Emin Agalarov-Wonder (2010)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 28, 2012

It's no wonder that everyone who comes to "The Music Spectrum" ends up raving about how much they love it—it's because I keep making these awesome posts! Four days ago, my Aussie friend Adriana inquired about Emin's fifth solo album, though my plans for obtaining it had already been set in motion before she even communicated that message. Got some assistance from someone in the country where my new favorite Azerbaijani singer makes his citizenship in order to bring it here—an exclusive sixteen-track edition, no less, which is featured on a special CD/DVD double disc edition. I felt on top of the world when I claimed my copy.....and I'm still happily floating around up there somewhere as I write about my latest thrilling music joyride! Foreshadowing that 2010's "Wonder" would rise up to become my current favorite Emin Agalarov effort to date quite possibly came as early as reading the album's title, but the most concluding evidence came only moments into the opening track, "Falling", when I would once again be pleasantly surprised by the upbeat, unexpected dance outbreak! And that's just one of many such surprising tunes, as it turns out, as Emin seems to have climbed aboard the bandwagon of contemporary pop music—this time, for the whole ride! "Just For One Night" continues the dancefloor outbreak, and its as romantically dreamy as it is hypnotically mystifying with the ethereal ambient-rich drones and the delicate waves of some distinct Far Eastern instrument vibrating against the downtempo beat. "Just For One Night" also happens to be the exact same song that my good friend Bill directed me to via Youtube in his recommendation.....and I know for sure that he's enjoying his copy of this album on CD immensely! Surprise #3 jumps out of the box (insert visual image of a colorful burst of confetti and fireworks) on his most ambitious song I've heard so far—"You Don't Even Know". Total electro-pop heaven is where you'll be with this one (I'm about halfway there, still drifting through the clouds during my first trip through this album), and the title indeed gives it to you straight: you really have no idea how great this song is until you play it! At this point, the unexpected almost became expected, but after three exciting tunes that literally swept me off my feet, "One Last Dance" was one more big-time rush of awesome techno that I didn't see coming! And whoever the lady is that performs with Emin on backing vocals, she deserves the 'Best Supporting Vocalist' award.....or some sort of music equivalent to it. Guaranteed, after you've done movin' and groovin' toon to this killer jam, it won't be the last dance for you! But even with the energizing addition to Emin's musical repertoire, the pleasant sound of that amazing crooner I've gotten to know good and well over the past week remains existent. If it wasn't plainly 'obvious' on the song entitled by the same name, then it was clear as day on "All I Need Tonight", "Hold You In My Arms", then once more on this album's proper title track. And if your heart isn't melting by the time Emin has blessed your ears with either of those three, then perhaps he'll get inside of you another way by drawing out tears of joy with "Any Time You Fall" and "Don't Go". I very well could've jumped down to four of the remixes that I peeked at before I started playing the album, but I told myself I would save them all for later to end my night with the Azerbaijani singer in spectacular closeout fashion. The 'Groove Brothers' remix to "Just For One Night" stirs up the pot of dance club fever all over again, and you won't be done cooking until you've served up a few helpings of the ultra-groovy techno remaking of "You Don't Even Know" by the same production team:

1. Falling
2. Obvious
3. All I Need Tonight
4. Just For One Night
5. Tell Me You'll Be Mine
6. You Don't Even Know
7. Hold You In My Arms
8. Any Time You Fall
9. One Last Dance
10. Don't Go
11. Wonder
12. Miss America
13. Just For One Night [Groove Brothers Remix]
14. Just For One Night [Emetex & DJ M-Voice Remix]
15. Just For One Night [DJ Fisun Remix]
16. You Don't Even Know [Groove Brothers Remix]

Emin Agalarov-Devotion (2009)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 26, 2012

Almost had to laugh again when I saw the title to Emin's fourth solo album: "Devotion". That's because it was my plan all along to 'stay devoted' to the singer and continue to feature him here at "The Music Spectrum". Music listeners can label themselves as fans of a particular singer, but those true fans are the ones that stay devoted to the singer all the way—through his ups as well as his downs. Well, it sure looks like everything is going up for this extremely gifted Azerbaijani crooner, and I've become a devoted fan of his since the first moment I was spellbound by his stunning voice on Youtube! Another grand theatrical performance is given up on "Giving In" with so much power that I felt like I was living and breathing every word of the lyrics! Then when he took on starring role in the starry tune that came after it—"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", it felt like a never-ending dream, as if the words were living and breathing through me! Not sure what purpose that bizarre radio broadcasting segment that interrupts the groove at the very end served, however; I suppose it was added as one of those last-minute 'I'll just throw this in there for fun' sorta deals. One classy song that seemed it was destined to find its way on an Emin Agalarov album eventually because it suits the singer's vocal personality perfectly: his rendition of "Unchained Melody", which has got to be one of the most amazing selections ever written and recorded from the soul crooner's songbook. Jazz with class is the name of the game on Track #5's "Love Story"; I would love hear Emin perform lots more tunes like this elegant beauty. At times while I was tuning in, it sounded like Emin was singing in a voice that wasn't entirely his own—a special 'second voice', if you will, but it couldn't have been artificially generated by the song's producers because you can tell it's just him that you're hearing. "Goodbye" is one of this album's finest moments—surely, it's a tune that you won't be saying any farewells to after you've heard it. Not only were the lyrics enchanting, but I was also quite enchanted by the uncanny melody that played alongside the dance-pop beat and the screaming rock guitar—unusual sound combination, but it equates to music brilliance. "You Don't Know Me": another tune where I get to hear some excellent harmonica playing. I like these mellow bluesy piano numbers, and when they're sung by someone with a deep tenor's voice like Emin's, they have a way of clutching onto your heart and pour all sorts of different emotions down into it. Every album up to this point has contained at least one tune where some sort of musical explosion is ignited; this time, the party is ignited on Track #13's "I Will Find A Way", where some of that old Western ragtime on the piano hooks up with the return of the rock guitar. No remixes can be found on this fourth edition of Emin Agalarov soul, but who needs them when there's already fifteen amazing songs to entertain you? Either way, I'm remaining a devoted listener:

1. Devotion
2. Giving In
3. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
4. Tomorrow
5. Love Story
6. Beautiful Day
7. Unchained Melody
8. Goodbye
9. I Who Have Nothing
10. Do You Know?
11. You Don't Know Me
12. She
13. I Will Find The Way
14. Fuoco
15. For Old Time's Sake

Emin Agalarov-Obsession (2008)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 25, 2012

