Traci Lords' Last Drag

Traci Lords is back with new music! A stunning turn of events that will no doubt overshadow Madonna's comeback and force poor Rihanna into retirement. The underage-porn-star-turned-cult-actress is a true underground pop icon. Her 1995 opus "1000 Fires" remains one of my favourite dance albums of that decade and has rightly won a loyal following due to the 43-year-old's unusually dark and depressing lyrics. "Fallen Angel", in particular, holds up as brilliantly evocative anthem. One listen and I'm back holding a glow stick at a rave party!

Traci gave up on music in the mid-'90s to concentrate on acting but has released a couple of singles over the years, including a cute interpretation of Missing Persons' "Walking In L.A." - a song which Margo also covered last year. After a four year hiatus, the star of John Waters' Cry-Baby is back with "Last Drag". The track finds Traci in an unusually mainstream mood with a catchy pop/rock chorus and amazing smoking metaphors. I love it and am pleased to hear that it's already a #46 Billboard club smash. Take a listen to "Last Drag" below and download the soundtrack of Summer 2012 from iTunes now.

Luciana Heats Up Newcastle

A lot has happened since Luciana last blessed us with a visit. "I Like That" continued to make waves internationally long after it had achieved double platinum status in Australia and she featured on a bunch of well-received floorfillers - most notably Lethal Bizzle & Nick Bridges' "Go Go Go", which charted on the back of Neon Stereo's popular remix and Nari + Milani's amazing "I Got My Eye On U". And then came "I'm Still Hot". A number one US club smash and pop culture curiosity thanks to the camp-as-tits re-make with Betty White. That killer tune has also led the Queen of Electro back to our shores. With no real promotion or radio airplay, "I'm Still Hot" has surprised everyone by rocketing up Australian iTunes and, with a bit of luck, could turn out to be the much-loved dance diva's next crossover hit.

Given the buzz surrounding Luci's latest anthem, I wasn't surprised to find the King Street Hotel in Newcastle packed to the rafters last night. It was worth the two hour drive from Sydney just to see the punters' reaction when she hit the floor for a pre-show boogie! At around midnight she crammed into the tiny DJ booth and delivered a typically brilliant set. Mrs Clow began with an awesome rendition of "I Got My Eye On You" - easily one of my favourites singles of 2010. The song never got the love it deserved over here, which still annoys me. Next up was the evergreen "Yeah Yeah", followed by the track of the hour - "I'm Still Hot". I loved hearing it live for the first time and witnessing a small army of pissed girls chanting the lyrics bodes well for its future success. Luciana then closed the show "I Like That", almost falling out of the DJ booth with her broken doll dance moves. That song is still a shot of pure electro-adrenaline and almost tore the roof down.

Make sure you head along to Nevermind tonight. Luci will be performing at the final Disagraceland and I'm sure they plan to go out with a bang! If you can't make it or just need another dose of dance music royalty, watch "I'm Still Hot" below and download it from iTunes now.

Luciana - Still Heating Up The Clubs

With all the hype surrounding Luciana's historic duet with legendary comedy icon Betty White, it's easy to forget that the original - and dare I say it, superior - version of "I'm Still Hot" (below) is still gathering steam. It recently topped the US dance chart and is sitting at #40 on the ARIA club chart. With the holy Queen of clubs about to embark on an Australian tour and the Betty White video days away from crashing the internet, it should climb rapidly over the next few weeks. Promisingly, the song is already shooting up the iTunes dance chart and it hasn't even been officially released yet - eager fans are downloading it from an exercise compilation. Make sure you grab a copy today. Luciana deserves another Australian smash for writing the best song on "Aphrodite", if nothing else!

Zoë Badwi - Album Review

Zoë Badwi's album has been out for a while now but as Sirens' biggest (and possibly only) fan, I feel it's my duty to preach the virtues of this wondrous listening experience to anyone who will listen. There's another reason why this project is close to my heart. A long time ago in galaxy far, far away I did some work for Neon Records and one of my first tasks was putting together digital promos for Zoë's early club hits like "Don't Wan'cha", which didn't make the album, and "In The Moment", which did. Since then I've followed the blond bombshell's career closely and know how much hard work has gone into this extremely impressive album. Here is my track by track review:

Freefallin'

Zoë's irresistible commercial breakthrough needs no introduction. Co-written by legendary three-hit wonder Amy Pearson, the uplifting dance anthem rocketed into the national top 10 and ruled the airwaves for months. Everything about this is perfect, from the uplifting lyrics to Denzal Park's perky production. It was always going to be hard to duplicate the magic but a couple of tunes come close.

