A Charismatic vocal by @MarcoFosterworld graces “Sideways” by @TastyTreatmusic

TASTY TREAT featuring MARCO FOSTER, “Sideways” (free DL)

Rising L.A. based EDM duo Tasty Treat (aka John and Devin) have wisely enlisted the talents of NYC’s Marco Foster for this laid back ballad called “Sideways”.  Camp Flo Rida is being very good in support of on-the-bubble Marco these past few years, and what we have here is a confident R&B vocal that will appeal to fans as diverse as Bryson Tiller, Justin Timberlake, and Justin Bieber.  While I think an acappella version would likely cause jaws to drop, nonetheless Tasty Treat have created deliberately sparse but classy electronics behind Marco’s vocal.  It reminds me of a jazzy 60’s R&B song that’s been transported in time to pick up tender electronic rhythms and a vocal with that same kind of classic retro appeal.  Give it a listen and download it for free at the link above.

Crushing it with melody: @ChetPrtr and @itsChelsCutler with stunning “Stay”

CHET PORTER featuring CHELSEA CUTLER, “Stay”

Many lower key electronic songs neither make a huge impression nor have an impact on the dance floor at a club.  “Stay” by Toronto’s Chet Porter featuring new American vocalist Chelsea Cutler might change that.  Released by the Foreign Family Collective (curated by Odesza, which includes Jai Wolf), it’s a lush, melodic song with an ear-ringing vocal that is in fact the perfect companion to this year’s end-of-summer song, “Closer” by The Chainsmokers and Halsey.  There are so many songs called “Stay” that have similar themes, but this one is really beautiful and romantic.  After listening to a couple of his wilder remixes, I was fortunate enough to see another side of Chet at a recent ‘secret’ DJ set in Toronto which drew to my attention his keen ear for melody.  Dance clubs should be all over “Stay” instantly and don’t be surprised if radio follows soon after.  “Stay” is a diverse head-turner that requires your attention.  Billboard has already sang the song’s praises – read it here.

Chet Porter’s upcoming North American tour will include a Toronto date at The Velvet Underground on November 8 which includes Lemaitre.

For your late night summer drive: “Keep Up” by @FelixCartal featuring @iamStephJones

FELIX CARTAL featuring STEPH JONES, “Keep Up”

“Keep Up” is one beauty of a slick but laid back deep house track brought to you courtesy of my renown fellow Canadian Felix Cartal.  It’s perfect for a late night cruise down the highway while there’s still heat/warmth in the air (depending on where you are).  The familiar and classy vocal is brought to you by Steph Jones who you’ll also be hearing soon on the upcoming Tritonal album.   Felix Cartal continues to grow an excellent repertoire with songs like “Keep Up”.  So kick off your sandals on that beach and dance the night away as you try to “Keep Up”. Listen above and pick it up at your favourite online digital store.

Seamless house: “Temptation” by @Christofimusic featuring @AYERofficial

https://soundcloud.com/lesolmusique/christofi-feat-ayer-temptation

CHRISTOFI featuring AYER, “Temptation”

L.A. producer/musician Michael Christofi returns with a proper bookend to his fine Spring house track “Don’t Need You” (featuring J-VEN), which is wrapping up a run on the BILLCS Top 30 after peaking at #9.  Christofi is such a natural at creating new-meets-old house music, he slips into this comfortable, recognizable deep groove and switches it up each time to capture your interest.  This time he opts for a soft but genuine vocal by AYER that adds to the sly but simple intrigue of the song, and it all makes for very happy feet.  “Temptation” is another winner and you can download it for free using the link on the Soundcloud page above.

All that glitters: “Fame” by Canadian producer @DeBoermusic featuring @itsJoelmusic (free DL)

https://soundcloud.com/deboer/fame-feat-joel

DEBOER featuring JOËL, “Fame”

Rising Toronto area producer DeBoer carves out his own path with the funky and melodic “Fame”.  That kind of groove is a perfect match for the versatile voice of his buddy Joël LeMay.  You’ll recall a certain blog post from this past Spring about Joël’s hypnotic storytelling in his song “You Fucked Up” – which became my most-read post in four years! While Joel’s vocal forms the core of the song and gets much richer as the song moves along, DeBoer offers a swift pace that changes it up between softer bluesy moments and some nice drops that are sure to make you bounce along.  “Fame” is a touch different for your dance music mix and well worth hearing.  And if you enjoy it enough, download it for free at the above link. 

