The reeemix is here for @BrandynBurnette’s “I Wanna Be (Free)” courtesy of @TheBravosNation

https://soundcloud.com/thebravosnation/brandyn-burnette-i-wanna-be-free-the-bravos-remix

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “I Wanna Be (Free)” (The Bravos Remix)

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when Brandyn recently announced that his gorgeous “I Wanna Be (Free)” (the current #1 on my chart and one of my very favourite songs of 2015) was being remixed.  It’s kind of just delicately perfect the way it is.  But as I always say, music is open to interpretation and producers/remixers The Bravos certainly focused on the open-air kind of vibe of the song and ran with it in a trippy, dubsteppy direction.  So while the song’s powerful lyrics get sacrificed here, the result is a fun club remix to which (as the remix will tell you) you can indeed shake your booty.  Give it a listen above and don’t say I didn’t warn you if you find your body grooving to it without much mental effort 🙂  Watch for it next week on iTunes and elsewhere!

NYC’s @Traedonya! returns with the classic soul of “Simply Beautiful UR” (featuring Irish Soulflower)

TRAEDONYA! featuring IRISH SOULFLOWER, “Simply Beautiful UR”

Ironically, it was exactly two years ago that I first wrote about NYC R&B singer Traedonya! with her unique cover of Sly & The Family Stone’s “Family Affair”.  Always busy, Traedonya! is back with the taut and soulful “Simply Beautiful UR” featuring Irish Soulflower.  There is no doubt in my mind that Janet Jackson deliberately took a similar direction with her great new single “No Sleeep”.  It’s not easy to be lush and restrained in these days of powerhouses like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and Iggy Azalea ruling the R&B charts.  Put Traedonya! in the same company as Janet or Alicia Keys or Mary J. Blige, and listen to the way that her flavour glistens to the music.  Bar none, having grown up in a household where classic R&B was played much of the time, Traedonya! knows the way that style should be done on “Simply Beautiful UR”.  Download this delight for free right here.

Meet Australian Pop/EDM singer/songwriter/producer Paul Hetherington (@PaulHmusic) with “Me Against The World”

PAUL HETHERINGTON, “Me Against The World”

26 year old Paul Hetherington thus far has been noted as a producer and remixer for talent as diverse as Adam Tyler, SIRPAUL, and Ro Danishei (aka Bad W0lfy and one half of Wrathschild with Simon Curtis), all previously written up in these blog pages.  The affable Aussie goes full tilt pop/EDM with “Me Against The World”, which he wrote, produced, and also sings.  He’s tested the waters with covers of Matthew Wilde’s “Break My Stride” and TyDi’s “Chase You Down” on his Soundcloud page.  “Me Against The World” is a solid, bold, empowering song when you just need to take a stand and do it your own way, and has a memorable chorus.  Paul has managed to produce his own vocals quite well, leaving them still raw in spots, but adding punch where it counts, and the rhythm track itself isn’t too heavy, definitely balanced for pure pop appeal.  I do feel that some remixes might be in order though!  And I’d like to see some other collaborators for production who could definitely help Paul go to the next level.  “Me Against The World” is a fine debut and is available on iTunes on Friday August 7!

It’s GREAT to have brand new music from @NewOrder: “Restless”

NEW ORDER, “Restless”

After the resounding success of their 2013-14 touring which coincided with the release of the Lost Sirens record (additional songs recorded at the same time as 2005’s Waiting For the Sirens Call), it was inevitable but still GREAT to have New Order back now with new music.  “Restless” is the lead single from their upcoming album Music Complete, due in September.  For fans like me, “Restless” is everything you knew to expect from New Order that you really enjoy about their music.  It doesn’t carve out new territory, but shows how visionary the band was to create their own sound in the alternative dance music sub-genre which has turned out to fit like a glove, anywhere, anytime.  This release also continues to show that while we may miss Peter Hook’s influential and resilient bass work, after over 30 years together it is time to move on.  I can’t wait to hear Music Complete and some of the rumoured collaborations on the record (Brandon Flowers, La Roux, among them).  You can buy “Restless” on iTunes now, but if you pre-order Music Complete, you will get it for free.

