L.A.’s Michael Christofi is back with another winner of a totally different bent with “Higher”. You’ll recall his funky classic house pairing with J-VEN called “Don’t Need You”, which is currently gracing the BILLCS Top 30. “Higher” is all about energetic house music of the early 90’s – good reference points might be “Show Me Love” by Robin S. for its rhythm or “Finally” by CeCe Peniston for its exuberance – featuring an engaged soul-tinged vocal by singer Malia. “Higher” really sparkles and will keep you moving up, up, up and away… Get it for free at the link above.
PRAISE CATS featuring ANDREA LOVE, “Shined On Me” (Ofenbach remix)
In the dance music world, you just can’t keep a good song down – the dance community has an elephantine memory! So now, a few years after initial release, a bevy of remixes of Praise Cats’ “Shined On Me” are surfacing, and one of the best is by French duo Ofenbach. They took the house basis of the record and expand it with low distorted vocals and a much more layered sound in stark contrast to Andrea Love’s classic Martha Wash/Simone Denny R&B vocal. It works like a charm and will breeze by in clubs beckoning patrons to the dance floor. Ofenbach revive “Shined On Me” with the essence of house with a difference. Get it for free at the link above.
In what is one of the most unique pairings of 2016 so far, noted Dutch production duo Vicetone partners with American duo Cosmos & Creature – that’s Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore 😀 – for “Bright Side”, a new Spinnin’ Records release. Brandyn and Molly are no strangers to dance music. Molly wrote Dubvision’s 2014 hit “Hollow” and both have dabbled with some inventive remixes lately for his “Made Of Dreams” and her “Peace Of My Heart”. The arrangement in “Bright Side” focuses on elegant strings and high end to create the appropriate gleaming pop sound that compliments the positive lyrics and lighter house rhythms of the track. “Bright Side” was one of the first-ever written songs by Brandyn and Molly so it’s great to see it in the dance music realm. Those looking for something a little different and chipper to play in their club mix will appreciate “Bright Side”. Listen above and pick it up for freeright here.
Buzzing out of the gate with interest from the likes of Nicky Romero and ready to stimulate your late night house crowd is “Night Rolls” by Brooklyn NY producer/DJ Instrum. He’s been catching ears lately with diverse remixes like Monogem’s “Gone”. This time adding American singer Seth Somni to the mix with this original composition, and we have a slick late night house track with pop and R&B flourishes that is released on all platforms tomorrow on the Armada Deep imprint. Check it out at the link above.
After a rollercoaster of successful remixes of songs by The Chainsmokers, Tori Kelly and others, Los Angeles production/remix duo Two Friends (Matt and Eli) strike out on their own with their original “Forever”. It’s a simmering EDM mix carried by a zinger of a soulful house piano melody that chimes in perfect harmony with the sometimes gritty vocal by ktpearl. Friends and lovers will sway the most to all of the positive energy created by the song. I’m not quite sure what secrets are bottled up by Matt and Eli in Two Friends’ music but don’t be surprised if we see national club action with “Forever”. And… I want to see which remixers tackle these remixers’ original tune 😛 “Forever” is available now on all platforms via the Armada Trice imprint!
JAMIE xx featuring ROMY, “Loud Places” (Cloudchord remix)
It’s almost a year old and did very well in alt.pop and EDM circles last summer, but Jamie xx’s “Loud Places” gets a rollicking reboot courtesy of Austin TX producer/DJ/guitarist Cloudchord (aka Derek Van Scoten). It’s transformed into a driving disco tropical house track full of additional instrumentation which helps stand it apart from other remixes. Vocals by Romy so very much suit this reworked setting. In a dance club, the first two minutes of “Loud Places” will create a perfect lead out of a soft set and into a set of club bangers. It may go on a little long at 5 minutes plus, but don’t be surprised if Cloudchord’s remix of “Loud Places” sneaks up on you when you’re clubbing or listening online to dance music radio.
SNBRN featuring ANDREW WATT, “Beat The Sunrise” (Steve Void remix)
L.A. producer/DJ SNBRN has a club winner with “Beat The Sunrise”. And in this Steve Void remix, the 19 year old Dutchman takes this dreamy road song, with a gentle vocal by Andrew Watt, and trades the deep house beats of the original song for high end tropical-sounding percussion. This gives the song an incredibly happy and carefree vibe, not unlike Embody’s recent (and still unreleased) “Dreamin'” (which I wrote about recently), making it more for partying on the beach all night long. You can’t go wrong with either version, and you can look for SNBRN on tour with the likes of Shaun Frank. But major props to this remix which truly stands out in a crowd. Get it for free using the link above (at over 600,000 listens already!).
The Knocks’ upcoming album 55 and their concert this coming week in Toronto are looking to be pretty special if new single “Kiss The Sky” featuring none other than Wyclef Jean is any indication. “Kiss The Sky” should by all rights be a massive pop hit, giving the wintery months for the western world a bright summery vibe. While forever busy, Wyclef, the former Fugees member, has been MIA from the pop charts since “Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)”, which was in 2007, so this is a timely return. The Knocks are one talented pair with great ears for both music and production. If you loved “I Wish (My Taylor Swift)” (with Matthew Koma), then you will be over the moon for “Kiss The Sky”. Pre-order 55 and get the song for free!
