Live Performance: Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers/Love At First Sight (Friday Night with Jonathan Ross)

Another simply-staged yet sophisticated performance of All The Lovers and  her global smash hit Love At First Sight this time over on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. Do check out her back up singer's outfit -- tagodosh! of course Kylie's wearing something suitable for her age, figure and image -- it's just divine. A tube-style dress with a long train and some glittery silver skirt. Love how she and her back-up singers serenaded Jonathan.

This clip only shows All The Lovers in HD:

And here's the interview portion:

Part One

Part Two

Jonathan Ross was hilarious and you can really see that both Kylie and Jonathan have developed such rapport in over decades of interviewing Kylie.

Your thoughts people --

Album Review: Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite

Kylie Minogue's 11th studio album Aphrodite was leaked today, 25 June 2010, a few days before its physical and digital release. I tried so hard to resist downloading it -- tried really hard. Anyway, it's the same thing. I get to hear the tracks earlier and still will get my hands on the physical copies starting with the JP edition, then the bonus DVD edition (UK/AU) and later on the re-releases, if any.

Aphrodite surpasses my expectation and I say this not because I adore Kylie and her music but it really is one of her best works yet, if not the best. The songs may seem to sound the same but I think the idea is that all songs unite and constellate to form one meaning and feeling -- euphoria. The album is filled with synths, a bit of electro, a sense of trance, feels like I'm playing an 80s video game or something. They were right, this could be a great soundtrack to an Atari or Family Computer game.  The synths just make me go crazy and the sequencing of the songs were so harmoniously done it is in one cohesive melody describing Kylie as Aphrodite, her dance floor roots and why her career has such longevity. It can't be anymore perfect. Stuart Price indeed did a great job. Like what I always say about the album just after hearing the Aphrodite mini-megamix, the album is so synthful - I just can't get enough and it makes me want to have more, more, more.

This is my personal story and experience of Aphrodite: All The Lovers is this great welcoming committee giving a good feel of what the experience will be like and as the ride progress you'd make your way to the dance floor screaming Get Outta My Way smiling and you'd You Put Your Hands Up while you groove and peak. Once you've reached euphoria you'd hold everyone around you Closer and you'd see that Everything Is Beautiful. After which you'd be feeling fierce & mighty like Aphrodite; wish this Illusion were a reality and see that the future is going to be Better Than Today. Now you're having Too Much to take -- you meet Cupid Boy and realise that there is  no need to be Looking For An Angel as you've already found one. Just right before the cosmic journey ends you simply just Can't Beat The Feeling of such rush that makes you end up wanting more.

Noteworthy tracks are: All The Lovers, Get Outta My Way, Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love), Closer, Everything Is Beautiful, Cupid Boy, Looking For An Angel, Can't Beat The Feeling, Heartstrings

Track list:

01. All The Lovers

02. Get Outta My Way

03. Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)

04. Closer

05. Everything Is Beautiful

06. Aphrodite

07. Illusion

08. Better Than Today

09. Too Much

10. Cupid Boy

11. Looking For An Angel

12. Can't Beat The Feeling

13. Heartstrings [JP Edition Bonus track]

13. Mighty Rivers [iTunes Bonus track]

13. Go Hard Or Go Home [Amazon Bonus track]

Ryan Brockington's insights of the album which was published online via Pop Wrap - NY Post

 

Kylie invokes polar opposite feelings that compliment each other in that weird salty and sweet way.

 

Amy Schriefer's take on Aphrodite and Kylie's career in the US published online via NPR-music

















With the World Cup dominating the sport airwaves, a Kylie analogy comes into mind: Kylie Minogue is like football -- worshiped everywhere in the world except the U.S.


Let me know your thoughts -- 

Official Video: Armin van Buuren - Full Focus

Armin's new single off his upcoming artist album "Mirage"

As intro'd by AvB himself, this video clip was taken off ASOT 450 in Wroclaw. I think the single Full Focus is a not so typical AvB track as it is purely instrumental. But I believe it gives a good sense on how Mirage would be like. Mirage will be out by 10 September 2010

While we wait, check this clip out and let me know what you think.

