Weekend Supplement March 17th 2012: Why Electric Youth still rules...

Hurrah for 1989 - it was a very good year for pop songs beginning with EY. There was Madonna's ebullient girl power anthem Express Yourself (but which was better - the LAP album version or the Immaculate Collection remix? Answers on twitter please!). There was also Kylie's good time girl party piece with the uplifting Enjoy Yourself. And of course there was Debbie Gibson's pop fable, Electric Youth. It was the title track of her smash 1989 album and remains one of my fave songs to this very day. It popped up on mp3 shuffle on 3 separate occasions this week after not hearing it for a while. So it's a sign, a sign I tell you, for me to give you some reasons to discover/re-discover this peppy little classic...

• Length! I was always happy that the 4m55s album version wasn't edited for the single release. It kept the whole flow of the song intact which gave the tune a certain energy and zest. It was a risky gamble not to edit it down to a more radio-friendly 3m or so, but artistic integrity won out! Hurrah. This is also directly linked to...
• It's like 3 songs in one! Those urgent verses and choruses flow together brilliantly, but then there is not one but two middle 8s that bring something new - one's a more paced down vocal pause, while the other is a frenetic musical attack (almost like someone gave the song red bull), that urges the tune to giddy heights before bringing a final chorus run through. It's exhilarating...
• Dance routine! Such an energetic song requires an energetic dance routine - and yes, I did spend hours practising it and yes I still remember it to this day. I taped her when she performed on TOTP in the UK (the song went up to #14 the week after) and watched it incessantly. And i've seen her perform it live vocally while still not missing a step. Today's younger dance routine fuelled pop strumpets owe Ms Gibson a debt of gratitude for paving the way...
• It's genre hopping goodness! While at it's heart, Electric Youth is an out and out dance-pop number, it still has audible roots in other musical influences. There's that funky r'n'b bass lick powering the song forward; the almost theatrical cabaret of those dramatic synth bursts at the end of each chorus; and all of this is underpinned by an organic, live sounding instrumental (paving the way for some mesmerising stage shows, including when she supported Bros in 2 Summer). It was layered much like one of my beloved Abba tracks and I don't think she ever got enough credit for that...
• The video! BLimey o reilly's trousers! Following on from her massive US number one, Lost In Your Eyes, Debbie got a full on set for this video. The dance routine was prominent, but so was an enormous Disney-esque castle with trumpeteers that seemed right for the pop princess of the moment...

Next week - why Shock Your Mama should have been number one for a month...

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up
20 ~ Alexandra Burke, Elephant
19 ~ Marcus Collins/Ben L'Oncle Soul, Seven Nation Army
18 ~ Le Kid, Human Behaviour
17 ~ Eric Saade, Love is Calling
16 ~ Olly Murs, Oh My Goodness (VID)
15 ~ Little Jackie, 31 Flavours
14 ~ fun, We Are Young
13 ~ Gravitonas, Call Your Name (NE)
12 ~ Alphabeat, Vacation (NE)
11 ~ William Young, Losing Myself
10 ~ Youngblood, Youngblood
09 ~ Madonna, Girl Gone Wild
08 ~ Love Generation, Just A Little Bit
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Starlight
06 ~ JLS, Proud
05 ~ Madonna, Give Me All Ur Luvin'
04 ~ Smash, Let Me Be Your Star
03 ~ Marie Serneholt, Salt and Pepper
02 ~ Darin, Nobody Knows
01 ~ Danny Saucedo, Amazing (1 week)

Video breakdown: Gravitonas ~ Call Your Name

I love a bit of Gravitonas I do. Alexander Bard remains one of the most creative (and business savvy) forces in pop music and never fails to delight with his various musical guises. With Gravitonas, he is blessed with the addition of tall drink of water, Andreas whose emotive vocals and foxy good looks spice up the proceedings & make each song utterly amazing, whatever genre they tackle. They are back (following on 2011's Everybody Dance and Lucky Star) with a new EP called Black Ceremony (out March 14th with six new songs - SCREAM!) and a jolly fine single to usher it in...

