Month: March 2022

San Francisco House of Pride Music and Moore Music present this new release by the wonderful Raquela called MAKE THE FIRST MOVE, with a full set of remixes by C-DUB, George Von Liger vs Patrick Tijssen, LA Rush, Rinaldo Montezz, Rob Moore and the excellent Tweaka Turner production – Out now on Apple Music, iTunes and Spotify amongst all major streaming outlets.

Timmy Thomas, born in Evansville, Indiana, USA on 13th Nov 1944, passed away 11th March 2022 (aged 77) still asking his famous question from 1972, some fifty years later in 2022.

“Why Can’t We Live Together”, a song centered around one note and recorded in mono, when most studios by the early 70’s were all recording in stereo, which is why the organ and that totally unique drum groove, cut through the speakers so cleanly, no matter the medium, radio, record player or streaming platform. As mono it also perfectly represents the song’s timeless message, that we are all in fact (mono) one species as human-beings.

The song stayed with Timmy Thomas for the rest of his life and will do so into human infinity because of its powerful message sung with real compassion, in my opinion easily up there with Marvin Gaye’s ’72 classic “What’s Going On”..

Sade recorded the song in 1984 on her Diamond Life album and Jimmy Smith a decade earlier in ’74 on his Blacksmith album, plus lesser known covers from Illusion (’82), Mike Anthony (’82), Pluto (’90), MC Hammer (’91) and a cool remake by Late Nite Tuff Guy in (2016).

In 2015 Canadian rapper Drake sampled a break off the original ’72 Timmy Thomas recording for his “Hotline Bling” song on the hugely successful “Views” album. “Hotline Bling” has over 1.8 Billions views on Youtube and 1.1 Billion spins on Spotify to-date. Keeping Timmy’s dollars and cents flowing.

In 2021 Dr Lonnie Smith (RIP) recorded a latin lounge version, with Iggy Pop on vocals, of “Why Can’t We Live Together” for the Blue Note Records album “Breathe”, which the acid jazz aficionados love.

I first heard “Why Can’t We Live Together” on the B-side of a 1974 compilation released by the Dutch label K-Tel Int. It was track 6 sandwiched between Cymande “The Message” and Aretha Franklin’s “Mockingbird” but it’s groove and earnest vocal never left me, even to this very day.

DJ DiscoCat and myself also conceptualized a 2018 Timmy Thomas ft Martin L King & Marvin Gaye “Why Can’t We Live Together” (Difficult Days Ahead) tribute for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day every 22nd Jan. Featuring quotes from MLK, JFK and RFK to underline the gravity and the fight for peace, because it’s a continual battle that humanity faces. Sadly. www.youtube.com/watch?v=58QAoq_3mJ8

For Timmy Thomas, “Why Can’t We Live Together” was his “Imagine” and he was still singing the song live at the organ well into his late 70’s.

Here from Sep 26, 2017 is a live in-store performance of “Why Can’t We Live Together (2017 Reprise)” Books & Books, Coral Gables, lookin well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=szSXcI5_eJo

The super talented Harper Starling, currently in the UK performing shows before heading back to homebase Los Angeles, releases her new song “Say My Name (Why Don’t Ya Babe)” with Sebastian Perez Remixes plus the excellent funky-bass original and an acoustic lounge mix. On release now from Star Groomer Recs through all major streaming platforms inc Apple Music & Spotify. Bravo Harper & Cindy.

The German super producer Klanglos is back with his new emotional and powerful track ‘Fill The Silence’. Discover a track that is focused on catching your feelings with emotional vocals and melodies paired with a strong techno beat. For many years the ERROR Records label leader is well known for the unique sound that he produces in his studio. Let’s dive deep into his sound and fill your own silence. Out now on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Pandora plus Amazon Music amongst others via Dance all Day Distribution and DJshop.de

Sultry MJ Songstress delivers her latest recording, “SUGA”, featuring Biggie Smalls with a smooth R & B production steaming off the mixing desk from the overheating microphone no doubt, some people are born to sing such songs, like Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Raveena and Donna Summer to name a few. MJ Songstress is comfortably in that company with “SUGA”, an exclusive pre-release to you guys and girls.

Aptly titled “Within A Dream” features 11 tracks and 44 minutes of pure music heaven from Dagobert Böhm. The music medicine the world needs now. Opening with “The Sea”, a beautifully played and recorded track by a master musician, Dago.. Check into his catalogue on Spotify and Apple Music where you’ll also find this album. “Lone Station” is exceptional, as is the entire album. When Kings was originally conceived in 2003, as the world’s first online music promotional platform, it was with the wish to present music like this with a passionate recommendation to real music fan DJs around the globe. Just listen to the quality of the finished recordings, it is as if you are sitting in the room listening to Dago play live..

This irresistible Piano House groove gives a big nod to 90s Rave and Italo House, with updated production from Raflo (Robbie Rivera, Ultra Naté) and Dream Frequency. Raflo’s artist releases have now notched up over half a million streams on Spotify, and co-productions over seven million. Featuring the talented up-and-coming UK vocalist Fina.4.

Fina.4 is a young up-and-coming vocalist from Arundel in West Sussex. ‘I’m Comin’ Home’ is her first single release. Classically-trained, she grew up listening to her parents’ early house and rave records, and this big influence on the track is not so far away from recent singles by artists including Calvin Harris aka Love Regenerator and Duke Dumont. She’s also a big fan of MK, Glenn Underground, James Blake and Erykah Badu.

Heavy rotation on Beach FM (Argentina) and picking up airplay in Colombia and on House Music Radio. Continually being added to radio & DJ boxes, with drops from stations they shout: ‘Great track, Loving the old Skool element’ (House Music Radio) BBC Intro South Track of the Day, already play-listed on Chic Radio (France) and Beach FM (Argentina).

REMIXES from Stonebridge, Country Club Martini Crew, Block & Crown, Dark Intensity, Dominic G, Luca Debonaire, Larry Peace, SPare plus dododo-A Chedu Corea. Sasha Anne, known to many as a huge influencer, teams up with the prolific Tazmania Records label to release the song “Catch Me I’m Falling” with remixes from a hot team of dancefloor influencers. Out now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, plus all major streaming and online outlets. Radio Mixes to follow next week.

Temporary Hero return with a remix collection of a song, “SLANDER”, from their excellent new album, “FRACTURES” , a full collection of originals and covers which the act is enjoying as their most personal album to date. The ‘Mad Disco Mix’ from label-mates Agency is topping the playlist here today. Out on release now on the prolific Anticodon label via the Cool Zero imprint through Apple Music and Spotify plus Traxsource.

Stephen Gawking is super excited and proud of how Curiosity Killed the Cat turned out. “The whole team nailed it! Daniel and Auctavia’s voices are a perfect blend of sexy, soul, and power together. Then iFani took the whole track to the next level with his flow and vibe. It’s a great honour to have him and everyone featured on this track, their contributions, talent and passion is what made this song a success.

That being said, none of this would be possible without Bobby Johnson (Rebirth Music), who is like my Dr Dre. He believes in me and this project even more than I do (hee-hee), and always encourages me whenever I am uncertain about the direction. He always understands my vision and sticks to it, and to be honest, I think he might be a telepath or maybe we have some sort of cosmic connection (lol).

Also, a massive shoutout to Lenard Roos (Create Content Cape Town) who is my right hand in terms of everything: design, editing and admin, who designed the cover art with Josh van Staden (Stormflow Studios) completing the advanced colouring. Shoutout also goes to Loren Smith (The Paralegal Company) as our spokesperson and Music Law Consultant, as well as Joanne Olivier (Tickybox Media)