the New "hit" Man

PLAY IT AGAIN - Songs You Might Have Missed The First Time Around - "Tú Necesitas" by Aleks Syntek

2014-06-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

"Tú Necesitas" by Aleks Syntek

Aleks Syntek is a Mexican pop singer/songwriter and producer. The song "Tú Necesitas" was originally released in 1999 and translates in English as "You Need". The song definitely has a retro '90's vibe down to it's solo rap that's reminiscent of Gerardo ("Rico Suave"), yet it all still works. An infectious feel good pop song with a groovin' bass line. From the best of album "Aleks Syntek: 1989-2009".

www.alekssyntek.com

Click here to watch original version of "Tú Necesitas"

Available @ iTunes.

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Budapest" by George Ezra

2014-04-25T10:49:00.001-04:00

"Budapest" by George Ezra

Sounding years wiser then his lone 20 years would suggest, this Bristol, U.K. native has already marked a musical path of distinction and originality with his debut track "Budapest". Already a hit song in Germany, Denmark, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, it would be a shame if the rest of the world didn't join George Erza and to take the trip to "Budapest" as well.

www.georgeezra.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Tear You Down" by RAC feat. Alex Ebert

2014-03-04T19:14:00.001-05:00

"Tear You Down" by RAC feat. Alex Ebert

RAC returns with yet another stellar track that will embed it's groove into your consciousness all the way to the summer days of 2014. Featuring singer Alex Ebert from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, "Tear You Down" is a laid back trip of infectious fun. Time to get on board the Remix Artist Collective train.

rac.fm

edwardsharpeandthemagneticzeros.com

TOP 40 SONGS OF 2013 AS VOTED BY YOU

2014-01-01T12:41:00.000-05:00

#40. "Long Time Gone"

by Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones

#39. "Sweater Weather" by The Neighbourhood

#38. "Lightning Bolt" by Jake Bugg

#37. "Shot At The Night" by The Killers

#36. "Stompa" by Serena Ryder

#35. "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus

#34. "I Was A Fool" by Tegan & Sara

#33. "Sirens" by Pearl Jam

#32. "The Fox" by Ylvis

#31. "Red Hands" by Walk Off The Earth

#30. "Pink Rabbits" by The National

#29. "Graceless" by The National

#28. "Here Comes The Night" by Arcade Fire

#27. "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic

#26. "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus

#25. "Timber" by Pitbull feat. Ke$ha

#24. "I Love It" by Icona Pop

#23. "Say Something"

by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera

#22. "Same Love"

by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert

#21. "Suit & Tie" by Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z

#20. "Do I Wanna Know?" by Arctic Monkeys

#19. "Unbelievers" by Vampire Weekend

#18. "Holy Grail" by Jay-Z feat. Justin Timberlake

#17. "Safe & Sound" by Capital Cities

#16. "Let Her Go" by Passenger

#15. "Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)"

by Lana Del Rey

#14. "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

#13. "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake

#12. "Thrift Shop"

by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz

#11. "Closer" by Tegan & Sara

#10. "Can't Hold Us"

by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton

#9. "Roar" by Katy Perry

#8. "Just Give Me A Reason"

by P!nk feat. Nate Ruess

#7. "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons

#6. "The Monster" by Eminem feat. Rihanna

#5. "Wake Me Up!" by Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc

#4. "Blurred Lines"

by Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell

#3. "Reflektor" by Arcade Fire

#2. "Royals" by Lorde

#1. "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Nothing Stays The Same" by Luke Sital-Singh

2013-11-10T19:41:00.001-05:00

"Nothing Stays The Same" by Luke Sital-Singh

"... let your guard down,

get your heart pounding

we all bleed, we all breath, and nothing stays same..."

Luke Sital-Singh is a singer-songwriter from London, England. Taken from Tornados, his 2nd EP of 2013, Sital-Singh has crafted one gem of a song. "Nothing Stays The Same" slowly builds to a pulse-pounding, anthem for your soul. Enough said.

www.lukesitalsingh.com

R.I.P. Lou Reed (1942 - 2013)

2013-10-28T22:38:00.001-04:00

20 Essential Lou Reed Tracks by Rolling Stone

www.loureed.com

ARTIST TO WATCH - Jon Bellion

2013-10-20T16:44:00.003-04:00

Buzz is building on this talented singer-songwriter & producer from Long Island, New York. You can check out Jon Bellion's fresh and unique pop style on "Ungrateful Eyes" & "One More Time" below. Look for his full-length debut album coming soon.

www.jonbellion.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "The Shape I'm In" by Marc Scibilia

2013-09-29T17:20:00.001-04:00

"The Shape I'm In" by Marc Scibilia

"... You say hey man, how've you been?

