Even though the first time I heard them it was the latter part of Winter at the start of ’11, the Austin TX duo of Cameron and Adam, aka DATABOY, are trademarking contemporary summer sounds.
“Just Once” was MY summer jam of 2011, reaching #1 on my chart in August and ranking #4 on my year end chart. And this year it can be your summer jam too, thanks to the boys’ juicy teaser of an EP called Summer Now. It’s released in anticipation of what is certain to be a long-awaited killer of an album, Dreams Are Gold, in June, and follows on the heels of the excellent single with Rune RK, “Memorize Me”.
You won’t find “Just Once” in its original version here, but you’ll get it in the Audien Summer radio mix, plus in a clever pairing – albeit with a song that I don’t even like – Rihanna’s “You Da One”. But I like this mashup, it flows along just beautifully, sounding simple and seamless, so the duo know their craft quite well. So to the beach we go with some inviting “Lotion”, then shakin’ it like an “8-Ball” with more clever wordplay.
But best of all is one helluva big tease called “Sweat Part 1”, which modernizes the classic electro sound created by the likes of Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte with songs like Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”, and Moroder’s own “From Here To Eternity” and “Chase”. Right now, “Sweat Part 1” clocks in at a whopping 1:38 – and surely that’s not all? I’ll gladly take parts 2, 3 and 4! “Sweat” could end up being as classic summer DATABOY as “Just Once”.
To hear more, of course, Dreams Are Gold will be just around the corner. Can’t wait!! In the meantime, download Summer Now fromthe DATABOY websiteand listen to it on Soundcloud below.
While the chart’s a tad late, it’s worth the wait, he says poetically 🙂 There’s a new #1 song and 14 songs in a row that are surging upward. Not surprising, we’re springing closer to summer!
With writing so much lately about the ongoing successes of Bright Light Bright Light, it’s no surprising that Rod Thomas takes #1 for a third time on my chart with the extraordinary “Waiting For The Feeling”. It comes in anticipation of his debut album Make Me Believe In Hope, and more new songs too! River Tiber’s mystical “Symmetry” holds at #2 from the exceptional indie effort From Now On, which also yields “Someday”, which slips down to #3. Judging from his website, it appears that Colin Munroe has signed to Capitol Records, and my #4 “The Fight Of My Life” (featuring Pusha-T), is no longer available for free download but is on iTunes for sale. It’s well worth the purchase; in the interim get his newer song “Invincible” (featuring RZA and Memoryhouse) from his website with an email subscription. The energetic “Call It What You Want” by Foster The People now rounds out the Top 5.
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can clickright here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page. Any free downloads that are identified are sanctioned by the performer.
I’d love to comment on all 12 songs ranking #6 through #17 but I’m going to focus on those that are fast rising or in the Top 10.
Two songs from This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume One bookend that list. At #6 is the frenetic “Celeb” by The Netherlands’ Tao Hypah, and moving up to #17 is Latvia’s Markus Riva with the beautifully sung “How It Feels To Be A Man”. Look for more Poptronik to bust onto the chart in the coming weeks.
I had the pleasure of seeing Tyler Hilton in concert for the second time on May 17. The positive energy in his show was contagious and he was really stoked to play a second night in my city. He focused on new songs from Forget The Storm (bypassing my favourite Tyler song, “The Letter Song” – but it wouldn’t have fit the set anyway 😉 ). “Prince Of Nothing Charming” leaps into the Top 10 at #7 , appropriately becoming Tyler’s 7th Top Tenner on my chart. Not only this, but the first song we all heard way back in January in advance of Forget The Storm, “Loaded Gun”, bows at #21 just in time to reacquaint yourselves with it (live clip from the Toronto show above). If you don’t know it yet, download it for free 🙂 Below is a list of Tyler’s Top 10’s from my chart:
When It Comes, #3 The Letter Song, #1 When The Stars Go Blue (with Bethany Joy Galeotti), #2 How Love Should Be, #10 Missing You, #4 You’ll Ask For Me, #7
Sam Sparro’s upcoming Return To Paradise album is being released in Canada by EMI Music, not sure about the rest of the world. “Happiness” is a great start to that record at #8. It’s somewhat fitting that a cover of a song Donna Summer recorded (albeit as a cover itself) was on my chart at the time of her passing last week. Elouise’s faithful but still original spin on “Could It Be Magic” moves up to #10.
The fastest rising song (for the second time at the top of this blog) is one of the most insanely catchy and instantly likeable songs of 2012 thus far. Mixed with some traditional elements and personality plus, “One Kiss” by another Netherlander, Jeronimo, soars 24-9, looking to be a key player on the chart very soon. Look forward to Jeronimo’s One Kiss album as well!
The official release of Scissor Sisters’ “Only The Horses” just passed as their album Magic Hour soon approaches. It climbs 19-11. “Music Freak” by Adam Tyler inches closer to becoming the third Top 10 hit from Shattered Ice at #12 this week. I’m still enjoying the fab Bright Light Bright Light remix of “Stupid Mistake” by Darren Hayes, and the song moves up to #15. Separated by three chart points are two songs that are so different yet so go together for many reasons, obvious or not 😉 Quigley (aka Casey Carlson) is the featured vocalist on her beau FrankMusik’s “Notice Me” (billed as Vincent Did It) at #16, while her own stunning ballad “Inkblot Game” (also produced by FrankMusik) jumps to #19. Don’t forget to downloadQuigley’s EP PleiadesandVincent Did It’s The SOPA Opera EPboth for free while you can. Next up from her is a video for the song “Making Plans”. And don’t think that the modest 5 point move will slow down the UK’s Conor Maynard. “Can’t Say No” is well on its way at #23.
