Hello Everyone! In these last few hours of wrapping up Christmas presents and getting ready for the Christmas Eve it’s easy to get a little bit stressed in the rush. Here I come with an ultimate solution for that! Just play Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (released in 1960) and you will get into joyful chilled out mood. Highly recommended!

Just look at the tracklis:

1. “Jingle Bells”
2. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
4. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
5. “Sleigh Ride”
6. “The Christmas Song”
7. “Good Morning Blues”
8. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
9. “Winter Wonderland”
10. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
11. “Frosty the Snowman”
12. “White Christmas”

And now imagine the one and only Ella Fiztgerald singing them… Doesn’t is sound like Christmas already? Just a little hint below…

(check out ‘related videos’ for more!)

Merry Christmas to all of You!

I’ve never been a fan of Shakira as her voice annoyed me most of the time. And so did her music, to be honest. However, I realised that things may be about to change when I heard ‘She Wolf’ single and found out that she teamed up with the legendary The Neptunes to make her new record. I was right.

So considering it’s a heavily mainstream electropop, here’s a review:

1. She Wolf – very good
2. Did It Again – very good
3. Long Time – very good
4. Why Wait - very good
5. Good Stuff - average
6. Men In This Town – quite good
7. Gypsy – poor
8. Spy – very good
9. Mon Amour - good
10. Lo Hecho Está Hecho (‘Did It Again’ Spanish version) – very good
11. Años Luz (‘Why Wait’ Spanish version) – very good
12. Loba (‘She Wolf” Spanish version) – very good

Go and get it. Really danceable.

The time has come! Imogen Heap doesn’t know the limits of generosity and she lets us listen to her new album Ellipse in full a week before the release date! Just click on the picture to get to the player and enjoy divine sounds she has created and her breathtaking vocals.

I’ve listened to the album I guess four times so far and I’ve fallen in love with it instantly! The fact that I have already found the album personal before I actually heard it might have an influence on that, but I can’t help it that I feel like if I’ve been involved in the process of making the album by watching Immi’s vBlogs and following her tweets for two years…

I’m going to wait with reviewing the album until I get my very own deluxe edition of Ellipse, but I can say it’s a masterpiece right now.

July is coming to an end, let’s have a look at good albums that this year has brought over last 7 months. I’ve found 15 interesting positions, so I will divide the post into three parts so you shouldn’t be overwhelmed.
I’m not rating them yet – all I’m gonna do is to present them in an alphabetic order, give you a hint what it’s all about and post a song, so you can easily decide what you should quickly get familiar with if you haven’t done it so far. Enjoy! /PART 1 of 3/

Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light

Three girls from Brooklyn returned with slightly monotonous album filled with gentle, keyboard-driven songs that flow to your head by one ear and flow out by the other one. In the meantime, you are under a spell of their cosy charm. Highly recommended for dreamers.

myspace.com/aurevoirsimone

Back Ted N-Ted - Hookie EP

If the rest of songs on his album that should be released this year (hopefully soon) is as good as the four songs on Hookie EP, it will end up in my top 10 albums of 2009 for sure. Irresistibly catchy electropop with airy melodies and vivid energy. Keep your eyes on this guy!

myspace.com/backtednted

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Natasha Khan went for some synths and electronics on this album, so it was easier for me find the way to appreciate her it. At least a half of it. I like her sense of drama and her concept of the album. And, of course, don’t forget about the terrific ‘Daniel’.

myspace.com/batforlashes

Ciara - Fantasy Ride

I was so surprised with this album! All I wanted from Ciara was to deliver me two or three nice hits. What I received was a CD all packed with hits. Mixture of pop, r’n'b, crunk and dance together with Ciara’s charisma is a perfect combination. It was far better than my highest expectations. If you’re looking for delicious, ultimately commercial big hits – you’ve just found them. And her music videos?! Amazing. Since you probably know ‘Love Sex Magic’ and ‘Work’, listen to ‘High Price’ below.

myspace.com/ciara

Ebony Bones! - Bone of My Bones

Many compare her to Santigold and that was my first thought at well. Ebony Bones! didn’t make as good album as Santi (no Diplo factor here), but she’s a one wild lady and quite a few of her songs explodes with crazy energy. The more I listen to the album, the more I like it. But isn’t it always the case?

myspace.com/ebonybones

The final top 5 albums in the ranking.

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#5
Camille
Music Hole
myspace.com/camilleofficial

Music Hole

Even though there is ‘only’ voice and body percussions, and a piano occasionally, the last thing you can say about this album is that it’s boring or monotonous. Every single track has a special vibe that distinguish it from the other ones. Experimental Music Hole is both alternative and pop, dramatic and entertaining. Camille plays with conventions and has a genuine attitude. That’s what I adore her for.