Have you seen the shape I'm in?

Get down, get back up again

Have you seen the shape I'm In?..."

American singer-songwriter Marc Scibilia ("How Bad We Need Each Other") returns with a brand new 4-song EP that includes the title track "The Shape I'm In". Driven by a funky-bluesy beat that sinks it's groove into you and won't let go. Combined with Scibilia's emotive vocal, "The Shape I'm In" rises way above the ordinary. He simply doesn't just sing the song, he lives it and you feel it. "The Shape I'm In" is destined to explode across rock, triple A and pop radio. One of the best tracks of the year. Yeah, it's that good. Available for download @ iTunes.

marcscibilia.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Drinking In The Day" by Elise LeGrow

2013-09-22T14:03:00.000-04:00

"DRINKING IN THE DAY" by ELISE LeGROW

"...don't say that it's alright,
stop fighting like a man, just because you can
you're drinking in the day
shaking from the weight
sometimes it's good to cry..."

Elise LeGrow is a singer-songwriter from Toronto, ON Canada. Her self-titled debut EP was released late in 2012 and included the hit "No Good Woman". "Drinking In The Day" is a soulful new track that showcases LeGrow's exquisite and sultry voice (think Amy Winehouse). Let's hope the buzz continues (www.directcurrentmusic.com) to grow for this deserving talent. You can download "Drinking In The Day" (acoustic version) for FREE via Topspin by clicking the link here app.topspin.net/store/artist

www.eliselegrow.com

New Music - "Reflektor" by Arcade Fire

2013-09-09T22:33:00.001-04:00

Montréal's Arcade Fire follows-up their award winning album The Suburbs (2010) with Reflektor. The new album is due to hit real and virtual shelves on October 29, 2013. You can watch the video for the title track, "Reflektor" below or even have your reflection be part of the video via www.justareflektor.com (Google Chrome required) on the interactive version video of "Reflektor".

www.justareflektor.com

www.arcadefire.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Come Take My Hand" by The Last Royals

2013-09-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

"Come Take My Hand" by The Last Royals

"...So I won't walk away

from the life you gave me

your heartbeat saved me

so come take my hand..."

Strumming along like an anthem for true love, "Come Take My Hand" evokes the feeling that if you just let go and trust yourself, everything will be alright. The Last Royals have crafted a song that connects simply by it's pure passion. Taken from the Brooklyn, NY duo's full-length debut album Twistification (2013) available now.

www.facebook.com/thelastroyals

twitter.com/TheLastRoyals

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Lifetime" by Noah and the Whale

2013-09-02T17:36:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's the song title? Maybe's it's the violins? Maybe it's just a well crafted pop song? Whatever it is, this English quintet has hit all the right notes with "Lifetime". A song that is both reflective as it is engaging. Taken from Noah and the Whale's 4th album Heart Of Nowhere (2013) available now.

www.noahandthewhale.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Moving" by Travis

2013-07-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

"Moving" by Travis

"...I try to run, I try to find my feet,

My soul is sticking to the street

I get a move, I got to get myself to clean my shoes..."

After a 5-year absence, the Glasgow, Scotland band Travis return with their 7th studio album Where You Stand. "Moving" is the 2nd official single from the album. With "Moving", the band captures the human condition with a spiritual dream-like musical state. Along with lead singer Francis Healy's exquisite vocal, it's impossible to escape the beauty the band brings to the song. Where You Stand is available August 19, 2013.

www.travisonline.com

R.I.P. Cory Monteith (1982-2013)

2013-07-14T08:36:00.004-04:00

Cory Monteith with Lea Michele.

Sad news that Canadian actor-singer Cory Monteith was found dead in a Vancouver, B.C. hotel room on July 13, 2013. He was only 31. He broke out in the hit television series Glee where he played Finn Hudson (2009-2013). He was engaged to his Glee co-star Lea Michele. A full autopsy into Monteith's death will be conducted on July 15.

"I was like a lot of kids, looking for something to be interested in. Something to be passionate about. All you need is permission. Not only for Glee, but for anything in life." Cory Monteith

Cory's 13 best Glee performances via The Hollywood Reporter
- chick here

NEW ALBUM - Paradise Valley by John Mayer

2013-07-05T09:46:00.001-04:00

John Mayer's 6th studio album Paradise Valley is scheduled for release on August 20, 2013. The official track listing is posted below and features a duet with Katy Perry ("Who You Love") and the first single "Paper Doll" which is available for download now.

