Carlos Nobrega – Page 4 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

BILLCS Chart #384 – DATABOY Score Gold For A Third Time

My bi-weekly chart of favourites is delightfully abuzz of a great bunch of new songs, which is making it increasingly difficult to rank every two weeks. So the ups and downs of songs look like they will be a bit dramatic during these summer months, and the wait for #1 for some top notch songs may continue longer than it normally would.

DATABOY score their third number one song on the chart with “Dreams Are Gold”, a song that’s awash in as great a melody as it is with lyrics that totally hit home for me with its message. They’ve already been on top with “Just Once” last summer (also included on their Dreams Are Gold album), as well as with Rune RK for “Memorize Me”, the song that brought sunny Ibiza sounds to my winter months. Be sure to listen to “Dreams Are Gold” below.

That means that “Remember When (Push Rewind)” by Chris Wallace, which is starting to get national radio play in the U.S., moves up to #2. It’s surely a contender for #1, but it’s a matter of WHEN it will get there with “Dreams Are Gold” ahead of it. That also means “One Kiss” by Jeronimo, one of my most played current songs, drops somewhat early to #3 but should hang in and around the Top 10 for a few more weeks. And did you know that one of Jeronimo’s songs is the Cartoon Network ID for some parts of the world (outside of Europe and North America)??

The fastest riser on the chart, because I can’t get it out of my head 😉 , is “Timebomb” by Kylie Minogue, which soars 15-4 somewhat in anticipation of what she’ll release next. All of Kylie’s 5 songs that have got on my chart have reached my Top 10; “Timebomb” surpasses the #5 peak of “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” to become her biggest chart hit. Watch her performance from “The Voice” (UK) below. Daniel Bedingfield has been performing some gigs in L.A., which hopefully bodes well for them to spread to other parts of North America in the near future. “Secret Fear” jumps to #5, matching the same peak of “Wrap My Words Around You” back in 2005.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right 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. There’s always a tiny place at the bottom of the blog post with tags and the statement “Leave A Comment” – please feel free to do so

The rest of the Top 10 moves up, with the exception of “All Our Love” by Gentlemen Hall, which slips to #10. “Hollywood” by RAC featuring Penguin Prison climbs to #6, and DATABOY’s concurrent Top Tenner “Lotion” moves to #8. The second new entry to the Top 10 is “Collecting Sunlight” by Andreas Moe, which arrives at #9.

The third newcomer to the Top 10 is the highest debut this week. The Calvin Harris remix of Florence & The Machine’s “Spectrum (Say My Name)” turns the song into a most colourful and rousing dance hit that is the current UK #1. It bows on my chart at #7, giving the band their second Top 10 hit following 2009’s “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)”, which got to #2. I’m glad “Spectrum” got release as a single as something needed to give new life to the Ceremonials album while Florence waits to return to touring after throat problems caused some gigs to be cancelled.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the chart continues to be busy below the Top 10. “Moves”, the song by Bright Light Bright Light that’s immersed in a late 70’s disco strings arrangement, leaps 21-11, while “Angel” by Darren Hayes (the flip side to the single of “Talk Talk Talk”) is right behind, up 16-12. “Go For Gold” has certainly arrived right in time for the Olympics, so don’t be surprised if Kyle Patrick’s song (moving 23-14) gets some deserved attention during the many weeks to come. Kyle has also recently released his self-titled EP on iTunes, while “Go For Gold” continues to be a free download. Watch the video below.

I’m pleased to report that New York singer Baiyu is a contestant on the new CW show “The Next”, which features Gloria Estefan, Joe Jonas, John Rich, and Nelly as panelist judges. The show begins on August 16, so be sure to tune in to see how far this talented gal can go. In the meantime, watch her video for “Invisible” (#22) below. The club-oriented title song from her Hunter mixtape also climbs to #15.

“Chasing The Sun” by The Wanted charges to #16, while Monti Montañez’s “Turn Up Your Radio” (from This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume One) moves up to #17. The high dose of summer energy that is “Turn It Up” by Portugal’s all round entertainer (and fellow Poptronik performer) Carlos Nóbrega vaults 26-19 (listen below), while UK foursome Lawson reach #20 with “When She Was Mine”.