Those of you who might want a change from the late 80’s early 90’s trend in dance music that’s happening right now will want to hear Calvo’s “Vicious Girl”. The song is already generating huge worldwide club buzz by the likes of people like Avicii, Don Diablo and Firebeatz for the German DJ/producer. It’s a real throwback to the late 90’s with slightly sped-up vocals not overwhelming the swinging house rhythm and party vibe. A bonus for this one for you regular readers of this blog is that the song was co-written by Daniel Volpe (aka Zorro Blakk and one half of The Crush Boys songwriting team)! And while I’m not sure lyric-wise why the girl in the song is so vicious, the video above spins an interesting story as some older femmes mysterieuses hit the dance club. Calvo’s “Vicious Girl” should be smashing the dance club charts soon as brought to you by Armada Music (Armin van Buuren, etc.).
Two weeks sometimes goes by in a flash when life keeps you busy… and so we have a busy new chart as well!
The Top 10
So North America wasn’t being left out after all, as Adele announced tour dates, including 4 in my city Toronto – next October! So it should come as no surprise that Adele’s “Hello” remains on top for a third appearance (that’s 6 weeks). Have you got any money on who might succeed her at the top either in two or four weeks?
While Adele calls out from the other side for her former flame somewhere in California, DNCE party it up by the waves with “Cake By The Ocean” being one of 2015’s sheer delights for entertainment value alone, as it holds at #2 for Joe Jonas and company, from the EP Swaay.
Cali has it all wrapped up in spades with the Top 3 as it’s summertime in Los Angeles when Matthew Koma and The Knocks search for dream girl in “I Wish (My Taylor Swift)” (video up top), up a notch to #3.
Brandyn Burnette’s “Nothing At All” cruises 7-4 to give the chart some edgy, blues-rooted progressive soul for the mind and body 🙂
“Black Water” by Lucien Dante lands at #5 just in time for the release of a cool, sometimes head-scratching animated lyric video that definitely helps you understand the song much more. But it’s Lucien’s vocal that’s one-of-a-kind – alternately forlorn and sexy with bursts of joy and energy.
The Top 10 was cleaned out a bit with four new arrivals:
There’s no time in a day when the honest emotion of “Lost (Stripped)” by Brandyn Burnette doesn’t strike you. No matter how you’re feeling or what you’re doing, the song will affect you differently, and that’s part of its beauty. It soars 12-7.
I still haven’t seen “Spectre”, but I continue to revel in the amazing vocal by Sam Smith in “Writing’s On The Wall”, which rises 11-8.
The wonder of the vocal and lyrics in Mako’s “Smoke Filled Room” always catch my attention, and in its Elephante remix the song climbs 13-9.
New Order acquires its first Top 10 song on my chart since 2005 with “Plastic” from the top notch Music Complete album jumping 14-10.
Movin’ On Up
MAX (Schneider) has another EP on deck this month called Wrong, available for pre-order on iTunes. His pairing with rapper Jared Evan on “Ms Anonymous” climbs 15-11.
Clinton Washington’s soaring vocal on “Heart Beats Loud” leaps out of the speakers whenever it’s played, and moves up 19-13 for “The Voice” season 7 contestant.
Right behind is the would-be-bitter taste of revenge of “Over” by Goldhouse that’s set to a slamming dance rhythm. It rises 20-14.
Get yourself high with “A Higher High” courtesy of pop singer Nathalie Archangel. The Billboard Dance Club Play hit climbs 23-18.
The fastest riser on the chart is a song that I believe should be played everywhere and anywhere in dance clubs throughout the world. “The Shadow Of The Moon” by Rozalla and House of Virus has great lyrics with an unbeatable hook, which is why it moves 29-19 🙂
Uh-oh… Matt and Kim are now on Snapchat, which can only mean many snippets of fun and mayhem, M&K style. The frenetic 2:11 of “Make A Mess” climbs 28-21.
The gorgeous retro 90’s dance music rhythm and melody blessed with a Bright Light Bright Light vocal spells great things for “Lost In Feelings” by Final DJS, moving 30-23.
Premieres
It’s an insane mix of Portuguese lyrics (based on poetry!), an irrefutable guitar hook, and a slinky beat that will draw you on to the dance floor. By all rights “Drinkee” by New York duo Sofi Tukker should be the talk of clubs, and I’m going to help out with that by premiering it at #20.
It wasn’t my most favourite song from River Tiber’s When The Time Is Right EP when it dropped this past Fall, but the hip hop/soul anchor of “Waves” and its graceful flow are completely compelling. While former #1 “Let You Go” now sits at #6, “Waves” bows at #24 for the Toronto band.
Kendal Thompson appeared on this chart last year with the very catchy “Be Mine”. The Toronto singer is back again at #26 with a soulful slice of pop that would be right up Rihanna’s alley called “Secret” from Kendal’s new EP One. Give a listenright here.
The Full Chart
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch 🙂
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify!
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Planet Radio Canada is back! You can hear me online onhttp://www.planetradio.caevery Monday at 10:00 pm EST counting down a Toronto Top 10 chart from yesteryear!
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