Wicked New Music from Ro & Simon, Frankmusik, Jerry Reid, Long Story Short, The Midway State

Ro Danishei featuring Simon Curtis “Wicked Baby”

Can’t.Get.It.Out.Of.My.Head. I love it when a song does that to me. But I didn’t expect that it would be this one. There’s a perception sometimes that only throwaway songs that didn’t make the cut the first time are added on to records which have already been released. But when an album is being put on iTunes after being available for free for most of the year, those songs had better be good, DAMN good, to change that perception. And I even tipped you off to this one earlier (in June).

So one of the completely unanticipated and precious gems of 2011 belongs to singer Ro Danishei with “Wicked Baby” from the ‘deluxe’ edition of End Of The Rainbow, the original version about which I blogged earlier in the year, complete with five new tracks (two new songs and three remixes, including two killer remixes of “Blackout”, by Paul Hetherington and producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells). And while I’ve been wrapped up with songs like “Prey To The Beat”, “Drunk Txt”, and “Michelle” throughout the year, it’s her new duet with Simon Curtis (who also collaborated on “Michelle”) that now really brings the power of this record home.

While “Michelle” was filled with high energy and anger, “Wicked Baby” is pure sizzle and joy. It revels in reggae-tinged late 80’s and early 90’s pop which screams Sweden!!! and in particular Ace of Base’s worldwide hits. But the real ear-opener in this song is the 18 second vocal break in which producer Jadion contemporizes the style and finishes it off in party central.

For a smashing review that took many of my words out of my head before I could write them 😉 check out My Fizzy Pop. I’ve run out of superlatives for “Wicked Baby”, so you’ll just have to listen to the song below and watch for my new chart on the weekend to see where it places!

Frankmusik “When I Start (To Break It All Down)” Erasure cover

Last week became a week when a performer’s worst fears come to life. Fortunately one of the most versatile performers around, Frankmusik, had already recorded “The Fear Inside” late last year, and the theme of that song served to counter whoever so cruelly decided to leak music from his forthcoming album Do It In The A.M. (due September 27).

Frank fought back – with incredibly cool, quickly recorded songs that he made available for free download – and fans (and particularly a bunch of NEW fans I’m sure) reaped the benefits. He also previewed songs from the album at various blog sites, including the full version of his choice pairing with newcomer and labelmate Colette Carr, “No I.D.”, which you can hear at Arjan Writes’ blog right here.

So because Frankmusik produced the upcoming Erasure album Tomorrow’s World, and is opening for them on their North American tour, I’ve chosen to post his spot-on cover below of their new single “When I Start (To Break It All Down)”. You may not know it, but 2011 is the year of Frankmusik…

Jerry Reid previews his new album

You first met Detroit’s Jerry Reid through the sensational Ballroom Remixed project this past Spring, when he gave the Jive some bad boy R&R style on “Out Without Your Boyfriend”, powered by Ben Waters’ zinging keys. And you’ll get a chance to hear a Ricardo Autobahn remix with the release of the forthcoming Less Ballroom, More Remixed. Jerry gets to show his stuff on his upcoming album, which is previewing on his website through six songs at Jerry Reid Online. These are pretty tasty tunes, throwing you back into the late 80’s where you might swear that Jerry could cover songs by both INXS and Tommy Page in the same breath. The rollicking “Radar” is mighty ear-catching, while “Young Wolves” I would say is simply Michael Hutchence-exy. Songs like “The Drive” help spell out the unique charm of Jerry Reid.

Long Story Short “Girl Without A Name”

I’ve been talking up the merits of duo Long Story Short for a good part of the year since I met Daniel Luka and Nicky James back in February, and told you about their debut album What A Scene. The deluxe version of What A Scene will be on iTunes very soon, and will include their latest single “Girl Without A Name”, which is also available on iTunes. The song follows in the uptempo rock vein of their free download “Venom” (currently #7 on my personal chart, and it will also be included in What A Scene), but with a much more lilting and lyrical style as well as a genial melody, that climaxes with shiny strings as it rocks to a close. So like with Ro Danishei’s “Wicked Baby”, saving some great songs to complement an already very good album is fine strategy indeed.

The Midway State “Run To You” Bryan Adams cover

If you live in Canada, you can’t watch the CBC without seeing a commercial for the show “Camelot”, and hearing a clip of The Midway State’s rendition of “Run To You”, a classic international hit from 1985 by Canada’s Bryan Adams. The quartet previewed this song when the CBC was promoting their “Cover Me Canada” show – and quickly demonstrated how to revamp a song and make it your own. The band had already proven this in the past when they performed with no less than Lady GaGa on a duet of Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush’s “Don’t Give Up”, as well as with their version of Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror” right after he passed away. That “Run To You” is taking on a life of its own while The Midway State promote their sophomore record Paris Or India is a testament to their exemplary choices of songs. I’m still trying to latch on to some key songs from the well produced and thoughtful songs on Paris Or India, so until I’m ready to write about that, this cover of one of my favourite all-time Canadian songs will fare just nicely.

