3.07.2005

Angel City - Love Me Right

According to an article on Ministry Of Sound's website, Angel City has a full length album.


'Love Me Right’ features 11 tracks of pure golden-nugget pop perfection and radio-friendly club floorfillers, all showcasing the highly seductive vocals of 22 year-old beauty Lara McAllen. As well as containing all three hits to date, highlights include soaring anthem and next single ‘Sunrise’, the balearic beauty of ‘I Won’t Let You Down’, mid-tempo yearning of ‘Stay’ and the disco heaven of ‘Back in Time’. And let’s not forget final track ‘Confession,’ a mature slice of genius for which Kylie would kill.

“It’s a real feel good album – there’s nothing too heavy," says lead singer Lara "but the idea was that the songs are quite empowering as well. It’s all about being in control, being strong, having fun. Having said that, all the emotion on the tracks are feelings that I’ve experienced! My favourites are ‘Stars’, a really uplifting song about two people brought back together, and ‘Confession’, which was written by Rob Davis & Frank Kneble and is a bit different from the other tracks – I had a lot of scope vocally which was pretty challenging. I also co-wrote the lyrics on two of the tracks – ‘Stars’ and ‘Back in Time.’”

Born and brought up in Guildford, Lara overcame disability when she was a child to become a successful dancer. By the age of 18, she was onto even bigger things: “I started doing some sessions, and then got the gig touring with Shakira in the UK as a backing singer/dancer. That was a great experience - performing with her on Top of The Pops and CD:UK – but the highlight was definitely at Party in the Park. It was being on stage in front of thousands of people that made me realize I wanted to do my own thing.” Promptly spotted by Ministry Of Sound, she was soon fronting Angel City. Having already bagged three massive UK hits - and constant national radio play – in the last year, she has emerged as one of the UK’s hottest young female vocalists, garnering a wealth of tabloid attention wherever she goes.



Tracklist:

1. Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)
2. I Won’t Let You Down
3. Do You Know (I Go Crazy)
4. Sunrise
5. Touch Me
6. City Lights
7. Stay
8. Back in Time
9. Stars
10. Calling You
11. Confession

Bonus Remix Tracks:

12. Love Me Right (Oh Sheila) Mike Di Scala Remix
13. Calling You Dee-Luxe Remix
14. Sunrise Sunset Remix

Album also includes interactive CD-Rom with lyrics, galleries, wallpapers, screensavers etc.

EBTG Remix Album

Everything But The Girl Take A Lesson From Darwin ADAPT OR DIE Available March 15 From Sire/Atlantic

January 31 2005

LOS ANGELES --

The dinosaurs didn't learn the lesson fast enough, but Everything But The Girl sure did. On March 15, Sire/Atlantic releases ADAPT OR DIE: TEN YEARS OF REMIXES, the first-ever full-length Everything But The Girl remix CD. Overseen by EBTG's Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn, the CD includes reworkings of some of the band's best-loved songs and is full of rare and previously unreleased material.
"Reinterpretation is at the heart of all great music," says Watt. "For me

, the modern remix is part of that tradition. We began our career mixing cover versions (reinterpretations in themselves) of other people's songs with our own, and 15 years later welcomed the chance to see our work dismantled and rebuilt."

Gathered on ADAPT OR DIE are 14 reinventions of previously well-known EBTG classics. Four of them are brand-new cuts commissioned especially for the project: DJ Jazzy Jeff's shimmering piano cascade rework of "Mirrorball," King Britt's percolating deep Detroit take on "Rollercoaster," Kenny Dope's hard-beats version of "Downhill Racer" and Jay Sealee's modern house remix of "Lullaby Of Clubland." The rest are Thorn and Watt's favorites from the past ten years, including three previously unreleased takes. All are fascinating companion pieces to EBTG's own landmark interpretations of mid-'90s electronica (the albums Walking Wounded and Temperamental) and their personally chosen retrospective of anthems, ballads, hits and B-sides, Like The Deserts Miss The Rain (2002).

