Earlier today, I added an impossible question to this month’s MuuPoll: “What’s your favorite Madonna record?”

I know, I know. Sophie’s Choice. Nonetheless, the question sparked an excellent Twitter debate, comparing and contrasting all of Madge’s iconic records, which quickly led into an all-day Madonnathon on my iPod. (To be fair, this happens roughly every week.)

Taking my love a step further, I wanted to post a random smattering of six Madonna remixes that I absolutely adore (or cherish, if you will). I don’t think there’s any real surprises for hardcore Madge buffs included, but I hope something strikes a fancy for the less familiar fans. Enjoy!

“Give It 2 Me (Paul Oakenfold Remix)”

I first discovered this after a download binge back in April of ’08 from PopMuse. After surfacing on shuffle mode during a jog with my iPod, the remix been a fixture on my gym playlist ever since. With its pounding beat and distant moans, the Paul Oakenfold mix of “Give It 2 Me” turns Madge’s already great Hard Candy throbber into a full-on club affair. (iTunes)

“Bedtime Story (Orbital Remix)”

The Orbital remix of Madge’s Björk-penned 1995 single was revitalized in 2004 when it was used as a video backdrop during her Re-Invention Tour. Brooding, minimal and vaguely reminiscent of the William Orbit mysticism that would color 1998′s Ray of Light, the Orbital mix breathes new life into an already incredible track. The slow stutter of “Let’s get unconscious” in the first minute is worth the price of admission alone! (iTunes)

“What It Feels Like For A Girl (Above & Beyond 12″ Club Remix)”

The Above & Beyond remix of “What It Feels Like For A Girl” strips the song of its softly-sung angst in favor of a distinctly ‘new millennium’-era trance makeover. The video mix is vocal-less (aside from the sorrowful croon of “For a girl in this world…”), which makes for the perfect soundtrack to Madge’s four minute hell-on-wheels destruction spree. Watch out–granny on board!

“Erotica (Confessions Tour Version)”

Oh, this remix: Crafted by Stuart Price for 2006′s Confessions Tour, this mix adds in elements of the song’s original, never-before-heard demo (“You Thrill Me”) to a dark, moody beat, resulting in a truly lush, romantic re-imagining of the 1992 original. It’s perfect, just as with every single second of Confessions. (iTunes)

“Burning Up (12″ Mix)”

While it isn’t really that much of a reinvention, the slightly more electro-pop oriented 12″ mix, one of Madonna’s first actual remixes, strips away some of the rockier elements of the original and adds in some dainty ’80′s-tastic synthesizers. What can I say? For dancing ’round the room while getting ready, Madonna-era Madonna simply remains unmatched.

“Celebration (Benny Benassi Remix)”

I remember “Celebration” getting some flack for attempting to be too ‘of the moment’ by some Madonnaholics at the time, but the song is really nowhere near as guilty of such desperation as, say, the bulk of Hard Candy. Though she was still a bit late jumping the nu-electro-pop train back in ’09, “Celebration” was a guiltless, joyful–well, celebration! The Benassi re-swizzle of the Oakenfold original gives the track a sexy grind and arena-sized synthesizers that feel make the song feel gigantic; ultimately much more befitting for the Queen. (iTunes)

So sad.

As the news of Brittany Murphy‘s death earlier this morning continues to work its way through the various social networking sites and media outlets, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the work that Murphy had done over the past few years as a recording artist.

It was always a well known fact that Brittany Murphy was working on a debut album. According to reports as far back as 2004, Murphy was booking producers and session singers for studio work on her upcoming release.

In 2006, Murphy went on to collaborate with the highly talented Paul Oakenfold for a song called “Faster Kill Pussycat” off his album, A Lively Mind. “Faster kill, faster still pussycat, I can’t stand to see you cry,” Murphy taunts with a delicious rasp atop a combination of hard, thumping synthesizers and gritty, grinding bursts of electronica.

As a debut release, the track floored me–it was dark, bold, and fearless; a tantalizing taste of what could come of Murphy’s debut. To this day, the song remains one of my favorite songs of the ’00′s. Click here to watch the video for “Faster Kill Pussycat” and celebrate this stunning release once more.

Later that year, Murphy lent her vocals to two tracks on the Happy Feet soundtrack, covers of Queen‘s “Somebody to Love” and Earth, Wind & Fire‘s “Boogie Wonderland.” The songs, as with “Faster Kill Pussycat,” defied all expectations, proving herself a singer with a far better ability to croon than many of the pop starlets on the scene at the time.

In May of 2008, Murphy left a blog note on her MySpace confirming that she had been in the studio with Max Martin, Timbaland, and Paul Oakenfold, assuring fans that the process of her debut was moving slowly because she “needed to make sure that becoming a “pop star” was what i wanted.”

As of 2009, the album still hadn’t come to fruition. Quite sadly, it’s doubtful that we’ll ever hear anything from those lost sessions now.

Brittany Murphy will truly be missed–not only as a wonderful actress, but as the recording artist who could have been.

Rest in peace, Brittany.

At long last, here’s the first look at the official video for Madonna‘s new single, “Celebrate” (which, by the way, implements the Benny Benassi mix of the song.)

The good news:

+ Madonna looks good and/or ‘fit.’
+ In the only sequence actually worth watching, Madonna disrobes Jesus ‘Christ’ Luz, chews him up, and then spits him out like yesterday’s 22-year-old Brazilian news. It is almost hot.
+ Paul Oakenfold has not made the official video cut. Apparently there will be a ‘fan edit’ in the near future with clips of her fans, which I’m assuming will also include his literally terrifying cameo.