Databoy Collects #1 While Laser Guns Ablaze on the Tuned-On! Top 30 #359 – August 15/11

Databoy’s summer pop anthem “Just Once” lands at #1 four and a half months after I saw them perform in New York at Arjan Writes’ Superfraiche show. I couldn’t wait for the song to be released and it’s one of eight free downloads to reach the summit since late 2009 (facts and figures at the bottom of the blog). It dislodges “Flesh” by Simon Curtis after two months at #1, which is very strange happenstance because had I not seen Simon at the same Superfraiche show I would not have heard “Just Once” until much later 🙂 And while Simon’s “Superhero” leaves the chart, it is immediately replaced at #16 by the first song that I heard from R∆ from a clip of Simon’s L.A. show in January, and that’s the fan-favourite “Laser Guns Up”. I’m not sure what other plans Simon has for songs from R∆, so I’m instigating the proceedings a bit with this chart debut. And I’m still waiting for glow-in-the-dark lego guns 😉

Just so there’s an air of challenge, “Made Of Pop” by Eric Saade vaults 5-2 and will see eye-to-eye with “Just Once” in two weeks for #1. And just to keep competition fierce, I’ve also debuted another track from Saade Volume One at #25. “Stupid With You” is one of those happy-go-lovesick songs that puts a smile on your face, and it arrives as Eric’s #1 “Popular” leaves the chart after the maximum 10 appearances (20 weeks). “Talk Talk Talk” by Darren Hayes is by no means done as it holds at #4, while Marianas Trench guitarist Matt Webb puts “Cinnamon” at #5.

Actually 9 consecutive songs are ‘bulleted’ between #4 and #12, which means right now that I can’t get enough of them! In particular “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People is at #6 and is showing signs of a potential future chart leader. Long Story Short’s powerhouse rocker “Venom” slides to #7, while the next three songs arrive in the Top 10 for the first time. The Fastest Riser on the chart this week to no surprise is the valiant “Disco Moment” by Bright Light Bright Light, which climbs 16-8 and also eyes #1 from a distance. The third consecutive Top 10 smasheroo from the Ballroom Remixed project is “The Lover’s Rumba” by Elouise which moves up to #9, while the big 10 is rounded out by that hidden-dance-floor-filler “Prey To The Beat” by Ro Danishei, whose deluxe edition of her End Of The Rainbow album should be available on iTunes within the month! Wanting to join the Top 10 in two weeks are the irresistible “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera (video below) and Van Go Lion’s graceful dance pop of “We Don’t Miss A Beat”.

Surrounding the other high risers burning up the chart that are Jessica 6 & Antony Hegarty’s compelling “Prisoner Of Love” and the fierce “Set Fire to The Rain” by Adele (27-20) are delights from Penguin Prison, Blue Hamilton, Wynter Gordon, and NYC Spider-Man Reeve Carney.

Joining “Laser Guns Up” and “Stupid With You” in their chart premieres is the free download of “Fix Me” by Matthew Kurz (#21), about whom I blogged earlier in the week. “Fix Me” takes you on a magnetic emotional journey and you will be totally absorbed by the time Matthew stops the song dead in its tracks near the end before the chorus kicks in for one more eye-filling time. It’s a MUST LISTEN. Then further down at #26, in a totally carefree electropop kind of way that could only have been created by those involved, is “My Fizzy Pop” by Kyle Brylin, which I also told you about a few weeks back. It’s Kyle’s second chart entry, following a still-favourite “Everything I’m Missing”, which got to #5. Good things are in store for “My Fizzy Pop”! It’s from the Telephoto Lens EP which you can buy on iTunes. Last up is the debut entry from rapper Rye Rye, who has a dream match with a chorus sung by dance powerhouse Robyn on “Never Will Be Mine”, which I also mentioned this past week. Simply put, this one is stuck in my head, which is a good thing. On a chart data note, it’s only Robyn’s second appearance on this chart, her first being on Röyksopp’s #1 “The Girl & The Robot” from 2009. I think another song will change that in time so that Robyn actually has an appearance under her own name!

Here are the 8 songs that have reached #1 on the Tuned-On! Top 30 that have been/are available for free download:

100 Akres featuring Roz Bell “Pink Cadillac”

Simon Curtis “Delusional”

Simon Curtis “Beat Drop”

Penguin Prison “The Worse It Gets (Starsmith remix)”

Simon Curtis “8bit Heart”

Bright Light Bright Light “A New Word To Say”

The Temper Trap “Resurrection (Penguin Prison remix)”

Databoy “Just Once”

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

Summer Popervescence #2 featuring new songs by Chris Isaak, Will Young, Pierre Lewis, Marianas Trench, Evanescence, Adam Tyler… and some newcomers

Chris Isaak “Live It Up”

Sometimes things seem to take forever. Yet when you look back on the first time you heard a performer, it all seems to have happened in a snapshot.

It’s hard to believe I first heard the music of Chris Isaak in a record store in Paris in 1985. I was quickly intrigued and bought a French music magazine with him on the cover so that I could find out more about his music. That same night I saw the video for his first single “Dancin'” on TV. I didn’t end up buying his debut album Silvertone until I got home – but it’s one of my most favourite albums and “Dancin'” is one of my most favourite songs. I got the opportunity to interview this singer from Stockton, California, in 1987, more than two years before “Wicked Game” brought him worldwide fame. Since then, his songs have been featured in countless movies (most noteworthy “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing” in “Eyes Wide Shut” in 1999, four years after its original release) and he’s had two TV shows of his own. He last released a studio record, Mr. Lucky, in 2009 (just before this blog began) and a live album Live At The Fillmore was issued last year. That completed his days with Reprise/Warner.

While he continues to tour actively, currently in mid-west US and Canada, he has now signed to Vanguard Records (currently home to Matt Nathanson and Shawn Mullins, among others) for his album of classic 50’s and 60’s Sun Records artists cover versions, called Beyond The Sun. Just the thought of him singing classics like “Ring of Fire”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, and “I Walk The Line” makes my spine tingle, because of his unique way in interpreting a song. All you need to do is hear his renditions of Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man” (from 1995) and Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” (from 2006) for proof positive.

