Atlanta duo @BellsandRobes weave an intriguing tale set to electronic dance rhythms in “Jackal and the Moon”

BELLS AND ROBES, “Jackal and the Moon”

Atlanta production duo Bells And Robes are not your typical electronic dance music makers.  Drawing a lot of inspiration from zen and other philosophies, their latest effort “Jackal and the Moon” is almost fairytale-like in structure.  The premise – two new lovers dancing in a foreign land, not knowing that their relationship is never meant to be – is intriguing and put across beautifully by uncredited vocalist Kaisune in a passionate and committed performance.  Amid all of Bells And Robes’ electronic experimentation – sometimes house, sometimes future bass with dashes of trap, thriving from what sounds like it could have been a classical piece originally – the vocal holds the song together and retains your interest throughout.  “Jackal and the Moon” is going to be a tricky sell, but there are electronic dance music fans out there who enjoy music that’s a little more left field, and college radio may also be a good home for it.  Check it out at the link above.

Pump that bassline: “9 To 5” has spicy retro flavours from NYC’s @TruthxLiesmusic and @Holymanmusic

TRUTH x LIES and HOLYMAN, “9 To 5”

It’s been a while since I’ve written about NYC duo Truth x Lies, but they have a winner for clubs with “9 To 5” in collaboration with fellow New Yorker Holyman.  There’s not much lyrically to the song but its chorus is consistent with what club goers want to hear because there is no “9 To 5” in the dance music world 😛  What gives this one edge is its sly, retrotastic synth bassline, which sounds like it was inspired from some of the best disco and dance records of the 70’s and 80’s.  It all works together well, making the Truth x Lies and Holyman a collaboration that could be repeated, and club DJ’s should appreciate the extended mix.  Add “9 To 5” to your Dance The Night Away playlist using the Spotify link above.

Post-royal wedding original from UK singer/songwriter @JamesFrancis86 with “Free To Be Me”

JAMES FRANCIS, “Free To Be Me”

What a thrill it must have been for James Francis to be part of the choir that received worldwide praise for their rendition of “Stand By Me” at the recent royal wedding.  James has fine talents to offer on his own as is readily apparent with his new original “Free To Be Me”.  The UK singer/songwriter has crafted an instantly likable slice of soul/pop that you don’t hear much of these days.  It’s positive and empowering, with a terrific carefree rhythm that makes it a breezy breath of fresh air.  While the younger folks are crafting their own brand of R&B, it’s a pleasure to hear a song that will remind you of 80’s and 90’s  soul pop like Seal, Hall & Oates, Lionel Richie and others.  Add it to your Slice Of Soul playlist using the Spotify link above.

SoCal’s @CadenJester has a zingy toe-tapper “Vacant Love” with singer @BlakeRosemusic

CADEN JESTER and BLAKE ROSE, “Vacant Love”

It starts off a bit deceptively, as it phases in introducing the fine voice of Blake Rose, but “Vacant Love” by SoCal producer Caden Jester is actually a memorable, zingy toe-tapper that nicely straddles the finer lines between pop and dance music.  Pop-wise, it’s an engaging, melodic song, and I must say that Blake’s vocal is one of the finest by a new singer that I’ve heard in a while.  Caden Jester’s production keeps the snappy rhythm flowing, cleverly using a quieter vocal break that might otherwise be the place for a big drop, and it works extremely well.  “Vacant Love” gets an immediate two thumbs up for me and club DJ’s should enjoy a song that will take audiences out of a slower set from zero to 140 🙂

 

Another instant summer disco anthem by @Moranmusic and @divaJasonWalker with the striking “I’m In Love With You”

TONY MORAN and JASON WALKER, “I’m In Love With You”

Legendary producer Tony Moran and sensational NYC powerhouse vocalist Jason Walker can simply do no wrong when they get together with a new song.  Following up “So Happy” and “Say Yes”, this year we have “I’m In Love With You”, ready to brighten up your day if not your entire summer!  Like the others, it’s an ideal song for clubs, reveling in the happy vibe of the classic disco era, with Jason’s vocal towering over a zesty, contagious melody.  There is no wonder why the pair keep going to #1 on the dance music charts.  “I’m In Love With You” draws from many different, enjoyable dance styles while still carving out its own niche in the crowd.  Watch the video above.

