WHEN you’ve done all the "reinvention" you can possibly devise before an inevitably jaded public, you do the logical thing: you go back to your roots. That, it is said, is what Madonna has done in her forthcoming album, Confessions On A Dance Floor, set for release by Warner Bros. Records November 15.
Twelve songs, including the debut single, "Hung Up," "capture the spontaneous thrill of the iconic superstar’s early hits." Translation: Madonna goes back to disco.
Says Madonna herself: "(It’s) about having a good time straight through and nonstop. I want people to jump out of their seats."
Recorded earlier this year in London, Confessions On A Dance Floor was primarily co-produced and co-written by Madonna and Stuart Price. Also known as Les Rythmes Digitales and Jaques Le Cont, Price is one of the UK’s most electrifying young DJ’s and remix wizards, who initially forged a creative partnership with Madonna as her musical director on both the 2001 Drowned World and 2003’s Reinvention tours.
"This is music that just comes naturally to her," explains Price, whose home studio served as the setting for the freewheeling writing and recording sessions. "The songs flowed very quickly. Madonna was interested in capturing the moment because, when all said and done, it’s that instinctive joy of rhythm and movement that comes across best on the dance floor."
Also collaborating on Madonna’s first new release in over two years is Mirwais Ahmadzai and the Grammy-winning duo of Bloodshy and Avant, as well as Anders Bagge and Peer Astrom of the Murlyn Music Collective and Joe Henry whose previous Madonna credits includes "Don’t Tell Me."
Confessions On A Dance Floor selections include the above mentioned "Hung Up" which includes a sample of Abba’s classic "Gimme Gimme," as well as dance-themed cuts "Get Together," "Sorry," "Future Lovers," "I Love New York," "Let It Will Be," "Forbidden Love," "Jump," "How High," "Isaac," "Push" and "Like It Or Not."
So, will the public take the bait? Let’s wait and see.
Switch on bliss
This new indie band will make you trigger happy
by ana verayo
T was already late but I was in an eager mood to watch their gig. Irrationally giddy even if I’ve been to a number of gigs. My uncontained excitement was obvious when the lead singer soared to perfect pitch with her crisp voice. A wave of nostalgia swept over me. I was suddenly transported to 1996: Gwen Stefani’s girl-rant antics and Fiona Apple’s brooding. Bliss, the lead singer, doesn’t sound exactly like them, but her voice had the same strength and passion.
TriggerBliss: Trigger (trig-’r) to cause or set off; Bliss (blis) superlative joy and happiness. They have graced the creaky, wooden floors of the stages of Café Saguijo, and they are no strangers to the indie circuit. The band is composed of Bliss Mabini (vocals), Patrick Co (lead guitar), Tochi Azares (bass), and Jonathan Co (drums, percussion). Their influences range from the ‘80s glam bam rock of Guns and Roses and Skid Row, folk rock crooners Joni Mitchell and Indigo Girls, rock icons Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Cactus and Tower of Power to the ubiquitous U2. The music is brutally sweet and honest. The song "Yaya" stood out the most, and is my personal favorite. It made me think twice if I was still watching (or listening) to the same band---it had a different organic local feel to it. A switch is turned on, (or maybe off) and I am reminded of Bayang Barrios and Cynthia Alexander. For an inescapable three minutes, I was vulnerable to the roots and soul of Triggerbliss. Then it was all over, the trance was broken and I am back again in this smoky whiff. This band definitely has a lot of heart.
Trigerrbliss Greatest Hits EP, at Music One and Tower Records outlets. You can also download them at Fiestamundo and catch them at Café Saguijo