I’ve already written recently about the other two debuts. “Collecting Sunlight” by Sweden’s Andreas Moe is another song that just reaches in and grabs your enthusiasm, and will be a summer delight, at #25. The good nature of the rocking “All Our Love” by Boston’s Gentlemen Hall will brighten your day and bows at #26.
There comes a time in one’s life where favourite performers begin to pass away in bigger numbers than usual. So imagine my shock, having grown up in the disco era, to learn that Donna Summer died on May 17 age 63 from cancer. I don’t ever remember hearing about her illness, and it apparently was kept quiet. So, as I tweeted on Thursday, Donna Summer songs were dancing in my head all day. There were so many of her songs that I heard, sang, and yes, danced to as well.
Like most of the rest of the world, I became familiar with her first huge hit “Love To Love You Baby” in early 1976. It was a pretty innovative-sounding record, and I purchased the 45 of it, even though its basis probably owed more to 1973’s “Pillow Talk” by the late Sylvia Robinson than any other song. “Love To Love You Baby” was expanded to a full album side on its same-named album. It was quickly followed later in the year by the concept albums A Love Trilogy (featuring her cover of Barry Manilow’s “Could It Be Magic”) and Four Seasons Of Love, including the lovely ballad “Winter Melody” and the dance hit “Spring Affair” (a double-whammy 45 that I also bought).
It was mid-summer 1977 though when I began listening to the Canadian radio show “90 Minutes with a Bullet” on the CBC’s AM station. It was the only show that I knew of that would take me out of my local radio stations’ comfort zone and bring news about performers and hits from around the world that hadn’t hit the charts here in Canada. I believe it was near the end of the show that the host told us about what was going on in the UK music scene. He announced that the new number one song was the latest by Donna Summer, and it was a different kind of hit record. I’m talking about the Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte produced “I Feel Love”, which busted electronica into the mainstream via disco, even though the R&B community had already been incorporating it into that style through artists like Stevie Wonder (“Superstition” for example). But this was five years after “Superstition” and electronic music was getting more sophisticated, and using the basic rhythms of disco to find its anchor. I couldn’t get “I Feel Love” out of my head. I visited a friend of mine in Ottawa shortly after, and by then Donna’s classic I Remember Yesterday album was released. It and “I Feel Love” had already made inroads into the Quebec and Ottawa markets, which were more radio friendly to disco/dance than Toronto. If the rest of the record represented Yesterday, then “I Feel Love”, the last song on the album, was the Future. I was sure a believer! Full steam ahead into the Future… Another concept album, Once Upon A Time, featuring “I Love You”, followed in early 1978, followed by the late Paul Jabara’s Oscar-winning contribution to the film “Thank God It’s Friday”, Donna’s seminal “Last Dance”.
So Donna Summer’s many songs were part of the rest of my teenage years on the radio, in dance clubs, and on my stereo. But Donna Summer was way more than a by-product of studio production, she could sure sing. I never did see a live show but of course saw her perform many times on TV. The double live album Live And More sure sealed the deal with a new version of Richard Harris’ 1968 epic “MacArthur Park” (that was the ‘More’ part, not being recorded live – live performance video above). Extended out to a full album side, the electronic production, disco trappings, and Donna’s emotional interpretation scored her first #1 single and album in North America. Her 1979 double album Bad Girls also went to the top and it was pretty much the pinnacle of her career, with two more dance classics (the rock-oriented Grammy-winning “Hot Stuff” and title track) reaching #1, and album tracks like the percolating “Sunset People” keeping club crowds happy. And after the success of her duet with Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand teamed up with Donna for the still-amazing “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)”, her last #1 single. As the disco phase of 70’s dance came to an abrupt close, Donna’s On The Radio greatest hits album became her last #1 album (three double albums in a row), and the title song became a Top 5 hit. It was also Donna’s finale for long-time label Casablanca Records, as she became a born again Christian and shed her sexy image.
Late 1980 found Donna Summer one of David Geffen’s new signees to his Geffen label, and allowed Donna to branch away from her disco queen image with the solid pop/rock album The Wanderer. Still produced by partners-in-crime Moroder and Bellotte, the record yielded two of my favourite singles by her, the bouncy title track and the cutting “Cold Love” with its supurb rock guitar riff (listen above). Her self-titled 1982 album, with production by Moroder, Bellotte, and Quincy Jones, was more of a hodgepodge of styles and songwriters, including James, Jon Anderson & Vangelis (the familiar “State Of Independence” was revived in the 90’s by Moodswings & Chrissie Hynde), Bruce Springsteen (one of the best songs, “Protection”), David Foster, and Michael Sembello, but disappointed commercially. She charged back with the 1983 anthem “She Works Hard For The Money”, with one final album for Geffen (the so-so 1984 release Cats Without Claws), but didn’t find herself back near the top of the charts until 1989’s Stock-Aitken-Waterman production of “This Time I Know It’s For Real”, her last but memorable and enjoyable Top 10 hit in North America (video below). The dance club hits never stopped, with highlights like “Melody Of Love” and the Grammy-winner “Carry On” in the 90’s and, a recent favourite, 2008’s “Stamp Your Feet” from her last studio album Crayons (video also below).
