Hellberg – Page 2 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop86Songsof2016

Trying to find time to write everything I want is always an issue. I present to you my Top 86 Songs of 2016, with this blog post based on the radio program which aired on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day on http://www.planetradio.ca 🙂 Here’s my commentary on my Top 30 Songs with the complete list following. Links to my Top 10 Songs are featured further down…

#30: Brandyn Burnette’s “Made Of Dreams”, the title song from his first EP, and the first of four songs by or featuring him on this year end list. The song was greatly enhanced by a feel-good tropical mix from Chicago remix duo Win & Woo collaborating with Kiso Armic, also from Chicago.

#29 – L.A.-based singer/songwriter Simon Curtis with “Super Psycho Love” from his album Super 8bit Heart, first of two songs from that album in this list. That album was a 2016 reimagining of Simon’s 2010 free online mixtape still available from his website called 8bit Heart, which to me is one of the most endearing recordings of the decade. “Super Psycho Love” benefited most from an update and appeared on my chart for the first time.

#28 – courtesy of Canadian duo Young Bombs, who also have two remixes in my list. They brought the bounce to a fine record out of Norway from a young newcomer named Jesper Jenset called “High”.

#27 – belonging to Canadian brothers Chris and Alex from Orangeville Ontario – DVBBS! They’ve been on this list before (in 2015 and 2014), but this year they included Toronto’s Dante Leon on vocal for the toe-tapper “Angel”.

#26 – a taste of 80’s flavoured funk courtesy of NYC producer/remixer Jenaux with the rollicking original “Get It On”. Jenaux also partnered with Texas duo Tritonal for the song “Broken” (#45), and has another remix in this list.

#25 – more Canadians 🙂 with a creative and funky remix by Chicago’s Snøwmass of a song by Montreal production duo Sterling Grove who are paired with Toronto pop/jazz vocalist Ellyn Woods for the mysterious “Sound Of Home”.

#24 – one of the most provocative and surprising albums of 2016 was Blue Neighbourhood by South Africa-born, Australia-based singer Troye Sivan, who had a world-wide following on You Tube before making records. It consists of beautifully crafted, poignant songs which meant a lot particularly to many teens, and scored the Top 20 hit “Youth”. I dove deeper into the album for the evocative “Talk Me Down”. My bigger list also includes “Wild” (#35) and “Fools” (#40), all BILLCS Top 30 Top 10 songs.

#23 – belongs to California duo Mako with their dance radio hit “Smoke Filled Room”. As remixed by Elephante, who appears two more times in this list, “Smoke Filled Room” set the stage for a crush of a now-grown up woman.

#22 – on the rise in 2016 was L.A. producer and singer Mi Disguise (aka Louie Garcia), and with his pal Rouse created a wonderful dance mix EP called NGHT LFE for summer clubbing. Their song “Her And Him” is an inspiring song for late night romance.

#21 – the song I liked best on Adele’s album 25 next to last year’s “Hello”, “All I Ask” is another knockout performance and stood out from the rest of the songs on the album.

#20 – if there was any song in 2016 that would instantly make you feel good it’s one by veteran producer Tony Moran and singer Jason Walker and his amazing range. “So Happy” was a deserved #1 Billboard club hit.

#19 – I was wowed by MAX when I saw him perform in October 2015, and since then he has been a steady presence on the BILLCS Top 30. Singer and actor Max Schneider brought us a full album called Hell’s Kitchen Angel. The album contained a sweet ballad called “Lights Down Low”, but it was the smashing uptempo remix by L.A. duo Two Friends that took it to new heights. It’s the first of two in this list by MAX.

#18 – producer/remixer Tim Wu calls himself Elephante and from his EP I Am The Elephante recorded “Plans” featuring BILLCS favourite Brandyn Burnette on vocals, and I hope the pair will repeat this collaboration soon.

#17 – back and as grand as ever in 2016 was the classic dance duo Pet Shop Boys from their album Super with the lead off single “The Pop Kids”, which got club goers out onto the dance floor in the Spring.

#16 – a very distinct song that found its way out of its native Norway to become a worldwide pop and dance club hit. Featuring a unique vocal by a singer named Iselin Solheim, it’s “Faded” by newcomer Alan Walker.