A soaring @JayB1rdmusic remix enhances dreamy “Wasted A Moment” by Pink Lemonade @PinkLemon4ever

PINK LEMONADE,  “Wasted A Moment” (Jay Bird remix)

Sometimes it does take a remix to show another side to a song, or to bring a little more flavour to it that works in harmony with the intent of the original.  Such is the case with UK duo Pink Lemonade’s “Wasted A Moment”, which in its original version is an atmospheric mid-tempo ballad.  You’ve read a few posts this year about Southern California producer Jay Bird’s songs, and he brings his distinct melodic flair to the dreamy landscape already created by Pink Lemonade in the song.  It’s a rich-sounding production that accentuates high end drum beats, and really soars in key places in the song, so it doesn’t come off as busy or over-produced.  “Wasted A Moment” becomes more of an anthem for savouring those special times in your life.  Check out the remix at the link above and download it for free!

Australia’s @Throttle goes next level with the R&B dance blend of “All In”

THROTTLE, “All In”

Continually one to watch as he grows and grows within dance music, Australia’s busy and prolific and ever-touring Throttle tackles a very different but next level style for him with “All In”.  As co-written with singers/songwriters A*M*E and MNEK, “All In” is smoking R&B dance music that is a surefire strong bet for international play on dance music radio stations and in clubs.  Although uncredited, I would gather that the vocal also belongs to MNEK, already out there with his new songs “Tongue” and “Colours”.  Even if not, the vocalist tackles the song in the way any powerhouse would and totally goes neck-and-neck with Throttle’s inventive and complimentary production.  A song like “All In” only makes you want to hear more collaborations by the three principals, who are onto a good thing that can only get better!  Add “All In” to your Take No Prisoners dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

“Happy Again” is taut and intense for the dance floor by @SynColemusic with #LissA

SYN COLE and LissA, “Happy Again”

“Happy Again” may be downbeat in theme but it will be all abuzz for the dance floor as brought to you by Estonian producer Syn Cole with distinctive vocals by LissA.  “Happy Again” follows up Syn Cole’s latest Billboard-charting single “Who You Are”.  I particularly enjoy how this song builds and takes you on a taut and intense ride thinking that you’ll be led to a happy ending to the story.  You’ve heard LissA numerous times in the last few years but to me her most notable vocal was for The Him in “I Wonder”.  She captures the uneasiness of the song well as it moves through some dandy house rhythms to keep you grooving.  From recently remixing duets by Kygo and Miguel, and Charlie Puth and Kehlani, Syn Cole is a diverse producer who will continue to grow on the industry’s radar.

“You” makes it two consecutive winners for NYC producer @Elementthecity with @Khamarimusic

ELEMENT and KHAMARI, “You” (free DL)

Quickly following up the success of the melodic and free-flowing “Movements”, NYC producer Element (aka Chris Cruz) is back with “You”.  He moves away from dreamy, female-led electronica to a powerful, soulful, male-led release with vocals by Boston singer Khamari.  The production is equally slick but when you have a song simply called “You” the affect is that much more personal.  Khamari has a fantastic voice and Element plays with it a bit for emotional effect that completely works.  So with two delightful and ever-so-different songs in a row, Element shows how fluidly he can move from style to style within the genre, and I look forward to more new songs from him this year!  Like with “Movements” you can download “You” for free for now, so get it while you can at the link above.

B.C.’s @TristanTmusic is Diamond Café with an outstanding revival of #GeorgeMichael and Wham!’s “Nothing Looks The Same In The Light”

DIAMOND CAFE, “Nothing Looks The Same In The Light” (free DL)

It’s been a while since we heard from B.C. singer Tristan Thompson since his debut album as Diamond Café dropped last year with its varied take on contemporary soul.  Well brace yourselves folks because he’s returned with a remarkable choice of a cover tune in tribute to George Michael – Wham!’s “Nothing Looks The Same In The Light”, originally released on the 1983 album Fantastic.  Tristan makes this rendition extra poignant not so much because he sounds like George Michael all the time in the song, but because he has his style down pat, even in a more uptempo version than the original.  That this is not one of Wham!’s better known songs makes it sound fresh all over again in a new arrangement.  It’s also a free download, so better scoop it up while you can at the link above because in time it’s going to get noticed especially by George Michael fans.  Hats off to Tristan for bringing back this song in such fine form!