Tracey Thorn's voice transcends eras, from the early acoustic ballads and latin grooves of the '80s EBTG through to these recordings, crackling with future beats and dance-floor urgency. Her simple, direct, tender-tough deliveries articulate these soundtracks of the time and bring to mind her celebrated collaborations with other key pioneers from the period: her pivotal role on the seminal Protection album and the gothic rendition of "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game" (Batman Forever soundtrack) both with Massive Attack, and "The Future Of The Future (Stay Gold)" with Deep Dish.

If this two-decade body of work has cemented Thorn's reputation as a singer and writer, it has acted as a springboard for Watt's jump from writer-producer-guitarist to international DJ-remixer. In 1998 he established the seminal London deep house Sunday club and compilation series, Lazy Dog, with Jay Hannan. Moving from EBTG's mainstream eclecticism to club-oriented dance music production, he has recently issued a string of acclaimed dancefloor remixes including five-star re-rubs for Sade, Sunshine Anderson, Zero 7, Maxwell, Me'Shell NdegeOcello and Sandy Rivera. In May 2003 Lazy Dog folded at the top after five untouchable years of sell-out shows around the world.

Though Tracey has largely abandoned the media glare to focus on family life (she and Ben have three children), a return to studio work is not out of the question at some stage. She also DJs occasionally with Ben in local west London bars for fun and is currently in the early stages of writing a book about her journey from her late-'70s indie roots to the present day. Ben remains a music impresario, helming an independent record label and club night, Buzzin' Fly. Issuing a cluster of revered underground hits including his own "Lone Cat" and a best-selling mix CD, Buzzin' Fly Volume One, the imprint won Best Breakthrough Label at the House Music Awards 2004. Committed to new talent the label has already unearthed San Francisco boy-wonder Justin Martin and Lyon's serene Manoo and Francois A.

On March 22, Astralwerks releases Buzzin' Fly Volume Two, a concept DJ mix album. Ben Watt returns with this new set from his award-winning imprint, Buzzin' Fly, and presents a deeply evocative 75-minute journey in modern house. Part story, part groove, the album tracks a mood from post-9/11 New York City angst through to a moving and redemptive conclusion, and is shot through with spoken word stories, some written by Watt himself.

The imperative is to ADAPT OR DIE. Evolve with Everything But The Girl.

Track List:

  1. Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Sole Full Remix) (BRAND NEW)
  2. Before Today (Adam F Remix)
  3. Missing (CL McSpadden Unreleased Powerhouse Mix) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
  4. Corcovado (Knee Deep Remix / Ben Watt Vocal Re-Edit) (PREVIOUSLY PROMO ONLY, NEW EDIT)
  5. Rollercoaster (King Britt Scuba Mix) (BRAND NEW)
  6. Downhill Racer (Kenny Dope Remix) (BRAND NEW)
  7. Single (Brad Wood Memphis Remix)
  8. Walking Wounded (Dave Wallace Remix)
  9. Five Fathoms (Kevin Yost Unreleased Groove Mix / Ben Watt Edit) (PREVIOUSLY PROMO ONLY, NEW EDIT)
  10. Lullaby Of Clubland (Jay 'Sinister' Sealee Remix) (BRAND NEW)
  11. Temperamental (Pull Timewarp Remix) (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ONLY ON THE DVD OF LIKE THE DESERTS MISS THE RAIN)
  12. Blame (Fabio Remix)
  13. Wrong (Todd Terry Unreleased Freeze Mix) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
  14. Driving (Acoustic Mix) (RARE B-SIDE)

Mariah Carey - It's Like That

With nearly a month and a few days remaining until Mariah's next album The Emancipation Of Mimi drops, the lead track "It's Like That" has been storming up the charts. In several European countries, the CD single came out featuring remixes by David Morales and Peter Rauhofer. Check out a sample of the Morales Mix here. Vinyl promos are available. There is no word on whether a CD maxi will be issued in the U.S. However, it seems more likely that the remixes will be sold on iTunes. Digital download sales are now counted in determining positions on several Billboard charts. This could really help many artists and cut down on the amount of unsold CD singles. And as digital downloading expands, CD singles may eventually be totally phased out.