Until You're Over Me

I love DNA. The songwriters behind Marvin Priest's "Own This Club" - among other hits - team up with the omnipresent Amy Pearson to create another epic floorfiller. This is being bandied about as the album's next single but I'm not convinced it's the right choice. "Until You're Over Me" is lovely (and I've always had a soft spot for bittersweet dance music) but it's a bit too soft and pretty for commercial radio.

Release Me

This fucking song could survive a nuclear war. Three years after it was released, I still hear "Release Me" every time I go out. And that's the way I like it. The TV Rock-produced anthem is insidiously catchy and easy to sing along to while inebriated making it a true Oxford street classic.

Carry Me Home

Zoë's cover of Sarah Connor's "Carry Me Home" is the kind of classy, mid-tempo electronica that rarely gets made in this country. The song's thoughtful dance overhaul works a treat and it has a rich, dreamy quality that sets it apart from the usual club fare. I still don't get the video but you can't have everything.

Accidents Happen

Time to come clean. I never liked this clumsy pop tune and only pretended to be mildly enthusiastic to avoid offending anyone. Sorry!

Never Let You Go

I swear Amy Pearson's butterfingers are all over this album. The British sex symbol has songwriting credits on 8 of the 12 tracks. Unfortunately, this is easily her worst contribution. "Never Let You Go" isn't awful. It's just kind of there. The lyrics are generic and Zoë inexplicably sounds like Alison Goldfrapp with a head cold. Only slightly better than "Accidents Happen".

Reckless

After a couple of underwhelming cuts, the album bounces back on track with this killer anthem. Another DNA production, "Reckless" is furiously upbeat and extremely catchy. I love the chorus and sentiment of the lyrics. This sounds radio ready and should be a strong contender for the LP's next single.

One Step Behind

This is great too! I love the spacey production - courtesy of Grant Smillie and Nordean - and the quirky sound palette. It's thematically odd but I'm twisted so I kind of like that. From what I can tell "One Step Behind" is a darkly romantic stalker anthem. Play this loud the next time you're having a Single White Female moment!

In The Moment (Denzal Park Edit)

I love "In The Moment" but the original trance-tastic version is infinitely superior. Download that from iTunes instead and brace yourself for the magic of this fabulous 90s flashback.

Believe You

Zoë Badwi tackling a pared-back ballad is like hearing Barbra Streisand experiment with death metal. Somewhat disconcerting. It took me a couple of listens to wrap my head around this startling development but ultimately "Believe You" is as satisfying as a freshly cooked cheesy nugget. Exquisite!

Relapse

And the award for my favourite song on the album goes to "Relapse". If Nicki French covered ABBA the resulting masterpiece would struggle to be as camp as this piping hot mess. On an album heavy with sleek floorfillers, this poptastic gem stands out like a sore thumb. In a good way. This would be my choice for the next single. It's big, dumb fun that gets stuck in your head after one listen. I'm obsessed.

The Other Side

Happily, "Zoë" ends on a high note. "The Other Side" covers similar lyrical ground to "Freefallin'" - it's about moving forward with your life - but it has a distinctly darker edge. I like the brooding production and understated chorus. This is further proof of Zoë's growing versatility and depth as an artist.

8/10

Havana Brown, I Really Don't Get It

I've spent the past couple of hours trying to make sense of the new Havana Brown single. And I still have no idea what's going on. "Get It" sounds like "Firestarter" mixed with every dodgy house record released in 1997 - finished off with a sprinkling of the superstar DJ's trademark reed-thin vocals. Who threw this mess together? D:Ream? It's so disappointing given the double platinum success of her stunning Cascada knock-off "We Run The Night". That gem established Havana as the nation's hottest dance diva. A niche she could have made her own with a smart follow-up. Instead, she shat out this noise. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure clubbers will love "Get It" - after their third vial of G - but the crossover appeal of her debut is completely MIA. Fingers crossed the video is hot or the busty beauty's pop career could be over before it started. Someone please drag Dannii out of retirement. Australian nightclubs need her now more than ever!

