The Return of Remy Shand (@remingtonshand) “Where Are We Going?”

When we last heard from Canadian pop/R&B singer Remy Shand in 2003, he indicated that he was recording a follow up album to The Way I Feel, which won him a Juno Award and four Grammy nominations.  Then he disappeared… I’m not so interested in why, though I heard about his marriage and subsequent divorce, and apparently some personal issues. 

My friend and fellow blogger Adam Soybel of Pop! Goes The Charts has been in a retro mood lately on Twitter and tweeted about the singer and the song.  That got me thinking about yet another scan of the Interweb for this major talent.  And I found him on Twitter, at over 1,000 tweets this far @remingtonshand 😀

The big news is that he’s back!!! 🙂  The Way I Feel was my favourite album of 2002 and “Take A Message” (below), the international pop and R&B hit, was my favourite single.

When we were all listening to that, there was no Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Instagram, etc.    But aside from newer performers, the same playing field of pop and R&B singers – Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Usher, Jamiroquai – are all around and doing even better, especially this year.  So Remy’s decision to return is timely.  I hope he has some great people behind him to work this return hard.

His new song “Where Are We Going?”, sounds like it doesn’t miss a step from songs from The Way I Feel.  It is particularly soft funk-jazzy, and may sound a little understated.  But there’s that golden, recognizable voice, and like his quiet return (in May it seems), the only way is back up 🙂

I was fortunate enough to see his show in Toronto at the Phoenix club at the time of his heyday.  It was a blisteringly funky, high energy affair that kept people dancing while Remy held court for the majority of the show at his keyboards.  Below is a clip of him from the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2002.

I look forward to keeping you all informed about one of the best singers of the 2000’s.  Welcome back, Remy Shand 🙂

In Full Effect For The Fall: This Beat Is… @Poptronik ! Volume Two

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THIS BEAT IS… POPTRONIK! VOLUME TWO (Various Artists)

In April 2012, upon release of Volume One of This Beat Is… Poptronik!, I got so excited about the amazing songs within that I said it reinvented and created a template for dance compilations to come.  True to that, Raj Rudolph of EQ Music Blog has once again put together (and this time released independently) an extremely entertaining selection of electronica, Europop, and danceable pop/rock that beckons immediate response.

I was only familiar with six of the songs within which all saw previous release.

  • It’s quite a coup for a song by the abundantly talented FrankMusik to be included – even more special when it’s my favourite from his Between album, “Map”, which got to #1 on my chart.
  • Also we have recent charters Parralox featuring Ryan Adamés (both of whom Raj manages) with their grower of a cover of “Silent Morning”, and Adam Tyler’s sinewy “Fade Into The Light”.
  • Even Mr. Cherry Cherry Boom Boom himself joins in with his Billboard Dance Club Play hit “One and Only” in the bouncy Dave Aude remix.

Of the songs I didn’t know, I have some new faves and others to earmark for multiple listens:

  • You know the name Jennifer Paige, the American singer responsible for the Top 5 1998 hit “Crush” and a dance club hit the next year, “Always You”.  A few years back she formed a band with singer/songwriter/producer Coury Palermo called The Fury.  They have since renamed themselves Paige & Palermo and their song “Belong”, a midtempo pop/dance number, is one of the key attractions on Poptronik!
  • LA singer Kaden James just toppled Pet Shop Boys from #1 on my chart with “Black Light”.  Another song from the same songwriting team is included here, the propulsive and thought-provoking “Fuel For The Machine”.
  • Italy’s Osvaldo Supino just arrived on my chart with “Ma Radio”, and from the same folks we have some lovely and quietly bold danceable pop in the form of “I Have A Name”.
  • “Super DJ” by Smith & Thell, “Cut The Cord” by Aron Scott featuring Glorious Inc., and the titular “This Beat Is Poptronik” by Marc Lime & K. Bastian featuring Little Neve White (up top) could all score in dance clubs because of outstanding vocals and irresistible choruses.
  • A comp that includes songs by Carmen Electra and ex-Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta??  Save any prospective shudders, these are terrific, sexy choices to inject into the mix with “I Like It Loud” and “Again” (below) respectively.  Very pleasantly surprised at these!
  • Dutch singer Tao Hypah brought the unforgettable “Celeb” to the Volume One party last year, and this year “Night To Remember” helps crank it up.
  • Fans of Dangerous Muse may wish to check out their submission called “I Can’t Help It” among a lot of other really strong songs.
  • Finally, one song that is a ‘sleeper’ that I find particularly noteworthy in a sunny California highway cruising kind of way (even before you watch the video) is “I  Remember” by Nick Pes.  Breezy, wistful dance pop as we head into Autumn.

