UK singer James Poole is full of surprises. So for a Hallowe’en treat, James brings us his rendition of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ classic 50’s R&B tune “I Put A Spell On You”. The song has never really been a big hit in any version in North America, though the UK saw hits of it by Alan Price in the 60’s and Sonique in 2000. Nina Simone also recorded a well-respected version in the 60’s. I love the original song and it’s a hard one to sing, so I was a tad iffy about an adaptation of it, since I’ve heard other versions of the song come off like huge soggy noodles instead of powerful and eerie and fiery. Well, James tackles this beast of a song, and boy does he slay it in his own soulful and jazzy rendition. He shows off his spectacular high register vocal technique like no other song that I’ve heard him sing yet. It’s suitably creepy for Hallowe’en, yet James teases when he briefly brings down his vocal. “I Put A Spell On You” continues to increase the ‘wow’ factor for James, and I for one am looking forward to the release of his record when it comes, all in good time. In the meantime, be sure to put “I Put A Spell On You” on your must-hear list. Just for comparison’s sake, you can also listen to another fine version, by New Zealand singer Willy Moon, below.
For readers not familiar with Color Theory, this one-man band, producer and engineer (aka Brian Hazard) has over the past 20 years or so specialized in a reverent Depeche Mode style of electronic music amid many original pieces of music as well. Most recently Color Theory crept onto my personal chart as guest artist on the hypnotic “Colder” by Amelia’s Fault.
Color Theory’s most recent album is Adjustments Part 2, in which you will find “Headphones”. This song is one of those unassuming gems that surfaces every now and then and I just love it! The lyrics depict an obsessive loner who is wrapped up in the music inside his headphones. I think music fans will totally relate – there are just times when music consumes you and sometimes the best way is just to block everything else and let the sounds in the headphones take over. And while the original version above pulls you into its technological fortress, the Matt Mancid retro crossover mix (which you can hear and downloadright here) gives the song a vibrant, more 80’s kind of makeover, particularly at the beginning, with a more lilting melody and less mechanical arrangement, making it perfectly suited for the dancefloor, very reminiscent of electronic music circa 1985 (I want to point to Depeche Mode’s “Everything Counts” or Talk Talk or Pet Shop Boys). Brian himself suggests you might hear Madonna’s “Borderline” – and I do, but it’s only a small part of the melody.
Even though the subject matter is introverted, the result is fascinating and enthralling. “Headphones” in its original version or remix is one of those intriguing songs that slips inside your head and stays there for good. You can pick up the original version and the album Adjustments Part 2 on iTunes.
It took a long time for his third and independently released album Portrait Of A Chameleon to arrive, through the funded support of fans, after last year’s “Your Touch” was off to such a great start and became a UK Top 40 hit. So now we have “Retro Romance”, a fun, likeable pop tune that is showcased via an eye-catching video where you won’t want to miss the 80’s teen movie references or inspirations. And you know when Mr. Belding from “Saved By The Bell” appears that a good time will be had by all. You’ve seen “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty In Pink” way too many times not to be enthused by “Retro Romance”, and you don’t have to be in your 40’s to ‘get it’. And whether it’s “Your Touch” or “Heartbreak On Vinyl” or “Break Anotha”, Blake Lewis constantly delivers something inventive and striking. “Retro Romance” is no exception to that! Download it for free from his Soundcloud page below.
With all of the covers of Sam Smith songs out there, something’s gotta be pretty special these days to distinguish one rendition from the rest. And in this case it’s Canadian You Tube sensation Siren Gene’s well-honed, pure, and beautiful voice. Her notes are spot on, with the kind of voice that you would expect to hear on a Disney movie soundtrack (and yes she’s got a cover of “Let It Go”, not surprising) let alone covering Sam Smith. There’s a lot of personality and commitment to this performance otherwise I would not be drawing it to your attention! This bodes well for Siren Gene’s recently released crowd-funded EP One Woman Army, now available on iTunes and featuring the original single “Give Me All Your Love”, which you can check out below. Be sure to keep Siren Gene on your radar!
When soulful UK house music is done right, it will warm your bones and draw you out onto the dance floor. “Give Me Your Love” is the collaboration between London DJ/producer Embody and chanteuse-on-the-rise A*M*E (already noted for her work with Duke Dumont and Monsieur Adi). No filler this – it’s a slick, crisp slice of house, without going too deep and dirty, the kind of song that positions you on the dancefloor before the DJ starts playing the latest and greatest. And “Give Me Your Love” could end up as one of the latter too with its distinct sound and yet another rich and versatile vocal by A*M*E. Listen below and download for free by ‘liking’ Embody’s Facebook page.
