Album Review: Chicane - Giants

Some names seem to have been there from the very moment I fell in love with dance music. Chicane is one of them. For nearly 15 years, UK producer Nick Bracegirdle has been part of the this dynamic scene, hitting high peaks and journeying to utopia with Offshore, Saltwater, Don't Give Up, Stoned In Love and the more recent Poppiholla and Hiding All The Stars. After three successful artist albums, in 2009 we saw the release of Chicane's 'Best of' album, a prelude to his new one: Giants.

Giants displays that diversity, from the ambient opening track Barefoot to the housey radio-hit Come Back, warm progressive Middledistancerunner in collaboration with Owl City singer Adam Young and enthralling classic interlude called Titles. I feel that Chicane has crossed all boundaries and shows that those 15 years have only made him more creative.

Chicane returns to his signature sound from the 'Far From The Maddening Crowds' era but with a new dose of energy for the crowds, intimate home-listening moments and timeless, gigantic highlights. If you love the Chicane style of that ambient-emo-atmospheric sound, this album is definitely for you. This is his niche and the very same sound why I love Chicane over the years.

This artist album features Poppiholla, Hiding All The Stars and Come Back, which were all supposedly be part of a Re-work EP back in 2009
Album is a must-buy for all ambient/dance lovers out there!

Noteworthy tracks for me are Middledistancerunner, From Where I Stand, What Am I Doing Here part 1, Giants, Titles and of course Come Back and Hiding All The Stars

Track list:

01. Barefoot
02. Middledistancerunner
03. Come Back
04. What Am I Doing Here? Pt. 1
05. Giants
06. Poppiholla (5am)
07. So Far Out To Sea
08. Where Do I Start?
09. From Where I Stand
10. Hiding All The Stars
11. What Am I Doing Here? Pt 2
12. Titles
13. Middledistancerunner (DC Rework Edit)


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Official Video: Usher - DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love

This is the accompanying video for Usher's single DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love featuring Pitbull. 

It shows Usher dancing in a club. Utilizing a bevy of stop-start moves in synch with a synth beat, Usher walks through the club and the crowds of its dancing patrons while singing. Throughout the video, the surrounding dancers are periodically frozen in time or slowed while Usher continues to krump at normal speed. 

This is something that Usher has done before but with the stop-start moves, it gives a great compliment and feel to the song, something new with something old. The choreography was as infectious as the beat. I just hoped Usher's people didn't put Pitbull in the song and video, he's a minus points.

Here's the video.

Your thoughts?

Official Video: Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

As the first single off fifth studio album Loud, Rihanna premiered on MTV the music video for Only Girl (In The World) on 13 Oct. 

The scenes include Rihanna dancing on a hilltop, lying on bed of flowers and dancing around multi-colored balloons. She is even seen riding on a swing that hangs from the sky and then dancing in front of a tree full of blinking lights that adds to the surreal imagery.

The song might really have been the best choice as a lead single as it paves the way for Rihanna's comeback on the dance floor inspired by Europop sounds - this is the vibe it gives for the record as a whole.

The video depicts exactly what the song is about -- light, carefree, no-frills. If someone makes you feel like you're the only girl in the world, this video is the perfect motion picture of that feeling.

Do you agree? Your thoughts please.

Rihanna Gets Loud

According to various sources, Rihanna is set to release her fifth studio album entitled Loud some time November 2010. 

With the sound of Only Girl (In The World), released as the first single off the album, produced by Stargate (Norweigian dance duo responsible for other Rihanna hits like Don't Stop The Music and Rude Boy), it looks like Loud is a departure from Rihanna's darker, edgier sound of Rated R. And I guess it's also safe to say that she might be venturing into the dance-electro side of her genre. Similar to some black artists i.e. Kelly Rowland, Flo-rida, Kelis etc. who all went out of their comfort zone genres and explored the not-so-much-done-before. 