#15 – Dutch duo The Him released an irresistible deep house club hit “Balance”, which features L.A. based Dutch singer/songwriter Oktavian. Watch for more great music from The Him in 2017 as they wrapped up the year opening for The Chainsmokers on their European tour.

#14 – one of the most poignant songs of 2016 is based on a coincidence of real-life events of loss, by Brandyn Burnette called “Lost” from his EP Made Of Dreams. Brandyn auditioned for American Idol at the top of the year and took a risk by performing this original, which the judges loved, though Brandyn chose not to continue on the show. “Lost” is the third of four songs in the Top 30 by or featuring Brandyn.

#13 – preceding Hell’s Kitchen Angel in 2016 was MAX’s EP Wrong. The title song is a hip hop flavoured rave up featuring rapper Lil Uzi Vert who scored with his own album and songs in 2016 as well. A BILLCS Top 30 #1.

#12 – featuring an incredible gritty vocal by American singer Brayton Bowman is “Shy” by Belgian producer The Magician, who released “Shy” and songs by others in 2016 on his own label Potion Records. Watch for more of this incredible music from The Magician and his stable of artists in 2017. A BILLCS Top 30 #1.

#11 – “Kiss The Sky” by NYC duo The Knocks featuring none other than The Fugees’ Wyclef Jean on vocals. The Knocks created a grand party when I saw their show in January, proving themselves to be slick entertainers as well as producers. Their album 55 continued the dance party, and they found themselves opening for Justin Bieber on his European tour in the latter part of 2016. “Kiss The Sky” is sheer dance music escapism at its best. A BILLCS Top 30 #1.

#10 – the third entry on the list by Elephante is “Closer”, which became his signature song after being heard in many remixes which included worthy ones by the likes of producers Aash Mehta and Speaker Of The House. The vocalist on “Closer” is Portland, Oregon’s Bishøp and it’s one of the best of 2016.

#9 – “Dreamin’” by British producer/remixer Embody featuring fellow Brit vocalist Camden Cox. It’s somewhat hard to believe that the song that could transport you most to a hot beach party in 2016 was brought to us from two talented Brits. “Dreamin’” is 2016’s best tropical mix.

Songs 8 through 1 all were BILLCS Top 30 #1’s 🙂

#8 – belonging to my fellow Canadian The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, and Abel grew up not far from where I grew up, but in a community of 90’s Ethiopean immigrants, which makes his success all the more formidable. The Weeknd collaborated with the award-winning French duo Daft Punk for “Starboy”, from the diverse album of the same name, which also gave him his first Billboard #1 hit.

#7 – Brandyn Burnette has his final song of 4 in the Top 30 (and 8 on the full list, plus one by his duo Cosmos & Creature with his gal Molly Moore) from his special EP Made Of Dreams with “Nothing At All”. It’s a sparse production that brings out the progressive soul vibe of the song, which made the Made Of Dreams EP all the more listenable. Brandyn’s putting finishing touches on his third release due in January.

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/nothing-at-all

#6 – one of the most emotional songs of the year, the second one on the list called “Lost”, this one by British Columbia native Connor Phillips. In its original version, the song is a short acoustic ballad, but Canadian remix duo Young Bombs once again gave their redux an extra wow factor by washing it in enough synths to make your eyes wet. If you find yourself wanting to hug someone, blame it on the power of music.

free download:

#5 – the second song from Super 8bit Heart on this list is “8bit Heart”, a personal favourite of mine from 2010 that was redone for 2016. “8bit Heart” is a song like none other to me, it’s a song full of love and heart that totally captivated me 6 years ago in its original version, and was my #4 song of that year. Simon kept it real in 2016 and made the redux of “8bit Heart” the lead companion song for his book Boy Robot.

#4 – released in late July, it was hard to believe that “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey would become one of the biggest hits of the decade, with 12 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Chainsmokers, who are the NYC duo of Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, appeared on my list last year but more than any act in 2016 outdid themselves with their relentless performing and recording schedules. But the best of it all, is that they remained truly down-to-earth and supportive of other breaking acts in the dance community. “Closer” resonated with me too.