Album Review: Markus Schulz - Do You Dream

Schulz's 3rd artist album is filled with progressive electro-trance mash up. Perfect summer party anthem. Progression was the catalyst; Do You Dream marks the spot for Markus' career in this genre.

Do You Dream will take you to another world -- a world of Surreal, Alpha State of euphoria, transcending through the thumping bass lines and gushing mixture of electro-synths. Now you can Fly To Colours high Far From Reality, get Lifted and be carried Away, Away, Away... And when you wake up you will Not Be The Same.

Track list:

1. Markus Schulz - Alpha State

2. Markus Schulz feat. Sir Adrian - Away

3. Markus Schulz - Rain

4. Markus Schulz feat. Khaz - Dark Heart Waiting

5. Markus Schulz feat. Jennifer Rene - Not The Same

6. Markus Schulz - Do You Dream (Uplifting Vocal Mix)

7. Markus Schulz feat. Khaz - Last Man Standing

8. Markus Schulz feat. Ana Criado - Surreal

9. Markus Schulz feat. Susana - Unsaid

10.Markus Schulz feat. Angelique Bergere - Lifted

11.Markus Schulz feat. Justine Suissa - Perception

12.Markus Schulz - The New World

13.Markus Schulz feat. Angelique Bergere - Lightwave

14.Markus Schulz - 65.4 Hz

15.Markus Schulz - What Could Have Been

16.Markus Schulz with Max Graham feat. Jessica Riddle - Goodbye

Noteworthy tracks: Away, Rain, Never The Same, Do You Dream, Dark Heart Waiting, Perception, Surreal, The New World, Lighwave, 65.4HZ

Let me know your thoughts --

Republiq VIP Opening (17 June 2010)

It feels just like 5 years ago when Embassy Club first opened in the metro. I also got invited at the VIP launch for the opening by Melissa, a clubbing friend who was once a happening girl when she was still based in Manila. Last night, 17th of June, a good friend of mine John Pagaduan has managed to score us some invites for the VIP opening of Republiq Club. A venue where the who's who's in the metro converge into one party crowd.

Republiq's location is very accessible and convenient -- inside the new and bustling Newport City that is just in front of NAIA terminal 3. It is housed inside the newly-built Resorts World mall of which facade and interiors reflects the type of people it caters to.

The dress code was strictly formal -- suit for the gents; long dress for the ladies. We did wear suits -- stylish ones. A friend even had custom-tailored one for him, two of them bought from a reputably-stylish retail outlet and as for me, I donned my Thiery Mugler velvet meets corduroy Burgundy-ish suit I got in Hong Kong a couple of years back (does that make it vintage? lol)

It was great seeing friendly & familiar faces from the community as well as meeting new and fantastic people from different industries. 

Highlights include DJ Funk Avy's set, performance of Jet Pangan and Chico and Tim Yap's toast to a new REPUBLIQ.
 

It was definitely a night of excess. And mind you it was a Thursday night. 

 

Photos courtesy of Jason Tomas -- thanks heaps!

Kylie Minogue - Go Hard Or Go Home - b-side

With the release of the All The Lovers single (both physical and digital), it produced a b-side Go Hard Or Go Home

This b-side reminds me of Paper Dolls (b-side to Spinning Around - UK single) and Never Spoken (b-side to In Your Eyes - AU single) It must be the guitar strums in the intro. This track is a catchy song that is perfect to complement the feel of All The Lovers.

This is another thing I love about Kylie -- she always have a little something extra i.e. b-sides so it makes it really worth buying and collecting the singles. Unlike other artists who just squeeze in some album tracks in the cd or some worthless remix.

Anyway, do check the b-side out.



What do you think?

Official Video: Robyn - Dancing On My Own

The first time I heard this song I thought it was from the Sugababes. But alas, it's Robyn! After approx of 13 years since Show Me Love (the last song from her that probably most of my generation would recall) and 3ish years after With Every Heartbeat, I finally like another Robyn song.

Don't we also have those instances where we spot someone that we like at a club realise they are simply not into us and instead hitting on someone else. And despite all our efforts to get noticed, we're never good enough. This is the feeling that the song depicts. Robyn herself mentioned in an interview that the song was actually inspired by sad, gay disco anthems.

