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‘L’Amour Toujours’ N°313 – Vintage 80s Music Videos

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V Capri’s “Haunting Me” merges mid-’80s Australian new wave flair with emotive vocals and glossy production, peaking locally at No. 1 in Perth but struggling to make a broader impact. When in Rome’s “The Promise,” born out of low-budget ingenuity, became an ’80s pop staple with its melancholic keyboard lines and mid-chart success on both Billboard and dance charts, later revitalized through covers and film appearances like *Napoleon Dynamite*.

The Smiths’ “What Difference Does It Make?” delivers biting lyrics alongside Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar, marking an early standout in their catalog with its philosophical edge and chart presence. Meanwhile, Prefab Sprout’s “Johnny Johnny” hints at the band’s lyrical finesse but lacks the commercial staying power of their bigger hits. Fra Lippo Lippi balances melancholy and pop accessibility in “Shouldn’t Have to Be Like That,” showcasing an understated charm that resonated across parts of Europe.

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‘We Are Live’ N°126 – 2010s Music Videos

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Stereophonics’ “Indian Summer” blends nostalgia with arena-ready riffs but feels a bit predictable, while Foals’ “My Number” pulses with rhythmic precision and post-punk cool, earning notable chart success like No. 23 in the UK. Cover Drive’s catchy “Lick Ya Down” peaks at No. 9 in the UK, showcasing polished pop-reggae, and Bruno Mars’ heartfelt ballad “When I Was Your Man” tops the US Billboard Hot 100 with raw, stripped-back emotion.

Mr. Probz’s “Waves,” enhanced by Robin Schulz’s remix, rides emotional metaphors to international chart-topping status, while Passenger’s “Let Her Go” captivates with its folk-pop simplicity, becoming a global hit. Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey’s “The Middle” perfects infectious pop but sacrifices edge for mainstream appeal. James Arthur’s “Safe Inside” brings tender familial reflections, gaining Platinum certification despite its safe musical choices.

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‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°545 – Vintage 2000s Music Videos

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Coheed and Cambria’s “The Suffering” fuses progressive complexity with radio-ready hooks, driven by Claudio Sanchez’s piercing vocals and a sleek blend of metal crunch and melody. Matchbox Twenty’s “Disease,” co-written with Mick Jagger, leans on polished angst and a slick rock arrangement, though it feels more comfortable than groundbreaking. Wheatus’s “Teenage Dirtbag” reverberates with timeless adolescent angst, carried by Brendan B. Brown’s youthful delivery and a buoyant guitar riff that’s still universally relatable.

Oasis’s “Go Let It Out” balances psychedelic layers with Noel Gallagher’s instrumental heavy-lifting, while Idlewild’s “A Modern Way of Letting Go” mixes melodic energy with punk grit. M83’s “Don’t Save Us From the Flames” packs electronic urgency into a feverish dreamscape, reflecting Anthony Gonzalez’s flair for cinematic soundscapes. Bullet for My Valentine’s “All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)” showcases the emotional tension between acoustic tenderness and heavy distortion, capturing their early heavy-metal edge.? Take our 12-track quiz.

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This week In Jazz Legends (Special Pianists) 07/52

Omar Sosa’s Moody Jazz Café performance fused Afro-Cuban rhythms with modern jazz, blending traditional influences with electronic effects. His use of piano, Fender Rhodes, and keyboards created textured, dynamic compositions that teetered between avant-garde dissonance and harmonic beauty. Similarly inventive, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea’s duet on “Maiden Voyage” stripped down the original’s oceanic essence into a minimalist piano conversation, showcasing their chemistry yet leaning toward cerebral abstraction.

Hank Jones reinterpreted Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” at the 1977 Nice Jazz Festival, delivering a restrained yet elegant take alongside Vic Dickenson’s heartfelt trombone. Monty Alexander brought warmth to standards like “September Song,” infusing island rhythms without losing their melancholy core. Meanwhile, Return to Forever’s “Sorceress” balanced jazz fusion’s complexity and raw energy, standing out on their iconic *Romantic Warrior* album as both intricate and challenging, though emotionally distant for some listeners.

