DRUMS OF DEATH FEATURES YASMIN ON HOT NEW TRACK 'TRUE'

Scottish DJ Colin Bailey, aka Drums of Death, has released his latest track - 'True' - featuring the vocals of talented singer, songwriter and fellow DJ Yasmin.

In the same vein as other brilliant DJ acts from over yonder - Disclosure, Duke Dumont, etc - Drums of Death delivers yet another underground 90s house gem with 'True'. Yasmin's vocals, which we've missed so much, marry the the melody so well it's like a match made in sweet musical heaven.

Of course, one of the last times we heard the 24 year-old singer was on her outstanding track 'Finish Line', which finished at number six in our Top Singles of 2011. It's really worth a revisit just to remember...

Catch the official video 'True' below.

'True' is out now [iTunes]

THE YEAR IN REVIEW: THE TOP 50 SINGLES OF 2011

On the back of publishing our Best Pop Albums of 2011, it's now time to deliver our annual Top 50 Singles of 2011. We have to admit that it has taken weeks, if not months of deliberation.

In a year when loads of brilliant pop acts came to the party, it was harder than ever to define the best of the best. Some artists surprised us with their inconsistency, others with their determination and brilliance. Pop music, more than ever, became a challenge for many artists new and old.

The professionalism, artistic involvement and length of video clips increased ten-fold this year. 2011 saw more artists make strategic moves to secure chart success, viral hype and record sales in a bid to compete with some of the true talent that emerged. None the less, 2011 was a great year for pop music.

Without further anticipation, here is our Top 50 Singles of 2011.

50.  Calvin Harris  "Bounce" feat. Kelis

49.  Emeli Sandé  "Heaven"

48.  Avicii  "Levels"

47.  Wynter Gordon  "Buy My Love"
46.  Darren Hayes  "Bloodstained Heart"

45.  Beyoncé  "Countdown"

44.  Vanbot  "Make Me, Break Me"

43.  Coldplay  "Paradise"

42.  Clare Maguire  "The Last Dance"

41.  Jessica Mauboy  "Inescapable"

40.  Jessie J  "Price Tag" feat. B.o.B.

39.  Coldplay  "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall"

38.  Sky Ferreira  "Sex Rules"

37.  Melanie C  "Think About It"

36.  Pnau  "Solid Ground"

35.  Nicola Roberts  "Lucky Day"

34.  Medina  "Addiction"

33.  Leona Lewis / Avicii  "Collide"

32.  The Saturdays  "Notorious"

31.  Foster The People  "Pumped Up Kicks"

30.  Kelly Clarkson  "Mr Know It All"

29.  Selena Gomez & The Scene  "Love You Like A Love Song"

28.  Above & Beyond  "You Got To Go" feat. Zoë Johnston

27.  Maroon 5  "Moves Like Jagger" feat. Christina Aguilera

26.  Tim Berg  "Seek Bromance"

25.  Gotye  "Somebody That I Used To Know" feat. Kimbra

24.  Lady Gaga  "Yoü And I"

23.  Kylie Minogue  "Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)"

22.  Robyn  "Call Your Girlfriend"

21.  Wynter Gordon  "Til Death"

20.  Adele  "Set Fire To The Rain"

19.  Britney Spears  "Hold It Against Me"

18.  Rihanna  "S&M"

17.  Katy B  "Broken Record"

16.  Katy Perry  "E.T."

15.  Darren Hayes  "Talk Talk Talk"

14.  Florence + The Machine  "Shake It Out"

13.  Alexis Jordan  "Good Girl"

12.  Rihanna  "We Found Love" feat. Calvin Harris

11.  CocknBullKid  "Asthma Attack"

10.  Adele  "Someone Like You"

The second single from the British singer/songwriter stole the hearts of almost everyone, worldwide. With lyrics like "I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited; but I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it; I had hoped that you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded; that for me, it isn't over" you can't help but be captivated.

