Hot, Fresh Diva Dish 4/12/14

From the Billboard Dance/Club chart dated for April 19, noteworthy divas include Cyndi Lauper high and mighty at #2 with "Time After Time." In 1984, the song was a #1 Top 100 hit at Billboard. Congratulations on a rare feat well done.

A new cover version of the popular house hit, "Shiny Disco Balls," performed by Scotty B featuring the vocals of Sue Cho, perches on third place while mixes of Mariah Carey's "You're Mine (Eternal)" raise that song up to a diva-driven and dancey #6. Kylie Minogue's "Into the Blue," which peaked in first place, now rests comfy at #7 on its gradual descent.

There was a lot of of focus on our divas of t.v. this week, what with Barbara Walters announcing retirement from The View and Star Trek's Kate Mulgrew proclaiming the positively debunked Aristotelian theory that the sun revolves around the Earth.

As for Ms Walters, E! Online reported: Her last day co-hosting The View will be May 16, ABC announced Monday. To celebrate Walters' long list of achievements, the network will air a two-hour special highlighting her life and career that night.

Walters, who co-created created the morning talk show with Bill Geddie in August 1997, will continue to executive produce The View. The 84-year-old will continue to contribute to ABC News on occasion.

Kate Mulgrew is apparently in a stew! It was reported that none other than Star Trek's Cpt. Janeway was narrating a wack-a-doodle science-denier movie giving support to a "theory" (really now more of a fantasy) that it's the sun the revolves around the Earth, which is the center of the universe. No doubt, it's also flat. The flick, The Principle, is backed by anti-Semitic, far-right wingnut, Robert Sungenis. Holy Galileo!

"I was a voice for hire and an uninformed one," Mulgrew told the press. 

The Star Trek diva, who should know something about the universe, wrote on Facebook:
"I understand there has been some controversy about my participation in a documentary called THE PRINCIPLE. Let me assure everyone that I completely agree with the eminent physicist Lawrence Krauss, who was himself misrepresented in the film, and who has written a succinct rebuttal in SLATE. I am not a geocentrist, nor am I in any way a proponent of geocentrism. More importantly, I do not subscribe to anything Robert Sungenis has written regarding science and history and, had I known of his involvement, would most certainly have avoided this documentary."

Will there be a lawsuit revolving around this film, mayhaps?

Bimbo Jones' I Found Out, featuring the fabulous vocals of Beverley Knight, is a funky nouveau-disco track with various mixes available and dj-only promo tracks rumored to be coming from Sobel Nation, keeping this popular on the dancefloors throughout the spring and maybe even through Pride.

Until next week's diva dish, I wish all you divas out there a happy and healthy progress around the sun. Below, the original Bimbo Jones mix of I Found Out:

Divas Take Back the Dancefloors

This week, it was evident on the Billboard chart end-dated January 18, and on some promos that came across my desk and Internet, that there are some major, power-house divas ready to reclaim the discos! 2014 is starting off with a divalicious bang.

Deborah Cox's "Higher" (featuring Paige) is now #2. Ms Cox, who performed last summer at NYC's awesome Gay Pride pier dance, opening for Cher,  http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-pier-with-cher-and-hot-cox.html is always a welcome figure on the charts. Hopefully, she'll be taken even Higher next week to the heavenly #1 spot.

As for Cher, "Take It Like a Man," from her fab new album, is currently on the rise at #7, thanks to a bevy of robust remixes. The best of them is no doubt Tony Moran's Destination mix, a big-room rouser. I also particularly recommend UK's 7th Heaven EuroNRG revamp.

At #3, we have none less than Celine Dion, buoyed by the remixes of  "Loved Me Back to Life." She is seriously loved back to life by club-goers with this one. Although I prefer an unreleased LFB mix I heard months ago, it seems the only official remix is Dave Aude's club version. Good, mainstream remix for sure; it's a guaranteed floor-filler.

Kristine W, a diva's diva, peaked at #2 with "So Close to Me." Nine weeks on the charts, it currently hangs onto the top ten in the 9th nook.