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‘Music For The Dancers’ N°116 – Vintage 2000s Music Videos

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Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack,” with its distorted vocals and electro-funk swagger, marked a bold shift for the artist, blending Bowie-esque intensity with Timberlake’s unique edge. Co-created with Timbaland and Danja, it commanded global charts and earned a Grammy, though some critique its over-reliance on style. Ashanti’s “Happy,” polished and catchy, showcases her effortless delivery over Murder Inc.’s velvety beats, securing top 10 positions across charts and solidifying early 2000s R&B vibes.

Craig David’s “6 of 1 Thing” brings Cuban flavor to his pop-R&B fusion, but struggles to leave a lasting mark, unlike Basshunter’s “Now You’re Gone,” which turned “Boten Anna” into a Europop chart-topping anthem. Similarly, Eric Prydz’s “Proper Education” adapts Pink Floyd within sleek house beats, gaining massive acclaim while balancing artistic nods with mainstream energy. From Motorcycle’s emotive “As the Rush Comes” to Ferry Corsten’s rhythmic “Rock Your Body Rock,” these tracks capture moments of innovation, nostalgia, or functional dancefloor appeal.

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Hip-Hop & Soul N°245 – Vintage 90s Music Videos

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Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” blends nostalgic R&B with the crisp beats of new jack swing, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and shining with a star-studded video featuring Eddie Murphy and Iman. Meanwhile, Monica’s “Like This and Like That” from her debut shows youthful confidence layered with hip-hop influences, reaching #7 on the Billboard charts alongside “Before You Walk Out of My Life.”

Cypress Hill’s “Illusions” crafts a shadowy mood with its Gary Burton sample, standing out with DJ Muggs’ hypnotic production, while Donell Jones’ cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet” charms without reinventing, landing modestly on the Hot 100. Morcheeba’s “Trigger Hippie” pairs trip-hop’s mellow vibes with ironic storytelling, marking their early sound with its dreamy yet chaotic narrative.

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‘Music For The Dancers’ N°115 – Vintage 80s Music Videos

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Kool & The Gang’s “Get Down On It” combines funky basslines with vibrant horn bursts, embodying 1980s party vibes. Billy Ocean’s “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” shines as a catchy anthem with a dynamic brass section and a playful music video featuring stars like Michael Douglas. Phil Collins’ “Sussudio” stands out with its infectious synth grooves and a bold, Minneapolis-inspired sound, capturing the energy of mid-’80s pop.

The Whispers’ “And the Beat Goes On” delivers polished funk with a memorable rhythm, while Altered Images’ “I Could Be Happy” balances wistful lyrics with upbeat tempos. On the hip-hop front, Eric B. & Rakim’s “Move the Crowd” exemplifies lyrical precision and minimalistic beats. Meanwhile, UB40 and Afrika Bambaataa’s “Reckless” blends reggae and electro vibes, creating a fascinating, albeit uneven, collaboration.

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‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°329 – Vintage 90s Music Videos

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Extreme’s “Tragic Comic” blends humor and romance with a rock vibe, showcasing witty lyrics atop a straightforward E major framework. Its quirky black-and-white video and modest chart success signal the band’s waning global momentum. Faith No More’s “Epic,” a bold mix of funk, metal, and hip-hop, thrives on genre-defying chaos, with Mike Patton’s cryptic lyrics leaving interpretation wide open, cementing it as a live staple and a chart-topping triumph in Australia.

Placebo’s debut single “Come Home” channels raw energy with Brian Molko’s androgynous vocals weaving angst and urgency. Meanwhile, The Cramps’ “Bikini Girls With Machine Guns” revels in campy absurdity, pairing Lux Interior’s frantic delivery with Poison Ivy’s gritty guitar riffs. Unkle’s “Be There,” featuring Ian Brown, captivates with its haunting simplicity and nocturnal aesthetics, showcasing DJ Shadow’s meticulous production style with an understated yet magnetic pull.

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