The single:

Let's get one thing straight. Call Your Name, the scintillating lead single from this new Gravitonas EP is not entirely like any of the songs that preceded it. Much like their 2010 EPs, they keep things interesting by sharing different musical styles, tempos and influences. Call Your Name is a swirling, atmospheric, trance-house number with seductive lyrics and hypnotic beats that showcases Andreas' adaptive singing range perfectly. There's a raw animal magnetism in the lyrics, translated perfectly by the vocal performance & the track literally throbs with sexual desire. In fact, every good song about sex should somewhat mirror the actual act and each verse is a tempered, thrusting propulsion before the chorus orgasmically explodes into a sweaty breakdown of intense beats & intoxicating dance rhythms. It actually leaves you a bit breathless! What's brilliant about Gravitonas is they strive to be different with each single release yet never forgo innovation & quality. They truly are a modern day pop miracle.

The video:

• Visually Gravitonas never disappoint, so I'm excited to unveil my thoughts on the new video...
• 6s - Alexander's back! (Ho ho, etc). 3 seconds later, Andreas is giving amazing head. I can tell this video is going to be a right bobby dazzler!!
• Andreas is sitting on a bed with absolutely no mattress. It is worse than the prison cells in Prisoner: Cell Block H or Oz. Surely there is an Ikea nearby. Or perhaps this is to visually represent the emptiness he feels until he calls his lucky lady's name?!
• As the verse kicks off, Andreas and Alexander seem to be wearing some experimental eye wear, not too dissimilar to when the optician pops those ghastly glasses on you and then fingers your eye lid. It's all very uncomfortably intimate isn't it? (The opticians that is, Gravitonas can finger me anytime...)
• The weird glasses/prison cell clips are interspersed (good word, interspersed) with a mysterious figure in leather gloves waiting for what looks like an alarm clock to do something...
• 50s ~ it's the thrusting chorus and there seems to be some sort of Gravitonas press conference with a gimp in the middle. If this is some sort of weird sexual shenanigans then my safe word is "YES PLEASE" :D
• Perhaps I have just got a smutty mind and am reading far too much into this - it may just be that the world has succumbed to nuclear fall out and Gravitonas are calling the name of their preferred sexual partner/lover across the desolate wilderness. God, I so get imagery...!!
• Or perhaps it is just weird. At around 1m05s, Alexander has rubbered up and a piece of bacon seems to be under the microscope. Which of course could be alluding to how the activities of police need to be scrutinised if society falls apart. Andreas looks nice doesn't he?!
• Gimpy Man seems to be carrying out lots of experiments in verse two, aided by Alexander who seems to be conducting a colonic irrigation on a test subject with a vacuum nozzle...
• Chorus two - Nokia Lumia product placement alert! I'm more of a HTC person, but I could be tempted back to Nokia. In addition to this, I can also report that Alexander's headphones are superior to Andreas, who gets in ear ones (though significantly superior to the shit ones they give you on a flight)
• Ooo middle 8! It is possible that two bodies have been merged together, or it's some weird mirror image, or perhaps they were siamese twins born like that (though if the latter is the case, god knows how they visit the piddly piddly department!!) It's all very intriguing though!
• At around the 2m20s mark, there is a massive projector that could most probably show Titanic 3D on an IMAX screen as well as an apple getting an injection. Just a little prick then...
• The projector/massive lamp is shining it's light all over the Gravitonas boys. It's almost a bit sci-fi and amazing.
• 2m40 - now the cheese is getting it! It's a pricking marathon!
• The moral of this video is that I don't really know what I'm talking about yet Gravitonas are still all sorts of tremendous... That is all children. buy the EP on the 14th. Thank you

Album Assessment: Luke Leighfield ~ New Season

What a trooper (of the super variety) Luke Leighfield (rhymes with Lee uh field) is. He is a musician who has taken control of his own destiny through his own label, touring, building a vast social networking empire and being an all round good egg. He wisely involves his fans in the creation of his music, helping them to feel invested in his songs and ensuring their continued support. I continue to be amazed and impressed by his creativity, innovation and seemingly tireless energy in promoting his own music - and thankfully his new album is a right bobby dazzler. Read on my lovelies and drink in the wonder...

