Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: David Guetta & Kaz James – Blast Off

It seems as though David Guetta is taking a similar path as Paul Oakenfold with his current project. While Paul is reimagining trance classics like “Toca Me” and “Cafe del Mar” with a 2014 touch, David is using seminal club classics based on samples as his inspiration source. Following up “Shot Me Down,” which reworked the Audio Bullys take of the Cher/Nancy Sinatra classic, on “Blast Off” he mines the same 1978 Van Halen sample of “Ain’t Talkin ’bout Love” that Apollo 440 used for their 1997 top 10 hit “Ain’t Talkin Bout Dub.” The raging electro “Blast Off” harnesses the primal rock energy of the guitar sample with the same aggression and powerful feel of the Apollo 440 drum and bass version. Aussie DJ/singer Kaz James, best known for the rock/dance hybrid classic “I Like the Way You Move” with the Bodyrockers, spits some MC-styled lyrics that will energize the festival kids to bang it out and “Blast Off” all summer long. If David is taking requests for his next JackBack track, I would suggest using Spiller’s “Groovejet” as inspiration and going housey for a new summertime Ibiza poolside anthem.

Image Courtesy of Jack Black.

SONG OF THE DAY: TS7 ft Yaz Nikks – Give Me a Sign

Does TS stand for Two-Step? Judging by the Garage mix of his new single “Give Me a Sign,” it just might. On the surface, it is flat-out classic ’90s two-step garage, every other beat highlighted with a triplet groove. Two-step was a British house subgenre that blended urban vocals with house that punters (aka clubbers) would dance to in half time so it was even slower (similar to drum and bass). If you listen closer, you will hear modern touches to the production – drum fills, electro kicks, and synth flourishes that weren’t used the first time around. The vocals are processed just like they were back then as well – which stands out because if you listen to Yaz Nikk’s cover of “Royals,” she really can emote and sing – but that doesn’t really fit the vibe of the the track. It seems like you kind of need that robotic inhuman vocal feel for a two-step track to work. Though it’s not lounge music per se, the track has a lighter feel – it’s definitely not a banger – but would fit a pool party vibe or a pre-club warmup. While on the TS7 tip, check out his mix of Signum’s “Nobody to Love.”

Image courtesy of 3-Beat.

SONG OF THE DAY (SUNDAY FUNDAY)? Cheryl Cole ft Tinie Tempah – “Crazy Stupid Love”

Ok, I will admit it.? As underground and cool as I try to pretend to be, I am such a sucker for UK chart pop.? Just about any girl group they assemble across the pond, if they do the right remix, it will be in my club sets.? So, yeah, I love The Saturdays, Little Mix, and of course Girls Aloud.? When Cheryl Cole took a break from Girls Aloud and went solo with her Kelis “Lil’ Star”-sampling “Fight For This Love,” I became a huge fan and have played just about every single since (“Parachute,” “Call My Name,” “Promise This,” “Under the Sun”). ?Back with her fourth album, Cheryl is getting even popper with “Crazy Stupid Love.”? There’s that horn part which is just infectious (giving Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty To Me” a run for the money), and the “la la la” hook over the jig-dancing staccato/handclap beat, the key change for the chorus, and that oh-so-cute off-beat spoken title line.??? The rap by Tinie Tempah is also quite good, bringing in calls for both a whistle and a wiggle while describing the official love.? The funny thing is that when he repeats “official” it sounds like he is saying “real fish,” which to fans of drag queens means something completely different.??? Steve Smart & Westfunk turn out a solid electro mix which keeps the pop vibe and hooks, but toughens it up for commercial club play.? What makes this perfect for Sunday Funday (aside from it being a girl twirl pop song from Cheryl Cole) is how the video looks so dark and underground that it comes off like satire or camp.? Watching her hump the table while wearing harem paints and a face beat with more make up than a drag queen will definitely put a smile on your face.

Image Courtesy of Fascination/Polydor.