Fridae

Free Download: Billie Myers "Just Sex" (Eddie Baez Remix)

Remember Billie Myers? In 1997, she had a global hit with the Desmond Child produced track "Kiss The Rain." The single was lifted from her debut album "Growing Pains" that was certified gold in the year of its release. Myers quietly released her second album "Vertigo" in 2000 and has been working on new material over the last few years.

She re-emerges with the comeback track "Just Sex" that is taken from her forthcoming new album and might stir up a little controversy. The song takes direct aim at social and religious conservatives who "continue to demonize nontraditional morality," according to a press statement. "It's disturbing that right wing fundamentalists continue to paint sex as the original 'axis of evil,'" said Myers. "They distract us from important issues like education, homelessness, racism and the war by opposing same sex unions and denying groups their rights, all in the name of 'Family Values.'"

Myers gives people more food for thought when she argues that sex and love are not the same thing. She believes monogamy is ideal but not innate to the human condition. "Sexual attraction is chemical and genetically built for long-term survival. When our average life expectancy was 35, it may have been possible to remain monogamous," she explained. "But now, with life expectancy reaching into our eighties, it's nearly impossible. I'd like to think my partners have been faithful to me but I would not be surprised if they were not."

Mixes of "Just Sex" have been delivered to DJs to build a buzz for Billie's from the ground up. Eddie Baez' mix of "Just Sex" is a popular one among the clbs crowds . The mix version is the number one Breakout Track on Billboard's Dance Club Chart this week. (Thanks to Billie for sharing this mix with Arjanwrites.com for two days. Update: I posted the high quality M4A/AAC file while working on getting a high qality MP3.)

Mixes of "Just Sex" have been delivered to DJs to build a buzz for Billie's from the ground up. Eddie Baez' mix of "Just Sex" is a popular one among the clbs crowds . The mix version is the number one Breakout Track on Billboard's Dance Club Chart this week. (Thanks to Billie for sharing this mix with Arjanwrites.com for two days. Update: I posted the high quality M4A/AAC file while working on getting a high qality MP3.)

Download Billie Meyers "Just Sex" (Eddy Baez Remix)

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Kenna Stages Comeback
Poor Chad Hugo. He is one half of The Neptunes production duo most people forget about. Most attention goes to his soundboard partner Pharrell Williams who has been getting all the fun solo projects. But Hugo has a really cool style of his own. Whereas Williams favors soulful, hip hop beats, Hugo infuses his production work with a rockier electro edge.

A good example of Hugo's production style is reflected in the work he did with his high school friend Kenna. I picked up Kenna's debut "New Sacred Cow" years ago at Tower and saw him perform together with Fischerspooner in 2003. His emo-laden electro-rock hooks captured me from the first moment I played tracks like "Free Time" and the phenomenal "Hell Bent."

After his debut failed to find a solid audience, Kenna has had issues getting a second album out due to contractual obligations with his label. Over the past years, he has been writing cryptic messages about the contract mess on his MySpace page. "It's ugly, but we're close to the end," he wrote. "The end of a year long battle with yet another monster. The music was trapped again."

As Kenna indicated, his music is finally set free and and a new album will hit stores in 2007. His new single "Out Of Control" is featured in a PSP commercial that is airing this holiday season. The song is once again produced by Chad Hugo who ads a peppy arrangement to Kenna's emotive delivery and angst-ridden lyrics. (That's Kenna's picture above. Chad Hugo looks like .)

Stream Kenna "Out Of Control"

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Lady Sovereign In Concert
Watching Lady Sovereign perform is like watching Minnie Mouse on steroids. With her funny faces and chaotic stage acrobatics, the British grime artist appears to have taken her cues directly from a Disney cartoon. The only thing that sets Lady Sov apart from the mouse is her endless cursing while spraying her fans with beer and flipping them the finger.

On Friday evening, Lady Sov played the last concert of her U.S. tour at The Loft in Atlanta. Rumors have been circulating about the rapper's diva behavior during the tour. Supposedly, she walked off stage at one of her gigs because she didn't like the sound quality at the venue. On Friday, she was thankfully in a good mood treating the kids to a fierce blast of European hip hop energy.

Her set included "Love Me Or Hate Me," "Public Warning," "Random," "Ch Ching" and her cover of The Sex Pistols' "Pretty Vacant" that will be included on the new The O.C. soundtrack that is in stores tomorrow.

Sov will return to the U.S. in January for a few make up shows. If you want to know what Lady Sovereign is all about, watch her latest video "Love Me Or Hate Me" or watch the special chipmunk version that fits the Disney characterization well. (Photos by The Midnight Socialite, thanks Chris!)

Stream Lady Sovereign "Pretty Vacant" (The Sex Pistols cover)

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Global Beats: Ivri Lider (Israel)
Arjanwrites.com reader HiC wrote me about openly gay pop artist Ivri Lider who has built a solid career as a mainstream pop singer in Israel. Lider surprised everyone when he came out of the closet as a gay man in 2001 in conjunction with the release of his third album. Fortunately, his openness has not affected his popularity in the charts.

Lider made his debut in 1997 with the release of the platinum-selling "Melatef Umeshaker" ("Caressing And Lying") that delivered two hit singles. His success continued with the release of four more album, including 2006's live CD/DVD package "Ivri Lider: Live CD." Most recently, the singer reworked Gershwin's sultry classic "The Man I Love" for the the soundtrack of the new Fox & Uchovsky film "The Bubble."

Also, listen to "Bo" ("Come"), Lider's biggest hit to date. Lider performed the song for the soundtrack of Eytan Fox & Gal Uchovsky movie "Yossi and Jagger" in 2003. Don't let the gutterul sounds turn you off. His emotive delivery is strong whether or not you understand the language. In other words, these beats are global. [This post was written in support of Madonna's Raising Malawi. Donate today. Email me if you have suggestions for Global Beats.)

Watch Ivri Lider "Bo"
Watch Ivri Lider "The Man I Love"

Previously in Global Beats:
Freshlyground [South Africa]Kwabena Kwabena [Ghana]