1. Sign 'O' The Times (Dino Lenny & Amnesia) - Ultra funky update of the signature Prince song! Makes me bounce around like a Solid Gold Dancer (or whatever the millennium version of that is).
2. Honey /Mr. Moon's 80s Vocal Remix/ (Lisa Shaw) - More funk, this time taking us from the dance floor to perhaps poolside for some lounging and cocktails.
3. Love Is a Dog from Hell (the Limousines) - San Francisco Indie Band follows up their 2010 hit "Internet Killed the Video Star" with another toe-tapper. Is there a Grammy for Best Song Title???
4. Tomorrow (Gianluca) - Bouncy pop from a tiny little island in the Mediterranean (Yes, I had to look up Malta to see where it is. Geography is not my strong suit.)
5. Shake Sugaree (Elizabeth Cotten) - I first heard this in the world's most disturbing Tic Tac commercial. Did some research and learned she is a Carolina girl, who was discovered during the folk music revival in the 1950-60s.
6. I Feel a Sin Comin' On (Pistol Annies) - Miranda Lambert and friends are back again this month with an unapologetic jook joint stomper.
7. Stockholm (Jason Isbell) - Drive By Trucker goes solo, gets more contemplative, still good.
8. Wake Me Up (Avicii) - There are some really exciting things happening in dance music right now. The STALE formula of a sample or looped hook + pop diva (yes, Calvin Harris and David Guetta - I'm talking to YOU) is being replaced with more organic sounds and wide ranging influences. Thank you, Avicii and Daft Punk!!!
9. Tonight /Nouvelle Vague Remix/ (Wax Poetic) - Personal fave Nouvelle Vague takes WP's electronica and refashions it as a lazy bossa nova. ¡Muy bueno!
10. Everybody's Watching Me (the Neighbourhood) - Moody electronica with a pulsating beat that vaguely reminds me of Michael Jackson? Perhaps?
11. Melting in My Icebox (Bronze Radio Return) - Ever wonder what Creedence Clearwater Revival would have sounded like if they were an 80s band? Look no further! Earthy vocals blended with a Club Nouveau beat box!
12. Be My Man (Asa) - Groovy 1960s vibes from super cool Nigerian vocalist.
13. You & I (Crystal Fighters) - Folksy UK band serves up some frantic folk rock.
14. Desert of Pop (the Ruby Suns) - Yummy 80s synth pop from New Zealand band.
15. Blue Velvet (Lana Del Rey) - I can't think of a better song for this "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra" (her words, not mine) to cover! Would love to hear her take on "Is That All There Is?" by Peggy Lee, though.
16. Dreaming (Smallpools) - In a perfect world, this would become a Top 40 Radio summer anthem. Just reminds me of the carefree energy of summer vacations.
17. Baby You're My Treasure (Breakbot vs. Bruno Mars) - Inevitable mashup of plagiarist Bruno Mars and Breakbot, the artist he ripped off. Free download HERE.
18. Living In America (James Brown) - I simply HAD to include a patriotic song, since this is our nation's birth month! 20 years after his prime, the Godfather of Soul proved he still had it with this classic celebration of all things American.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY! Hope you like the tunes and I'll see ya next month!