Track Listing:
01) Wildfire
02) Dear Marie
03) Waiting on the Day
04) Paper Doll
05) Who You Love
06) I Will Be Found (Lost at Sea)
07) Call Me the Breeze
08) Badge and Gun
09) You're No One 'Til Someone Lets You Down
10) Wildfire
11) On the Way Home

johnmayer.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Wake Me Up" by Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc

2013-06-24T10:05:00.000-04:00

"Wake Me Up" by Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc

"... I tried to carry the weight of the world

but I only have two hands..."

Swedish DJ and producer Avicii has teamed up with American singer-musician Aloe Blacc for what could be the dancefloor smash of the year. From the first strums of an acoustic guitar, to the pulse pounding club beat, to the lyrically universal message, "Wake Me Up" simply grabs you and won't let go. Epic. Look for "Wake Me Up" to burn up radio waves this summer. Taken from Avicii's upcoming album #TRUE (September 17). "Wake Me Up" is available now as a single download in the U.K. & Australia. Available on June 25th in the U.S. and Canada.

www.avicii.com

aloeblacc.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like)" by MICHAEL FRANTI

2013-06-17T09:30:00.002-04:00

Summer 2013 officially beings on June 21. To kick off the best time of the year, California native Michael Franti returns with a feel good jam of the summer. Resonating with a such a positive spirit and equally addictive beat, it's impossible not to love "I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like)". Taken from Franti's upcoming album All People (July 30). "I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like)" is available now via iTunes.

listen.michaelfranti.com

2013 MUCH MUSIC AWARDS

2013-06-14T07:34:00.002-04:00

The 2013 MMVA's will feature performances by Avril Lavigne, Serena Ryder, Classified, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran, Armin Van Buuren, Marianas Trench, Down With Webster and Phillip Phillips.

You can watch the MMVA live on Sunday, June 16th @ 9pm EST on MuchMusic in Canada and on Fuse in the U.S.

FREE DOWNLOAD - "Breakers" by Local Natives

2013-06-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

This L.A. based indie rock band has been winning over fans since their debut album Gorilla Manor (2009). Late in 2012 the band released the first single from their sophomore album Hummingbird (2013) entitled "Breakers". A dreamy piece of alt-rock produced by The National's Aaron Dessner. You can download "Breakers" for FREE via Topspin below.

thelocalnatives.com

THE 2013 ULTIMATE SUMMER MUSIC PREVIEW

2013-06-10T16:12:00.000-04:00

Here's a look at 30+ upcoming album releases of the summer's best new music in the NHM's Ultimate Summer Preview.

JUNE 11/13

BURDEN OF PROOF - BOB SCHNEIDER

(featuring "Swimming In The Sea")

THE BALLAD OF BOGGIE CHRIST - JOSEPH ARTHUR
(featuring "Saint Of Impossible Causes")

MAGNETIC - GOO GOO DOLLS

(featuring "Rebel Beat")

THE WACK ALBUM - THE LONELY ISLAND

(featuring "Go Kindergarten" w/Robyn)

EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW - HARRY CONNICK JR.

(featuring "One Fine Thing")

TOMORROW'S HARVEST - BOARDS OF CANADA

(featuring "Reach For The Dead")

DAMAGE - JIMMY EAT WORLD

(featuring "I Will Steal You Back")

THIS IS THE END - SOUNDTRACK

(featuring "Take Yo Panties Off" by Snoop Dogg & Craig Robinson)

JUNE 14/13

TALK A GOOD GAME - KELLY ROWLAND

(featuring "Dirty Laundry" & "Kisses Down Low")

JUNE 18/13

ICE ON THE DUNE - EMPIRE OF THE SUN

(featuring "Alive" & "Keep A Watch")

ANTHEM - HANSON

(featuring "Get The Girl Back")

OLYMPIA - AUSTRA

(featuring "Painful Like")

BORN SINNER - J COLE
(featuring "Power Trip" w/Miguel)

YEEZUS - KANYE WEST

(featuring "New Slaves")

KVEIKUR - Sigur Rós

(featuring "Isjaki")

JUNE 25/13

THE GIFTED - WALE

(featuring "LoveHate Thing")

SONGVERSATION - INDIA.ARIE

(featuring "Cocoa Butter")

