Martin Garrix is the latest, and probably youngest, king of the dance clubs thanks to his beyond-infectious Billboard #1 dance hit and now Top 40 hit “Animals”. He has a distinct and big, big progressive sound in his music which makes it rise above so much other equally trippy sounding dance music of today. “Helicopter”, his pairing with Firebeatz, proves that Martin is no flash in the pan. It’s equally as contagious as “Animals”, will set raves afire, and who knows, might even start a new dance craze 😀 Be prepared to whirl away to “Helicopter” through the summer months. You can get it right now throughBeatport.
BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT and ELTON JOHN, “I Wish We Were Leaving”
The deeper “I Wish We Were Leaving” gets, the more wrapped up you will become in all that’s going on in this latest surprise from Bright Light Bright Light. It’s just incredible to hear Elton John on an independent release, and as different as his voice is to that of Rod Thomas, they truly mesh in the song. Elton’s lower register in particular resonates in a lovely way. Once you can get past this you’ll find a sad, earnest story, carried by a dreamy, soft melody, with an open door to hope – never something anyone wants to hear when they’ve just split with someone – but putting that aside, this is one huge and delicious box of chocolates that comes with tissue paper if you need it. Kudos to Rod and Elton on this real stunner of a collaboration. Chart bound!! The EP of I Wish We Were Leaving is set for release on April 7, so play it to death on the Soundcloud link above in the interim.
I think this inspired recording has fallen under the radar, but the beauty and simplicity of “Dream Away” by Sweden’s Darin and Eagle-Eye Cherry shouldn’t go unnoticed. It’s a charity single recorded for SOS Children’s Villages, and brings Neneh Cherry’s brother Eagle-Eye back to the forefront where he is known throughout the world of course for 1998’s massive hit “Save Tonight”, which I among many others have in my iPod Touch shuffle for regular play 🙂 Fine showcase as it is for Eagle-Eye, it’s Darin who really scores with a far reaching and soulful vocal. As far as I know it’s not released in North America so if you’re outside of the continent check your local iTunes or online store. The clip above is from a Swedish TV show.
Sure to spice up club life during this long winter is “Horny” by 90’s dance music queen Lonnie Gordon. The American singer had a spate of #1 dance hits – “Bad Mood” plus UK chart hits “Gonna Catch You” (produced by Black Box – I’m pleased to have an original 12″ vinyl of it) and Top Tenner “Happenin’ All Over Again” (produced by Stock-Aitken-Waterman) – and has never really been away from the club scene. But there’s no one more appropriate to produce this comeback of sorts than the ever-remarkable Ricardo Autobahn, and the songwriting team of Charlie Mason, Richard Hymas, Autobahn, and Gordon have really got their sexy hard on (ooops)! Bringing it on with a video full of hot bodies and good times (and a refreshing sax break), Lonnie Gordon should find herself back on the dance club charts asap. And club DJ’s just might want to match it up with Mousse T’s classic of the same name for a “Horny Horny” grand time! Have lots of fun with this one folks.
New Haven, Connecticut’s Sean O’Reilly is a major talent worth watching for, if “Ready For You Now” from his Volume 1 album is any indication. In this song you have one truly original piano man package wrapped up with smatterings of Rufus Wainwright wordplay, Patrick Wolf attitude, Brandon Flowers vocalizing, and Mika playfulness. Plus “Ready For You Now” may remind you, at times, vocally, of “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes. I’m not sure what I like best, Sean’s piano thrashing that keeps the almost 5 minute song from faltering, or when he sings at the top of his lungs, which really drives “Ready For You Now” home. Sean even went out into pre-Hurricane Sandy weather to make the video (below) for this song. Talk about dedication to your craft! Though this record actually came out in 2012, 2014 is definitely the time for Sean O’Reilly to break through.
It’s been almost four years since Toronto singer Justin Nozuka’s second album, the well-received You I Wind Land & Sea, and I think the last time I heard him on record was singing on The Slaqadeliks’ “Love Controls The Sun” back in late ’11. Justin’s third album Ulysees is on deck soon (and available for pre-order on iTunes), and preceding it is “Right By You”. Initially, and to everyone but JN fans, it will appear like an odd duck of a song. But it works in the less-is-more aspect of making music, with minimal sounds in the background, allowing major focus on Justin’s flourishing and soulful vocal.
“Right By You” is the kind of song that will put an entire club audience into a hushed state with its bluesy sense of immediacy and closeness. Think of 70’s R&B songs like Major Harris’ “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”, “Why Can’t We Live Together” by Timmy Thomas, or “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” by Rose Royce, all of which thrive on their vocals and their messages. On a side note, I understand that our friends in Toronto band River Tiber have had a hand in Justin’s new songs – always a good thing. Watch for Ulysees on April 1.
No sooner thanI write about a new Nick Hagelin video and his recent acoustic forays two weeks ago, and our Atlanta-based R&B/pop singer announces a free EP coming your way on March 5 (his birthday) called City Lights. To tantalize you from the start, Nick is back to the funky business that he does so very well with “Finest Clothes In Town”. If you’re already cozy with recent efforts by Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke, then the songs on City Lights are going to smash it for you. “Finest Clothes” takes classic R&B elements both vocally and musically, gives it a dash of disco funk (with high five to the cowbell and the reference to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star”), adds vocal and harmonica samples, and makes it all a happy mix that would impress folks like Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers. Oh yeah, and Nick’s performance is one of his best and most earnest, and is bound to get, well, some foreplay going anyway. Listen above and watch for more words coming your way about City Lights closer to its release. And if you’re in Atlanta on Monday evening, check out Nick’s acoustic show at STK Atlanta on Peachtree.