I could go on and on and on… But there is a free download to precede the October release of Beyond The Sun. In a press release, Chris says the following about “Live It Up”:

“When we were doing the record, I kept learning things,” says Chris. “For instance, nothing on those early records has a rock beat—it’s all shuffle and stripper beat. I wrote “Live It Up” to put a rock beat on the record, so that that beat too is represented.”

Download “Live It Up” right here or listen to it at the link below. Read more about the Beyond The Sun project right here.

Will Young “The Way I See”

Flipping back through the contemporary pop pages, we have a free download by one Will Young, who has been a sensation overseas since his UK Pop Idol win in 2002. In North America, his 2003 hit “Leave Right Now” was used as an American Idol ‘exit’ song in 2010, prompting overdue interest in the singer. As a precursor to his album Echoes, a Robbie Williams-ish single called “Jealousy” was issued. As much as I’ve listened to it several times, that song is not clicking with me. But then along comes this free download of “The Way I See”, and what do we have here? A song destined to get Will Young songs into dance clubs worldwide, so I’m waiting anxiously for the remixes. Download “The Way I See” right here and be prepared to strut your stuff…

Pierre Lewis “Out Of My Mind”

I tipped you off to Pierre’s new single back in June, and this week an impressive video (below) surfaced for the song, due out on release on September 19. “Out Of My Mind” shows the talented British singer’s range as well as someone who can exert his presence in the always underestimated blue-eyed soul sub-genre. Actually to me “Out Of My Mind” is more R&B than pop, it would fit contently next to Ne-Yo or Jason Derulo rather than GaGa or Britney. Pierre has a strong and loyal following of fans but this one could get attention worldwide if handled properly, and it’s from an upcoming EP called Transitions. As I mentioned, the video is pretty eye-catching, the story moves along nicely in all kinds of attractive colour lighting accentuating various eye candy and the considerable charm of the singer. And be sure to check out Pierre on Twitter, especially when he can’t sleep 😉

Marianas Trench “Haven’t Had Enough”

It’s already been to #1 on the Canadian iTunes singles chart, which is testament to the domestic popularity of Vancouver-based quartet Marianas Trench. Though it doesn’t offer up a heck of a lot of new tricks (I really like Matt Webb’s guitar work on this one), “Haven’t Had Enough” gives a trademark to the band’s loud but lyrical party rock sound that just happens to be supported by guys who know their craft and vocal techniques. I was a big supporter of 2009’s Masterpiece Theatre album so I’m looking forward to #3, called Ever After, this fall. There’s no video yet, but listen to the song below.

Evanescence “What You Want”

Leaving the sometimes gothic feel of past hits like “My Immortal” behind as well as the soft-turns-to-loud moments that showcased singer Amy Lee’s voice so well on songs like “Call Me When You’re Sober”, “What You Want” is the Arkansas quintet’s first single from their upcoming self-titled album. It’s big and loud and will hit you square without bowling you over. Amy Lee will continue to be a force among female vocalists and her voice as a featured artist will benefit any song. I don’t usually think a lot about radio these days so it’s hard for me to determine if radio will get behind this record based on the band’s past performance. But in time this could in fact be one of the best records of the year.

Hot New Dance Songs: The sexy and aggressive “Bad Dog” by British singer Neon Hitch, and Maryland rapper Rye Rye‘s (nee Ryeisha Barrain) memorable high profile duet with Robyn on the retro 90’s “Never Will Be Mine” that was featured on the Jay Leno show a week ago. Hear both songs below (the version of “Never Will Be Mine” is the Burns remix).

Proud Swedish Moment: LA’s Adam Tyler recently performed at Stockholm’s pride celebrations in front of over 30,000 people. We’re now 12 days away from the premiere of his album Shattered Ice, and below is a video of Adam performing a new song “Like A Drug”. The album looks to be a spicy mix of dance zingers like this as well as some slower tracks (I’m waiting for “Emergency”!).

Grunge-inspired Brits: Karvel is a new trio from Twickenham, England consisting of singer/guitarist Joe Mallory-Skinner, bassist Ben Soan, and drummer Tom Wood. Together they seem to be fusing together some unexpected rock styles – take UK groups like Placebo and Kasabian, pass them through Ireland’s The Script, and then into the 90’s rock of Beck and Foo Fighters. I think some growth still needs to happen here, but their recent acoustic video cover of The Joy Formidable’s “A Heavy Abacus” certainly grabbed my attention (below), as did their work with Grammy-winner Adrian Bushby on “End of the Night”. Hear them at their heaviest, and grungiest, on “Only The Young” on their Facebook page (from which you can get free downloads with an email subscription).

New Faces: Matthew Kurz, Mojo Stone, Resident Scout, Young The Giant, Austen Leadley, plus a special cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black”

We now postpone our usual electropop indulgences (and tonight’s dinner) to bring you word of some new performers and releases which might be slightly under the radar, but not for long…

Matthew Kurz – The Mixtape

I’m fully aware that the Internet is absolutely clogged with free downloads and mixtapes, but there is one that comes along once in a while that JUST STOPS YOU and compels you to listen (and then, for me, to write about it!). Such is the case with LA pop/R&B singer Matthew Kurz, who has been working with rising producer MdL (Justin Bieber, Keri Hilson, Chris Brown – and he’s only 20!).

The great thing about Matthew’s Mixtape is that it not only floors you with his smooth and slick vocals (no autotune really needed), the crisp and snappy production, but also the lyrical content and how it is delivered. The songs within truly move you. There may not be many dry eyes left after hearing “Fix Me”, “Ghost”, or “Take My Hand”. You can visualize these songs being placed at key moments on some reality TV shows or in movies.

The songs within Matthew’s Mixtape have everything that a pop or R&B fan can ask for, so hopefully this is the first huge step in the right direction for him, and we’ll find out more about him as more people hear his Mixtape.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed. Download his Mixtape for free right here.