#3 – this song really kicked a funky butt into the proceedings in 2016, being the song that followed The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” at #1 on my regular chart of the BILLCS Top 30. It’s “Native Son Prequel” by producer/remixer Gramatik featuring London-born American vocalist Leo Napier. It’s a song told from the perspective of a pimp, and aside from that odd story angle, NYC remixer Jenaux gave it a spirited 70’s funk flavour that could only make you think of the character Huggy Bear from TV’s Starsky & Hutch 😛

#2 – Toronto duo Dzeko & Torres collaborated with Sweden’s Hellberg for their free download release of “Care For Me”, which is my #2 song of 2016. While the performers may have considered “Care For Me” to be a great free promotional vehicle for their music in 2016, it was in fact a fabulous arrangement featuring an uncredited vocal, whose lyrics also struck an emotional nerve with me. Dzeko & Torres have since decided to pursue other efforts, with Julian Dzeko continuing to record while Luis Torres ventures into the production side of things, and I’m glad I caught their show in Toronto in April. Jon Hellberg on the other hand featured prominently on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2016 with both “Synchronize” and “All The Way”.

https://soundcloud.com/handpickedtv/dzeko-torres-and-hellberg-care-for-me

#1 – my favourite song of 2016 was brought to my attention courtesy of an excellent innovative remix, one of the best of the year, by relative newcomers EDWYNN x TIKAL (also known as Swedes Thor Lundberg and Leonard Palmberg) and Spirix (who is American producer/remixer Devain Doolaramini). The song is “So Bad” by L.A. singer/songwriter Brandon Skeie, who didn’t release more than a handful of songs in 2016 but is set out to conquer 2017. A protege of Semi-Precious Weapons frontman and noted songwriter Justin Tranter, who co-wrote Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” and Fall Out Boy’s “Centuries” among others, Brandon has an amazing high register, which helped send “So Bad” into the history books for me. It’s one of the best songs ever about longing for someone who you may or may not get to have in your life.

Original:

https://soundcloud.com/brandonskeie/brandon-skeie-so-bad

Remix (free download):

The full list, web version: BILLCS Top 86 Songs of 2016

Spotify playlist of most of the songs: BILLCS Top 86 Songs of 2016

#BILLCSTop30 #499 – December 26/16

As my bi-weekly chart heads towards its 500th edition in two weeks, it looks like the top of the chart will be shaken ‘n stirred a bit. I keep the chart to a Top 30 but my new music iPod playlist is around 80 current songs 🙂 Two Canadians lead the new list!

The Top 10

The Weeknd and Daft Punk score the top spot again with “Starboy”, which will cause it to rank highly in my upcoming Top 86 of ’16 list 🙂

The big question is, which song will follow “Starboy” at #1 in two weeks? Songs 2, 3 and 4 all make big cases to succeed it. Another Canadian, Halifax’s Famba, rises 3-2 with his funky and fun “Right Here Right Now”. L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand climbs 5-3 with his EDM and hip hop mix “D E E P In NY”, featuring rappers D.O.C. and Goodmorning. Both are above. And the venerable Pet Shop Boys score their second Top 5er this year with “Burn” (below), moving 6-4.

NYC’s Stefan Alexander’s “Skeleton” busts upward 9-6 – check out the intriguing new video below.

I had a little hand in connecting lyricist to performers/producers with the song “Brothers” which evolved out of the collaboration. Germany’s Saxity brought in Norway’s Strøm for the vocal, and the rest is history as the passionately performed song climbs 16-8.

The fastest riser on the chart is a vibrant and happy instrumental by Sweden’s Hellberg called “All The Way”, and it vaults 19-9.

https://soundcloud.com/putainbeau/hellberg-all-the-way

The last of three new entries to the Top 10 is the infectious, 90’s influenced song “The Thirst” by Eric Sharp featuring vocalist Zhao, rising 14-10.

Movin’ On Up

Victor Perry is headed for his second Top 10 song on this chart with his brilliant soft piano-led cover of Everything But The Girl’s “Missing”, which moves up 23-14. Get it for free on his Soundcloud page!

It recently went to #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart, but Tony Moran & Jason Walker’s “Say Yes” is so bright and bubbly it deserves to stick around for longer. It climbs 24-16.

