Saturday, October 31, 2015

The Top Ten - week ending 31 October 2015


 As the countries of the world (that celebrate it) prepare for Halloween today, I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to check out the new Top Ten, and perhaps tune in while preparing for those adult costume parties. I'm afraid I don't have any scary Halloween music scheduled for today. Perhaps I'll start seeking out some suitable tracks for next year.

This week, we finally saw the fall of Sven Van Hees from his number one spot, relinquishing the position to Lee Ritenour's beautiful Waltz for Carmen. My friend, SAMBOX, finally has some movement this week, after hovering in the middle of the chart for so long. It seems the French are showing strength as Color Majesty's Paris succeeds to the number two position.

The French are not the only ones squeezing airplay at the station. The Italians are still in the game. With the loss of Papik's Io Inamorata, (featuring that wonderful crooner Matteo Brancaleoni) from the Top Ten, we find a new track bubbling under from local Italian-Canadian artist, Daniela Nardi and her Espresso Manifesto group. Like Papik, she is famous for her 2006 tribute, The Songs of Paolo Conte.

Amongst Daniela's covers on her latest work, Canto, is a track by another Italian artist, Joe Barbieri.   Called Gira E Rigira, we are proud to add this to the This is Lounge playlist. Hopefully, I can find the time to do a small feature story here on the blog with regards to this new album.

I seem to be unintentionally waving a patriotic flag here, as we see another world renowned Canadian, Emilie-Claire Barlow, jump in at number ten with her cover of Diane Tell's massive 1980 hit, Si j'etas un Homme.

Also Bubbling Under this week, we find a new track from British chillout artist, Chillscape. Already playing his beautiful Ocean Spray, we add his latest, By The Lake, a beautiful Autumn inspired track perfectly suited for this time of year. Posted less than two weeks ago on Soundcloud, he is offering up the track as a Free Download. Check it out.

As always, please support these artists through your favourite online store, legally. Use the links provided below to help with that.


Bubbling Under


Saturday, October 24, 2015

The Top Ten - week ending 24 October 2015


For all of you readers outside of North America, and unfamiliar with Major League Baseball, then this will be of no consequence to you. My apologies. For the last few weeks, nay, the last few months, Toronto has been gripped with the chance that our beloved Blue Jays baseball team would once again go all the way in the World Series. Sadly, our dreams were dashed last night after a hard fought battle against the Kansas City Royals was lost. Toronto's fever has broken. We can no return to some sort of normalcy. Thanks to the Blue Jays for exciting this city, and Canada!

OK, enough sports. My tribute hand thanks has been made. Now on to the music.

Wow, and what a week for music. Herb Alpert and St. Germain gave us some great new sounds in the mix this week. On a smaller scale, Marijan's beautiful piano cover of Drake's current worldwide hit, Hotline Bling, has given us a new appreciation of the track from a different perspective.

Consequently, two spots opened up this week, making room for two out of the three. 

Sven Van Hees continues to hold the top spot, with Lee Ritenour's beautiful Waltz for Carmen making a move towards that coveted position.Sadly, dipping below the tenth position, Daniel Pemberton and one of Papik's tribute tracks are gone.

Bubbling under, as of yesterday, is Toronto jazz vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow, and a track from her release (yesterday), Clear Day. Scroll down to see the separate post on this wonderful artist's new work.

As always, please support these and all This is Lounge artists through you favourite legitimate digital download site.


Bubblinh Under





Marco Cesa - Bossa Lounge Combo

I just had to share this new mix from Marco Cesa (Metroverve), that was posted yesterday on Mixcloud. Marco has the wonderful ability of taking a retro Brazilian sound and making it feel so modern. Sorry, no trackless. Just enjoy.

Want to know more about the man?

Here's a bio taken from his Beatport Tracker page. It appears to be translated from Italian, so apologies on the grammar.


Marco Cesa begins his road as dj in 1992 playing music house in the clubs of the north italy.  

