The Report is back, and thanks for your patience while I took a week’s break from writing during a busy month for me personally. I’m looking forward to a break away from my environs for my annual visit to New York City next week (where temps will be in the 30’s C/90’s F). Before the end of the month, my concert-going exploits take me to see by Francesco Yates (in Toronto at The Drake Hotel tomorrow night), Bright Light Bright Light (in NYC on June 27 at Joe’s Pub), and Gorgon City and Hayla (in NYC in Central Park on June 29).
In this rather loaded Report, you can also check out my picks of the week from this week and last, 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 has this week’s Classic Five chosen from the years 1966 and 1974, and there’s also my Retro Pick of the Week. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of the BILLCS Top 30. Lastly, you can take a look back at the indie-ridden BILLCS Top 30 chart from this week in 2011!
Listen to my daughter VXTORIA‘s latest dance music release, her fantastic house collaboration with Toronto-area producer TEARJVCKKD called “More Love” at the following link: More Love. There’s also previous recent releases, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love”, at the following link: Lost; and “changes”, at the following link: changes. You can watch her in the video for her debut single “Back To You” at the following link: Back To You.
YOUNG GUN SILVER FOX, “Stevie & Sly”
About the artist: Young Gun Silver Fox is the genre-blending pop duo based in the UK of British singer/songwriter Andy Platts and veteran American multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee. Andy previously fronted the band Mamas Gun, and Shawn led the Ping Pong Orchestra. They have released five albums since 2012.
About the record: “Stevie & Sly” is a funky slice of soft rock which seems to take its cue from groups like Steely Dan and Toto. And while today’s music is easily augmented by synthesizers and computers over live instruments, Young Gun Silver Fox does a great job at capturing that same timeless late 70’s, early 80’s vibe, including Andy’s gritty and invested vocal. “Stevie & Sly” of course serves as the reference points – Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone – for classic, diverse, and influential artists from the 70’s, and sadly the song is suddenly timely because of the recent passing of Sly. But overall “Stevie & Sly” is thoroughly enjoyable and refreshingly retrotastic!
Other comments: You can find “Stevie & Sly” on Young Gun Silver Fox’s latest album Pleasure.
BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, MYKAL KILGORE, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”
About the artists: Bright Light Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas) is the NYC-based Welsh indie artist and producer whose music has graced not only my personal chart but probably also these blog pages more than any other performer. Mykal Kilgore is the Grammy-nominated R&B artist who has served as Bright Light Bright Light’s most frequent collaborator, hence the arrival of an EP featuring four of their songs together. Two of those collaborations, “Feel It” and “Heartslap”, reached the Top 10 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: To tackle “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”, the #1 1987 release by Aretha Franklin and George Michael, both vocalists must be completely on their game together, since the song is a study in contrasting vocals that must also come together seamlessly. And knowing this, Rod and Mykal do not disappoint. While the original has long served as a gay anthem, being sung by two men allows them to make this rendition one for the guys, and it’s also a solid tribute to both of the late original artists. Don’t sleep on this one!
Other comments: I’ll be seeing Bright Light Bright Light in concert at the same venue where I first saw him in 2013, Joe’s Pub in NYC, on June 27, and am looking forward to hearing his selection of songs in the intimate supper club setting. And while Mykal isn’t announced on the ad for the show – unless he makes a surprise guest appearance – I’m hoping Rod will be able to sing it as a duet with one of his other fine guests.
KRISTINE W, “Love Personified” (7th Heaven Inferno radio mix)
About the artist: Kristine W is one of dance music’s long-time treasures that the genre can truly call their own. She had 9 consecutive #1’s between 1994 and 2006 among 17 in total on Billboard’s now defunct dance club play chart, and 6 songs from one album to reach #1 on the same chart in 2008-09. She has been releasing music independently since 2008 and continues to perform live shows. Her glorious song “Love Come Home” reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2014.
