Mel C - Northern Star (1999) & I Turn To You (2000)

WHAT...?????? - I hear you shout, but while I never really rated the Spice Girls, I seriously do think that Mel C. has had the best, meaningful and sustainable career launch off the commercial pedestal, which Spice Girls as a format provided. Indeed, I do rate her musical talent and achievements to date very high.
Melanie Chisholm - a.k.a. Mel C. or Melanie C. - was born in 1974 in Whiston, Lancashire/UK, joining the Spice Girls only in 1994, after the original fifth member, Lianne Morgan, left the group. Two years later, in 1996, the quintett shot to instant fame with 'Wannabe'. Because Mel usually wore a tracksuit with her hair in a ponytail and sporting the attitude of a tomboy, she was called 'Sporty Spice'. After the third album release 'Forever', the members went their separate ways and Mel developed a solo career. These two remixes of my favourite tracks by her:

Melanie C - Northern Star (1999)
SGP#1, MOZ#2, LEB#3, UK#4, IT#4, EGY#5, SWE#7, SLO#9, BRZ#18, DE#50, CH#75
Melanie penned this song for Mel B., her ex-Spice Girls member, whom she believed to have the better lift off post-Spice Girls-years, hence the lines 'you made it to the other side, but tell me who will be my guide'. Melanie suffers from clinical depression, which she is very open about.



Lyrics:

They tried to catch a falling star.
Thinking that she had gone too far.
She did but kept it hidden well.
Until she cracked and then she fell.

If all the history is true.
She's gonna end up just like you.
You made it to the other side.
But tell me who will be my guide.

They build you up so they can tear you down.
Trust the ocean you'll never drown.
Who is next? Who's gonna steal your crown?
You'll see.

I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't give in to their lies and goodbyes.
Northern Star.

Fulfil the longing in your heart.
Then we will never be apart.
And if they dare to question you.
Just tell them that our love is true.

They buy your dreams so they can sell your soul.
Is it any wonder we've lost control?
Feelings come, feelings go.

I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't succumb to their lies and goodbyes.
Live your life without regret.
Don't be someone who they forget.
When you're lost reach out for me.
And you'll see she's not far.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.

I have learnt my lesson well.
The truth is out there I can tell.
Don't look back and don't succumb to their lies and goodbyes.
Live your life without regret.
Don't be someone who they forget.
When you're lost reach out for me.
And you'll see she's not far.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.
Northern Star.


Melanie C - I Turn To You (2000)
UK#1, NL#1, DK#1, AT#1, SWE#1, DE#2, NOR#2, CH#3, FIN#4, IRL#6, US#6, AUS#11



Lyrics:

When the world is darker than I can understand.
When nothing turns out the way I planned.
When the sky turns grey and there's no end in sight.
When I can't sleep through the lonely night.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.

When my insides are wracked with anxiety.
You have the touch that will quiet me.
You lift my spirit. You melt the ice.
When I need inspiration, when I need advice.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.

Where would I be? What would I do?
If you'd never helped me through.
I hope someday if you've lost your way.
You could turn to me like I turn to you.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.

I turn to you. When fear tells me to turn around.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you. I turn to you. I turn to you.

Jimmy Somerville

Jimmy is vintage 1961 and best known for his 'falsetto' singing style. Born in Glasgow, he moved to London where he shared a flat with Steve Bronski & Larry Steinbachek in Brixton, South London, and in 1983 formed Bronski Beat. Bronski Beat signed a recording contract with London Records in 1984, releasing the album entitled 'The Age of Consent'. In the summer of the following year Jimmy left Bronski Beat amid tensions in the band, both personal and political, joining Richard Coles to form The Communards. *** n.b. In 1989, a vocalist joined the group, who should go on to become our very treasured RVT maestro, the 'Dame Edna Experience's Jonathan Hellyer :-) *** The group dissolved a year later.

