Skelton - Podcast 002

If 90s house and techno is your scene, then I suggest you give the next 32 minutes of your life over to Oli Skelton because what he's crafted here is rooted in so much nostalgia, you will expect Pepper Mashay and Technotronic to bust up on the scene and start some beef.  This podcast flows exceptionally well from start to finish. It's easy and it's just something that you can easily get into. It's fun and the energy level never drops below banging. I had a great time listening to what he's done here and would really like to hear more of him in a single format. He's clearly talented and I want more of him.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Come With Us

There are underrated artists and then there are artists that don't get the chance they deserve in the United States. Sophie Ellis-Bextor absolutely falls into the latter category. I've been a fan since theaudience days and I think she makes some of the most amazing music that you've never heard. This song is just super chill and she's beautiful in it. It's just a song you can just get lost in. There needs to be so much more Sophie in our American musical diets every day. 

The Shadowboxers - Build the Beat

It doesn't really matter what challenges The Shadowboxers face because it seems they can do almost anything musically. Whether it's tight 3 part harmonies on a heartfelt ballad or a rocking, 80s funk fueled jam; these guys know how to create music that's going to make an impression. There's no secret that I love them as an act. I think they do amazing work and it's good to see them getting the recognition they deserve. I'm glad they are building a legacy for themselves because the music is that good and needs to be heard for years and years to come.

Bright Light Bright Light - Symmetry of Two Hearts (feat. Elton John)

Whether it's the guest vocals from Elton John or the saxophone or the flat out genius that Rod Thomas has, there is no denying that he can do no wrong. The second official video off his latest release, 'Choreography' is a gorgeous song and the video is amazing as well. "Symmetry of Two Hearts" is probably one of the best out and out pop tunes that I've heard in a while. His lyrics are always brilliant. His voice is one of my all time favorites and he's just a phenomenal songwriter and artist.  Not going to talk anymore, going to let the video do it for me. I'll have a full review of 'Choreography' very soon.

Rica Shay - Turn This

You may remember Rica Shay from 'Summertime Realness' by Big Dipper. I was a huge fan of him then and all I can say with this new single is GOD DAMN. This song is FIRE. I haven't heard something hit this hard in a long time and from an openly gay rapper. This is the real deal. His flow is so dumb. He is just spitting shit all over this track and my mouth is just open. This is hyper aggro and it's so fucking great. Post Apocalytic Balls are going to use this for Thunderdome style vogue battles. Not old way or new way but the only way. Rica Shay is killed me and I am dead. I am writing this from the other side as he has brought me back and given me life. That bassline. That flow. Those visuals. The video is hot. He's hot. The whole thing. I can't speak any higher than I have. He's is everything.

Jay Arseno - Shine! (DJ Sean Mac Remix)

You know it takes something damn special for me to post a male lead dance track and this remix is something damn special.  Ran across Jay Arseno on the internet today and felt like I needed more of him. So I stalked him across the web and found all the pertinent sites. He's got an amazing voice. Honesty and integrity come shining through on his less dance-type tracks. There's an unrefined beauty to his voice that makes you want to have him there, in front of you, singing.  Like Doug Baron, you can hear how New Orleans has influenced his art. It's earthy and grounded. It's got all these amazing influences like the Delta and it comes together to form this amazing gumbo of audio genius.

So let's talk about this mix. Jay's voice is punctuated with the amazing beat that just throbs and pulses through you. It will make you get up and move your ass.  And the lyrical content is amazing. It's an actual song opposed to something that just has no meaning. If you actually listen to the lyrics, he has something to say and a point of view. That's not something you get at all in the dance industry. You generally just get cotton candy fluff that's meant to get you moving and there's nothing wrong with that but sometimes it's nice to get a little content out of your EDM.

I went back 4 years to listen to the original mix of the song and it's great too. I think that DJ Sean Mac has done an amazing job of taking a song that was already good and accentuating what makes it good while not trampling on the original vision. He's elevated the song into something bigger than the original while paying tribute to what Jay did to begin with. Both versions of this track are pretty incredible.