Looking back at her UK successes, Donna had an entirely different radio audience in the UK than in North America. While “I Feel Love” was her only #1 in the UK, she had a different set of hits, such as “Love’s Unkind” (also from I Remember Yesterday), the theme from the film “The Deep” (“Deep Down Inside”), “I Love You”, and her last Top Tenner, “MacArthur Park”, until “This Time I Know It’s For Real” got there again 11 years later. “I Don’t Wanna Get Hurt” was her last Top 10 hit in the UK from the Another Time And Place album in 1989. Donna’s music was steadily on the charts and in the clubs in the UK in the 80s but she was no longer a doyenne of the radio.
The songs of Donna Summer helped shape my personal foundation of music. To me, she ranked right up there with the best female singers ever – among them Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight. She broke ground as a black woman performing rock-oriented music as early as 1979 when she won the Grammy for Best Female Rock Performance for “Hot Stuff”. Her songs were sexy, sweet, personal, and a whole lot of fun. With the Top 20 appearance of Crayons in 2008, her first full studio album since 1991, old fans found her again and she almost certainly found new ones. Her many talents will be missed.
The pic above is the forthcoming cover for Make Me Believe In Hope, the long awaited album from Bright Light Bright Light (Rod Thomas). It contains all of the favourites that you’ll find written up in my blog pages – the current “Waiting For The Feeling”, “Disco Moment” (currently featured on the outstanding This Beat Is…Poptronik compilation), “Love Part II”, “Cry At Films”, and “A New World To Say”. Below is a teaser that will whet your appetite for the new songs. Can’t wait! Make Me Believe In Hope is available June 4 in the UK, and June 26 in North America. You can order deluxe and cassette versions and more from the Bright Light Bright Light storeor Amazon.
In a case of pitch perfect timing, Darren Hayes has released a dazzling BLx2 remix of “Stupid Mistake” forfree download right here(initially courtesy of the always amazing Arjan Writes). Darren is such a great friend to the online world – musicians, producers, bloggers, and fans – and he has embraced rising stars such as BLx2/Rod, Penguin Prison, Monsieur Adi, and others to help show different sides to his music. Who could ask for anything more? 🙂
Baiyu featuring Rotimi “Invisible”
I have never been a huge fan of the video format, seeing it more as a commercial for the song than anything. So it’s a treat when I see a video like “Invisible” totally capture its content. It starts off like it might be vampy/campy, but quickly accelerates into a sexy/sensual and very romantic offering with featured performer Rotimi more likely to cause dreamy sighs at the end than anything. Baiyu’s got such range to her voice that “Invisible” may be the song to click for her. Baiyu’s next offering, titled Carter, is coming on June 13. Watch “Invisible” below.
Low Level Flight “Tsk Tsk”
On their latest record Through These Walls, Canadian outfit Low Level Flight (led by the first Canadian Idol winner himself, Ryan Malcolm) continues to prove itself quite capable of making a place for themselves in the similar world of fellow Canuck rockers Marianas Trench, Simple Plan, and Hedley. You can’t do that without being incredibly tight, which the band proved last Saturday in Toronto at The Mod Club with a fierce set that was free for their online followers. Urgency was the title of their 2008 release, but it continues to fit the style of songs like their latest single “Tsk Tsk” – listen below.
Andreas Moe, “Collecting Sunlight” and “Boyfriend”
I’d put money on hearing much, much more from new Swedish singer Andreas Moe in the coming years. The UK-based Andreas marries that elusive mix of emotional electronica (not unlike Bright Light Bright Light – future collabo?? 😉 ) and sensitive-singer/songwriter pop. “Collecting Sunlight” (listen above) feels so good and reaches out warmly like you’ve known it for years. Shortly after the release of “Collecting Sunlight” (due June 26) was announced, Andreas postedhis free downloadcover of Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend”. Andreas gives the song a rocking soulful edge and dispenses with Bieber’s attempt at an *NSYNC reboot. You can also watch his compelling performance of the song below, which is bound to give you a completely different impression of it.
There’s so much good new music about that I can’t get a chance to write about it all. There may have to be a Spring Popervescence #3 before any Summer Popervescence happens!
Gentlemen Hall “All Our Love”
I’ve been enjoying the Boston 6 man ensemble’s EP When We All Disappear for a while now, but it’s taken the video for “All Our Love” to bring the song’s anthemic call for love to the forefront for me. Led by a Gavin Merlot vocal, the video takes a few frames to digest but once you’re in, there’s a most worthwhile story that should be a calling card for people to put aside their differences and celebrate love. You can download When We All Disappear fromGentlemen Hall’s website.