Mojo Stone – Hatchet (EP)

Also from the LA area but in a completely different and rocking bent is Mojo Stone, a quintet which recently released its debut EP Hatchet. I was gonna talk about how much the music in the EP sounds like it was made by a bunch of old souls, but the band outdid me by referencing 1853 on their Facebook page 😉

In any case, combine the grit of The White Stripes and Pearl Jam with bluesy and folk influences that might come from the likes of Fairport Convention, Jimi Hendrix, and early Fleetwood Mac, along with incredible vocals by Natalie Meadors that somehow find their way through most open pores in your body, and you know you’re on a worthwhile trip through the six songs on the EP. My favourites thus far are the epic “Gritty Love Blues”, the soaring “The Amazon”, and the punchy “Wait It Out”.

The rest of the band is comprised of the electric/rhythm guitar battery of Henry McGill and Dave Donaldson, bassist Neil Wogensen, and new drummer Pedro. If I was to book a club tour, I would put them on the same bill as April Smith & The Great Picture Show (who I blogged about last Spring). You can listen to Hatchet on the band’s website, and then purchase it on iTunes. Mojo Stone’s music begs live performances, so try to catch them at a show if you’re in L.A.

Resident Scout “Garden”

Resident Scout is a nom-de-disque for Nashville’s Hobey Kuhn, but has recently morphed into quartet for live performances. The free download of “Garden” from the album My Greatest Symphonies came to my attention recently, and I particularly enjoy it for the sharp ska-oriented guitar melody which simply doesn’t leave your head for the song’s 2:12 duration. You can download the full album (and I will too) from Resident Scout’s website.

Young The Giant “My Body (Two Door Cinema Club remix)”

“My Body” by Young The Giant is just one of those songs whose chorus stays in your memory long after you’ve heard it the first few times, and the Two Door Cinema Club endorsement behind this remix is helping to take the L.A. quintet (who are signed to Roadrunner Records) to another level. They’re going to be playing on this year’s MTV Video Awards, which is no mean feat. You can download this remix for free right here.

Austen Leadley “Firework” (Katy Perry cover)

In the wake of so many You Tube phenoms as well as some excellent voices (such as Nick Hagelin) choosing some tasty recent hits and non-hits to cover, is there room for another terrific voice? I don’t know too much about Austen Leadley, other than that he leads a Windsor, Ontario band called The Brilliancy and looks a little like a young Jackson Browne. But this young man’s affecting acoustic cover of Katy Perry’s “Firework” is well worth your attention. Watch the video below.

Ronnie Spector “Back To Black” (Amy Winehouse cover)

Ronnie Spector’s cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black” is an incredibly fitting tribute to the late singer. Who better than to sing it than the former lead singer of classic 60’s girl group The Ronettes, who found her career revived in the mid-80’s after being featured on Eddie Money’s hit “Take Me Home Tonight”. She actually sang “Back To Black” live in December (see video below) but released it as a charity single on iTunes last week in the wake of Winehouse’s sad fate. I was fortunate enough to see Ronnie sing live at a promo gig for her solo release Siren (not meaning to age both her and myself, this was in 1980, and I also got to chat with her briefly). Despite the circumstances “Back To Black” is the perfect song to raise her pop profile yet again.

COMING SOON: The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia

Yes it’s two blogs in a day, folks, and with good reason. My friend Jaimie Vernon (whose old-new band Swindled I blogged about a few weeks back) is also the author of the Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia, which has been online in development since 1998, but has actually been a work-in-progress for 25 years.

I’m pleased to tell you that the book is being shopped to major book publishers by a literary agent.

This is a huge gain for the Canadian music industry and for our music history, as so little about contemporary Canadian pop and rock music has been documented over the years, other than in isolation. I know – I’ve tried myself on a smaller scale. Fortunately I’ve also been able to contribute to Jaimie’s book in some small ways.

Find out more about the book right here – you can inquire to see if there are any limited edition copies still available for order. You can peruse the online version of the Encyclopedia to see the labour of love that you will get when you order your hard copy. I’m sure I’ll have some updates for you about the Encyclopedia over the next several months.

Congratulations, Jaimie!

Hot New Music from Kyle Brylin, Grace Jones, Christian TV, BT, Baiyu

Kyle Brylin “Telephoto Lens” (EP)

Every release that Kyle puts out shows how much he is growing as a talented independent performer. We had a snazzy video and lots of remixes earlier for “Committed”, as well as a frenetic cover of Rihanna’s “S&M”, but to me it was the all-Kyle video for the memorable and sexy “Everything I’m Missing” that really made him a contender. This continues with the new 5 song EP Telephoto Lens.

There are two versions of the title track and I must say that this is one of Kyle’s most mature-sounding songs to date in which he makes no bones about telling some things like they are over a funky, sensuous beat. “If They Only Knew” is another interesting tell-tale song with a much faster pace. But of course with Kyle there’s always fun and humour in the mix. There’s a new mix of “Big Fat Bass” included, but my favourite track name-checks my wonderful fellow blogger “My Fizzy Pop”. It’s another song that’s going to continue to define the Summer of ’11 for me – light, fun, pure pop with witty lyrics that are so befitting of both Kyle and Fizzy Pop himself (aka Paul Reynolds) – you can read Paul’s thoughts on the song right here.

You can hear ‘Telephoto Lens” at the top of the blog and “My Fizzy Pop” right below. More importantly, show your support with your purchase on iTunes. Telephoto Lens is another great step ahead for Kyle Brylin.

