Review: Glastonbury 2015 [Photos]

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The UK’s legendary Glastonbury festival is 45 years young and still surprising, surpassing and spellbinding. No words can truly explain the magic of this wonderful weekend held every June in the beautiful English west country surroundings. With over eight major stages and giant marquees, there are 80 other smaller stages including venues for poetry, comedy, theatre, circus, films, debates and lectures as well as music.

This year’s as-ever eclectic mix certainly delivered the goods. In the world of dance some big guns came a firing in the likes of deadmau5, The Chemical Brothers and Flying Lotus, all of whom brought the most amazing stage/light effect shows, especially the Brothers whose seemingly 3D images leapt out into the crazed audience, over their block-rocking classics.

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Among the R&B/soul luminaries Mary J. Blige commanded the pyramid stage with an emotionally drenched set as the rain began to pour. The contrasting figures of Lionel Richie and Pharrell Williams surprisingly kept the attention of all ages in their droves. Kanye West was always going to divide the opinion of the masses from a Glastonbury crowd’s point of view — his lackluster performance assumed too much confidence and exuded a rather cold demeanor on such a massive stage. Continue Reading

Review: Popof – ‘Love Somebody’ (Hot Creations)

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★★★★☆

Known to denizens of the dance floor as Popof, French DJ/producer Alexandre Paounov has evolved in many ways since his days in the free-party scene. While his gallant remix of Marc Houle’s “Late For Work” released in the spring epitomizes the current blueprint of his elegant, effortless fusion of house and techno, Love Somebody, his full-length album for Jamie Jones and Lee Foss’ Hot Creations imprint, speaks to the totality of his musical evolution in 11 captivating chapters.

Only the fourth full-length to be released on the label, Paounov crafts his beats and housey grooves with aplomb and finesse. French singer/songwriter/actor Arno Joey is the featured vocalist on three cuts. A gifted singer, he’s the perfect voice to lyrically express the essence of Paounov’s artistry.

With its heady bass wobble, meandering melody and pitched down vocals, “Going Back” oozes with soul and humanity. It’s a song you’ll want to wrap your arms around and embrace. “It’s Been A While” is equally euphoric yet manages to steer clear of sounding like EDM fromage. “Always In My Mind” featuring Miss Kittin takes a rawer tone, eschewing clinical pop perfection for a rough-around-the-edges song designed to make you move your body.

Paounov closes the album with “Outro,” a slow jam clocking in at a scant 1:17. Is this truncated downtempo offering a hint of things to come? Only a master of reinvention like Paounov knows the answer.

Review: Giorgio Moroder – ‘Déjà Vu’

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★☆☆☆☆

Giorgio Moroder was pioneering the sound of the future long before he gained international notoriety in the ‘70s. Lauded for his groundbreaking production work, musical partnership with disco diva Donna Summer as well as collaborating with David Bowie, Blondie and countless artists, Moroder’s artistic renaissance began to take shape in 2013 by way of “Giorgio on Moroder,” a track on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. The expansive 9-minute homage opened him up to a new generation and gave him the chance to provide a first-person account of his amazing career. “Nobody told me what to do, there was no preconception about what to do.”

After beginning his DJ career at 74 later that year, the now 75-year-old synth legend presents his first album in 30 years, Déjà Vu. Despite of his impeccable credentials, influence on dance music and heartwarming comeback story, Déjà Vu is underwhelming pop fluff.

With its cookie cutter buildups and breakdowns “4 U With Love” is schlocky and unimaginative EDM. “Don’t Let Go” featuring Mikky Ekko is one of those unlistenable faux inspirational songs torn from David Guetta’s crossover songbook. “Diamonds” featuring Charli XCX and “I Do This For You” featuring Marlene are both horrific pop-dance schmaltz. Both tunes fit the archetype of the frustratingly awful Euro songs you’ll hear bleating from a pizza joint on Collins Avenue in Miami any day of the year.

Moroder’s cover of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” featuring Britney Spears is the album’s strongest moment. Spears’ voice is bold and suits Mordor’s rock-solid production which builds upon Vega’s 1987 original and DNA’s subsequent chart-topping 1990 remix. In the end this glimmer of hope isn’t nearly enough to turn the tide.

Giorgio Morodor’s 17th album, Déjà Vu, is one I’d prefer not to have again.

Track of the Moment: Kate Simko & Tevo Howard – “Bring It”

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Chicago is in the house in a big way on this triumphant, divine 4/4 offering from Windy City artists Kate Simko and Tevo Howard.

Culled from the duo’s upcoming PolyRhythmic full-length album out soon on Sasha’s Last Night On Earth label, “Bring It” began as a track the now London-based Simko played during her live set at Movement in Detroit a few years ago. Simko later passed the track over to Howard, who sprinkled it with classic Roland drums and 303 basslines for maximum effect. The icing on the cake comes by way of standout vocals from New York City singer Amunet Shah — smooth, effortless and perfectly tailored to complement the song’s deep old-school groove.

While hyperbole is rampant in music criticism, we’re confident in declaring “Bring It” an instant club classic. Listen below and see for yourself.