Jane Badler “Yesterday’s Tomorrows”
Jane Badler is best known as an actress from the 1980’s sci-fi show “V” (as Diana, the lizard queen – and she made a cameo in the recent reboot too), but in the years since the show she relocated to Australia to continue her film and stage career. Like many multi-talents, Jane is also a singer who has released a few jazz-oriented albums over the past few years. But it’s no wonder that her talents have spread back to the North American market with the upcoming release of an EP called Mistaken Identity. “Yesterday’s Tomorrows” is a stunning and catchy theatrical piece of business where everything old-fashioned is new again, and is most deserving of your attention. Rock it’s not, but visions of theatre or movie theme songs will dance in your head to leave you captivated. Don’t be surprised if Jane Badler quietly makes her mark again worldwide on record. Listen below.
Casey Stratton “When The Fates Came” (EP)
The prolific Michigan-based singer and multi-instrumentalist is on deck with the upcoming album The Calling Of The Crows, which is preceded by this six song EP which will only make you want more. Like many others, I discovered Casey through his major label releases back in 2003/04 which yielded a number one dance/club play hit (“House of Jupiter”). But dance music was not where his music was meant to be. He’s moved comfortably into territory where he joins the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennitt and others who create lush landscapes to compliment personal, direct, and articulate stories. Independently released, as with all of his records since 2005, When The Fates Came touches on loss, love, self-discovery and more. And it’s all led by Casey’s compelling high register, beautifully sung, particularly on the title song and “All I Am”. You can listen to it all and purchase it at Casey’s store (link below).
BAKER is an L.A.-based singer/songwriter who’s in the process of recording his first album, but has put forth a number of songs over the past few years online for your listening pleasure. The model, Harvard grad, and classical cellist alternates between pop/electronica and softer songs which show off his range and style. So in anticipation of some new songs, I’ll tip you off to the infectious “Convince Me” and an engaging take on Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box”, which shows that Baker’s boundaries appear to be limitless. Listen to them below and watch an interview with BAKER as well to learn more.
I Am A Camera “Factory Boys”
I’ve talked about a darker nu-disco kind of dance music that seems to stem from New York City (Jessica 6, Penguin Prison) but I’ve also found out of Austin, Texas (Eleven:Eleven), and now out of the U.K. British duo I Am A Camera do reference the late 70’s and early 80’s club scene with the energetic nu-disco of “Factory Boys”, sure to stay in both your head and your feet. Watch the video below.
Craig Powell “One Night Stand”
You may remember Craig Powell from his appearance on last year’s Ballroom Remixed extravaganza (“You Could Change a Tiger’s Stripes”) though UK dancephiles will know him from some local hits as well as a member of Uniting Nations (“Out of Touch” got to the UK Top 10). Using some of the same key people from Ballroom Remixed, such as producer/remixer extraordinaire Ricardo Autobahn, Craig now showcases “One Night Stand” via Soundcloud below. With a crisp vocal, the song celebrates a crunchy late 80’s early 90’s flavour which could find success in other territories as well.
Cadence Burns “Smile”
Sheer delight overcomes me when I find a new viral talent emerging online. Cadence Burns is a Canadian singer who has been working in L.A. with fellow Canadian Tim Feehan, who has had some hits of his own (1986’s “Where’s The Fire”, particularly) as well as several songs featured in movies. Cadence just has that unspeakable and joyous natural talent about her which rings so true in “Smile”. This is a talent to be nurtured, and I’m sure we’ll hear much more from her. There’s not much available online about Cadence – yet. Watch below.
The new chart is anchored at the top once again by Toronto group River Tiber, with the rocking “Someday” at #1 for a third appearance (6 weeks) and the quiet and thoughtful “Symmetry” moving up to #2. The band is working on their next album, and will be playing in Toronto on Saturday June 16 as a part of NXNE at C’est What restaurant and bar. Check them out if you’re in Toronto!
Closing in at rapid speed though is “Waiting For The Feeling”, the latest single by Bright Light Bright Light, from the upcoming Make Me Believe In Hope album, due now in a month. If the lyrics don’t strike you at the first couple of listens, they do hit home not long after. Hence “Waiting For The Feeling” is the fastest riser on the chart, moving 14-3. Rod Thomas (aka Bright Light x2) has already had two #1’s on my chart, “A New Word To Say” and “Love Part II”, in 2010.
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can clickright here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page. Any free downloads that are identified are sanctioned by the performer.
Moving along, Toronto’s Colin Munroe is also working on a highly anticipated album, but in the meantime “The Fight Of My Life” climbs to #5, followed behind at #6 by “Call It What You Want”, the insanely catchy song that is the true follow up to “Pumped Up Kicks” by L.A.’s Foster the People. I’m looking to catch Ryan Star’s show in Toronto on June 5 at Lee’s Palace when he opens up for The Parlotones. In anticipation of a follow up album to 2010’s 11:59, “Stay Awhile” rises to #9.
Somehow it doesn’t seem quite right that “Happiness” by Sam Sparro and “Could It Be Magic” by Elouise have only inched up to #11 and #12, but there’s a load of competition brewing underneath. “Prince Of Nothing Charming” by Tyler Hilton jumps to #13 – I have my tix to his May 17 show at The Virgin Mobile Mod Club here in Toronto. As far as I know, it’s Tyler’s first show in Toronto since 2006. Adam Tyler’s “Music Freak” can be found mid-way at #15, followed by the soaring “Silenced By The Night” by Keane at #17 (and another Toronto concert on deck, for June 19 at Sound Academy), and the three-fold punch of “Warrior” by Mark Foster/A-Trak/Kimbra at #17. “Only The Horses” by Scissor Sisters is turning into a current favourite with its bright melody and urgent Jake Shears vocals at #19, followed by “Stupid Mistake” by Darren Hayes at #20 (live clip from his New Year’s show is below).
