One of Sofi Tukker’s more memorable songs from their opening set for The Knocks on their most recent tour was “Hey Lion”. Leaving the intriguing Portuguese lyrics in the dance craze-worthy EDM of “Drinkee” and “Matidora” for an English track this time, the duo (who are Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) opts for some soothing, chant-like funk which immediately brings to mind the sneaky rhythm of 80’s classic “White Horse” by Laid Back. Groove along to this one and roar on the dance floor 🙂 You can pick up “Hey Lion” on iTunes along with Sofi Tukker’s other recent songs. A longer play release is in the works (and ongoing touring – this week they are at SXSW) as the pair are signed to The Knocks’ own imprint Heavy Roc.
Four years ago in Season 2 of “The Voice”, Jamar Rogers delivered A-list calibre performance after performance – particularly for me of Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” – which allowed him to finish in the Top 10. Continuing on in his journey after being picked up by Tommy Boy Records last year, Jamar’s latest is a timely cover of Sophie B. Hawkins’ much revered 90’s hit “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover”. Jamar grabs the strong soulful vibe of that song and reshapes it into an urgent soulful anthem. For those not familiar with his other earlier songs, “Lover” is that much more different, a powerful plea with a great groove that will have you singing along and cheering all the way to the end. Look for an album this Spring from talented Jamar.
Jake Barker’s recent choices of new material and cover songs are proof in the pudding of the diversity he showed as an underdog favourite who conquered his stage fright on Season 6 of “The Voice”. “Bump” is one of those new originals, and for the first time it throws Jake into dance music territory, to which his voice is amazingly suited. Somewhat ironically, the last post I wrote about Jake was about his cover of Usher’s “You Make Me Wanna”, and “Bump” also treads into Usher dance music territory similar to great songs like “More”. More power to Jake to continue and lay everything out for listeners to hear and find what might resonate for his upcoming full album of Trip. Watch the video above.
There is plenty to be said for setting the stage and creating the right atmosphere in a song. France’s Klingande (aka Cedric Steinmyller) does that oh so right with his latest emotional deep house release “Losing U”, featuring LA’s Daylight, and following up the totally different 2015 European smash “Jubel”. “Losing U” will be incredibly effective towards the end of a late evening in the club when you just don’t wanna go home, especially after meeting someone. The strings in the song really get under your skin, making “Losing U” one for both the heart and the feet. It could easily follow the ongoing success of Alan Walker’s “Faded”, so you can expect to hear Klingande’s “Losing U” very soon in your favourite club and on dance music radio.
NYC group The Village Sound – focusing on the Brothers Gorman, particularly vocalist Dan – provide a great introduction to what they’re all about in “Circles”. There is so much familiar in this particular rap and hip hop style – particularly Beastie Boys, but Eminem, Linkin Park, and Korn all come to mind as well – tough and on-point, but fun and eminently listenable as well. “Circles” is all about people listening to the voices of only a select few, when others have something potentially important to say. So the Gormans definitely get their digs in while injecting ribald humour into the proceedings as well. Dan makes a convincing, and commanding case in the video which would translate well on to the stage, and the camera clearly loves him 🙂 While rap is not always a style that’s in my regular wheelhouse of tunes, The Village Sound know their craft and their audience – do check out the well-shot video below.
THE CHAINSMOKERS, “New York City” (Hellberg remix)
As those who know me well, I heart NYC (and missed visiting it last year for the first time since 2009)!! It’s so hard to get the crazy flavour of The Big Apple into a three minute song, but Sweden’s Hellberg is on a roll with his nightlife-inspired remix of The Chainsmokers’ “New York City”, the original of which can be found on their Bouquet EP. The big city can take you in a spit you out just as easily, and Hellberg’s remix transfers the setting to a dizzying rave where the pulse of NYC is at its fastest. The Chainsmokers are currently leading the way in EDM – you can find them on a plane, in a club, or on a beach hard at it – so it’s great to to allow others to provide takes on their most popular songs. I think Hellberg’s remix of “New York City” will find favour in clubs internationally and have a good sense that New Yorkers will cheer loudly on the dance floor. Pick it up as a free download at the link above.
I’m not so crazy about what I’ve been hearing from Rihanna’s Anti album thus far, but when someone like Vancouver’s Felix Cartal chooses to re-imagine one of the songs, then that’s cause enough for a look-see. The 2013 Juno Award-nominee is not even 30 but has been producing great dance music for almost 10 years with a focus on often using vocalists who are not a part of the dance music scene. With remix successes for the likes of Zedd and Dragonette, “Never Ending” should help to raise Felix’s profile even further. What is a sad ballad in its original form is reshaped into a wistful melodic ode for a reflective drive down the west coast. It’s such a cool remix that deserves notice – no word from Rihanna’s team but give it a listen and stream/download it using the Soundcloud link above. Club patrons will also immediately turn their ears for this one!