She confirmed on a radio show with Ryan Seacrest that the album is called Loud. Yes it is called LOUD, Rihanna told fans during a live chat. Get LOUD everybody. Get crazy. Get excited. Cuz I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be ME.

I think she made pretty Loud and clear! In a month's time we'll see how Loud this album will impact the music scene

Album Review: Tiësto - Kaleidoscope: Remixed

It's amusing that some editorial description notes Tiësto as "one of the greatest DJ talents of this era," and that "Tiësto continually pushes boundaries with his addictive dance music creations." If this were still true to date, he wouldn't continue to release albums like Kaleidoscope. In Search of Sunrise 7 was the last real trance project that he released, and even by that point he had run such a great series into the ground. 

The original Kaleidoscope album upset a large amount of dance purists last year and dressing up the same tracks with average remixes will do just the same. However, for the Kaleidoscope: Remixed, there are a small amount of tracks on this album that are worthy of a release: Ferry Corsten's remix of Kaleidoscope, Nic Chagalls' remix of Here on Earth, Jonas Stenberg's remix of I Am Strong, and Wolfgang Gartner's remix of I Will Be Here. If First State's remix of Feel It in My Bones were strictly instrumental, it would have been fantastic. But the vocal is so unavoidably dire that it takes away from the production. Sadly enough this doesn't even add up to half the album. Remixes that would have made this project more attractive and truly expressed Tiësto's "addictive dance music creations" are Marcel Woods' remix of Escape Me, Marcus Schossow's remix of Feel It in My Bones, and Andy Dugid's remix of Who Wants To Be Alone (which is a killer). 

For all the doors that Tiësto has opened for dance music since its initial movement I still give him the benefit of the doubt as Kaleidoscope being his first real falter. The question is now that Kaleidoscope has recieved the customary treatment in original and remixed format, what will he do next? Will he reaffirm his legendary status in dance music culture, or drift off into irrelevancy along with some of the has-beens? I hope this is not a foreshadowing. One thing is certain however, with mishaps like this taking place in the dance community, Armin van Buuren continues to show his dominance and proves why the torch has been passed to him as the world's number 1 DJ. His artist album Mirage will definitely crush Kaleidoscope and he is also positioned to break Tiësto's record as the world's number 1 DJ for a fourth time in a row later this year. Time to wake up Tijs! I still believe in you! 

Track list:

01. I Will Be Here (Tiesto Remix)

02. It's Not The Things You Say (Ali Wilson Remix)

03. Who Wants To Be Alone (Pillip D Remix)

04. Louder Than Boom (Bart B More Remix)

05. Escape Me (Avicii Remix)

06. Knock You Out (Mysto And Pizzi Remix)

07. Feel It In My Bones (First State Remix)

08. Kaleidoscope (Ferry Corsten Remix)

09. Here On Earth (Nic Chagali Remix)

10. Surrounded By Light (Extended Tiesto Remix)

11. Always Near (Extended Tiesto Remix)

12. I Am Strong (Jonas Stenberg Remix)

13. Century (Ned Shepard And Sultan Remix)

14. I Will Be Here (Wolfgang Gartner Remix)

15. It's Not The Things You Say (Tiesto Remix)

16. It's Not The Things You Say(Filthy Dukes Remix)

17. Century (TV Rock Remix)

18. Century (Tiesto Remix)

19. Here On Earth (Alex Kunnari Remix)

Share your thoughts please --

Official Video: Markus Schulz - Rain

Found at the epicentre of Las Vegas clubbing is The Palms Casino & Resort, and inside lies a nightclub whose admiration continues to grow week by week. It is a night which now features regularly in Markus' extensive tour schedule, and the legacy of this club continues to grow alongside his own.

Therefore, his next single is aptly named after the club in question, entitled, Rain.

The song and video pays homage to a certain club in Las Vegas -- Rain. Hence, the video was set in Vegas showing some famous landmarks, The Palms Casino & Resort. And group of hot, sexy chicks in convertible on their way to the sin city.

