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.

SONG OF THE DAY: Basement Jaxx – Unicorn and Sereia de Bahia (Mermaid of Bahia)

It looks like I am going to be banging this Latin trend as much as the Nu-House one. Basement Jaxx have always been known for creative electronic music with a quirky edge.? Their forthcoming Junto album is being billed as “a genre-hopping musical roller-coaster,” and from the sound of the first two singles, that sounds about right.? “Unicorn,” released last month, is a nu-House track with a vibe reminiscent of “Good Life” by Inner City with playful, nonsensical lyrics calling you to party and be free, like… well… Unicorns.? “Sereia de Baha” shares that same goofy, playful vibe but feels like it belongs on Fatboy Slim’s “Bem Brasil” album.? The track is instantly familiar with the kind of balearic and latin vibe which will make it perfect for summertime loungey sets and an obvious candidate for Ibiza anthem.? The random “In the hot box” male vocal sample is just so quirky and unexpected that it reminds you of how much fun the Basement Jaxx duo really are.? Seemingly just as random is that singer Nina Miranda was vocalist for the Smoke City’s late ’90s electronica hit “Underwater Love.”? As fun as both of these songs are, the videos elevate them with their goofy energy. It just goes to show that you don’t need a big budget to make a memorable visual clip to accompany a good track.

Image Courtesy of Atlantic Jaxx.