Autumn has begun in the western world with no shortage of solid independently released music to keep us all going. Check out this Report’s new songs as well as all of regular features.
In this edition of the 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 takes us back to 1988 for his Classic Five selections. Our BILLCS Top 30 Flashback chart takes us back to 2007 – how can that already be 18 years??
Do check out my daughter VXTORIA‘s six song EP Dreamstate, which follows up her her fantastic house collaboration with Toronto-area producer TEARJVCKKD called “More Love” (at the following link: More Love). Dreamstate includes three more new songs, “Awaken”, “TMRW”, and “U&Me”. It includes the previous recent releases, “Back To You”, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love” and “changes”. You can watch her in the video for her debut single “Back To You” at the following link: Back To You.
Note: To listen to the songs, click on the photos for a Spotify link.
REIGEN, “Quiero Bailar”
About the artist: After a bit of a break, American pop/R&B singer Reigen relocated from New York City to Madrid, and returned to releasing music a few months ago with “Keep Dreaming”.
About the record: “Quiero Bailar” could be a game-changer for Reigen, as he hasn’t recorded anything quite like it in the 12 years or so that I’ve been following his music. The frenetic melody embraces an older style of Latin music but his vocal execution is nothing but contemporary, with an infectious rasp, perhaps with a few cues from “Livin’ La Vida Loca” era Ricky Martin. There’s a bona fide fiesta brewing in this song and it’s simply impossible not to move to it – after all the title means “I want to dance”. Reigen’s energy is stellar, and you don’t have to be fully immersed in Latin music to get a huge kick out of this release. Bravo, más, más!
Other comments: If “Quiero Bailar” finds its ways to the right ears who knows what could happen?
JON MULLANE, “Remember in November”
About the artist: Jon Mullane is a Halifax-born singer, songwriter and guitarist who is noted for his recent releases “Walking Away” and “The Sun in Summertime”. His song “My New American Girl” previously broke into the top 40 of the Hot AC Billboard Chart.
About the record: “Remember in November” is a touching, reflective and passionate song that recalls a memorable past love. Jon’s vocal here has a grittiness to it that alternately reminds me of Adam Cohen and Robbie Robertson. The song has its quieter moments but rocks out strong too, and it all melds together in a deeply satisfying way.
Other comments: Jon co-wrote this one in Nashville, in great company with A-list writers Michael Dulaney (Grammy-nominated for Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me”, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney) and Michael Jay (Celine Dion, Eminem, Martika’s “Toy Soldiers”), and sparkling production by Creighton Doane, whose new single “Need a Friend” you read about here last week.
THE JACK RUBIES, “Are We Being Recorded?”
About the artist: The Jack Rubies is a British post-new wave quintet whose flame shone all too briefly circa 1988-1990, resulting an alternative and college radio favourite in “Be With You” and two albums, Fascinatin’ Vacation and See The Money In My Smile before splitting up. The band regrouped during the pandemic and returned with their first album in 30 years, with the previous two re-released.
About the record: The dark and cynical sound of The Jack Rubies is in full bloom on “Are We Being Recorded?” It’s alternately humourous, alternately very paranoid, and sums up just about every reason why we should all be concerned about our information being taken or our steps being followed, and all apparently legally too. Nonetheless it’s an intriguing listen and sure to make you smile, in a crooked, should-I-really-be-smiling kind of way.
Other comments: “Be With You” certainly caught my ear back in 1988. You can expect a new Jack Rubies album later this year or early next year.
ZEROBADDAYS, JOLIE ADAMSON, “Hit The Road Jack”
About the artists: ZEROBADDAYS is the performing name for the ace German saxophone player who has recorded as Stan Sax and has been one half of the dance music production duo Saxity. Jolie Adamson is an L.A.-born pop singer who previously released a track with Saxity – and is now his wife.
About the record: This is a super cool, jazzy pop rendition of “Hit The Road Jack”, a number one hit for Ray Charles in 1961 and covered countless times since. Jolie’s pristine vocal is inviting and fully committed, while ZEROBADDAYS’ sax work couldn’t be better. Fans of the song and the 1960’s era of music will be immediately down for it. Snap those fingers and tap those feet, I don’t mean to rhyme, but this one’s a treat!
Other comments: A deep house dance remix could easily attract younger listeners to join the fun.