THE BRONSKI BEAT YEARS

Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (1984)
US#1, NL#1, UK#3, IT#3, IRL#4, AUS#7



Bronski Beat - Why? (1984)
NL#2, UK#6, IRL#6, IT#18



Here, by the way, an extraordinary track which samples vocals of 'Why?' with sequences of Alison Moyet's 'Don't Go'. Released early 2008!

Blue Ray feat. Jimmy Somerville 'You & Me'




Bronski Beat - It Ain't Necessarily So (1984)
UK#16, IRL#26, IT#28, NL#32


Bronski Beat - It Ain't Necessarily So by jpdc11

Bronski Beat & Marc Almond - I Feel Love/Johnny Remember Me (1985)
UK #3, IRL#3, NL #17



Bronski Beat - Hit That Perfect Beat Boy (1985)
UK#3, IRL#5, IT#9, NL #16



The Communards formed in 1985 after Jimmy left Bronski Beat to team up with Richard Coles, whom played a number of instruments and had been seen previously performing the clarinet solos on the Bronski Beat hit 'It Ain't Necessarily So'. They were joined by bass player Dave Renwick who had also played with Bronski Beat. The band had their first hit with 'You Are My World'.
The following year they had their biggest hit with an energetic cover version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' 'Don't Leave Me This Way' (in a version inspired by Thelma Houston's cover), which spent a whopping 4 weeks at #1 and became the UK's biggest selling single of 1986. In 1987, they released an album titled 'Red'. The Communards split in 1988. While Jimmy began his solo career, Richard followed his Christian leanings and was ordained in the Church of England. He is now the assistant priest at St Paul's Knightsbridge and Chaplain to the Royal College of Music.

THE COMMUNARDS YEARS

The Communards - You are My World (1985)
FR#16, UK#30



The Communards - Disenchanted (1986)
UK#29 NL#47



The Communards - Don't Leave Me This Way (1986)
UK#1, NL#1, CH#2, DE#5, FR#6, AT#19, US#40



The Communards - So Cold The Night (1986) - no video available
UK#8, NL#8, CH#10, AT#13, DE#14, FR#17, US#25



The Communards - Never Can Say Goodbye (1987)
US#2, NL#3, UK#4, DE#6



The Communards - Tomorrow (1987)
US#2, UK#23, CH#23, DE#25, NL#31, FR#32



The Communards - For A Friend (1988)
UK#28, DE#35



The Communards - There's More to Love than Boy Meets Girl (1988)
UK#20, DE#34



SOLO YEARS

Jimmy Somerville & June Miles-Kingston - Comment Te Dire Adieu (1989)
FR#3, UK#13, NL#26



Jimmy Somerville - You Make Me Feel (1989)
UK#5, FR#7, US#34, NL#49


Jimmy Somerville - You make me feel
Uploaded by djoik. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Jimmy Somerville - Read My Lips (1989)
UK#26, FR#29



Jimmy Somerville - Run From Love (1991)
(originally penned for Bronski Beat, the track was never released by them and shelved in the run up of Jimmy leaving the band)
FR#27, UK#52



Jimmy Somerville - To Love Somebody (1991)
NL#4, AT#5, NZ#5, UK#8, FR#15



Jimmy Somerville - Heartbeat (1995)



Jimmy Somerville - Dark Sky (1999)

Farewell Gwen. Farewell...

'Swedish House Mafia'

Well, they call them the Swedish House Mafia, but you know, I am sure that term should rather be referred to to the production team of Britney Spears (Made in Sweden, in case you still - innocently (bless!) thought she is something to do with sweet home Alaba...errmmm... Louisiana)
Anyways, previously recommended - (and Deborah Cox is one of my personal faves) - but based on last night's response, here it is again :-)

Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello, Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox 'Leave the World Behind'

ETBG - Missing (Fedde Le Grand Remix)

Watch Out for this on the dance floor!

