I heard “If” by Colette a few weeks ago on Sirius’ dance station, The Beat. After doing some digging, I discovered the track had hit #5 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play chart back in May, so it’s been around for a while.

Colette’s vocals on “If” remind me of Stacey Q’s “Two of Hearts” in the early part of the verses, but the Dave Audé mix really caught my ear with its echoes of Madonna’s “Everybody.” Hear here:

Colette (or DJ Colette) is a native Chicagoan who studied classical vocal music before discovering her true love, house music. She got a job behind the counter at venerated local DJ shop Gramaphone Records and began honing her turntable skills. Not satisfied to only spin others’ tunes, Colettte began singing live over instrumental tracks in her sets. Soon she formed her own female DJ collective, and issued some mix compilations. In 2000, she said goodbye to the Windy City’s tough winter weather, moving to Los Angeles.

Hypnotized, Colette’s debut artist album, was issued in 2005. She had a #10 club hit with “What Will She Do For Love?” and the title track was included on The Devil Wears Prada soundtrack. Push, on which “If” appears, came out last November. The disc was recorded and mixed around the time Colette married actor/musician Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie).

While enjoying life on the West Coast, Colette keeps her Chicago connection alive with a monthly slot at SmartBar. Before today, you might have already heard Colette. She and other SmartBar resident DJ, Kaskade, co-wrote “I Like The Way” for the Sex & The City movie soundtrack, on which she sings.

Purchase “If (Dave Audé Radio Mix)” via Amazon, iTunes.