(Psssst watch Twitter and Facebook for what will be surely some online celebrations of Darren’s 40th birthday on Tuesday May 8!)
I’m hopeful for some success of the five very strong debuts which have hit the chart.
My raving about the supurb dance compilation This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume Onecontinues, as some favourites from that record have surfaced to rank alongside the six songs on the record that have already appeared on my chart during the last year. There are so many great songs inside that I play regularly, but there are two that I’m going to more often. The one that’s grabbed me and won’t let go is the Lindsay Lohan-inspired “Celeb” by half-Dutch, half-Japanese singer Tao Hypah, which bolts onto the chart at a stunning #14. The bouncy and fun vibe of this song is worth your time as Tao Hypah prepares to release more new songs, including his latest “Play The Girl”, whose video will be online in a few weeks (pic from the video is above). In the meantime, you can get “Celeb” on the Poptronik release, though it has been available as a free download on Soundcloud for quite sometime as well andyou can get it right here.
Also very impressive and bowing at #27 from the Poptronik album is “How It Feels To Be A Man” by Latvian sensation Markus Riva. Markus is a true DIY performer – already a noted singer, actor, and model in his home territory – so “How It Feels” serves as a sturdy breakout for him (he also directed the video, above). Some genuine lyrics carried by Markus’ rich voice, which reminds me a lot of British singer Peter Murphy’s low timbre (listen to “The Sweetest Drop” for example), make the theatrical-sounding song highly recognizable. I’d love to hear some remixes too!
Two songs immediately carry over from my last postto arrive quickly on the chart. Jeronimo’s “One Kiss” spells Mass Appeal and has the potential for worldwide success. It’s from Jeronimo’s upcoming album and bows at #24. “Can’t Say No” by UK sensation Conor Maynard is a nice companion to “One Kiss” with its good-natured fun, and premieres at #28.
Lastly at #25 is a song whose intriguing video of psychological drama (ab0ve)I wrote about a few months back. Quigley (aka Casey Carlson) hits the chart with “Inkblot Game”, from her brand new EP Pleiades. Pleiades is a star cluster within Taurus, hence why lovely Quigley released the EP on her Taurian birthday! The EP is available for free download at http://www.quigleyofficial.com and “Inkblot Game” arrives concurrently with her featured vocal on “Notice Me” by Vincent Did It (aka FrankMusik) moving up to #22. Of course “Inkblot Game” and the two other gorgeous songs in Pleiades (which all also appear in instrumental form) are all produced by FrankMusik. The music of Quigley and Frankmusik will not be free forever. This is high quality craftmanship most deserving of way more than online success. FrankMusik has also posted a few more of his demos for you to hear on his Soundcloud page. I just can’t get enough 🙂
Final chart geek note: You’ll notice on my chart that “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy has hit the magic mark of 11 appearances (22 weeks) on the chart. One of my few rules is that songs drop off after a 10 appearance run, but because “Memorize Me” has had two non-consecutive runs, it continues past the 10 appearances 🙂
It’s that time of year again, when new songs start to swell at the seams, resulting in a big POP – hence Spring Popervescence is born for 2012 🙂
Jeronimo “One Kiss”
Pardon me while I rave. You’ll recall that I got all mushy and teary-eyed at “Somebody Who Loves Me”, the Jeronimo song which hit my chart late last year and rose to #22. The Brazil-born Dutch singer has done one even better. “One Kiss” manages to capture the same charm as “Somebody” while riding the crest of success of groups like The Wanted. You’ll notice a folksy European flavour to “One Kiss” similar to “Glad You Came” and perhaps to other dance hits like Edward Maya’s “Stereo Love”. But the real key is Jeronimo, for if his vocal wasn’t so spot on the song would be less than the sum of its parts. And it’s available internationally – get it on iTunes 🙂
Audio Playground featuring Snoop Dogg “Emergency”
Yes, you ready that right. It’s a huge score for a Canadian group to have an internationally successful performer participate on a record. Audio Playground just reached the Billboard Dance Club Top 10 with “Famous”, featuring Kardinal Offishall. Snoop Dogg is the featured performer on “Emergency”, whose similar dance vibe is already breaking big time out of Montreal. “Famous” was a Top 40 radio hit domestically. Expect the equally fun but rocking “Emergency” to follow suit. Audio Playground is headed for the global market soon. Like “Famous”, “Emergency” is available in English and French. Watch for more linguistic dynamics from AP as their songs become known throughout the world 🙂
Daniel Bedingfield – Stop The Traffik – Secret Fear (EP)
Comeback kid #1 in this post is New Zealand-born, L.A.-based Daniel Bedingfield, who we last heard from back in 2004/05 with his sophomore album Second First Impression, which somehow didn’t even get international release despite hits with “Nothing Hurts Like Love” and “Wrap Your Words Around Me”. Of course, you know him best from the title song of his 2001/02 release Gotta Get Thru This, whose title track with pitched-up vocals and D’n’D remix reached the top of many country’s charts. Stop The Traffik – Secret Fear is an EP available for free download with an email subscription, but is also available on iTunes with two additional songs. And with the gap in time, expect the music you hear to be a little different. Released independently, the EP rocks out and totally kicks butt with the outpouring of release on “Secret Fear”, the emotional strength of “O.V.E.R. U.”, the blunt, quirky and quick “Rocks Off”, and the funky Maroon 5 companion “It’s Not Me It’s You”. You can listen to the free EP on Grooveshark right here .