On the video, age is evident. She is making this weird dance movements but it looks like she's having a seizure. Then again that's how Robyn dance even on live performances

I decided to put this video up as I was talking to my BFF earlier and he mentioned this is how he felt last Saturday when he seemingly got rejected by a guy he likes.

One thing that baffles me about the lyrics, if you listen carefully, Robyn seems to sing it like: I'm giving it my all but I'm not the guy you're taking home. Is it just me or probably her Swedish accent or is she really saying guy in reference to herself?

Here's the vid. Typical club scene in slow-mo to be in synch with the rhythm of the song. =) Some of the club mixes are a killer though. 

What do you think?

Live Performance: Christina Aguilera - Bionic Medley (MTV Movie Awards 2010)

E! TV caught Xtina on the red carpet of MTV Movie Awards 2010 wearing a Donnatella Versace couture. In her interview, she expressed about how excited she is for the album premiere of Bionic, her live performance on MMA that she had put together for her fans and a bit of advice for Rob Pattinson (which she mentioned that she was looking forward to see that night)

Here's that E! clip

Another red carpet clip courtesy of Access Hollywood. In the interview Christina talks about how comfortable that Versace couture she was wearing and the hot Xtina knucle rings she had on. She also gives a brief description of how the performance she gave would be like, that she is channelling her alter-ego Xtina. She also mentions a few de-ets on her debut movie Burlesque.

While after that short clip from the red carpet where Xtina mentioned how excited she is to put on a show for her fans and even concocted a medley for MMA 2010 live performance, I now give you the performance clip. She sang the first 3 tracks off her new album Bionic. It includes the title track Bionic, the first single Not Myself Tonight and the second single (minus Nicki Balaj) Woohoo. 

The intro was majestic! I love the Iron Man-inspired gloves (and it actually glows). Her hairdo ( and somehow her leotard get-up) reminds me of Rihanna, but I must say Xtina dons it better and of course the ever makulit glowing heart lights on her hooch. Vocal-wise, I think she nailed this one. Clean, smooth and seems that it wants to break free from so much restraint just to get the feel of the song. She always throws a good performance for MMA (just like how she did it with Ain't No Other Man back in MMA 2006)

Here's the clip. Enjoy it as much as I did --

Check out her MTV Movie Awards 2010 Live Performance

Your thoughts?

Live Performance: Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers (Germany's Next Top Model)

Kylie once again mesmerizes a huge group of live audience, this time at the Germany's Next Top Model. Seems like a grand ramp night or something (and I've verified that it was). Kylie looks so ever gorgeous with her (designer to be cited later) see-through cape-esque wear revealing a sexy body underneath covered with some sort of similar to what she's wearing on the ATL video. I am lost with words so I give you the video of the performance. Enjoy.

PS: Love the eye shadow!

Your thoughts???

A State of Trance -- Episode 460 -- Live from SoDo Showbox, Seattle

Take a Step Into The State of Trance

Live track list

(thanks to @ASOTradio for the updates)

01. Gaia - Aisha (Intro Mix)
02. Faithless - Not Going Home (Armin van Buuren Remix)
03. James Horner with Leona Lewis - I See You (Cosmic Gate Remix)
04. Reverse - Absolute Reality (Arty remix)
05. Mat Zo - Near The End
06. Rank 1 vs. Jochen Miller - The Great Escape with Yuri Kane - Right Back (Acapella)
07. Yenn - Monzen (Stoneface & Terminal remix)
08. Ali Wilson - Pandora
09. Ali Wilson vs. Armin van Buuren feat. Jacqueline Govaert - Never Say Shakedown (Armin van Buuren mashup)
10. Sied van Riel &  Radion 6 - Radiator
11. Gaia - Tuvan (Original Mix)
12. Jochen Miller - Humanoid
13. Sophie Sugar vs. Sunlounger feat. Zara - Lost together (Armin van Buuren mashup)
14. Anton Firtich presents AF Project - Something Wrong
15. Wezz Devall - Free My Willy
16. Giuseppe Ottaviani feat. Faith - Angel (Club Mix)
17. Max Graham - Sun In The Winter (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)
18. Sebastian brandt - 450
19. Arctic Moon - True Romance (Original Mix)
20. Ummet Ozcan Next Phase (Phase 2 Mix)
21. Cirez D vs. Armin van Buuren feat. Sharon den Adel - On off of love (Armin van Buuren mashup)
22. Dustin Zahn - Stranger To Stability (Len Faki Podium Mix)