Luke Leighfield ~ New Season:

Have you got heart asked young Luke on his last album and judging by his latest effort, he certainly has. It's a somewhat more melancholy, reflective, contemplative affair but within that are moments of sheer poetry and undisguised musical beauty. Luke's skills as a story teller and craftsman of melodic magic continue to shine through - it makes for some achingly exquisite listening. The album kicks off with the somber plea to Slow Down. It's set around some genuinely gorgeous piano and an earnest, plaintive vocal from Luke urging the listener to take in the experiences that life brings us that are often missed in today's busy hustle and bustle world. The song is allowed to unfold at it's own pace, with some percussion being bought in around half way through the track until it crescendos into a anthemic, stadium bound epic towards the end. it's a template Luke will use to great success elsewhere on the album. The album's title track takes up the more energetic ending to the previous song to create an altogether more rousing affair. It takes a driving beat, crashing cymbols, some wonderfully intricate piano work and guitar licks that make me tired and exhilarated listening to them all at the same time. It's actually a great pop song that deserves a much wider audience - and the same can be said of 4m59s long It's You (same length as one of my fave all time songs Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson fact fans) which pops up next. It's a suitably ebullient song that celebrates that moment when you realise how ace someone actually is and you would like to get all snuggly with them. With it's driving rhythmic beat and soaring vocal, it's a winner from start to finish.

Elsewhere there is the languid ballad, Whispering, which is the musical equivalent of when you get lost in your own thoughts and you find yourself staring at a blank space on the wall that you can't tear your eyes from. It's totally mesmerising and lovely - not too dissimilar to one of the album's highlights - One Thing. Part of the lyrical content of this song deals with the things in the world that seem to continue to spiral out of control (despite all the reasons they should be under control, e.g. famine, etc) while linking that to that one person in your life that is your constant, your love, your soul mate. The one person who helps you cope with the day to day rigours of every day life. It's all set to a crashing backdrop of gorgeous piano, gentle harmonies, layered guitars and a stirring chorus that sends your soul soaring. Bring on that brilliant chanted rousing finale because it's genuinely showstopping and awe-inspiring.

The album all too soon draws to a close with a tri-fecta of diverse, perfect pop. Live For More is a fizzing, rock driven tune with inspiring lyrics, a feisty guitar riff and a plea to be somewhat better as a human race than we are. It reverses the pattern of building to an effusive finish, choosing instead to slowly temper things back a little and it's surprisingly effective. Garde Ta Foy s a piano driven, emotive tour de force. The first four lines of lyrics alone are a devstating emotional gut punch, exquisitely delivered with a hint of sadness but most importantly with a tinge of optimism. Luke's voice blends perfectly with the delicate piano line, like a brook laconically running over perfect polished pebbles and is nothing less than hypnotic. It quietly and elegantly builds the optimism, the 'firework display' until the refrain of "are you ready for a new season?" explodes into a cavalcade of guitars, synths and drums that lend to the swell of emotion you feel in line with the song. It's an epic song that deserves massive success. Utterly delightful. Do Not Settle seems like a coda to the 9 tracks that came prior, yet not out of kilter with the album. It's a tale of unrequited love set to dramatic crashes and guitar chords, an urgent plea, a desperate request.

A beautiful piece of work - thought provoking, creative, insightful and charming. Buy. Now.

(For more on Luke Leighfield's stunning New Season visit his twitter and his website).

Single Selection: Six of the best (Alphabeat, Chantal Claret, et al...)