Grace Jones “Williams Blood (Aeroplane remix)”

I really wasn’t sure what happened to Ms Grace after her last record 22 years ago and since she dropped off the acting map pretty much after 1992’s “Boomerang”. But it appears as if she hasn’t really left and making a comeback at age 63 ain’t nuthin’ but a number these days. The dance community in particular will be all set to embrace Grace’s new album Hurricane as much as it did when Grace first appeared on the scene in 1977 with disco/dance hits like “La Vie En Rose” and “I Need A Man”, through to all of her 80’s shenanigans with smashes like “Pull Up To The Bumper” and “Slave To The Rhythm”.

Hurricane isn’t a new release, being first issued overseas in 2008, but it’s being tweaked for the North American market. “Williams Blood” is a perfectly spicy and sizzling affair that doesn’t go over the top and will make you only want to hear more. You can download the Aeroplane remix for free by going right here.

Christian TV featuring Boldy James “Girl I Used To Know”

No sooner than “I’m In Love” attains a #3 peak on my chart comes another release from Detroit-via-LA’s Christian TV, who is turning out to be one of my favourite performers on the cusp of something great. “Girl I Used To Know” is a late night nugget with a classic R&B groove that could bring back a little something called the Motown sound. Really. Watch the video below. But the boy is busy – another new single on the way!

BT featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw “A Million Stars”

Following up last year’s dynamic “Suddenly”, electronic music wizard extraordinaire BT has released “A Million Stars” from his Grammy-nominated These Hopeful Machines release. It features the sensational vocals of Kirsty Hawkshaw, whom you may know very well from her early 90’s work with dance troupe Opus III, which recorded one of my personal dance favourites “It’s A Fine Day”. So having the two artists on one track together is a match that was meant to be. Let “A Million Stars” take you away to danceable bliss – watch the video below.

Baiyu “Together”

I’ve known about this song for a while, but it’s all set to debut on MTV’s Logo Network tomorrow (August 4), so the time is right to finally spring it on you! Baiyu is a beautiful and talented singer from New York City (armed with a degree from Princeton no less) whom you may have already seen on MTVu if you’re in the US. “Together” is a warm and gentle slice of R&B which may initially announce Mariah or Beyoncé influences, but I would say a comparison to someone like Keri Hilson may be more on-point. The song has one of those pure vocals that makes you smile and some lovely inspirational messages to help turn your day around. Watch the video below.

Tuned-On! Top 30 #358 – August 1/11

After being in a highly blissful statis for the last month or so, the Top 5 on my personal chart receives an inevitable shake-up. It’s not enough however to dislodge one of the year’s best records bar none, the intense and sexy”Flesh” by Simon Curtis, which joins his “Delusional” and “Beat Drop” as one of the few songs to last four appearances (eight weeks) at the top.

Out to prove that a rare fifth appearance at #1 is unlikely are two fast risers on the chart. Set to release a full length record – as well as some other projects like the previously noted “Memorize Me” with Rune RK – are Texan electropop wonders Databoy, whose pure summer fun release “Just Once” soars into second place. The other is a debut from last week, Eric Saade’s memorable album track “Made Of Pop”, which quickly jumps to #5 in a tie as the Fastest Riser on the chart. Eric’s “Popular” – which “Flesh” replaced at the top – is set to exit the chart after a requisite 10 appearances (20 weeks). In-between are the Ballroom Remixed track “Out Without Your Boyfriend” by Jerry Reid (a new release from him coming soon) at #3 and “Talk Talk Talk” by Darren Hayes at #4.

Besides “Made of Pop”, we find new Top 10 entries from Canada/US group Long Story Short with “Venom” at an impressive #8, and the other Fastest Riser, “Pumped Up Kicks” by US band Foster The People, which climbs 16-9. I think by the Fall, the singalong chorus of “Pumped Up Kicks” will be on the tongues of pop fans everywhere. In-between, Matt Webb’s “Cinnamon” continues its rise to #6, while “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings” by Simon Curtis (also from Ballroom Remixed) inches up to #7.

As I mentioned a few weeks back, despite what may seem like road-jams in the chart, there is an extremely powerful glut of fantastic music out right now, and it tends to reside mid-chart for a while until the blockage gets unjammed. Thus, “The Lover’s Rumba” by Elouise (the third Ballroom Remixed song within) is yet again delayed a Top 10 placing, with “We Don’t Miss A Beat” by Van Go Lion and Ro Danishei’s “Prey To The Beat” right behind. “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera (official video coming) is only at mid-chart, and “Porcelain Heart” by Nicola Roberts seemingly squeaks up to #17.

Two of our recent debuts join the fray, the amazing Penguin Prison’s “Multi-Millionaire” rising to #18 and the emotional, pensive “Runway” by Blue Hamilton moving up to #20. The remaining debuts from last week, “‘Til Death” by Wynter Gordon and “Rise Above 1” by Broadway’s Spider-Man, Reeve Carney, along with Bono & The Edge (official video at the bottom of this blog), get stuck in the mid-20’s thanks to two high flying debuts.

The first of the aforementioned high flying debuts belongs to “Disco Moment” by Bright Light Bright Light, bowing at #16, which was premiered with its outstanding, refreshing video a few weeks back. I’ve reposted that video at the top of this blog because it’s destined to be one of the best and most memorable songs of the year. The single gets official release on August 7. I’m hoping that we’ll see release of the BrightLightx2 album, which I knew last to be called Make Me Believe in Hope, sometime before the end of the year. The second debut is from New York alt.disco trio Jessica 6 with “Prisoner of Love”, an excellent duet with Antony Hegarty which was reviewed earlier this week. The appeal of “Prisoner” is instant, and it pops onto the chart at #21. Lastly, we have the fourth appearance on the chart from a song from the album called 21. In This Year of Adele, “Set Fire To The Rain” has taken awhile to get under my skin, and arrives at #27.