Enjoy the video:

What do you think?

Bigfish presents Innovation White featuring Above & Beyond Anjunabeats Volume 8 World Tour 2010

When I heard a set date for Innovation White, I was like, finally it is happening! After a series of delays and postponement, it finally happened on 01 October 2010. Rumour had it that Dash Berlin or Aly & Fila were the dj pegs for the Innovation White party. To my surprise and thrill, Bigfish had announced that Above & Beyond are spinning. I'd die!!! And I quickly updated my Facebook status and tweet this to my friends and followers. Nothing could have described how excited I was upon hearing this.

In support of their latest project - Anjunabeats Volume 8, the trio embarked on a worldwide tour from Europe to the Americas and some parts of Asia. The Philippines is very much privileged to have been a part of this tour along with Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

Anjunabeats as we know is the record label company formed by the members of Above & Beyond. Anjunabeats Volume 8 contains today's best dance tracks from Kyau & Albert, Mat Zo, Nitrous Oxide and A&B's own Oceanlab which have been mixed by the trio giving these tracks a newer life and meaning.

As the night grew older and moments came closer 'til A&B took the decks, the crowd was so enthusiastic and excited - ready to party! While the preceding DJ built the crowd's momentum and slowly intro'ing the trio, the excitement and energy is unparalleled. 

The crowd validated their state of utopia when Daft Punk's One More Time was played back to back by Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling. 

I couldn't believe it myself! I was actually there dancing to Above & Beyond! They have been my favourite DJs since 2001 and I finally made it at their gig... It was so surreal and I couldn't help but jump, dance and shout in euphoria. 

They played songs that really carried me and made fly - songs like On A Good Day, Lonely Girl, Home, Alone Tonight, For All I Care and many more. This is definitely one of the best dance events I have been to. I can put it alongside Arman van Helden (2000); John Digweed (2001); Paul van Dyk (2005); Tiësto (2006); Armin van Buuren (2007)

The night was a celebration of fun, love and friendship -- my friendship with Jason for over 10 years now, a new level of friendship with people I've known years ago as well as newbord friendships founded that night. It was also great seeing all the party people in the dance community. We are one in trance, it's a place that feels like home. 

As Paul van Dyk's famous trance anthem -- My home is where you are, in every beat, with every beat we're closer

Sharing with you the feel and ambiance of the venue. Photos were taken from my BB, Jason's BB and Allan's camera.

I'm telling you even last Monday, I was still seeing the strobes and laser lights. It was that good people!!

Here are photos of myself together with the people I was with and who I saw at the venue. Photos from my BB, Jason's BB and Allan's camera

 Jason, Marx, Allan

 Jethro, Karl, Marx, Allan

 Mike, Jason, PJ, Marx

Marx, Allan

 Jethro, Jason, Marx

 Mike, PJ & Marx

Marx, PJ

Happy, Ping, Marx, Allan, Jason, Kinsly, Mike

Share your experience too--

Live Performance: Mariah Carey -- LG Live at the SingTel Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2010

Who would have thought Mariah Carey will be back in Asia again. She rarely visits any Asian country (aside from Japan) and it's great that one of our neighbouring countries - Singapore, had the pleasure of having her perform for the recent Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2010. 

Set list for the LG Live at the Singtel Singapore Formula One Grand Prix 2010

01. Butterfly Intro

02. Obsessed

03. Emotions

04. Make It Happen

05. Dreamlover

06. It's Like That

07. One Sweet Day

08. I'll Be There

09. Touch My Body

--  Champagne Speech --

10. Shake It Off

11. My All

12. Always Be My Baby

13. We Belong Together

14. Hero

Carey, who is married to American comedian and TV host Nick Cannon, was in town to close the F1 concerts - which smartly lined up mainstream celebrities like Missy Elliott, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and Sean Kingston to appeal to the mass crowd who turned up at F1.

