   Om Chilled V.2Om Records The biggest surprise of OM: Chilled V.2 is its title: They’re only on Volume 2?! Om has become a ubiquitous presence in the contemporary House scene - and has been such an extraordinary influence in the development of downtempo, soulful grooves – that it’s almost shocking this series hasn’t entered the double digits. That it hasn’t is actually a tribute to the label’s high standards: in an industry where anything lacking the grotesquely caffeinated “thump-thump-thump” of a Cascada production is invariably considered “chill,” it’s nice to see that Om can differentiate the sound even within its stable of already blissed-out artists...click here for more  Manny LehmanMOVE: Atlantis Dance 2008 Juicy Records If you’ve never been on an Atlantis gay cruise, Tommy Boy has come to the rescue: just pop in the MOVE compilation, dim all the lights (sweet darling), drop down the mirror ball, and run your bathtub while sipping a Spritzer. Ta-da! You’re only missing the inconvenient sunburn. But seriously, folks: DJ Manny Lehman has compiled a pretty solid selection of House tracks that should make for smooth sailing throughout the coming summer. It’s a two-disc set of 10 tracks, two mixes each, organized by Vocal Mix and Dub Mix sets. There are big-voiced divas like Kristine W ...click here for more  Static RevengerLove Song Surprise Adrenaline Records Who knew Britney Spears had such good taste? If press releases (and, so I’m told, an episode of the pop star’s former reality show Chaotic) are reliable sources, then it turns out that Spears selected Static’s song “Sweetest Day” for her wedding with The Celebutard Formerly Known as K-Fed. Like that blushing bride’s life, Love Song Surprise is simultaneously beautiful and sad, melodic and haunting; it is a Valentine for those perennially unlucky in love and life...click here for more  Robbie RiveraBack to Zero Juicy Records Robbie Rovera's latest effort takes more than one listen to get into, but ultimately is worth the time. The CD starts off with the song Aye Aye Aye, which is a weak attempt at a Hip Hop Diva-esque anthem whose course of "Aye Aye Aye" in the end fails provide the catchy hook it goes for. Other lackluster tracks include New Direction, Say You Know Me, Move Move and Till   MadonnaHard Candy Warner Brother Records Hard Candy, billed as a sugary sweet rebuke of the introspective, Kabbalah-pondering, “we are the world” opining of her recent work, is supposed to be Madonna’s least “political” record in ages. It’s a return, we’re told, to the dance floor and bedroom; the pantheons where classic Madonna pop has its infectious roots.  |
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