Kid Cudi’s new album Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ should be an interesting listen if its lead single “Surfin'” (featuring Pharrell Williams) is any indication, and it jumps 25-17.

Canadian Felix Cartal is one of the most prolific dance producers/performers around in 2016. His uplifting single “Drifting Away”, featuring Ofelia K., rises 28-22.

Premieres

The Netherlands’ San Holo has offered up some often infuriatingly experimental progressive EDM of 2016, so it was intriguing to see him land near year’s end with a gorgeous chilled out pop record called “Light”, which arrives at #23. It’s also on its way up the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart, where it resides in its Top 20 🙂 You can still get it for free, for now, via his Soundcloud page above. It’s also a feather-in-the-cap for new label Bitbird!

https://soundcloud.com/theplutomusic/imaginary-friends-remix

Molly Moore’s songs have a way of sticking in your head. So with recent outstanding remixes by teenager Pluto and duo-on-the-rise Telykast (both above and free downloads), “Imaginary Friends” (initially from her Now You See Me EP) began to resonate with me more. The song in all of its versions bows at #26.

https://soundcloud.com/heroicrecordings/jpb-for-you-ft-luke-cusato

Another teen debuting on the chart is Germany’s JPB, who has released a debut three song EP called For You, and the title song, featuring increasingly in-demand British vocalist Luke Cusato, debuts at #27 from the Heroic label. The song is also available for free download at the Soundcloud link above.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

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

Listen for me with my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST on http://www.planetradio.ca most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear Tuesdays at 9pm EST!

#BILLCSTop30 #498 – December 12/16

The top of the chart becomes unzipped after a slew of long-lasting favourites give way, resulting in some huge moves, and other favourites depart, meaning that there are six debuts on the new chart, giving us a good sign of what’s in store for 2017 🙂

The Top 10

#1 and #2 duke it out and once again “Starboy” by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk stays ahead of “Plans” by Elephante featuring Brandyn Burnette. What a fine pair of songs to lead a very busy pack below!

The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Halifax’s Famba, whose fun and mainly narrated “Right Here Right Now” soars 16 to 3. The song would make a good mix with 90’s hits “The Rockafeller Skank” by Fatboy Slim or “People Are Still Having Sex” by LaTour, to name two tunes that come to mind…

Amid the three songs that vault into the Top 10, “Just A Dream” by Molly Moore featuring Brandyn Burnette finds its way to #4, from Molly’s terrific Now You See Me EP.

Also sailing into the Top 5 from #17 is “D E E P In NY” by Bobby Nourmand featuring rappers DOC and Goodmorning. “D E E P” is a unique record, originally a house instrumental that has been taken to another level with the hip hop vocals, and has found a place on Pete Tong’s renown show! More to come I’m sure of it!

Pet Shop Boys look like they could be headed to the top with third single “Burn” from their album Super. “Burn” ignites and rises 18-6.

Hey even Rihanna is in the picture – her gorgeous “Love On The Brain” moves 9-7.

Also new to the Top 10 is NYC singer Stefan Alexander with his pensive “Skeleton” climbing 15-9.

The 5th debut in the Top 10 belongs to Fabian Luttenberger whose laid back grower “Vague” climbs 11-10 in a Stan Sax remix.

https://soundcloud.com/stan_sax/vague

What else could be movin’ up?

“The Thirst” is an infectious house track by Eric Sharp featuring vocalist Kenny Zhao that rises 20-14 with much thanks to some guitar effects which sound like Stardust’s classic “Music Sounds Better With You”.

“Brothers” by German duo Saxity featuring Norway’s Strøm on vocals is a sax-led dance track to warm your soul at this time of year. It soars 25-16.

“All The Way” by Hellberg continues to have long legs after premiering this past summer, climbing 26-19, and now the prominent Swedish producer has released a VIP mix to add to the fun. Check it out above.

SIX Debuts

What a way to lead a fine group of debuts than with American pop/R&B singer Victor Perry’s beautiful rendition of Everything But The Girl’s “Missing”. The piano-led cover bows at #23 and is available at Victor’s Soundcloud page above as a free download 🙂

It quickly scurried to #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart this past week, and like with its predecessor, the #1 “So Happy”, Tony Moran and Jason Walker have created another instantly memorable, fun, upbeat song with “Say Yes”, which arrives at #24.