All in all, 24 songs to keep your summer parties going well into … beyond!  You can’t go wrong with This Beat Is…Poptronik Volume Two.  To throw back to those good ol’ disco days, it just makes you want more, more, more, so just dance, dance, dance 🙂  Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that!! 🙂

BILLCS Top 30 #412 – August 26/13

This edition of my chart blog post is slightly more abridged than usual, focusing on the songs in the Top 10 and making the fastest gains 🙂

  • I warned all of you folks for months on end, and then it happened in July:  “Black Light” by Kaden was released, and it has now popped the top off the lid of my chart, sending the beloved “Vocal” by Pet Shop Boys to #2.  Congrats to Kaden and also to Charlie Mason, Stormby, Ninthwave Records, and the host of wonderful songwriters on their first #1 🙂  It’s gonna be hard to dislodge for a while…

  • No slouch he, that winning singer/songwriter Ryan Adamés, whose interpretation of Justin Bieber & Big Sean’s “As Long As You Love Me” has handily secured third place on the chart (video below).  You can still get it for free by liking Ryan’s Facebook page.
  • Like my last favourite by her, “Timebomb”, Kylie Minogue’s “Skirt” has been big in Australia (natch) and on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart, and it zips into the Top 5 in these parts.

  • Readying to play more gigs, NYC’s Andy Suzuki & The Method show that their pop/rock has endurance, as “Dirty Floors” moves up to #8.
  • FrankMusik scores his 4th Top 10 placing on my chart from the Between album with “Life (Is My Revenge)” at #10, as the singer prepares to release the double-header Between Us in a few weeks.
  • Lawson & B.o.B.’s “Brokenhearted” grabs #9 this week (video below), perfect timing when I am about to see them perform on Friday again as they premiered their next single ‘Juliet” – due for official UK release in October – last week (listen below).  And that show is opened again by Toronto’s Neverest, who have the fastest riser on the chart with the totally engaging “Rewind” at #15 (action-filled video below).

You can view the full Top 30 using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page.  Any free downloads that are identified are sanctioned by the performer.  There’s always a tiny place at the bottom of the blog post with tags and the statement “Leave A Comment” – please feel free to do so :)

  • “Winning Ground” by Eric Saade (video below) has been taking its time building on my chart, but it’s now up to #19 as his new album Forgive Me is launched this week.  Can’t wait to hear his new songs!  The album consists of the Coming Home EP, plus “Winning Ground”, “Miss Unknown”, “Marching (In The Name Of Love)”, and new tunes.
  • Once it sees official release, “What’s Going On” by Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E will tear up the club charts and perhaps leave an impression at UK radio.  It climbs to #22.
  • Natalia Kills’ new album Trouble is already getting rave reviews, and the Kat Krazy remix of “Problem” continues to score on my chart, landing at #23.

