Hump Day is a day for a big, fun, sexy dance tune, and though between the cover art and the video itself, this song might be anything but. Then just listen to the song. I don't know if it's me or not, but this singer Raye sounds a lot like old, hit-the-dance-floor Rihanna. Don't believe me? Click play...
The boys of One Direction have been busy with solo projects lately, with Harry Styles joining in the fray with his Sign of the Times. I gave the album a shot a couple of weeks ago and I loved it...the entire thing (who'd of thought). Anyway, here's the tender and catchy Sweet Creature. Enjoy...
Though this holiday weekend has become more and more a celebration of the impending summer and less and less about what the holiday really means, still, today is a day of remembrance that must always be acknowledged. For whatever reason, it seems that country singers have cornered the market on patriotic songs, but I have never been a fan of the genre. I do, however, love John Mellencamp and he's got a pretty good catalog that include a little pride in the U.S.A., so take a look and listen at one of my favorites. Happy Memorial Day!
It's Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, the best day of the three days for celebrating. After missing out for the first time in years last year, I will once again be joining my friends over a Fire Island for what I hope will be another memorable day of friends, dancing and all sorts of other fun. Here is one Madonna song that fits the day so well, and though the video below is a bit fuzzy, it's for a reason. I don't know where this came from, and I don't think I've ever seen it before, but it is a very B-grade/homemade shot at a music video from way back in the early 80's. The video was shot with backup dancers, brother Christopher Ciccone and pal Erica Bell. Check it out...
I've been listening to a lot of 80's dance music on Spotify the last couple of days and I found some gems I had completely forgotten about, like this one from way back in 1984. Jellybean Benitez was one of the very first deejay/producers to make it in the music scene, and back then, in the early to mid-eighties, he had a little help from then girlfriend Madonna, who wrote this one and sings background. Yup, this one's got that classic 80's Madonna feel, with a nice dance beat and a catchy chorus. Check out the fun Sidewalk Talk...
Good morning, Happy Friday and Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Although we will be unofficially kicking off summer this weekend, the weather looks to be a total washout here in New York, but who cares? What I'm gonna do is celebrate anyway and a good place to start is with Basement Jaxx's awesome ode to Bollywood, Romeo. Check it out...
In case you haven't heard (and I have no idea why I waited this long to post), modern funk/disco superstar Jamirquai is back with their first album in 7 years and it is hot! It's got that vintage neo-disco, funky sort of feel that the band is known for and it sounds as fresh today as it ever did. Here's the funky title track, with a hot video to boot, that is only the beginning of this great record. Check out Automaton...
It's another Hump Day already, and on the other side of this one is the unofficial start of summer. Oh yeah, Memorial Day is upon us and I just can't wait. Here's a summer classic that I am sure I'll be hearing and dancing to soon enough. Yeah!
Last night, the world was once again sent into yet another state of shock and disbelief as an apparent terrorist attack occurred at Manchester Arena in the U.K. towards the end of an Ariana Grande concert. So far, it has been reported that explosions at the site killed 22 people and injured about 59 more. How horrible! Are we safe anywhere anymore? Here's a tune those folks probably enjoyed hearing before the pandemonium broke loose...
Here's a perfect song to fit a perfect day, here in New York anyway. It's a brand new jam by DJ Khalid and featuring a who's who in today's rap and R&B world. Check out the smooth, easy breezy I'm the One...
Katy Perry is back with a brand new album, Witness, a brand new tour and a brand new video for her latest Bon Appétit. Like some of Katy's other memorable videos from the past, this one's full of funny moments as our star is being prepared as the main course. Check out the humorous video for Bon Appétit and look for Witness to make its debut on June 9th.
Here's a classic chill/dance tune I had once really loved, but had forgotten about. Such a nice vibe and another reason for loving is it hearkens to that wonderful summer season. Enjoy!
Here's a brand new tune by pop rockers One Republic. This one's not off of any album as far as I can see, but it's really nice, a bit reggae inspired and very catchy. Check it out...
Jason Derulo has just such a way with words, huh? Lol. Well, one of his latest, Swalla, is a perfect song for a Hump Day, of of those highly suggestive and irresistibly hypnotic songs that you can't help but move your body to. So check it out below, and have a Happy Hump Day!
Okay, so I don't know anything about this song other than the fact that I found it on Spotify and that this is a somewhat newish remix of a song that had been released already some time ago. I do know that I really really like it, though. It's a nice, feel-good tune that hearkens, of course, to summer, which is just around the corner. Enjoy...