Kid Cudi makes his debut on this chart with a somewhat provocative but good timey single “Surfin'”, featuring Pharrell Williams, and it premieres at #25, in advance of an album due next year.

I wrote about “Chemistry” by talented and affable young Dutchman Steve Void & No Mondays back in the Fall, but it has endured, and recently Epic Records picked it up for release! After winning a remix contest, Syence presented their version this past week too. “Chemistry”, featuring singer Clara Mae, bows at #26. Listen to the original and remix above:)

L.A. producer Mahalo and vocalist Cat Lewis are quite the pair with a great song called “Be My Love”, which lands at #27 out of the gate.

After a great year of songs it seems only fitting that Canadian Felix Cartal should appear on the chart with the pop radio-worthy “Drifting Away”, featuring frequent vocal collaborator Ofelia K. It debuts at #28.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

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

#BILLCSTop30 #497 – November 28, 2016

Only three more charts until 2016 is over, and some favourites will depart in the next few weeks, making room for a lot of new music that’s been waiting patiently to get into the higher reaches of my chart. As a result, there are only two debuts this week, but a changeover at the top…

The New Number One

The power of a fantastic melody and amazing production is what gives The Weeknd his first #1 on this chart with “Starboy”, featuring Daft Punk, who also get their first #1, after having three previous Top 10 entries (“One More Time” in 2001; “Stronger” with Kanye West in 2007, and “Get Lucky” in 2013). It’s so great seeing someone from my neck of the woods – Abel grew up near my neighbourhood in Scarborough, Ontario (east Toronto) – knock it out of the park and I look forward to hearing the entire album. “False Alarm” (below) also moves up 27-21. And part of what has helped the appeal of “Starboy” for me is the cover also below by producer/remixer Koni featuring vocalist Johannes Weber, the best one I’ve heard to date (and a free download). “Starboy” replaces Gramatik & Leo Napier’s “Native Son Prequel” (Jenaux remix) after three appearances at the top (now down to #4), which will depart the chart after the maximum 10 appearances.

The Top 10

Elephante’s “Plans”, featuring Brandyn Burnette, advances to #2, one of the top songs from the I Am The Elephante EP. Brandyn also figures prominently in the Top 10 with his gal Molly Moore at #6 with “Just A Dream” (below) and at #7 in a Sean Turk remix of his own “Closer”.

“High” (Young Bombs remix) by Norway’s Jesper Jenset remains at a strong #3, and has been followed up by his great new single “Lies”, which I wrote about recently.

“In My Head” by Steve James featuring vocal duo RKCB, continues to move up 6-5. Check out the recently released remix with Australia’s Joe Mason below, which is a free download 🙂

“Luminary” by NYC trio Liquid Diet from their Double Life album (below) grabs #8 on the new chart, while Rihanna’s retro-flavoured “Love On The Brain” advances to #9, and Bright Light Bright Light’s disco-tastic “I Only Want To Please You” (featuring Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic) climbs to #10.

Movin’ On Up

While a continuing log-jam below the Top 10 results in new peaks by songs by Fabian Luttenberger, Satchmode, Cole Plante, and Stefan Alexander, most of the bigger moves are from our debuts two weeks ago (such as the aforementioned “False Alarm” by The Weeknd).

“Right Here Right Now” is a fun EDM track with a cool narration by Halifax native Famba, which rises 20-16.

“D E E P in NY” by Bobby Nourmand featuring DOC & Goodmorning is Bobby’s hip hop reinvention of his infectious instrumental “D E E P”, which advances 22-17. It recently received release on The Magician’s Potion label 🙂

The fastest riser on the chart is “Burn” by Pet Shop Boys from their album Super, musically a throwback to their 1987 hit “It’s A Sin”. It climbs 26-18.

Despite its title, “The Thirst” by Eric Sharp featuring vocalist Kenny Zhao is a more seductive and memorable house track rather than an aggressive one. It moves up 25-20.

