Strange enough, a couple of repeat themes have surfaced in some songs that I’ve reviewed this week in the Report. One is about starting fresh in a new era, and another is about overcoming obstacles that led to the right path, whether it was winning a TV competition, or releasing your music after recording it many years ago. These are the kinds of stories behind the new music and the performers that compel me to continuing writing in this blog and announcing on my radio shows for you to check out each week. Many music buffs would have given up at a much younger age, and my announcing voice maintains the illusion!
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks 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 mix looks back at songs from 1977. Please do check out the playlist for show #9 of The MAPL Tapes featuring the music of Lights. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
KAREN HARDING, MR. BELT & WEZOL, “Night Moves”
About the artists: Anyone who has read these blog pages regularly knows who Karen Harding is, the UK house music queen whose massive UK hit “Say Something” is a dance club staple all over the world. This new release is the start of Karen taking over control of her music through her own label, Purple Coco, distributed by LabelWorx. And for it, she joins forces with veteran Dutch producers Mr. Belt & Wezol, who have recorded for every major dance label out there (mostly through Spinnin’), with countless remixes for the likes of Drake, Oliver Heldens, Zara Larsson, and Lost Frequencies.
About the record: Karen’s vocal sounds effortless but poised in “Night Moves”, which has an easy-going vibe about it but also shakes loose for a fun chorus too. This is melodic house at its best, with the production by Mr. Belt & Wezol providing a warm energy and some terrific showcase moments for Karen too. Dance music fans will love it at first listen.
Other comments: After numerous collaborations with the likes of Rudimental, Armand van Helden, and Purple Disco Machine, and recently Dimension on the BILLCS Top 30 #1 “Guardian Angel”, “Night Moves” looks to be the start of a promising new era for Karen Harding.
JOHNNY ORLANDO, “Charlotte”
About the artist: 23 year old Mississauga, Ontario-born Johnny Orlando is best known for his 2020 Canadian pop radio hit “Everybody Wants You”, and like other artists who rose out of creating covers on You Tube, has a huge following from countries around the world. Johnny recently concluded his major record label deal, to which he was signed at 15, one that promoted him as another good-looking young artist with fandom, without seeming to get fully behind his music.
About the record: Folks like me who only got to know Johnny’s music in a casual way are likely to be taken most aback by “Charlotte”, the title track of his recent EP, and think – is this the same guy? “Charlotte” is certainly an energetic pop bop in all senses of the word, and it parallels Johnny’s new era as an indie performer. I’m really enjoying the chaotic, ribald vibe of the song, and it’s the kind of record that will be most appreciated in concert. “Charlotte” is full of hooks and Johnny’s vocals throughout are top notch. It will easily appeal to fans of Sombr and Corbyn Besson, while I think Johnny fans and die-hards will hear “Charlotte” as the kind of song they’ve been wanting from Johnny for a long time.
Other comments: Johnny is playing three “intimate” shows in New York, Toronto and L.A. in early June, ahead of the release of his fourth album, Songs for Young Lovers on June 12.
SYDNIE CHRISTMAS, “Run”
About the artist: Sydnie Christmas was an established performer in London’s west end theatre shows when she auditioned for, and subsequently won, “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2024.
About the record: Clearly, Sydnie has a dynamic, powerful and versatile voice that won over fans with her cover versions from the TV contest as well as her subsequent album, My Way. “Run” is an anthemic and cathartic track about continuing to try and push on when all odds are against you. The vocal and spirit of the song are very authentic, the kind of song that immediately draws in the listener. The song was co-written with British singer Gabrielle Aplin, who took Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “The Power of Love” to #1 for a second time in the UK in late 2012, and followed it up with a number of other chart entries.
Other comments: To show the flip side, I think an acoustic version of “Run” would be great to hear with the layers of production stripped away. Sydnie’s second album, as yet untitled, is due in September.
JENNIFER FOSTER, “Feel What I Feel”
About the artist: Jennifer Foster is a Toronto-based singer, songwriter and producer who has collaborated with Ron Sexsmith, Moe Berg, Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), Carole Pope (Rough Trade), and was previously a member of The Pursuit of Happiness. She is also known for her portrayal as “Jazzagal” on TV’s “Schitt’s Creek”. Her latest album, Powerline, is her fourth solo release, with all songs written by her.