About the record: “Love Personified” is an uplifting throwback to Kristine’s own classic late 90’s, early 00’s era, and it’s taken that long for DJ’s and producers to properly welcome back this specific flavour of disco. British producers 7th Heaven take the song to another level with their dazzling remix. Kristine W sounds more fierce than ever in “Love Personified” and club DJ’s should embrace it as well as Kristine for her artistry and fervent love of the dance music genre over the past 30 years.
Other comments: There is no time like the present for club DJ’s to get to know the huge back catalogue of Kristine W’s hits. Start with “Feel What You Want”, “One More Try”, “Stronger”, and “Fly Again”, and go from there!
EKONOVAH, “Do You Feel Me”
About the artist: Ekonovah is rising electronic dance producer Stephen Scotti from Phoenix, whose brand of house music manages to treat us to something different and diverting with each release. His track “Find My Flow” reached #4 on the BILLCS Top 30 last year.
About the record: “Do You Feel Me” is a fast-paced house track that features vibrant piano sounds set against an aggressive rhythm that blends techno-house and bass-house elements. The lyrics are minimal (“I need you / do you feel me”) but often less is more when a track like this could light up a set. Ekonovah knows what to do to make people react and get them onto the dance floor, and it’s super fun.
Other comments: Look for some live performances by Ekonovah this summer in mid-south/west US cities.
MARLEY, “Good Times”
About the artist: Marley is a Dutch singer/songwriter who is based in London. “Good Times” is only her fourth single, but she is quickly making a name for herself in the UK with her candid, honest performances.
About the record: What I like best about “Good Times” is the raw vocal by Marley. She immediately sells the record to me by showing off her honed voice, and knowing it doesn’t need to be entirely perfect to be real. She’s got unmistakable control like Adele, the grittiness like Amy Winehouse, and soulfulness which reminds me of Jazmine Sullivan. “Good Times” expresses the need to enjoy life for what it is and not for what material items you gain in it. The frills are nice, but creating memories and meaningful moments are better. “Good Times” is well-shaped by producer PENGWIN.
Other comments: I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from Marley beyond these first four singles. “Good Times” is a winner.
FLASH BANGS, “Hide Away”
About the artist: Flash Bangs is a Toronto-based rock trio that is a side project for all of its veteran members – guitarist George Westerholm (George Westerholm & the Wild Wild Cats), drummer James Clark (The James Clark Institute) and bassist Sean Ryan (Mr. Miyagi), with all three members contributing vocals.
About the record: As might be anticipated with these three talents all in one unit, the often amusing word play in “Hide Away” is top notch, while the jangly melody and catchy vocals score too. A well-placed guitar solo and the propulsive rhythm section will have your head bobbing along. It’s straight up, good time rock and roll for all.
Other comments: You can find “Hide Away” on the debut self-titled EP for Flash Bangs. The trio plays The Pilot in Toronto on Saturday July 12, along with The James Clark Institute and Matthew Holtby.
GINA ZO, “Dirty Habits”
About the artist: Singer/songwriter Gina Zo hails from Philadelphia, where she recently led the award-winning rock band Velvet Rouge, which released an EP and a handful of singles. Under her real name Gina Costanzo, you may remember her as a contestant on Blake Shelton’s team on TV’s “The Voice” (season 10).
About the record: “Dirty Habits” is a powerful rocker about dreaming big, even if it doesn’t match reality. Gina’s voice here reminds me of Pink-meets-Demi Lovato, which is a potent combination in terms of being on-point and forceful at the same time. Her take-no-prisoners approach will please many fans of female vocalists who are empowered by the strong melody and authentic lyrics.
Other comments: “Dirty Habits” is produced by Grammy-winners Justin Miller and Tim Sonnefeld, who provide a huge assist in getting across Gina’s message that women in the music business should not be put into one constraining box.
NEUTRAL SNAP, “Danny ACOG”
About the artist: Neutral Snap is a New Orleans-based pop-punk quartet led by singer Joshua Latham. “Danny ACOG” is their third single released since their second album Tell Me How I Feel in 2021.