Narcotic Thrust

Ever wondered what a Narcotic Thrust is? Fear not, it's not something spectacularly sinister or sexual, it is, in fact an anagram of Stuart Crichton, one half of the British dance music duo. Stuart and Andy Morris met in 1996 to produce 'Funky Acid Baby', which was petty much ignored.

Their breakthrough came with the track 'Safe From Harm', for which they hired Yvonne John Lewis on the vocals. 'Safe From Harm' is completely meaningful to the people on the dance floor and carries a captivating voice, it's a peak hour track yet not bangin'. Deep, groovy and driving bass line, with vocals and strings, and a trippy overall feeling, this track is almost the definition of 'Progressive House'. The difference between the several mixes is really subtle; the original being the 'flattest' one; the others nicely emphasize the 'housy' aspects. It went on to become my Tune of the Year 2002.

Narcotic Thrust - Safe From Harm (2002)



Narcotic Thrust - I Like It (2004)



Narcotic Thrust - When Dawn Breaks (2005)



Narcotic Thrust - Waiting For You (2006)



The duo also get heavily involved in remixing. 'Suffer Well' by Depeche Mode is a brilliant example.

Depeche Mode - Suffer Well (Narcotic Thrust Remix)

Patrick Nuo

Patrick was born and raised in Lucerne, Switzerland. He is of Albanian & Swiss origin. At 14 he abandoned all hope becoming a popular tennis pro and decided to focus on a musical career instead. After a few misleading steps at home, he managed to move to Hamburg, Germany where he was engaged as a background singer for several record productions while also working as a model. In 2002 Patrick met producer and songwriter David Jost, who helped him signing a contract with Warner Music. In the following months the duo created a whole album together, which was eventually released under the name 'Welcome' in 2003. His second album 'Superglue' was released in 2005.

Patrick Nuo - 5 Days (2003)
SWI#23, GER#24, AUT#24



Patrick Nuo - Reanimate (2003)
SWI#18, GER#22, AUT#56



Patrick Nuo - Welcome (to my little island) (2003)
SWI#44, GER#55



Patrick Nuo - Undone (2004)
SWI#30, GER#30



Patrick Nuo - Beautiful (2005)
SWI#9, GER#33, AUT#7

iiO

Nadia Ali was working in the New York offices of Versace when a co-worker introduced her to Markus Moser, who was looking for a female singer to collaborate on some of his tracks. The two teamed up and started a group originally named 'vaiio', named after the Sony laptop Nadia was working on. They later dropped the 'va' to avoid causing problems.
While Markus composed the music, Nadia, with her very distinct voice wrote the lyrics and provided the vocals. Markus had the astonishing ability to get the best remixers to rework their songs. A perfect example is Johnny Vicious getting a very capable hand on 'At the End' - hold on all the 9 mins of it and it willdrive you so insane you will want to scream in delight.
iiO's first album 'Poetica' was delayed several times and finally released independently in 2005. By that time Nadia had left iiO to purse a solo career, while Markus continues to released material featuring her on the vocals.
Unfortunately only a few orignal videos are to ind on the worldwideweb.

iiO - Rapture (2001)
US#2, UK#2, ROM#2, AUS#3, IRL #9



iiO - At the End (2002)
UK#20, US#41



iiO - At the End (Johnny Vicious Remix)



iiO - Smooth (2003)
US#23



iiO - Runaway (2004)



iiO - I Kiss You (2005)
US#3



iiO - Is it Love? (2006)
US#1



iiO - Chastity (2007)

Kurtis Mantronik / Mantronix

Now, how is this for internationalism...
Kurtis el Khaleel (Arabic: خليل‎), a.k.a. Kurtis Mantronik, was born 1965 in Jamaica to a Syrian father and a Jamaican mother, emigrated to Canada with his family at age 7, before eventually settling in NYC in 1980.

The same decade saw him leading the group Mantronix. The 7" vinyl of 'Got to Have Your Love'? graces my record shelves that to this very day. It reached UK#4.