If you follow "The Music Spectrum" long enough, you'll eventually become obsessed with it! I almost had to laugh when I read the title to Emin's third solo effort. Lately, I've been talking ad infinitum about music addictions and obsessions.....and here I am listening to one—figuratively and literally! Not sure if it's too early to say that I've also become obsessed with my new Azerbaijani companion, but I'm sure zooming in that direction at light speed! This time, the music blasts off into orbit with some kickin' bass on the thrilling opener, "Stick Together". Then instead of proceeding with the next track, my curiosity got hold of me as I skipped down to the remix at the very end of the album: 7+ minutes of pure music bliss! Followed the exact same formula when I jumped back to "Make The World Go Away". Loved it the instant the song started with the bouncy piano and the intense 'dungeon-creeping' music—the kind you hear in those Medieval fantasy RPG video games); a lovely backing chorale and some rock guitar join the frenzy shortly thereafter. Then for a second time, I skipped down to the remix, and let me say that this one became my super mega-jam of the night: 6+ minutes of awesome hard techno! I was totally not expecting that, given the lush, gentle nature of the greater portion of Emin's songs I've heard thus far. My immediate reaction was this: "What have they done to this song??!!" Surprise of the night: his rendition of Elvis Presley's classic, "Can't Help Falling In Love". The only other version I can recall hearing from recent memory had been the one Corey Hart recorded way back in the 80's on his "Fields Of Fire" album. Emin's take is nothing short of fabulous when you combine his beautiful tenor with the screaming violin, the piano and the acoustic guitar. "My Boy" and "My Way": two moments of utter brilliance! The soaring vocals he delivers on each one is like giving the final performance of some formal theatrical presentation in grand fashion. Obsessions among obsessions—the title track midway through feels like your really listening to one as he seductively speaks above an ethereal ambient melody and a trippy alternative rock-sorta beat. "Torno A Settembre"—no idea what the title means nor what language the lyrics are being sung in, but it's another five minutes of musical elegance, especially with the addition of the lady on soprano as the song trails off near the end. But there's one song on here that sounds as if it was sent down from pop heaven just for me—"I'll Never Fall In Love Again". Easily THE best performance by the Azerbaijani singer I've heard yet! When it comes to that powerful soaring voice of his, "My Boy" nor "My Way" have nothing on it! You have GOT to play this one again as soon as it's through playing!!! If nothing else on the album becomes an obsession, that one will surely become a source of your next music fixation:

1. Stick Together
2. Make The World Go Away
3. The Wonder Of You
4. Can't Help Falling In Love
5. Would You Believe?
6. My Boy
7. Obsession
8. My Way
9. Torno A Settembre
10. Always On My Mind
11. I'll Never Fall In Love Again
12. Make The World Go Away (Remix)
13. Stick Together (Remix)

Emin Agalarov-Incredible (2007)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 24, 2012

It's incredible, isn't it? How I keep bringing these amazing talents to "The Music Spectrum"? I've decided that my new Azerbaijani companion is going to remain a passenger on this second leg of my continued musical 'joyride' (still got some of that ROXETTE album running warm in my veins) for at least one more day. Our next destination: his 2007 release, and the title guarantees that you will indeed be treated to a second brilliant performance! Know what else is 'incredible'? How I share my thoughts about who I think a particular artist sounds like in one post, then finding out later that one of his or her albums is full of songs by one of the artists I made the comparison to! I absolutely did not have the full disclosure on Emin Agalarov's discography before I noted that he sounded similar to Frank Sinatra as I started tuning in to his music. Then tonight, as I began the trek through Emin's second effort, I'd learn that some of the selections are—guess what?—covers of old Frank Sinatra tunes! Which ones, I can't be sure; a question, perhaps, to pose to the older generation of music listeners. And there's selected covers of classics by another music legend—Elvis Presley! Can you identify them? I'm not from the Elvis era, so that's something else I'll leave for the older generation as well. But here's a question that many of you should be able to answer: Who can listen to the voice of Emin Agalarov and not be astounded? What's more, who wouldn't be impressed by the instrumental arrangements that he employs? One of the funkiest offerings from Emin I've heard so far is "You Can See It In My Eyes". There's like a whole spectrum of diverse sounds and textures and patterns, ranging from excellent usage of the harmonica and the ragged tempo of the piano to the synthesized beat that I can only describe as a repetitive yet stylized 'boing-boing' sound effect, as in the noise you'd hear from a toy thingy with a spring attachment. Reminds me of Donna Summer's "Slide Over Backwards" from her "Crayons" album (I'd been listening to that colorful album a lot over the past few months), which features similar usage of a distinctive warped sound effect to accompany the primary harmonica melody. Track #10's "Hey" is just as vibrant, and for the second album in a row, there's a 7+ minute Emin Agalarov song where all of the musicians have a party at the end as they break into a wild instrumental craze. You'll hear everything from tribal ceremonial drumbeats to marching band salutes to the sounds of car engines revving up.....or were those bullet shots??? Curious if there will continue to be other songs with extended instrumentals just like "Tonight" and "Hey" on each one of Emin's albums after this one..... Can't exactly pinpoint what it is I love so much about "Sunday Morning" just yet—another listen is required—but I suspect it was something in the lyrics that got me there. "Promises" is a song that promises to be one your favorites; I myself liked the haunting melody and the hazy sound of the calypso bells chiming from a seemingly distant place. Then it was poetry in motion on Track #9's "Sometimes", which begins with a lyrical reading and showcases some of the best piano work you've ever heard. Listeners may deem this classy album 'incredible', 'astonishing' or whatever adjective floats their boat, but I'd like to borrow the title to the Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole classic and declare that this album is 'unforgettable':

1. Don't Cry
2. You Can See It In My Eyes
3. Incredible
4. Complicated Happiness
5. Sunday Morning
6. Now Is The Time
7. Promises
8. I'm Losing You
9. Sometimes
10. Hey
11. Your Love Is Gone
12. Don't Cry [Remix]

Emin Agalarov-Still (2006)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 24, 2012