ONE TRUE VINE - MAVIS STAPLES

(featuring "I Like The Things About Me")

NATALIE COLE en Español - NATALIE COLE

(featuring "Acercate Mas" w/Nat King Cole)

JULY 1/13

THE WEIGHT OF YOUR LOVE - THE EDITORS

(featuring "A Ton Of Love")

MAGNA CARTA HOLY GRAIL - JAY-Z

JULY 23/13

THE NEW ERA BEGINS - MARIAH CAREY

(featuring "#Beauiful" w/Miguel)

JULY 30/13

ALL PEOPLE - MICHAEL FRANTI
(featuring "I'm Alive")

BLURRED LINES - ROBIN THICKE
(featuring "Blurred Lines w/Pharrell & T.I.)

AUGUST 27/13

RIGHT THOUGHTS, RIGHT WORDS, RIGHT ACTION - FRANZ FERDINAND

(featuring "Right Action")

SEPTEMBER 3/13

THE WORSE THINGS GET, THE HARDER I FIGHT... - NEKO CASE

HESITATION MARKS - NINE INCH NAILS

(featuring "Came Back Haunted")

SEPTEMBER 10/13

FEELS LIKE HOME - SHERYL CROW

(featuring "Easy")

FUSE - KEITH URBAN

(featuring "Little Bit Of Everything")

SEPTEMBER 17/13

FROM HERE TO NOW TO YOU - JACK JOHNSON

(featuring "I Got You")

THE ELECTRIC LADY - JANELLE MONAE
(featuring "Q.U.E.E.N." w/Erykah Badu)

SEPTEMBER 24/13

MECHANICAL BULL - KINGS OF LEON

(featuring "Always The Same")

THE LAST SHIP - STING

(featuring "And Yet")

AVRIL LAVIGNE - TBA
(featuring "Here's To Never Growing Up")

TOP SELLING U.S. SONGS OF 2013 SO FAR...

2013-06-04T10:03:00.004-04:00

With 2013 nearly at the half way point, I thought it be a good time to look at how this year's biggest selling singles are ranking... so far.

#10. "Cruise" - Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly - 2+ million

#9. "Scream & Shout" - will.i.am & Britney Spears - 2.1+ million

#8. "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons - 2.2+ million

#7. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift - 2.3+ million

#6. "Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - 2.3+ million

#5. "Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z - 2.4+ million

#4. "Just Give Me A Reason" - P!nk feat. Nate Ruess - 2.9+ million

#3. "Stay" - Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko - 2.9+ million

#2. "When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars - 3.1+ million

#1. "Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz - 5.2 million

All tracks available @ iTunes.

SUMMER MADNESS 2013 : THE ULTIMATE SUMMER MUSIC PLAYLIST

2013-05-29T10:41:00.000-04:00

SUMMER MADNESS 2013:

THE ULTIMATE SUMMER MUSIC PLAYLIST

Here's a complete list of 40+ cool summer grooves to get your ultimate summer music playlist started.

"Summer Madness" (1974) by Kool & The Gang

A laid back summer groove. Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff sampled this song for their hit, "Summertime" (1991). A perfect way to start your mix.

"Summertime" (1991) by D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

A laid back summer groove. A must for any summer playlist.

"Crazy Beautiful" (2013) by Andy Grammer

Fresh summer music is always a must.

"Got To Be Real" (1978) by Cheryl Lynn

A summer disco classic.

"Daylight" (1976) by Bobby Womack

Evoking some summer soul.

"L.A. Story" (2013) by Sammy Adams feat. Mike Posner

Summer love.

"Gimme Some Lovin' " (1967) by Spencer Davis Group

The classic summer feel good song.

"All Summer Long" (2007) by Kid Rock

Summer's past brought back to life by Kid Rock.

"Take It Easy" (1986) by Andy Taylor

The na-na-na feel good summer anthem of the mid '80's.

"Love You" (2009) by Maxwell

A funky feel good summer ditty.

"Treasure" (2012) by Bruno Mars

Sing-a-long with the always soulful Bruno Mars.

"Hate It Or Love It" (2005) by The Game feat. 50 Cent

Using The Trammp's "Rubber Band" (1972) as the hook, a reflective tale of the struggles to breakout is born.

"Time To Pretend" (2007) by MGMT

The anthem for a new generation.

"Sidestep" (2008) by Robin Thicke

"Shining Star" (1975) by Earth Wind & Fire

Funk it up 'cause you're a shining star.

