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Masters of Freestyle Gold Edition Volume 4

Pandisc Records continues its popular Masters of Freestyle compilation series with their latest installment, Gold Edition Volume 4.  I have to say the track selections on here are great! You have the classic artists that you have come to expect on a Freestyle compilation, but the song may differ from an overused first choice or favorite song. Example “Lookout Weekend” by Debbie Deb, is used rather than the overplayed “When I Hear Music”.  “Let The Music Play” by Shannon and “Party Your Body” by Stevie B. are also included instead of the more obvious “Give Me Tonight” or “Spring Love” respectively.  Of course you still have the gold standards such as  “Show Me” by the Cover Girls, “Bad of the Heart” by Loose Touch feat. George LaMond, “Hooked On You” by Sweet Sensation, and “If You Leave Me Now” by Jaya, as well as cuts by, Alisha, Laissez Faire,Pretty Poison, and Trinere.  There also some rare gems such as ”Best Friend's Boyfriend” by Sunni and Debbie Deb’s version of  “Funky Little Beat”.  One of Freestyle’s hits of the mid 90s Intonation feat Joee’s cover of the Cutting Crew classic “Died In Your Arms” is here, plus some of Freestyle’s underappreciated tracks like “From This Moment” by Shannon's Train a quickie cover of the Shania Twain original and Victor Franco’s remix  version of  “Take Me In Your Arms” by Lil Suzy.  Rounding out the compilation are two slow jams “Leave The Lights On” by Monet & Nolan Thomas and  “Kisses in the Night”  by Brandon.   Given the extensive music library Pandisc has (hopefully they will include “If Only You Knew” by Rene, and “Love Never Ends” by Giani on the next volume!) and the clout they have to license other record label material they could continue this series forever, and honestly I hope they do.

Nu Image – The Album

Although considered a "New School" Freestyle group and one of the leaders in Urban Dance Music, Nu Image, the trio of Tony G., Tyree Hernandez, and Victor Zapata, simply put - was not born yesterday.  Nu Image originally formed in1990 when Tony and Tyree recorded their debut single, "Tears In My Eyes" which was released on Funky Records in 1992. Their second single "Sounds Of Love" wasn't released until1995, after which the guys went their separate ways. It was during this time Tony G, worked with producer Pompeo Messano on a song for vocalist Victor Zapata that was featured on Latif Mercado's Stylin Free Vol. # 2 - 1999 Freestyle Finale compilation. In early 2002, Tony G and Tyree reunited with Victor becoming the third member of the group.  Together with Pompeo Messano who signed them to his label Aria Records, they began work on a full length album. Nu Image: The Album is double CD and contains 26 tracks, both a rarity in a Freestyle or Dance music artist’s album. This album also has something else that is sometimes lacking from a Freestyle artist: quality vocals.  Overall there are lots of prominent tracks that will hopefully turn people onto Nu Image. Songs like "My Heart", "Your My Angel," and "Torn By 2," should be great crowd pleasers in the clubs.  Other standouts include "Forbidden Love" and "What I Have Found", but my personal favorite has to be “Theres No Love” – it just kicks, and Messano’s production truly shines!  Also included are 6 different mixes of the record's first single, "I'll Always Love You" and for the longtime Nu Image fans - two mixes of their first single "Tears in My Eyes."  I think if Nu Image continues down this musical path, and add more songs with three part harmonies to their repertoire, they will continue to prosper. Great job guys!