Tag Archives: electronica

House producer @DJAlexPreston masterfully recrafts….. Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through The Grapevine”

MARVIN GAYE, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Alex Preston rework) (free DL)

Yes, you are reading this correctly, so do not be afraid 🙂  Australian house producer Alex Preston boldly takes on a Motown classic that should otherwise be untouched, Marvin Gaye’s 1968 chart-topping cover of “Heard It Through The Grapevine”.  In order to make his point, Alex excises the haunting bass work and rhythm track of the original, and replaced it with an amped up, driving house rhythm.  He adds a lot of echo to Marvin’s original emotional vocal, making it sound even more isolated in the face of those hurting, cheating lyrics.  The first three minutes of this rework are an utterly seamless tribute to the original and will have club goers cheering.  The remaining two minutes are technically wonderful mixing handoffs for creative club DJ’s.  Best of all, you can have this update for free for now at the link above.  Alex Preston’s rework of “Grapevine” is a convincing and masterful surprise – more please!!  Reworks like this cannot be done without inbred passion for the source, and it’s a real treat for long-time Motown fans like me.

 

21 year old Aussie @JYYE_official keeps it fresh and vibey with “Somewhere Else”

JYYE, “Somewhere Else”

A rising light into the complex Australian dance music scene is 21 year old JYYE with his latest single “Somewhere Else”.  Brought to you by Tiesto’s AFTR:HRS label (which brought us “Fill Me In” by Loud Luxury and Ryan Shepherd last year) and supported by stars like Martin Garrix, “Somewhere Else” has to be fresh and vibey to get your attention.  JYYE crafts a percolating rhythm accentuated by high, percussive, even xylophonic sounds.  These are offset by a somewhat soft and adorable vocal by an uncredited singer.  It all makes “Somewhere Else” stand out and will lead in nicely to a set of bangers.  Watch for more from JYYE after “Somewhere Else” quickly acquires some additional deserving attention.  Add it to your New and Vibey playlist at the link above.

Australia’s @AronaMane offers infectious ‘retrofuture’ toe-tapper “Oscar” featuring @PTfromNZ

ARONA MANE featuring P.T., “Oscar”

With those of us in the great white north heading into Spring, unique and fun toe-tappers like “Oscar” from Sydney’s Arona Mane featuring Auckland R&B vocalist P.T. are more than welcome.  I’m not sure where the influence for the uncharacteristic rhythm comes from, but it could draw on aboriginal Australian music as much as it might African, Caribbean or South American songs.  Regardless, it’s pretty irresistible, with P.T.’s slick vocal creating a solid anchor.  Once you get past the music you’ll find some lyrics which seem to be set on having a good time after you’ve gotten through some hurdles, the goal being your own “Oscar”.  Arona Mane calls this one ‘retrofuture’, which is kind of a contradiction, but at the same time begs the thought that house music with infectious rhythms like “Oscar” could be what the rest of the world will be listening to in a year.  There may be some foundation to that thought!  Check out “Oscar” at the link above.

Check out breezy, effervescent “No Chill” by California’s @DreeMonmusic

DREE MON, “No Chill”

Following up her single “Rebel Soul” which I wrote about recently, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Dree Mon brings us the sunshiny melody of “No Chill”.  It’s a breezy and effervescent song with all ears on Dree’s vocal.  The song will instantly remind you of Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be” in spots – not a bad thing at all! – and Dree’s singing would fit right in next to brits like Jess Glynne and Rita Ora.  But there’s more to it, a soulful edge that recalls Alicia Keys but maybe forbears like Roberta Flack or Anita Baker too.  But “No Chill” is a snappy pop song that will get you out of your chair and on your feet to celebrate something or other.  With songs like “No Chill”, we can definitely look forward to more great songs from Dree Mon this year.  Listen at the link up top and pick up “No Chill” at your favourite digital music store.

#BILLCSTop30 #530 – March 5, 2018

Spring is on its way and the new chart is pretty stuck on a number of songs.  So while there are three new entries, you can expect more changes in two weeks before I am Miami Music Week bound.

The Top 10

  • Troye Sivan’s “My My My!” secures a second appearance tightly ensconced at the top.  We did see the first official remix arrive, by the fantastic duo of Cash Cash, and it’s perhaps a little different from what you might expect, more chilled out than the original.  Check it out below.
  • If you want an uplifting song with a unique melodic hook, then listen no further than to “What We’re Made Of” by NYC’s Dave Edwards featuring Britain-based vocalist Mark Asari, climbing 5-4.