The vast majority of artists don't release commercial CD singles anymore. Some do release an occasional one, but most of them just don't. However, there are some artists who have been known to release a lot of them, even as there has been an increased demand for digital versions of the songs.

Anyways, it'll be posted here if there will be a commercial CD single, digital downloads or both of this song.

Let's hope Energy 92.7 adds the David Morales Radio Mix that came out. It's really hot!

3.04.2005

Wild 94.9's Flashback Fridays

This seems like a knock-off of Energy 92.7's Cardio Radio show. Instead of the usual hip hop and some freestyle in the mix at 5pm on Fridays, they have been regularly playing classic dance and disco tracks. Although the choice of music is good, it's obvious they are employing the same tactics as Energy. A good number of the songs played have been similar to the ones heard daily on Energy's show.

And the Wild Workout At Noon today consisted of many older songs they haven't even played in years. It's nice to hear them trying, but it doesn't seem to be working that well. Although their WWAN is mixed pretty well, the choice of songs is quite limited. There have been very few new songs played during that time everyday. Eric Prydz's "Call On Me", Xscape's "Wassup" and Tiesto's "Traffic" have been the few new songs they have been playing during the last few months. There was a time when they actually played really new songs in the mix, but that doesn't seem to be happening anymore. For how long can they continue to keep playing the same few songs every day? It gets repetitive and boring after awhile. I don't listen to it as often for that reason.

3.02.2005

New number one at Energy

Mynt's "How Did You Know" has finally dethroned Eric Prydz, who has been at the top for over 3 weeks now. How long can this one stay at the top?

Sin Plomo's "It's You" looks like the next song that will top the chart.

2.28.2005

New Adds For March!

So, the month of March has already gotten off to a great start with three new adds!

First up is the Jason Nevins remix of “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson. Next up is Intenso Project’s “Get It On.” That one was played in the mix the other night. And finally, there’s the DJ X remix of Mario’s “Let Me Love You.”

There had been speculation for some weeks as to which songs would be added next. And some of these were thought to be the next adds, and low and behold they have been added! Enjoy these new ones.

Toni Braxton Remix Album

Finally! Ms. Braxton's remixes are finally being issued in a complete album. Also, there are some unreleased mixes too. This article in Billboard Magazine summarizes this best.

Unreleased Cuts Bolster Braxton Remix Disc

Five previously unreleased tracks will be found on the upcoming Toni Braxton set "Un-Break My Heart: The Remix Collection," Billboard.com has learned. Due April 12 via LaFace/Legacy, the 11-track set features Braxton's four No. 1 hits on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play tally: "Spanish Guitar," "Un-Break My Heart," "I Don't Want To" and "You're Makin' Me High/Let It Flow."

The unreleased versions comprise Joe Clausell's Main Mix of "Spanish Guitar," a club mix of "Hit the Freeway" by HQ2 (DJ duo Hex Hector and Mac Quayle), mixes of "He Wasn't Man Enough" by Peter Rauhofer and Junior Vasquez and a remix of "Maybe" that blends work by HQ2 and fellow DJ duo Dynamix.

Among the previously released tracks rounded up on the set are Frankie Knuckles' Franktidrama club mix of "Un-Break My Heart" and David Morales' Classic mix of "You're Makin' Me High."

Braxton released five studio albums for Arista before signing a new deal in 2003 with Blackground. The status of her first release as part of that pact is unknown.

Here is the track list for "Un-Break My Heart: The Remix Collection":

"Intro"
"Un-Break My Heart" (Soul Hex Anthem Vocal)
"Spanish Guitar" (HQ2 Club Mix)
"You're Makin' Me High" (David Morales Classic Mix)
"I Don't Want To" (Frankie Knuckles Franktified Club Mix)
"Hit the Freeway" (HQ2 Club Mix) Featuring Loon
"He Wasn't Man Enough" (Peter Rauhofer NYC Club Mix)
"He Wasn't Man Enough" (Junior Vasquez Marathon Mix)
"Maybe" (HQ2/Dynamix NYC Club Mix)
"Un-Break My Heart" (Frankie Knuckles Franktidrama Club Mix)
"Spanish Guitar" (Joe Clausell Main Mix)
- Jonathan Cohen, NY

2.27.2005

This week at Energy

  • Overview
    For the third straight week, there hasn't been any new adds. The five adds for the month of February have made some gains in airplay, but hearing some more new ones would be great. The mixshows have featured some good new tracks as usual, but no new adds. The month of February is coming to an end and the month of March is about to start, so let's hope for some new adds.