Zoë Badwi - Album Sampler

Sorry for the lack of updates but I've been locked in a dark room listening to "4" on repeat. In fact, the only new music to break through my Beyoncé-trance in the past few days came from Australia's leading lady of dance. On Friday Zoë Badwi released a preview of her soon-to-be-released debut album "Zoë" and it's all killer no filler. The six song sampler contains the club smash "Release Me", her commercial breakthrough "Freefallin'", its misguided but hugely enjoyable follow-up "Accidents Happen" and the downright delicious Sarah Connor cover "Carry Me Home" (below) as well as two new tracks. They are both great but "Until You're Over Me" is a complete knock out. Penned by failed pop star Amy Pearson, who also flexed her considerable songwriting muscle on "Freefallin'", the song is a total smash. I love the dreamy synths and bittersweet chorus. It reminds me of Sophie Ellis-Bextor - only without the annoying accent. Fingers crossed this is Zoë's next single! The other new track is called "Believe You" and was written by the cheesy nugget lovin' sex symbol herself. A sparse piano ballad complete with strings and Adele-tastic lyrics, this is a real change of pace for Australia's club queen. I'm not sure how the track will affect the flow of what promises to be an otherwise turbo-charged dance album but it's great to hear Ms Badwi do something different and show off her powerful pipes. Kind of like when Sophie Monk covered "Ave Maria" on her debut. Ok, that's probably not the best comparison! "Zoë" is released on August 5. It goes without saying that I can't fucking wait.

Zoë Badwi's Carry Me Home - video review

I've been meaning to post this for a while now. Zoë's "Carry Me Home" video debuted a couple of weeks ago and I never got around to writing about it. It's no secret that I love the song - it's so soft and pretty - but the video is kind of perplexing. From the preview, I thought it was going to have an old Hollywood theme with the stunning dance diva standing around looking frail and beautiful on a staircase. That would have been enough for me and suited the song perfectly. But someone got a little too creative and gave it an "Eyes Wide Shut" twist. In the video Zoë decides to spice up her life by inviting her man to some kind of high-camp swingers party full of gays that look like they were rounded up outside Arq at 5am on Sunday morning. It's a bit random but fair play. "Carry Me Home" is going great guns in the clubs (up to #6 on this week's chart) and should gather more steam when it's pushed to radio in a couple of weeks. You can download the radio edit from iTunes now. Trust me, it's $1.69 well spent!

The return of Gina G

Over the past few weeks I've been inundated with requests to review the new Gina G single. I would have whipped up something earlier but I was waiting on the video clip. Which is every bit as... stunning as I had imagined. Basically, the glamorous pop icon wanders around a dubious nightclub flirting with gay "boys". I think poor Gina accidentally wandered into a MAG convention because these homosexuals look like they've been on the grind since 1987. My favourite part of the clip is when the former redhead performs on stage and you can see my friend Natty trying to duck for cover in the front row (1:35 mins)! OK, so it's not "Telephone" but the Eurovision legend looks fabulous and the song is really cool. The only difference between this and Havana Brown's current top 10 hit is major label support. "Next 2 U" is the kind of cute and fluffy pop anthem that Gina perfected in the late 90s - with a modern twist. Fingers crossed she finds an audience this time around because I want an album. Her last opus "Get Up & Dance" was sorely underrated and Australia needs another dance diva of a certain vintage now that Dannii has retired to host a rubbish TV show. Check out the video and download this smash from iTunes now!

Behind the scenes with Zoë Badwi

I love Zoë Badwi more than cold beer and fried chicken. She puts up with my drunk tweets and continues to carve out her own little niche as Australia's first lady of dance. While her last single failed to match the success of past hits like "Release Me" and "Freefallin'", the former Sirens singer should have more luck with "Carry Me Home". It picks up where the aforementioned Amy Pearson penned masterpiece left off - killer chorus, crisp synths and dreamy vocal - but shows off Zoë's softer side. There is a mellowness to this collaboration with TV Rock DJ Grant Smillie that will no doubt help the track crossover from nightclubs to commercial radio. You can dance to this or hum along to it while doing the ironing! "Carry Me Home" is quite possibly Ms Badwi's finest moment and the video is shaping up to be equally triumphant. As far as I can tell she just walks around a house looking glamorous but at least there is no bondage-dancing in train stations or weird special effects that don't really make sense. Zoë is keeping things classy this time around and I love the old Hollywood aesthetic. Check out a behind the scenes preview below and download the song from iTunes now.

