:: arjanwrites music blog ::

Winner of The Mission District Remix Contest Announced!

Thanks for all your votes! The lucky winner of The Mission District's "Heartbreaker" Remix Contest is Italian producer Monsieur Adi. Congratulations!!!

Monsieur Adi is no stranger to frequent ArjanWrites.com readers. Adi recently produced music for Superfraiche performer Noah and Toronto singer/pop maven Will W. He also created an award-winning remix for Frankmusik's "Three Little Words."

Thanks so much to all the producers for submitting their remixes into the contest. All of your reinventions were incredible. The band and label is very excited about all of the material they received. The label plans to do more with some of the other submission down the road. So look out for that.

Summer Pop Mix: Listen to Bravehound's "Glory Afternoon"

Technophile and DJ extraordinaire Bravehound put together a glorious remix compilation with some the hottest gems of the summer. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, LaRoux, The Killers and U2, fortified with a dose of Lykke Li and Imogen Heap. "I wanted to produce a mix that was fun a festive enough to rock the Pride season right, and loaded the table with all the chips I had," he writes. Enjoy.

Fraiche MP3 Download: Chris Cornell "Billy Jean" (Michael Jackson Cover - Unplugged in Sweden)

Nothing will ever trump the brilliance and energy of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean," but rocker Chris Cornell did a mighty fine job creating his own interpretation of the song. During a show in Sweden back in 2006, he covered Jackson's 1983 hit and turned it into a raw, acoustic new version. This one sends chill up my spine. Stunning.

Download Chris Cornell "Billy Jean" (Michael Jackson Cover)

Exclusive: Listen to The Killers "Hotel California"

Listen to a one-minute snippet of the Killers' cover of The Eagles' classic "Hotel California." The Vegas five gave the song a tropical and brassy jazzy make-over. It may not be quite the sound that you'd expect from the synth-happy Killers, but anything with a little bit of Flowers works just fine for me.

The tropical influence doesn't come as a surprise. The Killers' version of The Eagles' evergreen was produced in collaboration with Rhythms del Mundo for a special compilation album, titled "Classics." The innovative Cuban music outfit invited several popular artists to contribute a cover song to a special charity album to help raise awareness for climate crisis projects and natural disaster relief.

Alongside The Killers also Katy Perry, Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones, KT Tunstall, John Mayer, Fall Out Boy and Jack Johnson donated their support to the album. "Classics" will out on Decca Records in the U.S. on August 11.

Fritz Helder & The Phantoms CD Release Party feat Nelly Furtato in NYC on 7/10

New Yorkers! Be there or be square. The Superfraiche performers will sure pull out all the stops with their mentor Nelly Furtado in the house. Mr. Black is located in Manhattan's Garment District on 251 West 30th Street.

Listen to Just Jack "Doctor Doctor" (Fred Falke Remix)

After 2007's critically-acclaimed "Overtones," Just Jack (aka Jack Allsop) has quietly returned with "Doctor, Doctor," the second single from his upcoming new LP, "All Night Cinema." (Check out my interview with Jack after he recorded with Kylie Minogue in 2007.)

The song is a signature Just Jack production with his colloquial, sing-talk delivery and sharp-tongued, lyrical wit. In a recent interview, Jack explains that the song is about a shop assistant who falls in his love with his foxy manager who ignores his flirtations. He sings, "Now why you looking at me like I’m making this up. And why you looking at me like I’m floaty and hinged. Like I’m a little bit singed after a JD and Prozac binge. (. . . ) She’s not much verse, mostly chorus. Between those ears, mostly sawdust." 

French electro maestro Fred Falke took on the original and turned it a glistening synth experience . Everything Falke touches these days turns it disco gold. This one is absolutely no exception. His remix of "Doctor, Doctor" is sublime. Absolutey sublime.

Download Just Jack "Doctor Doctor" (Fred Falke Remix

Fraiche MP3 Download: 100 Akres featuring Roz Bell "Pink Cadillac"

After his excellent debut "The First Sunbeams" failed to deliver much-deserved chart success, gifted Canadian crooner Roz Bell parted ways with Universal to create and release new music independently. For the past few months, he has been writing and collaborating with a hot new set of producers to put together songs for his upcoming new album, tentatively titled "October."

Bell's sound is best described as a sunny and laid-back blend of singer-songwriter pop. A good example of that is Bell's collaboration with Los Angeles R&B/hip hop producer 100 Akres on the genre-crossing "Pink Cadillac." 100 Akres seamlessly combines funk, electronic and hip hop influences while Roz lays down his distinct vocals to create a catchy summer gem. So glad that Bell is emerging back on the scene. He's one of the fraichest new talents to keep your eye on.

Download 100 Akres featuring Roz Bell "Pink Cadillac"