Time isn’t standing still, but when you’ve got a 1,2,3,4 kapow like what’s happening at the top of my new chart, you’re gonna have to be patient to find out when they all get shook loose. And it could happen as early as the next chart in two weeks but until then, enjoy:
#1 “I’m Not The Only One” by Sam Smith
#2 “Smile” by Mikky Ekko
#3 “Afterglow” by Harriet
#4 “Thanks For Nothing” by Brandyn Burnette
Brandyn Burnette has a new acoustic set available on Soundcloud above and lots of free songs as well so I’ll be keeping you posted on the prolific singer’s new songs very soon!
ON THE RISE
The lone new entry to the Top 5 isn’t actually new, but it does sound significantly different from the original version which got to #5 in 2011. I’m talking about the mid-tempo Aron Friedman house remix of “I Won’t Let You Go” by Adam Tyler of course, which climbs 8-5.
As her album Tough Love enters the UK Top 10 and her October 26 show in my city approaches, Jessie Ware is the gal-most-likely-to as “Say You Love Me” continues to rise quickly, up 9-6.
It’s now due on November 10 (in Canada anyway), but if you go to iTunes you’ll find 3 more songs to preview from Jamie Scott’s My Hurricane album, including a duet with Christina Perri called “Gold”. In the meantime, his latest single “Unbreakable” moves up 11-9, joining his band Graffiti6 with their Top 5 entry from last year, “Free”.
Music fans are the always the first ones to get “Zeppelin” by Eli Lieb but even if you’re not familiar with the famous band’s songs or why friends might be jamming to Zeppelin in the car, then you can still revel in the positive and nostalgic vibe of the song. It anchors the top songs on the chart at #10.
Chromatone is out gigging in the London, England area quite regularly, so do try to catch one of his performances! His latest song “Play For Me” continues to advance on the chart 17-13.
It’s one of the more discreet songs on the chart, but it’s heartwarming and holds within its lyrics reams of truth. The fastest riser on the chart is“Stage Fright” by Jake Barker.
It’s not easy to find different love songs to write about but Semi-Precious Weapons has done just that with “Brando”. Hopefully a video is in the works and can make it out before their next album, still expected before year end.
I caught Smallpools’ set back when they opened for Neon Trees back in July, and with new songs like “Killer Whales” I look forward to their next album release. The band plays in my city on October 24 too. “Killer Whales” swims upstream to #18!
Between her acting career and her singing career, Jane Badler travels all over, and will next perform a concert in Paris at the end of November. Her beguiling single, featuring Spanish guitar via 70’s new wave via torch ballad, “Losing You”, lands at #20 on my chart, from her new album Opus.
Those Janoskians are still making their way across North America promoting their latest single “That’s What She Said”, which lands at #21 this week. The teens definitely like their Aussie boys when they get even a little more than naughty, and that’s what makes watching their success unfold rather interesting! Yes, this blogger likes The Janoskians 🙂
There’s nothing stopping Sam Smith short of exhaustion, and he’s announced another North American tour, including a stop in my city on January 20 at the biggest venue in town! I was fortunate to see him at the 500 person Virgin Mod Club last Spring for $15.00! “Restart” moves up to #22.
NEW TO THE CHART
Keep those dancing shoes on for “Arms Of Another” by Bright Light Bright Light, which I wrote about recently as the extra song (or ‘B’ side as we used to call them) on the new single for “An Open Heart”. The latter song already conquered this chart back at the top of the year, and now “Arms Of Another” arrives at #24.
And now I return you to the explosive and diverse dubstep/trap and other EDM scene. “Gold Skies”, brought to you by the quartet of Sander van Doorn, Martin Garrix, and DVBBS, and featuring vocalist Aleesia, sounds like a radio hit in the making, and it’s included on Martin’s EP of the same name on iTunes, which also features two of my 2014 #1’s, “Animals” and “Proxy” (previously a free download). “Gold Skies” bows at #27.
It’s been since 2011 that The Script last landed on my chart, and to me have returned to the sound now which got them popular in the first place back in 2009. “Superheroes” is the first single from No Sound Without Silence, the Dublin, Ireland trio’s fourth album. And they are well worth seeing in concert! “Superheroes” premieres at #28.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
While “Hang On To Your Love”, the Penguin Prison free download cover of the 1984 Sade debut glides up the chart at #19, the singer (aka Chris Glover) released his first solo single in three years last week. He’s not breaking a formula that won over fans like me either with “Calling Out”. It’s as simple a song as “The Worse It Gets”, with similar late 70’s early 80’s inspirations like “Kiss On My List” by Daryl Hall & John Oates or “What A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers, but spun Penguin Prison style: Danceable ear candy! Can’t wait to hear more from PP’s upcoming sophomore album. Listen below and get it on iTunes.
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart.