Luciana - I'm Still Hot - Video Review

Mark this historic occasion in your diary! The video for Luciana's first solo single in 17 years dropped yesterday and it's a stunning return to form after the heinous mess that was "Skin I'm In". Produced and directed by the extremely sexy and talented Burgoyne brothers (who also created the club queen's iconic "I Like That" video), "I'm Still Hot" finds Luci... lookin' hot in a variety of scenarios that would make lesser women would run and hide. I love the bright colours and white trash aesthetic. Cinematographer/editor Ian Sklarsky deserves a lot of credit for bringing the look together. The quirky tributes and cameos are also a lot of fun. Luciana pays homage to Debbie Harry by wearing a t-shirt the Blondie frontwoman made famous and I'm pretty sure I spotted both Burgoyne boys as well as the dance diva's husband in the clip! There is so much fabulousness going on that I need to break this masterpiece down scene by scene. Here goes:

0:00 - 0:15 - Luci struts along the beachfront in her Debbie Harry inspired t-shirt dress holding a boombox that I'm pretty sure I owned in the 80s. I particularly love the feathers and fabulous shoes.

0:15 - 0:40 - Our heroine then wakes up next to a couple of random guys looking a bit worse for wear. Don't you just hate that? Instead of grabbing her phone and running for the door (not that I'm talking from personal experience), she serenely applies her make-up while we get a flashback of the previous night's raunchy shenanigans.

0:40 - 1:00 - Ok, this is fucked up. What kind of gay orgy did the club queen crash? You don't need gaydar to know these extras are all about the dick! I love the comic prints and I think I spotted Stephen Burgoyne.

1:00 - 1:30 - Girlfriend wisely decides to do a runner. But not before saying goodbye to David Burgoyne (I recognise those tatts!) and slipping into something a little more fabulous. Love the metallic wrap and it's great to see Nick Clow (Luci's husband) lookin' fine as the guy sitting in the foldout chair outside the motel.

1:30 - 2:00 - The former Shooter frontwoman then hitch hikes into the desert. Unfortunately, she breaks a heel and loses her trannytastic wrap. Shame!

2:00 - 2:30 - Luciana bravely carries on despite her debilitating wardbrobe malfunction and eventually arrives at the beachfront with boombox in hand. She then treats the locals to a fabulous performance. Needless to say, they can't get enough.

2:30 - 3:00 - This section involves a lot of hair whipping and a stunning updo. Love the cinematography here.

3:00 - 3:30 - The clip ends with Luci doing some kind of weird interpretive dance against the sunset before walking off with her boombox, presumably to the next gay orgy. It's a thoroughly amazing conclusion to a great video.

"I'm Still Hot" is already available on US iTunes and is being released in Australia shortly as part of Ministry Of Sound's latest "Sessions" compilation before being pushed to clubs as a single. As soon as I know more details, I'll let you know. As for the clip, I'm giving it:

9/10

Soraya Reloaded!

I feel like such a bad fan for taking so long to post this information but Europe's most beautiful and talented pop diva, the legendary Soraya Arnelas is about to re-release "Dreamer". I'm a bit shocked because I thought the original album had so many great songs that could have been hit singles - particularly "I Got You" and "Twilight" - but I'm not complaining. The package looks great and I'm always excited to add something new to my Soraya collection. "Reloaded" includes the dance icon's new worldwide smash "Stick Shift" as well as remixes of "Dreamer" and "Give You Up". I haven't been able to find the release date yet but I'm sure one of my Spanish gays will let us know. Fingers crossed there's a stunning club tour of Chueca to promote the album. I would be on the next plane!

Here's the tracklist:

1. Dreamer
2. Failing me (Runaway)
3. Give you up Soraya Feat. Juan Magan
4. Ticking all the boxes
5. I got you
6. You've got the music
7. Electric girl Feat. Bedük
8. Twilight
9. Live your dreams Feat. Antoine Clamaran
10. In my blood
11. Close to me Feat. Wally López
12. Stick Shift (Radio edit) Feat. Antoine Clamaran
13. Give you up (David Campoy Remix) Feat. Juan Magan
14. Give you up (Victor Magan Remix) Feat. Juan Magan
15. Live your dreams (Albert Neve Main Remix)
16. Dreamer (Brian Cross Remix)
17. Dreamer (John Shelvin Remix)

While we wait for the "Stick Shift" video to drop, let's revisit one of the defining moments in Soraya's career (below).

