Rating System:

No * means horrible

* means you better get used to it

** means there is something to like about it

*** means I like it alot

**** means I love it

The summer is finally here and Pride Season has started. We have several big names burning up the charts, but I am just not excited about the tracks that are being released these days.

Here’s a few tracks that I recently listened to and here’s what I thought about them:

“Electric Chapel” Lady GaGa (Streamline/Interscope Records) I have been trying hard to like the Lady GaGa album, but it’s just not happening for me. Between the release ofJuda before Easter and her excessive fans attacking anyone who says anything about her, it has been hard to focus on her music. Sometimes too much promotions can deter from the original message. My good friend, Derrick Kardos wrote a great blog about the star called GaGa (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150240291003384). It may just be me, but as a DJ it is getting exhausting to have to experience the obssessive fans when they come up to request her. As if they are entitled. There are so many great artists out there. There is so much more to the musical landscape than Lady GaGa. But I have digressed. My record pool has picked

“3 Way (The Golden Rule)” Lonely Island featuring Justin Timberlake & Lady GaGa (Republic Records) Okay....now I know I just trashed Lady GaGa, but I love when a recording artist can make fun of themselves. And Andy Samberg is brilliant. Probably one of the only reasons to watch SNL these days. And his series of music videos for his group,Lonely Island have transcended comedy sketches. Every since “Dick In A Box” his songs have actually been played in bars and clubs. With his latest track, He and Justin find themselves in a 3 way with Lady GaGa. What should they do if they by accident start touching each other? Well, according to the golden rule....it’s okay in a 3 way! Love it!  ****

“Best Thing I Never Had (DJ Mike D. Remix)” Beyonce (Columbia) A lot of folks are hating on Ms. Knowles. With the release of “Run The World” a few people were upset with the use of the “Pon De Floor” sample. I didn’t mind it. And if you want a version without it, check out the Steamweaver Who Run The House Mix. It totally gives it a completely different feel and production. So for her new single, “Best Thing I Never Had” she returns to the victim role who turns the tables in her lyrics. The song is okay. This particular remix uses sample from a Gap Band classic called “Outstanding”. It’s cute, but I will wait for the house and club remixes.  **

“Price Tag (The Remixes)” Jessie J featuring B.O.B. (Lava Records) Sometimes an artist comes along out of nowhere and just knocks you over with their sound and style. Jessie J is just that type of of artist. I had seen a few clips of her on YouTube and then all of a sudden a few of the drag performers I work with started doing her material. Her acoustic version of this song really won me over until I heard the 8Barz Remix. This remix completely took me hook, line and sinker! Love it. I wasn’t too impressed with the Jason Nevins remix. He can be hit or miss sometimes. But I have definitely started playing the 8Barz version N&R (Nightly and Regardless if my floor gets it or not).  ****

“Man Down” Rihanna (Def Jam Records) Now, it’s no secret that I am not a huge fan of Reggae. But every now and then there are a few songs that come along that makes me stand up and take notice. Rihanna’s latest release, “Man Down” has an amazing video that sold me.  In the video she guns down a rapist. But something most don’t know is that back in March, the song was originally released as a forthcoming track from Lil’ Kim featuring Rihanna. But like Rihanna guest appearance on Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie” turned into a solo song for her as well. Since her release of the track there is a remix with Wayne Marshall. I guess the thing I like about the track is its return to the traditional Reggae Dancehall sound.  ***

“Shine Your Light” Mark Vox & Valmaggi featuring MJ White (Express Yourself Recordings) Over the years my love affair with MJ White’s voice has been no secret. His falsetto is so bright and spiritual that it can’t help but bring a smile to your face when you hear it. And when you pair him up with the right producers for a “Big-Room-Hands-In-The-Air” Anthem you can’t help but have a hit on your hands. Just in time for Pride!  ****

THE RELENT-LIST  6-29-11

Here is my Top Ten Songs for this week’s CLUB LITE FRIDAYS at Crews & Tangos

1) Give Me Everything (Bingo Players Remix)-Pitbull featuring NeYo & Nayer

2) I Wanna Go (Martin & Souza Club Mix)-Britney Spears

3) The Edge Og Glory (Toy Armada Club Mix)-Lady GaGa

4) Hello (Relentless vs. Benjamin Bates Remix)-Martin Solveig featuring Dragonette & Lionel Richie

5) Super Bass (B-More Remix)-Nicki Minaj

6) On The Floor (Relentless vs. Rockwell & Saki Remix)-Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

7) Blow (Cirkut Remix)-Kesha

8) Don’t Stop The Party (Extended Mix)-The Black Eyed Peas

9) Party Rock Anthem (Afrojack Remix)-LMFAO

10) H-I-Vogue (Chip Chop’s Big Waiting Room Mix)-Jade Elektra

And this week’s Throwback Track is “Feel What You Want” (Bingo Players Remix) byKristine W.

Don't forget to get your mixed CD's from DJ Relentless at Crews & Tangos every Friday Night with his weekly dance party, CLUB LITE FRIDAYS!

Jorial, our guest writer, takes a moment to commemorate the anniversary of Positivelite.com's DJ Relentless's alter ego Jade Elektra and the marking of a ten year anniversary.

Thursday, 23 June 2011

It's hard to believe an entire decade has passed since the Ballroom Bitch Bombshell of Avenue B Jade Elektra first unleashed her Proud Mary album upon the unsuspecting citizens of Gotham City, but it's true. 

