Now that good weather is upon us in the western part of the world, it’s important for music fans to go out and support their favourite artists in concert, particularly those who are not signed to a major record label. Attending their shows and buying their merchandise if you wish goes a long way to support them. And for those artists who are non-performing who are also faves, use all of your favourite social platforms to post about them. Several may eventually decide to perform in concert, while others may choose to remain in the studio.
My daughter VXTORIA has released two singles thus far, both happily well received, “Back To You” and “changes“. Watch for her sultry and rhythmic third single “Lost In Your Love” on Friday May 15! Remember, this is only the start!
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 is back with his weekly “3D Variety Show” and this week’s Classic Five selection mixes it up with songs from the 1979-1981 era. You’ll also find out what songs were atop the BILLCS Top 30 for each of the last 27 years!
Reminder: Click on the photos below to listen to the songs, usually with a Spotify link unless otherwise indicated.
PROVI, RON CARROLL, “Celebration”
About the artists: Provi is a veteran French dance producer, specializing in retro disco flavours, recently featured here with his single with Mercer, “Remember Me”. Ron Carroll is a house music veteran from Chicago, who often preaches his own gospel of dance music through songs like the recent “Love Message” with Robbie Rivera. But on “Celebration”, Ron lends his distinct singing voice.
About the record: Don’t worry, it’s not a rehash of the overplayed Kool & The Gang hit. “Celebration” is a lively, summery original co-written by both artists, and it’s as if it took a time warp to leap into 2025 from sometime in the 70’s or 80’s. It’s exactly the classic disco vibe that I crave, having lived through that era as a teenager, and I’m so glad Provi and Ron are here to help revive it properly!
Other comments: This one is for all of the club DJ’s incorporating disco and old school house into their mixes. Play the HELL out of it!!
STEPHEN MARLEY, “Old Man”
About the artist: Stephen Marley is one of the children of Bob and Rita Marley, and he has won a phenomenal 8 Grammy Awards, three Reggae Album of the Year awards for his own records and the rest for work with his siblings, including as member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers and as a producer.
About the record: “Old Man” is a cover of Neil Young’s seminal 1972 hit, that is featured as a part of the collection Heart Of Gold Volume One. It’s a benefit album for The Bridge School, pioneering nonprofit that helps children with severe speech and physical impairments through assistive technology. The reggae lilt adds a special charm to Stephen’s otherwise classic interpretation of the song. And it’s a rather poignant juxtaposition given that his own father only lived to age 35. It all adds up to a cover version done very well, and now available for the right reasons and a worthy cause.
Other comments: Stephen, ironically, was born in 1972, the same year that the original version was released. Other artists appearing on Heart Of Gold Volume One include Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, The Doobie Brothers with Allison Russell, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and more. The company releasing the compilation, Cinema Music Group (CMG), is known for reimagining classic songs and producing new music with both established and emerging artists.
GREAT GOOD FINE OK, MARC E. BASSY, “Pressure”
About the artists: Great Good Fine OK is the NYC duo of Jon Sandler and Luke Moelmann who have been regular visitors to this blog particularly as of late, as they have just released their new five-song EP, Seven. Marc E. Bassy is a San Francisco-born indie pop/R&B vocalist. On his records he has worked with such artists as G-Eazy, Kehlani and Shake 070, and has been the vocalist on dance releases by Shift K3Y, Dillon Francis, and Cheat Codes.
About the record: “Pressure” is a pretty direct pop/R&B release with Jon and Marc offsetting each other’s vocals seamlessly. The vantage point of the song’s lyrics is an interesting one – when you’ve finally met a special person and the pressure of dating is off, but the pressure of building a relationship is on. As is to be expected from a GGFO release, the production and synth work sparkle, making the whole package a winner.
Other comments: GGFO’s Seven EP also includes other collaborations with country singer Danielle Bradbery and rocker Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness.
CREIGHTON DOANE, “Better Believe It”
About the artist: Creighton Doane is a veteran multi dimensional musical artist based in Toronto (originally from the Canadian east coast), embracing roles as a musician/songwriter/producer and performer. “Better Believe It” is his first new solo work in about 15 years. In the intervening years, he continues to perform as the drummer for Canadian rock band Harem Scarem, which he joined in 2000. In the past, he’s worked with such award-winning talent as Alannah Myles, Kim Mitchell, Honeymoon Suite, and his sister, Melanie Doane.
About the record: “Better Believe It” provides instant retro feels with its 80’s power pop flavour, which includes an impressive guitar solo. It’s vibrant and uplifting, with rich production, and would sound great on the radio. Creighton’s vocal is also a highlight, reminiscent of what you would hear in bops by the likes of Rick Springfield, Matthew Sweet, and Dwight Twilley. But overall the song is a real earworm, with a timeless message.
Other comments: Now is the time for Creighton to return to solo work if he has more songs up his sleeve like “Better Believe It”, which will find instant fans.
EGZOD, MAESTRO CHIVES, EKE, “Follow”
About the artists: Egzod is a Miami-based dance producer originally from France who I’ve written about several times before because of his fluid and varied production style which can shift from harder and edgy to melodic. He previously worked with Polish violinist on 2021’s “Royalty”, his most successful release thus far. EKE is a Dutch singer/songwriter who has had her songs recorded by the likes of Tiësto and Hardwell, and has sang on songs by Morgan Page and Sander van Doorn.