Here’s @ColePlante’s winning take on classic “Teardrops” featuring @Bobimusic

COLE PLANTE featuring BOBI, “Teardrops”

I trod in potentially muddy waters when I decided to play this song and this low, expressive voice started singing what are some of my favourite lyrics of the last 30 years.  So what did I get myself into?  I would never have associated 19 year old California producer/DJ Cole Plante with the 1988 Womack & Womack classic which was such a huge hit in the UK and Europe but not in North America.  It’s been covered many times over, but “Teardrops” is a massive, soulful win for Cole, who broke out DJing with Skrillex at age 16, and has already had a Billboard Dance Club Chart #1.  The skillful vocal by Bobi has major punch, charm and emotion rolled all into one.  Cole’s mix slams hard when it needs to and has a lush and percussive backdrop.  While it’s a solo vocal outing rather than a duet, look for “Teardrops” to garner favour in clubland fast.  Radio stations looking for a song that’s somewhat familiar yet never a hit over here may wish to invest some time with this rendition.  Two big thumbs up!!  Listen above on Spotify.

@akaSIROJ and @BrandynBurnette are a perfect pair for R&B/jazz-tinged “Stars”

SIROJ featuring BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Stars”

“Stars” is an unexpectedly R&B/jazz-tinged initial collaboration between Dutch producer/DJ SIROJ and our very own Brandyn Burnette.  Off-the-beaten-path dance pairings don’t get better than this.  Both bring their A-game, with SIROJ creating a lilting, islands-influenced lighter house melody and rhythm, immensely complimented by Brandyn’s dreamy and committed vocal.  While I will always listen to anything that Brandyn sings, “Stars” still caught me off guard for its daring diversity but also its immediate appeal.  Listen above and pick it up on iTunes.

@ElectricBodega shake it up Spanish style with @AngelicaRahe’s “Pa’lante”

ANGELICA RAHE, “Pa’lante” (Electric Bodega remix)

Spanish (but L.A.-based) singer Angélica Rahe’s “Pa’lante” has more than enough festive spice to share on its own, but NYC producers Electric Bodega (currently on fire with “Rest Of My Life”) have given it some next-level energy to shake up a dance floor.  The song title is the colloquial abbreviation for “para adelante” (or “go ahead” in English), which in dance music terms means strut your stuff and win over your partner 🙂  Angélica’s highly engaging vocal – take that Shakira – is the core of the song but Electric Bodega keep it busy making for both great listening and then reacting on the dance floor.  “Pa’lante” is fiery but goes down easy, and Spanish is not required (though it helps).  Check it out at the link above.

@officialMAXR adds progressive flavour to “Can’t Let Go” by @TheJaneslife

https://soundcloud.com/maxrmusic/cant-let-go-maxr-remix/s-BzoH4

THE JANES, “Can’t Let Go” (MAXR remix)

NYC vocal quintet The Janes – aka Jaime, Kelly, Llyra, Tayla, & Bella – have already acquired a growing You Tube following with a variety of cover versions.  The original of this original tune is much more rooted in a playful tropical pop beach vibe, and remixer MAXR turns it a tad sideways with some progressive flavours that make it stand out, which gives it a nice balance between the song’s softer moments.  There never seem to be enough gal groups around long enough to make an impression.  “Can’t Let Go” in the MAXR remix could be the ticket for The Janes for some club play.  Listen above and download it for free.

Surprise!! A diverse @AdamLambert vocal showcases on the potent @Tritonal and @Jenauxmusic’s collab “Broken”

TRITONAL & JENAUX featuring ADAM LAMBERT, “Broken”

“Broken” is this week’s surprise WOW track and I’m expecting great things to happen with it over the next while.  Not only does it unleash something new from Tritonal (from the upcoming album Painting With Dreams due September 9), but in collaboration with my man Jenaux (gracing the BILLCS Top 30 with both funky original “Get It On” and remix of “Native Son Prequel” by Gramatik), we have Adam Lambert on vocals!  I’m not sure how this all came together but the results are pretty stunning, from both pop and dance perspectives.  Adam has such a great, immense voice, and the production on his recent album The Original High offered a lot of restraint in favour of lyrics and melody.  In “Broken” there’s a lot of harmony to blend with Adam’s vocal, which provides for a perfect match against the upbeat tone of the song, which is all about putting on your best face going forward after a breakup.  “Broken” is one of those classy, diverse radio-radio pop/dance songs that should not be put aside.  Adam’s vocal is instantly recognizable and Tritonal and Jenaux have crafted some powerful magic together.  Listen above and pick it up on iTunes.