  • It’s no surprise that Lady GaGa’s totally gangbusters “Applause” arrives at #20 on the chart.  It’s her first appearance on the chart since late 2011’s “Marry The Night”, and coincidentally hits the chart almost 5 years to the day that “Just Dance” debuted (we had dibs on the latter song first here in Canada, folks, even she will tell you that!).
  • Then at #27, Australian U.S. transplant Betty Who has this gleaming, upbeat pop that has stayed the course over the summer, and “Somebody Loves You” bows at #27 (video below).  You can download the songs from her fine EP The Distance for free right here.
  • And the last entry on the chart begins like the first one.  I gave you a warning a few weeks back that Italy’s Osvaldo Supino had a boombox that was a major fun force to be reckoned with.  So it’s fitting that his crunchy “Ma Radio” arrives on the chart at #30 to keep us a-moving as we head into Fall.

morecoolclevercovers: Adaku (@muzikizoxygen), @CaseyStratton, @CleoSol, and Steve (Starchild) aka @SteveGrandMusic

I’ve said it before, but I rarely find a cover version of a song that I like better than the original.  One of the songs I’ve chosen about I DO like better than the original.  With others, I admire creativity and interpretation, and two choices today are smart mashups.

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ADAKU, “Is This Love Song”

I’ve introduced you to Nigerian-born American alternative R&B singer Adaku before, with her two classy originals “Or You Can” (and its lovely video) and the provocative “Silent Treatment”.  This time the singer shifts to her sparkling high register for “Is This Love Song” – which is two parts The Cure’s biggest hit “Lovesong” (though youngin’s will know it better as recorded by Adele on 21) and one part Bob Marley’s “Is This Love”.  Set to the melody of the former, the mashup is simply killer, and we get to see Adaku singing as herself this time in the accompanying video.  Expect the unexpected for this well thought out winner.  Watch below and you can download it for free right here.  Adaku’s debut album, titled PLASMA, is anticipated later this year.

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CASEY STRATTON, “Crossfire”

Casey Stratton is a wonderful singer/songwriter with a huge, prolific repertoire.  So it was a pleasant surprise for him to dig back into his own archive, from just a few years back, to offer us his rendition of Brandon Flowers’ solo hit “Crossfire” as a free download right here.  Casey pretty much leaves well enough alone and lets the song bask in its own glory (the original got to #1 on my personal chart too in 2010), but he delves into the emotional side, making the chorus and other parts of the song much more affecting than the original.  Be sure to check out what else Casey has to offer in his body of work in his online store right here.  “Crossfire” is a terrific choice – listen below c/o Popservations blog.

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CLEO SOL, “Teardrop”

Cleo Sol is a relatively new British singer of Serbian, Spanish, and Jamaican heritage, which makes for a huge jumping off point stylistically for her songs.  She’s had some success in her native country with her fusion of R&B, rap, jazz and funk, so “Teardrop” takes a few steps away from all of that to showcase her singing in a slightly different way.  It’s a slick adaptation of Massive Attack’s classic chilled-out 90’s song that gets interpolated with verses and melody of The Verve’s 1997 worldwide hit “Bittersweet Symphony”.  Hardly what you might expect, but it gels beautifully.  It’s also a free download which you can hear and save below.

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STEVE (STARCHILD), “You And I”

The world has recently got to know Steve (Starchild) much better as Country singer Steve Grand with his viral hit “All American Boy”, which essentially was his coming out song/video.  I don’t gravitate very well to country music, so “All American Boy” has not resonated with me, though I’m thrilled that the singer has got some well-deserved new fans, and he seems like a genuinely thankful and earnest guy.  A fellow music buff (and major Steve Grand fan) posted Steve’s video for his cover of Lady GaGa’s “You And I” on a message board where I am an administrator that is just pre-Steve Grand.  All you need to do is watch this explosive performance to hear the oodles of talent that Steve obviously has.  I don’t just like it better than GaGa’s original (not one of her better songs, to me), I LOVE IT and am so glad I get to hear another side of Steve Grand even if it is in the recent past.  Judge for yourself, but “All American Boy” is only Steve Grand’s ticket into the game; now that he’s there I’m gonna watch and see how this talent gets unleashed.  And if he can stay as earthy and true to his fans, there is no limit 🙂

coolclevercovers: The Recovery album by @Parralox

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PARRALOX  Recovery

There’s very little that I like better in the world of music than a record that is full of ambition and is obviously a labour of love.  Much-praised Australian duo Parralox (aka electronics whiz John von Ahlen and singer Amii Jackson) recorded Recovery over two years ago, but as the 1980’s move further away, it’s probably better to be released now (available on iTunes), especially with new and notable releases this year by Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode, who have toured and/or are touring (as well as New Order).  Parralox tackles songs by all of them – three by Depeche Mode, one by New Order and its predecessor Joy Division – as well as a most curious and intriguing gamut of 18 pop/new wave/dance tunes from the early 80’s through to the early 90’s, some hits or dance club hits, and others more on the fringe.

