French producer Martin Vallée gets crafty with redux of “Uptight” featuring Victor Perry @perksofbeingvic

MARTIN VALLÉE featuring VICTOR PERRY, “Uptight”

One song that will catch you in that danceable bounce of a moment is “Uptight”, a redux of the (Little) Stevie Wonder classic, brought to us this time by French producer Martin Vallée with vocals by NYC singer/songwriter Victor Perry.  Don’t think Motown – this version of “Uptight” is deliberately far away from that style and Stevie’s younger days.  Think buoyant synths and vocal effects, all bridged nicely by Victor’s top notch phrasing of the main chorus that we all know from the original.  Victor’s vivid voice is just sweet enough to work as a convincing substitute for Stevie, without even trying to be like Stevie.  Having just spent a week in Miami immersed in dance music, “Uptight” is well-suited for club DJ’s looking to connect with their audiences through classic songs.  Check it out at the link above.

Lost in the moment: UK singer Ben Davidson @BDavidsonmusic returns with “Fallin’ In”

BEN DAVIDSON, “Fallin’ In”

You never know who was once in a boy band, and British pop music fans know Ben Davidson from his time in Most Wanted years ago.  But one thing is for sure – having that experience often generates fine singers, even if not necessarily in the style of that band.  Ben is a true pop/rock balladeer with “Fallin’ In”, another Daniel Volpe production for Energise that captures the essence of being lost in the moment where you really don’t know where you’ll be heading next.  Ben’s crisp voice leads a sublime undercurrent of classic guitar, piano and drum work.  “Fallin’ In” has many tender moments as well as a bright, anthemic quality that pervaded his previous single “The Chain”.  Watch for the remixes of “Fallin’ In” later in the week.  In the meantime add “Fallin’ In” to your favourite rock-flavoured love songs playlist on Spotify using the link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #531 – March 19/18

A changing chart makes it anyone’s guess as to what will be #1 in two weeks – even I don’t know 🙂  While there are a lot of songs on the rise, my focus in this post is on a selected few of note as well as four debuts which charge in to make their presence known!

The Top 10

  • Troye Sivan’s “My My My!” is glued to the top for a third appearance (sixth week), so we’ll see in two weeks if it can stay atop.  Two weeks ago I brought you the Cash Cash remix.  Finally, the much awaited remix by fellow Australian Throttle is on deck below.

  • Mako’s “Breathe” is also benefiting from some remixes as it glides up the chart from 5 to 2 to challenge “My My My!” in two weeks.
  • A number of new peak positions occur for some fabulous songs in the Top 10.  Dave Edwards & Mark Asari’s “What We’re Made Of” (above) slides to #3; Miguel’s “Told You So” is up a notch to #5 (below, and ohhhh what a concert that was last week!); Mika’s “It’s My House” also rises to #9; and Reigen’s beautiful cover of “Dreams” by The Cranberries becomes his second Top 10 song following 2014’s “Come Back To Me” (#2).

  • The Chainsmokers packaged a trio of singles into a new EP:  the outstanding “Sick Boy” (above, up 9 to 6) plus “You Owe Me” and now “Everybody Hates Me”, which some ‘Smokers fans are either saying it’s the best or worst song they’ve ever done.  I really like it – give it a spin below.

  • The fastest riser on the chart becomes the third entry in the Top 10 for Tipsy Records.  It’s the mysterious and progressive “Smile” by Norway’s Dyrisk featuring British producer Nik Ernst.  It makes short work of the chart, climbing 22-8!!