Top 3 tracks: The Monk, Cats and Dogs, Home Is Where It Hurts

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#4
Santogold
Santogold
myspace.com/santigold

Santogold

Santogold (now – Santigold) is a special case. It was difficult not to compare her with the other Diplo’s protégé – M.I.A. However, both of them are as indie and loud as they can be, but there are no more similarities. M.I.A. is revolutionary, Santigold is rebellious. What I like about the album the most is the reivented punk energy that explodes out of each track. After so extraordinary debut I can’t wait for more to come.

Top 3 tracks: Unstoppable, I’m a Lady, Creator

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#3
Kate Nash
Made of Bricks
myspace.com/katenashmusic

Made of Bricks

This album may be quite controversial in the ranking as it was released in a summertime in 2007. However, I discovered Kate Nash at the very beginning of 2008 and I simply cannot omit Made of Bricks because of: incredibly catchy melodies, adorable London accent, loads of charisma, and brilliant lyrics that convey the spirit of youth – the self-confidence mixes with insecurity, the little big drama mixes with all those silly things.

Top 3 tracks: Foundations, Mariella, Dickhead

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#2
Hercules and Love Affair
Hercules and Love Affair
myspace.com/herculesandloveaffair

Hercules and Love Affair

Hercules and Love Affair makes you move your body. If you can resist, you’re a square. Andy Butler chose what was the best in dance music from ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, mixed it all together and added some contemporary vibe. That’s how the masterpiece was born. Antony Hegarty is flawless in such repertoire – thanks to his stunning vocals on just as much stunning track made ‘Blind’ my #1 single of the year. I strongly recommend US version of the album that includes ‘Classique #2’ and ‘Roar’ – these two songs illustrates what I imagine as an ecstasy on a dancefloor just perfectly.

Top 3 tracks: Blind, You Belong, Roar

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#1
Loco Star
Herbs
myspace.com/locostarmusic

Herbs

Loco Star’s album moves heart and soul, but it can move the body as well (‘Steppin’’). Marisja conveys a wide range of emotions with her charismatic vocal, and Tomek Ziętek creates a space in music that makes all your thoughts disappear and there is only music in your mind (just listen to ‘Arps’ or ‘Herbs’). I have never experienced before a feeling when music, lyrics and emotions they bring on fill every single cell of my body.
I can honestly say, that Herbs is one of the most important albums of my life.

Top 3 tracks: Arps, Herbs, Steppin’

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If you’ve missed the posts listed below, check them out!

Top 10 albums of 2008: part 1 (of 2)

Top 10 albums of 2008: prologue

Now that I’m in the holiday zone finally, I can listen to all the music, watch all the music videos, and write on the blog without the feeling I should be studying for the exams. So here I return again (it comes in waves, doesn’t it?) with new posts.

I have never managed to finish my ‘top ten albums of 2008’, so I’ll do it now, in two post (I’d better write both of them right now just to make sure they will appear on my blog soon). I changed positions of some albums in the former ranking, but the very top ones are still.

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#10
MGMT
Oracular Spectacular
myspace.com/mgmt

Oracular Spectacular

Oracular Spectacular made it to 2008’s top ten albums in most of the important music magazines and websites. But is it really that amazing? Let’s face the fact – there are only three terrific songs on this album: ‘Time to pretend’, ‘Electric feel’ and ‘Kids’. All the singles. The other tracks are good enough to make the album decent as a whole. So I would rather say that MGMT was brilliantly marketed than concider it as a revelation. On the other hand, it made it to my personal top ten, so there must be something to it.

Top 3 tracks: Time to pretend, Electric Feel, Kids

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#9
Silver Rocket
Tesla
myspace.com/silverrocketpl

Tesla

Tesla is an amazing concept album that tells the story of a Serbian scientist. Silver Rocket is a Polish project that gathers great musicians together (amongst the others: Marsija and Tomek Ziętek from Loco Star; Tomek Makowiecki). Beautiful melodies, airy arrangements, instruments profusion, and stunning vocal performances from Tomek Makowiecki and – most importantly, as she is one of my favourite vocalists ever – Marsija. Breathtaking musical landscapes.

Top 3 tracks: If, New Yorker, Space Oddity

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#8
Erykah Badu
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
myspace.com/erykahbadu

New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)

Even though these days I’m not into black music as I used to be a few years ago, Erykah’s album takes me for an adventurous journey every time I listen to it. Soulful vocals, experimental attitude, incredible production – New Amerykah… is full of that. Semi-oldschool, positive ‘Honey’ on one side, dark and disturbing ‘Twinkle’ on the other, with a tribal ‘My people’ in between. And since I was at Erykah’s almost mystical concert, the album has an extra dimension for me. It’s partially a masterpiece.

