Finding the Rhythm

I’ve been updating my Top 25 Dance Chart, but haven’t been doing blog posts recently since, frankly, my day job has been kicking my ass. So let’s visit some of the recent movements.

Not terribly surprisingly, Robyn is holding the top spot for two weeks running with Handle Me. Interscope released Robyn’s nearly two year old album here this year, and I’m not sure what took so long for a US label to take an interest. The last time most of us heard about Robyn was in the 90s with Show Me Love, and she sound better now than she did even then. Handle Me has been getting some Internet radio airplay for months, but the track was serviced to DJs not that long ago; I expect to be spinning this one for awhile to come.

Finnish producer Ercola has been responsible for some great music lately, and one of my favorites of the lot is Every Word which holds the #2 spot for as many weeks. With great production, and a sweet vocal from Daniella, the song has a lot going for it.

Other notables in the chart this week include the UK’s Taio Cruz with a fantastic track that has yet to see a US release: I Can Be. With its uplifting lyrics and positive message, it’s a real fave of mine, and the audiences seem to enjoy it as well. My good friends Jennifer and Cory, better known as Pleasure Center, are holding mid-chart with Love’s a Basic Freedom, another song with an upbeat and time-appropriate message. And a new release from CAPP, DJ Skillmaster’s Summertime is at #14 as a new entry. This song has several new mixes for 2008, and I expect it to be around for awhile too with its unique and fresh arrangement peppered with sound bites and overdubs.

Some of the hot new adds for the week include a great track from DJ HeavyGrinder, Mind Eraser, which features the vocals of the talented Zelma “C+C Music Factory” Davis in a grungy electro track that’s a real grabber. And a particularly strong dance crossover is Duffy’s Mercy which is a real crowd favorite at the moment. Finally, a real surprise from Alanis Morissette with Undernearth; I’ve never been much of a fan, but the numerous dance remixes of Morissette’s new single are really strong.

Turn up the volume,

Wes