice, her class and her fierceness…it’s all here.  Welcome back Whitney!

Album : The Diva Series: Whitney Houston Disc : 1/1 Genre : Dance, House, Pop, Diva Year : 2009 Total Time : 1:40:06.00

Track : 1 Title : I Will Always Love You (Hex Hector Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 2 Title : Heartbreak Hotel (Hex Hector Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 3 Title : I Learned From The Best (HQ² Club Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 4 Title : Same Script, Different Cast (Jonathan Peters Vocal Mixshow) Purchase : iTunes

Track : 5 Title : My Love Is Your Love (Jonathan Peters’ Vocal Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 6 Title : Love That Man (Peter Rauhofer NYC Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 7 Title : It’s Not Right But It’s Ok (Thunderpuss 2000 Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 8 Title : Try It On My Own (Thunderpuss Club Anthem Mixshow) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 9 Title : I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Junior’s Happy Handbag Mixshow) Purchase : iTunes

Track : 10 Title : Step By Step (Tony Moran Diva X Diva Mixshow) Purchase : iTunes

Track : 11 Title : Whatchulookinat (Thunderpuss Club Mix) Purchase : Unavailable

Track : 12 Title : How Will I Know (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 13 Title : I’m Your Baby Tonight (Dronez Mix) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 14 Title : So Emotional (David Morales Emotional Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 15 Title : Greatest Love Of All (Club 69 Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

Track : 16 Title : I’m Every Woman (Clivilles & Cole Every Woman’s House Mixshow) Purchase : Masterbeat

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