"The Underdog" (2007) by Spoon

A few strums of the guitar, you're hooked.

"I'm Alive" (2013) by Michael Franti

Could be this year's summer anthem.

"I Got My Mind Made Up" (1979) by Instant Funk

There's no denying the the infectious groove of this funk gem.

"Honor and Harmony" (2003) by G. Love & Special Sauce

A summer laid back groove.

"Bulletproof (Fred Falke Remix)" (2010) by La Roux

Electro-funk with an '80's vibe.

"Daylight" (2008) by Kelly Rowland feat. Travis McCoy

The perfect summer groove is recaptured & updated in this soulful Bobby Womack classic.

"If I Had Eyes (Culver City Dub Collective Remix)" (2008) by Jack Johnson

It ain't summer without Jack with a little sample of The Cure's "Close To Me".

"Shining Star" (1975) by Earth Wind & Fire

Funk it up 'cause you're a shining star.

"Ladies" (2009) by Lee Fields & The Expressions

A smooth, sexy, summer groove.

"Stay With Me" (1971) by Faces

The perfect late night summer anthem.

"The Theme From A Summer's Place" (1960) by Percy Faith

Instantly takes you back to a simpler time and place.

"Believe In Me" (2008) by Sloan

A feel good summer rock song.

"Good Love" (2009) by Mary J. Blige & T.I.

An addictive summer funk tune that evokes a little bit of the '80's.

"This Is My Life" (2010) by Edward Maya feat. Vika Jigulina

Maya brings some Euro flavor to this summery pop tune.

"T.O.N.Y. (Lost Daze Mix)" (2009) by Solange

An undeniable groove that will keep you moving all night long.

"True Love" (2012) by P!nk Feat. Lily Allen

The summer of love/hate.

"Lady (You Bring Me Up)" (1981) by The Commodores

Summer would be a lonely thing without the ladies. Another post disco funky jam.

"Jamboree" (1999) by Naughty By Nature

A summer playlist must! N.B.N. take the riff from Benny Golson's 1978 "I'm Always Dancing To The Music" and pump up the funk groove to maximum.

"Get On Up " (1995) by Jodeci

A soulful-hand clappin' mid-tempo summer ditty.

"Summer Sun" (2008) by Matt Wertz

Capturing a '70's summer groove.

"Message In A Bottle" (1979) by The Police

Where rock meets reggae.

"Lay Me Down" (2010) by The Dirty Heads feat. Rome

A sweet sounding acoustic guitar based track with

a laid back beach feel.

"Come And Get Your Love" (1974) by Redbone

Exactly what summer is all about.

"Sweet Caroline" (1969) by Neil Diamond

A classic sing-a-long song that livens up any summer outing.

"Ventura Highway" (1972) by America

The combination of sweet sounding harmonies and acoustic guitars evokes that perfect summer feel.

"Alright" (1993) by Kris Kross feat. Super Cat

The perfect crusin' tune with it's addictive bass-line.

"I Want You Back" (1969) by The Jackson 5

A classic summer regret song.

"It's A Shame" (1970) by The Spinners

A retro soul groove at it's finest.

"Do I Do" (1982) by Stevie Wonder

A funky blast of summer fun.

Finally, no summer playlist is complete without the summer songs you love.

All songs are available for download @ iTunes.

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Thanksgiving" by Stephen Kellogg

2013-05-27T14:32:00.000-04:00

"Thanksgiving" by Stephen Kellogg

"... when I was a child I'll always remember

the way I would feel for Thursday November

my Uncles would play, there would be music

and I was taken it in ..."

American singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg has crafted what can only be described as an epic song of life. "Thanksgiving" is an unique song that hooks you with it's lyrical honesty and passionate build. Even at a running time of 10:00, you'll find yourself wanting to hear this journey again and again. Taken from Kellogg's album Blunderstone Rookery (available June 18, 2013).

www.stephenkellogg.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Pour A Little Poison" by David Ford

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

U.K. singer-songwriter David Ford has crafted a bluesy hand-clap ditty with "Pour A Little Poison". Fresh and infectious, this "poison" is just what the music Doctor ordered. You can find "Pour A Little Poison" on Ford's just released album Charge (2013). Drink it up.

www.davidfordmusic.com

NEW MUSIC - "Restless" by Nneka

2013-05-15T10:23:00.003-04:00

Nigerian born soul singer Nneka has released yet another stellar track from her sorely underappreciated album Soul Is Heavy (2012). Check out the emotional wrenching break-up ballad below. Available @ iTunes.