Movin’ On Up

  • UK singer/songwriter James Poole closes in on the Top 10 as his song about simply being you, “Perfectly Me”, rises 16-11.
  • Right behind me is the collaboration of Quebec’s Robotaki and Washington DC’s Manila Killa featuring Floridian vocalist Matthew John Kurz in the heart-wrenching “I Want You”, moving 17-12.  It’s set afire by the remix by L.A.’s Spirix, still available for free download.  But Robotaki released a fantastic new song at the end of last week called “Butterscotch” which is totally unlike anything he’s put out before, and Drake, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller fans will be swooning – check it out below.
  • L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand is playing The Magician’s Potion showcase in Miami Music Week on Friday March 23, and no doubt will be spinning his latest soul-drenched effort “Prisoner” featuring UK vocalist Laurent John, up 20-14.
  • Toronto’s Francesco Yates was kind of a last minute addition to Justin Timberlake’s Toronto and Montreal shows last week, but an amazing opportunity nonetheless.  His new single, the seductive “Come Over”, climbs 27-20.

Four Debuts

  • It was just a little over 25 years ago that Marc Kinchen reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart with “Always”.  He was also responsible for the key remix for The Nightcrawlers’ classic 90’s hit “Push The Feeling On”.  The much-respected producer and DJ known as MK got his first UK Top 10 hit with the soulful banger “17” earlier this year, and now it’s setting out to do the same in North America, first tackling the club charts.  “17” bows at #19.

  • UK trio Years & Years return to the chart with their fifth entry, their first since late 2015, the tantalizing “Sanctify” at #25.  This bodes incredibly well for their upcoming second album!  Y&Y are an absolute joy in concert thanks to tight performances and Olly Alexander’s down-to-earth presence on stage.  Check out the conceptual video above.
  • Following their surprise Top 40 pop hit “Best Friend” along with The Knocks, NERVO and Alisa Ueno, NYC duo Sofi Tukker are back on this chart for the first time since their Grammy-nominated hit “Drinkee” in 2016 with “Baby I’m A Queen”, from the upcoming album Treehouse.  Like with “Drinkee”, it’s the guitar hook in “Queen” that seals the deal.  So glad to see these nice folks with all of their success.  “Baby I’m A Queen” arrives at #26.
  • Just as the enduring and inspiring “Everybody Hurts” tumbles off the chart, Dutch duo The Him lose no momentum with their latest single “White Lies”, bowing at #27 with new remixes also on deck!  If you’re at Miami Music Week, The Him are performing about a half dozen shows, including at Ultra, so you don’t want to miss them!

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here!  Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the new BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Kyiv’s @DJTeriMiko collaborates with Italy’s @Gojamusic for D’n’B infused “All I Want”

TERI MIKO & GOJA, “All I Want”

Two promising new acts in dance music collaborate for something a little different in “All I Want”.  Kyiv, Ukraine brings us Teri Miko, who is already getting rave reviews for energetic live shows and opening for the likes of Marshmello and DJ Snake at some festivals.  Italian producers Goja have been one of the more talked about new names in dance music with support already from Diplo and Dillon Francis.  “All I Want” dabbles nicely in pop territory, with attractive uncredited female vocals providing a worthy introduction.  But then the song segues smoothly, albeit sneakily, into engaging trap and drum ‘n bass synth antics which will seal the deal for clubs.  Add “All I Want” to your Electric Eclectic playlist using the Spotify link above.

Estonia’s @theMadisonMars brings on the sunshine with vibrant “All They Wanna Be” featuring Caslin

MADISON MARS featuring CASLIN, “All They Wanna Be”

Madison Mars brings the sunshine to springtime with the vibrant “All They Wanna Be”.  The Estonian DJ,  who has already remixed songs by Martin Garrix and Pink, knows his way around a pop song, creating a contagious melody and rhythm that don’t let up.  Caslin’s chipper vocal enhances the appeal of “All They Wanna Be”, and the timing is perfect for a summery anthem like this to take roots and grow.  Remixes could help deliver the goods for clubs.  But for now “All They Wanna Be” is one of those fine singles that works it all out in under three minutes.  Listen and groove along at the link above.

Madison Mars performs at Miami Music Week on Tuesday March 20 at the FireBeatz & Friends event at FDR At Delano in South Beach.

