New music hype at WMC

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- Between March 23 and March 27, the movers and shakers of the DJ music scene from all over the world convene in Miami for the 17th annual Winter Music Conference.

A showcase for what should be the hottest trends in electronic music for the year 2002 is launching at scores of parties throughout South Beach. Record label executives, publishers, agents, artists, industry retailers, IT companies and audio/video/electronics manufacturers are hyping the latest sounds and ideas in the ever-expanding world of global dance music. Everyone, of course, from top brass DJs to bedroom spinmeisters, will be mixing it up at these poolside schmoozing soirees.

From chart-busting hits to future underground classics, here is a springtime wrap-up of some of the tight new tracks expecting to explode in 2002:

* Kool and the Gang "Celebration 2002" (White Label). If you can get your hands on this bootleg Remix of Kool and the Gang's disco classic, grab it while you can.

* X-Press 2 'Lazy' (Skint). Blessed with a vocal from former "Talking Head" David Byrne, this popsy swanky piece of electronica is sure to turn heads and ears. Look out for Norman Cook's (a.k.a. Fatboy Slim) bassline-driven Remix.

* Jolly Musica E.P. 2 (Amato). The two tracks "Forever New" and "Minimoog Dreaming" fuse retro grooves and funky ambient into avant garde Italian House.

* The Nightgroovers (feat. Deanna). 'Do it all night' (Hussle Recordings) Deep house with disco-tinged beats.

* Singtao "Keep It Comin'" (White Label). Those familiar with last years "La Musica" white label will know to snatch this latest track from these distinctly brilliant dancefloor-friendly House producers.

* Supafly "Erotic" (White Label). This beat-infused sexy remix of Prince's 80's anthem classic "We Can Funk Until" is deeply brilliant.

* Afro Medusa "Dreams" (White Label). Fresh tracks from Afro Medusa (of "Pasilda" fame) are always a treat; this one, complete with "Problem Kids," "Peaking Dub" and "Vocal Mixes" in addition to Afro Medusa's Original Mix, is a jazzier affair and fails to disappoint.

* MJ Cole "Back to Mine" (DMC). Finally, a new album from the master of 2-Step (UK Garage) himself. Fans of this British genre will know about MJ Cole's brilliant album of two years ago, "Sincere," and will likewise want to pick up this latest offering before it runs out.

* Pink Coffee "Another Brick in the Wall" (White Label). This Remix of Pink Floyd's classic anthem is a flanger-heavy version that is positively brilliant.

* Shy FX and T Power (Feat. Di). "Shake Your Body" (Positiva) Currently topping the charts in London, this fresh sound borders between vocal house and breakbeat two-step; it incorporates sexy vocals with a Latin-tinged banging bassline.

* Noel Nanton "El Rey" (White Label). This fresh Belgian track is a jazzy Latin house affair that is upswingy and dancefloor friendly.

* Le Knight Club "Soul Bells." This French deep house tune is about as deep and sexy as they come, with a bit of a San Francisco House vibe to it, simply mesmerizing.

* Pathaan Presents Stoned Asia Music Edition 4 (Stoned Asia Music. This compilation of global beats and ethnic-inspired grooves is taken from Stoned Asia, a South London (located in Camberwell) loungy club, which is similar to Paris' world-renowned Buddha Bar. For those fans of Buddha Bar music or who like world music, this is a record to check out.

* Knee Deep "Nassau Rules" (Records of Interest). AFC's (Aydin the Funky Chili) Remix of the "Funky Nassau" dancefloor classic is worth scoping out for.

* Dizzy & the DCL Project "Perfect Timing" (Doubledown). Like The Tanga Chicks' "Brazil over Zurich" (underground dancefloor classic from 2000), tunes like this pop up once in a while amid crates full of repetitive and formulaic wax wastings. This Latiny/discoey fresh energy tune is sure to keep dancefloors full and happy, regardless of musical preference.

* Yoko Ono "Open Your Box" (White Label). John Lennon's 68 year-old widow is producing her own dance music and popping up in New York dance clubs as a DJ; this bizarre twist goes to show how open and diverse DJ music culture is. Look out for emerging Remixes, such as Orange Factory's Remix on the Mind Train label.

Rising talent: Global DJ superstars of tomorrow

* Jason Bellmont (a.k.a. DJ Radar). This Arizona-based scratch DJ is taking turntablism to higher levels. Working with Arizona State University's composer Raul Yanez, DJ Radar has translated hip hop scratch techniques into "scratch notation," which can be scored into compositions. As his Concerto for Turntable Tour launches throughout Europe and the United States this year, stay tuned for future columns covering this ground-breaking arena in further detail. For further info, go to concertoforturntable.com

* Pay As You Go Cartel. On the vanguard of the UK's 2-step breaks garage scene, this MC/DJ collective stay true to their urban roots, and are pushing UK Garage into a balanced fusion between garage, drum and bass and hip hop, creating a new genre which has not yet been coined. Since performing at last year's WMC, Pay As You Go Cartel have since been signed to Sony with the release of their hit track "Champagne Dance."

* Telepopmusik. Signed onto the Chrysalis label, this French electronic music group produces sounds that strike a convergent cord between hip hop, soulful house, electronica, nu-jazz, and Eurodisco with a raw edge. Look out for their new release, "Genetic World," on the EMI:Chrysalis label.

DJ music covers many genres and has evolved from a wide spectrum of players and listeners. Whatever it was, it is clearly big business now; at the WMC they're talking music and money, but you can be sure they're having a great time doing it.

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