A few weeks back my friend Jim told me that he'd been obsessed with this new singer named Alessia Cara. Well it took me a little bit, but I finally checked her out and I am liking what I am hearing. This song, Here, is the debut single off her very first album, Know-It-All, and it's very R&B, very hip, and pretty darned cool! She sort of reminds me a little of Norah Jones. Check it out...
Happy Memorial Day all! Yes, Memorial Day Weekend is well known as the unofficial start of summer, and it's one holiday we all look forward to, but I think that many of us often overlook the true meaning behind this day of remembrance. Well, throughout the history of this great country, more than 1.1 million American servicemen have been killed in action during wars from the Revolution all the way up until the current war on terror. (PBS News Hour) That's a lot of people, and without them, we very may well not be enjoying the lives we have today. Today is a day to celebrate, honor and remember.
In commemoration of the day, here's a very special song from P!nk and her dad, Mr. James T. Moore. Moore served in the Vietnam War and wrote this tune during his tourney in that faraway place more than 40 years ago. The song appears on P!nk's I'm Not Dead album and here's a clip of the very first time the singer performed it live, together with her dad. It's a sweet and tender moment, and I think it suits the day just fine. Happy Memorial Day...
Now here's a funky jam for your Memorial Day Sunday. It's a wonderful mash-up of Destiny's Child's Girl and Brandy's The Boy Is Mine, mixed in by British production team 99 Souls, with some brand new funky beats to give it a whole new life. It's the perfect summer dance jam for a perfect summer day. Enjoy!
Here's a bit of Euro pop dance stuff for you. It's from Swedish production team Galantis and you may know them from their previous hit Peanut Butter Jelly. Yeah, this one's as silly as that one was, but kinda catchy and fun, too! Check out No Money...
Nothing you can compare to your neighborhood wh**e
I just to find the words to describe her without being disrespectful...
Today is the start of that unofficial, sweet and long-awaited beginning of summer. Yes, I'm talking about Memorial Day Weekend...bright skies, warm temps, barbecues, and all that other good stuff that goes along with it. I, like many others out there, will be out there joining in on the revelry and hopefully dancing my a** off. Here's a summer jam from that great great 2009 dance album of David Guetta's called One Love. Here's the hot Sexy B**ch...Enjoy!
Rihanna's newest album, Anti, has been out now for several months already and I can count on one hand the number of times I've listened to it. Simply put, it is by far my least favorite album so far from the Barbadian songstress. However, when I saw her perform this song on the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night, I remembered that there was one song from the record that I liked and this was it. Love On the Brain sounds completely like a vintage 50's/60's torch song, and I can picture teenagers slow dancing to it at a sock hop somewhere. Yes, Anti, the album, is surely an appropriate title for this album, and this type of tune is totally anti-Rihanna, but it works. Check it out...
I am very late getting on the Fifth Harmony bandwagon, but I am finally getting there. Here's their second single off their debut album, Reflection, released back in October and climbing all the way to the Top 40 soon after. Though not as irresistibly catchy as Work From Home, it is catchy nonetheless. Check out Sledgehammer...
Troye Sivan has been on my radar for quite some time now and it took me until Sunday night's broadcast of the Billboard Music Awards to finally get to see him perform. Well, the 20 year old Aussie singer, songwriter, YouTuber and actor has made a lot of noise in his young life, and his first full-length album Blue Neighborhood reached #7 on Billboard's Hot 200 Albums chart. After watching him perform this one, I'll say for one thing he's got a really sweet voice, though the tune falls outside of the realm of what I usually like. I may just have to check more of him out, though. Stay tuned and in the meantime check out Youth...
