It's all about music this time around!

An Awkward Q&A
"Hey, I like this track a lot. What's the name of this song?" asks the patron to the DJ. The DJ then responds "Do I look like a slut?" The patron, confused and figuring that the DJ is just some obnoxious prima donna, gives the DJ a sneering look of disgust and walks back to the dance floor to continue dancing to the cool ass song.

This awkward Q&A exchange is basically a misunderstanding resulting from the title of the hot new single called "Do I Look Like A Slut" by the group Avenue D (Star 69 Records). Following Peter Rauhofer's inclusion of the track with two Valley girl types hysterically yacking back and forth on his most recent Live @ Roxy compilation, DJs the world over have been including the song in their sets. In a dance music world where accusations of people taking themselves far too seriously are aplenty and often true, Avenue D has provided a great opportunity to add a playful sense of humor to the dance floor. The recently released maxi-single comes with eight different versions, giving folks lots of different ways to ask: "Do I Look Like A Slut?"

Babs!!!!

The one and only Barbra Streisand has a new album ­ Guilty Pleasures - that's just been released. I haven't heard the full album yet, but I did get my hands on the remixes of the first single, "Night Of My Own" (Sony). The Junior Vasquez re-rub seems to be a bit of a departure from his norm: it has a more deliberate pace and lacks diva drama (and surely Streisand is a diva!) It's called the Club Mix or Roxy Anthem, suggesting nighttime peak hour energy; however, from my perspective it's got T-dance written all over it. Given that Babs' fanatical fan base is more apt to be at a T-dance, Junior actually hits the demographic mark with his solid effort. More interesting to me was the L.E.X. Club Mix from Eddie X and Luigie Gonzalez. It's got a bouncy groove to it and a hint of the Donna Summer "I Feel Love" pitched rhythmic pattern. Still no peak hour groove here but this mix should find it's niche in the early evening hours as a DJ is building his set.

Featured CDs

Love Life & Be Happy ­ Georgie Porgie (Music Plant)
A Chicagoan and child of the early house music scene here in the city, Georgie Porgie is a man of many talents: he writes music and songs; sings; and is also known the world over as a top-flight remixer and producer. His new Love Life & Be Happy CD is a fantastic artist release filled with hits past, present, and most likely future. The CD starts off with Georgie's #1 international dance hit from 2000, "Life Goes On," and is then followed by two tracks that have gotten massive airplay this year: "Sunshine" and "Be Happy." And as good as these songs are, the best on this 15-track long-player may very well be his re-working of Issac Hayes' "I Can't Turn Around." Trust me when I say that you'll be happy and smiling bright with Love Life & Be Happy in your collection.

Loungegrooves Vol. 1 ­ Mixed by JT Donaldson and DJ Joeski (KOCH Records / Syntax Recordings)
The guys at KOCH are simply on a roll and with this release, a 2-CD set of continuously mixed deep-grooved house music subtitled "The Sophisticated Soundtrack of Nightlife," they have hit another home run. JT Donaldson, a San Francisco-based DJ with a budding reputation and a significant following among house-heads the world over, mixes the first disc. In addition to many of his own musical creations, a standout on Donaldson's mix is "Picture Of You" by East Coast Boogiemen and Chicago's own DJ Heather. The second disc is programmed and mixed by NYC's DJ Joeski and it impressively meets the high standards set by Donaldson on the first disc. Simply put: Loungegrooves is an aural treat!

Dynamite ­ Jamiroquai (Sony BMG)
Four years after the release of their multi-platinum seller A Funk Odyssey, the funkiest guys in England are back with this new album and its 11 tracks. A diverse sounding disc, Dynamite has something for just about everybody: from snarling guitars to smoothed-out synthesizers. And yet, for all it's wide-ranging musicality, you never lose the trademark Jamiroquai sonic quality that is so very much represented by their frontman, Jay Kay. For many, hearing his voice is like wearing a comfy old sweater: your grow fonder and more attached to the warmth it provides. Dynamite isn't just warm, it's hot.