Ravers, you now have your theme song: @DVBBS declares “Raveheart”

DVBBS, “Ravestorm”

Just in time for their hometown performance at Toronto’s Veld festival this weekend, Orangeville brothers and DJ’s Alex and Chris drop one of their biggest, busiest, most frenetically enjoyable anthems with “Raveheart”.  It’s an unmistakable ode to ravegoers and their music lifestyle.  After attaining a #1 pop hit in the UK last year with Borgeous on “Tsunami”, the DVBBS lads do not forget where they come from and constantly reach out to their fans, which keeps them coming back to every performance (like three sold out nights in Toronto alone last year).  While being featured in Sander van Doorn’s “Gold Skies” (along with Martin Garrix, which got to #4 on my personal chart) kicked that beautiful song up a few notches, let’s see if the explosive “Raveheart” is enough to propel them to the top of the national dance club play charts.  Listen to “Raveheart” above and pick it up on iTunes on Monday August 3.

Sweet ‘n soulful @GreatGoodFineOK’s top notch EP and vocals on @TheChainsmokers “Let You Go” (@Tiesto remix)

GREAT GOOD FINE OK  2M2H (EP)

THE CHAINSMOKERS featuring GREAT GOOD FINE OK  “Let You Go” (Tiësto remix)

I had the good fortune of seeing Brooklyn, New York band Great Good Fine OK when they swung into town opening up for Penguin Prison.  Their recently released EP of originals 2M2H showcased an 80’s flavoured electronic pop sound influenced heavily by R&B/soul – think Michael Jackson, Culture Club, Level 42, Style Council – with plenty of keyboard wizardry.  Singer Jon Sandler has a multi-octave voice that can go up against the best singers!  He hits those sweet high notes like Mika but has a beautiful, full low register as well.  “Something To Believe In”, featuring St. Lucia, is your go-to song on the EP, though all of the songs form a great introduction to GGFO, including “Carried Away”.  Jon Sandler and Luke Moellman are also DJ’s so not only do they sing and play their music so well with a full band, but they know how to work a versatile mix.  Stream the entire EP above.

So while I was checking out their music on Soundcloud, I came across their featured appearance on a song by fellow New Yorkers The Chainsmokers!  “Let You Go” once again features Jon’s high register in full force, and it’s highly complimented by Tiësto’s progressive house remix which truly kicks up a storm for the dancefloor.  It’s irresistible – you won’t be able to help yourself from moving.  A bonus – it’s a free download!  Play it along your favourite house tracks and don’t say you weren’t warned!  Listen to “Let You Go” and download it below.

https://soundcloud.com/tiesto/the-chainsmokers-ft-great-good-fine-ok-let-you-go-tiesto-remix

#BILLCSTop30 #462 – July 27, 2015

There’s lots of movement within the Top 10, and four new entries, three by chart newcomers!

The Top 10

  • Brandyn Burnette once again reigns at #1 with the joyous and heartfelt “I Wanna Be (Free)”.  It’s my go-to song on my iPod right now!  Good news for Brandyn fans – the powerful “Stand Down (2150 AD)” will be his follow up single, due for release on August 4, from the upcoming EP Made Of Dreams.

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/stand-down-ft-laraisha

  • If not for “I Wanna Be (Free)”, “Shine” by Years & Years would be at #1, but must settle for #2, perhaps only for now, we’ll see.  The trio’s entire Communion album is fantastic, also watch “Foundation” below.

  • Antonio Giacca’s unusually addictive “Sensation” is one dance song you shouldn’t miss.  It climbs up 5-3.

