Browsing Tag r&b
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 32):
Wildcard (week 32):
Ridsa – Avancer
The holidays are a great moment to pick up music that you don’t usually hear at home. Especially songs by local acts from the country that you’ve travelled to. Here in France, Avancer by Ridsa is on the radio a lot and to me it sounds like it could be a hit abroad as well…
Ridsa (born in 1990 as Maxence Boitez) is a French rapper/singer. He became an internet phenomenon after posting his songs on YouTube. His channel now counts 879.000 subscribers and his clips have been viewed around 300 million times altogether.
Avancer is a single that was released last April from his most recent album Libre. Since then 14 million (I suppose mostly French) viewers saw the clip. When released throughout Europe, I predict an even greater success…
Let me start by making the single this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. Hopefully this will help the song ‘avancer’…
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
werner's weekly
Werner’s Weekly (week 30)
For those of you who are not on holiday, I’ll pretend not to be as well. On the other hand: why would you stop listening to new music when you’re not at home? The stream of great new releases doesn’t run dry either.
The last seven days I enriched my 2017 container playlist Carte Blanche Music with Armstrongs, Nothing But Thieves, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and Ride, among others. And as always, the crème de la crème of this fine bunch if brand new songs is listed alphabetically in my Werner’s Weekly playlist below. Please allow me to bring you up to speed in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
- Aloe Blacc – King Is Born (Wildcard this week)
- Alice Merton – No Roots (Wildcard last week)
- Chase & Status feat. Emeli Sandé – Love Me More
- Last Train – Between Wounds
- Tom Grennan – Found What I’ve Been Looking For
- Young Gun Silver Fox – Midnight In Richmond
Through the links above you can read my recommendations for each track, and while reading, you can listen to all of the songs via the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 29):
Wildcard (week 29):
Aloe Blacc – King Is Born
If Aloe Blacc were to be remembered for his vocals on Avicii’s Wake Me Up only, it would be a bloody shame. Let’s at least also recall him for his wonderful real name: Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III. And needless (I hope) to remind you of his own hits I Need A Dollar and The Man.
Last year he released three tracks (one of them being the great Broke), all of which haven’t yet appeared on an album (that’s a more or less coherent collection of songs, kids). The same goes for his new single, King Is Born. A new classic, as far as I’m concerned. Most literally so, because it uses a sample from The Ides Of March’s 1970 hit Vehicle. Pop quiz question: in what hugely popular rock band did The Ides Of March singer Jim Peterik show up in the 1980’s?(*)
Talking about boxing, this brings me back to Aloe Blacc’s new single. King Is Born is the theme song to the upcoming boxing match between titans Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, on 26 August. It’s also scheduled to appear on Blacc’s new album, that he is currently finishing.
King Is Born is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently the whole week long!
(*) Survivor, best-known for their Rocky-related hits Eye Of The Tiger and Burning Heart.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
werner's weekly
Werner’s Weekly (week 29)
Summers used to be slow-moving as far as new music was concerned, but that has changed in recent years. Why would you wait to release your great new track until after the holidays, when all other artists release their great new tracks as well? Radio and streaming playlists (or listeners in general) are in need of good content the whole year round. No wonder then, that I could add new music from the likes of The Allergies, Arcade Hearts and Foster The People to my 2017 container playlist Carte Blanche Music last week.
Each Monday morning, I put my personal recommendations out of all new releases in Werner’s Weekly, an alphabetically sorted playlist, kicking off with the Carte Blanche Music Wildcards of this and last week. It’s in full below. Follow the links for more information and listen to the songs via the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar!