Greetings my chummy chummettes. I am still basking in that post holiday glow, which means (even though I am back at work) catching up on all the music I missed while I was basking on the beaches in Spain. I don't want to overload you all with a plethora of musical magnificence so I have chosen six of my favourites... Feast on the pop extravaganza below and let me know your faves... Tally ho!

• Alphabeat ~ Vacation: "Vacation, all I ever wanted" sang a young Belinda Carlisle back in the "day"... and if she was being eerily prescient about this little corker of a pop song she was spot on. Alphabeat (much like their Swedish counterparts, Le Kid) are one of those groups that get better and better with each subsequent release. Their debut album was an utter treat, yet album number two managed to up the ante without making it's predecessor any less fabulous. Their latest gem, Vacation, is summer encapsulated in a near perfect three minutes of uplifting, soul soaring pop. It all kicks off with a peppy, hand clapping, percolating beat and a festive "wooo" (the best since Whitney's wooo in I Wanna Dance) before Stine's lovely vocals propel the track forward. The addition of Anders (yum) vocals is the icing on the cake and the whole track effortlessly conveys a convivial, good time, everybody party atmosphere. It's hard to leave this song without pressing repeat or having a massive smile on your face. If there isn't some bonkers tambourine shaking and dancing in the video, I will be grossly disappointed. welcome back Alphabeat :)
• Vanquish ~ The Harder You Love: I love a spunky new girl group with a zesty new pop tune and Vanquish offer up just that with The Harder You Love. With it's thrusting beat and energetic vibe, the song has enough attitude and fun to make it stand out in a crowded marketplace. I particularly love the instantly memorable chorus where the refrain is hammered home & then insists on reminding you why pop can be so amazing with it's sweetly delivered line "i wanna surrender to the feeling, i wanna remember every breath". Heaven. Reminds me of an updated S/A/W sound which is a massive compliment :) (Love how the video flashes the group name so you subliminally remember it!)
• The Promise ~ Beating Hearts: I'm a major sucker for a boy band and naming yourselves (possibly) after a Girls Aloud song is a good way to get my attention :D However, The Promise lads are more than just a vocal harmony group, playing their own instruments & writing their own tunes. Beating Hearts is an excellent introduction to the band, showcasing some fine vocal talent, a persistent, mesmerising & shuffling beat, a rock influence that leads to a massive anthemic chorus, and some genuinely pleasing harmonies. Not a single one of the boys has been hit with an ugly stick which only adds to the appeal. I'm already smitten and their debut EP isn't even out until April...

• Chantal Claret ~ Pop Pop Bang Bang: God bless the always gorgeous Larry Flick for letting me know that morningwood singer Chantal Claret has gone solo with an absolutely delightful debut single. I can confirm that the song is a right little bobby dazzler, custom made for extensive radio play and a perfect early summer jam. Chantal as a solo pop star just exudes personality in every note of her delivery and this radiates with every kicky jump rope beat & quirky chanted (chantaled?) lyric. It's a definite hand clapper and each beat, every note inveigles it's way into your synapses, gripping on and never letting go. Two things that shine forth about the track - one is the sixties influence mixed with eighties nostalgia but in a forward thinking nu-pop way; secondly how the perky, sunny backing track is the perfect juxtaposition to the darker lyrics and wonderfully almost S&M themed video. Jam packed with rrrriot grrrl pop rock attitude, it's already a firm fave and I can't wait for the debut EP :)
• A*M*E ~ City Lights: Talking of potentially massive pop stars who exude attitude and personality (and I believe I was), you could do a lot worse than exciting new pop strumpet on the block A*M*E. She's teamed up with MNEK (The Saturdays, Fired Up - what a blistering pop tune that was) for a genuinely exciting, fresh sounding slice of pop that sparkles from start to finish. The tune instantly grabs you and there are hooks a-plenty running through the choruses, the verses, the intro as well as a brilliant rap break from Bartoven which feels entirely complementary to the tune rather than intrusive. It's so infectious and there is this whole joi de vivre that eminates from the entire performance. Can't wait for this girl to blow up and to see what she brings next...
• Auryn ~ Stop and Listen: So another day, another blog about Auryn :) I was in Spain a whole week and didn't get to see them once!! Bah! Ah well. This is the next track from their glorious debut album and while I would have gone with the more upbeat Favourite Guy or I Don't Think So, this is a fine opportunity for the boys to get all romantic and dreamy. It's a sweetly chugging, sweetly sung traditional ballad that is made all the more charming by the Spanish flavour the boys naturally bring to the track. What is stand out here is how well the boys blend their voices together, never overpowering one another but working as a team to bring flawless harmonies and highlight each other's strengths. Absolutely gorgeous...

