Music Fascination

Dan Black is known in the electro/pop scene as a very creative artist with unique vocals and a sound all his own. He has just released his debut album UN in the US with several bonus tracks, including a new version of “Symphonies” featuring Kid Cudi.

The album starts off with the lead single “Symphonies,” a dreamy dose of electro goodness with a catchy chorus that is suitable for either the dancefloor or to chill-out. “Symphonies” uses elements from “Starman” (Nitzsche) as well as a loop from Rihanna’s “Umbrella”.

Although UN is full of well crafted material, “Cigarette Pack” is the stand out track for me. Blacks vocals are full of passion and delicacy. This may be my favorite track this year.

Another great track is “Wonder”, a song that is wonderfully structured and incredibly powerful that will have you reaching for the repeat button. The track “Life Slash Dreams” is another stand out. This song features dream like vocals with a loop that instantly gives it an atmospheric feel that sucks the listener in.

Dan Black has a knack for putting exactly the right sound in at exactly the right spot for any given track. UN is a solid release that manages to fuse electro, synthpop and R&B that demands your attention throughout.

In the albums press release, Black is quoted as saying: “What I do is a hybrid-y thing. I don’t sit down and say, ‘Okay, I am going to write a punk record now.’ Since I like all these disparate things, I try to just make them come together as naturally as possible.” That is exactly what he has achieved with UN. It is very rare for an artist to come along that draws on so many different influences, but still has a sound that is 100% there own. It reminds me that the art of new and original music is not dead.

Track List:

01. Symphonies
02. U + Me =
03. Ecstasy
04. Alone
05. Cocoon
06. Yours
07. Pump My Pumps
08. Wonder
09. Cigarette Pack
10. Life Slash Dreams
11. I Love Life
12. Let Go

Bonus Tracks

13. Symphonies (Featuring Kid Cudi)
14. Poet
15. Karate Kid

Score: 4.5/5
Buy: iTunes
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The Bird and the Bee, the duo of singer Inara George and Grammy nominated producer Greg Kurstin, are releasing Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates on March 23, 2010. Kurstin insists he has always been a fan of Hall & Oats, saying: “There’s definitely no irony. They’re great songwriters and these are great songs.” He adds: “We could’ve gone in completely the opposite direction, and made happy songs sad, but we don’t want to. There’s a certain something about these songs that we love, and we wanted to keep that.”

The album starts off with the only new original song, “Heard It On The Radio”. It is an insanely catchy upbeat pop tune about hearing a song that brings you back to a certain time in your life. George explains that the song was their “try at writing an ‘80s pop song.”

The first Hall & Oats song the duo break down and rebuild from scratch is “I Can’t Go For That”. This is synthpop at its best. Infectious and slightly retro flavored. If this does not get stuck in your head all day, check your headphones.

While the entire album is great, stand out tracks include “Kiss On My List”,“ Rich Girl” and “She’s Gone”. My favorite song in the collection is “One on One”. It is a beautiful ballad that seem to drift along with a melancholy melody that isn’t too shy to flirt with the original.

The overall production of the album is nearly spotless. It’s a faithful tribute to Hall & Oats that is full of soaring choruses and rich harmonies. The material fits The Bird and the Bee like a glove.

Even if your not a fan of Hall & Oats, you will gladly make an exception for this album, simply because the songs are too great to be ignored. With the exception of possibly leaving the listener wanting more, nothing negative can be said about Interpreting The Masters Volume 1.

Album: Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates
Production: Greg Kurstin
Label: Blue Note / EMI
Release Date: March 23, 2010
Score: 5/5
Buy: Amazon (UK)

Stacey first began performing as part of the Ringling Brothers Circus before joining synth pop group SSQ in the early ’80s. After securing a deal with Enigma, the group released Playback in 1983. The album failed to generate attention so Stacey began her solo career.

In 1986, she released her first solo album Better Than Heaven on Atlantic. The album spawned the global hits “Two Of Hearts” and “We Connect.” After several studio albums, Stacey released a greatest hits collection in 1995. The album featured the dance single “Too Hot For Love.”

In 1997, She released Boomerang on ENo Records. The album was a more mature approach that focused on her conversion to Buddhism. Sadly, It failed to bring her back to the top of the charts.

