After acquiring some notice with his remix of Matoma’s “Running Out” a while back, Portugal’s Olibe returns with his club take on “Castaway” by King Deco. What makes this song convincing as a pop record are King Deco’s vocal, which is totally in-the-moment of the song. Olibe recognizes this by building his dance rhythms around the vocal, creating some well placed pauses as well as a borderline dirty drop that provides a clubby anthemic effect. Give a listen above and I’m sure you’ll find your head bobbing and your body swaying to this one!
Canadian singer/songwriter and former soulDecision frontman Trevor Guthrie has found a great home in the EDM world post-“This Is What It Feels Like”, and continues to release wonderful positive and summery songs like “Wanted”. It’s probably his best solo single yet, with great hooks both musically and lyrically that give it a double whammy effect for both radio and clubs. Sony Canada is on board with this one and I hope it sees release in the rest of the world. I’ll be interested in seeing what remixes surface which might take it to another level. In the meantime listen above and pick it up on iTunes where available.
BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Closer” (Sean Turk remix) (free download)
I was not expecting Brandyn Burnette’s music to expand into EDM and embrace it, but once you get started with experimenting then it’s hard to stop. So following remixes of songs like “Made Of Dreams”, Brandyn lets Sean Turk take the reigns for the alternately progressive and futuristic “Closer”, which in original version appears on the State I’m In EP as a collaboration with John Lock. I think I like this version of “Closer” better! It seems to be a little more vibrant and the EDM crunch that arrives quickly at the 40 second mark set the pace for the rest of the remix and doesn’t let up. It’s no wonder that this one is already getting early DJ support, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it pop up in charts nationally. It’s also a fine companion piece to Elephante’s “Closer” with a different perspective. Download “Closer” for free above and let it sweep you away!
Chris Malinchak likes his EDM with a strong dose of classic R&B/soul and returns with “Please You”. The NYC producer carries on the success which started with the #2 UK posting of “So Good To Me” in 2013, as well as pairings with the likes of Mikky Ekko and MAX (Schneider). For “Please You”, Chris borrows from the early 90’s song “Is It Good To You” by the great Teddy Riley (from the film “Juice”) to create the baseline for the song, which sounds fresh amid all of the great dance music out there. “Please You” should get some positive early notice and we’ll be hearing more from Chris Malinchak soon. Download “Please You” for free at the link above.
If you’re hankering for a blast of early 90’s pop/house by the likes of Martha Wash or C+C Music Factory, then “Tell Me” by L.A.-based Niko The Kid – you’ll remember his collaboration with DATABOY, “When It Rains, It Pours” – and Atlanta duo Halogen is just for you! The guys have lots of inspiring tricks up their sleeves to keep you entertained in its huge, spiffy mix, but you still won’t stop thinking of how well it would fit into a 90’s mix. “Tell Me” is a real crowd-pleaser and I expect DJ’s looking to inflect 90’s house into their current mix will just love it. Give it a listen above and be drawn into that groove 🙂
The increasingly fast pace of the online music community, especially those in EDM/dance, has created a shift on my bi-weekly chart, with five more debuts this week. My favourites up top are hard to dislodge right now but will soon have to make way for new ones 🙂
The Top 10
Newly signed to Warner Chappell/Justin Tranter publishing this week, Brandon Skeie retains the pole position with his delightful “So Bad”, either in original form or the splendid remix by EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix. It ties “Care For Me” by Dzeko & Torres and Hellberg (now #20) as the longest running #1 of 2016 so far.
Both the #3 and #4 songs have a funk undercurrent in common which makes them stand apart from other songs this year. Snøwmass’ crunchy remix of “Sound Of Home” by Canadians Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods moves to #3, while the 80’s retro funk/R&B sound of Jenaux’s original “Get It On” climbs to #4.
For the second time, the fastest riser belongs to the glorious “So Happy” by Tony Moran and Jason Walker which rises 12-5 and has its sights on the top. Will it get there? It largely depends on other songs on the rise further down.
Making it two-for-two in the Top 10, L.A.-based producer/remixer/performer Spirix lands at #8 in partnership with LZRD and vocalist Remmi for the crazy/emotional “Take Me Apart”. One to watch 🙂
Michael Christofi gets his first Top Tenner with the slick classic house of “Don’t Need You”, featuring a marvelous vocal by J-VEN. It moves up 11-9.
Following 2013’s debut “The Way”, Ariana Grande is back in the Top 10 at #10 with the slick, R&B flavoured “Into You” from the Dangerous Woman album.
Movin’ On Up
Chicago’s Megaphonix continues to climb up the chart with the fun and positive deep house track “Open Your Mind”, rising 20-14. Spin this and watch your dance floor fill up!
