Playlist/212: Brian Ferrari

This week's playlist comes from my pal Brian Ferrari (aka Bri-Guy), who is an accomplished "actor, singer, writer, filmmaker, public access TV host, radio DJ" (but seldom all at once) -- and perhaps the only person in the world who is a bigger Kirsty MacColl fan than I am. You can listen to the whole mix below or in a new window HERE.

1. "NYC Beat" (edit) - Armand Van Helden I must admit I don’t go out to the clubs, so I don’t know how much airplay this track from this NYC DJ received. It should have been a huge hit… especially here in NY. It did reach # 22 on the UK charts. 

2. "Fever" - La Lupe Sounding like a delirious Eartha Kitt, Spanish spitfire La Lupe’s take on this Peggy Lee classic is unlike any other rendition I have ever heard. She’s obviously suffering from a different strain than Ms. Lee, Madonna or anyone else who has covered it before or since. Not to mention Annabella Lwin … 

3. "On Fuego" - Heloise & The Savior Faire “Hi…oh. I’ve seen you before…you’re the guy that hangs out in that zebra-skin-striped onesy by the pool…” This Brooklyn group created an ode to fun south of the border without coming across like a soundtrack to "Girls Gone Wild." 

4. "Drop Your Pants" – Hilary No, not Mrs. Clinton. It’s Mrs. Hague. This new wave gem is from 1983 - I remember hearing it for the first time when it was the Shriek of the Week on WLIR. It was one of 4 tracks on her "Kinetic" EP, produced by Stephen Hague (Erasure, New Order). They later married. This was her only release, and she passed away in July of 2007. The tracks have never been released on CD, but are available for free download on the fansite HERE. 

5. "You Gonna Want Me" - Tiga (w/Jake Shears) I am a huge Scissor Sisters fan and can’t wait to hear the new CD they are currently recording. In the meantime, lead singer Jake Shears does an uncredited guest vocal on this track from Montreal DJ Tiga’s Juno-winning CD "Sexor." He has previously remixed many SS tracks. 

6. "Soul Time" - Madeline Bell Madeline was a New Jersey soul singer who moved to the UK and never looked back. Besides her solo recordings, she also sang backups on scores of records and was lead singer of the '70s group Blue Mink. Madeline was also bosom buddies with Dusty Springfield – they sang backups on each other’s recordings (including this one) and even co-wrote some songs. This track was sampled (or very closely emulated) on the Go! Team’s “Bottle Rocket.” 

7. "Take It To The Next Wave" - Jane Aire & The Belvederes Jane Aire (Ashley) was another singer from the Akron, Ohio, scene who rode the new wave to the UK back in the late '70s. The Belvederes were actually the British group The Edge. Backing vocals were provided by fellow Akron-ite Rachel Sweet and the late great Kirsty MacColl. Jane cut several mediocre singles and one really good LP, which included this track. Jane Ashley is now known as Wanda June, lead singer of The Majestics, a Baltimore-based “R & B Variety Band.” (Web site HERE.) Kudos to the lady for staying in the game. 

8. "Up and Down" - The Sand Pebbles Just try to sit still for this whole track. The Sand Pebbles are pretty much forgotten except for their one hit “Love Power,” which has been covered by Luther Vandross and Dusty Springfield. It amazes me that there is so little information about this group, given a performance like this one. You can just imagine what the stage show must have been like. 

9. "Umbrella" - Biffy Clyro Face it –- the song’s not going away any time soon. If it’s going to be stuck in your brain forever, why not go with an alternative version? I don’t have anything else from Scottish group Biffy Clyro -– this is from a BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge compilation CD. 

10. "My Ethereal Daydream" – Soundpool This appropriately titled track comes from Brooklyn-based psychedelic/electronica group Soundpool. A fellow DJ passed me their CD last spring -– I’ve been listening to it ever since. Closing credits: 11. "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" - Jackie Trent One day I will put together music for a film comprised solely of '60s chicks and girl group songs. This Edith Piaf-penned track will play over the closing credits. While “Hymn L’amour” (with varying lyrical translations) has been covered by everyone from Jeff Buckley to Cyndi Lauper to Patti Labelle, this faux-Spectorized version is my favorite. Singer Jackie Trent was half of the songwriting duo (with husband Tony Hatch) responsible for most of Petula Clark’s biggest hits.