Do it for love: “Seize The Night” by @Reigenmusic

REIGEN, “Seize The Night”

Though I’ve written about his songs several times since 2014’s “Come Back To Me”, Brooklyn, NYC singer/songwriter/producer Reigen is still one of my blog’s best kept secrets.  As he continues to write more of his repertoire, which consists of R&B-soaked softer songs or punchy dance/EDM, continuing towards a full EP or album release, and performing in his city, to me it’s only a matter of time before that changes.  “Seize The Night” is a beautiful anthemic ode to not holding back for the sake of love.  Make that first kiss, win over that first impression – basically don’t hesitate to seize the moment for love if it feels right.  Reigen has absolutely nothing to lose with this one, it’s a real crowd pleaser on its own, this time in a co-production with Data Child (aka Chrissy Tignor Fisher).  So do get to know Reigen with “Seize The Night” and search this blog for my posts about his other songs and videos, which you can hear/watch on his website.

PREVIEW: Steve Void (@voidmuzik) spins a deep house remix of @Matomaofficial & @BeckyHill’s “False Alarm”

https://soundcloud.com/voidmusik/matoma-false-alarm-steve-void-remix

Preview:  MATOMA & BECKY HILL, “False Alarm” (Steve Void remix)

I rarely post previews, but I’m definitely excited about Matoma & Becky Hill’s “False Alarm”, which I posted about a few weeks ago.  Matoma gave young Dutchman Steve Void the remix reigns and he’s substituted some powerful deep house rhythms for the original tropical flavour.  Becky’s voice remains supreme amid some repeated vocal effects which work well.  “False Alarm” is already a huge Top 40 hit in Scandinavia and has the potential to be so worldwide.  Of course what could be better than Matoma bringing Steve with him on his North American tour “Party At Your Place” and I can’t wait to hear how it all sounds in concert.  Watch for the full version of Steve Void’s remix coming soon!

Two big thumbs up for @officialKoni’s remix of @MajorLazer’s “Cold Water”

MAJOR LAZER, “Cold Water” (Koni remix featuring Lea, Nick, J.Roosevelt & EZY)

Songs receive remixes and cover versions so quickly out of the gate these days that it’s hard to keep track, and of course many of them are unofficial.  So Koni’s challenge by jumping on it right away was to make it stand out.  He’s already captured attention with remixes/reworks of songs by Adele and Drake, and lesser known ones like the fabulous remix of Bryce Fox’s “Burn Fast”.  Making “Cold Water” ‘pop’ has been achieved here by basically combining a remix with a cover version.  Koni’s “Cold Water” has a slightly different celebratory kind of vibe (cue hands in the air :P), and if you’re going to replace Justin Bieber and MØ with others they better be pretty damn good vocalists.  And they sure are!  The voices aren’t as slick but they blend well and do rise to the huge challenge, making “Cold Water” their own.  That’s the biggest success to me with this remix/cover and it’s no wonder that it’s getting so much attention right away.  There will be lots more covers and remixes of “Cold Water” but I guarantee this is one you’ll come back to – get it for free at the link above.

L.A.’s @spkerofthehouse goes next level with deep house original “Wide Awake”

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, “Wide Awake”

L.A.-based producer/remixer/performer Speaker Of The House has quickly made a name for himself among his peers with his great ear for a mix and clever choices of remixes of songs by Elephante, Jason Derulo, and Ed Sheeran among others.  “Wide Awake” is an original fresh out of the box today, featuring warm vocals by an unbilled vocalist that will fit into any mid-temp deep house set.  It’s straight-forward and uncomplicated without any overpowering effects to detract from the classic house groove, which also makes it friendly for dance radio airplay.  “Wide Awake” is the start of great new original music from Speaker Of The House where high quality will set it apart from other house and EDM tracks.  Pick it up on any of the major digital platforms.

Real crowd-pleaser: “Day By Day” by @theDiscoFries featuring @KattRoseworld

THE DISCO FRIES featuring KATT ROSE, “Day By Day”

NYC duo The Disco Fries follow up the enormous major label house track release “Born Ready” with “Day By Day”, featuring none other than UK singer Katt Rose, who we heard recently in a dynamic collaboration with Jack Wins on “Slave 2 Love”.  “Day By Day” is an effortless-sounding crowd-pleaser that moves along so efficiently that you are guaranteed to be begging for more when its 3+ minutes are finished.  What I like best about “Day By Day” is how The Disco Fries employs Katt’s voice as part of the hook, which is one of those rare moments when you can picture a crowd standing in a circle with some lucky guy or gal in the middle as they rush up to playfully crowd them in.  “Day By Day” is a fun, festive track brought to us by those great ears behind the Armada Zouk imprint.  Get it on iTunes.