I’ve previously written about 3 of our remaining 4 debuts, which you can see/hear below. Foster The People’s “Houdini” (#23) is a real sleeper that comes alive in the clubby Green Children remix. Poptronik performer Markus Riva (who is also a DJ on Latvia’s Capital radio) gets his second chart entry with the pulsating “We Dance 4 Reason” at #24. “High For You” was written and originally recorded by Toronto’s noted The Weeknd and has received some radio play as well in his home city. Ellie Goulding puts a slow grooving spin on the song, which is also a free download. While the pop world delights with playing her song “Lights”, “High For This” arrives at #26 on my chart. Lastly, as with their Billboard Top 10 Dance Club Play hit, “Famous”, Canadian trio Audio Playground has found that their latest single “Emergency” (featuring Snoop Dogg) has broken out of Quebec. “Emergency” lands on the chart at #28.

BILLCS Top 30 #383 – July 16/12 – One, two, three – BOOM!!

It’s as easy as 1…..2…..3…..

1…..

2…..

3……

You’ll know that people aren’t jumping from high places when you suddenly hear several cries of Jeronimo, as the Dutch singer’s utterly delightful “One Kiss” rises to the top of my chart. But it is immediately being challenged by the glorious words and melodies of DATABOY, whose title song from their album Dreams Are Gold gets 2nd place, while fastest riser “Remember When (Push Rewind)” by Chris Wallace gets 3rd. These are three of the most eminently likeable songs of 2012, and it would be a shame for you to pass them up! Get ’em all on iTunes too!

Meanwhile in the lower half of the Top 10, there’s plenty of activity with Daniel Bedingfield’s stellar title song from his EP Secret Fear – Stop The Traffik climbing to #6, with Boston’s Gentlemen Hall in too at #7 with “All Our Love”. RAC featuring the vocals of Chris Glover from Penguin Prison, is a new entry to the Top 10 with “Hollywood” at #8, and DATABOY’s second song on the chart from Dreams Are Gold is the winning “Lotion” at #10.

The rest of the chart is pretty busy. There is no shortage of great music out there and every song seems to fight not only for highest placement but longevity (to the maximum of 10 appearances, natch) as well. “Collecting Sunlight” by Andreas Moe, who has recently been in Tokyo performing to large crowds, is Top 10 bound at #11, and River Tiber’s jazzy “These Are Centuries” climbs to #13. If “Remember When” by Chris Wallace hadn’t soared 17 places, then the fastest rise would have been the 14 place move up for Kylie Minogue’s “Timebomb”, whose chorus is presently stuck in my head, now at #15. Right behind is Darren Hayes’ lovely rendition of Madonna’s “Angel” at #16, while Baiyu’s percolating title song from her mixtape Hunter is now at #17, and “Chasing The Sun”, which got to #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play chart for The Wanted, jumps to #19. Down a bit further but rising steadily are “When She Was Mine” by UK foursome Lawson at #22, and the second entry from Baiyu, a sultry ballad featuring Rotimi called “Invisible”, is at #24.

Three new entries to the chart should be of no surprise to you. While “Waiting For The Feeling” gives up #1 after four appearances (eight weeks), I’m still waiting to hear about a next single release from Bright Light Bright Light’s album Make Me Believe In Hope, which is one of the year’s finest releases. The magnificent emotional disco throwback that is “Moves” is the highest premiere on the chart at #21. Watch BLx2 perform the song below in London, followed by one of last year’s best singles, “Disco Moment”.

I know I only wrote about this one yesterday, but it’s effect on my chart is instantaneous! “Go For Gold” by the Click Five’s Kyle Patrick bows at #23. Another feel good, high energy song to keep you happy during the summer 🙂

Lastly at #26, high energy in more of a club vibe kind of way comes from “Turn It Up”, the latest single from Poptronik artist Carlos Nóbrega. Carlos joins fellow Poptronik album performers Tao Hypah, Markus Riva, and Monti Montañez, who continues to rise up the chart with “Turn On Your Radio” at #18.

Mid-Summer’s Mix featuring Jeronimo, Carlos Nobrega, Stone Walters, Adaku, Maskerade, Jon McLaughlin, Tone Damli & Eric Saade

There will be more blog posts to come this weekend as I get caught up after a bit of an unintended hiatus.

Jeronimo “Some Other Way”

Jeronimo’s debut album One Kiss is one enjoyable pop ride through thoughtful but generally positive ballads and amazingly infectious dance songs, such as the title track confection currently near the top of my chart. I didn’t think we’d see another song/video from the album so soon after “One Kiss”, but “Some Other Way” shows the singer in soft pensive mode in a deserted room full of covered objects hiding memories, all sure to acquire more fans in the process. Jeronimo’s charm is in his unique voice, and his production and songwriting teams knows how to match him up with the words and the flow that makes “Some Other Way” work so well.