Someone Like You hit the #1 spot in a number of countries worldwide, including the US, Australia and the UK; giving Adele a fantastic follow up to the 21's lead single, Rolling In The Deep. If you haven't done so, take a look at the video which features the star walk solemnly along the streets of Paris at 5am. A beautifully classic video, to match a beautifully classic song.

9.  Britney Spears  "Til The World Ends"

Britney Spears certainly delivered with the second single to be lifted from her seventh album, Femme Fatale. The Ke$ha penned track and it's accompanying apocalypse-themed video gave the recently engaged lass yet another top-ten smash in Australia and the US, peaking at #8 and #3 respectively.

Beating the album's lead single Hold It Against Me (which appeared on our chart at an impressive #19); Til The World Ends is Britney at her absolute finest. Brilliant pop music, great choreography in the video, and Miss Spears reminding us all that the broad has still got it.

8.  Jennifer Lopez  "On The Floor" feat. Pitbull

Speaking of still having it, Jennifer Lopez certainly didn't waste any time in the American Idol spotlight to remind us that she does indeed, certainly still have it. The Lambada sampling On The Floor, featuring Pitbull as guest rapper, saw the Latino babe return to the summit in over 20 countries worldwide.

On The Floor, produced by recycling-beats-and-bass man RedOne, was a brilliant lead single from J Lo's Love? album. Whilst the release has spawned a further two singles, they failed to be as globally successful as the great piece of Euro-trash that we have here.

7.  David Guetta  "Titanium" feat. Sia

Enlisting Australian singer/songwriter Sia as the guest vocalist on his empowerment anthem Titanium, was the best thing David Guetta could have ever done. Originally showcasing the vocal talents of Mary J Blige, Guetta felt she lacked the connection he'd heard when he listened to the demo of the track (originally recorded by Sia), and so he decided to lock her in for the final cut. What a great move!

"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose; fire away, fire away; ricochet, you take your aim; fire away, fire away; you shoot me down, but I won't fall; I am titanium!" Those lyrics, followed by the unstoppable Guetta with his signature beats, is a true masterpiece. Definitely one of his best tracks to date.

6.  Yasmin  "Finish Line"

Yasmin, the then 22 year-old signed to Ministry of Sound records, had delivered her debut single On My Own to a pleased crowd, peaking just inside the UK top 40 at #39, however it wasn't until the release of her second single that she really set us on fire.

Finish Line, which features a superb remix by the boys from the Freemasons, samples Stevie Wonder's 1977 single, As. The track, written by the gorgeous girl and co-produced by Labrinth, gave Yasmin her first ever top twenty hit in her homeland.

5.  Will Young  "Jealousy"

No surprise that after featuring at #2 on the Best Pop Albums of 2011 that you find Jealousy, the lead single from Will Young's Echoes, in our top ten singles of the year. The up-tempo track, written by Young and Kish Mauve, produced by Richard X, gave the UK super star yet another top ten hit.

Young's tale of unrequited love is beautiful and heart-breaking as he delivers an outstanding vocal performance alongside Mr X's talented production work. A perfect lead single which paved the way for a great album.

4.  Lady Gaga  "The Edge Of Glory"

The Edge Of Glory is the single that saved Lady Gaga from her Born This Way era. Whilst we love a number of the album tracks, and whilst The Edge wasn't the biggest in terms of sales statistics, the Fernando Garibay produced hit was clearly the best track on the album.

The biggest disappointment - the video. With the least artistic input overall, it seemed to flounder in comparison by not only Gaga's standards, but by the fact that peers around her were now delivering exceptional video clips for most of their videos. A standard that was indeed, set by Gaga herself. 

3.  Sneaky Sound System  "Big"

This is the moment that Sneaky Sound System have been waiting for! Big, the second single to be lifted from their acclaimed From Here to Anywhere album, is the duo at their absolute best. Great vocals, pop melody, hot beats... pure pleasure.