Luciana - I'm Still Hot - Exclusive Video Pics

After keeping nightclubs in business for the past decade with a seemingly endless string of features, Luciana is set to release her first solo track in 17 years! Has it really been that long since "One More River" set the standard for modern balladry? Fuck me. It's rather appropriate then that the dance diva's latest floorfiller is called "I'm Still Hot". Produced by Dave Audé, the song is vintage Luci with her trademark electro-shouting, raunchy lyrics and killer beats. I absolutely adore it and think the Supermal remix is the hottest thing I've heard since... the Adam F remix of "I Like That".

Mrs Clow's fabulous anthem hits iTunes on April 17 and has been picked up by Ministry of Sound in Australia. As a special treat, I've got some exclusive stills from the "I'm Still Hot" video shoot (above and below). I'm told the clip follows the narrative of the song, with Luciana remaining smokin' hot regardless of what life throws at her! It's being filmed by the lovely Burgoyne brothers (Stephen & David), who are not only incredibly hot in their own right but the talented duo behind the diva's "I Like That" video. The pics look absolutely amazing and I'm sure the finished product will be a triumph. That just leaves one question, when is Luci flying over here to promote it?

Make sure you check out this fan-made "I'm Still Hot" video and pre-order the track from iTunes today. I can't wait for this to rule the clubs!

Soraya's New Single!

Legendary Spanish beauty Soraya Arnelas is back with an amazing new single. I know it's hard to read through those tears of joy but try to compose yourself! "Stick Shift" is another collaboration with French DJ Antoine Clamaran, the mastermind behind her international dance smash "Live Your Dreams". I love the song but does this mean no more singles are being released from "Dreamer"? My heart just broke into a million pieces. Oh well, maybe this is only a side project to further cement Soraya's reputation as Europe's leading dance diva. The song is already a top 20 smash on the French club chart - so mission accomplished!

The pride of Extremadura has outdone herself this time. "Stick Shift" is easily the campest piece of music she has recorded since... well, her entire "Dolce Vita" album. It's a cheesy explosion of 80s infused Euro-dance that reminds me a bit of The Pointer Sisters. If they went electro and moved to Gran Canaria. French DJs (Junior Caldera and David Vendetta spring to mind) have a knack for churning out this kind of shameless fun and Antoine has found the perfect muse in Soraya. Take the diabolical lyrics about riding stick shifts and drink driving. In a less fabulous singer's hands, this could have been a complete mess but Spain's greatest non-porn export gets away with it through sheer charm and charisma. She brings the song to life with her glorious vocals and ability to walk the fine line between sexy and sleazy.

I actually prefer "Stick Shift" to "Live Your Dreams" and hope it's huge. Now all team Arnelas has to do is release a physical single - please! - and make sure Antoine doesn't try to steal Soraya's spotlight in the soon to be released video. I still haven't forgiven him for last time! Until that drops, give the pop icon's new single a listen below.

When Luciana & Diddy Collide

Someone once said the only things that would survive a nuclear holocaust are cockroaches and Cher. Well, you can add another item to that list. Luciana's double platinum Australian smash "I Like That" simply refuses to die. A good two years after its debut, the unstoppable club anthem continues to pop up in new guises. The song's latest incarnation is as an electro/hip-hop hybrid featuring urban superstar Diddy. An edit of this remix leaked in January but the full version is finally here and being promoted to British DJs this week. I didn't know what to make of Diddy's contribution the first time I heard it but I love it now.

It's amazing how many different directions people have taken this song in. There's the iconic original. The butchered edit that became a radio smash in Australia. House-tastic American remixes. Adam F's awesome drum 'n' bass mix for the UK and now a hip-hop addition to add to your collection. I'm just waiting for Luci to deliver a country and/or death metal version of "I Like That", so we can all just move on and focus on the legendary dance diva's brilliant new single "I'm Still Hot" - which is just about ready to drop! But more about that later. For now, check out what happens when Luciana and Diddy collide.