Carey proved that the formula worked - a crowd of some 35,000 showed up after Sunday's races to catch her performance on the Padang stage.

She opened her 90-minute show with the catchy Obsessed (2009), which is reportedly about rapper Eminem (with whom she was rumoured to have had a little liaison, circa 2001).

Carey, all big hair and sass, then began to play the diva - hilariously so.

"My shoes are killing me," she said, before launching into a debate on whether she should take them off (her assistants eventually helped her with that task).

She asked whether the fan could be moved closer to her.

She asked if someone could bring her water.

"I'm tired, I'm sorry," she giggled.

She would later drink water out of a champagne glass, say that she was "shockingly" pouring water on her own, and collapse on a divan lounger brought out just for her.

It was all theatrics, all playing to the image she has built for herself - a sweet, slightly naive, sometimes-inane little gal who can really, really sing.

The crowd waited for her to catch her breath before she launched into Dreamlover (1993), recorded at a time when much was being made of Carey's five-octave vocal range. She still has it. Her voice peaked, swooped, and made you listen (despite sound problems that had the speakers crackling).

Carey's 11-song set was clever, covering the entire range of her career, from the early hit Emotions (1991), to the moving break-up song Always Be My Baby (1996), and the dancier, more current tracks like It's Like That and Shake It Off (2005).

Carey, who is rumoured to be pregnant (there was an awkward moment in the song Touch My Body, which contains the lyrics "Do you like my curves?" and, well, you could see there was a lot to love), also took a tumble while singing Make It Happen (1992).

She was helped up by her dancers, and her humour was on show again as she told the crowd, "I did that on purpose!" She also took very extended breaks during her show, making one wonder each time if she was coming onstage again.

In the end, as Carey launched into the ever-popular Hero (1993), you realise why people came out in force to see her.

Despite the theatrics, Carey is no joke. She is legend.

Source: AsiaOne

Although rumour has it that she's pregnant, I can't help but think that she is over-sized for a pregnant woman. I'm not hating, I just find it amusing. Who would have thought that the once-photoshopped photo of Mariah

Photo source: random web photos (2005)

will materialise some time 5 years after it came out.... Be the judge.... See for yourself!

Photos courtesy of Chuck Lumanlan (2010)

Here are also some videos I got off Youtube so you can take a peek of what her show was like:






This is really funny, witty and very creative. Mariah trips and falls down, sprains her ankle and still manage to come up with an ad-lib performance while her people worked on the situation.

What can you say?

Album Review: Above & Beyond - Anjunabeats Volume 8

Anjunabeats Volume 8 is the eighth compilation mixed by this trio. The compilation features some of the best dance tracks of its time including the famous works of the trio. 

The best thing about Above & Beyond is their ability to create a continuous, uplifting and progressive trance record. Even if the compilation is over 70 minutes you wouldn't feel the longevity of the record but instead appreciate the great mixture of synths, bass, electro and other trance elements that will whirl you in a true state of euphoria. 

The compilation has a relatively smoother more electro-ish progressive trance record compared to the earliest compilation. This again proves that A&B can explore other sub-genres of dance. I also like the fact they have include their best work for Oceanlab "On A Good Day" and some tracks from Mat Zo, Kyau & Albert, Cosmic Gate, etc.

This volume 8 is another treat for progressive house/trance fans and followers of A&B like myself.

Track list:

Enjoy and share your thoughts.

Official Video: The Scissor Sisters - Any Which Way

As a follow up single to Fire With Fire, the Scissor Sisters releases the music video for Any Which Way, the second single off Night Work. The video was released side by side with the single on 20 September 2010.

The MV features the band in a psychedelic playful theme featuring sexy babe Jake Shears and the hot chick Ana Matronic in some nude shots having some random objects covering their sensitive parts. 

I liked how they played with the colours and the objects they included in the video i.e. varied colours of megaphones. 

Here's the vid - see for yourself.

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