SONG OF THE DAY: Roger Shah, JES & Brian Laruso – “Higher Than The Sun”

Jes has one of those amazingly beautiful voices which works perfectly on just about any kind of electronic dance track.? The duo of Global Experience (Roger Shah and Brian Laruso) step up to the plate with a gorgeous track melding progressive house and trance, seemingly inspired by the classic “Moments in Love.”?? Listening to the vocal manipulation in the buildup and some of the staccato repetitions, there is definitely a bit of the Art of Noise vibe.? The lushly-layered background vocals are also quite gorgeous with a note being held with an operatic feel. The lyrics and production make “Higher Than the Sun” a great track for the end of night or a lazy beachside tea dance (as evidenced by the video featuring a peaceful boat journey). ?DJs should keep their eyes open for forthcoming remixes by Aly & Fila, Jesse Voorn, and Pedro Del mar & Double V.

Images courtesy of Black Hole Recordings.

SONG OF THE DAY (SUNDAY?FUNDAY): Circuit 21 – “Love in the Shadows”

Back in the ’80s, E.G. Daily enjoyed much dance club success with a string of anthems, including “Mind Over Matter,” “Say It Say It,” and “Some People.”? Her darkly passionate “Love in the Shadows,” co-written by synth pop god Harold Faltemeyer, remains a Hi-NRG club stable, having been remixed in 2001 and even covered in French by Celine Dion as “Delivre-Moi.”? With such a distinct voice, it’s hard to imagine anyone capturing the emotion of the song as Daily did, yet Circuit 21 bravely steps up to the plate.? Possessing a powerful yet sensitive masculine voice with a dynamic range, Circuit 21 (aka Robert Brown) flips the gender and gives the song a whole new meaning.? If his voice sounds familiar, you probably remember him as the lead singer of the all-man boy band Bearforce 1 from a few years ago.? In the deft hands of remixer Cahill, “Love in the Shadows” is ready to conquer Hi-NRG dance clubs once again.

Images courtesy of Division Music.

SONG OF THE DAY: Sander Van Doorn – “Neon”

The past year has made me a fan of Sander van Doorn due to his creative tracks and his seeming multiple personality disorder. When I see a new Sander track pop up on Beatport, I wonder is it going to be a crackhead electro track (“Kangaroo,” “Joyenergizer”), an emotional vocal stadium track (“Into the Light,” “Nothing Inside”), or a flute track (“Koko”). For his new track “Neon,” he’s mixed up the bag, blending elements of flute (and other orchestral intrstruments) with progressive/stadium house- a mellow, yet energetic big room track.? The repeated hook is an incessant earworm, and after the first listen you won’t be able to get it out of your head.? This track has the makings of something massive, and there will probably be a vocal version coming quite soon.? The video, a colorful allegory of finding personal freedom by freeing others, is definitely worth checking out.

Images courtesy of Doorn/Spinnin.