@Bannersmusic’s “Start A Riot” gets fresh EDM makeovers by @itsDaveEdwards and @Thundatraxx

BANNΞRS, “Start A Riot” (Dave Edwards and Thundatraxx remixes)

It’s rare when two remixes of a song that’s been long on the bubble come along, and you can’t really decide which one you like best.  The good news is that both are official remixes of Banners’ “Start A Riot”.  UK singer/songwriter Banners (aka Michael Nelson) has been touring North America recently promoting his highly touted EP released late last year.  And while the original of “Start A Riot” comes off as an enjoyable song that’s the next best thing to acoustic Coldplay, the remixes beg to offer up their own variations.  

NYC native Dave Edwards keeps his remix closer to the original melody as well as the pace of the song, as it gradually segues into charming futuristic deep house that allows a beautiful focus on Banners’ voice at the 2 minute mark.  

Thundatraxx is the (shhh) pseudonym for noted US producer/songwriter Eric Sanicola, who revs up the tempo a tad allowing him to incorporate an anthemic tropical vibe which serves the song nicely, keeping the song’s intention and vocal qualities intact.

So you can’t go wrong with either remix and it will be special indeed if club DJ’s can find a place for them in their playlists, which will help grow Banners’ music to an entirely different crowd.  Listen to both remixes via Spotify below.

 

 

Listen and groove to @JuliaMarielive’s impressive “Just A Moment” (@Descentmusic remix)

JULIA MARIE, “Just A Moment”

While there are many fabulous vocalists in the dance music scene, there are very few that infiltrate EDM with pristine power.  L.A.’s Julia Marie is one such singer with what really should be an auspicious release called “Just A Moment”.  Parts of the melody remind me of another song which I can’t think of, though it recalls The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life” briefly.  But that aside it has potent retro moments recalling Sarah McLachlan’s earlier work as it rises up against Jessie Ware’s songs and performance as well.  The Descent remix gives the song that EDM rush that will make it stand out on the dance floor.  All in all this is a real treat from a promising talent, so do give it a strong listen above.

A chill grower: “Vague” by @FabianLuttenb in a @Stan_Sax edit

https://soundcloud.com/stan_sax/vague

FABIAN LUTTENBERGER, “Vague” (Stan Sax edit)

I often underestimate the power of EDM releases that are much more chilled out than what I usually listen to, and then before you know it I simply want to hear more.  Such is the case with Fabian Luttenberger’s “Vague”, an impressive tune that’s essentially an instrumental with female vocal effects.  It’s been given added perspective and a light house feel thanks to the edit by Stan Sax (aka one half of producers/performers Saxity) which adds that gloriously rich instrument which you’re hearing a lot in EDM these days – the saxophone!   And it all meshes and endures nicely through its five minute length.  “Vague” is perfect for early evenings in a club or when you want to start drawing club goers back out onto the dance floor with some ease and care.  Download it for free at the above link.

@TwoFriendsmusic ignite the power in @MAXgschneider’s “Lights Down Low”

MAX, “Lights Down Low” (Two Friends remix)

MAX and Two Friends were simply destined to work together.  The LA-based duo of Matt and Eli have given Max Schneider’s “Lights Down Low” (originally from MAX’s Hell’s Kitchen Angel album) an official remix that is totally unlike the ballad original.  But they’ve taken MAX’s splendid vocal in all of its subtle and powerful moments and have built a rollicking club anthem that will lead to those quieter parts of the evening.  Over the last year or so Two Friends have had such a variety of remixes and originals, yet in most of them there are a recognizable few moments that (like The Chainsmokers and a few others) have helped define them as world class producers and performers who are getting those deserved big gigs in Las Vegas, as well as major label releases like this one.  “Lights Down Low” is one of their best yet and MAX’s own fans will be delighted with this one.  Pick it up or hear it on most major platforms.

Fun, fun, fun: @iamPeterSax with “Sun Dance”

PETER SAX, “Sun Dance”

“Sun Dance” is a great song for summer or that winter vacation to a hotter place.  It’s all about the good times outdoors when the music is up loud and we have Austria’s Peter Sax to blast his saxophone to be heard miles away.  The video is perfectly suited to the festive nature of the song, which seems to draw a lot from Caribbean-tinged songs from about 10 years ago.  But with tropical EDM flavours being enjoyed worldwide there’s no reason for Peter Sax’s “Sun Dance” to be overlooked.  Hunt down the extended version for an even better time 🙂