  • Some add suggestions
    Energy has added a good number of dance tracks this year, and they are slowly making their way up the playlist. There are still some songs that must be added simply because they are good and they could do well on the station. Here are some suggestions.

    Shapeshifters - Back To Basics
    This is the follow-up to the number one smash “Lola’s Theme.” This is a great piece of female vocal house. This doesn’t officially release until March on Positiva (UK). The promos have already been available for some time now, and the buzz surrounding this track has been deafening. A must-add.

    Mariah Carey - It’s Like That
    This is the first single off of La C’s forthcoming album The Emancipation Of Mimi. This one is slowly making its way up on the Billboard Hot 100 in its original mix. Remixes by long-time collaborator David Morales and Peter Rauhofer round out this release. Either of these mixes could bring Mariah some success in the clubs and on dance radio. Another must-add.

    Narcotic Thrust - When The Dawn Breaks
    This is one of few male-fronted vocal tracks that could really do well as the previous hit "I Like It" did just a while ago. This track has gotten a couple plays within the mixshows.

    Intenso Project - Get It On
    This one made its first appearance on the airwaves last Friday during the mix. This is a fun little track, also male-fronted that brings to mind some of Daft Punk's Discovery-era material. This has already made a splash on the other side of the Atlantic, let's see how it'll do here.

    Iio - Runaway
    In it's Ford Radio Mix, this track could do what "Rapture", "At The End", and "Smooth" did during the last couple of years. It's an amazing vocal track.

    Xscape - Wassup
    This is a full-on club track that has a total retro feel to it. It contains samples from "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa and Debbie Deb's "When I Hear Music." This might be this year's "Move Your Body". Look out for this one. It's going to be huge during spring break.

    Erasure - Breathe
    This is an amazing track. Erasure has been on the music scene for many years now. In the LMC remix, this track is just simply great. The vocals, the synths, the beat. Need I say more?

2.26.2005

Xscape - Wassup

This is the first song off of Xscape's next album. This song is really hot! It's a club oriented track in the version currently circulating. The version currently making the rounds contains samples from Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force's classic "Planet Rock." It's the beats and the bassline that are sampled. This track may be going the route that Nivea's "Don't Mess With My Man" did a couple of years ago. In the promoted version, the track contained sampled beats and bassline from Snoop Dogg's "B-Please". Then the original mix came out soon after. The remix went to be known as the Scorpion Mix.

Wild 94.9 has been playing this in their mixes lately. Let's hope Energy jumps on this one early.

Check out the song here. When the window opens, click Free. Then wait about 45 seconds and it will begin to download.

2.24.2005

About.com's year end chart

Here is About.com's year end chart of the top 170 dance songs of 2004 as compiled by many of the top DJs in the U.S.