Other News About Tuned-On! Top 30 Performers:

Darren Hayes will tour only the UK and Australia in 2011, while other international dates will happen in 2012. Remixes of “Talk Talk Talk” are now officially available, including the Hall & Oates remix “Out of Talk”
Long Story Short continue to record new material, one song of which is called “Girl Without A Name”
Foster The People are selling out North American tour dates – get your tickets!
Ro Danishei has been back in the West Virginia studio of producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells recording her next album
Frankmusik will open for Erasure on more than 25 North American dates, in advance of the September 27 release of his Do It In The A.M. album
Kyle Brylin, of the recent #5″Everything I’m Missing”, has a smashing five-song EP this week or next – my blog about it will appear later in the week!
Adam Tyler, whose “I Won’t Let You Go” also got to #5 in the Spring, has his full album Shattered Ice on release on August 23

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

Note that when you click on the pictures in the first column of the chart pages that they will now allow you to either listen to the song or view the official video to the song. Enjoy this new feature!

Alt.Disco? Jessica 6 May Know Something About It…Plus: Armin van Buuren/Nadia Ali, Penguin Prison, Gavin Mikhail, Collin McLoughlin

Jessica 6 featuring Antony Hegarty “Prisoner of Love” (and more)

As much as I search for my own musical finds, the collective world of the BlogVerse is not only daunting for all of the knowledge that my fellow bloggers possess, but also for the numerous treasures that they find.

Courtesy of xolondon comes New York trio Jessica 6 (the name comes from the sci-fi book/film “Logan’s Run”) with their debut album See The Light, featuring singer Nomi Ruiz, keyboardist Morgan Wiley and bassist Andrew Raposo. The group finds a happy middle ground between alternative rock and dance that doesn’t take a pure pop road, something that Nomi knows all too well from working with the acclaimed Hercules & Love Affair.

And it reminds me specifically of the territory once covered in the late 70’s and early 80’s by the unique performers who were signed to ZE Records. From eccentric “mutant disco” (Bill Laswell’s Material, early Was (Not Was)) to full throttle disco (Don Armando’s Second Avenue Rhumba Band) and eventually to their most accessible and successful act (Kid Creole & The Coconuts), ZE Records had the underbelly between rock and dance covered.

And I’m in total agreement with xolondon, and in somewhat amazement, at Jessica 6’s best song, “Prisoner Of Love”. Lyrically, there’s nothing new that hasn’t been said equally as well elsewhere. But the vocals and arrangement are what make this song so special. What starts off as slick mid-evening rhythmic pop sung by Nomi segues into an-almost duet with the influential Antony Hegarty (he of Antony & The Johnsons). I say ‘almost’ because Antony scores the lead in the second part of the song. The remainder is derived so much from impromptu vocal jazz collaborations, when all that’s sung is the title, and then the voices are caught up in a whirlwind of what I can only describe as disco rapture. It’s one of the very best performances of the year.

The group shows its further 70’s and 80’s R&B and funk influences with the polished “East West Funk” (reminds me of early 80’s George Benson songs if his songs had a dash of Parliament/Funkadelic) and the enchanting sleazy pleasure of “Fun Girl” and “White Horse” (not the Laid Back hit from the 80’s – video below).

One thing’s for sure: If they want to call it Alt.Disco, Jessica 6 has the category all to itself. That is, until word spreads like wildfire while the band plays shows on the East coast.

Armin van Buuren featuring Nadia Ali “Feels So Good”

Dutch performer/DJ/producer van Buuren and dance doyenne Ali are a match made in heaven in “Feels So Good”. It makes you wonder why the collaboration hadn’t happened sooner since both performers have kind of led parallel careers. Van Buuren has made much fine dance music with an intense emotional quality about it over the last decade including such diverse hits as “Yet Another Day” (featuring Ray Wilson, 2003) and “Going Wrong” (featuring Chris Jones, 2008), both of which got to #1 on my personal chart. Ali of course was the lead voice of the duo IIO, whose “Rapture (Tastes So Sweet)”, “At The End”, and “Smooth” all found their way into my chart’s Top 5, along with her stunning 2009 solo effort “Love Story”. So while the angle of “Feels So Good” isn’t so fervent this time round, the sensuality and delight delivered courtesy of Ms Nadia leave their mark.

Penguin Prison “Fair Warning” (official video)

The video speaks loudly – want wait for more live shows from PP and the upcoming self-titled album!

Gavin Mikhail “The A Team”

I’ve been thoroughly impressed at the quality of singer/pianist Gavin Mikhail’s music over the past few years, and he’s still releasing amazing music independently while raising a young family. Following his bang-on version of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass” from late last year comes a cover version that’s a little bit more unexpected. Ed Sheeran currently has a #3 hit in the UK with “The A Team”, which has struck me as an edgier side of someone like Jason Mraz. Gavin once again makes this song his own with his precision playing and this time a softer interpretation. He knows how to play to the song’s strong points and send it home.

Collin McLoughlin “Save The World (Tonight)”

Similarly to “The A Team”, New York singer Collin McLoughlin, whose rocking “Back To The Wall” impressed me this past Spring, has bested Swedish House Mafia themselves with his acoustic cover of their pop/dance hit “Save The World (Tonight)”. Collin’s version simplifies the emotional content of the song by stripping away the overwrought side of the original.

