Saturday, October 29, 2016

Karyn White - Karyn White (Re-release)

On December 2, Big Break Records will release a reissue of Karyn White's eponymous 1988 album, remastered and expanded with loads of bonus tracks and remixes. The L.A. Reid produced album includes the singles "Secret Rendezvous", "The Way You Love Me", "Superwoman", "Love Saw It" and "Slow Down". The reissue also includes her collaborations with Babyface, Jeff Lorber and Michael Jeffries.

If you like R&B artists such as Paula Abdul, Pebbles and Nia Peeples, this superb album is perfect for you. Pre-order your copy now from Amazon UK or Cherry Pop.

"Karyn White" tracklist - CD 1:

1. The Way You Love Me
2. Secret Rendezvous
3. Slow Down
4. Superwoman
5. Family Man
6. Love Saw It
7. Don't Mess With Me
8. Tell Me Tomorrow
9. One Wish
10. Love On The Line
11. Language Of Love
12. Facts Of Love
13. True Confessions
14. Back In Love
15. Not Thru Being With You
16. The Way You Love Me (12" Hype Remix)

"Karyn White" tracklist - CD 2:

1. Facts Of Love (Actuality Mix)
2. True Confessions (The Left Bank Mix)
3. The Way You Love Me (12" Club Mix)
4. Secret Rendezvous (Extended Remix)
5. Superwoman (Long Version)
6. Not Thru Being With You (The Club Fire Mix)
7. Facts Of Love (Passion Mix)
8. The Way You Love Me (Paul Simpson Remix)
9. Secret Rendezvous (12" White House Remix)
10. Facts Of Love (Fact #1)
11. The Way You Love Me (New York Groove Edit)
12. Secret Rendezvous (Secret Drive-Time Radio Edit)

Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Collection - New TV period drama

I'm a huge fan of period drama series – or period soaps as I like to call them – such as "Downton Abbey", "Mr Selfridge" and "Upstairs, Downstairs". I recently started watching "The Collection" – a TV series set in a Paris fashion house during the nineteen-forties – and I'm already hooked. The series is a must for fans of period dramas or soaps in general.

My favourite character so far is the gay designer Claude, played by the charming Tom Riley. The producers of "Pretty Little Liars" and "Desperate Housewives" are involved, so you can expect a first class drama. I really hope that this amazing series will get a second season.

Season one is available on Amazon Prime, so check it out!

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Dead Or Alive's Pete Burns has died

I was in the studio last night when I heard the sad news of Dead Or Alive front figure Pete Burns' passing. He died on October 23 from a massive cardiac arrest, only fifty-seven years old. I still can't believe it. I will always love Pete's iconic look, personality and of course the amazing music of Dead Or Alive, best known for their 1985 hit single "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)". But that song was just one of many masterpieces in their music catalog.

Pete died just a few days before the release of the box set "Sophisticated Boom Box MMXVI" so he won't be able to see his fans enjoy this long-awaited gem. The world has lost a fabulous artist who has done so much for the music industry and the LGBT community. But he will surely live on through his wonderful music.

Rest in peace, Pete. You will always be our "special star".

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Lady Gaga's Joanne disappointed me

I have received many questions from people asking me what I think of Lady Gaga's new album "Joanne", so I decided to blog about it. Don't hate me but I'm quite disappointed in it. I'm not saying the songs are bad, there are a couple of growers on it, but her new "mature" sound leaves me cold. I absolutely loved her dance-pop albums "The Fame", "The Fame Monster", "Born This Way" and "Artpop" so my expectations were high. But before you start calling me narrow-minded and accuse me of having "bad taste", please read the entire post.

As much as I love Lady Gaga's voice and her personality, I miss that electronic production. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for artists following their hearts and doing the kind of music they want. It's just not for me. But I respect her wish to do something different and I'm glad for the fans who like this style. Each to their own.

I'm not trying to piss off those who like the album and I won't accept people calling me a "bad fan" because of this. To me, being a fan doesn't mean that you automatically have to love every single thing an artist does. Hopefully there will be some cool remixes of the tracks that I will enjoy more. If not, I'll just stick with her earlier releases.