01 01 I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE Sam Smith 02 02 SMILE Mikky Ekko 03 03 AFTERGLOW Harriet 04 04 THANKS FOR NOTHING Brandyn Burnette 08 05 I WON’T LET YOU GO (Aron Friedman remix) Adam Tyler 09 06 SAY YOU LOVE ME Jessie Ware 07 07 GET TO KNOW YOU Corey Niles featuring Ish 05 08 NO FUN The Presets 11 09 UNBREAKABLE Jamie Scott 12 10 ZEPPELIN Eli Lieb 14 11 AMNESIA 5 Seconds Of Summer 15 12 CRIMINAL Adam Tyler 17 13 PLAY FOR ME Chromatone 06 14 MUSIC GODS Davis Redfield featuring Carl Man 23 15 STAGE FRIGHT Jake Barker 10 16 THIS COULD BE SOMETHING Anton Ewald featuring Medina 24 17 BRANDO Semi-Precious Weapons 21 18 KILLER WHALES Smallpools 22 19 HANG ON TO YOUR LOVE Penguin Prison 26 20 LOSING YOU Jane Badler 27 21 THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID The Janoskians 28 22 RESTART Sam Smith 13 23 JUST SAY HELLO Lyonn New 24 ARMS OF ANOTHER Bright Light Bright Light 16 25 I BELIEVE Bright Light Bright Light 18 26 STRANGER Chris Malinchak featuring Mikky Ekko New 27 GOLD SKIES Sander Van Doorn, Martin Garrix & DVBBS featuring Aleesia New 28 SUPERHEROES The Script 19 29 TIME HAS COME Hannis 20 30 TEN FEET TALL Afrojack featuring Wrabel
Listen for My New Music Pick Of The Week onD-Moos.com!
As many of you are already aware, after many years away from the microphone, I am now pleased to be back as a voice onD-Moos.com Canada’s National Internet Radio Station, which mainly plays a selection of oldies, mostly from the 50’s to the 90’s, with soon to be more intrusions from the 2000’s and other new music.
Do listen in for my New Music Pick of the Week feature onD-Moos.com8 times per day starting at 2:05 AM EST on Mondays, and while the station is only live in the evenings from 9:00 pm to midnight (with my long-time musical partner in crime “The Musicman” James Rogers), you can hear my voice at other odd times, particularly if you’re an oldies loving night owl on the weekend overnights 🙂
What a year 2014 has been for 18 year old Martin Garrix, and it’s not over yet! Touring and recording with every major EDM/dance artist, and releasing one song after another are the order of the day. This time Martin’s paired up with MOTi, who was matched up with DVBBS earlier this year for the potent “This Is Dirty”, and they’ve come up with a unique song that will send people to the dance floor instantly. It builds with a classic grumbling trap melody and then is transformed by uncredited female vocals into a hybrid kind of pop record that could cross over to radio. The video has a cool concept – almost the reverse of “The Matrix” in some ways, with a few twists, and you can watch it above.
I absolutely adore Bright Light Bright Light’s “An Open Heart”. It’s one of my favourite songs by Rod Thomas, and it was already #1 on my personal chart for 4 appearances (8 weeks) at the top of the year, previously featured on the EP In Your Care. “An Open Heart” is also featured on the album Life Is Easy, and is the new single from it, so I’m hoping international doors will open even more for Bright Light Bright Light with it. But featured on the single release is another fantastic BLx2 song that you just can’t miss. It’s quintessential BLx2, drawing specifically from the keyboard hook and house rhythm of “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” by Crystal Waters. It’s a joyous choice of music, set to lyrics of resignation when you find that the one you care for prefers someone else. So be sure to pick up the full single release tomorrow on iTunes and you will not only get the single and 12″ versions of “An Open Heart” but this new gem “Arms Of Another” too(preview).
After pairing with A*M*E for his killer cover of Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life” (reimagined as “What’s Going On”, which got to #2 on my personal chart) last year, and receiving raves as an opener for Beyonce’s UK tour, the amazing French producer Monsieur Adi returns with “Lucky Ones”, featuring U.S.-based Swedish singer Negin. You’ll know Negin already for her appearances on Avicii’s “Three Million” and a remix of Daft Punk’s “Derezzed”, and her voice perfectly suits a gentle Europop setting, coming across sounding like a mix of Cathy Dennis and Foxes. “Lucky Ones” is just the kind of song that will fill dance floors everywhere, another notch on the list for our Monsieur, whose full album release is due in early 2015. “Lucky Ones” should heighten the international profiles of Monsieur Adi and Negin, so be sure to listen for it soon! In the meantime, you canenjoy it in this link from Hypem.
And the talent from the UK just keeps on coming… You can happily add 23 year old James Bay to the mix with his urgent and soulful pop in “Hold Back The River”, from his upcoming EP of the same name. James has already got to open for the likes of The Rolling Stones when they performed in Hyde Park last year. “Let It Go” gave us a cool taste of what James Bay was all about this past summer, but “Hold Back The River” beckons immediate attention and has a perfect blend of vocal power and story-telling that will easily win over audiences into Sam Smith or Ed Sheeran. Can’t wait to hear more! Listen below to the BBC radio rip, which also includes a phone interview with James. “Hold Back The River” is hit-bound.
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