And Donna Summer is back for the dancefloors via new dj-promo remixes of "MacArthur Park" by Rosabel, Laidback Luke and Frank Lamboy. Rosabel's mix gallops along nicely for contempo clubgoers; one of the more successful efforts to come off the recent remix tribute album. Laidback Luke's re-do, however, is a tinny calliope-like mess while I found Frank Lamboy's version a busy and belabored one. "MacArthur Park" is currently #14 on Billboard's club chart. Joel Dickinson recently informed us he has a remix forthcoming in a second wave. Seriously looking forward to that!

Lady Gaga's "Do What U Want" is on the rise at #19. And Jody Watley seems to have peaked at #18 with "Nightlife," dropping now to 22nd place when it really deserves to go higher. But major diva power is the trend right now on US Billboard's dance/club chart for certain.

Meanwhile, not on the chart but hopefully headed there, the upbeat and quite winning club number from Spice Girl Mel B ("Scary Spice"), "For Once in My Life," given new life by Dj Pornstar from Sobel Promotions.

And I received 7th Heaven's club mix of Dario G featuring Dame Shirley Bassey's "We Got Music" ~  and it is as fabulous as you might hope! Always a pleasure when Bassey returns to the dancefloors. Lisa Stansfield is also back! Moto Blanco (who can virtually do no wrong) has a club mix of her "Can't Dance" that will transport you to the floor in soulfully divine disco style. "We're gonna crucify the dancefloor!" And Ms Stansfield is back in full vocal range and all her glory!

Lastly, Sanna & Petron do a nice job of remixing Australia's Tina Arena, whom we've missed, with "Reset All." The diva returns in fine voice, though the song, as written, may not be catchy enough to catch on, at least in the USA where she is not a household name.

But the divas are distinctly back in force at the top of the year. Let's hope this is the trend for 2014!

Billboard's Year-End 2013 Dance Songs of the Year

This year's #1 on the Billboard Top 50 Dance/Club Songs chart really blew me away! What a refreshing surprise that the UK's Emile Sande's "Next to Me," from her 2012 album release, is at the top. Sande is truly a diva to keep your eye on and your ears open for. This soul/funk upbeat throwback highlights the Scottish singer's distinctive vocals and songwriting skills. Mirrorball's Big Room mix is best in my opinion. How nice to have this settle atop the US chart!

Next to her, at #2, is Christina Aguilera's "Let There Be Love." More disco funk in fourth place with Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," a definite neuveau-disco and certainly one of the year's best dance tunes.

Frankly, though, there's a lot of crap at the top of the chart until you get to the acceptable "People Like Us" by Kelly Clarkson, at # 18 another pop radio tune remixed for clubs rather than a song intended for them. (She is also at #31 with "Catch My Breath.") Lovely to find Yoko Ono at #19 and Kylie Minogue's "Skirt" at #22.

Ellie Goulding occupies both the 24th and 26th spots. In the prior, she is featured vocalist on dance producer Calvin Harris' "I Need Your Love" and is solo star in the latter slot's "Anything Could Happen." Katy Perry's "Roar" at #27, again topping Lady Gaga on the chart though LaGa's release ("Applause") came later in the year and appears on the chart as numero 35.

Depeche Mode scored a major dance hit with "Heaven" (#29). Very happy to see Chris Cox + Dj Frankie's "Oh Mama Hey," featuring the voice of Crystal Waters, at #41. Truly one of my faves of 2013 that can bring me to the dancefloor any time. Tori Amos' "Flavor" is #42, buoyed by one of the late, great Peter Rauhofer's final remixes.

Cher's "Woman's World" sneaks in at #46, released mid-year.

And there we have it: your Hit Parade per Billboard featuring some of our current, beloved divas. Have a safe, holiday season and support the artists and the club venues and let's hope 2015 will bring a big return to true dance/club music for us all.



You can see the full Billboard round-up by visiting:
http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-dance-club-play-songs

Eye on This Week's Billboard

Here what's new and interesting to me on the Billboard dance music hit parade this week.

At the top of the Top 25 Dance Club Songs list, Britney Spears' refreshing hip-hopper, "Work Bitch" is at number 2, likely to supplant Rihanna's "What Now" in the top spot next week. What now? You're about to get booted from ruling the roost. You better work, bitch.

Katy Perry's "Roar," which peaked at #1, holds on to the 7th spot in a slow descent, having held strong on the chart for 9 weeks now. At #9, we find the downwardly mobile "Lose Yourself to Dance," a great retro-disco/funk number from Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and the legendary Nile Rodgers. It's been aboard the chart for a robust 10 weeks and also peaked at #1.