Martika “Flow With The Go”
I already told you that U.S. singer Martika was headlining the “Poptronik” music festival in Spain this September. But I hadn’t yet heard “Flow With The Go”, comeback kid #2’s latest release. And it’s one catchy piece of business with the singer sounding and looking just fabulous as if she had never left her heyday of #1 “Toy Soldiers”, “Love… Thy Will Be Done”, and “Martika’s Kitchen” some 20 years ago. “Flow With The Go” glides and bounces along with a positive summer flavour sure to keep you happy during those warm months. It’s from her forthcoming album The Mirror Ball.
Conor Maynard “Can’t Say No”
To me, “Can’t Say No” is a breath of fresh air among male pop singers who have a major label (EMI) behind them. They actually picked UK’s Conor off of You Tube thanks to his viral performances. They’ve done good with “Can’t Say No”, a delightful slice of soulful pop that sets the stage for much more success ahead of him. The song was kept out of #1 by Canada’s own Carly Rae Jepsen in the UK, but be prepared for some deserved North American success.
The Garlics featuring Amasic “Tout ce que t’es pour moi”
In efforts to broaden your appreciation of pop music recorded in another language, I bring you the latest from Quebec rockers The Garlics. “Tout ce que t’es pour moi” means “all you are to me”, and it’s a high energy effort carried by lead singer May and guest vocalist, Quebec teen sensation Amasic. The voices truly sound like they were meant to be together. And thanks to always top notch production and mixing by John Nathaniel (who also co-wrote it), the song is even taken to a higher level.
HandS “Wake Up”
Joining in the big, excellent sweep of Nordic music that is finding its way across shores internationally, we have duo HandS, consisting of Hakon and Sofie (hence H and S – get it?), who hail from Bergin, Norway, home base for Annie (“Don’t Stop”) and the dynamic duo Royksopp, but are now based out of London. The music of HandS fits nicely alongside the emotional pop of the likes of Bim, Bright Light Bright Light, and of course Robyn – touching lyrics alongside melodies that make you sway and more. Listen on Soundcloud below.
Tyler Hilton rocks up a good time on some of the best songs on Forget The Storm and perhaps leaves behind the attractive whimsy that tickled many of us in 2004’s The Tracks Of Tyler Hilton. But Forget The Storm seems to be a coming of age album in some ways, and in other ways weathering several different storms of sorts that the singer has been caught up in the interim between records, despite acting in One Tree Hill and acquiring thousands of new fans along the way. But all things happen for a reason, and in turn there are many good reasons to buy Forget The Storm.
Forget The Storm ups Tyler’s rock music ante big time, starting with the opener “Kicking My Heels”, which gives a stylish grandiloquent start to the record. “Loaded Gun” preceded the album’s release as a crackerjack free download, a song that grows big time with repeated listens with its clever wordplay. “Ain’t Foolin’ Me” puts you in the middle of a big ol’ bar somewhere in the south for a rocking good time. And “Jenny” (listen below) is an angry breakup song that drops a line “love is not some fucking movie” – not a lyric that you might have expected in a Tyler record, till now, but the shoe fits and it’s a great song that features lovely harmonies by Elizabeth Huett.
Whether it’s about love or other issues, the thoughtful side of Tyler is always worth hearing. “Prince Of Nothing Charming” has already had that unassuming, yes charming effect, because it’s lovably understated. And “Leave Him” and “Can’t Stop Now” tackle serious breakup issues directly with a softer pop or country flavour to change up the mix. There’s also a redux of Tyler’s “You’ll Ask For Me” from a few years back to keep long-time fans happy.
Tyler is in the midst of a tour that’s going to take him to the UK, Ireland, and Europe starting in June. Forget The Storm is an enjoyable and diverse way to try and catch our boy before his music blows up real big everywhere.
Richard Barone, “Hey, Can I Sleep On Your Futon?”
The talented New York-based singer who came back (but was never really away) with his thoroughly likeable album Glow (the title song is still my unofficial theme song for NYC 🙂 ) is one of several performers who appear on the upcoming Occupy This Album (including Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, and many, many others). He also celebrates his 25th anniversary of his debut solo album Cool Blue Halo. I stay away from politics, and I don’t entirely agree with the “Occupy” movement, but will always support stellar music. I think Richard’s latest, co-written with Matthew Billy, says a lot in both words and images: Help the people that deserve it because the economy is preventing them from getting ahead. I think the video for “Hey, Can I Sleep On Your Futon?” could reach new heights just like “Breathe” by Ryan Star in 2010 actually helped some of the people in the video get jobs. The sentiment is genuine here and Richard’s performance is a delight. Watch the video above (and take a look at “Breathe” again below while you’re at it). EDIT: Courtesy of Richard himself, also below is an interview video about the song, which is actually based on the classic “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?”.