#
Artist
Title
1 Beyonce Naughty Girl Sony
2 Janet Jackson All Night (Don't Stop) Virgin
3 Britney Spears Toxic Jive
4 Motorcycle As the Rush Comes Ultra
5 Enrique Iglesias/Kelis I'm Not In Love Interscope
6 Kelis Milkshake StarTrak/Arista
7 Deborah Cox Easy As Life Hollywood
8 ShapeUK Lola's Theme Ultra
9 Widelife / Simone Denny All Things Capitol
10 Reina If I Close My Eyes Robbins
11 Rosabel feat Jeanie Tracie Cha Cha Heels Tommy Boy
12 Anastacia Left Outside Alone Sony
13 Sugababes Hole in the Head Interscope
14 Janet Jackson Just A Little While Virgin
15 Madonna Love Profusion Maverick
16 Armand Van Helden Hear My Name Tommy Boy
17 Debbie Holiday Dive Nebula9
18 George Michael Flawless (Go To The City) Sony
19 Nightcrawlers Push The Feeling On Tommy Boy Silver
20 Kevin Lyttle Turn Me On Atlantic
21 Milk & Sugar Let The Sun Shine In Radikal
22 David Morales How Would U Feel Def Mix
23 Debi Nova One Rhythm Reprise
24 Kylie Minogue Slow Capitol
25 No Doubt It's My Life Interscope
26 George Michael Amazing Sony
27 Basement Jaxx Good Luck Astralwerks
28 Alica Keys Diary J
29 Kevin Aviance Give It Up Robbins
30 Beyonce Me Myself and I Sony
31 Christina Milan Dip It Low Island/Def Jam
32 MissTeeQ Scandalous Warner Brothers
33 Dolce Feels Good Act 2
34 Rupaul Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous RuCo
35 Gaudino / Crystal Waters Destination Unknown Robbins
36 Kristine W Save My Soul Tommy Boy
37 Despina Vandi Gia Ultra
38 Goldfrapp Strict Machine Mute
39 Britney Spears Everytime Jive
40 Flexy Mamasita Casablanca
41 Jahkey / Satta Heart Attack Star 69
42 MissTeeQ One Night Stand Warner Brothers
43 Alyson What’re You Gonna Do AlysonGrooves
44 Benassi Bros / Sandy Illusion Waako/ZYX
45 Duran Duran Sunrise Epic
46 Tube & Berger Straight Ahead Artemis
47 Emma Free Me 19 Recordings
48 Richard Humpty Vission Never Let Me Down System
49 Cherie I’m Ready Lava
50 Monica Get It Off J
51 Pink God Is A DJ Arista
52 Junior Jack Stupidisco Nettwerk
53 Annie Lennox Wonderful J
54 Blondie Good Boys Sanctuary
55 Dido Sand in My Shoes Arista
56 Junior Jack Da Hype Nettwerk
57 Solitaire I Like Love Robbins
58 Plummet Cherish The Day Big3
59 Angel City Feat. Lara McAllen Love Me Right Ultra
60 Maroon 5 This Love J
61 Angie Stone I Wanna Thank Ya J
62 Royal Gigolos California Dreamin Ultra
63 Esthero O G Bitch Reprise
64 Michelle Branch Breathe Warner
65 Janet Jackson Megamix Virgin
66 Brandy Talk About Our Love Atlantic
67 Boogie Pimps Somebody To Love Ultra
68 Dido Stoned Arista
69 Utada Devil Inside Island/DefJam
70 Michael Buble Sway Reprise
71 Toy Just Wanna Dance Ja Tail
72 Kylie Minogue Red Blooded Woman Capitol
73 Madonna Nothing Fails Maverick
74 Murk Time Tommy Boy Silver
75 Marly You Never Know Robbins
76 Seal Love’s Divine Warner Brothers
77 Madison Park Ocean Drive Basic Lux
78 Frankie Knuckles Bac N Da Day Definity
79 Pat Hodges Saving My Love Frixion
80 Amber You Move Me JMCA
81 Hilary Duff Come Clean Hollywood
82 Candee Jay If I Were You Robbins
83 Mike Rizzo Presents Allie Can’t Go On Koch
84 Armand Van Helden My My My Tommy Boy
85 Sarah Brightman Free Angel Records
86 Simply Red You Make Me Feel Brand New Simplyred.com
87 Suzanne Palmer Luv 2 Luv Star 69
88 Ferry Corsten Rock Your Body Rock Moonshine
89 Haru Haru Romann