LIAM WALL, “Medicine on Me”
About the artist: Nashville indie singer/songwriter Liam Wall has been establishing himself as a thoughtful performer with loads of potential thanks to pop songs like “Walking Red Flag” and “So” which have both been featured in this blog and on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: “Medicine on Me” is a charming diversion from slower paced songs to one with an uptempo rock flavour. Liam treads into Shawn Mendes territory here with a relatable song about two people who seemed to have been addicted to each other, but one has moved on and the other clearly hasn’t. I particularly enjoy Liam’s vocal and the catchy melody that makes “Medicine on Me” memorable.
Other comments: The talent and music is all there for Liam, now he just needs a bigger audience, and perhaps more interactive social media posts would help. Make sure you check out “Medicine on Me”.
J.FLA, “Moon Eater”
About the artist: J.Fla (aka JungHwa Kim) is an indie singer/songwriter from Seoul, South Korea. While a lot of performers who we see from South Korea are part of vocal groups, we can’t forget others who take a different path to find fans throughout the world. J.Fla has been releasing music for the last eight years but became established as a covers artist on You Tube.
About the record: There’s always more to a singer than covers, if they want it to be, and clearly J.Fla has both the songwriting chops and vocal talents in “Moon Eater” to break away from that mold. The song is about seizing what may be unattainable to others and making it your own, and she uses the blue moon imagery to represent both the target and her passion. She’s also done a great job at producing this alternative pop track and creating an inviting and interesting vibe.
Other comments: “Moon Eater” is also the title track of J.Fla’s new six-song EP.
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.
It’s UK rock sensation Yungblud with “Zombie” (recorded at Hansa Studios)
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.
“Help Is On Its Way” by Australia’s Little River Band was its North American Top 20 breakthrough in 1978
“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 Aerosmith and Yungblud’s follow up collaboration to their MTV VMA’s appearance, “My Only Angel”
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. Hunter also has a new show on Fridays at 8pm EST called “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it also includes the New Music Pick.
It’s the moving electronic track “Bigger Than All of Us” by Above & Beyond with Justine Suissa
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST. 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.
Traveling Wilburys – Handle With Care
George Harrison – Got My Mind Set On You
INXS – Need You Tonight
George Michael – Father Figure
Terence Trent D’Arby – Wishing Well
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2007
When I saw this chart, I found it so hard to believe these songs are now 18 years old. Timbaland’s music was everywhere from his new album Shock Value, after having success with Justin Timberlake the year before, introducing us to One Republic. Canada’s Marianas Trench were breaking out across Canada, 19 year old Rihanna had two new entries, and a favourite movie was the remake of “Hairspray”!
01 01 THE WAY I ARE Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson, D.O.E. & Sebastian
03 02 THE FEAR YOU WON’T FALL Joshua Radin
04 03 MAKE ME BETTER Fabolous featuring Ne-Yo
10 04 APOLOGIZE Timbaland featuring One Republic
05 05 SHAKETRAMP Marianas Trench
07 06 STRONGER Kanye West featuring Daft Punk
02 07 TEARS DRY ON THEIR OWN Amy Winehouse
09 08 ON THE VERGE OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL Darren Hayes
13 09 LAST TIME George
12 10 WAKE UP CALL Maroon 5
06 11 STEP INTO THE LIGHT Darren Hayes
14 12 LOVE IS GONE David Guetta featuring Chris Willis
08 13 UGLY IS BEAUTIFUL David Usher
16 14 YOU CAN’T STOP THE BEAT Cast Of ‘Hairspray’
17 15 BREAKAWAY (Chris Fraser main mix) Inaya Day
20 16 LE DISKO Shiny Toy Guns
22 17 DON’T WANNA dbClifford
25 18 ROLLERCOASTER Major Maker
15 19 RELAX (TAKE IT EASY) Mika
26 20 SOMEBODY’S ME Enrique Iglesias
18 21 TULSA Rufus Wainwright
19 22 I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE DJ Chenelle featuring Baby Cham
New 23 SEVEN DAY FOOL Jully Black
New 24 DON’T STOP THE MUSIC Rihanna
21 25 YESTERDAY MAN Roz Bell
New 26 HATE THAT I LOVE YOU Rihanna featuring Ne-Yo
New 27 ALL I EVER WANTED Brian Melo
New 28 NYC BEAT Armand Van Helden
23 29 LEAVING FOR PARIS NO. 2 Rufus Wainwright
24 30 BREAK MY FALL Tiesto featuring BT
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