For those of you who know Parralox’s recent work, such as “Hotter” (from This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume One) and “Silent Morning”, the supurb cover of the Noel 80’s freestyle and pop hit (also to be included on This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume Two), you are likely more familiar with Amii’s Gwen Stefani-meets-Madonna voice.  She has additional shining moments on Recovery, bringing a new human dimension minus the robotix on Kraftwerk’s “The Model”; a bang on ready-for-clubs rendition of Madonna’s “Physical Attraction”; a synth-washed pop version of Depeche Mode’s “Somebody”; and a straight forward take on ABBA’s “The Day Before You Came”, as well as harmonies on some songs.

Most of the rest of the album is John’s baby.  He’s brazen enough to offer up radio-ready “Eye In The Sky”, originally by The Alan Parsons Project and the biggest “hit” within, with eerie Eric Woolfson-like vocalizing, and it will be the next single from the album.  He pulls some great 80s electropop out of storage, creating beautiful new synth sounds for Blancmange’s “Blind Vision” (who also recorded a much droller and different version of “The Day Before You Came” on the same album, Mange Tout); a dance floor feeding frenzy in the 7 minute + cover of Sparks’ “Number One Song In Heaven” (which original producer Giorgio Moroder has recently praised, take that!!); a more accessible reinterpretation of Front 242’s industrial dance hit “Headhunter”, to me the best song on the album (listen below – wait for that whip to crack!), with vocals as if Dave Gahan joined forces with Blancmange’s Neil Arthur; a strong version of Depeche Mode’s recent hit “Heaven” that was made available on You Tube this Spring; and a bold, proud version of DM’s “Black Celebration” which opens the album as the perfect lead in.  

Other successes on their own terms are covers of  lesser known songs, such as The Cure’s early “A Forest”, The Human League’s “I Love You Too Much” (from the Hysteria album), Pet Shop Boys’ “In The Night Two” (which was the B-side to PSB’s 80’s hit “Opportunities”), and Australian act Q Lazzarus’ “Goodbye Horses”, which some of you may know better from a mid-90s cover by Canadian group Psyche.

A record of 18 songs does not go without its missteps, and I give full credit to Parralox for their creativity and insight into these songs, but they would be the reworks of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, New Order’s “Touched By The Hand Of God”, and DAF’s “Kebabträume” – the latter is not my cuppa, and I’m way too attached to the originals of the former two.  All in all, though, you can lock me up in a room anytime with a host of Parralox covers and while I might not know what to expect next, I will be totally, and enthusiastically, engaged 🙂

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Video: Get Lost In @RiverTiber ‘s “The City”

RIVER TIBER, “The City” (video)

I first heard it almost 8 months ago, and it remains as one of my favourite songs from one of the most consistently interesting and progressive electronic rock albums of 2013, reaching #1 on my personal chart for a month back in the winter.  “The City” by Toronto’s River Tiber from the initially free downloadable album Synapses, now has a video to accompany its sparse, intricate vocals, instrumentation, and melodies.  

The video has surfaced because Synapses is about to see official USA release.  It captures the romantic nighttime beauty of my city, Toronto, as well as the longing and forlorn feelings that the song conjures up from within.  While I’m not sure what levitating on a soccer field and all of the various triangles represent in the video, I’m pleased to see all this happening for singer/multi-instrumentalist/video director Tommy Paxton-Beesley who at 22, and with a smart quietness about him, has a very bright future ahead.  “The City” is one song ticket that will help him get there.  Online press from SPIN magazine today no less is a sign!