Soft songs are often in so much competition with upbeat ones that a really strong one has to soar above the rest. “Fireworks” by Zorro Blakk & Lulu Bell does exactly that. Their two voices blend together fluidly which makes the emotion and sincerity in the song very real. But there’s more to this than just the song and performance (and despite kind of a plain-ish video). For Zorro Blakk’s alter ego is the marvelous Daniel Volpe, who along with co-writers Thomas Lipp and Charlie Mason, placed Kaden’s “Black Light” and “I Have A Name” by Osvaldo Supino in my 2013 year end at #2 and #38 respectively. And there’s more to come – the full album The Fairy Tale Of Zorro Blakk arrives (hopefully worldwide) tomorrow.
Soooo many new releases in one form or another for 14-02-14 (or 02-14-14 if you will) both today and yesterday!! In addition to last night’s Corey Niles snippet, seven have come to my attention for your pleasure 🙂 And they’re not necessarily all happy love songs either.
FRANKMUSIK, “Dear Nicole”
Even if’s a breakup song, there’s no one else right now that I would like to hear sing about the downside of love and that is Vincent Frank. And while FrankMusik usually dazzles us with his techno wizardry and his ability to craft amazing lyrics over sometimes frantic melodies, he’s an extremely captivating singer of ballads. So it’s always important not to dismiss the story of the first part of a song like “Dear Nicole” and listen closely. Musically the song absolutely bursts open at the three minute mark, with many soaring vocal moments for FrankMusik before it ends quietly like those times when you just know it’s over and have to walk away. Also “Dear Nicole” is one of the rare songs set in Stuttgart, Germany, where the pensive video was shot by FrankMusik pal Danny Land. All “Dear Nicole” does is make you want more, and as always, FrankMusik has so much to give. Get it on iTunes.
ADAM TYLER, “Electric Valentine” (free download)
While L.A. based singer Adam continues to work on songs for his next project – and some that I’ve had the pleasure of hearing are just smokin’ – he and producer Sky Felix manage to drop this pop confection in time for V-Day. If you haven’t heard Adam, this is a good one to start with, also having the bonus of being a free download for you too. Those of us who have had a hard winter need sunny, happy songs like “Electric Valentine” to bring that L.A. warmth our way, if briefly… 🙂 Watch Adam’s self-made lyrics video above.
HERSHEL YATOVITZ, “Say You Will”
Erstwhile guitarist for Chris Isaak’s band since 1995, as well as for a host of many, many other performers, Hershel Yatovitz has launched “Say You Will”on his Bandcamp page for purchase. It’s a heartfelt love song for all “wannabe heros” looking for the right gal who could be a “superhero’s wife”. Very nicely done, and it totally captures the essence of V-Day beautifully.
When the folks behind NYC-based Liquid Diet start “Looking For Love”, you never know where they will take you. But often it generally involves dance rhythms, and much like their last effort “Writing On The Wall”, grooves along in a mighty fine way until vocalist Billy lets you get stuck in his quest (you can finish the rest!). “Looking For Love” is another stalwart effort from Liquid Diet.
SIRPAUL, ” Be Mine”
Following up the amazing “Every Single Moment”, which got to #4 on my chart, is “Be Mine” from SIRPAUL’s Seventh Star album. Like “Moment”, “Be Mine” is one of the outright danceable pop songs on that album, straight forward and well sung, a strong followup choice from one of NYC’s finest 🙂 Don’t forget to check out the entire Seventh Star album, which will take you to deeper and sometimes darker, sexy places…
KENDAL THOMPSON, “Be Mine”
Toronto-based Kendal Thompson, who I wrote about recently, showcased the beautifully shot, intriguing, and sexy new video for “Be Mine” at a show in Toronto last night. This one has a dark side to it too but it’s also lighthearted (and glom that eye patch!). “Be Mine” could do for Kendal Thompson what Ivy Levan’s visuals have done for her stateside. Well done!
ANDY FRASER, “Beautiful” (free download)
It was a treat to find this new song by classic bassist/vocalist Andy Fraser in my email for V-Day. Yes, this is the same Andy Fraser who produced and co-wrote Free’s 1970 hit “All Right Now” and also wrote other songs for other performers like Robert Palmer’s “Every Kinda People”, as well as having his own major label releases well into the 80’s (like Fine Fine Line, which I still have on vinyl 🙂 ). “Beautiful” is a laid back, reflective song that goes well with a sunny day at the beach taking in all of the affiliated sights 🙂 Delightful, understated guitar work makes it soothing in a rock and roll way in what seems less than its 4 minutes. It’s afree download from Andy’s McTrax label page, where you can also view his video for the song.
Just when you might think Toronto’s Corey Niles is all about wild women, zombies, and the ‘Rollercoaster’ of love (his song of which just peaked at #12 on my chart), you will think 2wice when you hear his new single “Just The 2 Of Us”, due on February 25. Move over Drake and make some room for another Toronto R&B talent about to pop. Think of the softer tones of Drake’s “Over” and the pop flavour of Will Smith’s cover of “Just The Two Of Us” (which is a different song by the way) with a dash of romance and longing, and you’re almost there. Corey Niles is on his game 🙂 Listen to the exclusive snippet above.
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