The Borowski Spin / Minaj Up, Madonna Down

Apr. 18 Entertainment, Music, Music Review, The Borowski Spin, Uncategorized no comments

So guys, the work week’s half-way there, but our thoughts are already turning to the dance floor. This week sees the return of 90s r&b/dance queen and newly-minted Reality TV star Toni Braxton as well as Euro dance trio Cascada.

“I Heart You” – Toni Braxton

La Braxton is back…and she wants you to dance! We’re told her latest has been penned by Toni herself, specifically with the dance floor in mind. She doesn’t disappoint, as her distinctive alto alternately seduces and growls over the bangin’ track. And now that she’s enjoying a popularity resurgence with the hit reality series “Braxton Family Values,” she could be poised to reclaim some of her earlier Dance chart glory. Despite releasing some terrific songs in the last ten years (including the most recent and vastly underrated “Make My Heart”), none of have achieved the chart dominance she enjoyed a decade ago. Let’s hope this marks a deserved musical upturn for Miss Toni Toni Toni.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBUsPy8VPyc

Dueling Summers! – Cascada vs. Oceana

If NYC’s sudden 90 degree weather and last week’s first Pines Low Tea of the year weren’t indication enough, we have two new summer-titled singles letting us know the season is indeed upon us. First up is “Summer of Love” by Cascada, lead by the vivacious Natalie Horler, who’s commonly mistaken as a solo artist. In the other corner is a young German singer named Oceana with “Endless Summer,” the theme for Euro 2012 (Europe’s massive UEFA European Football – aka soccer – Championship). Both songs are better in execution than might be suggested on paper. The former is miles ahead of Cascada’s previous, wildly misconceived “San Francisco.” The latter should have stadiums chanting along to its chorus vaguely reminiscent of Britney’s ‘Til The World Ends.” As the new lyric shouts, this will indeed have your heart beating like a drum-drum-drum. We also appreciate the terrific low-key Reggae version. And on a personal note, this Pole sends a special shout-out to Poland, which will be co-hosting Euro 2012’s final tournament starting in June: WHOA-oa-oa-oa-OA!

Cascada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixZmS8ID9Bw&ob=av2e

Oceana/Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_lwQC1hCW8&feature=related

Oceana/Reggae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kjv9H6BxpI

“TYP – DISCO” – The Young Professionals

Huge thanks to our friend Christopher for sending this one our way. We have become instantly obsessed with everything about the wildly creative video for “TYP – DISCO,” the sensational song by Israeli duo The Young Professionals. From the Lego chicken leg (!) and pastel, Robert Palmer-esque, faux back-up musicians (!!) to the fierce, moustached drag queen serving up retro glam (!!!), this one inspires repeated viewing and listening. Liberally sampling from the ’79 French Disco tune “D.I.S.C.O.” by the group Ottawan, it’s also propelled by a driving bass similar to the non-Abba layers of “Hung Up.” The wailing ghost synth also adds a perfectly spectral touch. The original song spelled out the attributes of a fine mama, but we can’t help thinking this reboot’s wittier lyrics are directed towards Disco music itself. The song and video are an absolute MUST.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcZnRz7WujA

“Losing Myself” – Will Young

One of our favorite, unconventional choices for a song to get the remix treatment so far this year has been the piano ballad “Jealousy” by out singer Will Young. Production on the Moto Blanco mix was exquisite. Now comes “Losing Myself,” the third single from the sweet-voiced Brit’s terrific, understated album “Echoes” – and it’s been remixed by Bimbo Jones with equally artful results. The whole production is a winner and the computerized, rain-slicked drums happily recall the opening to Madonna’s “Jump.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQldQcYICTg

BPM BITS: Instant and giant reaction on the dance floor this past weekend when we played Ricki-Lee Coulter’s “Do It Like That.” The song’s Beyonce/”Run The World”-meets-No Doubt/“Just A Girl” vibe should make this a big hit. Thanks to our friend from Down Under (where Coulter hails) for the tip!…Of all the many mixes of Katy Perry’s “Part Of Me” out there now, we’re liking the Freemasons’ best…Thumbs up for Funky Chicos’ remake of Sylvester’s seminal “Mighty Real.”

Ricki Lee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE_hbEOMiYo

Katy Perry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKGdaWeURu4

Funky Chicos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow2YV34aBEc

HEADS UP: As I’ll be out of the country for the rest of the month, the next edition of “The Borowski Spin” will come out the week of April 30. See you then, keep dancing and China: here I come!

After three weeks at the top of our TOP 20 DANCE CHART, Madonna makes way for Nicki Minaj to claim the #1 spot. It’s Roman’s 2nd #1 this year. Vaulting upwards is Victor Menegaux’s hypnotic take on Gotye. And Martin Solveig’s latest leads this week’s debuts.

1) Starships (Original & Funk 3^rd Party Anthem Mixes) – Nicki Minaj (2) *

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-8MagxjOrE

2) Girl Gone Wild (Justin Cognito, Dave Aude & Offer Nissim Mixes) – Madonna (1) *

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBMiYJ7kzbI

3) Raise Your Hands – C-Rod feat. Jason Walker (3)

http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/12240914

4) Turn Up The Music (Remix) – Chris Brown feat. Rihanna (4) *

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCioM9hJksw

5) Dance Again (Extended Remix) – Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull (6)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KxII6AJYZY

6) Feels So Good (Smash Mode Radio Mix)– Groove State (7)

http://soundcloud.com/groovestate/feels-so-good-smash-mode-radio