Those outstanding male vocalists just keep on coming to entertain us here "The Music Spectrum"! I'd have to go back to last December when I followed a Youtube video recommendation, courtesy of my friend Bill, and listened in on the Azerbaijani singer known as Emin Agalarov, or simply Emin for short. Another first for me, that was, getting to know a pop singer from that Middle Eastern country. Bill mentioned that he really liked Emin's voice; tonight, I'll have to second that notion, and while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and third, fourth, and fifth that notion as well! Where and how Bill found out about this guy is beyond me, but Emin is someone who has already make a deep impact on my decision to explore future Azerbaijani artists down the road. If only I can get to Michael Bublé's self-titled debut, as I keep promising Bill that I'll do eventually..... Speaking of which, you'll immediately be thinking about all of the Michael Bublés and the Frank Sinatras that have come and gone in this world of popular music once Emin has blessed your ears with his bewildering exquisite soul and crooned every note on his debut album, "Still". Totally impressed by the opening title track, then when I got to Track #2's "Welcome To My World", my reaction was 'Oooh, that sounds so good'. Once again, the 'J-word' needs mentioning, because that elegant piano and the light percussion mixed in with the backing orchestra was like jazz music paradise! If you listen closely, you'll notice a faint electro-pop accompaniment that somewhat modernizes this song to today's contemporary pop standards, though the song retains its classy smooth feel all the way through—just the way I wanted it to be. "And I Love You So" has such an amazing groove. A couple of thoughts popped up in my mind right from the onset: One, hearing Emin sing on this one made me feel an urge to want to get to that Michael Bublé album even faster; two, the melody and the beat reminded me of an old U2 favorite—"Stay (Far Away, So Close!)". Familiarity again with "It's Impossible"; doesn't it bear resemblance to "Unforgettable", that memorable duet between Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole? Then speaking more of deuces: It took me exactly two seconds to gain instant jubilation for Track #10's "Just"; that intense piano intro marching into the bluesy gospel swing will have you praising it just the same. "Tonight" is one of those songs on these classic pop albums where the musicians let their fingers run wild and cook up a thrilling, dizzying batch of instrumental delirium. The title track is surely one of this album's finest moments, but you'll find that its alternative version, which concludes it all, makes that moment feel even more precious:

1. Still
2. Welcome To My World
3. Up To You
4. And I Love You So
5. Without You
6. It's Impossible
7. Feel
8. Until It's Time For You To Go
9. It's Over
10. Just
11. Love Letters
12. Tonight
13. Still (Alternative Version)

Javier Colón-Javier (2003)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 22, 2012

In the short span of time that I've been acquainted with Javier Colón, I've learned something very interesting: listening to his albums is like listening to one of my favorite jazz albums. Once the music starts, I'm virtually caught up in a gradual state of hypnotic trance, being able to do nothing except allow the lovely sounds of his soulful voice and the heart-melting r&b grooves to pour into my ears and wash away any sense of reality. Of course, it helps when I'm tuning in late at night when half the world is sleeping and the usual clutters and clamors of life aren't intruding upon my personal moments of leisure and solitude. Something my Estonian friend Jane mentioned a while back.....about the senses being more alert and attentive to surroundings once the sun goes down. So with my attention completely undivided and my mind perfectly clear, I found great pleasure in Javier Colón's debut, and no song was more pleasurable than the concluding piece, "October Sky". The 'J-word' is painted all over that soothing masterpiece from the first keystrokes of the opening 'Charlie Brown' piano instrumental and the lofty dreamscape crafted by the orchestral accompaniment; had to listen to it twice! And that little snippet during the waning seconds? It's a hidden track, and more or less serves as the third instrumental interlude on this album; I gave it my own title. Way before you even get to "October Sky", however, are many other golden moments of music bliss. "Songs For Your Tears": You can almost judge from the title that is gonna be one of those soul-aching numbers where you the pain of the singer and the songwriter is almost tangible; it's a performance well done. "Slow Motion": The beauty about this song that left its lasting impressions on me is the songwriting, with my favorite words coming from the main chorus in the form of a thought-provoking question: 'Have you ever met someone who could stop the hands of time.....?' There's no mistaking that "Biggest Mistake" should be considered as one of Javier's greatest hits when his first such compilation is manufactured; when his voice soars and sails off high into the clouds, it takes you right up there into the heavens with him. Then the song that deserves the final curtain call is the short but sweet emotional piece, "In Your Hands"; just bask in the lovely acousticness and the orchestral cinematics. And that's how I'll end this post—by recommending that you should get Javier's debut in your own hands before my power of persuasion wears off:

1. Crazy
2. Beautiful R U
3. Songs For Your Tears
4. Slow Motion
5. Hey Little Sister
6. Biggest Mistake
7. Interlude #1
8. If I Never Get To
9. Can't Have My Heart
10. She Spoke To Me
11. In Your Hands
12. She'll Never Know
13. Interlude #2
14. October Sky
15. Jazz Outro [Hidden Track]

Javier Colón-Left Of Center (2006)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 20, 2012

I couldn't let the sun go down on this beautiful Sunday without featuring another beautiful voice! Making his debut visit to "The Music Spectrum" is the acoustic soul singer Javier Colón, who first came to my attention just weeks ago in a discussion with the same guy who recommended the former SOUL ATTORNEYS lead vocalist, Jacques Gaines. Suspecting that his taste in music was very similar to my own, I did some checking into Javier's discography, and so far, I've come up with the 2006 album, "Left Of Center". Actually, that title is a bit deceptive; if this were a baseball game, and each of the thirteen individual selections were a pitch headed towards home plate, every one of them would be a blistering fastball right down the middle of the strike zone! No curveballs, screwballs, change-ups or other ropey-dopes (as my Dad likes to call them) to throw you off balance. Okay, maybe that little blurb about baseball was a bit 'left of center' itself, but spring is in the air, and when I think of spring, I think of baseball, and I thought I would have a little fun with this post by giving reference to my favorite professional sport. The first two will definitely get the spectators cheering, but the real curtain calls start to come as you move deeper down the lineup. "Wassup" is the first of many pleasant moments where I dig the old-school Neo-soul groove. Some lovely lite Spanish guitar makes "Dance For Me" so likable, then the Latin explosion blasts you away on the lively 'Reggaeton Remix'. But you know what song really touched me? Look for the track that has 'the answer'. It's like one of those uplifting gospel tunes that really does something to your heart—especially when you hear Javier's soaring voice plus the soulful voices of the background singers adding to it. Only thing is, it was much too short for my taste at a little over three minutes; I could've played it on for the next three hours, and my soul still wouldn't have been satisfied. Another pleasant moment of old-school Neo-soul groovyness returns on "Is This Love?". The beat is cool, too—that thunderous clapping beat that we all recognize from the signature stadium pep rally song by QUEEN: "We Will Rock You". So maybe my references to baseball isn't as 'left of center' as I originally thought after all, is it? Then for this album's most monumental moment, turn your attention to the acoustic guitar duet between Javier and famed contemporary r&b singer, Anthony Hamilton, entitled "Count On Me". Nice hearing the two singers sharing the same space while offering up their vocal talents. And you can always count on yours truly for bringing you these delectable music finds. The sun may have long gone down on me now, but somewhere in another part of this world, I've made the sun rise to brighten up someone's day:

1. You're The One
2. Indecent Proposal
3. Wassup
4. Dance For Me
5. The Answer Is Yes
6. Is This Love?
7. Poetry
8. Count On Me [feat. Anthony Hamilton]
9. Once We Start
10. Can I Talk To You?
11. Ways I'm Feeling U
12. Lovin' U
13. Dance For Me [The Reggaeton Remix]

TAG-Contagious (1991)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 19, 2012

Pop music fever has been swirling around "The Music Spectrum", and if you haven't heard, it's quite contagious. The latest culprits contributing to this wide-scale epidemic is the obscure 90's duo called TAG. And now you're it! I would have to go all the way back to the early months of "The Music Nexus: Reloaded" to recall the very first time I had even heard of this group; that's where their ultra rare "Contagious" album was first requested..... Never did I forget about it; like my friend Nastyg over at the "Isle Of Deserted Pop Stars" blog, I always have a taste for these largely-unheard-of pop artists, so I was always on the lookout for it. That search was accelerated when I recently tuned in to the 1989 soundtrack from the action/drama series, "Baywatch", as part of my beginning exploration of David Hasselhoff's early discography. That's when I was introduced to the third song on that soundtrack, "All I Wanna Be (Is With You)" which, to my surprise, had been recorded by this TAG team that I still know practically nothing about! Awesome song, I have to say—including David Hasselhoff's own offerings as well as everything else contained on that soundtrack (I can thank my friend Kim for getting me hooked onto his music now)—but even more awesome is being the proud owner of TAG's first and only album in existence. Treana Morris, the lady pictured on the album artwork above, performs the vast majority of the singing duties, sounding on some similar level to Basia, Lisa Stansfield or Corinne Drewery of SWING OUT SISTER fame. The lone exception is Track #6's "Yo", which is all beats and groove 90's house style.....plus some pretty snazzy trumpet playing for a brilliant jazzy touch.....and a bit of random spoken dialogue that you always seem to find in these club cuts. I could assume that, with the flurry of jazz instrumentals accompanying Treana's sensual vocals, TAG was once part of the sophisti-pop epidemic that swept through Europe throughout the 80's, though without any knowledge of the group's origins or nationality, I can't say for sure. The best thing about this album is all of the great dance tracks; in addition to "Yo", there's "Love And Money", "Don't Stop The Beat" and "Keep On Movin'" for you to get down to. Although the pop fever bug is swarming elsewhere too. "Round And Round" became an instant favorite of mine because of its perky ACE OF BASE-style beat while "Lonely Without Your Love" sounds like a throwback from the good ole rockin' 80's. "11:15" does indeed sound like an 11:15 song—one of the late night numbers intended to smooth out your evening.....and a perfect way to close out this album. I know for a fact that there's gonna be a lot of people infected by "Contagious", and there's no prescribed medicine or antidote in sight that will be able to control the symptoms:

1. Don't Play With My Heart
2. Love And Money
3. Hang On (Til Tomorrow)
4. Round And Round
5. Never Gonna Push You
6. Yo
7. Don't Stop The Beat
8. The Way I Feel
9. Keep On Movin'
10. Lonely Without Your Love
11. 11:15

Carmen Reece-Unplugged (2010)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 18, 2012

Yep—that word just about sums up how I've left my computer for the better part of the past couple of days—unplugged. But it's getting plugged right back in tonight just in time for my latest "Music Spectrum" exclusive—the much-sought-after "Unplugged" album by rising pop star, Carmen Reece. Katerina, my old Belgian friend from the former "POP+NATION" blog, had requested this one a long time ago, and I'm sure she'll be more than delighted when she discovers that I've featured it here! As for yours truly, I'm not totally hip to Carmen Reece yet, although I once caught a sneak peak of her vocal talents through her Myspace page. Shortly afterwards, I had seen her face again on the "Dance Love Pop" blog, and that's when I had my heart set on checking out her "Love In Stereo" album. I knew it would be awesome, but I still haven't done that yet, even though I'm betting that it's already won all sorts of awards for 'Best Single' and 'Best New Artist' or something along those lines. That means "Unplugged" becomes the first full-length album of hers that I've heard, and all I can say after listening to it is that this young lady has a remarkable voice! And that voice is one of those powerful pop diva's voices that make me think about the likes of Rihanna and Christina Aguilera. And when your name can be listed alongside those two big-ticket names, it means you can compete with the best of them! I always like these 'unplugged' editions because, to me, it gives the listener a chance to hear the real artist within the singer, and shows that the singer isn't just another regular voice that depends on glitzy studio production in order to achieve commercial success. First song that captured me: "Be The One". It was her repeating the line 'Be the one, the one, the one' of the main chorus that struck a chord with me.....and a loud one at that! Was almost like hearing Rihanna sing 'Umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh' and not being able to get it out of your system even when the song is over. Then this line from the chorus to "Right Here"—'B-b-b-baby, right here'—was another captivating moment. Rihanna, in fact, has one of her newest songs covered by Carmen on this album: "Only Girl (In The World)"; haven't heard that nor 2010 release "Loud" either. And the other four singers—Justin Bieber Taylor Swift, Usher and Bruno Mars—who have their songs covered as well? I couldn't tell you very much about their music—I don't even know where this Justin Bieber kid came from—so I'd recommend keeping that computer 'plugged in' and doing a little net surfing to tune in live:

1. Mine [Taylor Swift Cover]
2. Don't Ever Leave Me [Unplugged]
3. Be The One [Unplugged]
4. Right Here [Unplugged]
5. Runnin' [Unplugged]
6. DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love [Usher Cover]
7. Raindrop [Unplugged]
8. U Smile [Justin Bieber Cover]
9. Only Girl (In The World) [Rihanna Cover]
10. Just The Way You Are [Bruno Mars Cover]

Maria Montell-Think Positive (2002)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 15, 2012