About the record: I really enjoy the energy in “Danny ACOG”, though I have no idea to what the title refers (anyone??). It’s a throwback to the mid 00’s emo punk rock of early Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco, and with listeners from that time now in their 30’s and 40’s, there is a lot of nostalgic flavour driving it in Neutral Snap’s favour. Joshua Latham’s vocal easily draws you in similar to Patrick Stump or Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day. “Danny ACOG” is a breakup song where the protagonist is resigned to the end of the relationship, with valid reasons, but still can’t get his ex out of his head. The song is co-written with Tom Denney of A Day To Remember and Fred Mascherino formerly of Taking Back Sunday.
Other comments: Neutral Snap is performing a few shows in New Orleans next week, with additional dates in New York City in September.
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.
This week’s pick:
1970’s disco legend Cerrone has a new original with fellow French artist Christine & The Queens (Rahim Redcar) called “Catching feelings”
Last week’s pick:
Swedish superstar Agnes with her dramatic and another unique dance track “Balenciaga Covered Eyes”
“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”.
It’s New Zealand rock duo of brothers, Balu Brigada, with “Backseat”
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 Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week.
From her upcoming album called Virgin, it’s another New Zealander, Lorde, with “What Was That”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (currently on vacation till July 8), 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.
Tommy James & The Shondells – Hanky Panky (1966)
The Cyrkle – Red Rubber Ball (1966)
The Happenings – See You In September (1966)
The Carpenters – I Won’t Last A Day Without You (1974)
Olivia Newton-John – If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (1974)
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 a classic collaboration: Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield with “What Have I Done To Deserve This”
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
sombr continues at #1 with “back to friends”, currently #1 at US Alternative radio. His new single “we never dated” arrives tomorrow!
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Illenium and Hayla soar 28-8 with the enthralling “In My Arms”
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2011
What’s cool to notice among the songs from my chart of 14 years ago this week is that around 60% of the songs were independent releases. I couldn’t stomach a lot of what was being played on radio, and this was slightly before streaming and at the tail end of the My Space days. Some of the songs were also free downloads on Soundcloud at the time. And 14 years old in the biz can also now be termed as “good old days”!
02 01 FLESH Simon Curtis
03 02 DO IT IN THE A.M. Frankmusik, Far East Movement
01 03 POPULAR Eric Saade
04 04 SUPERHERO Simon Curtis
07 05 STUPID (Brad Walsh remix) DATABOY
10 06 OUT WITHOUT YOUR BOYFRIEND Jerry Reid
11 07 I’M IN LOVE Christian TV
09 08 ANOTHER DIMENSION Bass Robbers, Matt Blue
05 09 EVERYTHING I’M MISSING Kyle Brylin
12 10 TAINTED LOVE Elouise
15 11 THE PUPPET WHO GAVE HIMSELF STRINGS Simon Curtis
06 12 LADY LUCK Jamie Woon
17 13 CINEMA Benny Benassi, Gary Go
18 14 THE EDGE OF GLORY Lady Gaga
20 15 BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE Chris Brown, Benny Benassi
26 16 CINNAMON Matt Webb
19 17 LINDA Andrea Lewis
21 18 RUMOUR HAS IT Adele
23 19 I CAN Blue
08 20 SOMEONE LIKE YOU Adele
New 21 VENOM Long Story Short
16 22 DRUNK.TXT Ro Danishei
New 23 THE LOVER’S RUMBA Elouise
New 24 PORCELAIN HEART Nicola Roberts
13 25 TILL THE WORLD ENDS Britney Spears
New 26 CHARIOT Monsieur Adi
14 27 NO PROTECTION Nelson Clemente
22 28 BORN THIS WAY Lady Gaga
28 29 HURT YOU AGAIN Frankmusik
29 30 JILTED LOVERS AND BROKEN HEARTS Brandon Flowers
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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