Top 3 tracks: Twinkle, Soldier, The Cell

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#7
Sam Sparro
Sam Sparro
myspace.com/samsparro

Sam Sparro

At first this album was at #9 as I’m aware that it may not be produced in a highest quality ever, but at some point I got so inspired by Sparro’s music and style that I needed to change the ranking a bit so it would reflect my musical year more accurately. The main strength of Sam Sparro’s self-titled album is his charismatic voice (three-octave range!) that I absolutely adore. It makes the glorious mix of electro-funk, synthpop and soulful disco so distinctive. I guess I’ve expressed my admiration for Sam a few times on my blog, so not wanting to exaggerate I’d better finish this mini-review right now.

Top 3 tracks: Cut me loose, Black & gold, Sally

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#6
Psapp
The Camel’s back
myspace.com/psapp

The Camel's Back

Since the moment I discovered Psapp thanks to charming ‘Cosy in the rocket’ featured in the opening sequence of Grey’s Anatomy series, I have instantly fallen in love with them. And I by saying ‘in love’ I mean a steady, happy, long-lasting relationship. On The Camel’s Back, duo’s third LP, they enriched they minimalist toytronica with more actual music instruments. As a result, their sound is more dynamic, powerful and deep, but it still has their unique cosy vibe.

Top 3 tracks: I want that, Parker, Marshrat

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The final top 5 albums of 2008 are coming soon.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Oracular Spectacular made it to 2008’s top ten albums in most of the important music magazines and websites. But is it really that amazing? Let’s face the fact – there are only three terrific songs on this album: ‘Time to pretend’, ‘Electric feel’ and ‘Kids’. All the singles. The other tracks are good enough to make the album decent as a whole. So I would rather say that MGMT was brilliantly marketed than concider it as a revelation. On the other hand, it made it to my personal top ten, so there must be something to it.

I know it’s March already, but I couldn’t make myself finish writing this summary of 2008, even though my final list was ready in last days of December. On the other hand it’s never too late to catch up with good albums, so if you are not familiar with the ones I’m gonna present in this new ’series’ – give them a try!

There was plenty of good music in 2008. Lots of new fresh artists and thrilling discoveries. I would like to present you my ten favourite albums. Before I do that, let’s have a look at great albums that didn’t make it to my top ten:

Madonna - Hard Candy

There are some great songs, like ‘Candy Shop’, ‘Give It 2 Me’ or ‘Beat Goes On’.
There are some surprising tracks, like ‘She’s Not Me’ or ‘Incredible’.
All of them are produced by Pharrell.
And there are some – let’s face the fact – boring and predictable songs created by Timbaland and Justin.
But still, the album is good. The thing is I know it could have been so much better! More Pharrell, less Timbaland and Justin. NO Timbaland and Justin.
Top 3 songs from the album: Give It 2 Me, 4 Minutes, She’s Not Me

Grace Jones - Hurricane

The album is filled with Grace’s strength and self-confidence. That’s why the songs are so powerful. Maybe I haven’t become the biggest fan of Grace Jones, but I understood that she’s a strong artist who can inspire. Very good album, I can’t really say anything bad about it.
Top 3 songs from the album: Corporate Cannibal, Hurricane, Devil In My Life

Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree

Dreamy, gentle songs with Alison’s airy vocals sound all very nice, but I prefer Goldfrapp in glam-electro. On their two previous albums they are hypnotizing; Seventh Tree lacks excitement… I mean, the album is great if you are in the very specific mood – if you’re not, it is nothing but boring.
Top 3 songs from the album: Happiness, Road To Somewhere, Caravan Girl

Oszibarack - Plim Plum Plam

Less minimalist, yet just as raw as on a terrific debut album Moshi Moshi. Involving more live instruments in their music was a good step; I also adore all those cinematic sounds. Still, I think that it is the unique playful voice of Patrycja Hefczyńska that make them sound so distinctive. If you need a boost of pure energy – just listen to Plim Plum Plam!
Top 3 songs from the album: Anchor Up, Surfin’ Safari, Point Blank

Dido - Safe Trip Home

Dido is an established artist who hasn’t failed to provide beautiful, smart songs over the last ten years. Maybe it’s why this album wasn’t that thrilling as I knew what to expect. It doesn’t change the fact that I shed a few tears over moving lyrics sung in amazingly introvertive way… Flawless record.
Top 3 songs from the album: Northern Skies, Let’s Do The Things We Normally Do, Never Want To Say It’s Love