Always think positive thoughts when you make a request at the "Music Spectrum"; as I always say, I just might have it! Or in most cases, I track it down eventually—sometimes with a little assistance. With that being said, I can thank someone over in the Far East for helping me fulfill the request for Maria Montell's fourth studio album, "Think Positive", and making it tonight's "Music Spectrum" exclusive! Haven't gotten off the clouds of pop heaven yet after checking out GIRLTHING (which I know many of my readers have within the past hour)? No worries, because you'll find yourself floating in that celestial place a little while longer once you've heard what the Danish singer has to contribute to your listening pleasure. It's been a moment since I last heard the voice of Maria Montell; was it three years ago when I had "The Music Nexus: Trinity" up and running? That was where I'd featured 1996's "And The Story Goes". Fast-forward six release years later to "Think Positive", and I find that Maria's music has changed over to a more electro-rock/pop style here, which is definitely different from what I remember from listening to "And The Story Goes"—the only other album I've heard by her thus far. She sounds terrific yet again, and have I mentioned that she sorta reminds me of Cyndi Lauper? Especially on Track #7's Spanglish tune, "Qué Pasa Con Tigo" (which means "What's Happening With You?"; couldn't help but to show off my Spanish language skills once again) and the final track, "No Sad Goodbye". They both have that girly voice: quiet and innocent one minute, then loud and rambunctious and almost screaming the next. I love the playful personality she puts into "Hard Candy" on Track #4. The lyrics are bubblegummingly cute (did I just invent a new word for the Webster's dictionary?), and the catchy beat makes chewing on it taste even more sweeter. And when I saw "Hard Candy" as the track-listing, I couldn't help but to think of Madonna and her own "Hard Candy" album, as Madonna's been on my mind a lot lately with all the hoopla about her recently-released "MDNA". From tantalizingly sweet (now 'tantalizingly' is a real word) to seductively sexy on the soothing downtempo dance groove, "I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight"; pop lovers will eat this one up! For me, it dug up old images of me listening to the CARDIGANS radio-friendly hit from 1996—"Lovefool"—while I was listening. Surely, it had something to do with the delicate sound of Maria's whispering voice. One song that I know will tantalize you—before you even hear any lyrics—is "I Don't Think It's Okay"; the opening melody is too pleasant not to be attracted to it:

1. It's Very Simple
2. Think Positive
3. I Pick Up
4. Hard Candy
5. I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight
6. Life Can Be Light
7. Qué Pasa Con Tigo
8. Me Into Your Life
9. I Don't Think It's Okay
10. Baby Baby Baby
11. All I Wanna Do (We Do)
12. No Sad Goodbye

GIRLTHING-Girlthing (2000)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 15, 2012

There's GIRLS ALOUD, GIRLFRIEND, SPICE GIRLS and BOYZ N GIRLZ UNITED, but you haven't experienced the sights and sounds of pop heaven until you've heard the British five-piece girlband called—what else?—GIRLTHING. When their self-titled debut was requested a couple of days ago, I was more than happy to share it, because GIRLTHING are the type of groups that get me excited and make me feel glad that I'm a music lover! With a hip attitude and an in-your-face dance/pop style, these girls have got their own thing going on, and they wanna break it down and tell you all about it! "Last One Standing", though the group's biggest hit, will most definitely not be the last left standing as the lone song you've listened to. Once the wheels have been set in motion, there'll be no stopping this train as it steamrolls its way through the gates of celestial pop bliss. Let the praises continue on the thrilling Eurodisco jam, "Girls On Top", and if neither that one nor its groovy club remix at the end of the album have you dancing in heaven, then the girls get down and party it up again on "We've Come To Mambo", which is one of my personal favorites because I love the Latin-flavored musical explosion, the rap love and the little march that changes up the beat on the second verse. Some of you might still be floating in the clouds with "Girls On Top". After all, as the girls declare partway through the song: 'When you reach the top, you ain't never gonna wanna come down'. But if you do end up falling through the clouds and coming back to earth, you'll find that the party is still alive and well! The title track, "Don't Look Down", "Extraordinary Love" and "Wake Up" are three of the catchiest songs on this album; they're fun, they're carefree, and they just make you feel good (I love the cute little rap that they perform in harmony with one another on the title track in particular). And if you think the music quiets down on Track #13's "Shhh", think again; the hoppin' funktafied beat ensures that this is not a slow jam of any sort. The best rap of the album is featured on this song (I like how the girls cleverly mention rapper Busta Rhymes in the lyrics) and for more hip-hop goodness, enjoy the sunny rap on "Summer Daze", which you'll find exclusively on the single to "Last One Standing" that I've so thoughtfully included with this post. It's too bad that the girls had stopped performing together after just one release, but if you have a thing for pop music like I do, then you'll be delightfully entertained while they're doin' their 'girlthing':

1. Last One Standing
2. Girls On Top
3. Young, Free And Happy
4. We've Come To Mambo
5. Last Goodbye
6. Sometimes You Hit, Sometimes You Miss
7. Girl Thing
8. Don't Look Down
9. Wake Up
10. Pure & Simple
11. From All Of Us
12. Shhh
13. If That's What It Takes
14. You Can Run But You Can't Hide
15. Extraordinary Love
16. Girls On Top (K-klass Klub Mix)

GIRLTHING-Last One Standing (2000)

1. Last One Standing
2. Extraordinary Love
3. Summer Daze
4. Exclusive Audio Interview

Roch Voisine-I'll Always Be There (1993)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 14, 2012

If Jacques Gaines was the best vocalist that I heard for all of last week, then here's another guy who just might've earned that honor already for this week—Roch Voisine. Just maybe, he'll even be the best vocalist I've heard all year! Well, at least somebody felt that way about eighteen years ago when, according to his Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roch_Voisine#Discography, he won the Juno Award for Best Male Vocalist Of The Year back in 1994. And when I read that bit, I knew I would soon be adding him to the expanding list of outstanding Canadian singers I've discovered since I started blogging; this time, I have to applaud my Norwegian friend Ove for this excellent recommendation. And a big round of applause is in order after tuning in to every song on 1993's "I'll Always Be There". The brilliant opening title track is such a grand performance that it deserves a long standing ovation by itself! Not only was I introduced to his amazing voice here, but I was also introduced to the great soulful sound of his background vocalists who support him all throughout. In many distinct places on this album—namely the mellow acoustic guitar pieces ("There's No Easy Way", "Blue Bird", "Wind And Tears" and "Lost Without You")—Roch has a hint of that rich country singer's voice that I really like. In other places—primarily on the livelier upbeat selections like "Shout Out Loud" and "Heaven Or Hell"—he has the gritty hard rocker's voice that nearly blows your mind. I especially love what is done with the instrumental variety and the production. Both "Shout Out Loud" and "Lost Without You", for instance, commence with an innocent acoustic guitar piece before the former breaks into a jazz/funk frenzy while the other gets some of that hard rock vibe with the inclusion of electric guitar. "Blue Bird", "Am I Wrong?" and the ethnic offering, "Oochigeas (Indian Song)", are cinematic masterpieces where the ambiance will just whisk you away into a dreamy place (the sharp violin accompaniment to "Am I Wrong?" and the piano sounds to "Oochigeas (Indian Song)" are especially beautiful). Or how about the harmonica featured on Track #9's "Stay"? I could make any one of these songs my #1 favorite, though the next time through, it would get bumped while another one took its place. But in this album of monumental golden moments, I would have to say that the title track, "Blue Bird" and "Wind And Tears" are the biggest award-winners:

1. I'll Always Be There
2. Shout Out Loud
3. Lost Without You
4. Blue Bird
5. She Picked On Me
6. Heaven Or Hell
7. For Adam's Sake
8. Wind And Tears
9. Stay
10. There's No Easy Way
11. Am I Wrong?
12. Oochigeas (Indian Song)

Jacques Gaines-For (2007)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 12, 2012

Looks like I've found yet another great Canadian voice to join the slew of others I've already featured here at "The Music Spectrum"! Rather, it found me this time! A recent request for the one and only album by a pop/r&b group I'd never heard of before—SOUL ATTORNEYS—and the solo discography of the group's lead singer, Jacques Gaines, led to me to track down 2007's "For". These days, when it comes to music, all somebody has to do is mention the word 'Canadian' and I'm all over it. By the time you're done listening to this album, you'll be declaring that this Jacques Gaines guy is the best voice that you've heard all week! Check out the song entitled "Better Man" that he recorded with SOUL ATTORNEYS on their "Another Day" album at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7-YgOurShI and tell me you're not convinced! Got your attention? I'm personally looking forward (or shall I say backward?) to "Another Day" because I'm especially fond of the Canadian pop sound near the tail end of the 90's, but in the meantime, "For" is giving me an excellent taste of what's in store for me later. Do what I often like to do as soon as I get through all of the songs the first time around: play the entire album again, in whatever order you desire! The best voice you'll hear all week also expresses some of the best lyrics you've heard all week as well, and I myself jumped back and forth between "Your Name", "When All Turns To Sand" (I love the part where he talks about sand turning into glass), "It Whispers" (I like the echo of him reciting and whispering the lyrics against the second voice of him singing the same words) and "Trace Of Tracy" so I could hear the poetic artistry once more—staying for the ride longer in some places than in others. Speaking of "Trace Of Tracy", there's a pleasant hidden tune that comes right after it that I aptly called "Think Of All These Things". In most cases, I'd have left the hidden piece attached to the end of the final track, but this is a special case—one that doesn't require formal legal proceedings to comprehend. Sometimes, I simply prefer to have the song all by itself—thus the reasoning behind the additional listing for Track #11 as seen below. Jacques Gaines may not have a fancy law degree, but let him be the soul attorney for all of your music needs. Case closed:

1. Never Had
2. Your Name
3. I Dreamed
4. Take Me
5. Human Bizz
6. New York Sorrow
7. When All Turns To Sand
8. It Whispers
9. Would It Really Matter?
10. Trace Of Tracy
11. Think Of All These Things [Hidden Track]

Kathy Troccoli-Kathy Troccoli (1994)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 11, 2012

One of the premiere icons in the inspirational world of Christian contemporary music, Kathy Troccoli is an amazing voice that must be heard and experienced by all! While the focus of her talents throughout the years has concentrated on her religious faith, she has crossed over many times into the popular music mainstream—most notably on her 1991 album, "Pure Attraction", which featured the memorable hit, "Everything Changes", and especially on her 1994 self-titled album, which I've sooooooooooooo been looking forward to featuring here after it was requested! It happens to be one of my Kathy Troccoli favorites—albeit still being among the collection of unlisted items in my music library—and as far as lost pop gems go, this is one priceless treasure that's oozing with sparkling riches! If I don't remember anything else, I'll always remember this album for two specific songs that are quite special to me. One is the Diane Warren-penned "Tell Me Where It Hurts", and music listeners know that all of the songs this lady writes are like pure gold. There's so many other artists who have recorded this beautiful song, but I really love Kathy's rendition plus the version performed by the Orlando, Florida-based boyband, C-NOTE, on their "Different Kind Of Love" album back in 1999 (yes, I've previously featured them too). Then there's "Mission Of Love", which listeners might recognize as the same song recorded by Jason Donovan on his 1993 album, "All Around The World". But let's go back up to the top with the opening jam that gets me excited every time—"Just You". One listen to this, and trust me—you'll fall in love with this lady forever! Whether you have a heart of glass or a heart of stone, she'll break through it all and melt your soul on "I'll Be There (For You)"; the opening instrumental melody is so nice that it almost makes you want to cry. Terrific background vocals and lyrics that are so powerful and encouraging that you'll have to stop whatever it is that you're doing just to take it all in. "Takin' A Chance" and "Fallin'": two other great cheerful numbers to get you excited about love! But you know what always gets me excited? The soothing sound of instrumental jazz, or just the mere mentioning of it. When the saxophone starts blaring during the interlude to "All Of My Life" and again on "Never My Love", my already melted heart liquifies even more:

1. Just You
2. Tell Me Where It Hurts
3. If I'm Not In Love
4. I'll Be There (For You)
5. All Of My Life
6. Takin' A Chance
7. Mission Of Love
8. Never My Love
9. Fallin'
10. My Life Is In Your Hands

Chesney Hawkes-Get The Picture (1993)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 10, 2012

Whenever I want to hear something new by a male solo performer, I can always count on my Estonian friend Jane for plenty of great recommendations. It was many months ago when she mentioned the name Chesney Hawkes in a past conversation, and I promised myself afterwards that I'd check him out eventually. I keep feeling inclined to write 'Kenny Chesney'—as in the name of the famous American country singer—instead of 'Chesney Hawkes'; I even told Jane that as well. Fast-forward to the month of May where we find my very first feature on the British pop singer, just in time for a quick stop along my continuing joyride. Well, turns out this stop might not be very quick at all; in fact, I think I'll be parking the car right here, renting a room for the whole night even. I can tell you what was quick—me loving every one of the songs on this "Get The Picture" album, which I expected to happen anyway, knowing how much I adore the British sound. I had been impressed by the opening tune, "Tell Me Something I Don't Know", but it was about half a minute into "What's Wrong With This Picture?" when I thought the album was really starting to open up and I could feel myself gradually getting hooked on the music. The word 'hooked' is right on target, and the two biggest 'hooks'—one found in the main chorus to "Help Me To Help Myself" and the other in "Missing You Already—are strong enough to snatch even the toughest fish out of the river! Every once in a while, those good concept songs with an important message still come along, though you generally have to go back to the 80's or the 90's to hear most of the best ones. I'd say "Black Or White People" fits the profile of a good concept song perfectly. Even though the cool beat is what will probably get your attention first, the lyrics will catch up with you in a hurry. Did I mention the 80's again? Hardly a post is written without it. "One Of Those Days" and "Every Little Tear" both could've come from my favorite decade with the peppy, rockin' sound to "One Of Those Days" being especially fabulous for my ears. My favorite one of all: the haunting tune, "Fairweather Christian". Such lovely, ethereal ambiance forming the instrumental landscape for this song. So yes, I've gotten myself all settled in for the night with this picture-perfect album, and if you haven't 'gotten the picture' by now, then I suggest you take one for yourself and see what develops:

1. Tell Me Something I Don't Know
2. What's Wrong With This Picture?
3. Help Me To Help Myself
4. Sometimes
5. Black Or White People
6. Missing You Already
7. One Of Those Days
8. Fairweather Christian
9. The Family Way
10. Every Little Tear

Carlos Nóbrega-Pitiful (2011)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 10, 2012

I always relish these opportunities to showcase a music artist at his or her request, so today, I've picked up a special passenger on my continuing joyride: his name is Carlos Nóbrega, and for the next few minutes, the multi-talented Portuguese celebrity is getting the V.I.P. treatment as I drive him around town. Already an accomplished actor, writer, photographer and singer, Carlos returned to music once again with the September 19, 2011 worldwide release of his comeback single, "Pitiful". And for the past eight months, this one song has been anything but! I had my very first chance to tune in through Carlos' official website at http://carlosnobrega.com via a Youtube video months ago, and from the second I heard the swirly 'Space Invaders' sound effects leading into the main beat, then saw those big white letters jumping out at me on the screen spelling 'Why you're tryna steal my shine?' as he belts out the lyrics to the first verse, I was hooked! Oh, and I can't forget to mention the image of the big red stop sign with the telephone that pops up when he sings 'Stop calling!' during the third repetition of the main chorus. While those colorful animated graphics do enhance the entertainment value, the coolest part of the song is the rap sequence about two-and-a-half minutes through where Carlos breaks it all down and gives you the raw, uncut lowdown on what he truly thinks of his pitiful lover. And, of course, you get to see all of the rap lyrics 'wrapping' around each other in a dizzying greenish spiral for good effect. From breakdowns and lowdowns to 'throwdowns' and 'cooldowns': You've got to hear the slammin' Pablo Rodriguez club remix at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qew5Aw-KRGg and the lovely acoustic guitar version at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23hRE0_UMu8, which is the one I personally adore the most. All of this, and "Pitiful" is only the first of what I expect to be a string of hits on our V.I.P.'s upcoming debut album:

1. Pitiful

NEW GENERATION-T.N.G. (1992)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 9, 2012

My joyride came to a temporary halt last night as I pulled over on the side of the road, laid back and took some time to admire the view, but the joyride ain't over just yet! This morning, I decided to travel back to the 'old school' in order to become acquainted with some students in attendance whom I never got a chance to meet twenty years ago—the Hawaiian hip-hop/r&b outfit called THE NEW GENERATION. How ironic that I would feature these guys here and now in 2012, considering that this 'new generation' of listeners is being brought up on the likes of Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and many other big-ticket names in popular music. But whether you've already graduated from the old school, you're still taking classes, or you're contemplating admission, there's a lot you can get from the nine courses offered on the "T.N.G." curriculum. "Sweet Okole" commences this forty-minute program with a delicate island-style melody that pays tribute to NEW GENERATION's Hawaiian heritage before the song breaks down into a dynamite street-beat explosion that you won't even see coming before it hits you. After that exciting introduction, you'll be well-prepared for the next two courses—"I Cry (Stop W/ The Attitude)" and "Ordinary Guy"; take notes on the grooves to both of these, because you'll be hearing something similar to them again later. Two of the curriculum's most important courses are "Make This Dream Real" and "Hugs & Kisses". Try not to skip a beat to either one; you'll be extremely happy that you stayed in your seat for their entire duration! I myself highly recommend that you re-take the "Make This Dream Real" course at least once even if you didn't miss anything the first time through. Ready for a little recess? The guys let it all bust loose on "Getting Kinda Crazy" and "Take Me I'm Yours (Sexy Lady)" (loving the cool beat and the production that went into creating this one, and it sounds like one of those great Freestyle hits from the late 80's). Funny I mention Freestyle, because the booklet accompanying this CD mentions that NEW GENERATION had performed alongside THE COVER GIRLS, SWEET SENSATION and Brenda K. Starr, who were some of the premiere acts throughout the 80's Freestyle movement. Something else interesting that I read today: the group had never achieved international recognition. I find that hard believe; "Make This Dream Real" and "Hugs & Kisses" should have at the very least received heavy rotation on the urban quiet storm radio channels. Well, it's probably twenty years too late, but perhaps my featuring of them will allow them to get some of that worldwide fame they so desired. And the fact that the title to this 1992 debut coincidentally shares its name with the partial acronym of one of the most popular science fiction television shows in history—"Star Trek: The Next Generation", which is often abbreviated as "ST: TNG", means that other users surfing the Internet might be attracted to this post as well, paving the way for more unexpected potential listeners:

1. Sweet Okole
2. I Cry (Stop W/ The Attitude)
3. Ordinary Guy
4. Make This Dream Real
5. Rhythmnate Your Body
6. Hugs & Kisses
7. Getting Kinda Crazy
8. Heartaches And Heartbreaks
9. Take Me I'm Yours (Sexy Lady)

ADAIGO-3 Coin Project (2003)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 7, 2012