A Week Until Death

Apologies for recent the lack of updates. I got my gangsta lean on over the weekend - hitting up a Snoop Dogg & Nelly showcase on Friday, before rocking Supafest on Saturday. It was all very messy and I just couldn't face the computer. Which is annoying because I've been wanting to post Wynter Gordon's new gem since Thursday. You might remember that I wrote about "Til Death" a couple of weeks ago. Some bitches questioned the veracity of my claim that Denzal Park gave the track a makeover, well check out the clip below and take a seat! The Aussie duo have given the track a polish and it's already apparent that Wynter has another smash on her hands given the song's non-stop radio coverage. It's a killer jam and, dare I say it, an improvement on the amazing "Dirty Talk". However, I have two minor problems with it:

1. It is quite similar to Britney's "Til The World Ends" - both lyrically and thematically - albeit it with a gifted vocalist and fresher production. Wynter's track has been doing the rounds for months, so I think Ke$ha might have been surfing YouTube stoned one day and forgot she heard it before penning Brit's flop.

2. The WAWA radio edit is vastly better than the version being pimped out below. I love Denzal Park - a lot - but their version sounds like an edited club mix, while the Polish producers have turned the song into an irresistibly upbeat pure pop explosion. But until that leaks, I guess you don't know what you're missing.

Whatever. The song is defining and it wouldn't surprise me if it follows Wynter's triple platinum Australian debut all the way to the top of the charts. Enjoy and download (legally) when the song is released on Friday. Expect a remix package featuring the aforementioned WAWA, Dan Castro, Oxford Hustlers, Andy Murphy and Polen to follow shortly.

Wynter Gordon & The Duelling 2nd Singles

Yesterday Neon Records announced "Til Death" as the official follow up to Wynter Gordon's massive number one smash "Dirty Talk". The song has been doing the rounds for months but it has been given a complete overhaul by Denzal Park - the producers behind Zoë Badwi's fabulous top 10 hit "Freefallin'". I'm told it now has an "Only Girl In The World" vibe and is scheduled to hit radio on April 11. Some of you might be scratching your head, wondering what happened to "Pride (Putting It Out There)" but that was just a promo single for Mardi Gras. To muddy the waters even further, another record label is trying to cash in on the success of "Dirty Talk" by re-releasing the diva's 2010 club smash "Believer". Only now Vicious is pushing the track to radio as Wynter Gordon featuring The Freemasons instead of the other way around. Cheeky! It's a bit complicated but I kind of like the Wynter overload. Just remember that her official second single is "Til Death" but better yet - buy them all! My second favourite interviewee returns to Australia in April for the Creamfields dance music festival. Buy your ticket now!

Goodnight, Ms Holloway

Loleatta Holloway died today at the age of 64. I'm devastated. Like many fans, I was in awe of her powerful pipes and ability to genre hop effortlessly. This is a woman who began her career singing gospel, before breaking into the 70s soul scene. She then went on to conquer disco, Hi-NRG and house. Not bad for a diva that never experienced the success her talent demanded. But while Loleatta kept a relatively low profile, I guarantee you know one of her songs. The most likely candidate being 1980's "Love Sensation", which was sampled in Black Box's 1989 smash "Ride On Time" (she had to sue for credit) and recycled again for Marky Mark's 1990 number one hit "Good Vibrations". More recently, Whitney Houston turned the underground icon's 1976 disco anthem "We're Getting Stronger" into "Million Dollar Bill". And it was that song, or more specifically its parent album, that sparked my love for Ms Holloway.

The amazing Disco Delivery wrote a post about the album and I knew I had to get my hands on it. Sooner rather than later. It was love at first listen and I can't recommend the album highly enough as a starting place to discover this wonderful diva. "Loleatta" is a beautiful mix of soul and disco with, surprisingly enough, more than a touch of Millie Jackson-esque verbal sparring. The album's most famous track is undoubtedly "Hit and Run" but for me, it's all about "Dreamin'" (below). That gorgeous explosion of disco fabulousness pushes all my buttons, from the relatively understated beginning to the hilarious mid-song spoken interlude. In the song, Loleatta warns other women to stay away from her man before getting down for some straight talk half way through. Every line from 3:30 mins to the end is highly quotable but this is probably my favourite piece of advice:

What's mine is mine
What's yours is yours
You see, I don't want nuthin' that's yours
I don't want nuthin' that looks at you!
You see, I know I got my man!