Icona Pop's "All Night" climbs to #21 this week. Sports the awesome Wayne G/Leo Frappier remix and we can thank Sobel Promotions (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SobelPromotions/) for aiding and abetting this refreshingly snappy girl duo's U.S. dance-chart rise. Just interviewed Leo and we discussed, among other topics, this song. http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/11/exclusive-q-with-leo-frappier.html

"Wrecking Ball," twerks it into the #15 spot this week, coming up fast with dancefloor mixes galore that buoy the Miley Cyrus tune on the Bangerz label upward. Expect this "Ball" to rise.

A shout out to readers: Thank you, North America, the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Malta, Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, Russia and Ukraine, especially. Dance music is a great uniter. Support your clubs and dance for peace, love and ~ most of all ~ happiness! Spread it around.

On My Turntables & a Bit of Billboard

The refreshingly retro disco-funk of "Lose Yourself to Dance" by Daft Punk, featuring the vocals of Pharrell Williams and the expert guitar performance by Nile Rodgers, jumped from 31st place on the Billboard club chart last week to this week's #21. Love this song and expect it to keep rising!

Dig the bootleg Matteo Ianescu remix:



Little else of interest on that chart, most good numbers (in my esteem) dropping.  The new remixes of Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice" rose to #4, however, which is terrific and Lady Gaga's "Applause" is right behind it in 5th place. Kylie's "Skirt" is down at #6 after ruling the roost last go-round at number one. Pet Shop Boys' "Vocal" fading to 10th spot after peaking at #3. Lady Bunny's "Take Me Up High" drops to #25 after peaking at #17.

Promos I received: Not at all impressed with Flashdancerz's 2013 bootleg remix of Blondie's "Call Me." Does the classic disco number no justice at all. I wouldn't spin this at gunpoint! Likewise, Jeremy Gygi's mix of Britney Spears' "Ooh La La" left me cold. Couldn't get me to the floor for this tied to a forklift!

Does Ricky Martin's voice exude sex or is it hot in here? The Craig Welsh mix I received certainly serves the singer well. Strong number. Could be another disco hit.

Mark Picchiotti's mix of Kylie Minogue's "Skirt" really werqs it. Best mix of the crop.  Edson Pride serves up a beauty of a dance treat with expert, driving work on Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble." And the UK's 7th Heaven offers us Leann Rimes'"Spitfire" admirably. The diva returning to club music is always a treat.

Katy Perry's "Roar" is a bore in any mix. Sorry. It just doesn't engage me. More of a purr than a roar.

But for true diva fabulousness, check out my interview with Karin Nagi at Blab It to Beaverhausen!
http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/09/exclusive-q-with-international-diva-of.html

Thanks to all my blog readers. In the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ukraine, Poland, Serbia, Netherlands, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, China, Brazil. Let's dance for unity, equality and peace!

Dj Buddy B's Billboard News ~ week ending 8/24/13

Interesting developments on the Dance/Club music top-25 on Billboard (week ending August 24, 2013), especially at top and bottom where our focus will be today.

Cher's "A Woman's World," which peaked at #1 two weeks ago, holds steady in 10th place this outing. Kat DeLuna's "Stars" heavenly at #2; Kylie's "Skirt" swirling in third place. Plumb's "Need You Now" upwardly mobile at #5.

The great UK groups from the '80s, Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boy, have survived and even flourished through the ensuing decades and, may I add, they are as musically relevant today as they've ever been. At #7, "Soothe My Soul" by Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys at #8 with "Vocal," both tunes seeming to be headed upward still.

At #22, the 2013 remixes of the John Lennon-produced "Walking on Thin Ice" (another echo of the '80s), sung by Yoko Ono, are skating upward. Ms Ono turned 80 this past February. Disco divas are forever! Excellent remix work, especially by Dave Aude and Ralphi Rosario.

All hail Lady Bunny as she cracks the Top 25, in the 25th spot but upwardly mobile, with producer Wayne Numan's "Take Me Up High."

That's it for this week; we'll revisit next. To my friends and readers all over the world, it's all about love, peace and disco. Boycott the Russian Olympics! We love our gay Russian comrades. Unite on the dancefloor!