About the record: Without question, Jennifer Foster has a beautiful voice. When she hits her high notes, they are of “oohs” and “aahs” quality. Her songs on Powerline, with focus on vocal and acoustic guitar, are a mix of pop, folk and jazz flavours, and “Feel What I Feel” is a bright and summery album track from it. The song has a lot of 90’s flavours, think Alanis meets Sheryl Crow with dashes of Joni Mitchell and Diana Krall for a well-rounded, diverse sound. To me, it’s the standout track from the album.
Other comments: Many of the songs in Powerline are deeply personal and were inspired by the New Brunswick farm where she grew up.
LECX STACY, “Hurry, Grin”
About the artist: Lecx Stacy is a progressive electronic artist of Filipino heritage, originally from San Diego but based in L.A. I recently wrote about his single “With You, I’d Be Closer to God” which you can find at the following link: Closer
About the record: The music of Lecx Stacy is unpredictable. The structure of his songs somehow breaks a lot of rules but often come together as a whole. As I’ve previously mentioned, Porter Robinson is the first artist that comes to mind – not a bad thing, either. I’m not sure what “Hurry, Grin” is all about. The artist says it represents a “distorted reality” and that “It made me reflect on the patterns I carry myself or what’s been formed through experience, and what might’ve been inherited without me even realizing it.” It’s chaotic and messy, but at the same time the sharp melody and versatile instrumentation shine through. And I love me some underdogs like Lecx Stacy.
Other comments: Lecx Stacy has toured with the likes of alternative rock artists like Jean Dawson and Kennyhoopla, and “Hurry, Grin” previews his third solo album, The Folkhouse, due on May 8.
CASSIUS WOLF & DAS ABS, “I Can’t Reply”
About the artist: I’ve written about several artists in the last few years who were formed years ago, released music for a period of time, and have now returned to find listeners who will love their music even more than the first time in the streaming era. Cassius Wolf & Das Abs put a spin on this story – the duo of Cassius Wolf and Don Watson formed in Liverpool in the late 1970’s and performed many live shows, but never had the opportunity to release music to the audience that enjoyed them. Remarkably, Cassius did record several songs which until now remained unreleased.
About the record: Through the illusion of time, music and its artists can be young and fresh again. Without reading their press material first, I mused over the likelihood that these guys did in fact have an affectation for the early 1980’s new wave era. In fact, they lived through it, with Cassius and Don both working at the legendary night club Eric’s, the hangout for many musicians of the era such as Joy Division/New Order, Julian Cope/The Teardrop Explodes, Pete Wylie/Wah!, and Matt Johnson/The The. Through modern technology, Cassius has recrafted songs like “I Can’t Reply”, originally recorded on tape. The song has a timeless dark feel, reminiscent of Echo & The Bunnymen and Simple Minds but with influences from British psych-rock of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Cassius’ affecting vocal and the crunchy bass work are standouts. College and alternative radio stations should get all ears on deck for this one.
Other comments: After more than 40 years, the debut album by Cassius Wolf & Das Abs will be released, called An Afternoon in Bedlam. Check out the video for “I Can’t Reply”, obviously made with help of AI but with great respect to the artists they knew, at the following link: Reply
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 more slick disco house from San Jose dance producer Jay Bird with “No Exception”
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program, owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. and produceer of my show “The Big 20”.
From Montana, it’s rockers Buffalo Traffic Jam and “Fool’s Gold”
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 on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” as well as on The Musicman James Rogers’ “The 3D Variety Show”.
It’s the influential rock record by Aretha Franklin, “Rock Steady” (1971)
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 has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my NewMusic Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.`
DJ Hunter has caught the earworm that is “Tha Rizzla” by Italy’s Filippide
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays). 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.
Carly Simon – Nobody Does It Better
Johnny Rivers – Swayin’ To The Music (You Tube link)
Leo Sayer – Thunder In My Heart
Dan Hill – Sometimes When We Touch
The Commodores – Easy
The featured performer in Show #9 is 4 time Juno Award winner Lights!
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Sombr racks up another chart at #1 with “Homewrecker”, giving him a total of 12 appearances (24 weeks) at #1!
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
From the deluxe edition of Wishbone, out on Friday, it’s “The Best” by Conan Gray (28-22)
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