Ignite Your Weekend!

Clockwise: Jason Walker, Groove Armada, That Rogue Romeo, and Christopher Dallamn.

It is time to kick off the weekend, and this time out, I thought I would offer a group of songs I really like, and come together for no other reason than I have put them in the same post. There is no overall theme, same that all four are in my iTunes, ready to be played. I will start with a voice I still find incredible. From the first time I heard him sing, to the last time I played his music, Jason Walker always blows me away, and leaves me wanting more. "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" appeared on his 2007 album, 'Flexible', which also had "Can't Stop" and "Foolish Lover (I'm Sorry)" on the track listing. This is the official music video for Jason Walker's "I Can't Get You Off My Mind".

You can purchase 'Flexible' from iTunes and Amazon. I first discovered Groove Armada, made up by electronic artists Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, when they worked with a favorite of mine, Will Young. The British duo paired up with the fantastic British singer for the 2010 release. The song is "History", and it has a wonderful sound, that was just a bit retro, and just the right amount of current to set it apart. And Young's vocals were dreamy and muysterioius, and I couldn't stop listening to the song. This is the official music video for Groove Armada featuring Will Young with "History".

The song can be found on Groove Armada's album 'Blacklight', which can be purchase from iTunes and Amazon. When I think of singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman, I don't go straight to dance music. But there have been a couple of times when an imaginative DJ picked out a great song and gave it a wonderful treatment. That was the case with his song "Nighttime in the City", which I first came to know off his album 'Race the Light', which is how I got to know Dallman. I was intrigued by every song on the album, and couldn't wait to hear more from the man. Eight years after the first release, out came a remix of the song that I just found so very cool. Give a listen to Christopher Dallman's "Nighttime in the City (Radboy Radio Edit)" and see what you think.

You can purchase 'Nighttime in the City' from iTunes and Bandcamp. Finally, I could listen to just about anything That Rogue Romeo put out. I love the way he pulls together the drive and edge of great Rock music with the sound and energy of fantastic Electronica. He released 'Machine and Magic' in 2012, and I loved it. The following year, That Rogue Romeo released 'Rebuilt', a collection of Remixed songs off the first album, giving a whole new feel to them. I was particularly fond of the song "Domino", written by That Rogue Romeo (aka Kevin Stea) and Stefano Borzi. The love kept flowing with the remixes. This is That Rogue Romeo with "Domino (EmJay's Neomaster video version)".

You can find "Domino (EmJay's Master)" on the remix album 'Rebuilt', which can be purchased from iTunes and Bandcamp. I hope you enjoyed the music you heard here, and think about adding it to your own collection. No matter what you decide, I hope you have a great weekend.

That Rogue Romeo • Rebuilt

Sometimes, you come across a talent that manages to both intrigue and delight you. Earlier this year, one such artist was That Rogue Romeo. After checking out a few videos, I knew I had to have his album, 'Machine & Magic'. With a bit of research, I learned That Rogue Romeo was Kevin Stea, the talented dancer I first noticed in 'Madonna: Truth Or Dare', the documentary that recorded the Blond Ambition tour, where Stea acted as both Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain. More recently, I had seen him in the film 'Naked Boys Singing', where he proved to be both talented and sexy. Fast-forward a few years, and I was watching those music videos, and going to iTunes. A few of months ago I reviewed the wonderful album from That Rogue Romeo, 'Machine & Magic'. You can read that review here.

Now you can hear the Remix collection from that album, 'Rebuilt'. The 19-track collection includes remixes of seven of the songs from 'Machine & Magic' with several from different DJs on the hits, like "City of Glass","Domino", and the title cut "Machine & Magic". You can get a sample of what is on 'Rebuilt' when you listen to "Domino (DJNB's Club Mix)" here.

I think one of my favorite tracks from the first album was "City of Glass", which had a unique and layered sound I so enjoyed. So I was intrigued to hear the remixes, and three are four offered in the collection. I think my favorite is "City of Glass (AP's Tribal Mix)", and I was happy to find a clip on YouTube I could share with you. I hope you love it too.

I think this is just the ticket to start the weekend with just the right flavor. Hit play and get ready to move with the beat! You can purchase 'Rebuilt' from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about That Rogue Romeo and his music, visit his official website. He can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

That Rogue Romeo • Machine & Magic

As you can easily see from the photograph above, Kevin Stea is a mesmerizing man, so handsome and so very confident. But there is a reason he should be confident, for the talented man has more than just a pretty face going for him. Stea is well-known as a dancer, having worked his magic in many a video and live tour. He might be best known as one of the dancers seen in the 1991 documentary 'Madonna: Truth or Dare', which chronicled the behind-the-scenes life of Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour. Since that time, Stea has proven to be a multi-faceted performer, adding choreographer, model, actor, singer and director to his resumé, quite impressive indeed.

And when I mentioned Stea was a singer, you might not have realized Stea takes on a different personae in his musical incarnation. Kevin becomes That Rogue Romeo when the music starts, an artist that combines all genres of music to create a sound that is really cool and fresh. The sound is Pop at heart, but utilizes elements of Rock, Electronica, Dance, and other classic structures to tell the story he feels impelled to share. And when he combines that with imagery on video, you can see the artist meet a new level, melding the different media to create something sublime. Check out the music video for "Wonderland".

Now, the song and video for "Domino" is a different animal, a dark and stalking creature that immediately gnawed it's way into my heart. So sexy and flirty, the performance is dripping with seduction, matching the song with a strident muscularity that powers throughout. The searing sound of the guitars lends to a Rock sound, adding to the masculine edge That Rogue Romeo offers the listener. Yet there is also the dichotomy of the masculine and feminine, both shown with an edge that is captivating. Enjoy the music video for "Domino".

The opening of "City of Glass" has a classical feel, not only with the staccato feel of the strings, balancing the sound with the Electronica. With all this, he manages to turn the music a bit topsy turvy, with the elongation of the electronic instrumentation adding emotional balance to the warm string tones leading the percussive beat. And the imagery of the music video, putting the cold strength of steel chain with the warmth of fabric that could easily tear just offer up a myriad of ways we are bound through life. Have a great time watching the music video for "City of Glass".

All three songs can be found of the 2012 release, 'Machine & Magic'. It is an album I would recommend without hesitation, for I still find myself enjoying hearing it. With so many textures and tones, it still holds my attention, and keeps me coming back for time and time again. For more about Kevin Stea, visit his official website. You can also follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook. To learn more about That Rogue Romeo and his music, visit his official website. He can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. You can also purchase his album, 'Machine & Magic', from iTunes and Amazon.