I’ve been stumbling across reboots of 1990’s dance club hits lately, and there are three fine examples of the best of them in this week’s roundup of recent releases.
I also want to wish my producer and owner of Halton Hills Radio Online, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton a very happy birthday!! Russ puts my voice together with the music in “The Big 20” and “Your Weekend New Music Mix” shows, and makes it all sound special for you!
In the Report, you can also check out my pick of the week, along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five takes us back to the pop sounds of 1971. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.
The BILLCS New Music Report is always a work-in-progress and I welcome your suggestions so feel free to contact me at through my social media links right here.
Reminder: Click on the photo to watch the video or listen to the song.
REEVE CARNEY, “America”
Since I last wrote about Reeve Carney and his music in 2017, when I first saw him perform in support of his album Youth Is Wasted, his star has risen significantly. Until earlier this year, he was the star of the Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning “Hadestown” in NYC for five years, and also had a role in the film “House of Gucci”. When not on stage, TV or in film, Reeve performs solo cabaret-styled shows which started in NYC but have recently been in L.A. too. I was fortunate to catch one of his shows again in NYC last year in a dinner theatre setting, which was thoroughly enjoyable. So I’m glad to see some new original music in the form of “America”, which I’m hoping will hit home with many of his fellow Americans in this election year. The heartfelt message in “America” seems to come from the perspective of the average person who has noticed the change in the country over the last 10 years in particular. The song fortunately does not mess around with politics, and others who feel the same way about their country will relate. One of Reeve’s cabaret shows has showcased the music of Queen, and I must say that in “America” he borrows some of Freddie Mercury’s swagger and passion to get across his message. “America” is captivating and beautifully sung, and you won’t forget it once you’ve heard it. You can also check out a live performance of the song at the following link: America.
WH0, SAM FRANDISCO, YOMANDA, “Synth and Strings”
The prolific UK duo WH0 are back with their own take on Northern Ireland producer Yomanda’s 1999 Top 10 UK hit “Synth and Strings”. They have already had two chart toppers on the BILLCS Top 30, last year’s “What You Need” (with Steve Angello) and “Rock The Party” earlier this year. Working with mystery protégé Sam Frandisco – whose name conjures up a punchline to a joke I heard as a teenager during disco years, “I left my heart in Sam Fran’s Disco”, but is more likely a play on Dom Dolla’s song “San Frandisco” – their version of “Synth and Strings” doesn’t sound a whole lot like the original, which can be a good thing, in its playful mix of 90’s dance music styles, including house and techno. The original “Synth and Strings” itself sampled disco classics “Dance Yourself Dizzy” by Liquid Gold and “Keep On Jumpin'” by Musique (a glorious Patrick Adams production) as well as the unmistakable 90’s European hit “Meet Her At The Love Parade” by Da Hool, so the disco vibes are huge and the flavour is entirely European. WH0 and Sam Frandisco have created a new “Synth and Strings” that’s fresh and vibrant that will more than hold its own on the dance floor.
COBI, “Music Is Healing”
“Music Is Healing” is an ideal song for today’s busy social media and politics-filled world. It’s an ode to music itself as something that you can always turn to when you want to laugh, cry, or even as a mood-changer. L.A.-based Cobi provides a sparse, atmospheric and bluesy setting with some thoughtful and touching lyrics set to a twinkling piano melody. The arrangement is gradually set aglow and the resulting good vibes are sure to make you never take music for granted. “Music Is Healing” is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in concert. Cobi has been touring France and Switzerland recently, and I’m hoping at some point he’ll be able to showcase his large repertoire to North American audiences.
PINK PANDA, MARTHA WASH, “Catch The Light”
UK producer Pink Panda has concocted a frenetic take on Martha Wash’s 1998 dance club #1 “Catch The Light”. Pink Panda has transformed the elegant and uplifting original house track into a bouncing banger that beautifully showcases one of dance music’s seminal vocalists of the last 40+ years (The Weather Girls, Sylvester and Two Tons O’Fun, C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat”, Black Box’s “Everybody Everybody”). Pink Panda is well-established through Asia and Europe for his live shows, so perhaps “Catch The Light” will attract North American audiences similarly. Club DJ’s looking to kick some major butt into the high points in their sets need look no further than this rework of “Catch The Light”.