Happy Mother's Day everyone! Earlier this week, quite a few of my students reminded me that it was Mother's Day in their countries, Unlike in the United States, where we tend to move our holidays to weekend days whenever we can, El Dia de las Madres is always on May 10th throughout Central America. Well, the majority of my students haven't seen their mothers in quite some time, and so this day is always extra special to them.
I sometimes take for granted that I still have my mom here with me today. I have several other friends, including my ex, Joe, for whom this day has become a sad one, a time of mourning their mom's who've long since passed. My mom is 74 years old and as young as a 74 year-old can be. She works a full time job, which I think helps keep her active and healthy.
Well I don't get to see my mother that often these days,and just recently she let me know just how she felt about it. It's a long story, really, but suffice it to say we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things. My relationship with my family, as well as my relationships with my friends, have suffered through this long, long winter of very little spare time.
Regardless, my mom is a special person, who did a pretty good job of raising six children practically on her own, and I love her. So for what it's worth ma, I promise to try and be more visible. And for all of you other mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day. Enjoy every moment...
Just about two weeks ago, alternative rockers Foster the People released three new songs from their upcoming third studio album. This one is my personal favorite of the three. Check out the rhythmic and pleasant S.H.C....
Happy Friday! Well, it's been another long week, but the weekend is finally upon us, and so here's an old school jam from three very talented ladies. It's the classic Expression from Salt n Pepa (Spindarella, too!). Enjoy!
I always loved Jennifer Hudson's voice. So strong, so beautiful! Here's a brand new song, well to me anyway, from Jennifer that showcases those powerful pipes, with tenderness, catchiness, and a lil gospel thrown in for good measure. Remember Me was actually released back in March, and it so deserves to be heard, so check it out...
Here's a funky little collaboration between Aussie producers Stranger and Swedish singer Elliphant. The Destructo Mix of the tune has no video to it...sorry for that, but I like it way better than the original. Anyway, Happy Hump Day and enjoy...
I tell ya, those Swedes sure know how to make good music. Here's a funky tune by yet another Swedish singer named Tove Styrke that reminds me of Jane Zheng's Dust My Shoulders Off. Check out Say My Name...
Here's a new discovery from an LA-based recording artist named Allie X, and I've already dubbed it 'The Whistle Song.' Just click play below and on top of the multi-faceted sounds coming outta this one, including Allie's sweet sweet voice, you'll know why...
Norwegian deejay/producer Kygo is on fire lately. Quick on the heels of his current top ten hit, It Ain't Me, with Selena Gomez comes a brand new lovely tune with British songstress Ellie Goulding. Love this one! Check it out...
Love! When this tune first came up in a Spotify playlist, I thought of it as a funky dance jam, not having any idea who was singing it. Then, when I looked down at the screen and saw it was Meghan Trainor, well, um yeah! There's a certain uniqueness to her to which this tune certainly falls into. You should definitely check this one out...
During the past week I've reconnected with the late, great Donna Summer. The so-called 'Queen of Disco' was surely that, but even after the disco died she was still a whole lot more. I joined Spotify as a premium member last week and I got to revisit some of the great tunes she created after the disco was gone, songs from her eponymous 1982 album, 1980's The Wanderer, and 1989's Another Place and Time. Great songs, great memories, but today I'm in the mood for some disco Donna, and here's a classic from her 1976 A Love Trilogy. Check out the sultry, sexy yet somewhat tender Try Me, I Know We Can Make It...
I only recently discovered The Vamps a few weeks ago when I came upon this awesome rendition/mash-up of Ed Sheeran's Shape of You with fellow Brit crooner Conor Maynard. I absolutely love lead singer Brad Simpson's powerful voice on that one and so I decided to check out some more of the boys when I found this one, released just a couple of days ago. Check out the very catchy and tender pop/rock ballad Middle of the Night...
Today's song was introduced to me by my pal Kyle and I loved it the first time I heard it. The song is absolutely pulsating, kind of 80's, and so it's perfect for a beautiful Hump Day. Check out Fitz and the Tantrums and Hand Clap...
Justin Bieber singing in Spanish! The other day some of my students were looking at a music video on one of their phones and laughing as they watched. I immediately recognized the voice and that's exactly what they were laughing at, but you know what? Like everything else the Biebs does these days, it works. Check out this brand new hot track...