  • Mako gets his second Top 5 hit with “Breathe” moving up 7-5.  “Smoke-Filled Room” reached #3 two years ago.
  • Off to see Miguel next Monday, so fittingly “Told You So” moves up 10-6 from his stunning War & Leisure album.  Can’t wait to hear it all in live performance.  It was super that he got to sing the winning song on the Oscars from the animated film CoCo called “Remember Me”.

  • It’s such a different song for The Chainsmokers with on-point lyrics too.  “Sick Boy” bounds 14-9 making it Alex and Drew’s 6th trip into this Top 10 🙂
  • Mika moves up 12-10 for his first Top 10 entry since 2010 with the inspiring and inclusive “It’s My House”.

Movin’ On Up

  • Italian producer Big Fish has a brisk, fun and unassuming dance song with “Moves” featuring American vocalist, landing just shy of the Top 10 up 13-11.

  • Some K-POP continues to flourish on the chart as superstars BTS climb 18-15 with “DNA”.  
  • The fastest rising song on the chart belongs to UK singer/songwriter James Poole, who I am so glad to see back making original music after a bit of a hiatus, much different from when I first heard him in 2014-15.  And it’s even better because he’s found a goldmine with his positive message of “Perfectly Me”, and I’m happy to get behind the song 100%.  It soars 23-16.
  • It’s a quadruple threat:  Producers Robotaki and Manila Killa along with powerhouse vocalist Matthew John Kurz came up with the solid “I Want You”, then remixer Spirix amped up the emotion.  The remix climbs 22-17.  Check out Matthew’s new solo song “Dreams In LA”, below.
  • Bobby Nourmand’s new soulful dance hit “Prisoner”, featuring British singer Laurent John, should be well on its way in two weeks.  For now it rises 26-20.
  • Right behind “Prisoner” is Ekali and ZHU’s memorable “Blame”, climbing 27-21.  Check out NGHTMRE’s recent remix below.
  • Finally, Toronto trio Keys N Krates jumps 29-24 featuring Tory Lanez in the singalong “Music To My Ears”.

Three Debuts

  • One of the most unexpected, clever pleasures of the year is the alt.electronic vibe of “Smile” by Norway’s Dyrisk featuring British producer Nik Ernst.  It recalls to me some of the best music made by the likes of Massive Attack in the 90’s, and this update is out of the ordinary but very cutting edge.  Watch for this one in the coming weeks.  It bows at a high #22.  Nik Ernst himself previously appeared on the chart in the summer of 2016 with “Stronger” (#13) in its Steve Void edit.
  • It just reached #1 on Billboard’s Club Play chart, and “All Falls Down” by another Norwegian, Alan Walker, featuring both Miley’s sis Noah Cyrus and UK vocalist Digital Farm Animals on vocals arrives at #26.  It’s hard to believe Alan’s most famous hit “Faded” got to #3 on the chart just a little less than two years ago.
  • Another returnee to the chart is Toronto’s Francesco Yates, who to me is a superstar talent in the making.  Smashing it domestically with “Better To Be Loved” (#6) and “Sugar” (with Robin Schulz, #11) internationally just under three years ago, his latest song is the Spanish-flavoured “Come Over”, which bows at #27.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here!  Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the new BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

 

 

Fierce remixing with no compromise: @Vicetone takes on @The_Prodigy’s “Omen”

THE PRODIGY, “Omen” (Vicetone bootleg remix)

No kind of advance warning will prepare you for the big bounce of Vicetone’s bootleg remix of The Prodigy’s 2009 UK Top 5 hit “Omen”.  The Dutch duo already dropped an excellent original in January with “Fix You”, but this updating of “Omen” is something that club DJ’s should be seriously considering for a powerhouse set.  This remix is completely fierce and The Prodigy’s fans should be more than happy with it.  Taking inspiration from the industrial electronics of the 80’s as well as The Prodigy’s mid 90’s heyday (think more of “Breathe” than “Firestarter”) combined with a new instrumental backdrop – those strings sounds are killer! – give Vicetone’s remix of “Omen” the potential for the song’s revival.  It’s a totally wicked surprise that commands your attention.  Vicetone should now be on your ‘watch list’ for anything that comes from them in 2018 🙂