Is It Time For Punk Mach 2? Meet Toronto’s Swindled

Once upon a time in Pickering, Ontario, there were four teens who formed a punk band at the hey day of some of Toronto’s best such as Teenage Head, The Diodes, and Battered Wives. Swindled lasted from 1979 to 1982, replacing their original drummer along the way, and put out a 7″ vinyl single before imploding. Sounds like it could be any local garage band, right?

Except who’d have thought that they’d be back almost 30 years later. At a January tribute to my friend and fellow music history buff and author, veteran guitarist and solo artist in his own right Jaimie Vernon, Swindled performed for the first time in years, with singer Ivan Judd and bassist Tim James, but minus either of the original drummers, so consummate local session musician Cleave Anderson (Blue Rodeo among others) stepped behind the drums. The group easily performed a dozen songs in a half hour (since a three minute song to them is long!) and was so well received by the audience that this was not to be a one-time-only gig. So the band performed a live session on University of Toronto radio station CIUT-FM, which turned out so promising that it led to the release of their debut album It’s only peace that you want…It’s only war that you get!

Now having been predisposed to some of these songs over the years through numerous other bands featuring Jaimie and/or Ivan, I’m pleased that all of this has been preserved on disc, and that the band is performing additional shows this summer. On July 22 they performed at Toronto club Bovine Sex Club… with two other similar bands, which made for an energetic and fast-paced evening. The Swindled members lived through the original punk scene, and over the years have since become terrific performers and musicians, but it’s not exactly as if The Ramones or Teenage Head have received the spit and polished treatment – there are fortunately still many spit stains! Their songs are all original, many (if not all) written in the late 70’s or early 80’s, and they still sound fresh even though time has placed some of the lyrical content way back when, particularly in songs like “Nazi Dog” (a reference to a Toronto punk singer of the late 70’s) and “Aunti-Thatcher”.

The band re-recorded their first single “Who Wants Guns”, along with its better and more timeless B-side “Hymn #84”, for inclusion along with their originals, which still sound surprisingly gritty and survived the transfer to disc. I also enjoy the swagger and sneer of “Meantime”, “Possession”, and “Apathy Rules”. Three original demos are also included in the package for historical and curiosity value.

Bigger, better, older, wiser? Perhaps but the only way to judge is to check out the album which is available on iTunes, Amazon, or through Bullseye Canada – or, check out an upcoming show (if you’re in the Toronto area, a show is happening sometime in August in Oshawa, about a half hour east). Find out more about Swindled through their Facebook pages. You can watch a video of their performance of “Who Wants Guns” below at their reunion show earlier this year.

Summer Popervescence #1 featuring the Tuned-On! Top 30 #357 – July 18/11

It’s been two weeks since we’ve written, so this time you get a longer two-fer blog: A new personal chart with commentary, and hot new music courtesy of Summer Popervescence #1. A lot of the latter music is creating some strife on the chart, causing an absolute glut of wonderful music. I’m loving it!

Tuned-On! Top 30 #357 – July 18/11

The Top 4 songs remain unchanged and seemingly unmovable. “Flesh” by Simon Curtis and “Do It In The A.M.” by Frankmusik featuring Far East Movement rank #1 and #2 for third appearances each (6 weeks). “I’m in Love” by Christian TV ranks 3rd as his latest single, the R&B-oriented “Girl I Used To Know” is released. “Out Without Your Boyfriend” by Jerry Reid stays at #4 as interest in the Ballroom Remixed project from which it comes continues to grow. “Talk Talk Talk” by Darren Hayes climbs 7-5 as the singer continues to promote the record in Australia. I’m waiting for my purple vinyl copy of the single in the mail 😀 View his performance on Australia’s “Dancing with the Stars” below (gosh, I adore Australian accents).

New to the Top 10 are “Just Once” by Databoy, a true summer song if there was one, which really makes its presence felt, zooming 14-6 to challenge those equally excellent songs in the Top 5! It’s so obvious that Lady GaGa has set a standard over the last three years for female vocalists with powerful voices. They are prevalent on the chart this week, so it’s fitting the Lady herself has another Top Tenner with “The Edge Of Glory” at #9. And Chris Brown lands in the Top 10 for the first time since 2008 with his feelgood Benny Benassi collabo “Beautiful People” at #10.

Recent additions to the chart from the past few weeks continue to move up nicely. “Venom” by Long Story Short is Top 10 bound in two weeks as it climbs to #11. “The Lover’s Rumba”, Elouise’s contribution to the Ballroom Remixed album, jumps 19-15. The fastest riser on the chart is the other, more laid back, summer confection, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People, which is getting its slow burn groove on with more people each week. It soars 27-16 on the chart. Three other powerful female vocalists are right below… “We Don’t Miss A Beat” by Van Go Lion, featuring Amy Paige, is at #17; “Prey To The Beat”, the secret loaded weapon in Ro Danishei’s End Of The Rainbow album, charges up 28-18; Nicola Roberts’ “Porcelain Heart” is up to #19 and will continue to rise in two weeks; similarly “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera climbs to #20 and continues to build.

Five more debuts on the chart means five more songs to adore.