Whilst it hasn't commercially set the world on fire (peaking at a measly #68 in Australia), fans have been taken by the lyrics and Miss Connie's exceptional vocal performance in Big. To quote the fabulous Adem With An E "...this is a soaring, majestic pop song with enough thumping electronic hooves to go along with some of the bands best, most sincere lyrics."

2.  Nicole Scherzinger  "Don't Hold Your Breath"

Don't Hold Your Breath as a demo originally surfaced late 2010 by Timbaland and Keri Hilson. After getting a pop-revamp by Carl Falk and co, the Toby Gad co-penned track managed to secure Nicole Scherzinger her first ever #1 in the UK.

Leaving the Pussycat Dolls and delivering Don't Hold Your Breath was the best move this girl could have made. Proving to those that she is more than just a piece of hot tail, Scherzy truly delivered to fans new and old with this brilliant pop jam.

After a series of failed attempts to lock in a debut album, it seemed the success of the first single Poison and Don't Hold Your Breath  helped cement Scherzy's Killer Love release, which later went on to peak at #8 on the UK albums chart.

1.  Adele  "Rolling In The Deep"

The song that started the current, epic journey of Adele's sophomore album 21. Rolling In The Deep, written by the talented star and Paul Epworth, was the commercial break that propelled the porcelain-skinned beauty into a stratosphere dreamed of by many, accomplished by some.

The track, which recently came in at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end charts, has sold in excess of five million copies in the US alone, achieving an impressive five times platinum sales status. In Canada and Australia we share similar sales achievements hitting six and five times platinum respectively.

Having won countless awards, including three MTV Video Music Awards back in July, Rolling In The Deep is one of this years, if not this decades, biggest hits. Whilst this tale of a scorned lover has been around for close to a year now, it has still yet to tire.

The longevity of Adele's 21, including Rolling In The Deep, is impressive. A truly, epic masterpiece that will cement Adele as a household name for years to come. 

LISTEN TO NEW YASMIN WITH "LIGHT UP (THE WORLD)" FEAT. SHY FX

British DJ/singer/songwriter Yasmin has premiered new material, a collaboration with Shy FX titled Light Up (The World). The follow up to the UK top 20 hit Finish Line sounds a little old school, with a hint of jungle and drum 'n bass teased throughout the track.

What's your thoughts? Does it hit the mark like it's predecessor?

[THOM'S TOP TRACKS] April 2011

And so he's back. After spending loads of time in the 'hood (apparently that's dog-speak for the park down the road), Thom has recommended his hot tracks for the month of April.

He's made a point of saying, or barking actually, that lots of contenders put forward some great tunes over the last few weeks. It's been a tough month, and Thom has been jumping, running and peeing excitedly about all the musical options. On saying that however, here are his favourite tracks for the month...



Thom, licking his lips as he thinks about these delicious tracks...



APRIL

Yasmin

Finish Line

[VIDEO]

Wynter Gordon

Till Death

[AUDIO]

Vanbot

Make Me, Break Me

[AUDIO]

Natalia Kills

Wonderland

[VIDEO]

Lady Gaga
Judas

[AUDIO]

CAN'T GET YOU OUTTA MY HEAD - YASMIN'S "FINISH LINE"

So you'd know from my previous [WELCOME] blog entry about Yasmin, that I kinda think this girl IS THE SHIT. Not only is she gorgeous, but damn, she has some hot tunes. Finish Line, Yasmin's second musical delivery, has been in my head for weeks. I can't shake it I tell you, I just can't shake it!

I've stumbled on the Freemasons Pegasus After Hours Mix of the track - a great chillout version of the song that provides you with a completely different yet familiar vibe. Loving the combo right now. So, I thought I'd share it with you... enjoy.

Yasmin - Finish Line (Freemason's Pegasus After Hours Mix) by itsYasmin

[REMIXED] JENNIFER HUDSON "WHERE YOU AT"

I've been meaning to get this post out for a while now. You see, I wanted to get a Remixed post up some time ago, but every time I'd go to do it I'd get distracted and end up writing about something else. Or... get stuck playing Words With Friends on my iPhone. Or... craving a Campos coffee. Or... watching the lights flicker in the sky. Ohhhh... pretty lights.