Nobody did it quite like Loleatta. May she rest in peace.

Wynter's Mardi Gras Anthem

Do you remember when Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras used to have a different theme song every year? Most of them were pretty crap but occasionally they got it right - Dannii's "Everlasting Night" and Robyn Loau's camp Chaka Kahn cover "Never Miss The Water" both spring to mind. Well, it's that time of year again and Mardi Gras has decided to revive the tradition by roping in the services of party performer Wynter Gordon. And the stunning diva has outdone herself. "Pride (Putting It Out There)" has been floating around the net in demo form for quite some time but it has been polished to perfection for the Gras. I love the massive chorus and so 90s it hurts main room house influence. There are also inspiring lyrics about being yourself and a typically powerful vocal. The roof of the RHI will explode when Wynter belts out this uplifting anthem. I can't wait! It should be pointed out, however, that this is NOT the follow up to "Dirty Talk". That song will debut in the next couple of weeks. "Pride (Putting It Out There)" is just a gift to the gays while Neon Records sorts out single number two. Give Wynter's Mardi Gras anthem a listen below and keep an eye out for it on iTunes. It should be available to download in the next few days.

I Like That - Remixed - Again!

It seems like a strange thing to say about the biggest crossover club hit of recent years - not to mention one of my favourite songs of all time - but I don't rate any of the "I Like That" remixes. It could be because I'm so attached to the original and find it pointless to fuck with perfection but there's something underwhelming about all of them. With one exception. Luciana's double platinum Australian smash is almost two years old now but the track has only just reached UK clubs, which means a whole new remix package. Predictably, most of them are shit but I'm in love with Adam F's drum and bass mix (below). He transforms "I Like That" into a demented Prodigy-esque floorfiller complete with sirens and a male vocal. It's edgy, brooding and almost scarily intense. Adjectives you can't apply to any of the other mixes. The makeover seems to be working given the song's recent peak at number 2 on the UK club chart. I can't believe the track is still burning up dancefloors around the world and I'm even more shocked that I'm still not over it! Stay tuned for a lot more from Luciana over the next few weeks but for now, fall in love with "I Like That" all over again.

Accidents Happen + 10 Reasons Why Zoë Badwi Is Better Than Your Faves

Six months ago - has it really been that long? - Zoë Badwi unleashed "Freefallin'" on unsuspecting homosexuals across Australia and landed herself one of the biggest homegrown pop hits of the year. The song reached the top 10, went platinum and was picked up by Altantic Records in America. Which means there's a lot riding on the follow up. Lesser divas would have buckled under the pressure but Zoë delivers another knock out punch with "Accidents Happen". I admit it took me a couple of listens to get into but now the damn thing is stuck in my head and I'm getting RSI from repeatedly pressing replay on my iPod. The track, another collaboration with TV Rock, sounds like something Reina released in 1998 - which is possibly the highest compliment I have ever paid on this blog! "Accidents Happen" is cute, fun and should hopefully follow (the slightly superior) "Freefallin'" to the top of the charts. And if you still have doubts about this sublime songbird - sit down, read the following list and get correct!

10 Reasons Why Zoë Slays Your Faves:

1. Zoë was a founding member of iconic Australian girlband Sirens.

2. As such she bum-danced with Sara Marie on the trashiest novelty hit of the noughties. Respect.

3. One of my first music related jobs involved putting together a digital promo of her top 10 club smash "In The Moment".

4. Which - kind of - makes her my homegirl.

5. She tweets about Red Rooster's cheesy nuggets ie. the best fast food EVER!

6. I still hear "Release Me" every time I hit Oxford Street.

7. Her platinum selling mega-hit "Freefallin'" saved Amy Pearson (who co-wrote it) from a life of poverty and/or crime.

8. That song was 2010's ultimate 'pick yourself up, dust yourself off' anthem.

9. I suspect "Accidents Happen" is really about unreliable birth control.

10. Zoë teams a fluffy pink baby doll blouse with leather hotpants in the video - without looking like a cross between Baby Jane and a lesbian trucker.

Watch in awe as Australia's new queen of dance (sorry, Suzy Ray!) shows the other bitches how it's done.