Weekend Supplement ~ March 11th 2012: Video breakdown - Thundacub (Let Your Hair Down)

Settle down now people, settle down. Oi, you at the back, settle! Thank you. Yes i'm back. Or in the words of betty boo, it's me again yes how did you guess? Cos the last time you were really impressed... I don't actually know if you were impressed or not but that post about Danny Saucedo's Amazing was quite a nifty piece of work even if I do say so myself!! Anyway, Spain was lovely as always but now it's back to life (back to reality, back to the here and now tour featuring bananarama. Ooo paraphrasing Soul II Soul is fun). I may be a bit sun touched so I'll just get on with the blog today, and catch up on everything else i've missed out on tomorrow...

Thundacub ~ Let Your Hair Down:

I'll tell what I like about Thundacub shall I? Aside from being hugely photogenic and wildly enthusiastic about music in general, he seems to be an all round good egg and has created a instant brand for himself with the moniker Thundacub. It's a vibrant, often visual affair (see GT photoshoot; Money video) that never overshadows the music, merely complements it. His new single (available to buy on 30th March this very year) is the perfect example of that. His personality shines through over a throbbing electro-bass that propels the song (and you) to the dancefloor as he sings about shrugging off the working week, going out feeling like you look amazing, finding the one you love and shimmy all the live long night. The lyrics actually work really well as an all encompassing, universal theme and there are some really addictive swirling synths that totally enhance the music. Plus the chorus riff of "let your hair down - da- down, down - da - down" is one that will live in your brain for days. It's an energetic, compulsive, addictive track and one that you must play over and over again, loudly. And here's what happens in the video...

• It starts off with a nice shot of Mr T.Cub in his finest denim jacket and something quite large round his neck. It may be a cassette tape to give his 80s look a certain je ne sais quoi, or it may just be a lunchbox with his sandwiches in! Either way, his quiff is looking mighty fine...
• No, it's a cassette tape. He's changed into a leather jacket and hoodie with some vair nice glasses. I am currently looking for a new pair of specs and these would do perfectly...
• A silhouetted person with crazy hair frugs away in the background, before we are introduced to slightly geeky Thundacub. I'm loving his buttoned up look. When I try it I always look like I should be selling bibles door to door :(
• I like that it's raining as he sings "I know you've had a hard week". There is something about rain that makes a crappy week seem even worse. It's the little things like this that please me.
• Ooo another look - this time, it's a bit street kid as he sings in front of graffiti. It's like a whirl through his wardrobe! Even with all these hats and hoods, his hair remains perfect...
• Yay! Smiling! And dancing - as the chorus pulsates into life, T.Cub finishes the verse off with a little dance routine and some funky footwork. It's essentially marvelous and makes you want to join in...
• The chorus bit is mainly a reminder of all the outfits worn to date (plus a new gold jacket look), some shadow dancing and Mr Cub looking like he is having a whale of a time. Plus, the "baby let your hair down" seems more instructional in the video than mere encouragement in the audio. It's a subtle difference that I appreciate.
• As verse two starts, Mr Cub is a grey jacket with vivid yellow t-shirt and some fingerless leather gloves. There is something alluring about fingerless leather gloves but i'm not sure what. Once again, the small actions mirror the words - "you enter like an icon" as he looms closer to the camera with an instantly memorable look.
• He's got a very commanding stage presence hasn't he? As the chorus kicks in again, the hand movements to "down da down" fill the screen (2m) and yes, i joined in inbetween typing :D
• I think those cassette necklaces are made by Thundacub himself. Are they available on ebay??! They should be... If so, this is better self marketing than the queen of it, RuPaul!
• I imagine the dance routine that you see snippets of throughout would look quite quite tremendulent and thrillybots when performed on stage in one flawless set with a host of backing dancers...
• There's one final run through that glorious chorus that just gets more intoxicating each time it's played. Overall, a delightful accompaniment to a brilliant song...