Rockin’ Soul: @JanelleMonae featuring @MiguelUnlimited in “Prime Time”

JANELLE MONAE featuring MIGUEL, “Prime Time”

From her upcoming album The Electric Lady comes this mighty fine duet between fiery talent Janelle Monáe and suave and unmistakable Miguel, “Prime Time”.  The song combines the best of mid-70’s soul that makes you think of Chaka Khan and Patti LaBelle meeting Major Harris or Tyrone Davis, with the rock sounds that evolved from Michael Jackson, Nona Hendryx, and particularly Prince (who apparently is featured on Janelle’s album).  

While her jumping off point was certainly her featured role in fun.’s “We Are Young”, songs like “Prime Time” will undoubtedly put that song quickly into the past to focus on the talents that she started to showcase a few years back on well-received albumThe Arch-Android.  Janelle Monáe has her A-game going and the celebrity support from Prince, Miguel, Erykah Badu and others should not be dismissed.  Can’t wait to hear the complete results.

It’s The Real Deal: “Applause” by @LadyGaGa

LADY GAGA, “Applause”

While GaGa certainly doesn’t need my help with some kind words about the video for “Applause”, I’m writing it up nonetheless because it is The Real Deal in so many ways.  

Having experienced the GaGa concert experience earlier this year – 3 shows before her tour ended – “Applause” continues the grand splash of visuals, costumes, dancing, and singing that made her concert so impressive.  Only at one memorable point in the video do I think it goes overboard, even beyond GaGa, but the rest of it is spot on, extremely well directed and paced by fashion photographers Inez & Vinoodh – GaGa is on display clothed, little clothed, wigged, unwigged, costumed crazy, covering all the bases without it all even seeming too busy.  

So what Lady GaGa has done with “Applause” is made a video that is consummate entertainment, especially impressive for those of us who have seen the music video era from the start.  The song itself is a truly storming dance record that breezes by.  If ARTPOP will be filled with songs as well done as “Applause”, we will all be the richer.

Action and More Action: Video for “Rewind” by @Neverestmusic

NEVEREST “Rewind”

I’ve already written about how much I like the power and energy which is transforming the sound of Toronto quartet Neverest, and the song landed on my personal chart this week at #23.  The band had already posted a huge tease of a trailer for the video for “Rewind”, and it has arrived.  The teasing and waiting is well worth it.  The video, directed by the award-winning RT!, is heavy on action and story, with excellent performance shots of the band interspersed, and it looks like a large amount of dollars was sunk into its creation.  This makes for top notch entertainment value in 3 minutes or so as cute but evil gal absconds with what was supposed to be shared loot, and sics her thugs on our boys, who manage to get survive it all, even amid cell phone interruption (note the “About Us” ringtone)!  Congrats to Neverest and their team for making one of the best video’s I’ve seen all year.

@JesseMcCartney Joins the Indie Ranks with R&B Flavoured “Back Together”

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JESSE McCARTNEY “Back Together”

It was such a huge surprise for me back in 2008 when I found some of my favourite songs that year came from Jesse McCartney’s Departure album.  The album was a retreat from the teen pop of successful songs like “Beautiful Soul” in favour of current R&B flavouring along with stretching a vocal range that had developed over the years.  The hits were “Leavin'” and “How Do You Sleep”, but album-only songs like my personal favourite “Relapse” and “Freaky” also commanded attention.  

After a long stretch which saw no album release and a few singles that simply did not resonate, 27 year old Jesse returns with “Back Together” – and it sounds like a more logical successor to songs from Departure.  And this time, like The Jonas Brothers and others, he has no major record label, so the song wisely keeps abreast of the ongoing R&B pop trend, joining Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, 98 Degrees, and others.  Opening for Backstreet Boys on their current tour, performing on the “Army Wives” TV show, and lending his voice as Theodore in the “Alvin & The Chipmunks” movie series will certainly help keep Jesse McCartney in the public eye.  And I’m really hoping he will achieve similar reaction to Departure whenever his new album is released.  “Back Together” is a great taste of things to come.  Listen below.