Sky Santos featuring Carlos Nóbrega “I Miss You”

It’s only a snippet right now, but “I Miss You” will be released next week by Portuguese DJ Sky Santos, featuring none other than Poptronik artist Carlos Nóbrega, about whose songs “Pitiful” and “Turn It Up” I’ve recently written. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing the extended mix of “I Miss You”, and being a sucker for Eurodisco and House music of just about any shape and form, I can say that this is a slamming track that would attract attention in the middle of a stomping DJ mix. Starting with a rather simple percussive beginning and building from there, the song would sound great played outdoors (think Ibiza) and is enhanced by a spoken word break in the middle that allows the song to soar even more right after.

And it wasn’t originally posted when I wrote about it, so I’m posting the full version of Carlos’ “Turn It Up” a second time. The absolutely contagious positive energy of this song has the potential for a dance smash – I’m waiting for the remixes!!

Stone Walters “World Keeps Turning”

Adaku “Or You Can”

Two new softer R&B songs bring a quiet old school charm to the usual dance-laden proceedings on my stereo. I can’t get enough of R&B that takes me back to my younger days of the heartfelt sounds of Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and the list goes on.

You already know UK singer Stone Walters from the beautiful ballad that will turn you into a puddle called “Home”, which flew to #4 on my chart earlier this year. Stone is in the process of recording his album and has unleashed “World Keeps Turning”, another genuine but slightly more uptempo original which highlights the singer’s classic dulcet tones. You can help Stone build his album by clicking right here.

Adaku is a new singer based in the US who is originally from Nigeria. This gal’s got not only got the talent but the brains to go along with it in the form of a Master’s degree in electrical engineering. Like Stone Walters, I’m really pleased to hear a return to styles of yore, and Adaku takes the best of people like Anita Baker and Janet Jackson (when she sings ballads) to find a happy mid-point. “Or You Can” is jazzy gentleness incarnate, persuading you to “lay your head on my big ass ‘fro”, but she throws in a few solid high range notes for good measure, and of course makes you want more.

Listen to “World Keeps Turning” (download it with an email subscription) and “Or You Can” below.

World Keeps Turning:

Or You Can:

Maskerade “Come To Me”

Maskerade is a relatively new R&B singer from California who has released a few acclaimed independent records already. Literally hot off the presses, “Come To Me” is a sultry mid-tempo love song that will appeal to fans of Usher and Ne-Yo with Maskerade’s colourful vocals. Consisting of a timeless melody and a familiar theme of longing concocted by songwriter JBreathless, “Come To Me” has punch provided by producer Ray Taylor which makes it instantly memorable. Listen below.

Jon McLaughlin “Promising Promises” (acoustic video)

I’ve throughly enjoyed “Promising Promises” since I first heard it last Fall on Jon’s album Forever, If Ever. With a positive reaction to the album’s re-release, you’ll watch the newly christened title track gets a fantastic acoustic workout by this wicked piano man by viewing this video – proof enough that you should get out to see Jon on his next go ’round the country.

Tone Damli featuring Eric Saade “Imagine”

Has it been a hot minute since I wrote about Mr. Saade and the wonderful songs from Saade Volumes 1 & 2 which till recently graced my chart? In case you haven’t heard, he teamed up with lovely Norwegian singer Tone Damli and promptly went to Spain with her. At least to shoot the fine, sexy video below, which greatly enhances the song’s appeal. You can get “Imagine”, already a Top 10 hit in Norway, on iTunes everywhere – still unlike the rest of Eric’s songs, which seem to be mainly limited to Europe. Hopefully that changes soon.

Summer Popervescence #1 featuring Baiyu, Jeronimo, Markus Riva, Carlos Nobrega, Killian Wells, and Andreas Moe

Summer looks to be very hot ahead – and I’m only talking about the music! Don’t forget that Make Me Believe in Hope by Bright Light Bright Light drops in the USA on Tuesday. And be sure to check out two new full length releases below, plus two new singles, and a video!

