Tag: peyton

SONG OF THE DAY: HIIO ft Terri B – “Something About You”

There has been a noticeable lack of soulful vocals on recent big room/progressive/stadium house tracks. This is why recent releases featuring Max C, Peyton, Janice Robinson, and Frenchie Davis have really stood out due to the powerful and sometimes gospel feel to their vocal performances. Continuing this wonderful trend is “Something About You,” the new single by South American duo HIIO (pronounced H2O- like water) featuring the vocals of Terri B. The uplifting production sounds like Almighty channeling classic Perfecto while attempting a progressive pop track (i.e. stadium house that is commercial but not cheesy). Terri B sounds incredible, possessing a voice that can be both soft, pretty europop and screaming gospel diva. What also stands out is the admirable vocal production, not for changing the sound of her voice, but obviously working with Terri to control the power and use it for emphasis in chorus and not oversing the whole record. For a frame of reference, take a listen to two songs from another “b-girl,” Sandy B, with the classic and pristinely-produced “Make the World Go Round” and the horribly-engineered mess “Everlasting Love” (with Jackie Christie). Listening to those back-to-back illustrate the importance of good vocal production and why “Something About You” will sound just as great on a club floor as it will on the radio or your iPod. DJs who find the original version to be too commercial-sounding should reach for the harder, electro/progressive remixes by DONS and Peter Gelderblom – two solid producers who just don’t seem to get the recognition for the great work they do. Listening to this track makes me want to know more about HIIO and track down their upcoming releases as they drop. After listening, I think you might agree.

Image Courtesy of 4 Kenzo Recordings.

SONG OF THE DAY: Carlos Gallardo & Peyton – “Desert Rose”

with Sting’s blue-eyed soulful voice. Spanish producer Carlos Gallardo enlists the massive vocal talents of Peyton for this classy and modern update. Blending electro and tribal beats, the track is big room friendly -you can totally imagine clubbers singing along to the “yele yele” chants. Peyton sounds amazing, as always, which comes as no surprise as he embraces the feel of Sting’s original performance and enhances with his gospel-like emotional execution. The video, filmed in a desert, is definitely inspired by the original, though I wonder where they found a power source to plug Carlos’ DJ gear into. It makes you wonder, just like if a tree falling in the forest makes a sound, does a DJ spinning in the desert get bottle service?


Image Courtesy of Blanco Y Negro.

SONG OF THE DAY: Samuele Sartini and Peyton – “You Got to Release”

Why isn’t Peyton a global superstar? The incredible soul singer got his start singing in the church before finding his way to London and his place in the dance music world. His debut single “A Higher Place” was the first of many soulful house records that he wrote which have been loved in clubs around the world. His new single, “You Got To Release” with Samuele Sartini, continues his solid track record with an uplifting message of self-actualized growth over an energetic groove. The production is especially solid, with the track growing in intensity and the chorus unleashing such power that hands will definitely rise in the air on any dance floor. Samuele Sartini is no stranger to great vocal production – he’s the guy behind “The Love You Seek,” the vocals sung by Amanda Wilson which was mashed up with and helped lift “Bromance” by Tim Berg (Avicii) to become the international hit it was. As good as the song is, we question how much the ‘clean your room to have a better life’ themed video fits? Although the clip would work great as a TV ad for super strong doublestick titty tape.


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