Beam Me Up Scotty
While Moto Blanco, Freemasons, and Stonebridge have been three of the hottest remixers in the dance music industry over the past couple of years, DJ/Producer Scotty K is fast on his way to joining this upper echelon and has become a personal fave of mine. Known as the "first TV DJ" when he was hired by The Ellen Degeneres Show in 2003, he's made quite a name for himself in recent years with several chart-topping remixes, including the #1 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play track "Ain't No Other Man" by Christina Aguilera. Scotty K has worked on remix projects for some of the biggest names in music (Madonna, Seal, Whitney Houston, Inaya Day, Destiny's Child, The Black Eyed Peas, Jody Watley, Mary J. Blige) and his most recent efforts include dance floor fillers "Daylight" by Kelly Rowland, "In My Arms" by Plumb, and "I Kissed A Girl" by Katy Perry (the mix I've played the most over the past couple of months).

A popular DJ in West Hollywood over the years (he was called "one of LA's premiere DJs" by the Los Angeles Times), Scotty K has been tapped by the guys at Centaur to mix their latest continuous mixed CD, Global Groove Live 4. It's a high-energy club mix filled with lots of vocals and great dance floor energy. In addition to "I Kissed A Girl," the CD includes Ralphi Rosario's mix of "You Turned The Tables" by Robin and Hex Hector's mix of "Here With Me" by Alyson. My favorite track on the CD is the oh so hot "Danz (Devotion)" by Syke 'N' Sugarstarr, which closes out the mix. As he does with his remixes, Scotty K most definitely delivers the goods with Global Groove Line 4.

The Bell Tolls
Lost at times over the years amidst the accolades bestowed upon one Ms.Patti Labelle is the truly fantastic sound that was produced when she teamed up with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash as the pioneering 1970s rock-soul-funk trio Labelle. Most notably identified with the unforgettable hit track "Lady Marmalade," the group had an impressive 15-year run until 1976, when they separated without much drama and fanfare to pursue individual goals and pursuits. Now 32 years later, the ladies have come back together and released a brand new album, appropriately called Back To Now (Verve Records), with a top-notch team of producers that includes Lenny Kravitz, Wyclef Jean and Gamble & Huff. Staying true to their roots, Labelle thankfully does not attempt to forge a brand new modern sound. Instead they present a steady stick-to-your-ribs diet of hard-edged soulful funk with powerhouse vocals and tightly arranged melodies. Older original fans of Labelle are sure to love this album while younger audiences enamored with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Duffy, and Jill Scott will gravitate to these old-school soul divas and Back To Now like bees to the sweetest of honey.

"Bimbo-licious"
If you like your dance music upbeat, fun, funky, and a little bit dirty, then the trio Bimbo Jones and their new debut artist album Harlem 1 Stop (Tommy Boy Silver Label) is the perfect CD for you. Comprised of vocalist Katherine Ellis (who topped the charts this past summer singing the Freemasons' "When You Touch Me") along with studio partners Lee Dagger and Marc Jackson Burrows, Bimbo Jones presents a stellar 12-track CD that includes "And I Try," a song that has been tearing up dance floors worldwide for the past several months. Most impressively, Bimbo Jones has put together an album that is cohesive yet never becomes repetitive, formulaic or boring. Ellis - who was also been used by dance music by pioneer Roger Sanchez on "Lost" - has an incredible voice and Lee & JB - who have remixed seemingly everyone including Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Janet Jackson, Pink, and Natasha Bedingfield - have done a fantastic job of showcasing her immense talents. Without a doubt, this ios one of the best dance oriented artist albums I've heard in a very long time.