Relentlessly Speaking About Music April 2010   Editorial: It's finally Spring and I have relocated to Toronto. Why? Because I am getting married and it was time for me to start a new life for the new year. The past few years in New York City had been really rough ones for me. The scene had changed into a popularity clique. No longer were there experienced DJ's headlining at the clubs and bars. It was all the new kids who had no clue about mixing or programing. Watching legends like Troy Parrish being pushed aside for lip glossed, rhinestoned headphone wearing iPods just turned my stomach. So, after a few trips to Toronto, it was actually an easy decision to make.      Toronto is turning out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. Apparently all the work that I did in New York has made me a legend here. My "Relentlessly Cunty" CD series is considered to be the Bible of bitch tracks. And the recordings by my alter-ego, Jade Elektra are part of the Gay Culture here. I have been welcomed with open arms by most and have been asked to make appearances and guest spots for some of the top events. All of this in my first month.      Last August I wrote an editorial piece called "When Did Youth Become More Important Than Experience". In it I wrote about all of my problems with the scene in New York. At the end I wrote that I longed for a place where I could flex my DJ skills. A place where I could mix all formats and be appreciated for my creativity. Well, I think I found that place. I am home. Thank you, God.      In music news, I was sadden to hear about the passing of R&B legend, Teddy Pendergrass. It reminded me of how many artists contribute to the industry but never get the credit that they deserve. Artists like Millie Jackson, Phyllis Hyman, Patti Austin, Gwen Guthrie, Jeffrey Osborne, Tata Vega, Patrice Rushen, Andre Cymone, Mtume, James Ingram and countless others who have shaped music and have been forgotten. Not everyone gets to the status of Aretha Franklin, James Brown or Michael Jackson. But like each and every person who is born, we all have an important role in this world.      It's a new year and there's plenty to talk about. So, let's get started.   “Video Phone" (The Remixes) Beyonce featuring Lady GaGa (Sony/Columbia Records)     Okay...I probably shouldn't mention this subject, but I have to say something about it. Ms. Taylor Swift....need I say more? I bet Kanye West, Beyonce & Lady GaGa are all so sorry that he opened his mouth that night at the MTV Awards. It amazes me how one thing effects another. I totally believe with the bad behavior of him and Serena Williams that week and the Republicans' all out war on President Obama, a huge backlash on Black America began. Everyone was running around making jokes about how Black People felt like they could show their ass because there was a black man in the white house. So, I believe that this cost Beyonce the Album of the Year Award at the Grammy's. Which would have left Ms. GaGa in the perfect position to get it, but with her stance on Gay Marriage- they weren't gonna give her that award either. Middle America is so angry that they are blaming everyone, even the Gays, for the troubles in America right now. So...the safe candidate was Taylor. Everyone felt so horrible for her that this rude asshole bum-rushed the stage during her acceptance speech. But enough about that. Let's talk about the remixes for "Video Phone". The funny thing is, most of the remixes say that Lady GaGa is on them, but if you listen to any of them you will notice that the Lady is no where to found except on the video version. Only the DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Club Mix and the Mike Rizzo Funk Generation Club Mix actually have the GaGa vocals.  My favorite version is the DJ Class Remix which features a rap by Pitbull. The song works as a B-more track. However, DJ Bonnis, Fabricio Lampa, Gareth Wyn, Digital Enemy, Doman & Gooding remixes are too much of the same. Mindless dull club mixes that don't re-imagine the song. Perhaps if there was a mix that had Beyonce, Lady GaGa & Pitbull all on it, I'd like it even more. **   “Telephone” (The Remixes) Lady GaGa featuring Beyonce (Streamline / Geffen Records)  You know, when I heard that Ms. GaGa was releasing another album so quickly, I thought to myself- "She's milking this thing a bit too much." "Just Dance", "Pokerface" and "Paparazzi" did great on the charts, but by the time we got to November of last year, I was about GaGa-ed out. Then "Bad Romance" started in heavy rotation. I tried to dislike this track, but the hook was so infectious. And then I heard the Chew Fu Remix and it was all over for me. I was hooked.  However, that has not happened with "Telephone". DJ Dan, Billy Waters, Deejay Angel & Kaskade tried their hands at breathing some life into this song, but it just didn't blow my skirt up. However, the Crookers Remix works very well for a radio mixshow. And of course after seeing the music video, I got hooked on it. Makes me wish I was VJ-ing again.  ***   "Pretty Wings" (The Remixes) Maxwell (Columbia Records)    It always cracks me up when I think about what record labels will invest in promoting a comeback album. Maxwell who dropped off the scene back in 2002, is back with his latest album, "BLACKsummers'night". Now...truth be known- I loves me some Maxwell. There's only a few male vocalist who really serve me and he is one of them. But after listening to his latest work, I was pleased that he was recording again but did not feel like he had a hit on his hands. So, like most labels, Columbia has devised a plan to repackage him in the Dance market with remixes of this song and "Bad Habits". Ralphi Rosario turned it for his mixes of "Pretty Wings" and Dean Coleman did an excellent job on "Bad Habits". You should definitely check them out.  ***   "Revolver" (The Remixes) Madonna (Warner Bros. Records)   This is was the other bonus track on the deluxe edition of "Celebration". The first thing that I love about what Tracy Young, Paul Van Dyk & David Guetta did in the remixes of "Revolver" is that they took Lil' Wayne completely out. I'm so sick of him at this point. He and DMX don't ever have to make another record for me again. I think that David Guetta had the best idea for his remix. He gave it a electro feel, but still stayed true to the original. ***   "Heart, Beat, Love" Janet Jackson featuring Pitbull, Rock City & Machel Montano (A&M Records)    Okay....I know that Pitbull is the King of Hip Hop at Club speed tracks, but how desperate must Janet be to have a hit by doing a duet with this guy. Now, don't get me wrong.....I like Pitbull (I'd take him any day over Daddy Yankee's Republican ass), but I would think that by now Janet would have gotten the hint that it's time to start marketing herself towards a different demographic. She needs to record an unexpected album of material that we don't associate with her. Perhaps a jazz or standards album. The remixes could make it dancefloor friendly, but shed a new light on our girl who has grown up before our eyes. But I guess with a new movie coming out, she is trying to give the ol' one-two punch with a double release. Anyway...let's talk about this new single.  It's pretty bad and I think everyone is going to be confused by her low vocal register. It doesn't sound like her for most of the song. And it sounds busy with Rock City and Machel Montano. The other thing that is wrong with the track is the BPM. At a whopping 130, it sounds rushed while Janet sounds like she has been slowed down at certain points. Not sure what they were trying to go for, but it's not working for me.      “Carry Out” Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake & Twista (Interscope Records)     So, it would seem that the dynamic duo from 2006 have teamed up again for Timbaland's latest album, "Shock Value 2" which features "Morning After Dark" with Nelly Furtado and "If We Ever Meet Again" with Katy Perry. This time the duo added a cameo by rapper Twista to bring us a return to some Timba-funk. I like this track. I've only heard one remix so far by Julien Creance. The remix is okay, but I think the original version is the best.  ***   "Can't Fix Broke" (Jerome Farley's One Club Floor Remix) Deborah Cox (J Records)    I had almost forgotten about Deborah Cox. With all the Beyonce & Lady GaGa tracks dominating the charts, it is sorta refreshing to hear the Queen of Victimhood make a new track. Think about it. Most of her big hits are all about being a victim to love gone wrong. "Things Just Ain't The Same", "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here", "Mr. Lonely" and "It's Over Now" are all songs of a tortured soul in love. So, this time she is warning that you "Can't Fix Broke". Jerome's mix even seems to pay homage to "Things Just Ain't The Same". I don't think it's going to be a huge hit, but it will get her some gigs over the summer if she gets a few more circuit remixes before spring gets here.  **   "I Am" (The Remixes) Mary J. Blige (Geffen Records)    The first time I heard this song, I was at a drag performance of Toronto's legendary Michelle Ross. I recognized Mary's voice and hoped that there were some remixes. Well, I got my wish. I found two remixes. Erek McQueen & Nick Harvey both gave the song a make-over. But the one that got my attention was the Dave Aude Club Mix. He gave it energy without making her sound like some sped up chipmunk with cheesy Hi-NRG production. ****   "Hard” (The Remixes) Rihanna (Def Jam / Universal Records)     I have listened to Rihanna's album a few times and it still hasn't grabbed me. Of course the pay-ola machine that radio and MTV have become are playing this track and "Russian Roulette" like it's going out of style. But the version that they should be featuring is the Jody Den Broeder Club Mix. I also like the Chew Fu Club Fix and the Benja Styles Remix. All have given the track a better production. Be on the look out for her next single "Rude Boy". ****   “R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental)” (Vjuan Allure Remix) Jade Elektra (Unsigned)   Normally I try not to review my