Of Note: ‘Déjà Vu’ by Georgio Moroder feat. Sia

Of Note: ‘Déjà Vu’ by 

Georgio Moroder feat. Sia

Mr. Moroder is two for two with the release of the title song from his 2015 effort, ‘Déjà vu’.  His last one, ‘Right Here, Right Now’, featuring the note-perfect Kylie Minogue, was as sweet as it gets and a dance chart topper to boot.

Listening to ‘Déjà Vu’ One can’t help but imagine it purring forth from the depths of former frequent collaborator, the late, Donna Summers.  God, how I miss that woman. 

But no worries – Sia does an outstanding job, putting her own unique pipes to good use.  Sure, the chorus doesn’t blister the way it might have had Ms. Summers been around, but Sia’s demurring European chanteuse sound brings something unexpected to the mix. 

No, this is not modern dance music – this is old-school; where disco meets pop and the world is all the more joyful for it.  This is about song and structure, not ramping synths and bleating beats.

I have a feeling, given his many recent collaborators (Charli XCX, Sia, Haim, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Mikky Ekko, Foxes, Matthew Koma), that there is much more forthcoming from Georgio.  'Tom's Diner' is already getting a lot of airplay.  

Who knows? Perhaps even another full album?

Though, should this be his final piece of work? 

What a great note to go out on!

  

Of Note: ‘Right Here, Right Now’ by Giorgio Moroder Featuring Kylie Minogue

Of Note: ‘Right Here, Right Now’ 

by Giorgio Moroder 

Featuring Kylie Minogue

If Calvin Harris and David Guetta are indebted to Tony Moran for their current mainstream success, then the same is true of every DJ when it comes to one of the premier pioneers of dance music, the incomparable Giorgio Moroder.

Back in the early days of disco, over in Germany, Giorgio was brewing up a sound unlike any other.  His partnership with Donna Summer and his numerous film soundtracks (‘American Gigolo’, ‘Midnight Express’, ‘Metropolis’, ‘Cat People’) brought his unique style to the states, tearing up the charts worldwide while helping to create the inescapable sensation that was disco. 

He’s worked with numerous artists (Blondie, David Bowie, Phillip Oakley, Limahl, Berlin, Kenny Loggins, Janis Ian, Freddy Mercury, Bonnie Tyler, Daft Punk)  and enjoyed many hits through the years, but it is his most recent return to the #1 spot on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart that has me singing his praises. 

Teamed with dance icon Kylie Minogue, ‘Right Here, Right Now’ hits all the right notes, making for a sweet listen. Kylie’s performance is pitch-perfect and the song’s uplifting, soaring chorus will get in your head and refuse to leave. 

Let’s hope there is more Giorgio where this came from.

 

The Playlist: Spring 2015

This is my current playlist.  It took me forever to figure out how to download that damn free U2 album, and that is why two of their songs are on this list.  That album took home a lot of 'Best of the Year' awards last year.  I am thinking they deserved them.  

The rest is a the usual mixed lot.  Erkia Jayne proves more versatile than previously thought on the Black Eyed Peas inspired 'Crazy'.  Tove Lo pushes her way back into the Top 40 for a third time with the entertaining 'Talking Body', while Zedd (feat. Selena Gomez) takes a trip back in time to create the rather rote dance floor pleaser 'I Want You To Know'.  Tori Kelly is currently rumbling about in the lower 75 of the Hot 100 with the surprisingly catchy 'Nobody Love'. The song feels patched together, but it works, thanks to the vocal chops of Ms. Kelly.  And who could deny those horns?

The rest range from dance floor fodder to high art - several of which, I am sure, will be featured as part of my 'Of Note' series, in the near future.  Enjoy!

The Playlist: February 2015

I am absolutely head over heels for my current playlist; 120 minutes of pure dance/pop fun.  

It consists of some top 40 faves, a couple of total misfires, lots of diva turns, lots of 80's homages, along with several songs off the beaten path: all songs that I'd written on post-it notes, but kept putting off buying.  

I've been playing it non-stop in my car since last Friday, and, so far, there is only one song that has my finger hitting the fast forward button.

Enjoy!

Of Note: ‘Don’t Wait’ by Mapei

Of Note: ‘Don’t Wait’ by Mapei

Born in Rhode Island, Jacqueline Mapei Cummings, better known as Mapei, grew up splitting her time between the states and Sweden.  In Sweden she was drawn to their underground rap scene and it is there that she cut her eye teeth as a performer.

In 2013, she released ‘Don’t Wait’ to much acclaim, even landing a guest appearance on the David Letterman show.  A remixed version of the song even landed at #27 on Billboard’s  Dance/Club Play chart. 

The past few days, this song has been in my head upon waking.  Lyrically uplifting, it reminds me of the likes of De’sree (‘Gotta Be’), Kina (‘Girl From The Gutter’) and Res (‘They-Say Vision’).  At first, I did not care for it, but, obviously, it grew has grown on me quite a bit.  What can I say – once exposed, it stays with you.

Of Note: ‘Say My Name’ and ‘Sun Models’ by ODESZA

Of Note: 

‘Say My Name’ and ‘Sun Models’ 

by 

ODESZA

Formed in 2012 and hailing from Seattle, ODESZA is an electronic duo consisting of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight.  Their debut album, ‘Summers Gone’, was released to universal critical acclaim in the underground electronic scene.

Their second full-length. ‘In Return’, came out in September of 2014, with of its tracks: ‘Say My Name’ (feat. Zyra) and ‘Sun Models’ (feat. Madelyn) - have been buzzing like crazy in the back of my brain.

 While they adhere (somewhat) to traditional song structure, their songs actually strike me more as modern sound collages; clicking and bleeping their way into one’s subconscious.

 

They are also sought after remixers.  A recent example, Zhu’s ‘Faded’ went to the top spot on the club play charts.