Mantronix feat. Wondress - Gotta Have Your Love (1990)



Kurtis now lives in the UK and DJs, remixes and produces tracks generally attributed to the genres hip-hop, electro funk, house & techno. He has worked with recording artists such as Kylie Minogue, The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim and Michael Gray.
In 2002 he remixed 'Gotta Have You Love' for and with Liberty X, whom participated in - but did not win - the 2001 run of ITV's 'Popstars'. The version shot straight to UK#2, AUS#4 & FRA#10 in it's first week.

Liberty X - Gotta Have Your Love (2002)



He also released several singles in his own name. 'How Did You Know?' went on to become my Tune of the Year 2003, coming with vocals courtesy Mim. Way ahead of its commercial release the track made its flying rounds on the club scene, known as '77 Strings' without the vocals, which had been added later.

Kurtis Mantronik feat. Chamonix - How Did You Know? (2003)

Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire (2008)

Here is a very interesting - and entertaining at that - article in today's London Evening Standard I would sign no-questions asked:
It argues that electronic Dance Music is, in fact, NOT the seeming culprit it is always blamed to be, for the slow and painful decline of the musical genre of Rock. And spot-on he is. What has this to do with the Kings of Leon? Read on, here's the article:

Has rock really hit the bottom of the charts?
Richard Godwin, Evening Standard 12 Jan 2011

I blame Kings of Leon. If anyone killed rock'n'roll, it was the Followill brothers, in the billiard room, with a certain song.
- continues below the video -

Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire (2008)
UK#1, IRL#1, FIN#1, AUS#1, NZ#2, Euro Hot100 #6, DK#7, BE#9, NL#16, SWE#16, CAN#22, AT#29, DE#33, CH#54, US#56, SVK#60



- continued from above -
Sex On Fire, inspired by Caleb Followill's ill-advised attempt to smoke a cigarette through his urethra, was released in September 2008 and immediately reached number one in the UK singles chart.

It went on to spend an astonishing 87 weeks in the Top 75, selling over one million copies, gushing bombastic mediocrity into the airwaves in a manner that went on to inspire the BP oil leak. Habitats were destroyed. Livelihoods ruined. And the high-flying bird we call rock'n'roll was smothered.

This week, the world noticed the corpse. We learned that post-Sex, sales of rock singles have hit an all-time low. Well, perhaps not all-time — they were significantly lower in 1834 — but with just three per cent of the 100 bestselling songs of last year defined as “rock”, middle-aged white men begin to worry that their tastes and preoccupations are no longer dominating every conceivable area of life.

“It is the end of the rock era. It's over in the same way that the jazz era is over,” lamented DJ Paul Gambaccini, who complained that record companies are now too short-sighted to invest in proper talent and budding guitarists are having to buy their own plectrums.

So who's the culprit? As Kings of Leon nervously twiddle their thumbs, a potential assailant has been identified. Hip-hop and R'n'B accounted for 47 per cent of last year's top sellers, with pop at 40 per cent, dance at 10 per cent and ragtime a non-mover at zero. The shift from “deep” rock music to ephemeral party music seems complete.

To complicate matters, however, the biggest-selling single of all last year was the rather moody hip-hop song, Love The Way You Lie, by Eminem and Rihanna. I recently saw it performed at a provincial karaoke night by a pair of emo kids, who wrought a compelling amount of angst from it. What conclusions to draw? That “hip-hop” is capable of doing “rock” emotions? That genre is hard to define these days?

Or merely that one form of music popularised by white men trying to copy black men has been surpassed by another form of music popularised by white men trying to copy black men? Anyway, if you look closely, you may just see the corpse of rock'n'roll twitch. In fact, you may see it get up, scratch its balls and order a pint of watered-downed Carling at the bar.