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

Hate them or love them. Personally, I got stuck somewhere in between. I really enjoy all these cyber-sounds, they (or rather: he) can actually make melodic songs out of them and this is brilliant. But some of the tracks from their self-titled album is a crappy noise (‘XXZXCUZX Me’ – a title speaks for itself) and if this is called ‘music’… that’s a devaluation of this word. Another disadvantages of the album: Alice’s voice (hate it or love it – in this case I’m on a ‘hate’ side) and repetitiveness (there are only that many sounds you can get out of Atari 5200).
Top 3 songs from the album: Crimewave, Magic Spells, Courtship Dating

Inara George & Van Dyke Parks - An Invitation

It’s a really interesting and original album. Sometimes I can listen to it on repeat, sometimes I have enough after a couple of songs. On this record there is only Inara’s voice (you can know her from The Bird and The Bee) and Van Dyke Parks’ orchestra. It sounds like a psychedelic versions of very old Disney’s songs. There are moments when I feel uncomfortable listening to some songs – the vocals are arranged in a bizarre way. Hm. I still haven’t really got into the album yet, but I there’s something special about it that makes me want to listen more.
Top 3 songs from the album: Duet, Idaho, Dirty White

Buraka Som Sistema
Black Diamond
3+/6

Buraka Som Sistema joined Heineken Open’er Festival 2009 line-up recently, so I decided to listen to their debut album Black Diamond. Raw sounds of kuduro are just crazy – the moment I heard the leading single ‘Sound of Kuduro’ featuring M.I.A., I felt the thrill of dancing wildly in the crowd (flashbacks of my music festivals were involved). I just can’t wait to see them live!

What is a strength of BSS music is a lack of sophistication – a listener is bombarded with the unrefined energy. I would even say there is something primitive about their music, but in a good way: it that makes you wanna dance, jump, explode with the energy that the music passes on. Just listen to ‘Sound of Kuduro’, ‘Aqui para Voces’ or ‘Kalemba’ to feel the vibe.

A bit less furious tracks include mystical, tribal ‘New Africas’, or ‘General’ where they mix their energy with a kind of traditional Portuguese guitar song elements.

However, what makes them original and fresh at first, becomes monotonous or even tiring quite quickly. I would say that this happens because there’s nothing more to their music than the raw energy it offers. Maybe if I spoke Portuguese I would get something more out of it… On the other hand, Portuguese sounds so exotic!

You can listen to the whole album on their MySpace – click here.

Top 3 songs from the album: Sound of Kuduro, Aqui para Voces, New Africas pt.2

Have a look at the music video of ‘Sound of Kuduro’ featuring M.I.A.; it represents perfectly what their music is about:

Sugababes

Catfights and Spotlights

4-/6

Sugababes’ previous album’s title, ‘Change’, was very adequate to what was happening to the band. ‘Babes were musically heading in new direction – less smart and sassy, more light and easy. But still, the album was quite decent. Just different than what they had done before. Personally, I like it the least from all their albums.

Since Mutya left the band, Sugababes has lost their unique spiciness. However, Amelle, the new Sugababe, is not the one to blame – she has amazing voice and fits into the group. Actually, there is no one to blame. The thing is that Sugababes are not nasty girls anymore – they have become classy young woman, or at least they want to be seen this way.

When I heard ‘Girls’, leading single from the sixth album, I was taken by surprise. Brassy, Ronsonesque style made the ‘Babes sound fresh again.

‘Catfights and Spotlights’ begins with the mentioned brilliant single and is followed by three songs with ultra-positive vibe reaching the top in ‘Hanging on a star’. ‘You on a good day’ has some ’60s flavour and is one of these songs that can make your day. Perfect opening. Then, there is ‘Slide chick’ – different from the rest of the album, a little bit dark, middle-tempo song that is an instant grower.

And then, the vibe changes.

The vast majority of the album is filled with ballads. Unfortunately, half of them is nothing more but average. ‘Sunday rain’ and ‘Unbreakable heart’ have annoying choruses, ‘Every heart broken’ and ‘Sound of goodbye’ are plain.

However, you can find some extraordinary ones as well. ‘Beware’, ‘Nothing’s as good as you’ and closing track, beautiful and moving ‘Can we call a truce’ (Amelle is amazing in chorus), are the album’s high spots.

All in all, Sugababes provided us some pop of high quality, however a few weak points appear on the ‘Catfights and Spotlights’ as well. ‘Babes are not as good as they used to be, but still they are far better then all the other pop bands. I am still a fan.

Top 3 tracks from the album: ‘Can we call a truce’, ‘Hanging on a star’, ‘You on a good day’