Great news, eighties lovers: On August 30, Cherry Pop Records are releasing a box set of British pop duo Mel & Kim's seven singles released between 1986 and 1990. We get a total of seventy-two remastered tracks, many of them rare or unreleased. This is the perfect companion to the label's 2010 reissue of their only studio album "F.L.M.".
This is a must for fans of Mel & Kim, Stock Aitken Waterman and PWL. Pre-order your copy from Amazon UK, Amazon DE or directly from Cherry Pop (the latter store includes bonus postcards).
"Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)" tracklist:
1. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)
2. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (House Mix)
3. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (Extended Version)
4. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (The Mortgage Mix)
5. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (The Freehold Mix)
6. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (Edit)
7. System (Garage Vocal)
8. System (12" House Mix)
9. System (Alternative Mix)
10. System (Original 12" Mix)
11. System (U.S. Album Edit)
12. System (Dub)
13. System (Instrumental)
1. F.L.M.
2. F.L.M. (Extended Version)
3. F.L.M. (Club Mix)
4. F.L.M. (Sonic Remix)
5. F.L.M. (Auto Mix)
6. F.L.M. (Two Grooves Under One Nation Remix)
7. F.L.M. (Two Grooves Dub)
8. F.L.M. (Two Grooves Under One Nation 7" Mix)
9. F.L.M. (Phil Harding Mix)
10. F.L.M. (Beat Boys Mix)
11. F.L.M. (Beat Boys Dub)
12. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)/Respectable (Mega Mix)
"I'm The One Who Really Loves You" tracklist:
1. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Pop Radio 7" Mix)
2. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Hip Hop Radio Mix)
3. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Stardom Groove Club Mix)
4. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Kick 'N Live Mix)
5. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Groove Dub)
6. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Done Properly Dub)
7. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Pop Radio Mix)
8. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Chicago Club Mix)
9. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Chicago Dubstrumental)
10. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Yoyo's 12" Mix)
11. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Original Mix)
12. I'm The One Who Really Loves You (Instrumental)
"That's The Way It Is" tracklist:
1. That's The Way It Is
2. You Changed My Life
3. That's The Way It Is (Extended Version)
4. That's The Way It Is (House Remix)
5. That's The Way It Is (Acid House Remix)
6. That's The Way It Is (Acid Dub)
7. That's The Way It Is (Acid Pop Mix)
8. That's The Way It Is (Original 12" Mix)
9. That's The Way It Is (Original Dub)
10. That's The Way It Is (Instrumental)
11. That's The Way It Is (Acid Pop Instrumental)
12. You Changed My Life (Instrumental)
13. That's The Way It Is (Radio Jingles)
"More Than Words Can Say" tracklist:
1. More Than Words Can Say
2. You Changed My Life (Alternative Mix)
3. More Than Words Can Say (Extended Version)
4. More Than Words Can Say (Instrumental)
"Megamix: Ninety!" tracklist:
1. The Mel & Kim 1990 Mega-Mix
2. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (The Italo House Remix)
3. The Mel & Kim 1990 Mega-Mix (Extended Version)
4. The Mel & Kim 1990 Mega-Mix (Alternative Version)
5. The Mel & Kim 1990 Mega-Mix (Techno Version)
6. Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) (The Italo House 12" Remix)
Me and some friends recently saw Disney's new version of "Aladdin" at the cinema and I really liked it a lot. I found it hard to take my eyes off of the gorgeous Mena Massoud who plays Aladdin. Marwan Kenzari who plays Jafar is really good looking as well. But that's not what this post is about, so let's get serious:
I like that Disney has modernised the story and gotten rid of the Arabian stereotypes from the original. I also like that Jasmine, played by the talented Naomi Scott, is given more of a voice this time around. I totally love the song "Speechless" that she sings as a response to society's demands on her to be seen but not heard. The song is beautiful and empowering, sort of like "Let It Go" from "Frozen".
Check out the video down below and don't forget to support the song on iTunes, Spotify etc.
Keep an eye on my blog label "favourites" to see, hear and read about more of my favourite tracks. You can also subscribe to my favourites playlist on YouTube.