90 Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For Interscope
91 Thalia Don't Look Back Virgin
92 Origene Sanctuary Tommy Boy Silver
93 Martin Solveig Rocking Music Ultra
94 BT Featuring JC Chasez The Force Of Gravity Nettwerk
95 Dave Armstrong Make Your Move Tommy Boy
96 Sun Without Love RM
97 Vernessa Mitchell Took My Life JVM
98 Alcazar This is the World We Live In BMG
99 Robbie Rivera Which Way You're Going Ultra
100 Sting Stolen Car A&M
101 L.I.V. Journey Of Love Ultra
102 Tom Jones Sex Bomb UTV
103 Tamyra Gray Raindrops Will Fall 19
104 Britney Spears & Madonna Me Against the Music Jive
105 Nelly Furtado Powerless Dreamworks
106 Colton Ford/Pepper Mashay Signed, Sealed, Delivered Centaur
107 Missy Elliott Pass That Dutch Elektra
108 Sarah McLachlan World on Fire Arista
109 Narcotic Thrust/Yvonne I Like It YoshiToshi/Free2AirUK
110 David Guetta Just a Little More Love Astralwerks
111 Destiny's Child Lose My Breath Columbia
112 Paul Johnson Follow This Beat Trax
113 Pepper Mashay and Colton Signed Sealed Delivered Centaur
114 Sweet Rains Slipping Away Nostalgic
115 Gypsy Gypsy Hi Bias
116 Lionel Richie Just For You Island
117 Sarah McLachlan Fallen Arista
118 Frankie Knuckles Matter Of Time Definity
119 Crystal Method Born Too Slow Subliminal
120 Holly James Touch It Tommy Boy
121 Sun One With You RM
122 Joe Smooth Alternative 3 Trax
123 Kristine W Fly Again Tommy Boy
124 Deep Dish Flashdance YoshiToshi
125 Raw Deal Party Time Waako
126 Ono Everyman Twisted
127 Ernie Lake Project Featuring Kevin Ceballo Shake That Body Fuerte
128 Kelis Trick Me StarTrak/Arista
129 LMC vs. U2 Take Me to the Clouds Above Ultra
130 Kimberly Locke 8th World Wonder Curb
131 Depeche Mode Enjoy The Silence Warner Bros
132 Dirty Vegas Walk Into The Sun Capitol
133 Joyce Sims Come Into My Life Funk La Planet
134 Danzel Pump It Up Ultra
135 Superchumbo ft Celeda Dirty Filthy Extended
136 Stonebridge/Therese Put em High Hedkandi
137 Christina Milian Whatever You Want IDJ
138 Murk Believe Tommy Boy
139 Britney Spears My Prerogative Jive/Zomba
140 Eric Prydz Call on Me Ultra
141 B.P.M. Angel Tommy Boy
142 Haiducii Dragostea Din Tei Empire
143 Samba La Casa Friday Marshmallow Music Plant
144 Barry Manilow Copa Cabana 04 Concord
145 Jade Starling Safekeeping Act 2
146 Simply Red Fake Simplyred.com
147 Britney Spears Outrageous Jive
148 Kristine W The Wonder Of It All Tommy Boy
149 Kelly Clarkson Trouble With Love RCA
150 KMC Feat Dhany Get Better Robbins
151 Sun Where Did Love Go RM
152 Benassi Brothers Hit My Heart ZYX/Waako
153 Friscia & Lamboy Ewoheway Vinyl Soul
154 Made By Monkeys I Try Star 69
155 Rachel Panay Back for Love Act2
156 Nina Sky Move Your Body Next Plateau/Universal
157 ATB Ecstasy Radikal
158 Delirium featuring Sarah McLachlan Silence Nettwerk
159 Alyson Feel You AlysonGrooves
160 Jackie Christie Beautiful Day Motema
161 Tiesto/BT Love Comes Again Nettwerk
162 Beat Hustlerz Just About Had Enough Star 69
163 Krystal K Let's Get it Right Robbins
164 Celia Cruz Son de la Loma Universal
165 The Roc Project/Tina Novak Deja Vu Tommy Boy Silver
166 ATB Marrakech Radikal
167 Rod Stewart Do You Think I'm Sexy 04 Warner Brothers
168 Adam Sandler Secret Warner Bros
169 Alanis Morissette Eight Easy Steps Maverick
170 Delerium Truly Nettwerk