Among 2000 and 2001 he creates a hold friendship with the dj Andrea Kuman organizing musical events deep house and funky house. 

 
Also having different genres among them, in 2004 after a long conversation Marco Cesa and Andrea Kuman decide to realize a opposite project called "MIDNIGHT CITY Jazz" a compilation containing music primarily of listening like nujazz, broken beat, bossanova, downtempo, selected and mixed from the 2 djs. 

 
In 2008, he built a new home studio, Marco Cesa composes his first track "Metropolitan Nu Jazz" proposing it to the dj/producer DjLopo friend of old date that will insert it in "After The Sunlight" published in July 2009 by the miraloop club.  
In the 2009 dedication exclusively his time to produce tech house and exposing himself in dj set, while in 2010 collaborates with DjLopo and they record the tracks "Intrigo" and "Salsa Tomato" this last with featuring E. Marenco to the Flute that will go out in Wood Thing compilation with italianwaymusic. 

 
In the same year the collaboration with Matteo Sarto (keyboard and sound writeing), they create "Metroverve" giving life to the project "Psychedelic Bossa Lounge" album of 8 tracks from the sonorities Italian bossanova that going out with the independent label Slow Featuring Recordings, where stipulates a record contract.



Friday, October 23, 2015

A New Clear Day with Emilie-Claire Barlow


Finally released today, Toronto's own Emilie-Claire Barlow unleashes a new collection of jazz tracks, many accompanied by the famed Metropole Orkest. Their wide range of musical tastes have garnered collaborations with artists as diverse as Elvis Costello and Snarky Puppy (to which you can find a recent concert in it's entirety through their website).

As you can well imagine, we here at This is Lounge have chosen her cover of Diane Tell's "Si j'étais un Homme" for inclusion on the New Release playlist. Stay tuned!

They say a picture is worth thousand words, so I'm sure a video is worth a million. Earlier in the year, Emilie-Claire set up a page at pledgemusic.com to raise some funds and set up pre-orders.  The video below was an electronic press kit created for the page. It gives an nice insight into the making of the album.

So, grab a glass of wine, and spend some time with Emilie-Claire Barlow's newest release, Clear Day.




Sunday, October 18, 2015

Cocktail Nation 378 Jimmy Borges

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EDST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

Very exciting news with the release of Jimmy Borges' first CD ...an amazing story from the man many consider to be musical royalty of Hawaii....and some shocking Playboy news, plus I will let you know how you can get a tour of Capital Records and maybe even pick up some cool wax plus the best parties from across the globe.


Hugo Montenegro - The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Clouseaux - Search For a Vulcan
Jimmy Borges - Luck Be A Lady
Beegie Adair - Chicago
Charlie Parker - April In Paris
Barbara Lusch - So Nice
Louisville Sluggers - Blow It Baby
James Morrison - Nice And Easy
Cal Tjader - A Night In Tunisia
Jackie Gleason - When Your Lover Has Gone
Nutty - Back In Black
101 Strings - Girl From Ipanema
Tito Rodriguez - Theme From The Apartment
Tiki Lounge Crew - Mambo Loco



Saturday, October 17, 2015

The Top Ten - week ending 17 October 2015


What a busy week we've had! Besides the excitement of the Toronto Blue Jays extraordinary Game 5 against the Texas Rangers, and Toronto FC winning their pivotal game that sends them to the MLS playoffs for the first time.....besides sports exciting us all here, there was, of course, new music.

I'm so excited about the Bubbling Under's this week, allow me to lead off with that news.

 The anticipation of St. Germain's first full album of new material since 2000's Tourist, was finally fulfilled with the release of a self-titled album. He did not disappoint, especially when it came to something to please the chillout community. Mary L. slides right into our playlist like hand in glove. A laidback lament that will surely get your attention.