Unlike some people, I don't care about critics at all. I know many of them didn't like "Artpop", but to me it was an amazing album for fans of electronic pop music. It had the strong melodies and interesting lyrics that Gaga is known for, but with the essential electronic sound. I know that to some people, electronic music isn't as "deep" as other genres, but I couldn't disagree more.

I know what I like and I won't start listening to country, rock or indie music just because some people think it's deeper. There is no right or wrong when it comes to music, just different tastes. Peace out.

This is the Lady Gaga I love:

Monday, October 10, 2016

Jaki Graham - The Studio Albums: 1985-1998

Today, the Jaki Graham box set "The Studio Albums: 1985-1998" arrived in the mail. It's really nice, including her albums "Heaven Knows" (1985), "Break Away" (1986), "From Now On" (1989), "Real Life" (1994), "Hold On" (1995), "Rhythm Of Life" (1996) and "My Life" (1998), digitally remastered. The only bad thing is that they don't have any bonus tracks, but let's hope for a remix compilation or something in the near future.

Get your copy now from Amazon UK or Amazon US.

Friday, October 07, 2016

Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Yazz - Wanted (Re-release)

House and dance-pop singer Yazz is perhaps best known for her 1988 hit "The Only Way Is Up". On November 25, Cherry Pop Records will release a remastered and expanded reissue of her album "Wanted", also including the cool singles "Stand Up For You Love Rights", "Fine Time" and "Where Has All The Love Gone".

The reissue will be a three disc deluxe edition, filled with bonus tracks and remixes, a must for every fan of eighties dance music. Pre-order your copy now from Amazon UK or Cherry Red Records.

"Wanted" tracklist - CD 1:

1. The Only Way Is Up
2. Where Has All The Love Gone?
3. Got To Share
4. Fine Time
5. Stand Up For Your Love Rights
6. Wanted On The Floor
7. Something Special
8. Systematic People
9. Turn It Up
10. The Only Way Is Up (7" Version)
11. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (7" Version)
12. Fine Time (7" Version)
13. Where Has All The Love Gone? (7" Version)
14. Bad House Music
15. Treat Me Good
16. I Want Your Love
17. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (U.S. Remix)
18. Dream (Juan Atkins Remix)

"Wanted" tracklist - CD 2:

1. The Only Way Is Up (12" Version)
2. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (12" Version)
3. Fine Time (12" Version)
4. Where Has All The Love Gone? (Ghetto Mix)
5. Treat Me Good (Extended Version)
6. Bad House Music (12" Version)
7. The Only Way Is Up (The Bam Bam Remix)
8. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (The Stadium Disco Mix)
9. Fine Time (Sound Iration Mix)
10. Where Has All The Love Gone? (U.S. Extended Remix)
11. Got To Share (U.S. Extended Remix)
12. Yazz Megamix (Version Single)

"Wanted" tracklist - CD 3:

1. The Only Way Is Up (Remix)
2. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (U.S. Extended Remix)
3. Wanted On The Floor (Remix)
4. Where Has All The Love Gone? (Remix)
5. Treat Me Good (Three Amigos Mix)
6. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (12" Y'azzid Mix!)
7. The Only Way Is Up (The Up Up Up Mix)
8. Treat Me Good (Open Heart Mix)
9. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (She's Crazy Mix)
10. Treatment
11. Stand Up For Your Love Rights (What It Is! Mix)
12. Yazz Megamix (Version Maxi)

Saturday, October 01, 2016

New Dynasty reboot coming soon

Wow! I almost died a little. There have been rumours of a reboot of the fabulous eighties soap "Dynasty" for ages, but it has been quiet lately, so imagine my surprise when I read that it's seems like it's finally happening. According to E! and the Hollywood Reporter, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage – the people behind teen soaps "Gossip Girl" and "The O.C." – are teaming up with the original creators Esther and Richard Shapiro to bring back one of the best soaps ever to The CW.

I am all for reboots, as long as some of the old actors get to make cameo roles. I would especially love to see soap queens Joan Collins, Linda Evans and Heather Locklear show up somehow, even if they won't play their old characters. Maybe the reboot format will make it impossible for them to return as Alexis, Krystle and Sammy Jo.

The only thing that worries me is that the "Melrose Place" and "Dallas" reboots got cancelled so soon. But let's hope this one does better. I mean, it's "Dynasty" for God's sake.