Rock still accounts for 27 per cent of album sales and 84 per cent of pub conversations, dominates the live arena and has found new audiences through games such as Guitar Hero. In fact, Forbes' list of the Top 10 grossing acts of last year — U2 first, AC/DC second, Springsteen fourth — reveals that the outlook for ageing white males with guitars is rather rosy.

But somehow I find the presence of Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Lady Gaga on the list more reassuring.

David Vendetta feat. Akram - Unidos Para La Musica (2007)

David Paparusso, a.k.a David Vendetta, started his career as DJ at Paris-based Radio FG 98.2. *** (see below)
Both, the station and the DJ caught my ears during my first visits to the French metropolis back in 1993/94. Here he met Antoine Clamaran. Both soon started producing tracks together and his popularity rocketed. As reputation in the DJ scene goes, the word soon got round to Roger Sanchez, for whom he also remixed.

My favourite song of his is 'Unidos Para La Musica', part of his 2007 album 'Rendez-Vous'. Vocals come courtesy of Akram.

***(Radio Fréquence Gay) - a station founded in 1981 to support the local gay community, which has since developed into one of France's most popular dance music radio stations for gay or straight.(98.2FM, www.fgdjradio.com)

David Vendetta feat. Akram - Unidos Para La Musica (2007)
FR#5, BE#30


David vendetta unidos para la musica by abrouki

Lyrics:

Aaaaaaah Aaaaaaah

Amor para todos
Felicidad para cada uno
Y la alegria se aparte en la vida
Y que quedemos todos juntos
Para siempre unidos
Para la musica

Unidos

Amor para todos
Felicidad para cada uno
La alegria se aparte en la vida
Y que tenemos oros juntos
Para siempre unidos
De la musica

Unidos
Aaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaah
Unidos

James Bond Songs

Some people might call it tacky, sexist & O.T.T., but you know, James Bond is still pulling the crowds, and admit it, everybody has some sort of soft spot for 007... - I certainly have. This is a list of James Bond theme songs over the decades. It's actually quite difficult to get them all together on the worldwideweb, so watch this space: it's to be completed...
Indulge! :-)

1962 - Dr. No - Sean Connery
Budget: $1,200,000
Box Office Takings: $59,600,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $425,488,741
Video: to come...

1963 - From Russia with Love - Sean Connery
Budget: $2,500,000
Box Office Takings: $78,900,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $555,909,803
Matt Munro - From Russia with Love



1964 - Goldfinger 1964 - Sean Connery
Budget: $3,500,000
Box Office Takings: $124,900,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $868,659,354
Shirley Bassey - (Diamonds Are Forever &) Goldfinger



1965 - Thunderball - Sean Connery
Budget: $11,000,000
Box Office Takings: $141,200,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $966,435,555
Video: to come

1967 - You Only Live Twice - Sean Connery
Budget: $9,500,000
Box Office Takings: $111,600,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $720,388,023
Video: to come

1969 - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - George Lazenby
Budget: $7,000,000
Box Office Takings: $87,400,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $513,445,231
Video: to come

1971 - Diamonds Are Forever - Sean Connery
Budget: $7,200,000
Box Office Takings: $116,000,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $617,520,987
Shirley Bassey - Diamonds Are Forever (& Goldfinger)



1973 - Live and Let Die - Roger Moore
Budget: $12,000,000
Box Office Takings: $161,800,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $785,677,477
Video: to come

1974 - The Man with the Golden Gun - Roger Moore
Budget: $13,000,000
Box Office Takings: $97,600,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $426,826,774
Video: to come

1977 - The Spy Who Loved Me - Roger Moore
Budget: $28,000,000
Box Office Takings: $187,300,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $666,367,656
Video: to come

1979 - Moonraker - Roger Moore
Budget: $34,000,000
Box Office Takings: $210,300,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $624,527,272
Video: to come

1981 - For Your Eyes Only 1981 - Roger Moore
Budget: $28,000,000
Box Office Takings: $202,800,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $481,005,579
Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only