L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette is really expanding his horizons with the diverse songs from his recent EP State I’m In. The title song (video coming soon!) climbs 26-22 while the hypnotic “Worship” jumps 21-17.
The songs from the mixtape NGHT LFE by Mi Disguise and Rouse have major growing power. The late night romance in “Her And Him” rises 23-18 but I wouldn’t second guess a future debut from another song on the mixtape sometime soon!
5 Debuts
One song I’ll be heaping praise over for the next few weeks is “Shy” by Belgium’s The Magician featuring NYC-based singer/songwriter Brayton Bowman. This old-style disco-flavoured track is one of the most powerful, ear-catching dance songs around thanks to a riveting vocal by Brayton. It plows onto the chart at #19!
Another song with a fantastic vocal but an emotional quality that will leave it stuck in your head is “Rest Of My Life” by NYC’s Electric Bodega. The vocalist is Matt Beilis and I could listen to him sing anything. “Rest Of My Life” bows at #23.
Following his success with “Get It On” (currently #4), Jenaux continues to funkify other songs through remixes, and one that works especially well is “Native Son Prequel” by Gramatik. But what also helps make this song special are the ultra cool lyrics and equally smooth vocals which are so into it all by Leo Napier. “Native Son Prequel” premieres at #25.
I’m not sure it will happen, since it was pretty well released simultaneously with “Don’t Let Me Down” (now #13), but to me “Inside Out” by The Chainsmokers featuring Charlee should be “Down”‘s follow up hit. So many remixes, including those by KLYMVX and Not Your Dope x Spirix, show the diversity and power in this particular song that worked so well with “Down” too. “Inside Out” debuts at #26.
A few weeks back I was pleased to write about “Rainbows” by new Atlanta singer/songwriter Victor Perry, which helped send it to #1 for a few days on the Hype Machine Twitter chart! It’s also got some positive vibes from other blogs since then too. It’s a beautiful classic ballad – “Rainbows” arrives at #27, from Victor’s EP 4 A.M. Nostalgia.
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch
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
http://www.planetradio.cais back! Listen for my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear return this Tuesday evening at 9pm EST
TEISON & HENRI PURCELL featuring ANTHONY GALLIVAN, “Your Loving”
There’s so much great dance music out right now for the summer of ’16, and you can add “Your Loving” by Teison and Henri Purcell featuring singer Anthony Gallivan to the music. Teens like Dutchman (based in India) Teison and German Henri Purcell keep coming up with clever alternatives to the Calvin Harris and David Guetta pop/dance sturm-und-drang of the world, and “Your Loving” is a fresh slice of lighter deep house. This one skews pop more than EDM and it’s also a standout because of Canadian Anthony Gallivan’s soft and sweet vocal, which you wouldn’t usually find in this kind of mix. “Your Loving” overall is a strong record that you shouldn’t miss out on. Download it for free at the above link.
FRANKMUSIK featuring LINDSAY LOWEND, “High On You”
From FrankMusik’s latest EP release Day Break, “High On You”, a collaboration with Lindsay Lowend, recalls other FrankMusik songs such as “Hurt You Again”, “Hymn” and “2B” where the singer brings forward his not-often-heard R&B and soul inspiration. In the past, his voice has reached soulful heights on edgier breakup songs. “High On You” definitely rides a happier vibe with a retro feel that seems to be a throwback to the halcyon days of mid-80’s US mid-tempo R&B that was more successful in the UK charts than at home (e.g. Rene & Angela’s “I’ll Be Good”) or even perhaps songs by the likes of The Style Council. I’m not sure if there’s a sample in the mix or not, if so it may be obscure, too hard to tell! “High On You” is set to a slicker-than-ever electronic backdrop and is a quintessential FrankMusik song, so I’m looking forward to hearing more songs from Day Break, which you can pick up now on all major platforms.
KSHMR & FELIX SNOW featuring MADI, “Touch” (Brevis remix)
Bulgarian producer and remixer Brevis brings a huge, powerful trap remix to KSHMR and Felix Snow’s pair up on “Touch” featuring singer Madi. What starts off as classic on-point EDM with a fine vocal is taken to the next level as the rhythm gets bigger and bigger and gradually takes control. “Touch” is a fun song to show off your dance moves in a crowd and at just under 3 minutes it’s over in a flash and makes you want more. Get it for free at the link above.
California producer/DJ Xan Griffin substitutes the tropical vibes and saxophone riffs of LA producer/singer Ookay’s original version of “Thief” to create a progressive house alternative that stands on its own. The original intent and somewhat unique song structure (for EDM anyway) is maintained and the result is a touch dramatic but well done. My only complaint is that, despite a lovely softer ending, this remix of “Thief” ends too soon and could easily have gone on for another minute! Enjoy and get it for free at the link above.
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