  • Like with Years & Years, Adam Lambert’s The Original High is one of my favourite albums of 2015.  I have many choices as to what will follow “Ghost Town” on to the chart in the coming weeks, but for now the song moves up 6-4.  Who wants a solo tour from Adam?? 🙂

  • Another song on a high is Dan Talevski’s “Guilty As Sin”, which soars 8-5.  The Toronto singer recorded the video for his next single “My Religion” in Spain these past few weeks.  Can’t wait to see what’s in store for us.  “My Religion” arrives July 31.

  • “Beauty Never Lies” continues to make its presence known on my chart!  As sung by Serbia’s Bojana Stamenov, the song advances 10-7.

  • UK quartet Lawson obtains yet another Top 10 entry with their latest single “Roads” at #10.  The band has just begun its U.S. tour opening for Australia’s Sheppard.

Movin’ On Up

  • Nathan Sykes managed to take over Times Square in New York City this week for a video shoot.  I’m glad to see his spry song “Kiss Me Quick” is getting so much attention.  It’s the fastest riser on my chart this week, vaulting 20-12!!

  • In case you missed it, Canadian singer Francesco Yates is the featured vocalist on Robin Schulz’s excellent new single “Sugar” (below).  In the meantime, Francesco’s “Better To Be Loved” (above) climbs 16-13.  Yesterday in concert in Toronto, he dropped some songs (including a few written with Pharrell) that are going to pop big time!

  • “Walking Through The Fire” by Cobi Mike rises 17-14.  It’s accompanied by a compelling and thought-provoking video too.

  • L.A. based producer Mi Disguise is recording more music for his album which will be on its way this Fall.  Do check out his unique EDM single “East Side Bay” which climbs 19-15.

  • You want to dance like “Uma Thurman” too, don’t you? 😛  The fun single by Fall Out Boy continues to advance, with that surfin’ groove from the 60’s TV show “The Munsters” used to great effect.  It moves up 21-16.

  • Janet Jackson fans are soaking in her first single in 7 years in advance of her tour and the Unbreakable album.  The sexy quiet storm ballad “No Sleeep” rises 25-20.

  • The good-natured and energetic “Summertime” by Vancouver’s Trevor Guthrie is well on its way, climbing 27-21.

The New Stuff

  • It was released last March but one of the reasons my chart is here is to bring you new found talent that I enjoy.  And such is “Take Out Of Me” by UK singer Martin Luke Brown, which is certain to grab your ears from above just like it did me.  It bows on the chart at an impressive #19.  Also take a look at the video below for the emotional follow-up single “Scars On Scars”.  Think Mikky Ekko meets Sam Smith!

https://soundcloud.com/penguin-prison/show-me-the-way

  • Penguin Prison’s concert in Toronto a few weeks back reinforced that “Show Me The Way” is my favourite new song from his new album Lost in New York, bowing at #22 on my chart.  The crowd reacted to it most favourably on the dance floor – as much as Penguin’s encore cover of Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long”.  It’s Penguin Prison’s 10th chart entry summarized as follows: 🙂
    • Something I’m Not, #2, 2010
    • The Worse It Gets, #1, 2010
    • Golden Train, #1, 2010
    • Multi-Millionaire, #7, 2011
    • Fair Warning, #6, 2011
    • Don’t Fuck With My Money, #3, 2011
    • Hollywood (with RAC), #5, 2012
    • Hang On To Your Love, #19, 2014
    • Calling Out, #13, 2015

  • I’ve already written about L.A.-based singer Molly Moore a number of times this year.  But I’m pleased to say that her song that I wrote about back at the top of 2015 has now received official release.  “Natural Disaster” (co-written with her guy, Brandyn Burnette) is a winner both in its original and laid back, tropical Win & Woo remix, and arrives on the chart at #25!

  • Canadian producers/remixers (as well as ravers and gamers) J-Mi and Midi-D debut at #26 with their move-on-let’s-party anthem “So Much For That”, which I wrote about on its day of release last week.  Check it out for a lot of 90’s Swedish dance-pop inspiration!

