Last album-related post of the week...I promise

Over the past week on here I've plugged upcoming albums from Aly & Fila and Solarstone, and if you've just started reading the site during this time span you might think it's just a place where I ramble on about my favorite artists and what CD's they're releasing.

So this will be my last plug of the week, but it's a good one: DJ Eco has announced on his Facebook page that he's begun work on his first artist album, which will be released in the future through Armada Music.

Solarstone's new album, release date announced

Rich Mowatt (aka Solarstone) has announced the tracklisting and release date of his third artist album, Touch Stone, scheduled for a June 28 release.

Tracklisting:

1. Is There Anyone Out There
2. Ultraviolet
3. Night Signals
4. Touchstone
5. Electric Love
6. Intravenous
7. Twisted Wing
8. Slowmotion
9. The Best Way To Make Your Dreams Come True Is To Wake Up
10. Zeitgeist
11. The Last Defeat (Part Two)
12. There's A Universe

To help promote the album, Solaris Recordings has developed several social-media related widgets that fans can use to earn "points" for getting the word out about Touch Stone on the internet. In exchange for their participation, fans can earn special prizes related to the CD (I'm assuming autographed albums and posters).

The web site also has an embedded audio player for the album that contains six tracks: the original mix of the single "Electric Love", 00.db's and Rafael Frost's remixes of the track, and remixes of the song "Slowmotion" by French Renaissance, Lowland, and Ilya Malyeuv. Music videos are also available for "Electric Love" and the original mix of "Slowmotion".

I'll admit it: "Electric Love" is one of Rich's weaker productions, but he's my favorite producer and has put out a slew of classic tracks over the years. His last album, Rain Stars Eternal was solid from start to finish, and I'm sure this one will be the same.


[Image credit: Trance.nu]

Teaching an old dog new tricks

What do you do when a song that's 14 years old has been remixed to no end?

You remix it again, of course, but outfit it with a shiny new style for 2010.

This is the basis for Solarstone's "Remodeled" EP series, where he plans to let new-age producers remix his old-school tunes.

According to Solarstone's web site, Vol.1 of the series was released last week on Lost Language recordings, although I can't find it anywhere online for purchase. The EP includes RAM's remix of Solarstone's timeless "The Calling", and a new version of "Solarcoaster" by Haris C.

Haris C's version of "Solarcoaster" sounds like the original on steroids, moving at a blistering pace while maintaining a club mix-vibe. But the "You're so cool" and other vocal bits seem out of place, and as a whole, the song is the weaker track of the two on the EP.

But RAM's remix of "The Calling". Man...this is a CHOON! His version removes the drum/breaks elements from the original and is rebuilt with an lively uplifting vibe. Everything seems to fall in place perfectly, and the main melody is emphasized greater.

See for yourself...

The original mix (released in 1996):


14 years later...