Russia: Dance Your Pain Away with Dj Buddy Beaverhausen

"This is not a good time for gays in Georgia, Ukraine, Russia or — presumably — other parts of the former Soviet Union," said the Dallas Voice today. "The glasnost, or openness, that was supposed to come with the breakup of the megastate has faded on many fronts. Not the least of them is the freedom for which LGBT people had hoped and planned."

I am concerned for many of my readers in those countries, and wish them the best through these dark and troubling times. Remember, you have support globally, my friends!

AmericBlog stated: "Vladimir Putin’s Russia continues its decline into third world dictatorship and despotism today with the passage of legislation in the lower house (the State Duma) which bans the public display of anything pro-gay, including words.

"The law would also permit the government to jail foreign visitors for up to two weeks before throwing them out of the country." Jail! Isn't deportation enough already?!

Well, now, Mother Russia's a Mutha Fucka! And isn't this a violation of human rights? International law? The timing of this homophobic persecution, of course, came shortly after the US Supreme Court's historic decision on gay marriage. Holy hysteria, Batman!

So, kindly cancel my vacation plans to visit Vladivostok for the time being. I shall boycott Beluga! So long, Stoli! Down with Putin and up with pettin'!

If short-term memory serves me (doesn't always), I think Russia recently sued Lady Gaga and Madonna for making pro-gay statements. THAT is the last straw!

Even domestically in the States, the dark forces gather to oppose the Supremes' decision. Indiana just passed a law. On July 1 of next year, same-sex couples applying for a marriage license in that state will have  committed a felony punishable by 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. (Hey, Texas Senate was confiscating women's Tampons today! Bloody hell! ps: handguns are permitted. Cancel my plans to visit that state! (Oh, wait, I had none!))

But we shall overcome, my friends.

I offer my readers this song. We are one! And we will be victorious in our civil rights struggle. As for right now: Dance Your Pain Away with this hot 7th Heaven remix of the new Agnetha Faltskog song posted below.

Love you all! Peace, Love, Happiness, Justice, let's work for a Better Tomorrow and -- most of all -- hold on to your Pride!

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (7th Heaven Club Remix)

So, I advised the diva in a gone-viral post, and I'm forgiving her this time for irresponsibly endorsing Ron Paul. The 7th Heaven remix is my favorite of her catchy new number. (I certainly don't deny her talent.)

On My Turntables, Sept. 5, 2011 (Labor Day)

Erasure's new single has hit the U.S., and my cd deck and download playlist both. "When I Start To (Break It All Down)" is from the group's forthcoming LP, "Tomorrow's World," available this fall. The album marks the band's first in more than four years and was written in London, New York and Maine.

"When I Start To (Break It All Down)" has Andy Bell and Vince Clarke back in top form, after four years, enhanced by their collaboration with producer Frankmusik. I have posted a Youtube video for the original track at the end of this column so you can hear what an uplifting dance groove it is. It glimmers and shimmers in an uplifting sonic swirl, and I expect it will be big on dance floors in the upcoming season. Favorite from the remix e.p. I received is the Steve Smart & Westfunk club mix that clocks in at 6:19. Available on both US and UK iTunes and Amazon.

The hiNRG sound from the UK is alive, well and invading US clubs come autumn. Leona Lewis' "Collide" has already started climbing the US Billboard club-play chart. The Cahill and Alex Gaudino/Jason Rooney remixes are particular standouts. Ex-Spice Girl Melanie C is back with the catchy "Think About It." And which Spice was she? Sporty, darlings, Sporty! (And please never forget that.) Groovesplitters club mix is good, 7th Heaven's Almighty-influenced mix is best.

Olivia Newton-John's 2011 re-recording of "Magic" is just that with Ms. N-J ship-shape, voice stronger than ever and still so incredibly smooth. Down Under's remixer extraordinaire Steve Peach shares the honors on the Peachy & Murphy club mix which is the needed hocus-pocus for the floor.

Now, when my favorite divas contact me and say they've dropped something new to kick off September and to get a jump on the fall releases, I go right to CD Baby and iTunes and get my legal downloads asap. And, people, let me tell you that Buddy was in ecstasy listening to new songs by Inaya Day and Debby Holiday all weekend.

Inaya Day has been one of the hardest working, tireless club artists since the 1990s, recording here and throughout Europe consistently. Her voice is very distinctive and powerful. If I'd never heard a song of hers and it was being played in a club, I'd know immediately who the diva in question was. And she never disappoints. That can certainly be said of "Higher Place," her latest, especially the Randy Bettis/Dj Boyd Anthem Mix. It is a soaring, driving, dance-inspiring number that is completely irresistible. Comes with a positive, easy-to-digest message.

I only recently learned from Debby Holiday that she is the daughter of the legendary performer/songwriter Johnny Holiday, perhaps best known for writing "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Jackie De Shannon. Debby's powerful pipes have been a boon to the dance-music scene. Her recent "Catch a Fire" was a big hit during Pride this past June and, now, the drivingly upbeat "One World" is even more marvelous (with lyrics that echo the Bacharach/David song, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," also a hit for Miss DeShannon, ironically). "One World" is bound to tear up dance floors, dance charts and, I expect, be an overall autumn club hit. Comes with various remixes, my fave being the Solar City Gospel Brunch club mix.

And, lastly, I have tweaked an unofficial remix of Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" in my Dj Buddy B's Benadictines v the Matt Nevins private mix. It will be on my next promo ("Desire @ the Disco, vol. 7") and 4 copies can be won as free promo giveaways later in the week, when I run my second contest for this blog.

Till then, I look forward to the new season, the music, the dancing, the nightlife and to you, the world over; it's all about the love and the musical groove. Amen.