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Darren Hayes, Black Out The Sun
20 ~ Alexandra Burke, Elephant
19 ~ Madonna, Girl Gone Wild (NE)
18 ~ Scissor Sisters, Shady Love
17 ~ Olly Murs, Oh My Goodness
16 ~ Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up
15 ~ Eric Saade, Love Is Calling
14 ~ Le Kid, Human Behaviour
13 ~ Marcus Collins/Ben L'Oncle Soul, Seven Nation Army
12 ~ William Young, Losing Myself
11 ~ Little Jackie, 31 Flavours
10 ~ Youngblood, Youngblood (VID)
09 ~ fun, We Are Young
08 ~ Love Generation, Just A Little Bit
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Starlight
06 ~ JLS, Proud
05 ~ Madonna, Give Me All Ur Luvin'
04 ~ Marie Serneholt, Salt n Pepper
03 ~ Darin, Nobody Knows
02 ~ Danny Saucedo, Amazing
01 ~ Smash, Let Me Be Your Star (5 weeks)

Weekend Supplement March 4th 2012: I think it's amazing (Danny Saucedo)...

I am in Spain for a week so no doubt as you read this I will be sucking in my gut and trying to pretend I have a six pack as I saunter along the sea front. Ah the joys of a sunnier clime. Anyway, it would be very remiss of me to leave you hanging and not draw your attention to the phenom song below (most of you will have already heard it however, but that's never stopped me before has it?!) Less dwelling on my rhetorical questions, more reading. Onward!

Danny Saucedo ~ Amazing:

The quality of boy pop from Sweden just seems to get higher every year. You can always rely on people like Mans Zelmerlow, Ola, Neo, Darin and Eric Saade to hit it out the ballpark with each subsequent release. Indeed, as the chart below shows I'm still revelling in immensicles pop tracks from Eric and Darin. Add Danny Saucedo to that list with his utterly brilliant melodifestivalen entry, Amazing. By the time you read this, you'll know whether he is actually representing Sweden or not at Eurovision, but regardless of the outcome - along with Darin's Nobody Knows - this is one of the most euphoric and jubilant pop songs of the year. It's one of those songs that can't fail to put you in a better mood and has you smiling from start to finish. It kicks off the party vibe with these convivial "whoa ha ho" chants by Danny before a pogo-ing synth comes in to tell that he's feeling great, he's feeling awesome. And it is so joyous that it makes you feel great and awesome. I also love how the music enhances the lyrics of the song - for example when he sings "it's like a force, pulling me in", this propulsive, mesmerising beat kicks in and leads the song into this absolutely massive, thrusting, rave like a ninny chorus - all stabbing synth chords and an ibiza-esque crashing, crescendoing instrumental backdrop. As if to mix things up even more, there's this bonkers, trippy dubstep breakdown catapulting the song into it's final chorus run through - and it's this off kilter pause that makes the final few moments even more celebratory than before. Fab. For an alternative take on the song and one that certainly showcases Danny's singing ability, check out the heavenly piano-vocal version below. It brings out a whole new ever so delicate melody to the tune and gives it a more intimate, romantic feel. I'm totally sold. DREAMY SIGH...