Global DJ Broadcast (10-June-2010) -- World Tour Live in Moscow 2010

Listen to Global DJ Broadcast

For today's GDJB, Markus Schulz presents his Moscow set from GDJB World Tour 2010. Most tracks didn't have vocals in it. The classic sounds of the drum & bass entangled with the electro-synths made me so envious to the people in Moscow who were present during the live tour. Markus included some of his  new material from his upcoming Do You Dream artist album and previous works as well as some very classic trance-y choooons and #trancefamily anthems!

I hope the GDJB tour will have an Asian leg and would be great if they can stop over in Manila as part of the leg.

Live track list

(thanks to @cubetrance for the updates)

01. Swedish House Mafia vs. Wippenberg -- One Chakalaka (Markus Schulz Mashup)

Coming Choon!

02. Markus Schulz Featuring Justine Suissa -- Perception (Vocal Mix)

03. Scott Mac -- Damager 02 (Mac Zimms Remix)

04. Skytech -- Cardboard Box (Ummet Ozcan Remix)

05. Markus Schulz -- What Could Have Been (Club Mix)

Coming Choon!

06. Tenishia Featuring Jan Johnston -- Flesh 2010

07. Lentos -- Forget About Us (Barnes & Heatcliff Remix)

08. ID (Track 08 from ASOT 450 Wroclaw Set)

09. Jochen Miller -- Humanoid

10. Markus Schulz -- Rain

11. Gaia -- Aisha

12. Markus Schulz Featuring Jennifer Rene -- Not The Same
13. Artento Divini -- Who’s Next (Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction)
14. Paul van Dyk Featuring Johnny McDaid -- Home (Cosmic Gate Remix / Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction)
15. Meck Featuring Dino -- Feels Like a Prayer (Michael Woods Remix)
16. M6 -- The Flow (Skytech Remix / Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction)
17. Rex Mundi -- Opera of Northern Ocean (Phynn Remix)
18. Artento Divini -- Griffin
19. Markus Schulz Featuring Dauby -- Perfect (Agnelli & Nelson Remix / Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction)20. Markus Schulz - Do You Dream (Uplifting Vocal Mix)
21. ID -- ID
22. Mark Junior -- Natural (Aaron Camz Remix)
23. Statica -- Deadly Nightshade (Phynn Remix)

Corsten's Countdown 154

Listen to Corsten's Coundown

Live track list

(thanks to @cubetrance for the update)

01. System F – Lost In Motion (Peter Santos Remix)
Coming Choon!
02. Nic Chagall vs Rank1 vs Wippenberg – 100
03. Adrian Lux – Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B. Remode)
04. Airwave pres Lolo -- Myla’s Theme (Oldskool Mix)
05. Simons & Blanc – Whatever It Take
06. Mike Shiver vs Fandy – Sique (Ronski Speed Remix)
07. Svenson & Gielen – The Beauty Of Silence (W&W vs Jonas Stenberg Remix)
08. Solarstone vs Orkidea -- Zeitgeist
Coming Choon!
09. Yuri Kane -- Whirlpool
10. BT -- Forget Me (Mr Sam Remix)

Not Myself Tonight vs. Alejandro

(caveat: I am not siding with any artist as I am fan of both)

This is just something playing in my thoughts and I couldn't help but write it down even if it's wee hours.