The bad news:

- The video for “Celebration” is not really as much a celebration as it is a semi-low budget ‘club scene’ production filmed with using a very hi-budget camera technique over and over and over again.

And that is the summation of the video behind one of the top candidates of Single of ’09.

Purchase “Celebration” on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

Here now is a teaser clip of the sweet new clip that Madonna‘s about to ‘drop’ on September 1.

The video doesn’t seem to give away much of the ‘plot,’ aside from some background dancers pumping up and down next to a DJ booth fronted by professional eye candy man-boy, Jesus Luz.

But wait, there’s more–watch as Luz seductively side-glances behind the DJ booth to find–SWEET JESUS LUZ. It’s Paul “Rape Me Eyes” Oakenfold in a vintage Madge tee, either acting ironically terrible at dancing or simply displaying that he is actually terrible at dancing for TWO TO THREE. ENTIRE. UNGODLY. SECONDS.

AHHH! Who decided this was a good idea?!

Either way, it is LITERALLY THE MOST FRIGHTENING MOMENT IN RECENT POP MUSIC VIDEO HISTORY. Don’t you feel a bit dirty just after seeing that? I’m almost a bit nervous about watching the video in full next week.

As I wrote about last week, Paul Oakenfold‘s just released a new album called Perfecto Vegas on July 7–a 2 CD-set of throbbing, Ibiza-like trance inspired by his residence at the Las Vegas Palms Resort & Casino.

It is very good for driving with the sunglasses on, windows down, and an attitude of sexiness. And probably some poppers and E.

I’m very pleased to announce that MuuMuse has FIVE copies of this 2-CD set to give away to my Muusers! Be one of the first FIVE to send a blank e-mail my way at oakenfold@muumuse.com and it’s all yours! Do it now–winners will be notified on July 15.

Click “Read More…” to see the full tracklisting.

Cd 1:

1. Hibernate – Left Alone
2. The Fraction – Awaken (Torin Schmitt Remix)
3. Shawn Michaels & Kenneth Thomas – Funktion Won
4. Joe Echo – On All My Sundays (Liam Shachar Remix)
5. Dezarate & Mitchel Manzano – Kiss My Love
6. Shannon – Let The Music Play (David Delano, Dirty Lou & Swedish Egil Remix)
7. Joey Modus & Kazell – Slack Jaw
8. The Fraction & Corey Croft – Tease
9. Nat Monday – Break & Fall (Adam White Radio Edit)
10. Vibe Shock – Invasion (Borganism Remix)
11. Elucidate – Carousel
12. Outer Sunset – Fell My Magic (Adam White Remix)

Cd 2:

1. Robert Vadney – Fallen Angel’s Symphony
2. Happy Monkey – King Of The Berry (Piano Slam Mix)
3. Jan Johnston – Sleeping Satellite (Robert Vadney’s Blamed Remix)
4. Barry Jay – Infused
5. Robert Vadney – Away From You
6. Nat Monday – Flammable (Adam White’s Perfecto Remix)
7. Kenneth Thomas Feat. Colleen Riley – Wish You Were Here (Ehren Stowers Remix)
8. Trenix – Becoming You
9. Robert Vadney – Club Perfecto
10. Amine Edge & Alexis Dante – Eivissa (Deluna Remix) (Bonus Track)
11. Barrington Lawrence & Shefali – Eclipsing The Sun (Barry Jay Remix) (Bonus Track)

Click below to preview and purchase Oakenfold’s Perfecto Vegas.

On July 7, renowned DJ, producer, and collaborator for Madge‘s upcoming Greatest Hits collection Paul Oakenfold will release Perfecto Vegas, a 21-track double disc meant to establish an “Ibizan-styled club experience” in celebration of his residency at the Palms Resort in Vegas. In other words, best served with some E and a side of chilled glow sticks.

I’ve got an exclusive 20-minute “teaser mix” of sorts. It gets pretty promising once the vocals start dripping in after two minutes, and then all shades of epic by the ten minute mark. Great, classic Oakenfold.

Fair warning: Heavy trance ahead. Mind your step!

DL: Paul Oakenfold – Perfecto Vegas (Teaser Mix)

Click here to pre-order Perfecto Vegas, or below to hear more from Oakenfold.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor‘s been busy lately. If she isn’t too occupied poppin’ em out two months before their due date, she’s off releasing singles from all directions.

Well, not entirely: Previously recorded collaborations is slightly more accurate.

Two days ago, the Freemasons announced on the MySpace that their next official single will be “Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer,” an immense, dark disco Bextor collabo many have already deemed quite worthy of following up her last release, Trip The Light Fantastic.

What we didn’t already know is that the song, which first made rounds around Fall of last year, was actually a demo. In fact, the boys are still working out a final version at the moment! With any luck, they won’t glitch and glam it up too too much, seeing as the mix we’ve been given has already set the blogosphere ablaze.

Additionally, Bextor’s collaboration with French DJ Junior Caldera, “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” is about to see a proper release sometime in March. To hear the original version, click here.

The pros?
It sounds a bit like the Paul Oakenfold edit of Madge‘s “Give It 2 Me” in places, Kaskade in others, and includes the line “I just can’t fight this feeling…We should be lovers, we should be lovers.”

And as for the cons?
A bit generic.

Nonetheless, I look forward to the Glorious Re-Uprising of the Great Mizz Bextor.

DL: Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer (Demo Version) (Sharebee)
DL: Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Can’t Fight This Feeling (Mischa Daniels Remix) (Sharebee)