About the record: “Follow” is a boisterous techno-house rave up with an occasionally medieval-sounding melody. Egzod mixes up the pace, giving the song great momentum and memorable moments, which makes EKE’s vocal and Maestro Chimes’ luminous violin work really shine. Fans of Egzod and Maestro Chimes’ “Royalty” will be easily won over by “Follow”. It’s a fine song that has wonderful sync possibilities particularly for video games.
Other comments: “Follow” is Egzod’s second release for Canadian label Monstercat, following 2023’s “Mayday”. Monstercat’s recent acquisition by Create Music Group should mean a lot more for indie artists like Egzod going forward.
FOUR NIGHTS, “all night long”
About the artist: Four Nights is Irish DIY pop artist Tommy Buckley, whose recent releases have been featured in this blog, and are now available to you in his new EP, called in my mind i’m safe.
About the record: Out of the songs on the EP, “all night long” is my new favourite by Four Nights, a new companion to his 2021 release “Want You Always”, which reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30. There’s just so much to like, from Tommy’s vulnerable, guy-next-door vocal to its underdog theme of having a crush on a girl who doesn’t know he exists. The rhythm is upbeat, and overall the song takes you into those early moments of attraction, and not knowing too much about what you want to do with them – in “all night long”, it’s talking on the phone.
Other comments: In the hands of the right producer, I think the songs and talents of Four Nights could easily be taken to another level.
aibai & vinny, “running around”
About the artists: aibai & vinny are mid-west American alternative pop songwriting duo Aibai Tarrant and Vinny Rosa-Chavez, with aibai the producer and vinny the vocalist. “running around” is a track from their recent self-titled EP following up “still broke” which I wrote about a few weeks back.
About the record: aibai & vinny’s unconventional style led me through their four song EP thanks to the distinct and and impressive “still broke”. “running around” is an atmospheric, acoustic-guitar led folk-oriented track. Unlike “still broke”, “running around” doesn’t include vinny’s falsetto, focusing on his dreamy tenor instead. aibai adds other instrumentation that fills out the backdrop resulting in another unique song that is well worth your attention for all of its almost 5 minutes.
Other comments: I’m certain that the music of aibai & vinny would sound wonderful in a moderate, intimate venue where their many talents can be highlighted. Their EP is for those music fans who like to spice up their mix with a touch of adventure.
YARIN GLAM, “Human”
About the artist: L.A.-based Israel-born indie alternative rock artist Yarin Glam follows up her biting recent single “Rebel” with the title track from her upcoming EP Human.
About the record: It’s clear that Yarin Glam’s songs come from an honest, authentic place. “Human” is a friendly reminder to all of us that we don’t know everything and it’s okay to ask for help or be wrong, no matter how old we are, because we all figure out as much about life as we can along the way. “Human” is a much more restrained than “Rebel” in a very good way, a piano rock ballad that shows off Yarin’s vocal range and never goes over the top. Yarin Glam is not the kind of artist whose style or songs can be summed up easily, because she is hugely capable of making sudden and successful shifts.
Other comments: Yarin recently toured with former X-Factor contestants, American rock trio Emblem3. I’m confident with her recent songs that we’ll see her in solo shows sometime soon.
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.
Miami dance producer GT_Ofice is back with producer friends Matthew Topper and Petie for “Something New”
“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”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
From her first album in 10 years, Flying With Angels, it’s Suzanne Vega with “Chambermaid” and its Bob Dylan hook!
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. It’s anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. His show “Pyjama Party” is back, on Saturdays at 5pm EST on Energy 885.
It’s French electronic dance duo Nito-Onna with “Gravity”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can 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.
Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing (1979)
Wings – Goodnight Tonight (1979)
Bee Gees – Tragedy (1979)
Diesel – Sausalito Summernight (1981)
Blue Oyster Cult – Burnin’ For You (1981)
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.
Jazz fusion found its way into the pop music scene in the early 80’s with songs like 1981’s “Is It You” by guitarist supreme Lee Ritenour
27 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 27 years.
2024 SHIVER, John Summit, Hayla
2023 ENCHANTÉ, Lewis Thompson, Clementine Douglas
2022 ARETHA, Mercer
2021 NO MORE LOOKING BACK, Idris Elba, Inner City, Steffanie Christi’an
2020 GET YOUR WISH, Porter Robinson
2019 WHITE LIES, M-22
2018 SMILE, Dyrisk, Nik Ernst
2017 FILL ME IN (SOMETHING TO SAY), Loud Luxury, Ryan Shepherd
2016 CARE FOR ME, Dzeko & Torres, Hellberg
2015 CHASING STARS, Corey Niles, Alex LaCasse
2014 PROXY, Martin Garrix
2013 MAP, Frankmusik
2012 WAITING FOR THE FEELING, Bright Light Bright Light
2011 POPULAR, Eric Saade
2010 BEAT DROP, Simon Curtis
2009 CHEATER OF THE YEAR, Evan Taubenfeld
2008 AMERICAN BOY, Estelle, Kanye West
2007 MAKES ME WONDER, Maroon 5
2006 TURN ON THE MUSIC, Roger Sanchez, GTO
2005 LONELY NO MORE, Rob Thomas
2004 AMAZING, George Michael
2003 THE REMEDY (I WON’T WORRY), Jason Mraz
2002 THE MIDDLE, Jimmy Eat World
2001 FLAVOR OF THE WEEK, American Hi-Fi
2000 THERE YOU GO, Pink
1999 MILLENNIUM, Robbie Williams
1998 INDESTRUCTIBLE, Matthew Good Band
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