One of the better performances at last night's Billboard Music Awards was Canadian diva Celine Dion, who just months after what most likely has been the most difficult time in her life, sang a cover of Queen's The Show Must Go On in advance of receiving this year's Billboard Icon Award. Admittedly I've never really been a big fan of the singer, and I wasn't really looking forward to this one, but she totally hit this one outta the park with an emotional and inspiring performance. Once it was over, she was thrown for a loop when her son Rene-Charles came out to present her with the award. It was a heartfelt and tender moment for all watching as the teary-eyed Dion graciously accepted the accolades. Of course, the video for that performance is under Internet lock and key, but here's a clip of her performing the tune last September...
I've been waiting awhile to post this song. I'd say that over the past few weeks it's been my favorite, and for several reasons. I love the music...the percussive beats and the piano/synth melodies are contemplative and head bopping at the same time. The singer on the tune is Graham Candy, the New Zealander with a voice that's soooo reminiscent of Macy Gray, and who's been popping up on this blog a lot lately. In this video you can see that his unique, raspy voice does not match his face at all, but I love it. Finally there's the lyrics. Check em' out...
Whenever you're feeling lonely in our vacuum world,
when all the lights go out, your own land starts to blurt,
when everything around you, seem to fall apart,
and all that's left is bare, your feelings start to storm
Sometimes you're feeling stronger
sometimes you're feeling week
sometimes you're feeling colder
but the light will bring the heat
Sometimes you're feeling lucky
sometimes you're feeling on
but if you don't start believing,
one day you'll reach the sun
oah oaaaah
reach the sun
Whenever you're feeling lonely
walking in the storm
close your eyes and tell me,
can you feel the warmth?
Sometimes you're feeling stronger
sometimes you're feeling week
sometimes you're feeling colder
but the light will bring the heat
Sometimes you're feeling lucky
sometimes you're feeling on
but when you don't start believing
one day you'll reach the sun,
oah oaaaah
reach the sun
reach the sun
ooh reach the sun
ooh reach the sun
Ooh, this is the perfect storm of songs to me! I've only owned it for a few weeks and already it's got almost 100 plays. It's the kind of song you can just put on repeat for a few times and never tire of. So, if you like songs with a nice message and some great chill vibes, then check out German deejay/producer Alle Farben and Graham Candy with their wonderful Sometimes...
Now here's what I call an Insta-hit! I mentioned here a couple of weeks ago that Justin Timberlake's new tune was a winner, and already, shades of Uptown Funk are popping up all over the place. A sure sign is all of the father/daughter, friend, supermarket customers/workers, etc. dance videos that have hit the Internet already. It's kind of sad actually, because I know, like the earlier song, we're all probably going to get sick of this one pretty quickly. Anyway, while it's still a little fresh, here's the fun video for Can't Stop the Feeling....
I feel the touch of you even though you're not by my side
Can't get enough of you cause you make the darkness light
And after all this time, you still possess my mind
I've been listening to a lot of old dance music lately, all the way from the 90's and through the 2000's, and when I came across this one on Tuesday I knew I'd be posting it today. Jonathan Peters' All This Time is a dance anthem classic, with a killer hook chorus that you just have to sing along to when you here it and stays in your head long after a listen. The song is full of highs and lows...my favorite kind of dance tune, and I just learned this morning that the woman singing is none other than Sylver Logan Sharp, a former lead singer with Nile Rodgers and Chic. Great voice, great music, awesome tune! Check it out...
Last week I posted a tune that would be the new anthem for Coca Cola in Avicii's Taste the Feeling, and now we've got another tune chock full of marketing mayhem for the benefit of another huge conglomerate in the junk food business. I'm talking about a brand new collaboration between dance producer Zedd and Wake Me Up singer Aloe Blacc. The song is called Candyman and if you were around in the years when Sammy Davis Jr's. song of the same name was popular, then this one just might be ringing a familiar sound. The video is basically a three-minute long commercial for M&M's and well, it's a little corny, but not terrible...
I missed a terrible anniversary yesterday. You see, four years ago, on May 17th, 2012, Donna Summer lost her life to lung cancer, which she claimed to have gotten from inhaling all of the toxic materials left in the air after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The news was shocking to many, who'd had no idea that the 63 year-old icon had been stricken with the disease. To me, Donna was one of those great voices that transcended more than five decades and touched millions in the process, and her death came with too little attention for the shining star she always was.