NYC singer/songwriter Ayer mixes emotional pop with lighter EDM for “My Hands” which moves up 28-22.

Two Debuts

“Brothers” by German producers/DJs/musicians Saxity and featuring Norwegian vocalist Strøm arrives at #25. It’s a charming, warm song that I wrote about a while back, and I was the one who instigated the connection between the Saxity lads and the songwriters, which led to the birth of “Brothers” 🙂

https://soundcloud.com/putainbeau/hellberg-all-the-way

I wrote about “All The Way” by Sweden’s Hellberg late in the summer, but it has stuck with me so much that I had to add it to the chart. It’s a potent feel-good EDM instrumental from this talented producer who brought us “Synchronize” and “Care For Me” (with Toronto’s Dzeko & Torres) earlier this year. “All The Way” bounces on to the chart at #26.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

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

Nothing but high energy fun: “All The Way” by @Hellbergmusic

HELLBERG, “All The Way”

Sometimes a record just wants to make you dance, and that is mission accomplished. Such is the case with Hellberg’s new one “All The Way”, out now on all digital platforms. It’s a bright, bouncy progressive/futuristic instrumental full of high end and with a big beat that will jump out of those big club speakers at you. Resistance is futile… while the published link gives a 1:11 preview, it’s really enough to sell you on “All The Way”. Guaranteed to fit into and pick up any DJ set 🙂 Hellberg’s got another winner in anticipation of more new projects to come…

@Hellbergmusic’s VIP mix of “Synchronize” featuring @_AaronRichards nails it again, future bass-style

HELLBERG featuring AARON RICHARDS, “Synchronize” (VIP mix)

Could there be anything better in the EDM/dance music world when a track is remixed by the performer and matches the original? “Synchronize” is one of my favourites of 2016, reaching #8 on the BILLCS Top 30 this past Spring, with a unique, soaring vocal by NYC singer Aaron Richards. Sweden’s Jon Hellberg has refreshed “Synchronize” with a future bass VIP mix that relies as much on its quieter moments (like the original) before its melody explodes with a drop that will simply have you cheering. Club DJ’s will be wise to revisit “Synchronize” in your sets due to its previous success and audiences will resonate with it immediately. Download it for free at the link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #483 – May 16/16

Dance music has always been present on my chart but seems to arrive in waves but also in droves. There is so much great dance music out there, probably as much as there was around 2002-04 when worldwide flavours became more prominent thanks to online exposure. So in edition #483, there are SIX debuts (about which I’ve already written), all in the EDM/dance vein, remixed or not!

The Top 10

“Care For Me” by Toronto’s Dzeko & Torres (currently touring in Europe) and Sweden’s Hellberg, and the emotional Young Bombs remix of “Lost” by B.C.’s Connor Phillips still lead the chart neck-and-neck. Both songs are two of my most favourites of 2016 thus far.

https://soundcloud.com/maxrmusic/freeze-time-feat-alice-berg-maxr-remix

Manse’s “Freeze Time”, featuring fellow Swede Alice Berg on vocals, may have come out in 2015, but MaxR’s progressive remix (available for free download above) has kept it much alive in 2016, as it climbs 6-4.

If this were almost any other year, “The Pop Kids” by Pet Shop Boys (7-5) would be #1 on this chart. But the songs above are preventing that from happening so a lower placing will happen, though it’s one of their best songs in years. PSB tour North America later this year, and chances are that tickets are already gone for most of those shows (I’m going 🙂 last time I saw the lads perform was in 1991!).

Win & Woo and Kiso created such a warm and charming remix of Brandyn Burnette’s “Made Of Dreams” that it continues to climb 10-7. It’s all in anticipation of more music from Brandyn’s upcoming EP State I’m In.

Miguel is touring with label-mate Sia on her upcoming tour to a city near you, and “Waves” lands in the Top 10 this week, rising 12-10.

Movin’ On Up

The fastest riser on the chart this week is Elephante’s stunning original “Closer” which grows with each listen thanks to a compelling vocal by Portland, Oregon’s Bishøp. It vaults 21-14. Listen to the busy, futuristic remix above for free download by Virtu!

Dan Talevski’s “Knock Me Off My Feet” is one of those songs that just stands out when it’s played on the radio, so I hope that movement spreads to the U.S. It climbs 23-18.