If you like this, try these:

• Madonna ~ Amazing: Ooo wasn't this meant to be a single from Music? It certainly wasn't in the UK (to my knowledge) but totally should have been. Sleek, chic, lady dance pop that sparkled from start to finish - and still sounds great today. It IS amazing...
• George Michael ~ Amazing: A fine fine single from George circa 2004 that was a shimmering triumph from beginning to end. Sleek chic bloke dance pop that still sounds great today. It IS amazing... (not to repeat myself or anything...)
• Westlife ~ Amazing: Ooo Westlife WERE sometimes amazing. Their legacy will never die, etc. Bet they are a bit annoyed The Wanted got that top 5 hit though... This is quite pleasant in a chugging sort of way :)
• Matt Cardle ~ Amazing: Aw it's nice that he's still going isn't it??!

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Olly Murs, Oh My Goodness (NE)
20 ~ Alexandra Burke, Elephant
19 ~ Darren Hayes, Black Out The Sun
18 ~ Scissor Sisters, Shady Love
17 ~ Neo, Fighting The Dark
16 ~ Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up
15 ~ William Young, Losing Myself
14 ~ Youngblood, Youngblood
13 ~ Marcus Collins/Ben L'Oncle Soul, 7 Nation Army
12 ~ Le Kid, Human Behaviour
11 ~ Little Jackie, 31 Flavours
10 ~ Love Generation, Just A Little Bit
09 ~ fun, We Are Young
08 ~ JLS, Proud
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Starlight
06 ~ Madonna, Give Me All Ur Luvin'
05 ~ Eric Saade, Love Is Calling
04 ~ Marie Serneholt, Salt n Pepper
03 ~ Danny Saucedo, Amazing (NE)/(ACOUSTIC VID)
02 ~ Darin, Nobody Know
01 ~ Smash Cast, Let Me Be Your Star (4 weeks)

Friday Flashback: Diana Ross (1976 album re-release)

While I am impatiently awaiting the arrival (ooo see what I did there) of a re-released Abba's The Visitors (with unreleased tracks. *SCREAM*), there is a double disc edition of the 1976 self titled Diana Ross album to enjoy. And what a corker it is. Read on my chummy chums, read on...

Diana Ross (1976):

Despite being her second album to be called Diana Ross, this 1976 gem is completely worthy of a deluxe re-release complete with alternative versions of tracks, unreleased recordings and a lovely fold out cd package with gorgeous liner notes that read like a dream. I was minus 6 in 1976 (I wasn't really, I was 2) but I vividly remember this album being played for a long time during my formative years by my disco loving mother. If you haven't checked out the album, you are probably already aware of many of the songs within. It came hot on the heels of Diana's massive and lovely number one smash ballad Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To), a song later covered by Mariah Carey. It has a gorgeous orchestral accompaniment and a sweet, tempered vocal that lets the lyrical story unfold at a natural pace. It was rightly nominated for an Oscar, and though it didn't win, the satellite link performance of Diana Ross performing in a horse drawn carriage is delightfully unforgettable. There's more elegant balladry in the form of I Thought It Took A Little Time which further acts as a crystal clear showcase for the inimitable vocals of Ms Ross and was quite rightly a single. It's the anthemic disco classic Love Hangover that most people remember from this album - here in it's original 7m+ original version as well as the single edit which stormed the charts. It reminds a giddy reminder of the halcyon disco days and it's appeal certainly hasn't diminished over the years. It helped reinvent Diana as a disco diva and the tune still sparkles from start to finish. In addition to the singles, there are some other choice cuts on the original album, including the very charming Kiss Me Now & the Diana produced Ain't Nothing But A Maybe. It's no wonder it was a massive seller and continues to be a classic to this day.

The expanded addition includes a variety of single mixes (including the dance remix of fourth single One Love In My Lifetime) as well as some rare tracks (the promo only single of Coming Home) and unreleased magic. The most notable of these is a really endearing cover of Elton John's Harmony, although Le Li Lo is definitely a fun and spunky pop song. Mostly it serves to remind people that Diana Ross was the reigning diva of her day and while she may not bother the charts as much anymore, her influence and legacy continue to be felt today. Now go, buy. It's out on Monday!!