Ryan Star “Breathe”
Roz Bell, “Half A Man Down”
Toronto singer Roz Bell always writes songs that sink in more than just like a slice of life. You know him from 2008’s The First Sunbeams, which featured the hits “Yesterday Man” and “Papercut”. It was followed in late 2009 with a deeper and somewhat darker digital release October, and then the pensive and free The Gran Cavallo Mixtape. According to his tweets, Roz has been doing a lot of writing in Nashville, and the brooding spirit of that city shows in “Half A Man Down”. The song holds back no punches about the way the singer feels as a relationship crumbles away while he tries to keep his head straight. It’s another generous free download from Roz – get it right here and watch for more music ahead from the talented singer.
Billy Franks’ upcoming book A Far Cry From Sunset
UK singer Billy Franks always has a place in my heart as one of the most underappreciated singers in the 80’s as a leader of the band The Faith Brothers, whose two stunning albums Eventide and A Human Sound I still play to this day quite regularly. The singer is finding a new audience through writing, and the premise behind his book A Far Cry From Sunset is this: Could 4 friends who travelled to America a few years back try to convince 10 superstar singers to appear on a tribute album to Billy? So who did they try to approach? Start big with McCartney, Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, Jon Bon Jovi, and also try Elvis Costello, Huey Lewis, Aaron Neville, Tom Petty and Steve Earle. The book intends to explore how all of the approaches occurred and what happened in the midst of what is essentially a road trip. You can find out much more about how you can get involved as well as purchase the book when it’s published athttp://www.billyfranks.com/AFARCRYFROMSUNSET. I’m sure this will be a once-in-a-lifetime and very telling story, and don’t plan on missing it. What about you? Listen to one of my favourite solo songs by Billy, “My Beautiful Heresy”, below.
With Springtime just brimming with new music, this new edition of my chart was pretty decisive.
Up top for a second appearance at #1 is a song that doesn’t look like it will let go, unless it yields to another song by the same performer: “Someday” from River Tiber’s independent album From Now On. Another brilliant and totally different song from the album, “Symmetry”, soars 7-3. You can get From Now On (cover below) on iTunes and find out more about River Tiber at http://www.rivertiber.com (including a free download of the EP Massachusetts). Sandwiched in-between is Eric Saade’s long-lasting “Backseat”, while the Swede sensation’s “Fingerprints” falls to #5. “Glad You Came” by The Wanted holds steady at #4.
The Top 10 continues to be super busy. Toronto’s Colin Munroe has another collaboration on deck with RZA called “Invincible” which you will hear more about soon, but in the meantime his pairing with Pusha-T on “The Fight Of My Life” rises to #6. You can get both for free with an email subscription athttp://www.colinmunroe.com. The release of the Promising Promises album is coming up within a month, and Jon McLaughlin & Sara Bareilles’ duet of “Summer Is Over” climbs to #7. Turns out I like The Knocks’ cover of “Midnight City” better than the M83 original. Featuring rousing vocals by Mandy Lee, it rises to #8. The exuberance of “Call It Want You Want” by Foster The People sends it to #9, and “Stay Awhile” by Ryan Star moves up to #10 as he is about to begin another tour on May 17. Watch the video for “Stay Awhile” below.
Moving on, Sam Sparro’s perfectly joyful slice of retro soul “Happiness” jumps to #12, while the fastest riser on the chart is by the performer pictured at the top of this post. Welsh singer Rod Thomas is Bright Light Bright Light, and his long-awaited album Make Me Believe In Hope is due June 4. Rod specializes in melancholy dance-pop that always has a bright side to it. Thus we have one of his best releases to date “Waiting For The Feeling”, moving up 23-14, with an EP of remixes on deck on April 30. To celebrate the upcoming album release, Rod is releasing limited pink cassette bootleg versions of his album which feature some ‘special’ versions of his songs. So to coincide with the appearance of “Disco Moment” on the stunning This Beat Is Poptronik compilation, there is “Gypsy Moment” by Bright Light Bright Light vs. Crystal Waters! Listen below and download for free!
Last week’s other debuts all move up four spots on the chart: “Music Freak” by Poptronik featured performer Adam Tyler is at #20, Keane’s “Silenced By The Night” is at #21, and Scotland’s Aerials Up rises to #22 with “I Am”. Watch for these songs to make impressive moves in the coming weeks!
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can clickright here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page.
As I said earlier, the chart was pretty decisive, and I’ve written about all of the chart’s debuts before, the highest two just two weeks ago. The unique blend of talents that is Mark Foster (of Foster The People) plus DJ/producer A-Trak plus Kiwi sensation Kimbra is featured on “Warrior” (#23), which is a free downloadcourtesy of Converse and Journeys. Independent of the raucous video, the song is extremely catchy and is definitely hit-worthy unto itself! Then we have a song whose interest to me was reignited by its stunning video. That’s “Stupid Mistake” by Darren Hayes which bows at #24 as the fourth single from Secret Codes And Battleships, which contains some of Darren’s best ever vocals. Then we have the perfect pairing of Vincent Did It, the alter-ego of Frankmusik, and Quigley, who is his gal Casey Carlson (you may have seen her on tour with him when he wasn’t singing with Colette Carr). From Vince’s free downloadof The SOPA Opera EP is the beautiful “Notice Me” (#26). Vince needs no major record label to continue creating stunning new music. Lastly, from the much-awaited forthcoming album Magic Hour is Scissor Sisters with the Calvin Harris co-production “Only The Horses” at #27. This instant ear-grabber should put the Sisters back on the map outside of dance clubs. It’s a perfect pop radio confection – let’s hope it gets there.