1. Kylie Minogue - New York City
2. Madonna & Maluma - Medellín
3. Bananarama - Intoxicated
4. Mohombi - Hello (Carnival Brain Remix)
5. Bunny X - Disco Pagan Boy
6. Melanie B - For Once In My Life
7. Michael Rice - Bigger Than Us (7th Heaven Radio Edit)
8. Carly Rae Jepsen - Super Natural
9. Erasure - A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot
10. Claire Richards - 7 Billion (Gareth Shortland Trance Radio Mix)
11. Brother Beyond - Can You Keep A Secret? (Miami Mix)
12. Daniela Simmons - If You Don't Want My Body
13. Hilary Roberts - Back To Life
14. Bang - Holding My Heart (7" Remix Edit)
15. Dami Im - Fighting For Love (7th Heaven Remix)
16. Claire Richards - These Wings (Gareth Shortland Radio Mix)
17. Oscar Enestad - Sign Of My Love
18. Pet Shop Boys - On Social Media
19. Erasure - Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)
20. Shirley Murdock - Truth Or Dare
21. First Ladies Of Disco - Don't Stop Me Now (Moto Blanco Radio Edit)
22. Rhonda Clark - Instant Attitude
23. Bang - You're The One
24. Pet Shop Boys - I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
25. Bananarama - I'm On Fire
26. Jussie Smollett - Hurt People
27. Bunny X & Fred Ventura - Words
28. Pet Shop Boys & Kylie Minogue - In Denial
29. Bananarama - Love In Stereo
30. Dandy - Casanova
31. Taio Cruz - Dynamite (Mixin Marc Remix Radio Edit)
32. Dandy - For Your Heart
33. Pet Shop Boys - A Man Could Get Arrested (Bobby Orlando Version)
34. Jussie Smollett - Don't Go
35. Initial Talk & ILY - Loving U (Extended)
This list shows which songs I've listened to the most this month, on my computer and my iPod. A regularly updated list of my all-time favourite songs can be found here.
Oh, how Eurovision fans can go overboard sometimes. I unfollowed someone on Twitter for writing stuff like "Europe hates the UK. They just want our money but then they don't vote for us". Another British viewer wrote: "How can San Marino get more points than our song?"
Let me break it down for you. A couple of factors led to the UK doing poorly in this year's competition. Sadly, Michael didn't sing very well live that night. I've heard him sing in other videos and he is normally a brilliant singer, so I am positive that nerves were to blame, NOT Michael.
I thought the song itself was quite good. But the production and the slow tempo made it too boring for my taste and I think most of Europe agreed. And Michael's shaky vocals didn't help. However, had they instead used the "7th Heaven Radio Edit", they might have received more votes. I have been listening to that remix a lot since it was released and it makes the original song so much better.
This is often the case with UK entries, I usually end up listening to the remixed versions more than the originals. So maybe it's time for the UK to start sending more dance-club oriented songs to Eurovision? But that's just what I think.
And remember, this is a competition that shouldn't be taken so seriously. Starting to blame other countries for not voting for you is quite rude. I always say: "There is no right or wrong when it comes to music, just difference tastes."
Support Michael by streaming or buying the remix single on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon etc. I have fixed the tracklist down below since the label messed them up on the digital releases.
"Bigger Than Us (Remixes)" tracklist:
1. Bigger Than Us (7th Heaven Radio Edit)
2. Bigger Than Us (7th Heaven Club Mix)
New in my record collection: First out is "In Stereo" by the fabulous Bananarama. I have listened to it loads and I love it. Can't wait for the next single to come out.
One of my favourite modern artists is the lovely Carly Rae Jespen. She never disappoints and I'm so glad she keeps doing uptempo dance-pop music with an electronic sound instead of going acoustic and "serious" (boring) like many others.
Guess what? She just released her brand new album "Dedicated" and it's great! I hurried and ordered the deluxe edition right away. It includes her singles "Now That I Found You", "Party For One", "Julien" and "Too Much".
Order your copy now, it's available on Amazon UK, Amazon DE, iTunes, Spotify etc. Just make sure you get the deluxe edition to get the bonus tracks.
"Dedicated" tracklist:
1. Julien
2. No Drug Like Me
3. Now That I Found You
4. Want You In My Room
5. Everything He Needs
6. Happy Not Knowing
7. I'll Be Your Girl
8. Too Much
9. The Sound
10. Automatically In Love
11. Feels Right (Feat. Electric Guest)
12. Right Words Wrong Time
13. Real Love
14. For Sure*
15. Party for One*
Songs marked with * are bonus tracks on the deluxe edition.
My big idol Kylie Minogue just released a video for her new song "New York City". Check it out down below. The video was shot during her "Golden" tour and the song was originally a demo made during the "Golden" album sessions, but didn't quite fit the whole country-pop sound. But now it's available on the compilation album "Step Back In Time: The Definitive Collection".
I know what you're thinking: "Yet another best of album?" That's what I thought too, so since I already have all of the other tracks, I bought just "New York City" as a WAV download from Junodownload. The track is also available digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and Google Play.