1983 - Octopussy - Roger Moore
Budget: $27,500,000
Box Office Takings: $187,500,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $405,873,493
Rita Coolidge - All Time High



1985 - A View to a Kill - Roger Moore
Budget: $30,000,000
Box Office Takings: $157,800,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $316,186,616
Duran Duran - A View To a Kill



1987 - The Living Daylights - Timothy Dalton
Budget: $40,000,000
Box Office Takings: $191,200,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $362,876,056
a-ha - The Living Daylights



1989 - Licence to Kill - Timothy Dalton
Budget: $32,000,000
Box Office Takings: $156,200,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $271,586,451
Gladys Knight - Licence To Kill



1995 - GoldenEye - Pierce Brosnan
Budget: $60,000,000
Box Office Takings: $353,400,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $499,954,330
Tina Turner - Goldeneye



1997 - Tomorrow Never Dies - Pierce Brosnan
Budget: $110,000,000
Box Office Takings: $346,600,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $465,588,535
Sheryl Crow - Tomorrow Never Dies



1999 - The World Is Not Enough - Pierce Brosnan
Budget: $135,000,000
Box Office Takings: $390,000,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $504,705,882
Garbage - The World is not Enough



2002 - Die Another Day - Pierce Brosnan
Budget: $142,000,000
Box Office Takings: $456,000,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $546,490,272
Madonna - Die Another Day



2006 - Casino Royale - Daniel Craig
Budget: $150,000,000
Box Office Takings: $599,200,000
Box Office Takings in today's money: $640,803,677
Chris Cornell - You Know My Name



2008 - Quantum of Solace - Daniel Craig
Budget: $230,000,000
Box Office Takings: $586,090,727
Box Office Takings in today's money: $586,090,727
Alicia Keys & Jack White - Another Way To Die



==================================================================
Total (official) Movies: 22
Total Budget to date: $1,123,000,000
Total Box Office Takings to date: $4,809,157,447
Total Box Office Takings to date in today's money: $11,686,214,000
==================================================================

Erin McKeown - Cosmopolitans (Tri-Factor Remix)

Erin's usual forte lies in folk-rock, but she has also explored the pop, indie, jazz and swing avenues. Her track 'Cosmopolitans' lies within those bands. Her record company Righteous Babe/Nettwerk Records has tried something new with it I learned to love: handing it to remixers on the electronic dance side. The result: the Tri-Factor Mix. Mark recommends!

Rammstein & t.A.T.u. - Moskau (2004)

One of the oddest duets in music are Germany's Rammstein & Russia's t.A.T.u.
Rammstein, formed in '94 in Berlin and part of a musical genre 'Neue Deutsche Härte' (others would refer to it as 'Industrial Metal'), recorded their 4th album 'Reise Reise' ten years later. The album contains the track 'Moskau', a hommage to the Russian capital. The Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. joined them very aptly, as it being their home town.
Mark recommends an extraordinary tune!

Lula vs. Alan T. - There's Only One

Mark recommends Lula, who enjoys something of a cult status in the club scene. Her collaboration with Alan T. in 2008 produced 'There's Only One' - now, that's what I call avantgarde! The video was directed & filmed by Hermus Parga and edited by George Lyter who gets mad props for his creativity..!

Jacinta - Can't Keep It a Secret

Another exquisite example of pure, unadulterated US Pop - although with this one the worldwideweb doesn't have the perfect remix available (which comes courtesy Georgie Porgie, look or it!) to get you dance you tits off. I did - in Miami Beach a few years ago with Alfredo & Jose

Danielle Bollinger - You'll Always Have Me (Mike Rizzo Remix)

