Finally, George Michael (pictured) is making headlines that don’t involve citations and breathalyzer tests. The British icon is embarking on a stadium tour, releasing a new hits compilation and having his music tied in with the TV program Eli Stone. Marking his first stateside tour in over a decade, the ‘Amazing’ singer is scheduled for an overdue stop at the United Center on Wed., July 9. His double-disc retrospective, Twentyfive, spans his Wham! days as well as material from his solo career, and will reflect his concert’s set list.
As one of the new tracks on his hits package, Michael does the vocal tango with former Sugarbabes starlet Mutya Buena on ‘This is Not Real Love.’ This is his steamiest duet to date. In the past, he has sung alongside R&B royalty. First, he paired with Aretha Franklin on the hit ‘I Knew You Were Waiting,’ and then he made the flawless rendition of ‘These Are the Days of Our Lives’ with Lisa Stansfield; in 1998 he joined forces with Mary J. Blige for the remake of Stevie Wonder’s ‘As.’ Let’s just remain mum about his teaming with Whitney Houston on ‘If I Told You That.’ On ‘This is Not Real Love,’ the two sing of a relationship that is not what it seems. The result is intense, as Buena coos, ‘Look at us dancing baby/ let’s dance and show them all/ how close we are/ the lies have worked so far/ so we go on deceiving.’ Moto Blanco’s remix of this one already is making a dent on the club charts.
After having her sultry breakout song ‘Magic Tree’ appear on The L Word and on the queer compilation Music with a Twist, Kirsten Price shows what she is made of on her debut, Guts & Garbage. Available now on iTunes, the out singer-songwriter’s bow easily could have been titled Rock ‘n Soul. Freedom has both the old school charm and modern-day relevance of a post-Woodstock protest song, while Possibilities could be a wayward Portishead track. Price’s appreciation of R&B music is noted on ‘Bring Me Back,’ where she tells the object of her affection that she loves her like an old soul record. Now that is real love. While no Chicago dates have been announced, Price will be at the Milwaukee Pridefest Sat., June 7.
Chances are newcomer Duffy will not see a review of her debut, Rockferry, in which she is not coupled with fellow British retro-darling Amy Winehouse. If Winehouse conjures the spirits of the Shangri-Las and American counterpart Nicole Atkins draws comparisons to Patsy Cline, then Duffy is the next generation’s Dusty Springfield. Austin Powers’ next groovy party best have Duffy’s catchy lead single, ‘Mercy,’ pumping out of the speakers. The platinum blonde slows it down some on the ode to her a remote hometown in Wales on the title track. Already a sensation throughout Europe, Rockferry comes out Tues., May 13.
Per remeberthe80s.com, a remake of the often forgotten ‘I’m In Love With a German Film Star,’ originally sung by The Passions, will be done by The Pet Shop Boys. Instead of having leading singer Neil Tennant adding a gay twist to this gem, guest Sam Taylor-Wood will provide the vocal honors, albeit under her pseudonym, Kiki Kokova. Expect this cover to be out later this year. This should keep fans sated, as a follow-up to the electronic duo’s latest effort, Fundamental, is expected to drop in early 2009. ‘German Film Star’ has been remade by The Foo Fighters and Sunscreem, while the Pet Shop Boys have added their signature stamp to several of their most beloved works, including Go West, Boys and Girls and Always on My Mind.
The onset of a new season is captured in the 30th installment in the Global Groove series. Mixed by DJ David Knapp from New York and DJ Escape from Atlanta, this Centaur set will make listeners dance to the rite of spring, as it delivers the big voiced divas and chart topping club hits. Highlights from this continuous mix include Kristine W. belting out her version of Diana Ross’s ‘The Boss,’ Chicago’s Suzanne Palmer unveiling her latest anthem, ‘Eye Can See U’ and Inaya Day moving listeners on ‘Say You Will.’ The Global Groove Tour comes to the Windy City Sat., May 3, at Hydrate.
Some of the U.K.’s best songs have been reissued too many times—so much so that the magic of the original is lost, as heard on the multiple re-releases of N-Trance’s ‘Set U Free’ and Urban Cookie Collective’s ‘The Key, The Secret.’ However, it is a relief hearing the revamped version of the Utah Saints’ 1992 classic ‘Something Good,’ which lifts its chorus from Kate Bush’s ‘Cloudbusting.’ Remixes by the likes of High Contrast, Warren Clarke, eSquire and Van She, along with a hot new video, have helped Something Good ’08 land in the top 10 overseas. The Utah Saints are renowned remixers, having revamped Annie Lennox’s Little Bird, but their forte is sampling, having borrowed from the Eurythmics’ ‘There Must Be an Angel Playing With My Heart’ and Sylvester’s ‘Do You Wanna Funk.’ The British dance act has a new album in the works.