Nashville’s @SpazzCardigan will make you smile with the whimsy of “Episode”

https://soundcloud.com/spazz-cardigan/episode-1

SPAZZ CARDIGAN, “Episode”

“Episode” is one of those light hearted songs that moves in storyline from watching TV with other things on your mind to distract you, to getting high watching cartoons.  And Nashville’s Spazz Cardigan has the style, voice, and diverse musical backdrop to make it all believable, entertaining and relevant, and it follows up the release of his debut album “I” last year.  With influences from Queen to *N Sync to Kanye West, “Episode” has a funky beat that will actually remind you of “The Next Episode” (without the additional effects), while Spazz’s voice takes the guy-next-door approach to goings on in the house-next-door that you might not think would happen.  But it’s all in the name of great fun and whimsy, and I think a video is in order to put it into perspective.  Listen in at the link above and be prepared to be smiling afterwords.  

Toronto’s @FrancoisKlark offers solid story-telling pop with “Run”

FRANÇOIS KLARK, “Run”

Newcomer François Klark is off to a fine start with his second single release “Run”, from his forthcoming album “Love”.  Hailing originally from South Africa but now based in Toronto, François has a soft, appealing voice that appears to have some soulful power which we get to hear in key moments of “Run”.  Sort of a cautionary tale, in its video “Run” offers pause for thought, when encountering a bad scene with his special guy, that if you ran from it at first, would you still do it a second time?  Or, does it just play out in your head that way?  François knows how to weave a good story and “Run” should be aimed initially at Canadian radio listeners for worthy national exposure.  Check out the video at the link above.

Rising Ukrainian producer @Saganmusic goes big with the future house of “Need You Too”

SAGAN, “Need You Too”

They say that the best thing about future house dance music is that it borrows from the past to make what’s coming next even brighter.  Sagan’s “Need You Too” can definitely subscribe to that model.  Essentially an instrumental with fleeting vocals reminiscent of 90’s dance smashes, “Need You Too” pushes some structural boundaries – light and familiar classic house is quickly followed by darker and deeper future bass all-in-one – and becomes an interesting, fulfilling record for clubs in 2:39 flat.  It’s also great to see a young producer from the Ukraine (despite my own last name, that’s my maternal heritage 🙂 ) get the big nods – Tiësto, through release on his Musical Freedom label, Martin Garrix, Don Diablo, and others.  Add Sagan’s “Need You Too” to your Big Bounce dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

Swedish production trio @weareJRL goes for the heart with “Break Your Fall” featuring Cammie Robinson @UKCammie

JRL featuring CAMMIE ROBINSON, “Break Your Fall”

“Break Your Fall” is the follow-up to JRL’s deep house collaboration with Ludvigson back last Fall with “Waiting On You”, once again for Tipsy Records.  This time the Swedish production trio goes straight for the heart with a rich melody and hook accentuating some high notes in an electronic ballad led by a knowing but warm vocal by UK singer Cammie Robinson (hailing from my grandmother’s home town of West Yorkshire).  “Break Your Fall” may be familiar but it’s timeless and captivating which will bring it home for most listeners and should garner a few close-ups on the dance floor too.  You’ll know what I’m talking about when you give it a spin at the link above.

California singer/songwriter @JayB1rdmusic keeps inspiring with the synth-pop of “Calling”

https://soundcloud.com/jayb1rdmusic/calling1

JAY BIRD, “Calling” (free DL)

“Calling” by California singer/songwriter Jay Bird is about finding what inspires you and following your instincts.  It could be music, as it is clearly for Jay, but for others it could be something else, including a special someone.  “Calling” is equally as uplifting as Jay’s preceding single, “Up Here”, which I wrote about not long ago.  He makes both songs personal by using his own vocal, which is not note-perfect but conveys the passion in his craft.  “Calling” is much lusher than “Up Here” with a more complex electronic arrangement and fine harmonies that fill the gaps.  “Calling” has that power of a great pop bop – to make you feel good and want to hear more.  You can celebrate your own “Calling” by giving a listen up top then downloading the song for free while you can.