I have so many different projects going on at one time: computer maintenance and instruction, game designing, gardening, setting up my art gallery, photography, tracing my family's history, scrapbooking and, of course, "The Music Spectrum", which is one huge ongoing project in itself. But I'm taking a break from all of the first seven projects tonight to center my attention on one that I hadn't even started yet—the "3 Coin Project", which is the first and only album by the New Jersey-based Filipino-American trio ADAIGO. As I had done with the NEOCOLOURS compilation I featured last night, I had gotten "3 Coin Project" as a treat for myself—another wonderful post-birthday gift, as it's turned out to be, although it had been sitting in my collection of uncatalogued CD's for weeks! The word 'adaigo', which is pronounced 'uh-DAH-gee-oh' (I found that out while listening to a couple of the tracks) has a ton of definitions depending on the subject, but the one I like is this: 'a tempo marking indicating that music is to be played slowly'. And that, my friends, is the absolute truth—music is to be played slowly.....and it's to be enjoyed slowly.....and thoroughly at that, among other pleasurable and exciting things in this life of constant swift transitions. That's why I could never bring myself to rip right through these albums by male vocal groups; otherwise, I'd leave something behind. Unlike their San Francisco-based Filipino-American counterparts such as INNERLUDE, KAI, DEVOTION and DROP 'N' HARMONY, who all share a heavy Western r&b sound, ADAGIO's lighter sound is primarily influenced by their Far Eastern roots, accentuated by usage of the acoustic guitar. Reflecting on that, and the smooth soul that results when these guys sing together, I can understand why it was so nice listening to them. The April rainshowers have been causing May flowers to bloom all over the place, and there's a bunch of them that sprout up all throughout album. "Stand Strong Woman" 'stands' big and tall, and you're treated to a reprise of it during the second part of Track #12 once the inspirational and poetic reading of "Every Now And Then" is completed. "Simply, I Love You" is 'simply' gorgeous—nice and mellow, and the harmonica accompaniment towards the end makes it ever nicer. "I Cried (Our Love To Sleep)" isn't a song to be shedding tears over; it's one of the sweetest moments on this album, as is the one that follows it—"Pretty". In the dedication message printed on the back of the CD booklet, the guys say that the goal of their project was to be a continuing journey. Well, it looks like they didn't make it as far as they'd hoped, but my time with them during my current joyride was one project that I could make last a lifetime:

1. Till The Weekend's Gone
2. Stand Strong Woman
3. For The Rest Of My Life
4. Simply, I Love You
5. Shutup! [Segue]
6. Do You Think About Me?
7. Tale Of The Painting
8. Morning [Interlude]
9. Today My Life Is...
10. Room 224 [Bonus Track]
11. Come Near To Me
12. Every Now And Then / Stand Strong Woman
13. I Cried (Our Love To Sleep)
14. Pretty
15. Beautifully Mine

NEOCOLOURS-Sce: Tuloy Pa Rin (2008)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 6, 2012

My long joyride takes a wide turn tonight as I head back down two different roads: one that I've driven down many times; the other I've only just started to travel on. Those roads would be the avenue of 80's rock and the boulevard of Filipino music, respectively, and both roads merge together on this compilation of greatest hits by the Filipino OPM band, NEOCOLOURS. Even with all of the nice birthday gifts I'd received within the past week and a half, I still wanted to treat myself to some special things, and "Sce: Tuloy Pa Rin" (I have no idea what this means, but I'm sure my friend Ver could help me out) was one of them. NEOCOLOURS is one of those super radio-friendly bands I surely wished I had grown up listening to because their sound is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! I know I would've loved them so much—idolized them, even! They're like the exact Filipino equivalent to the American rock band TOTO with a mixture of JOURNEY's harder-rockin' sound, but think of THE EAGLES' Don Henley or JOURNEY's Steve Perry on lead vocals instead of TOTO's Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams. My Filipino remains a bit shaky, but who needs to understand words when you can still enjoy the music? That's my sentiment about pretty much all of the Filipino language songs on this album—especially this compilation's lively opener, "Tuloy Pa Rin", then the amazing pair of beautiful offerings that consists of "Bahala Na" and the soothing 'thunderstorm' ballad, "Pangako". Then switching over to the English tracks, the good ole sound of the 80's—and JOURNEY's heyday—comes roaring back on tunes like "All Night" (excellent backing vocals here), "Stand Up" and "Making It". And as for more of those May flowers that have bloomed and blossomed after those April rainshowers? "I Can't Deny" (I get the feeling that I've heard this one somewhere before, many times before), "Only Love", "Say You'll Never Go" and "Let It Go" are the roses that are looking mighty pretty in the rose garden:

1. Tuloy Pa Rin
2. Hold On
3. Bahala Na
4. I Can't Deny
5. All Night
6. Laki Sa Layaw
7. Only Love
8. Let It Go
9. Pangako
10. I Can't Wait
11. Stand Up
12. Last Slow Dance
13. Kung Kilala Na
14. Making It
15. Say You'll Never Go
16. Maybe I Should Forget You

CODE 5-Premium (1998)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: May 5, 2012

I'm still out and about on my long joyride, but I need to refuel on some of that 'premium' gasoline that my engine has been running on. So today, I'm making another pit stop at the boyband station and filling up on the Swiss five-piece outfit that called itself CODE 5. Now does it sound like I made that last statement as if I've known all about these guys as long as I've been into music? As convincing as that may have been, would you know that I knew absolutely nothing about CODE 5 and their existence until my Aussie friend Adriana mentioned them to me? And just when I thought I'd exhausted my search for all of the 90's boybands on European soil! So we have the British boyband called CODE RED, and now this one from Switzerland called CODE 5. Not sure how many other 'codes' are hiding in secret out there, but CODE 5 just might be the first and only boyband to come out of Switzerland. And you won't have to figure out some complex encryption sequence to gain access to their one and only album, "Premium", which is the latest of the lost pop gems Adriana has unearthed out of the endless mine of golden treasures that she owns and operates in the Land Down Under. Another unexpected early birthday gift, as I like to see it, though I waited until this weekend when I knew I'd finally be able to enjoy it—a time when my mind would be clear and I knew I could escape into my own private world of music. When the fuel starts pumpin' with the buzzing electro and the bass on the opening track, "I Know What You Did", you'll be all revved up and ready to go. Though you'll have to let the engine run idle for a few minutes shortly thereafter with the finger-snapping slow number, "I Wish You Were Here". The romantic-minded will immediately fall in love with this song.....and you might even wish that it was you that was there with them! More poetic love expressed on what would become my #1 favorite: "The Ultimate Love Song"; the beat and the deep piano totally brings this one to life! Whether it's truly the love song to end all love songs is strictly the listener's opinion, but I must say that it at least put love on my mind. Might be hard to top that one, but "I'll Be There For You" is another beauty that gives you good feelings the longer it grows on you. Then by the time you've filled up and gotten to the final track, it's time to hit the road, and what better way to drive off than with some high-energy dance Eurodisco style? The 6+ minutes of "Hold Me How" sounds like a trance remix of another song not on this album with its pulsating beat and its instrumental grooves of ambiance; it brings ACE OF BASE's "Waiting For Magic" to my attention. And something else that popped into my head while listening to this album—CODE 5 shares very close vocal similarities to three other European boybands: 2BE3, WORLDS APART and, particularly, CAUGHT IN THE ACT. I think I've listened to enough boybands to establish a distinction between one set of voices and another:

1. I Know What I Did
2. I Wish You Were Here
3. Love Is Your Game
4. Inside
5. Quit
6. The Ultimate Love Song
7. I'll Be There For You
8. Jeans On
9. Doo It
10. Promise
11. Hold Me Now