US Pop at it's finest - and to top it, it comes with a remix of one of NYC's finest DJs, Mike Rizzo. Regrettably it hasn't got a useable video but the track is fab.
Danielle Bollinger - despite the posh surname - hails from not-so-posh Detroit (Michigan). Both her previous tracks 'When the Broken Hearted Love Again' and 'Kiss The Sky' propelled her to fame; but for me, 'You'll Always Have Me' will always have me for one of the finest tracks in US Pop :-)

Danielle Bollinger - You'll Always Have Me

Axwell Ingrosso Angello Laidback Luke & Deborah Cox 'Leave the World Behind' (2009)

There will be coming more of Deborah Cox, for she is one of my favourite R&B Dance artists. Here upfront some seriously kicking tunage with what most people may refer to as the 'Swedish House Mafia':
Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello, Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox 'Leave the World Behind' (2009)

Therese

Therese Grankvist's music career started unusual: calling a record company & leaving her singing on the answerphone. She joined Drömhus, a Swedish dance music project, which had the breakthrough in 1998 with 'Vill ha dig'.
At the 1999 'Melodifestivalen', the Swedish qualification for Eurovision, Drömhus competed with the song 'Stjärna på himmelen' (Star in the Sky). They finished second, thus not qualifying.
In 2000, Therese announced that she would perform solo instead. Three years later she produced 'Time'.

2004 saw her going international by teaming up with Sten Hallström, a.k.a. Stonebridge (anyone who immideately thinks of a nasty traffic jam on London's North Circular: shame on you ;-), releasing 'Put 'Em High' (2004) & 'Take Me Away' (2005). 'Feelin' Me' followed in 2007.
Therese's tracks very much remind me of my time at XXL, Kazbar & The Two Brewers in Clapham at the time.

One question remains: exactly why are the Swedish so successful in the music business?

Therese - Time (2003)



Stonebridge feat. Therese - Put 'Em High (2004)



Stonebridge feat. Therese - Take Me Away (2005)



Therese - Feelin' Me (2007)

William Orbit - Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) 1999

In 1936 American composer Samuel Barber wrote 'Adagio for Strings'.
Two years later, in 1938, Italian conductor Auturo Toscanini recorded it for the first time with the NBC Symphony Orchestra and took the piece on tour to Europe and South America.
It was radio broadcast over the announcement of Franklin D. Roosevelt's death, and was part of the soundtrack of the 1986 Vietnam war movie 'Platoon'.
In 1999, London-born British composer William Mark Wainwright, a.k.a William Orbit, produced a version which, remixed by Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten, went on to became one of the more remarkable pieces of contemporary music. Mark recommends.

My Top 10 of the year 2010

1. Rosabel: Rhythm Intoxication (Dub)
2. Axwell Ingrosso Laidback Luke Angello & Deborah Cox: Leave the World Behind
3. Sertab Erener: Koparılan Çiçekler (David Saboy Mix)
4. Erin McKeown: Cosmopolitans (Tri-Factor Mix)
5. Demet Akalın: Bu Benim Partim
6. Friburn & Urik: Elefants
7. Almighty & JK: One Love
8. Anna Grace: You Make Me Feel (John Luniz Mix)
9. Danielle Bollinger: You'll Always Have Me (Mike Rizzo Mix)
10. Serge Devant: Addicted

Faith Hill - Breathe - Freemasons Mix (2010)

Originally on Faith Hill's 1999 album 'Breathe', the same-named single release was remixed by The Freemasons already 'back' in 2010 and has hit the dancefloors nationwide - if you're a clubber, watch this one fly this year! Compare it with the original and marvel at what they made from it. Mark recommends :-)

Faith Hill - Breathe - Freemasons Mix (2010)
CAN#1, US#2, FIN#18, AUS#23, NZ#27, UK#33, NL#95



Lyrics:

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Beign with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face
And i've never been this swept away
All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When i'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart

Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
And suddenly i'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
Slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's suppose to be
I can feel you breathe

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
Closer than i've ever felt before
And I know, and you know
There's no need for words right now

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way...