Herb Alpert shared his latest work a couple of weeks ago (which I totally missed), titled Come Fly With Me. As it's title suggest, Herb interprets some jazz standards made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. His Tijuana Brass sound may be musical history now, but Herb has not lost his groove. His chilled, sumptuous groove of the Billy Strayhorn/ Duke Ellington signature tune, Take The "A" Train, is a welcome addition to This is Lounge's playlist.

Something a little different, and more current....as Drake climbs the Top 40 chart with Hotline Bling, German pianist Marijan brings us a stripped down pain instrumental version that packs on the emotion from another direction. 

Back on the Top Ten, Sven Van Hees continues to stay atop the chart, as we see Papik's Italian lounge classic slip into the number two position. His popularity around here, warranting a second track from Cocktail Mina, Anche un uomo, makes a respectable move into seventh. 

Lana Del Rey's Art Deco is also fast becoming a station fave. It climbs a couple of positions to the number eight slot this week. Moving up from Bubbling Under, is an American DJ known simply as Color Majesty. One of his many recent Soundcloud uploads, Paris, incorporates the sounds of the street creating a visual as well as an aural journey through the streets. He has one album available through iTunes, issued this past Spring, for those who want to seek out more material.

Enjoy your week, and as always, please support all This is Lounge artists through the legitimate digital retailers.


Bubbling Under




Sunday, October 11, 2015

Cocktail Nation 377 U.N.C.L.E.

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EDST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

This week, we're checking out the new Man from U.N.C.L.E. film, with our resident movie guru Kramer, and with special comments from Hollywood correspondent Drew Turney. 

Plus we explore the original franchise and the stars, with interviews with Robert Vaughan and David McCallum, and playing music from two soundtracks.


Jetset Unlimited - The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Daniel Pemberton - Bugs, Beats, and Bow Ties
Daniel Pemberton - Out Of the Garage
Daniel Pemberton - His Name Is Solo
Roberta Flack and Eugene McDaniels - Comared To What
Hugo Montenegro - A Martini For Two
Hugo Montenegro - Illya
Andy Stroud & Nina Simone - Take Care Of Business For Me
Hugo Montenegro - Lament For A Trapped Spy
Daniel Pemberton - The Unfinished Kiss
Hugo Montenegro - There they go
Daniel Pemberton - We Have Location

If you missed it the first time, and this great spy-fi sound is just so cool, be sure to check out my post from last August on the making of the music for the film. Inspired by those 60's spy movies, good and bad, Daniel Pemberton gives us a peek behind the curtain.






Saturday, October 10, 2015

The Top Ten - week ending 10 October 2015


Autumn not only brings us the cooler weather, but here in Canada, it also brings us a holiday known as Thanksgiving. ( In the U.S., it's celebrated in November.) Other cultures around the world may not be familiar with this tradition, but the North American celebration goes back to when the Pilgrims landed on our soil, arriving in the New World and starting this new life, they had many things to "give thanks" for.

But enough with the history lesson. What it means now is a long weekend and a big feast with family and friends. I only hope that after dinner, you sit back relax and listen to This is Lounge.

How's that for a segue! Now, down to business.... 
It's taken a couple of weeks, but Sven Van Hees has finally taken the throne from Michael e this week, as they swap positions at the top. My Parisian friend, Sambox, as well as jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour and Snowday enjoy a climb up the musical ladder this week.

This week has also seen U.S. singer Lana Del Rey jump into the fold with her song Art Deco.  I don't know about you, but this is becoming quite a favourite around the This is Lounge studio. 

Bubbling Under this week is some great new chill from The Warheads (scroll down for separate story), and Color Majesty. Welcome aboard!

As alway, please support all the artist on the station though legitimate retailers.


Bubbling Under




Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Cocktail Nation 376 A Weekend at Sinatra's

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EDST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

There's a very cool event coming up at the end of the year called "Weekend at Sinatra's", and we talk with organizer Siouxan Perry about all the swanky details. There's also some good news for Mad Men fans, and we talk of the passing of a legend of the Superman Franchise.