- Alice Merton – No Roots (Wildcard this week)
- BC Unidos (feat. Shungudzo) – Bicycle (Wildcard last week)
- Black Grape – Nine Lives
- Jain – Dynabeat
- Kesha feat. The Dap-Kings Horns – Woman
- Kideko – Dum Dum
- Urban Cone – Pumping Up Clouds
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Kesha feat. The Dap-Kings Horns – Woman
Kesha (who has ditched the dollar sign from her stage name) has a new goal: female empowerment. That became clear last week already, when she released the emotive ballad Praying, but even more so on the quick follow-up: the soulful Woman; a song that features the fantastic Dap-Kings horn section. Both tracks will be on Kesha’s forthcoming album Rainbow, due out on 11 August. It’s her first album in five years and we all know what kept her busy in the meantime…
It looks like Rainbow is an ambitious project all along the line. Lyrically, obviously, but also because of its collaborations. You can expect the Eagles Of Death Metal, Dolly Parton and Kesha’s mother, Pebe Sebert, on it. But personally, I’m looking out most for the appearance of Ben Folds.
Kesha has stated the album was influenced by the likes of Iggy Pop, The Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, T-Rex, James Brown, The Beatles and The Sweet. Not the first names that popped into my mind when I first heard Woman, but what a great song that is! This is the fun video to go with it…
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Black Grape – Nine Lives
When The Happy Mondays fell apart in 1992, no-one expected to ever hear from Shaun Ryder again. It was commonly accepted that he (or at least his career) probably wouldn’t survive his various drug addictions. So, it was quite a surprise to see Ryder – in fairly healthy shape – return to the top of the charts three years later, with a new band: Black Grape. A band he formed with ex-Ruthless Rap Assassins frontman Paul ‘Kermit’ Leveridge (not the green one).
Black Grape’s debut album It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah was nothing less than a master piece and, although commercially less successful, I love 1997’s follow-up record Stupid Stupid Stupid as well. No link there, as it’s officially missing from streaming services, but *cough* YouTube *cough*. Worth the effort, though…
You can imagine that after 20 years of silence, the announcement of a new Black Grape album was even a bigger surprise than the band’s debut in 1995. But you’d better believe Pop Voodoo will be out 17 July. And since it’s 2017, new tracks off it are being released each week now, to give the album release as much momentum as possible. Nine Lives is my favourite so far!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Jorja Smith – Teenage Fantasy
Jorja Smith is a young British neo soul singer, who turned 20 last month. She released her debut EP Project 11 only at the end of 2016. Earlier this year, she released the single Beautiful Little Fools on International Women’s Day and she also featured on two tracks on Drake’s More Life playlist.
According to a press release Smith wrote her new single four years ago. The intro features humming she recorded while babysitting when she was 16 years old. Teenage Fantasy is a laid back track, jazzy and soulful at the same time. Bonus points for keeping the blooper at the end as a part of the song…
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, ebbchart, single track
Alma – Dye My Hair
One week before the start of this blog, Alma’s Dye My Hair was the last Wildcard of 2016. Now that I’ve seen her perform at showcase festival Eurosonic Noorderslag, last Thursday, I feel the urge to bring it to your attention as yet. Consider it my present to her, because today, 17 January, it’s her birthday. Happy 21st anniversary Alma!
Alma is Finnish singer-songwriter Alma-Sofia Miettinen. A few years ago, when she was 17, she participated in television talent show Idols, where she finished fifth. Last summer, at the age of 20, she released her debut single Karma. A great track with equal parts deep house, r&b and pop, that went on to become a huge hit in the European Border Breakers Charts. Actually, it was this one track that landed her at Eurosonic Noorderslag; there simply was nothing more to judge at the time…
The festival bookers did a good job giving Alma this platform. She has a great voice, that is even enhanced on stage by her sister, who doubles pretty much all vocals. Their voices go very well together. Behind the singing pair, the beats are produced by three musicians behind launch pads, one of whom also plays guitar.
And now, there is this second single, Dye My Hair. It contains the same infectious ingredients as her debut, and deserves to become her breakthrough hit. Once that has happened, a re-release of Karma would be a great idea!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
chart, year-end chart
Carte Blanche Top 2016
Is there a better way to introduce myself and this new music blog than via a year-end chart? Last year in my Carte Blanche radio show I played over 800 new tracks, all of which you can find in this 2016 container playlist (subject to availability). Only 100 of them made it to the Carte Blanche Top 2016.