Here are the common elements present on both videos

 

Not Myself Tonight 

Madonna's Express Yourself

Madonna's Human Nature

Madonna's Like A Prayer (where Madonna runs through a door exiting a church)

George Michael's Freedom

dominatrix; bisexuality; strong sexual content

(getting it on with a female)

(getting it on with a male)

Alejandro

Madonna's Express Yourself 

Madonna's Like A Prayer 

Erotica/Justify My Love (inspired by Blonde Ambition masturbation in bed scene)

Vogue

(GaGa has some armalights in lieu of the cones from Madonna's Vogue)

Janet's Rhythm Nation 1814 (the choric thumping/dancing of the male dancers + GaGa)

Kylie's FEVER2002 (Men in heels and fishnet skins)

See Kylie's FEVER2002 men in heels and fishnet skins

strong sexual content

apprent blasphemy on Catholic symbols (a priestess robe similar to the Pope of the Catholic Church)

 

(priestess being the sexual attraction of the males)

(GaGa in a num/priestess outfit swallowed the Holy Rosary)

Your thoughts please --

Official Video: Lady Gaga - Alejandro

I like the Alejandro video. Just LIKE. I'll tell you why shortly. Watch it and let me know what you think --

It's like Madonna late 80s + early 90s vids all compiled in one video: Vogue; Like A Prayer; Erotica; Express Yourself

The men in heels was done by Kylie on her KYLIEFEVER2002 tour:

I think GaGa got what she's aiming for -- to show that she can portray Madonna better. Anyone you have in mind? Perhaps Xtina?




Hmmm... Maybe... Could be... Then again, it might just be me. =)

Hop in to my next post for a video comparison.

Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite Mini-Mix (Aphromix)

Aphrodite minimix is up! Kylie said we'll hear it soon! And she was riiiiiight. Can't wait to get my hands on the Aphrodite record. But this mix will make do for now.

Kylie’s new album Aphrodite is just one month from its release, however Japanese fans will be the 1st ones to have it. To promote her new album Minogue made her appearance at Splash nightclub in New York (Splash premiere of Aphrodite mini-megamix) where she premiered a mix of several tracks from her new production. Tracklist: Get Outta My Way, Cupid Boy, Can’t Beet the Feeling, Too Much, Put Your Hands Up and Aphrodite.

In other news from Kylie, she recorded a Spanish version for All the Lovers entitled Los Amores and is supposed to release soon.

The Aphrodite Megamix features 6 new tracks from her new album, approx 1:30 of each one. Some people were talking that it would be a Confessions by Kylie, but they’re totally wrong, it gets a different orientation, more euphoric but with same quality in productions. Well guys here goes a taste from Aphrodite, hope you all like the songs as much as I did.

Kylie Minogue - Aphromix (mixed by Paul Harris) 

Get Outta My Way | Cupid Boy | Can't Beat the Feeling | Too Much | Put Your Hands Up | Aphrodite

 

By the sound of it: Cupid Boy & Can't Beat The Feeling are a future favourite. However, these sampling that I heard -- I LOVE every bit of it. Stuart Price may have really done a good job in the sequencing and mixing of the Aphrodite tracks.

What do you think? Your thoughts please --

Album Review: Christina Aguilera - Bionic

Bionic -- Christina Aguilera's 4th English studio album lands in the US and the rest of the world today, 08 June 2010. (07 June 2010 in the Philippines)

I would recommend to listen to the whole album repetitively as it took me a couple of listens to Not Myself Tonight and Woohoo before I was able to completely appreciate both songs. That is what I am doing now. But as of yet, I'd say that Stripped is still the best. Operative words -- as of yet.

Now after three weeks of continuously listening to the album, here's my 2 cents worth:
Due to the delays and variety of producers and collaborations that Christina made, I feel like Bionic's tracks were all great and too diverse that it overshadows each tracks. This is what happens when you mix too many colours - it becomes black. Although the creativity is very much visible in the project, I can't help but feel the pressure that Christina is dictated by the business side of the industry. Don't get me wrong though, I like and appreciate most of the tracks. But because of just too much elements, it tends to contradict one another and that harmony to give the feel of Bionic is grayed out, if not lost. If Christina did want to sound futuristic, she could have left the power ballads for b-sides or re-releases and stuck with the electro-pumped  tribal-bass  rich tracks like Bionic, Elastic Love and Not Myself Tonight. The deluxe edition does contain kick-ass tracks like the ditsy Bobblehead (which I can't help but laugh everyt ime I hear the dumb blonde ditch) and the mid-tempo electro track Birds of Prey. I don't blame Christina though for putting her class A ballads like You Lost Me, Stronger Than Ever, I Am (which reminds me of a Bjork song Hyper-ballad) and Lift Me Up. But if consistency she wanted they could have sequenced the album in such a way it does not negate that Bionic feel -- futuristic, mechanical.