Most people think of Donna Summer as the Queen of Disco, and yes, in the late 70's she was, but this marvelous talent had staying power and persevered, creating hits in each decade right up until the current one, and one of my favorite songs of hers was a cover of Andrea Bocelli's beautiful Con Te Partido. Donna's rich voice lent itself perfectly as a dance mix to this operatic song and hit the #1 spot on Billboard's Dance Chart back in 1997. Here she is performing the tune on a television show somewhere, sometime. Hope you're resting in peace somewhere Donna...
Adele's got a brand new single! We're a little early for the video (I'll try and share that when it comes out), but luckily I found this live performance of the sweet tune from London. It was announced recently that the 25 singer will be performing the tune at this year's Billboard Music Awards in what is shaping up to be a great show. In the meantime, check out Send My Love (To Your New Lover)...
With all of the news stories swirling around about Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's marital problems, I thought I'd add another Osborne into the mix. It was eleven years ago that daughter Kelly put out her second album (I hadn't remembered she even had a second album!). The one and only single from that record, Sleeping in the Nothing, was a tune called One Word. Though it wasn't any sort of hit on the pop scene, it did reach the #1 spot on many a dance/club chart. I've got it in my iPod and every once in awhile I take a listen...it was pretty catchy! So without further adieu, check out the dance version of One Word...
Here's a nice, groovy chill tune by Austrian deejay/producer Parov Stelar that hearkens the adventurous, but lonely life of a traveler. The singer on the track, New Zealander Graham Candy, is one that's heard on Robin Schulz's sweet 4 Life, and his unique voice still reminds me of Macy Gray. Check out The Sun...
Did you know that Calvin Harris and Rihanna had a new collaboration out? No worries if you don't, because it's only been out a couple of weeks. This Is What You Came For is the third collaboration between these two superstars in the dance music genre, following the monster hit We Found Love and the lesser Where Have You Been, and if I had to rank this one, I'd put it somewhere in between the two. That's not saying too much either, because I don't think many songs can compare to that wonderful hook and sound of We Found Love, That being said, This Is What You Came For is a very nice track, catchy and rhythmic and I am sure it will work well on dance floors everywhere. Check it out...
Today is Field Trip Day! Every year I take my students to one of the greatest places on Earth, which just happens to be a couple of hours trip from our school. Yes, I'm talking about New York City. Over the past few years, my class has gotten to experience just a bit of what NYC has to offer, including a trip to see Wicked on Broadway last year, the Statue of Liberty, MoMA, and Central Park, our destination today.
This will be our second trip to one of the most well-known city parks in the world. I polled some past students about what their favorite trip was in order to get an idea for this year's venture, and to a person, they all said Central Park. Central Park is such a unique and fun destination for the students because we'll get to mix a little bit of learning along with some time to just roam around enjoying the space and one another. And such is my choice for today's tune. Check out Roam...
A couple of weeks ago, I started working on a creative project with my friend Al. It's something I've never really done before and I won't get into any specifics yet, but it seems to be fitting me pretty well. Anyway, last night he and I had a working session and I connected one of our characters to the dude in this particular video, one which I had posted a long time ago and haven't listened to in awhile. I mentioned the guy, an actor by the name of Tucker Tripp, and showed him the video, Bingo. Anyhow, I've been singing the song in my head ever since. Check out Who Is Fancy's cool Goodbye...
If the video and song for this new collaboration between Swedish superstar deejay/producer Avicii and Australian crooner Conrad Sewell looks and sounds like a commercial for Coca Cola, well...it is! Just about two months ago, the soft drink conglomerate named the tune its official anthem for its UEFA EURO 2016 campaign. All commercialism aside, the tune is three-minutes of feelgood pop at its best, with Sewell's soothing vocals set to a little Avicii magic. You might know the Aussie singer from his work on Kygo's Firestone, and after a listen or two to this one, you'll definitely want to hear more from this shining newcomer. Check out Taste the Feeling...