It’s one of the most engaging pieces of storytelling of the year, so you’d be best to download “You Fucked Up” by Toronto-based singer/songwriter Joël LeMay before it disappears! It rises 26-20.

It’s as much of an EDM anthem as “Roses”, and not surprisingly “Don’t Let Me Down” (featuring Daya) is cleaning up the pop charts for the ever-busy Chainsmokers. It moves up 28-22.

SIX DEBUTS

Brandon Skeie is a name and voice to watch! “So Bad” is an immediate singalong to which anyone can connect and a cool video for the song has arrived too. Brandon has an amazing voice which will make you smile when he uses his high register. Watch it above and check out the dynamic free remix by EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix above too. “So Bad” arrives halfway up the chart at #15!!

Ever since I heard this song last Fall, I was hoping it would see official release (as its singer Camden Cox has reassured me!). And it has so be sure to pick up “Dreamin'” by Britain’s Embody on iTunes and show your support. It’s a perfect song for a summer night on the beach, and it bows at #19.

It’s very reminiscent in some ways of the bigger Everything But The Girl hits of the 90’s but “Sound Of Home” by Montreal’s Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods in its remix by Chicago’s Snøwmass has its own mysterious qualities that are likely more rooted in jazz. The remix kicks up the original quite a bit and makes it irresistible for clubs. “Sound Of Home” premieres at #21.

There are more and more producer/DJ’s showing their talent as performers and songwriters and I think that’s great. Jenaux’s “Get It On” is totally rooted in 70’s funk and disco via 80’s new wave like Duran Duran and is meant to hit you square between your ears. It arrives at #23.

“Don’t Need You” by Christofi is a gorgeous R&B-influenced house music original at its best, thanks to a fine vocal by L.A.’s J-VEN. It debuts at #26.

It’s been around for a while yet, but “Burn Fast” by Bryce Fox is long-lasting thanks to a spiffy progressive tropical mix by Koni. “Burn Fast” lands on the chart at #27.

Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch

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

http://www.planetradio.ca is currently improving its technology and my two features, “Bill’s Top 10” and “Pick Of The Week”, will return soon!

#Toronto’s @DzekoandTorres meet @Hellbergmusic for arpeggio-filled delight “Care For Me”

https://soundcloud.com/dzekoandtorres/dzeko-torres-and-hellberg-care-for-me-radio-edit

DZEKO & TORRES AND HELLBERG, “Care For Me”

If you love arpeggios and high end as much as I do, then you will be swooning over “Care For Me”, a Canada-meets-Sweden collaboration of Julian Dzeko & Luis Torres and the red hot Hellberg! It’s progressive house at its best, taking lots of cues from popular emotional EDM over the years by the likes of Hardwell, Swedish House Mafia and Avicii. The affecting vocals and gentle melody get spiked up by a chorus and hook in a post-relationship song that just won’t let go of you. “Care For Me” is a major contender out of the gate – the BILLCS Top 30 awaits! – and you can download it for free using the Soundcloud link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #478 – March 7, 2016

A scorching new #1 and 4 debuts highlight edition my 478th bi-weekly chart since 1998 🙂

The Top 10

MAX Schneider’s “Wrong” hangs in long enough to score an appearance at the top 🙂 I couldn’t let all of those Prince-ly high notes get away just yet! This is because MAX has already released a video for a song from his upcoming album Hell’s Kitchen Angel, out on April 8. Check out “Holla” below.

Congratulations to The Knocks for their excellent long-awaited album 55, which was released this past Friday. The Wyclef Jean-led “Kiss The Sky” climbs 4-2 and undoubtedly more songs from 55 will prevail on this chart 🙂

Troye Sivan is a vivid force on this chart with three showings: “Talk Me Down” (below) glides 7-5, while “Wild” climbs 9-6 and “Fools” rises 17-13. All songs are from his continually impressive Blue Neighbourhood album. “Youth” is beckoning from outside of the Top 30 too.

While Simon Curtis’ redux of “8bit Heart” slips to #4, the Super 8bit Heart version of “Super Psycho Love” continues to climb 10-7 as Simon’s “Boy Robot” novel gets an earlier October release!

