By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
I have a lot of ground to cover for this week’s edition of New Music Releases! So let’s get things started!
Calvin Harris recruited familiar and new collaborators for his fourth studio album: “Motion.” (Album cover property of Deconstruction Records, Sony Records & Columbia Records)
Motion by Calvin Harris
Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris continues to be one of the hottest EDM artists on the planet! His beats for his fourth studio album are so sick and hypnotic that listeners would be in a trance for the album’s entirety! Guest collaborators including John Newman, Ellie Goulding, Gwen Stefani, Alesso and newcomers R3hab and Haim make Motion an impeccable joyride that could be one of the soundtracks of many holiday or New Year’s Eve parties. A-
Tracks to Download: “Blame,” “Together,” “Summer,” “Outside” & “Pray to God”
Southbound by The Doobie Brothers
So far this decade, we have seen many artists uproot from their old stomping grounds in pop, R&B and rock and move deep into country territory! The Doobie Brothers are the latest acts to join Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie and Darius Rucker to release a country album! Following the formula of Lionel Richie’s highly successful 2012 album, Tuskegee, the classic rock band transforms some of their classic songs into country tracks and invited some of the biggest names in the industry (Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes, Sara Evans and the Zac Brown Band) to record the iconic tunes with them. While Ms. Evans brought sass with her duet of Michael McDonald’s classic “What a Fool Believes,” Toby Keith and Huey Lewis bring a mixture of blues and rock to “Long Train Runnin’” that would satisfy both longtime Doobie fans and music aficionados alike! A+
Tracks to Download: “Black Water,” “Listen to the Music,” What a Fool Believes,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove” & “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me)”
The Divine Miss M paid homage to some of the greatest girl groups of all-time in her latest album: “It’s the Girls.” (Album cover property of Warner Music)
It’s the Girls by Bette Midler
Bette Midler has released her first studio album in EIGHT years! The Divine Miss M paid homage to some of the music industry’s greatest girl groups in her 14th studio album: It’s the Girls. With the help of longtime collaborator Marc Shaiman and Scott Riesett, Ms. Midler breathes new life into the timeless tunes. From slowing down the tempo of TLC’s “Waterfalls” to toying with listeners’ emotions with “Come and Get These Memories,” Ms. Midler brilliantly captures the attention of the listener with her superb vocal hooks and harmonies. A
Tracks to Download: “Be My Baby,” One Fine Day,” “Come and Get These Memories,” “Waterfalls” & “You Can’t Hurry Love”
Meet the Vamps by The Vamps
First, One Direction and The Wanted invaded the USA! Now, another boy band is entering the ring! Unlike certain bands, The Vamps (made up of Brad Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans) did not need a Reality TV show to showcase their talent. The group has worked hard to let their talent show in their songwriting as they produced an impressive debut album. With the A-list collaborators such as Demi Lovato, Bruno Mars, Savan Kotecha and the Espionage production team, the quartet began a climb to superstar success. B+
Tracks to Download: “Somebody to You,” “Oh Cecilia (You’re Breaking My Heart).” “Girls on TV” & “Wild Heart”
All proceeds from William Orbit’s remix of Queen’s “Let Me In Your Heart Again” will go to the Global Fund. (Album cover property of Hollywood Records)
“Let Me In Your Heart Again (William Orbit Mix)” by Queen
Next week, legendary rock band Queen will unleash a compilation album that will include remasters of unreleased demo tracks featuring the band’s iconic front man: the late Freddie Mercury. In preparation of its release, celebrated EDM pioneer William Orbit released his mix of “Let Me In Your Heart Again.” Orbit did a brilliant job of keeping Mercury’s outstanding vocals and Brian May’s powerful guitar performance in tack, while sprinkling synthesizers and beats into the track. A-
“No Man’s Land (Green Fields of France)” by Joss Stone feat. Jeff Beck
One of the greatest voices of the Millennial Generation is back! English songbird Joss Stone reunited with Jeff Beck to record a cover of Eric Bogle’s “No Man’s Land (Green Fields of France).” This is a powerful, up-lifting track is my Song of the Week because of Joss’s beautiful vocal interpretation of the song, the goose-bump inducing addition of the gospel choir and of course, Jeff Beck’s mesmerizing guitar licks! A+
I do not own the links that are featured in this article. They belong to the recording artists and their respective record labels!