When I first heard about the launch of This Beat Is Poptronik and its accompanying concert to be held in among the beautiful beaches of Sitges, Spain, on September 1 and 2, I was very impressed at the idea of such an ambitious project. But upon learning the lineup on the Poptronik record, I couldn’t help but think how well it has set the stage for the concert to happen (the Poptronik concert headliner is none other than “Toy Soldiers” singer and comeback queen Martika!).
And after being afforded the opportunity to listen to the record in advance, the great folks behind Poptronik have done something so overdue: They have reinvented the dance compilation with style. This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One not only contains six songs with which I was already well acquainted, it contains several others that should have no trouble finding favour in dance clubs worldwide.
This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One is a must-have compilation of 32 songs that will get your groove on, and more, for the next several months! And it’s great to be excited about contemporary dance music.
First – those familiar songs… readers of this blog are no doubt already familiar with them 🙂
“Flesh” by Simon Curtis – an intense and sexually charged June 2011 release from the L.A.-based singer’s independent sophomore unique R∆ album, the song spent 2 months at the top of my chart, following other #1’s like 2010’s “Beat Drop”, “Delusional”, and “8bit Heart”. Simon’s most recent release is the free download of the ballad “Starlight”, produced by Frankmusik. A live performance of “8bit Heart” and “Flesh” from Simon’s London show put on by theEQ Music Blogis below.
“Disco Moment” by Bright Light Bright Light – a glorious August 2011 release from the upcoming debut album via The Blue Team/Aztec, Make Me Believe In Hope. BLx2 aka Wales native Rod Thomas got to #3 on my chart with “Disco Moment”, following 2010 #1’s “A New Word To Say” and “Love Part II”. Its impressive video is below.
“Like A Drug” by Adam Tyler – a smouldering late 2011 release from L.A.-based Adam’s wonderful debut independent album Shattered Ice. A Top Tenner on my chart, following previous Top 5 songs like “Friction” and “I Won’t Let You Go”, the song is complimented by an intriguing video (below) and a recent EP of remixes.
“Stupid” by Databoy – a fun, smart early 2011 digital single from the Texas duo which went Top 5 on my chart, and was followed by two #1’s, “Just Once” and “Memorize Me”.
“Head Over Heels” by Bim – a heartbreaking electro ballad from mid-2010 and the UK duo’s debut digital album Scatterheart, which got to the Top 5 on my chart. Their latest release is the infectious “Scream”.
“We Don’t Miss A Beat” by Van Go Lion – a bouncy dancefloor filler from the Portland, Oregon duo which became a Top 15 hit on my chart.
These six songs may be reason enough to purchase the album, but in fact there are many top notch songs within that I didn’t know. The variety of song styles capture the essence of electronic dance music of the last three decades.
I can’t mention all 32 songs here, so I’ll highlight my favourites (in no order), but you could play the album all the way through and not skip a beat! Global-wide talent here 🙂
“Hotter” by Parallox handily modernizes the crunchy and innovative funky electro sound spawned by producers Mark Liggett and Chris Barbosa on Shannon’s seminal 1983 hit “Let The Music Play”
“London Is Banging” by Disco Damage (pictured below) vs Dr. Jekyll teases us at the start with a Pet Shop Boys vibe but becomes a ridiculous and somewhat campy late night track
“Homosapien” is a delectable low-key cover of Pete Shelley’s grand 1982 hit by singer Matthew Duffy
“In The Beginning” by Maighread sounds like it uses Grace Jones’ Warm Leatherette album as a jumping off point for a tough, pulsating song
Great voices and totally infectious singalong hooks come from Tao Hypah’s “Celeb”, “Pitiful” by Carlos Nobrega (pictured below), “Bad Boyfriend” by Johnny Lazer, and the not-so-campy “How It Feels To Be A Man” by Markus Riva
“Psycho” by Killian Wells takes the other point of view (singer-as-psycho 😉 ) – sort of the reverse of Simon Curtis’ ‘Super Psycho Love” but equally catchy
“Turn Up The Radio” by Monti Montanez (pictured below) is hit-worthy and could find the former Menudo member in radioland around the world
“Stay In Touch” by Garcon Garcon and “Where Are You Now” by Queen of Hearts accompany Van Go Lion’s “We Don’t Miss A Beat” into more emotionally-rooted pop-house territory
SIRPAUL’s breezy “Going Down In La-La Land” stands out with a familiar theme accompanied by a killer hook
Disco Damage accompanies Lady Joker on her self-named song – an entertaining and creative blend of Nicki Minaj meets Kesha via 90’s house styles
My raving could continue on, but suffice it to say that Aztec Records and the Poptronik organizers have created a template for the ’10’s dance compilations, and I wish them great success with their vision. I simply can’t wait till Volume Two!
This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One is one of the best albums of the year. Get all of the details about it and the Poptronik festival at http://www.poptronik.com. You can buy This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One through iTunes, Amazon, Beatport, and other digital stores starting Monday.
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