HOT SINCE 82, RON CARROLL, “Preach”
UK dance producer Hot Since 82 (aka Daley Padley) has carved out his own unique path over nearly the last 25 years, beginning with long after party sets which caught the attention of festival organizers, and by 2006 he was playing Ibiza. He’s translated that into radio programs and tours in both Europe and North America. “Preach” is a revamp of a 2005 release by house music favourite Shawn Christopher called “You Can Make It” (with both records being released by the Defected label) which she wrote with fellow Chicago house legend Ron Carroll. Hot Since 82’s version removes Shawn’s vocal and focuses on Ron’s additional vocal in which he delivers a timeless message. You’ve heard his commanding vocal lately in Mercer’s “Disco Sermon” and his distinct tone along with the message will cause club goers to flock to the dancefloor. “Preach” is a great, fun idea whose execution surpasses expectations.
N i G H T S, “Drowning”
I’m thoroughly enjoying a new era of N i G H T S songs that are vulnerable and relatable, and “Drowning” is one that includes these qualities, following up “Hopeless”, which reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30. Both songs are included on Corey and Evan’s debut album It’s Personal, along with a handful of other previous singles, including the oldest of the bunch, “Boyband” and “Basic”, and a bunch of new songs too. The guys recently reported that “Drowning” has caught some attention in China in that rather unpredictable market, which is pretty cool. If like me you’ve found some of their songs to be thought-provoking and their minimalist hip hop style both confounding and affecting, then “Drowning” may become one of your favourites. The song appears to be about being smothered by a controlling relationship, and as is the way of N i G H T S songs, its vocal and arrangement are entirely unconventional which somehow helps “Drowning” get under your skin. “Drowning” was originally released in 2019 and has been revived with a new video for you to check out above.
HUGO JOYCE, “False Hope”
British singer/songwriter Hugo Joyce has a voice very similar to James Bay, but instead of guitar being his instrument of choice, it’s piano. “False Hope” is a breakup song about self-realization, but also filled with hope after a relationship is over and the door opens up again for another one, if you want it. The song also has fantastic perspective that could actually help someone through a breakup. Hugo has opened up on tour for Benedict Cork, whose songs are pretty much regulars in this blog, and he has a similar calibre of quality and earnestness that pop music fans will enjoy.
OWBY, “Closer”
I’m not usually too keen on artists who choose to remain anonymous because their time is either short-lived in their current guise, or they end up revealing themselves before others in social media do that for them. But the latest mystery artist, and all in white, is OWBY, and “Closer” is a pretty damn catchy song that deserves attention. The arrangement and production by Swiss producer Otis Birdy is sublime, particularly for an independent release. OWBY’s narrative vocal itself to me is not the strongest part of the record, but it’s surrounded with a choir of soulful voices at times, and the wall of synths generates a soothing and compelling melody. “Closer” is about lovers trying to find a path to a future together. It’s infused with traits of most pop genres, and the overall result is danceable and inspiring. It signals a potentially bright future for OWBY, who has only released less than 10 singles in 5 years, and I’ll wait for the big reveal at some point.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
“Heart Like Mine” by Sam Feldt and Rosa Linn is driven by the melodic hook from Coldplay’s 2003 hit “Clocks”
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Russ’ record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
It’s the hook-filled “Bones” by Cornwall, England alternative artist Dylan & The Moon
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and is anchored at Energy 885, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week.
UK-born Norwegian dance/electronic producer Alan Walker joins forces with Pritam and Vishal Mishra for “Children Of The Sun”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, which is heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Stephen Stills – Love The One You’re With
Mike Curb Congregation – Burning Bridges
Dave Edmunds – I Hear You Knocking
Wadsworth Mansion – Sweet Mary
Gordon Lightfoot – If You Could Read My Mind
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
It’s Dan Fogelberg’s biggest hit, the beautiful ballad “Longer” (1980) from the album Phoenix
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Swedish dance production duos Jubel and NOTD get a second appearance at #1 with “Chocolate”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
The Janika Tenn remix of “It’s Over Love”, the 1998 club smash by Todd Terry and Shannon, moves up 30-23
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