alter-ego's tracks, but since I have been getting such positive feedback about it (along with e-mails asking for copies of it) I decided to toot my own horn. I originally got the idea when I was DJ-ing at the Monster in the West Village back in 2007. There were a group of kids who would show up and really appreciated finally hearing some musical selections that really represented the clientele. But knowing how the owner and management felt about people of color growing in numbers, I tried to warn them that their carrying on the dancefloor was attracting the wrong attention. One of the group who unsuccessfully had previously tried to pick me up, seemed very agitated that I said anything about it. He then proceeded to taunt me and bad mouth me for the rest of my employment there. Not realizing that my warning was not only for them but also for my job. After my contract was not renewed with the owner and I was asked to leave after 6 months, this jerk laughed at me on my last night. I decided that I would have my revenge in a bitch track. I thought of all the things I wanted to say to him and recorded them. But finding the right producer who could bring out the Cunty attitude that was needed would prove a tough job. Then finally, I told Vjuan Allure about my idea and he said he would give it a try. And boy did he put the punctuation on my sentiments. There are other remixes in the works and talks have begun to get it signed soon, but I have been servin' the kids with this little gem.  ****    “For Your Entertainment” (The Remixes) Adam Lambert (19 / RCA Records)    So, when everyone had a heart attack over his performance at the American Music Awards I was like - "What did they think he was gonna do?" They were all acting like they never figured out that he was gay or had a wild streak. I actually applauded him for playing the American Idol game well. He didn't need to win that competition. All he needed was to show up and let them hear his voice. Pure talent cannot be denied. It may get looked over sometimes, but they weren't going to silence him after wowing TV audiences for months. And of course his album is very Rock heavy, but that's nothing that Bimbo Jones, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious couldn't take care of with some club mixes. The standout for me was the DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious Tribal Mix. Hot stuff!  ****   "Tik Tok" (The Remixes) Kesha (RCA Records)    Okay....I play commercial crap all the time. I mean, you can't work in a gay bar without having to delve into some Madonna, Britney, Janet, Rihanna, Beyonce and the new Billboard saviour to Dance Music, Lady GaGa. But I hate to hear non-singing bitches spewing juvenile lyrics over bad productions. If this girl could sing like the late Brittany Murphy, it would be a different story. I mean, that girl actually had some chops on her and it's a shame that she didn't get to record more records. She could have given Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan a run for their money. But this girl is just sad on vocals. This song was totally made for the same teen-aged girls that went up for "Party In The U.S.A." by Miley Syrus. And as far as the remixes, Dave Edwards, Tom Nevilles, Veleno and L.U.K. really couldn't turn this track into something that I could stomach. But part of being a good DJ is playing what your audience wants, not playing for yourself. Finding a true balance is the real art form.   “Window Seat” Erykah Badu (Universal / Motown Records)     Erykah has been one of my favorite R&B Neo-Soul vocalist since I discovered her live album back in the late 90's. And although I don't think she will ever top that album, I love to hear her new stuff. And the video to "Honey" will probably be in my top ten favorite videos of all time for its homage to all the 70's album covers. Her latest single is a smooth groove made for an after midnight radio show. She delivers her silky sweet vocals over a contemporary track that is sure to allow you to sit back and enjoy it. ****   "Soldier Of Love" (The Remixes) Sade (Epic Records)    And finally we come to the long awaited comeback of Sade. I am so glad to hear from her again. After reports that she was wanted in a couple of places for smoking and transporting pot in other countries, I began to worry that our girl was locked up or in rehab. And what a return it is. "Soldier Of Love" is a great song. And thank God she got over her thing about remixes of her material. The original lends its self to Hip Hop very easily. And with cameos by Maino, Big Krit, Buck 3000 and Mae Day this release has plenty of street creds. But the standout remixes are Casamena's Basement Edit and the Konrad Remix. Casamena gave it a great downtempo House mix. While Konrad gave it a real Club make-over. All note worthy.  ****        Written by DJ Relentless (Alphonso King) April 2010 Don't forget to check out my mixshow on Queer Spirit Radio (88.7 WRSU-FM) or at QueerSpiritRadio.com on the fourth Thursday of each month or download it from my home page on DJRelentless.com