Hunter by Baiyu

Last year, Baiyu’s warm and subdued video for “Together” was my introduction to this talented New Yorker with an impressive set of pipes. Then came the quirky and fun “Take A Number”, which showed another side of her. I’ve already written about her tantalizing video for “Invisible” (featuring duet partner Rotimi), which has led us to Hunter, her latest free download full length mixtape.

Hunter is stellar work all around. Baiyu has diversified even more within and you can feel the heart and soul that went into this record. I’ve already compared her voice to Keri Hilson and more particularly Beyoncé because of her power and range. She does marvellously in songs like “Laws of Attraction”, “Lost and Found”, and “Another Lifetime”, very reminiscent sometimes of Toni Braxton as well. There’s blood on the dance floor waiting in the wings if more startlingly good club songs like the title track are in store for us! It’s my very favourite on Hunter, with a close runner up being her duet “Make Believe”, featuring an equally stunning vocalist, Paul Kim – I want to know more about him 🙂 There are actually four duets with male singers within. Often singers can get left in the dust by their partners, but thanks to Baiyu’s prowess and her production team’s fine work, the showcase is hers.

Hunter awaits for you to add Baiyu to your summer playlist. It certainly surpassed my expectations, and we will be hearing much, much more from Baiyu. Download Hunter right here and listen to the powerful title song below.

One Kiss by Jeronimo

I’ve finally got to hear the full album release One Kiss by Jeronimo, which confirms that the insanely infectious title song with an undetermined Latin backdrop (currently #2 on my chart) and previous single, the heartwrenching ballad “Somebody Who Loves Me”, are no flukes. This young Dutchman (via Brazil) with the unique voice could definitely find his place in the international music scene – if this record can be released outside of Europe.

The album is full of jaunty pop/dance songs as well as ballads for Jeronimo’s swoonworthy crowd. His playful charm comes off best in “Sacrifice”, “Renaissance Man”, “All I Want Is You To Love Me”, and the genuine spark of “Unheard”, which could be a follow up single. Look to “Firefly”, “Someone New”, and “Hey Hey” for some effective balladry. I would only ask in future that his production team stop messing with our boy’s fine voice by adding technology to alter it, making it stand out in the wrong ways.

But if you haven’t caught on to the title song yet, which is available internationally on iTunes, watch the video below and be slayed. Jeronimo will win lots of new fans with this project 🙂

Poptronik Follow-Up!

Three performers from This Beat Is Poptronik Volume 1 have new songs out for you to hear that are equally as engaging as the ones on the summer’s killer dance compilation which is the soundtrack for the essential electronica beach dance party in Sitges, Spain on September 1 and 2.

“We Dance 4 Reason” by Markus Riva featuring Ralph

The Latvian singer’s “How It Feels To Be A Man” is newly perched in the Top 10 of my chart, and he’s upped the ante a bit with this fun and explosive dance song, whose video shows off some snappy choreography. Markus is in fine voice and the song will definitely help get your groove on. Buy it on iTunes. Watch below.

“Turn It Up” by Carlos Nóbrega

The energy level in “Turn It Up” (co-written by Carlos) must stem from the Portuguese star’s enthusiasm that transforms what initially starts out to be a pretty formulaic dance song into a fiery and urgent dance floor anthem that has grown on me a great deal since I first heard it. Carlos’ voice soars to new heights mid-way which keeps the song on a real high. You can buy “Turn It Up” on iTunes, with an album to follow in the Fall. Listen to the song below. It’s the successor to “Pitiful”, which also shows the many sides of Carlos through an acoustic version which you can hear below.

“It’s Like That” by Killian Wells featuring Nixon

I’m so glad some music videos incorporate comedy and lightheartedness because they are often remembered more for that then those that are deathly serious. And so we have “It’s Like That” by Killian Wells, who previously brought us the bouncy and intense “Psycho”. Stick with this one all the way through for some amusing set pieces and fun interplay between Killian and featured artist Nixon. Recent similar reference points might be “Burnin’ Up” by It Boys and “No I.D.” by FrankMusik featuring Colette Carr. Enjoy below!

“Collecting Sunlight” by Andreas Moe (official video)

While I’ve already posted acoustic performances of talented Andreas which showcase the man and his music, the official video of his single currently in the Top 20 on my chart (and on official release internationally this week) is a delightful animated clip that might be a bit literal but gets across a fine message. Watch below.

Reinventing the Dance Compilation With Style: This Beat Is Poptronik, Volume One

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 the EQ Music Blog is 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.

Listen to the songs through Soundcloud at