Some random statistics:
- After the usual suspects – Great-Britain (34) and United States (19) – the Netherlands deliver most entries (9), followed by Sweden (8), Belgium (6), Australia (5), Norway and France (4 each)
- 42% of all lead vocals are sung by women, which is unique compared to other radio stations
- There are more rock tracks in (the upper regions of) the Carte Blanche Top 2016 than in your average year-end chart
- The same goes for acts that were already successful 10, 20, even 30 years ago, proving they are still relevant today
If you want, you can listen to my radio show (in Dutch) containing the Top 30 of my year-end chart. Meanwhile you can browse through the complete list below. Enjoy!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, werner's weekly, wildcard
Werner’s Weekly (week 52)
Aan de meeste dingen komt een eind (aan Carte Blanche op de radio, bijvoorbeeld), weer andere dingen beginnen pas net (zoals Werner’s Weekly) en sommige dingen moeten nog van start gaan (Carte Blanche als muziekblog).
Maar sommige dingen gaan altijd door. Zoals nieuwe muziek. Die laat zich door geen Kerstmis tegenhouden. In mijn Spotify-playlist Werner Tipt vind je releases zo afwisselend als The Van T’s, Rhodes vs. Felix Jaehn, Jaakko Aukusti, Yelle, For King & Country, Smoove & Turrell en Tegan & Sara. Voor meer informatie over dat soort releases kun je vanaf komende week terecht op www.carteblanchemusic.nl. Dat wordt dan ook de nieuwe standplaats voor Werner’s Weekly.
Hoewel deze week de allerlaatste radiouitzending van Carte Blanche te horen is, zal de Remschijf gewoon blijven bestaan. Die was er immers ook al vóór de allereerste uitzending, bijna 30 jaar geleden. De Remschijfgeschiedenis gaat terug tot begin 1985. Sindsdien heb ik er 1654 gekozen. De 1655e is de laatste Remschijf die Remschijf heet. Carte Blanche Music wordt nl. een Engelstalig blog en vanaf dan kies ik wekelijks een Wildcard. Het idee blijft precies hetzelfde: het is het beste liedje van die week, dat nog wel een zetje kan gebruiken.
De laatste Remschijf is Dye My Hair van Alma. De Finse singer-songwriter Alma-Sofia Miettinen scoorde in juni ook al een Remschijf met haar debuutsingle Karma. Die werd niet opgepikt in Nederland. Hopelijk geldt dat wel voor Dye My Hair, die nu al een top 5-hit is in de European Border Breakers Chart. Het is in elk geval net zo’n aanstekelijke mix van deep house, r&b en pop als zijn voorganger. Benieuwd naar haar optreden op Eurosonic Noorderslag!
Een andere onnavolgbare combinatie van stijlen hoor je deze week in Werner’s Weekly op Better Than Me van Blood Orange feat. Carly Rae Jepsen.
Als tegenwicht voor de Kerstmuziek zijn deze week ook veel stevige nummers uitgekomen. De beste zijn wat mij betreft Run With The Bulls van de Amerikaanse viermansband Smallpools en I Was King van het Japanse(!) One OK Rock.
Sinds haar Lily Allen-achtige single Last Night (Beer Fear) heb ik een zwak voor Lucy Spraggan. Eind januari 2017 verschijnt haar nieuwe album I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing, waarvan Modern Day Frankenstein de catchy single is. Al net zo aanstekelijk is Alcatraz van King No-One en op diezelfde muzikale stapel ligt One Drop van Be Charlotte. Een veelbelovende afsluiting van een mooi muziekjaar. Op naar het volgende, dat ik via Carte Blanche Music goed voor je in kaart zal brengen. Bookmark maar alvast!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