Now, Stacey Q is back with Color Me Cinnamon, her tenth studio album and first full length release in twelve years. After a prelude, The album starts with the lead single “Trip”, a journey back to 80s pure pop topped off by her signature whispery vocals and strong synths. “Trip” manages to get your attention with hints of the past mixed with a modern flair.

Other stand out tracks include the second single “Pandora’s Box”, “The Lion’s Den” and “Masquerade”.

The albums strongest moment comes in “Sade Cafe”, a infectious electro-synthpop track that starts off slow but quickly builds into a seductive dance tune with nice vocals and a catchy bassline. “Sade Cafe” was inspired by the painting “Girl With One Pearl Earring”. Stacey says the song is “about a wealthy socialite living in the south of France who has everything money can buy but nothing she really wants.”

Strong production elevates the majority of the tracks, with waves of synthesizers and drums to complete the albums sound. Each song moves easily into the next, creating a fluid collection that’s easy to get lost in. Color Me Cinnamon manages to sound as current as anything out now as well as staying true to the roots of synth-pop.

Stacey Q proves once again that there’s always a place for cohesive, well-crafted, unapologetic pop music. For more information on Stacey Q, visit her official site.

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Album: Color Me Cinnamon
Production: Stacey Q, Jon St. James
Executive Production: Shawn Winstian, Shane Condo
Label: Hydra Productions
Release Date: February 14, 2010
Score: 4.5/5
Buy: Hydra Productions

Cazwell

I first heard a track by Cazwell when I was listening to a gay oriented dance music station. The song was “I Seen Beyonce”, a song about Beyonce borrowing money to pay for Burger King. I loved it from the first few lines. It was a clever and funny mixture of electronic and Homohop.

Last week, I stumbled on a video Cazwell had posted on Youtube. He was asking for fans not to illegally share his album “Watch My Mouth”. I decided I would buy a copy and see what it was like.

Cazwell describes his music as “ if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer for breakfast.” Needless to say, I was intrigued. The album cover got my attention too. I should not find it hot but I do.

My copy arrived yesterday and I have been listening to it on and off at home. After listening to the album several times I still was not able to tell most of the songs apart. They all seem to rely on the same dated beats and melodies.  He relies on hip hop and electro beats mixed with raunchy lyrics to make his songs memorable, something Lords Of Acid did much better a decade ago.

The title track, “Watch My Mouth” is a complete disaster.  It would not be good enough to feature on a 90s “Jock Jams” album.

There are a few good songs on the album like “Tonight”, which samples “Give Me Tonight” by Shannon.  It is the stand out track on the album. “Gettin’ Over” is another good song with funny lyrics and an infectious beat.

The album features several bonus remixes by Morgan Page, Craig C and several others. The remixes amp up the already club-friendly music.

Cazwell is talented but the material is just not that good. The conclusion that I’ve come to gather is, there are a few good songs in the midst of a very mediocre album. Maybe it should have been cut down to an EP.

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Tracklist:

01. Watch My Mouth
02. Tonight
03. All Over Your Face
04. Get My Money Back featuring Lost Daze
05. I Seen Beyoncé… featuring Jonny Makeup
06. Get Into It starring Amanda Lepore
07. I Buy My Socks On 14th Street
08. The Sex That I Need featuring Avenue D
09. Mission Possible featuring The Ones
10. Limosine featuring Risqué
11. Knocked Out
12. Gettin’ Over

BONUS MIXES:

13. Spin That (interlude)
14. I Buy My Socks On 14th Street (Chris Joss Old School Mix)
15. Tonight (Lost Daze Freestyle Mix)
16. Keep Getting My Money Back (GoodandEvil Mix)
17. Watch My Mouth (Morgan Page Club Mix)
18. All Over Your Face (Greasy Grimy Two Timey Mix)
19. I Seen Beyoncé…(Mixmaster F Hot Tracks Remix)
20. Get Into It Again starring Amanda Lepore (Count De Money Mix) (Online Only)
21. The Sex That I Need (Craig C’s Master Mix) (CD Only)

Album: Watch My Mouth
Label: Peace Bisquit
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Score: 2/5
Buy: Amazon