But if you prefer the physical releases there are many editions to pick from, CD, vinyl and cassette. You can pick your favourite at Amazon or Kylie's official website.
I totally love the sound of "New York City" and the sampling of Mylo's "Drop The Pressure" is so right. I hope the next album by Kylie is a return to modern dance-pop and nu-disco, the genres she does best in my opinion.
I just have to share this cool new single by my friend Vincent International. It's a cover of "He's My Boy", the amazing 1988 track by British eighties icon, my idol Mandy Smith, written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman and mixed by Pete Hammond.
This new cover version is produced by Juan Martinez and has a lovely italo disco sound which suits the song perfectly. You can buy a physical copy from Maxi Music Records. The single is also available on iTunes. Get it now!
"He's My Boy" tracklist:
1. He's My Boy
2. He's My Boy (Extended Mix)
3. He's My Boy (Instrumental)*
4. He's My Boy (Instrumental Extended)*
5. He's My Boy (Acapella)*
Songs marked with * are bonus tracks on the physical edition.
1. Carly Rae Jepsen - Now That I Found You
2. Hazell Dean - Heavenly (Matt Pop Radio Edit)
3. Donna Summer - Love's About To Change My Heart (PWL 7" Mix)
4. Claire Richards - Shame On You (Club Junkies Disco Edit)
5. Erasure - Stop!
6. Phyllis Nelson - I Like You
7. Erasure - Just A Little Love (7th Heaven Radio Edit)
8. Judy La Rose - Voodoo Love
9. Austin Mahone - What About Love
10. Mariah Carey - A No No
11. The Lovers Of Valdaro - Somebody Wants
12. Erasure - Love You To The Sky (Vince Clarke Remix)
13. John Lundvik - All About The Games
14. Donna Summer - It's Only Love
15. D:Ream - Shoot Me With Your Love (Loveland's 7" Pop'd Up Mix)
16. Chris Willis - My Freedom
17. Mashrou' Leila - Cavalry
18. Donna Summer - Melody Of Love (Wanna Be Loved)
19. Nolan Thomas - Jungle Of The Heart
20. Anna Bergendahl - Ashes To Ashes (SoundFactory Radio Edit)
21. Malou Prytz - I Do Me
22. Candi - Lucky Night
23. Lina Hedlund - Victorious
24. Cherrelle - Affair
25. Vincent International - He's My Boy
26. Chris Willis - Too Much In Love (WAWA's Drive Time Radio Edit)
27. Matt Cardle - It's Only Love (7th Heaven Radio Edit)
28. Jermaine Stewart - Dance Floor
29. Michael Jackson - Black Or White (The Clivillés & Cole Radio Mix)
30. John Lundvik - Love Your Body
31. Bang - Holding My Heart (Shep's Club Mix)
32. Donna Summer - This Time I Know It's For Real (Extended Version)
33. Erasure - When I Start to (Break It All Down) (Steve Smart & WestFunk Main Room Mix Edit)
34. Michael Jackson - Remember The Time (Silky Soul 7")
This list shows which songs I've listened to the most this month, on my computer and my iPod. A regularly updated list of my all-time favourite songs can be found here.
I just got these rare Japanese CD's produced by legends such as Shep Pettibone, Jam & Lewis and Pete Hammond of PWL: Reissue of "Between Friends" by Rhonda Clark, "Who Are You With Tonight" by Judy La Rose, "I Like You" by Phyllis Nelson and "Clockwise" by Greek Eurovision duo Bang.
I'm a big fan of pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen and now she's done it again. I have been listening a lot to her latest single "Now That I Found You" and it makes me so happy. It's great that she hasn't changed her signature sound, electronic dance-pop music, because the world needs more fabulous songs like this.
I also love the video for the song as one of my favourite movies, the Audrey Hepburn classic "Breakfast At Tiffany's", is referenced in it. "Now That I Found You" is out on digitally on iTunes, Spotify and more. Stay tuned for news on Carly's upcoming album "Dedicated".
We hope you haven't missed the latest EP by mine and Larry Forsberg's synthpop project Eurotix. It's called "Cold" and includes the title track, a powerful synthpop ballad that was originally written and sent to Melodifestivalen, the pre-selection to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Also included are three brand new tracks for your pleasure: "Coming Back To Life" is a dancable number, while "You're A Ghost" is a throwback to the eighties with lyrics about meating an old bully. Finally, we have "Good Boy" which is a bit different from our usual style. But we love adding at least one quirky track to our EP's, something that probably wouldn't feel at home on an album.