Fun on the dance floor continues as Craig David & Big Narstie arrive at #9 with “When The Bassline Drops”. It’s Craig’s first Top Tenner here since “7 Days” in 2002.

The fastest riser on the chart has its designs on #1 – soon! Canadians DVBBS and Dante Leon should be all over dance club charts – and maybe even pop charts too – with the irresistible “Angel”, which soars 23-10.

https://soundcloud.com/dvbbs/angel

Movin’ On Up

The Voice Season 10 has started up again with some interesting contestants, including Nick Hagelin, who I’ve written about many times and will be writing about soon again. Clinton Washington gave an excellent showing two seasons ago and has produced some beautiful songs lately. Despite the emphasis on my chart towards dance music, his gorgeous ballad “Frozen” rises 14-11.

https://soundcloud.com/cloudchord/jamie-xx

The rest of the last chart’s debuts all break into the Top 20. The joyous and anthemic Cloudchord remix of Jamie xx & Romy’s “Loud Places” bounds 24-17, and right behind it is the Norwegian EDM grace of “Faded” by Alan Walker (featuring the gorgeous voice of Iselim Solheim) up 25-18 (both above), and rising 27-20 is the both truthful and amusing “u suck” by Minnesota’s Call Me Karizma (below), featuring a cool interpolation of “Why Don’t You Do Right” as recorded by Bev Lee Harling.

Premiering

It takes a lot for me to enjoy a cover version as much as or even maybe more than the original. I love the way that Jonas Blue and Dakota have made Tracy Chapman’s huge 1988 hit “Fast Car” into this introspective song for a highway drive along a beach coast. And of course you can dance to it too, so I’m looking forward to official remixes! This Top 5 UK hit should do the same on North American shores. I particularly enjoy covers when they don’t take anything away from the original. This one expands on that and runs with it 🙂 “Fast Car” arrives at #23.

https://soundcloud.com/voidmusik/snbrn-beat-the-sunrise-feat-andrew-watt-steve-void-remix

Another song for warm, late nights and dancing on the beach is “Beat The Sunrise” by SNBRN featuring vocalist Andrew Watt, as remixed by Dutch producer/DJ Steve Void. It’s all warm and good natured for middle-of-the-night grooving and bows at #24.

Sweden’s Hellberg is on a breakthrough with the emotional EDM of “Synchronize” featuring a fine vocal by American singer Aaron Richards. This is just a taste of great things to come from this talented producer/DJ and debuts at #25.

Miguel’s Wildheart naughtiness has caught up with me and I have completely given in. And it makes me ask, almost belatedly, why “Waves” isn’t all over everywhere yet? It could still happen with new remixes by the likes of Tame Impala and one featuring Travis $cott. But I like the sexy original best and it jumps onto the chart at #26. It’s Miguel’s first appearance here since “Adorn” went to #1 in 2013 in his UK duet version with Jessie Ware.

Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch 🙂

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

You can now hear me online on http://www.planetradio.ca every Tuesday at 9:00 pm EST counting down a Toronto Top 10 chart from yesteryear, and then again every Thursday in a rebroadcast at 7:00 a.m. EST on WROCK http://www.wlor.net!

Fresh and joyous EDM awaits with “Synchronize” by @Hellbergmusic featuring @_AaronRichards

HELLBERG featuring AARON RICHARDS, “Synchronize”

The younger generation of producers/remixers is upon us as initiated by Zedd and Martin Garrix back in 2012/13. Sweden’s Hellberg also started off around that time but is coming into his own now with the likes of his remixes such as club hit “Age Of Innocence” by Elephante which I’ve already written about. Pair him up with another youngin, NYC vocalist Aaron Richards, and the same magic that happened with “Spectrum” and “Animals” is here again. “Synchronize” is a touching and beautiful song for the Spring months as it’s all about igniting love between two people and feeling it soar. This kind of emotional bliss travels fast in the Dance/EDM world and I expect it to be a breakout for Hellberg and Aaron Richards. Hellberg also posted a candid announcement (up top) that makes this success all the more appealing. “Synchronize” is now on release, listen to it on the Soundcloud link above.