Bionic title track is an instant hit for me -- it has Santogold/M.I.A. written all over it. No doubt because she's collaborated with Santogold and a couple of other peeps for this track along with Monday Morning, Bobblehead and Elastic Love which should have been the main sound of Bionic. Not Myself Tonight is a very powerful, influential, liberating song (too bad the video pulled its value down). Lift Me Up's rhythm really does inspire hope. Birds of Prey is a collab with one of UK's underground band Ladytron and I just have one word for it -- brilliant! You Lost Me reminds me a lot of Beyoncé's Resentment from her B'Day album. Morning Dessert/Sex For Breakfast is great as well -- kinship between Janet's Twenty Foreplay and Christina's own Loving Me 4 Me. Other cute tracks like My Girls, Vanity and as mentioned earlier - Bobblehead.  I find most Tricky Stewart-produced songs like Glam and Primma Donna rather disappointing except for Desnudate. I must say that Christina's vocals were very much diverisifed, flexible and it morphs in accordance to the song's feel but when the ballads are up the real powerful soulful voice of a white girl dominates and there's no question why she has been labeled as the best voice of her generation.

(above photo courtesy of JM Ballaran)


Track list:

1. Bionic     
2. Not Myself Tonight
3. Woohoo (featuring Nicki Minaj) 

4. Elastic Love
5. Desnudate
6. Love & Glamour (Intro)
7. Glam
8. Prima Donna
9. Morning Dessert (Intro)
10. Sex for Breakfast
11. Lift Me Up
12. My Heart (Intro)
13. All I Need
14. I Am
15. You Lost Me
16. I Hate Boys
17. My Girls (featuring Peaches)
18. Vanity
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
19. Monday Morning

20. Bobblehead
21. Birds of Prey 

22. Stronger than Ever

23. I Am (Stripped)
24. Little Dreamer" (iTunes only)

Noteworthy tracks: Bionic; Not Myself Tonight; Elastic Love; Morning Dessert/Sex for Breakfast; Vanity; I Hate Boys; Monday Morning; Bobblehead; Birds of Prey; I Am; Lift Me Up; You Lost Me; Stronger Than Ever; Little Dreamer

Trance Around The World - Episode 323

Another fantastic set from Above & Beyond.

Listen to TATW #323

Live track list

(thanks heaps to @cubetrance for the update)

1. Arty "Rush" [Dan Stone Remix] (Anjunabeats)
2. Temple One "Autumn Leaves" [Dub] (Enhanced)
3. Alex M.O.R.P.H. "Sunset Boulevard" [Daniel Kandi Remix] (Vandit)
Record Of The Week
4. Above & Beyond vs. Kyau & Albert "Anphonic" (Anjunabeats)
5. Rank 1, Nic Chagall & Wippenberg "One Hundred" (High Contrast)
6. Anhken & Saav "Calyon" (Fraction)
7. Arty "Hope" [Tech Mix] (Flashover)
8. Mason "You Are Not Alone” (Animal Language)
9. Mike Shiver vs. Fandy "Sique" (Captured)
10. Lost Connection "Velvet Night" (Timeline)
Web Vote Winner
11. 7 Skies & Kiholm "Lost & Found" (Enhanced)
12. Nitrous Oxide "Dreamcatcher" [Stoneface & Terminal Remix] (Anjunabeats)
13. Samuel Jason "Morning Sun" [MLV Remix] (Captured Music)
14. Mike Danis "Inner Beauty" [Angel Ace Remix] (Harmonic Breeze)
Mark Eteson Guest Mix
1. Hayley Parsons "A Man Named Thomas" (Whitelabel)
2. Ben Nicky feat. Linnea Schossow "Tears" (Whitelabel)
3. Mark Eteson "Blackboard" (Garuda)
4. Masoud feat. Laurie "Blinded" [Sebastian Brandt Remix] (Levare)
5. Shogun "Nowhere To Run" (Monster Tunes)
6. Mark Eteson & Ben Nicky "Altitude" [Short Edit] (Vandit)