Where was I?

Remixed. That's right. The Remixed post will be an opportunity to pay homage to the great remixers of this day - Freemasons, Cahill, Bimbo Jones, Dave Aude, Armin van Buuren, Kaskade, David Guetta, Avicii, etc. I could go on and on, but you catch my drift.

You see sometimes an artist will release a track and it's nothing short of pure brilliance. It needs no adjustment, in fact, it's just dandy the way it is. Sample: Dirty Talk, Wynter Gordon [VIDEO]

Other times an artist will release a track and it's ok... but it's kinda missing something. Enter one of the said remixers and it's an instant jam! Sample: Finish Line (Freemasons Remix), Yasmin [VIDEO]

Then of course there are times where you're like - WTF? What a crap follow up to a previous brilliant song. Someone better do something here and KAPOW, before you know it the remixer enters and it's brilliant. Sample: Good Girl (Freemasons Remix), Alexis Jordan [VIDEO]

See what I mean?

So, here we have it. Today's Remixed entry is for the only other great American Idol, Jennifer Hudson (the only other in comparison to Kelly Clarkson that is). J Hud returned to us with her second studio album only last week - matching the #2 placing for her debut record with I Remember Me.

The R Kelly penned Where You At was released as the lead single back in February. Whilst it's a good song reminding us that J Hud's power vocals are those to rival Queen Bee Whitney Houston, the track received mixed reviews and barely made an impact on the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at #64).

For today's post, enter Dave Aude and KAPOW - gay boys are twirling all 'round San Francisco to this number. Aude's mix provides Houston Jnr's soulful vocals with that extra bop that gives the number the needed boost. Now don't get me wrong, I love the original, but the remix gives me the best of both worlds!

So, you get to enjoy both too. Below is the original and Aude's remix as well. Enjoy!

Visit Jennifer Hudson's digital library online today [ITUNES]


Where You At (Dave Aude Remix)



Where You At (album version)

HAVE YOU DISCOVERED... YASMIN?

It seems as though new talent is everywhere at the moment. There'll be periods of time when the music world is absolute crap and we're dying for something or someone fresh, new, exciting and full of life. Apparently however, now is not that time - and alas, we venture to the northern hemisphere once again for our next talented artist.

All the way from the UK, welcome, Yasmin.

Yasmin is a 22 year-old singer-songwriter/DJ who first found fame DJ'ing across London a few years ago in a variety of clubs and shows. After supporting UK artist Example on his tour last year alongside fellow artist Devlin, Yasmin pursued a solo career. Prior to that she collaborated with Devlin on his top 20 UK hit Runaway [VIDEO].
Yasmin kicked off her solo career in January with her debut single On My Own [VIDEO] - a good track which reminds me a lot of early Massive Attack. Great sound and equally great vocals. The track achieved top 40 status in the UK.

Finish Line is Yasmin's follow up single, which will be released in the coming weeks. From my point of view it has mega-hit plastered all over it. It's catchy and fresh, and shows off all of Yasmin's talents - both vocally and visually... the girl is absolutely stunning.



But wait, there's more. Not content with how great Finish Line is already? Well, let me introduce you to the Freemasons Remix. "No, not again" I hear you say? Yes - the boys have done it again.

The Freemasons Remix takes a great track and turns it into an ah-mah-zing track. The boys do for Yasmin what they did for Kelly Rowland in Work - some slight movement with just enough pa-pow to make you wanna listen to it non-stop for a number of hours (which may or may not be what I have done).

Because I'm super cool and super nice, I've included both videos for you to view. You'll see what I mean. In the interim, listen and look out for this girl - I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far - and I think 2011 is going to be a good year for Yasmin. Enjoy and much love.