Movin' On Up
Fusion Radio Chicago, an internet radio station that's partnered up with both Boi and ChicagoPride.com, has recently been added to the iTunes radio line-up in the Electronica grouping. This is quite a feather in the cap for the folks over at Fusion who have grown to be the second largest commercial dance station on the internet. Of course I'm quite jazzed about this iTunes hook-up since my weekly Groove Line mix show on Fusion should reach a few more ears. (By the way, the show airs from 9 pm ­ 10 pm every Sunday. For those of you without iTunes, you can still check out Fusion via your web browser at www.fusionchicago.com.

Music Shopping: Digital
Many folks always ask me where I get my music from. While I am an old-school DJ who grew up spinning vinyl records and who still prefers to DJ with my trusty turntables, I have become extremely "ambidextrous" in recent years and get a large percentage of my new music in digital format. Two great sources for .mp3 files that I have come to rely on are www.Beatport.com and www.TraxSource.com. I find Beatport to have many of the more progressive and tribal tracks I need and want while TraxSource is my first stop when I'm looking for dance music that gets tabbed as traditional house music. The affordable prices of $1.29 ­ $3.99 per track allows me to build my library with quality tunes and without breaking the bank. Whether you're a full-time working DJ needing to keep up with the latest or just a casual music fan who wants to add to your music collection, Beatport and TraxSource will prove to be invaluable resources.

Single Life
"When The Broken Hearted Love Again" ­ Danielle Bollinger (EsNtion Records)
The folks at EsNtion are leaving no target audience stone unturned with a whopping 15 mixes (from 6 different remixers) of this hot new single from Detroit-based Danielle Bollinger. While the moderately paced Chris Cox mixes ­ good for general club play - will garner much of the initial attention due to his name recognition, further exploration of the remixes finds some real interesting gems. David Ospina presents a very appealing percussive groove and fun filtering effects with his efforts while Peter Presta's Beat Mix is an underground progressive tribal re-rub that should excite late night dance floors. There is a Thick Dick remix that is quite dubbish with a distinct retro disco feel to it and the commercial dance music sounding Josh Harris mixes. Finally for those looking for a groovy houser amongst this collection, the Phenix Soulful Remix does a superb job. All in all, this is excellent work turned in by Bollinger and her merry band of remixers.

"Burnin Out" ­ Lauren Hildebrandt (Music Plant / Hildy Music)
Continuing the trend of being all things to all people, there are 11 mixes of "Burnin Out" from 5 different remixers. The lead Egyptian Club Mix by Liquid360 has a captivating melodic line that is reminiscent of last year's big hit "Dreams' by Sandy Rivera and Kings of Tomorrow. There are two tribalistic mixes: an underground Mike Cruz Vibe Mix and Friscia & Lamby Anthem Mix that's full of big room sound. The remaining mixes by Georgie Porgie and by the duo named Zapp & Vice are quite solid and appeal to more of a commercial radio-esque audience.

"New Horizon" ­ SupaNova (D1 Records)
While this track is somewhat lacking in melodic development, it's positive and inspirational lyrics will resonate with many listeners. As well, the strong rhythm pattern of several of the eight mixes is sure to delight. My favorite mixes are the driving 2 Da Groove Tribal Anthem and the Blue Room World Dub with it's trippy progressiveness.

Featured CD
Libra ­ Toni Braxton (Blackground Records)
Yes, this wondrous and beautiful diva is back and in good health with a new album that's "pure buttah!" Braxton's voice is as good as ever and her growing artistic maturity shines forth brilliantly on the ten tracks that make up Libra. The first single "Please" has already proven to be a popular hit on radio and in clubs and will surely be followed by more chart-topping releases. My personal favorites from this album are the funk-i-fied "Take This Ring" and the beautifully voiced slow jam "Midnite." Libra is R&B at it's best and ably demonstrates that Ms. Braxton is one of the best.