How does one follow such a magnetic song as Eric Saade’s “Popular”? Well, with an incredibly solid Saade Volume One album, which is full of truly happy-go-lucky pop from the Swedish singer who has some great people behind-the-scenes in his court. The album is a dazzler, an aural equivalent to Baked Alaska (ice cream baked in meringue) with peach and raspberry sauce!! At its best, Volume One is all cute and endearing… but with loads of power and know-how to support it all. Hence we have Eric the geek in “Stupid With You”, Eric the lonely retro romantic in “Me and My Radio”, and best of all, Eric Pop Personified with “Made Of Pop” (you can hear the song at the top of the page). “Made Of Pop” is a much more logical follow up to “Popular” than the weak-ish “Hearts In The Air”, so I hope it will be the third single. It has one of my favourite verses of the year: “My kings and queens are speaking through me / Got my degree in the big POP”. Single-handedly with these words has Eric given a huge shout-out to his fans – not unlike Simon Curtis with “Get In Line”, and Eric and Simon NEED to record and sing in concert together!! – and declared himself triumphant. Brilliant. And speaking of brilliant, you can read a much more in-depth review of Saade Volume One by MyFizzyPop. I’m not about to repeat so much of what he says so well 🙂

Next up at #24 is the Shook remix of Penguin Prison’s “Multi-Millionaire” about which I wrote previously. Penguin Prison has happily joined the Scissor Sisters and a number of other artists on Downtown Records for the release of the PP self-titled record and new single “Fair Warning”. But in the meantime, the Prince-ly influenced “Multi-Millionaire” will kick off the anticipation in advance. Then at #25 we have “Runway”, the highly emotional single from singer/music exec Blue Hamilton. I’m posting the video clip once again below so that you can all have a good cry. We first heard New Yorker Wynter Gordon on Flo Rida’s Top 5 hit “Sugar” back in 2009. In the meantime she co-wrote several songs for the Love? album by Jennifer Lopez and has seen her first album With The Music I Die become a massive hit in Australia – which makes two U.S. artists on this chart to have success Down Under (the other is Foster The People). So while North America only gets an EP version of With The Music I Die, the song “‘Til Death” (which contains the title’s lyrics) arrives on my chart at #26 (video below). Fellow New Yorker and star of the Broadway play “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” Reeve Carney climbs onto the chart at #27 with “Rise Above 1”, his inspiring collaboration with “Spider-Man” songwriters Bono and The Edge. Reeve is previously known for his work with his band Carney, which has released both a live album and a studio album to date and continues to perform throughout Reeve’s success with “Spider-Man”.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

“Runway” by Blue Hamilton

“‘Til Death” by Wynter Gordon

Summer Popervescence #1

“I Won’t Let You Go” by Adam Tyler

It would not be Summer ’11 without the long-awaited arrival of the video for L.A. singer Adam Tyler’s “I Won’t Let You Go”. It’s a visually stunning positive pastiche of images of handsome Adam in various appearances and hairstyles (and paint) which make it incredibly memorable. That the song is also a stunner makes it a winning combination, it’s one of my favourites of the year, having already peaked at #5 this past Spring. Watch the video below and purchase the song on iTunes.

“Bad Girl” by Matt Webb

I love how Matt Webb is carving out his own mark from Marianas Trench with his enjoyable EP Coda and Jacket. His track “Cinnamon” is already #7 on my chart. I don’t like the current single “Bad Girl” as much, but the video is enjoyable in the same way as… well, “Misery” by Maroon 5. Check it out below.

“My Name Is Kay” by Kay

It may be a little samey to The Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name” but Canadian singer Kay’s “My Name Is Kay” has a whole other smashing funky bassline side that speaks for it alongside her Britney-ish delivery when she’s not rap/singing. Watch the video below.

“Atlantis” by The Midway State

I previously wrote about this first single from the Toronto quartet’s upcoming album Paris Or India. The video for this jubilant and ethereal song below has also surfaced in advance of the album. The band will be performing at the Toronto Festival of Beer on August 5. “Atlantis” has done well enough as a lead up but I think the best new songs from The Midway State will be heard on the album.

“The Story of Us” by Nick Hagelin

I continue to be so impressed by Atlanta-based singer Nick Hagelin and the careful choice of cover songs for which he has been posting videos. The latest is a simply delightful rendition of Taylor Swift’s latest hit “The Story Of Us” (video below). This just goes to say that Nick Hagelin needs a record released soon along with a DVD that might include some of these enjoyable videos. Nick is a star just waiting to happen.

Rune RK & Databoy “Memorize Me” (teaser)

What would the summer be without an Ibiza-styled dance anthem? And what a great pairing – Rune RK (you’ll remember his “Calabria”, famously redone twice in 2007/08, once by Alex Gaudino featuring Crystal Waters as “Destination Calabria”, and then as “Calabria 2008” by Enur featuring Natasja) – and US duo Databoy, who’ve been gracing my chart with “Stupid” and “Just Once”. Get teased below.

And finally, we have four more videos by artists who appear on the Ballroom Remixed album, along with charting songs by Jerry Reid, Simon Curtis, and Elouise.

Dutch talent Jeromino sings about “How They Dance In Outer Space” on Ballroom Remixed. To completely get away from the novelty of that song, he’s released “Renaissance Man” which not only shows his diversity but how much the camera just loves him as well.

New York self-professed theatre nerd Joshua Desjardins gave us executive producer Melanie La Patin’s namesake theme song on Ballroom Remixed. So how does he follow it up? With “I’m A Nerd” of course! This is what could happen if a Weird Al Yankovic song got dunked in Europop (think Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” or Dan Balan’s “Crazy Loop”). Joshua’s spot-on delivery makes geekdom seem way more than okay! Hear the song below and get your inner nerd on.

German singer Linda Teodosiu offered up the steamy “Body Heat” on Ballroom Remixed. Her latest single, which has a good chance to follow the worldwide success of her 2009 hit “Reprogram My Heart”, is “Alive”. It’s a slinky mid-evening dance number partnered nicely with Linda’s soaring voice.

Lastly, for a very recent glimpse at Simon Curtis singing at his acoustic best, watch the clip below of Simon singing “I Don’t Wanna Be Alone” (from 8bit Heart) and support his sick kids charity 100 Million Miracles ( a reminder that Simon is a cancer survivor).

Okay – are your ears full enough now? 🙂