I've never been the greatest Drake fan, but every once in awhile he puts out a tune that just gets me. From some of his early duets with Rihanna to Find Your Love to Hold On, We're Going Home, I seem to have always had a Drake song or two in my playlist. Following in the footsteps of those great tunes comes a brand new vibe that I am loving. The song's got a great melody and a great feel. Check out the brand new One Dance...
Justin, we have a winner! It's already hard to believe that three years have passed already since Justin Timberlake has given us anything new, and even the last time around this fan was somewhat disappointed. Overall I wasn't pleased with The 20/20 Experience. I thought it wasn't mainstream enough to resonate with the masses, and I believe in the end I was right. But when he unexpectedly dropped a new single on Friday, I was hopeful, hopeful that he'd return to the awesome days of FutureSexLoveSound. Well, yeah!
Justin Timberlake's new Can't Stop the Feeling, from the soundtrack of the upcoming movie Trolls, is a bona fide, feel-good hit. It's just one of those kinds of songs that makes you happy, bopping and singing along even during the first listen. So if you haven't heard it yet, check out Can't Stop the Feeling...
Every year, on this day, I always have trouble finding just the right song to post. Usually I peruse my own music collection first, then invariably do a Google search for some ideas. I mean, the song has to be special, right? A mother is one of the most pivotal people in anyone's life, the one who had you, the one who takes care of you, the one person who loves unconditionally, and is proud of you no matter what. Lo and behold I found a song I never would have associated with Mother's Day, but was listed on one of those holiday song lists on the Internet, and it's perfect. So check out the classic Loves Me Like a Rock, by Paul Simon, and go out and give your mama some love. Happy Mother's Day!
Here's another great new tune from Norwegian deejay/producer Kygo. The last tune of his I posted, Fragile, was a gem and at the time listed as a non-album single, but in the weeks since we now know that Cloud Nine, his first full studio album, will be released on May 13th. This track is as beautifully produced as the last one and is definitely worthy of a listen or two, or three, or four...
Today is Cinco de Mayo, a day marking the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The anniversary is really a minor day of note in Mexico, but in the past couple of decades it has become the Mexican version of St. Patrick's Day here in the States, In other words, it's just another excuse to drink beer whilst celebrating Mexican culture (Dos Equis anyone?). I don't really know any Mexican music, but I have been known to listen to Latin music in general here and there, but I figured I'd post at least a Spanish song to commemorate the day. Here's an infectious dance number from 1998. It's the nasally-voiced Elvis Crespo and his hip-shaking, Spanglish remix of Suavemente...
Here's a repost of one of my favorite tunes to come out in the past few months. The song would have fit as well back in the 80's as it does today. Check out Duke Dumont's Ocean Drive...
Well, P!nk's brand new Just Like Fire single, from the motion picture, Alice Through the Looking Glass, is a hit. Billboard reports that the song, her first splash onto the music scene since The Truth About Love album finished its run, debuted at #42 on its Hot 100 chart last week. Not quite as smoking hot as I might have expected, but yeah, the tune is a hit. We shall see. In the meantime, check out Just Like Fire...
I don't know why I don't know more of Erykah Badu's stuff. Anything I've ever heard from her is just so....cool! Her silky smooth voice is always soothing, her lyrics are always spot on, and the music, oh the music, is such good vibes! My pal Sonny and I had what we call a Music Nerd Night last Thursday and she played some Erykah in the car. Something bout this cell phone album. Anyway, here's a mesmerizing cut...
Today's song, the latest by French producer DJ Snake, is a multi-faceted gem, Featuring nice, tender vocals from British singer Bipolar Sunshine, Middle is a song of regret, yet with a confidence that everything's going to work out. Musically, the verses play out like a sad opus while the music in between is like the sunshine of hope. Nicely produced track! Check out Middle...
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