#JunoAwards nominee @FelixCartal offers up sultry and edgy “Runaway” featuring @whoisREGN

FELIX CARTAL featuring REGN, “Runaway”

Vancouver’s Felix Cartal has his first release in 2018 following a spectacular 2017, which has resulted in two of Canada’s Juno Awards nominations, for Dance Single of the Year (his cover of New Radicals’ “Get What You Give”) and for Producer of the Year thanks to other glorious dance hits like “Drifting Away”.  His new single “Runaway” should have no trouble following or matching the success of “Get What You Give”.  It’s a sultry, saucy and edgy mid-tempo house tune enhanced immeasurably by a top notch vocal from L.A. singer REGN.  Its protagonist lives ‘behind a façade’ and sings about a number of supposed pluses while being on her own, yet the final words ‘I’m a runaway, catch me’ prevail nonetheless.  “Runaway” is strong on its own to make waves at radio, but some remixes might show off its versatility for clubs.  Add it to your Hot and New Dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

Prolific Colombian producer @Flapomusic gets remixed by @CRNKN for “Us” and remixes #Tundran’s “Every Wave”

https://soundcloud.com/flapo/us-crnkn-remix

https://soundcloud.com/flapo/tundran-every-wave-flapo-remix

FLAPO featuring JOSH RUBIN, “Us” (CRNKN remix) (free DL)

TUNDRAN, “Every Wave” (Flapo remix) (free DL)

Miami-based, Colombian producer Flapo has been on a roll lately, cranking out some quality tunes that perhaps are a bit more off the beaten path but worthy of your attention.

His latest original, “Us”, featuring singer Josh Rubin, has been remixed by L.A. producer CRNKN.  It’s a downbeat, mellow song to be sure, but CRNKN takes it in some layered up-and-down deep house directions without losing the intent of the original.  Those who like creative remixes will enjoy this one.

Flapo himself has remixed singer Tundran’s “Every Wave” as well.  It’s an even quieter, more atmospheric song in which you can get lost while having a solo walk on a cloudy day at the beach watching the waves come in.  Its focus is on Tundran’s lyric-less crooning which helps make this remix memorable.

Best of all, both songs are available for free for now at the links above.  Enjoy!

Romance is in the air as @Apekofficial spins “Upside Down” featuring @CarlyPaigemusic

APEK featuring CARLY PAIGE, “Upside Down”

It’s been a while since we heard from L.A.-based producer Apek (aka Joshua Gilbert), but he’s back in perhaps a less familiar setting – romantic electropop – with “Upside Down” for Musical Freedom.  Phoenix’s Carly Paige has just the kind of versatile voice to get across both the crazy and deeply in love sides to the song.  “Upside Down” therefore is very dance radio friendly although some remixes could bring it over to the clubbing side of things.  Don’t dismiss this one as electropop-lite.  Combined with the vocal, the sweet-and-soft washes of synths hang up a fine melody and “Upside Down” will promptly get stuck in your head.  Add it to your New Romance playlist using the Spotify link above.

Chicago’s @Snowmassmusic fires up progressive dubstep instrumentals “Breaking” and “Duffle Bag”

https://soundcloud.com/snowmassmusic/breaking-1

https://soundcloud.com/snowmassmusic/duffle-bag-1

SNØWMASS, “Breaking” and “Duffle Bag” (free DL’s)

Keeping us guessing as to what else is under that black hat with the red ribbon and snowman get up, Chicago’s Snøwmass creates a fiery original musical storm with two progressive dubstep instrumentals, “Breaking” and “Duffle Bag”.  They follow up the potent electronic epic “Crossfire” which I wrote about just before the top of the year.  “Duffle Bag” is a party cranker where you’ll just want to get silly and loose as Snøwmass keeps the rhythm and synths in high gear. “Breaking” is perhaps more adventurous and seems to be owing more to 80’s electronic forces like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jean-Michel Jarre, or even Mike Oldfield as it weaves a more melodic and cinematic soundscape.  The music of Snøwmass is of the highest calibre and is well worth following to see where he takes us next.  After years of infectious remixes, it is definitely his time for more original songs to have their due.  Download “Duffle Bag” and “Breaking” for free at the links up top.