Freemasons Medley - (Love On My Mind - Watchin' - Uninvited)

Hope the Freemasons will grace us with more equisitivity in 2011 -
Here a video-medley of three of their past club goodies - Mark recommends :-)
- 'Love On My Mind' (2005)
- 'Watchin' (2006), both with vocals courtesy of Amanda Wilson
- 'Uninvited' (2008), with Bailey Tzuke interpreting Alanis Morrissette's original lyrics.
‎'Love on My Mind': UK#11, AUS#46, BEL#27, FRA#70, IRL#38, NL#26
'Watchin' : UK#19, BEL#34, FIN#5, IRL#49, NL#29
'Uninvited' : UK#8, BEL#2, BUL#7, FRA#11, IRL#50, NL#4

Other significant tracks:

2007 'Rain Down Love' (feat. Siedah Garrett)
2008 'When You Touch Me' (feat. Katherine Ellis)
2009 'If' (feat. Hazel Fernandes)
2009 'Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer' (feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor)

...and some of their remixes:

2005
Faith Evans 'Mesmorized'
Herd & Fitz feat. Abigail Bailey 'I Just Can't Get Enough'
Angie Stone 'I Wasn't Kidding'
Steve Mac vs. Mosquito 'Lovin You More

2006
Beyoncé 'Déjà Vu'
Beyoncé 'Ring the Alarm'
Loleatta Holloway 'Love Sensation'
Luther Vandross 'Shine'
Dirty Old Ann 'Turn Me On'
Blaze feat. Barbara Tucker 'Most Precious Love'
Jamiroquai 'Don't Give Hate A Chance'

2007
Beyoncé & Shakira 'Beautiful Liar'
Disco Freaks 'Take Me 2 The Sun'
Rockefeller vs. Aibi feat. Marvin Gaye 'Sexual Healing'
Kelly Rowland 'Work'

2008
Kylie Minogue 'The One'
Solange (Beyoncé's sister) 'I Decided'
- both for which they received Production credits
Eric Prydz 'Pjanoo'
The Outsiders feat. Amanda Wilson 'Keep This Fire Burning

‎2009
Whitney Houston 'Million Dollar Bill'

2010
Sophie Ellis-Bextor 'Bittersweet'
- for which they received Production credits, Hurts 'Wonderful Live', Shakira 'Waka Waka'

and for 2011 they have lined up:
Alexis Jordan 'Good Girl' and
Faith Hill 'Breathe'

Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again (Freemasons Remix)

Advent over, Christmas over, New Years over, Snow gone, Back to work...?, Waiting for Pay Day...? VAT gone up...?

Romain Curtis & Seamus Haji feat. Awa - I've Been Looking

Vive l'Entente Cordiale! This collaboration sees French producer Romain Curtis team up with Brighton DJ Seamus Haji & Swedish vocalist Awa for a sublime track dating back to November 2009. Mark recommends! (unfortunately no proper video, but instead carefully selected product placement where to get this track if to liking ;-)

Camouflage - Suspicious Love

Heiko Maile, Marcus Meyn & Oliver Kreyssig, a.k.a. Camouflage, a German synth-pop trio recorded music from 1983. The Great Commandment, 4 years later bought their breakthrough. 'Love is a Shield' followed in 1989, and 1993 they released 'Suspicious Love', personally my favourite track by them. Their influence is blatant. Mark recommends :-)


Lyrics:
Try to tell me something,
try to tell me how it feels,
build it up to beat it down again,
all the things you're hiding,
all the games you play with me,
build it up to beat it down again.
Suspicious love,
froze my natural laugh,
and I need to change,
but something keeps me here.
I feel I know,
I won't let it grow,
and I need to change,
but something keeps me here,
I refuse to crawl.
Got to tell you something,
got to tell you how it feels,
once built up and beaten down again.
Promises once spoken,
all the warmth you gave to me
Leave me always somehow inbetween.
I'd like to see you crawling.