Sporting the beautiful and sexy singer DeAnna Cool (her real name, believe it or not) right on the front cover, "Ocean Drive" is the first single from Madison Park's "Boutique". Featuring seven different mix/remix arrangement versions and one bonus track "You Do Something To Me" (by Cole Porter), "Ocean Drive" brings you the talent and skills of some hi ranked producers such as Lenny B (whose credits include Britney Spears' "Toxic" and "Outrageous", Kelly Clarkson's "The Trouble with Love Is", Cher's "Different Kind of Love Songs", among others), the Source and Tel Aviv's Wilson.With such personnel you may well imagine that the result is a little more clubby and night-spirited (as opposed to loungey and afternoonish), and if ATL Magazine wrote that they have "one foot in the lounge and the other on the dancefloor" they're pretty much leaving the lounge with this one... What's interesting to note is that they are sort of tentative, in a good way, of going the whole distance with their approach to house. Except for the Source's trance mix they rarely become as dancefloor-ready as much other material that populates disco clubs, and even with Lenny B's production they preserve a genuine electronica feel that is different from, say, Spears' chart-toppers.Madison Park is really going for it, promoting an even sexier and dancier image of themselves and their music. Altough I see the future of this duo in the European scenes, I hope their expectations will all be met! They deserve it with all their hard work.

Bleak Track is based out of San Franciso. This goth-punk/deathrock/alternative band is consists of Melody Bleak, Dave Ed and Jason. Imagine Siousie and The Banshees meets Sonic Youth. Female front singer Melody enticing strong vocal pulls out her emotional feeling that is very more intense suicidal and aggressive with beauty. This cute woman gives her all on the "Starting To Dream" five song ep. "The Letter" is one of my best favorite that is very dark, twisted, depressing and moody. "Starting To Dream" sounds morelike the early Siousie and the Banshees. The track "Fear To Follow" have a deathrock edge. And "Decomposing Love" have that late 80's and early 90's punk vibe that reminds me of Sonic Youth. Bleak Track is no joke. I can tell they really worked very hard by getting this product out to the public. They deserve more exposure, respect and be taken seriously. I'm dying to hear more from them.

Florida's own new wave/electroclash band Fashionista released a remarkable four song ep that have an 80's appealing sound. Each song on disc is danceable and an inspiration from alot of bands from that era. The self-titled album track "40 Seconds" have alot of synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machine sound. This song is definitely a number one killer to get radio/internet radio airplay. Other three tracks "Lines", "My Only Joy" and "28" have a live instrument sound. If this band had existed back in the 80's, they would have been popular just like all the other bands who enticed us and gave us the happiest moment of our lives by making good music. Fashionista is a up-coming new band who is very heavily influence by our favorite bands such as New order, Pet Shop Boys and others. Everytime I listen to Fashionista cd it makes me feel like I'm a teenager all over again. Their unique sound, style, creativity and even their looks blends all into one. As talented and brilliant they are, hopefully they're working on a full-length album. Children of the 80's buy this!

Basic Lux is one of the most interesting and creative electronica/lounge labels out there (you can tell that by their original and unique advertising campaigns) and I have a fond memory of their first "New Sound Theroy" compilation released a few years back (of which two new volumes have seen the light, one of which, the third one will be reviewed here momentarily). The two label owners James and DeAnna Cool are obviously also the main band in their catalogue. They record as Madison Park and produce a refined blend of classy pop, dance, nujazz, electronics and house. But don't expect any hammering dancefloor anthems, but rather chilled, fresh and funky tunes infused with melodic pop vocal lines and disco beats and attitude. The CD features collaboration tracks with and remixes by producer Lenny B, Sunday People, GrooveOholics, Souldrider and Bryan Odgen. Madison Park know what it means to flirt with a commercially viable approach while keeping their heart in uncompromised electronic music territory.

Cinephile is a new band from Scottland. The ol’ Isle has given us plenty to appreciate of it’s arts and artists. Cinephile is just one more thing to add to the list. Susan Wallace and Kenny Inglis are the components of the band whose latest release is a limited edition EP called "Comatose". Now I have to be honest with you. I really hate EPs. I mean... really! So I almost tossed the disk in a "get to it" pile but something told me to listen to it right away. I am ecstatic that I didn’t pass this one by. "Comatose EP" consists of 5 tracks. The first 3 are different mixes of the title song. Normally that really puts me off too. But these remixes are so well mastered, planned and executed that they sound like 3 completely different songs. The first track of "Comatose" is a smooth mix. The raw energy of the band really shines through. The music starts without much interest but then the vocals come in wringing you dry, or should I say soaking you with sultry seductiveness. Wallace’s voice seduces you to the height of eroticism easily putting her in the same class as the sensual intonations of Caroline Lavelle, Sarah McLachlan and Kristy Thirsk (Delerium). The second cut helps itself to a little more of a gritty and primal mix but still smooth none-the-less and introduces guest guitarist R. McLelland. McLelland’s delicate and unobtrusive underpinnings enhance this music so much I wonder why he isn’t a part of Cinephile. McLelland knows his place within the framework of the music and doesn’t step over bounds. This is append with some male background vocals which further enhance the female character of Wallaces addictive performance. The third mix of "Comatose" is a pop rendition of the tune. More bare bones in execution. I really can’t decide which remix I enjoy the most because they are so individually unique. "Blowback", track four, once again lulls the listener into Cinephile’s erotic framework. It is executed much in the same vein as the band Delerium. This time Wallace constructs an ethereal mist of angelic harmony which softly drifts through rhythmic structures. Track five begins with a childlike innocence which segways into a soft and sexy dance song which reminds one of hot summer nights when you hold your lover in your arms and drink in each other while swaying upon the dance floor. Though the music of Cinephile is beautifully produced and equally as well mastered Inglis has'nt given us anything groundbreaking or uniquely original and it would easily get lost within the virtual sea of music to drone on with all the others, save the vocals of Susan Wallace whose performance and execution elevates the music to such a lofty and commercial level that it must find it’s way into your record collection. I hope we hear a lot more of her, and so will you.