REVIEW: Victor Calderone, e=vc2 (Tommy Boy)
- Chris Hill
Victor Calderone's remix resume contains big industry names: Madonna, Garbage, Gloria Estefan, Bette Midler and Elton John. Some anomalous to the dance floor, others who've made their careers on it. Two (Madonna and Garbage) are included on Victor Calderone's first dance mix CD. They're placed at the end, leaving the first ten tracks for lesser-known floor packers, including a version of Clivilles & Cole's 1987 hit (under the name 2 Puerto Ricans, A Blackman, and A Dominican), "Do It Properly." The track features ex-C&C Music Factory vocalist, Deborah Cooper.
For the clubgoing, it's a glimpse into the style and skill of this globe-hopping DJ at work, with an hour's worth of his favorite music pumped into a personally endorsed package. "I wanted it to be a journey that captures the vibe of my peak hour live sets," says Calderone. "Every song was painstakingly selected and programmed. Every track included is one that I'd play in my set -- there's no filler, no compromises."
For the non-dance fan, it's fine background music. The energy is infectious, even if you're not a devotee of the genre, guaranteeing sympathetic body movement. The Madonna remix, exclusive to this disc, alone justifies purchase, exemplifying Madonna's skill at choosing her collaborators.
2000 will see Calderone coming out with an a full-length album of his own music. "Although there will be elements of what people have come to recognize as my sound, there will also be live instrumentation, strong vocal tracks and elements of electronic music," he reveals.
Tracks: Pete Heller - Big Love (Dronez Dub), Veronica - Someone to Hold (Johnny Vicious Hard Mix), Dan Q - Aura Tribe (Club 69 Tribal Mix)/Basement Jaxx - Fly Life, Deborah Cox - It's Over Now (Hex Hector Dub), Robbie Rivera - Feel This, Kim English - Unspeakable Joy (Razor N Guido Remix), Andrea Martin - Share The Love (Hani Hyperkickass Mix)/ Royal House - Can You Party, Giacomo - Theme From Love (Hex Drum Dub), The Collaboration (Victor Calderone & Peter Rauhofer) - Do It Properly, Hyperdelics - Are U Ready (Tribal Mix), Madonna - Sky Fits Heaven (Calderone Future Mix), Garbage - Push It (Calderone Mix).