Last Thursday I had the opportunity to see NYC duo Great Good Fine OK in concert for a second time. They have grown so much in a year as a live outfit (with guitarist and drummer to round out the sound) and created such an upbeat party atmosphere in the small Underground room at The Drake Hotel in Toronto. Their new single “Already Love”, while still beautiful and upbeat, takes a few steps away from full throttle dance music with a more radio-friendly sound that recalls Prince and Hall & Oates songs of the 80’s. Jon Sandler’s voice is accustomed to hitting multiple octaves out of the park, but here it’s a showcase of restraint, also highlighting Luke Moellman’s solid keyboard work and production. Back with this indie release after last year’s major label EP 2M2H (featuring that great pairing with St. Lucia, “Something To Believe In”), Great Good Fine OK should have no problem scooping up more interest and are more than ready to take it to the next level. Pick up “Already Love” on iTunes.
Like The Knocks and Matthew Koma, German production duo Saxity aims to reduce the gap between the EDM/dance producer duo and live musicians. Testament to this is Saxity’s ambitious take on X Ambassadors’ much-respected hit “Renegades”, which features “The Voice (France)” contestant, Canadian vocalist and violinist Gabriella. This rendition is full of real strings, bass, and guitars, which alone make it stand out all on its own. The anthemic quality of the original is toned down a touch so that a more club-friendly vibe becomes prominent. “Renegades” is a really well-thought, listenable, and danceable effort by Saxity that you can download for free using the Soundcloud link above.
A scorching new #1 and 4 debuts highlight edition my 478th bi-weekly chart since 1998 🙂
The Top 10
MAX Schneider’s “Wrong” hangs in long enough to score an appearance at the top 🙂 I couldn’t let all of those Prince-ly high notes get away just yet! This is because MAX has already released a video for a song from his upcoming album Hell’s Kitchen Angel, out on April 8. Check out “Holla” below.
Congratulations to The Knocks for their excellent long-awaited album 55, which was released this past Friday. The Wyclef Jean-led “Kiss The Sky” climbs 4-2 and undoubtedly more songs from 55 will prevail on this chart 🙂
Troye Sivan is a vivid force on this chart with three showings: “Talk Me Down” (below) glides 7-5, while “Wild” climbs 9-6 and “Fools” rises 17-13. All songs are from his continually impressive Blue Neighbourhood album. “Youth” is beckoning from outside of the Top 30 too.
While Simon Curtis’ redux of “8bit Heart” slips to #4, the Super 8bit Heart version of “Super Psycho Love” continues to climb 10-7 as Simon’s “Boy Robot” novel gets an earlier October release!
Fun on the dance floor continues as Craig David & Big Narstie arrive at #9 with “When The Bassline Drops”. It’s Craig’s first Top Tenner here since “7 Days” in 2002.
The fastest riser on the chart has its designs on #1 – soon! Canadians DVBBS and Dante Leon should be all over dance club charts – and maybe even pop charts too – with the irresistible “Angel”, which soars 23-10.
The Voice Season 10 has started up again with some interesting contestants, including Nick Hagelin, who I’ve written about many times and will be writing about soon again. Clinton Washington gave an excellent showing two seasons ago and has produced some beautiful songs lately. Despite the emphasis on my chart towards dance music, his gorgeous ballad “Frozen” rises 14-11.
The rest of the last chart’s debuts all break into the Top 20. The joyous and anthemic Cloudchord remix of Jamie xx & Romy’s “Loud Places” bounds 24-17, and right behind it is the Norwegian EDM grace of “Faded” by Alan Walker (featuring the gorgeous voice of Iselim Solheim) up 25-18 (both above), and rising 27-20 is the both truthful and amusing “u suck” by Minnesota’s Call Me Karizma (below), featuring a cool interpolation of “Why Don’t You Do Right” as recorded by Bev Lee Harling.
Premiering
It takes a lot for me to enjoy a cover version as much as or even maybe more than the original. I love the way that Jonas Blue and Dakota have made Tracy Chapman’s huge 1988 hit “Fast Car” into this introspective song for a highway drive along a beach coast. And of course you can dance to it too, so I’m looking forward to official remixes! This Top 5 UK hit should do the same on North American shores. I particularly enjoy covers when they don’t take anything away from the original. This one expands on that and runs with it 🙂 “Fast Car” arrives at #23.
Another song for warm, late nights and dancing on the beach is “Beat The Sunrise” by SNBRN featuring vocalist Andrew Watt, as remixed by Dutch producer/DJ Steve Void. It’s all warm and good natured for middle-of-the-night grooving and bows at #24.
Sweden’s Hellberg is on a breakthrough with the emotional EDM of “Synchronize” featuring a fine vocal by American singer Aaron Richards. This is just a taste of great things to come from this talented producer/DJ and debuts at #25.
Miguel’s Wildheart naughtiness has caught up with me and I have completely given in. And it makes me ask, almost belatedly, why “Waves” isn’t all over everywhere yet? It could still happen with new remixes by the likes of Tame Impala and one featuring Travis $cott. But I like the sexy original best and it jumps onto the chart at #26. It’s Miguel’s first appearance here since “Adorn” went to #1 in 2013 in his UK duet version with Jessie Ware.
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 🙂
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You can now hear me online onhttp://www.planetradio.caevery Tuesday at 9:00 pm EST counting down a Toronto Top 10 chart from yesteryear, and then again every Thursday in a rebroadcast at 7:00 a.m. EST on WROCKhttp://www.wlor.net!
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