SHAZAM

Dennis Ferrer delivers a solid nine selections on this relentless, almost 75-minute project. There are two versions of "Touch the Sky," the longer opening track and a more elastic "Quentin Harris Remix" separated by three other titles, that distance giving the listener a better appreciation of the different takes. "Church Lady" injects some gospel into the dancey urban mantra while Mikael Nordgren's "Tiger Stripes Remix" of "P 2 da J" blends some Kraftwerk-on-speed sort of textures over industrial-coated percussion. Where Monsieur Leroc flavors his work with pop melodies and a more traditional rhythm & blues, Ferrer keeps it all very house, the bouncy Sunshine Jones "Vocal Version from the Pulpit" adding a little drama and, next to "Charles Webster's Club Mix" of "How Do I Let Go," it can feel like you've been left at some nightspot in the early a.m. to revel in Ferrer's artistry. The "Tomo Experience Remix" of "Run Free" puts a dash of Al Green into the rhythmic journey, "Change the World" picking up the theme and chorus vocal vibe similar to the previous song and taking the album to its conclusion. ~ Joe Viglione, Rovi