The Full Chart

Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch 🙂

Dance powerhouse: @Nervomusic with “The Other Boys” featuring @KylieMinogue, @JakeShears & @NileRodgers!

NERVO featuring KYLIE MINOGUE, JAKE SHEARS & NILE RODGERS, “The Other Boys”

Wowza!  Just when we are still digging so many recent collaboration in dance music, and along comes Kylie, Jake and Nile featured in Nervo’s new song “The Other Boys”.  It’s a highly propulsive dance powerhouse of a song too, with Nervo giving all of the featured performers great standout moments in the song.  Although the Aussie producer duo has just released its debut album Collateral, they are far from strangers to the music scene over the last 6 or 7 years, really getting a kickstart as co-writers of the Grammy-winning “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta & Kelly Rowland, and having written and/or remixed songs for Kylie, Kesha, Beyonce, Avicii, and one of my favourites from a few years back, the #1 club smash “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Sweden’s Agnes Carlsson.  Not to mention that the gals have had their own #1 dance club hit, “Hold On” in 2013 too (included in Collateral)!  “The Other Boys” is not only riveting for the dance floor, it will also have you singing and swinging along too.  Not to be underestimated!

Sweeter than sweet! Canada’s @FrancescoYates is featured vocalist in “Sugar” by @Robin_Schulz

ROBIN SCHULZ featuring FRANCESCO YATES, “Sugar”

I’m gonna say it right now – “Sugar” could be one of 2015’s biggest hits if all of the pieces fall into place.  German producer Robin Schulz has concocted a bouncy, memorable pop/dance hit which should soon be heard everywhere, following up his massive success last year with UK #1’s “Prayer In C” with Lilly Wood & The Prick and of course the Grammy-nominated remix of “Waves” by Mr. Probz.  Mr. Schulz has great ears for selecting Toronto’s Francesco Yates for the vocal.  He gets to show off 19 year old Francesco’s versatile voice which transitions beautifully from lower register to Pharrell-styled falsetto as he tackles a borrowed few lines from Baby Bash & Frankie J’s “Suga Suga”.  And as a bonus, the video for “Sugar” is hilariously slapsticky, with a goofy cop driving a police car that seems to have a mind of its own.  It all adds up to SMASH.

And if ‘borrowing’ “Suga Suga” seems familiar to you from within these pages, one of my faves from 2013 was the Canadian deep house release “Lifted” by Kwik Fiks & Bongiovanni (below), who used a verse from the song as its centerpiece.  Give it a listen!

He’s everywhere!   Francesco Yates plays Panamania for FREE in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto as part of the Pan Am Games on Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

https://soundcloud.com/kwikfiks/lifted

 

It’s finally time for a gorgeous new song by @ZacPoor, “The Way It Feels”

https://soundcloud.com/zacpoor/the-way-it-feels

ZAC POOR, “The Way It Feels”

I’ve had really good feelings about the music of singer/songwriter Zac Poor since I first heard and wrote about him around five years ago.  It looked like something was about to blow up in 2012 when he sang a cover of “Skyscraper” that totally floored me, and I wrote about him again at year’s end that year as one of the most promising new talents going into 2013.  Well it’s taken more time but new music from Zac, who relocated to Australia, is finally here.  And he’s kept a collaboration with the extremely talented producer/songwriter MdL for “The Way It Feels” from the upcoming EP The Crossroads Sessions.  Zac’s vocal is such a highlight in this song that you almost forget what a gorgeous and gentle song it is!  Zac has this ability to hover a full-sounding voice in this almost-whisper zone (which first appears after around the 40 second mark) which helps make “The Way It Feels” so unique and appealing.  His voice doesn’t soar like in “Skyscraper” but I’m sure he’s saving that for other songs.  For now, it’s time to (re)introduce yourself to Zac Poor.  If “The Way It Feels” is just the start a new beginning, I’ll be along for the rest of the ride!  Listen from his Soundcloud link above.