Bobby Darin  - Beachcomber
Skip Heller - Mona Is Typing
Frank Sinatra - Luck Be A Lady
David Carbonara - A Beautiful Mine
Robert Drasnin - South Of The Sulu Sea
Beegie Adair - Strangers In The Night
Darwan Muhummed - L'ear
Buddy Greco - The Lady Is A Tramp
Henry Mancini - Something For Sellers
Barbara Ween - Sunday In New York
Arthur Lyman Group - Leis Of Jazz
Audrey Morris - Blah Blah Blah
Ixtahuele - Black Sand
Jackie Gleason - From Russia With Love
Cy Coleman - LA Blues



Saturday, October 3, 2015

The Warheads: Hiding in Plain Sight


Listeners to This is Lounge, plus numerous Mixcloud Chillout mixes, will no doubt be familiar with the band, The Warheads. But little is known about this artist who remains hidden behind his/they're intelligent soundscapes. 

A Google search will quickly bring up a thrash metal band of the same name, including a Facebook page. Numerous releases appear for sale in iTunes, but it appears that Soundcloud is the favoured site by the band. Links shown include a page of "Projects", a dance video that used one of their songs, and a Tumblr page. There doesn't even appear to be any clue as to their nationality, although a couple of early recordings (Funk N' Gandhi, The School Teacher) have many East Indian tones and influences.

Like other artists hiding behind their name (Daft Punk, The Residents), The Warheads will continue to produce it's glorious compositions hidden in the plain sight of cyberspace.

Of course, this is all to make mention of some new music released within the last 24 hours of this post. Not really an album, but a collection of songs based around the age-old question, "Why be....?"

A collection of 5 songs (three of which are now on the This is Lounge playlist), all asking different questions. They also are all 5:00 minutes in length, which could confirm that they are samples of more extended pieces. Whatever the case, they stand alone as separate tracks, blending in nicely with the vibe of the station.

Not only are they available for streaming, but the band has made all the tracks available for free download. Enjoy.

The Top Ten - week ending 3 October 2015


Brrrrrr.......I don't know about your part of the world, but the chill of Autumn has finally begun to creep in. (Nothing an extra layer of clothes won't help.) Guess it's time to put away the linen shirt and pants and bring out the "woolies". But as we all know, we have lots of chilled music to keep us warm! For those listeners in Australia, welcome to Spring(?).  

Speaking of chill, one of the masters of the genre has again remained atop the list at number one. Michael e's seductive Be Kind, from his latest release, From Within, continues to warm our hearts and minds.

Soda Pressing, which is not "so depressing", from Sven Van Hees, moves into the number two spot. Papik's second entry on the This is Lounge playlist, Anche un uomo, and Snowday's latest, Detour, finally make it into the Top Ten this week.

This week has also seen some interesting new music come through my office. Lana Del Rey's latest offering, Honeymoon, displays her usual chilled vibe, coupled with biting romanticism in her lyrics. We couldn't decide on one track, so we went with two. It should also be obvious by now that we don't necessarily choose the current single release or the most popular track as displayed in iTunes. That being said, Art Deco was chosen for it's sound, it's feeling, it's laidback beat, and the lyric. You never know, my choice may prove to be prophetic, and this could be the next single thanks to your downloads. 

The ethereal sound of the 1:22 track, Burnt Norton (Interlude), to most listeners, may seem like a filler track. But listened out of the context of the album, it has an ambient, dreamlike quality that fits like a glove into the This is Lounge sound. I think you'll agree.

Stay tuned as this week has seen some wonderful new chillout/ ambient sounds from The Warheads and new discoveries Color Majesty, Da Drillah, Chillscape, and Jaromir.

As always, please support the artists you hear. This genre is not as big as Popular Top 40. They aren't raking in the cash, as one might believe. They are creating in their own way, and should be rewarded for their efforts if you are a true fan. Thanks for listening.

Now, on to the list....


Bubbling Under