Containing no less than three of the greatest bitch track classics of all-time according to the official House Of Diabolique website (Bitch You Look Fierce, Why Are You Gaggin' and What-Evah!), this special 10th Anniversary Edition of Proud Mary boasts five riveting bonus tracks showcasing Elektra's growth as a recording artist and vocalist since her debut album release in 1991. 

The bonus tracks on Proud Mary: 10th Anniversary Edition include a stunning new house music cover of the 1944 Billie Holiday classic Don't Explain; How Do I Look? the 2005 movie theme recorded with Midnight Society for the Wolfgang Busch New York underground Queer/Trans ballroom documentary film of the same name; the relatively rare You Better Muthaphuckin' Feel It (2001); a brand new remix of 2009's R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental) by none other than Texas nightlife icon Joelapussy and the DJ Fierce Tease Freshly Served Vocal Edit of HIVogue, Jade's critically-acclaimed 2011 bitch track espousing her controversial new message about HIV/AIDS status. (Remixes of HIVogue by Vjuan Allure, Chip Chop and DJ Fierce Tease go on sale on iTunes on National HIV/AIDS Testing Day, Monday June 27th 2011. ALL proceeds to Our Youth Center in Jersey City, NJ).

The promo only re-issue includes Jade's stylish cover versions of songs originally made famous by Creedence Clearwater Revival (and later by Ike & Tina Turner) Proud Mary (1969), Lou Reed Walk On The Wild Side (1972), Helen Kane (and later by Marilyn Monroe) I Wanna Be Loved By You (1928) and Gladys Knight If I Were Your Woman (1970) featuring background vocals by dance music legend MJ White. Trade is Jade Elektra and Jason Ryan's erotic salute to New York City rent boys; She Turns It is a dub mix of Jade's first recording and This Is What We Call A Bitch Track matter-of-factly explains the house music sub-genre to the uninitiated.  

And there you have it. 15 tasty Queer slices of African-American drag legend and militant HIV+ role model Jade Elektra's groundbreaking music that single-handedly defines the bitch track genre, served up hot and fresh over 75 minutes of cunty beatz and house music mayhem. Please remain dancing until the songs come to a complete stop.  

 1. Proud Mary (Sam Pena Remix Edit)

  2. Bitch You Look Fierce (Radio Edit)

  3. Walk On The Wild Side

  4. What-Evah!

  5. She Turns It (Cleo's Dub Mix)

  6. Why Are You Gaggin'? (Radio Edit)

  7. Trade (Cleo's Album Edit)

       JADE ELEKTRA & JASON RYAN

  8. I Wanna Be Loved By You 

       JADE ELEKTRA & PAUL MANCHIN

  9. This Is What We Call A Bitch Track

10. If I Were A Woman (Album Edit)

 Bonus Tracks:

 11. Don't Explain (Felly's 2-Step House Mix)

12. How Do I Look? (Relentless Tribute Edit) 

       JADE ELEKTRA & MIDNIGHT SOCIETY

13. You Better Feel It (Ken Terry & Relentless Runaway Dub)

14. R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental) (Joelapussy Remix Edit)

15. HIVogue (DJ Fierce Tease Freshly Served Vocal Edit)

 Jade Elektra - Proud Mary (10th Anniversary Edition) 

(c) 2011 2nd Level Records

Last week, I was honored to be asked to perform for the "Proud of Toronto" event where many important speakers like Kristyn Wong-Tam explained the truth about Rob Ford's proposal to cut funding for Pride this year.

A special thank you goes to Michael Went for inviting me. I was so glad that I was a part of this event, because we all need to stand together and let the elected officials know that we will not be swept under the new conservative rug.

Pride brings in about one hundred million dollars to Toronto every year. People come from all over Canada and even from the states to be a part of it. The city wants to impose a condition of the funding for Pride. They want us to "promise that no incidents will happen". No other parades or events are being asked to "promise" anything. This promise would mean that anything the conservatives would deem inappropriate would jeopardize funding in the future. Think about it. How many "incidents" happen during other events in the city? Why aren't these conditions being imposed on those other events? 

It's homophobia! It's the conservatives' way of getting rid of us with a formality.

Last week's event was for (Toronto) council members who were invited to see and listen to our community concerns. Coming from New York City, I was very impressed with the diversity of speakers. The community is so large in The Big Apple that it is sometimes hard to organize all of them. And many are complacent with the politics of such a big city, feeling that their voice won't be heard anyway. But the one thing I have admired about the Gay Community here in Toronto is how even the smallest voices stand up to be heard.

There were some teenagers from a local Catholic High School who were there to fight for their right to form a Queer-Straight Alliance at their school. It was so encouraging to see young people standing up for what they believed in.

It was also great to see someone like Michelle DuBarry in the audience. During my second song, I had to acknowledge her. For us drag performers, she is an inspiration. This is a person who has definitely paved the way for all us to be who we are today. I have invited her to be a guest in my show at Crews & Tangos during Pride week (June 25th). It will be an honor to share the stage with such a legend.

So, I hope that last week's event will influence our elected officials to vote against this blatant homophobia from the Mayor's Office. I also hope that you will make your voice heard as well.

1) Judas (Extended Mix) Lady GaGa

 2) Run The World (Girls) (Relentless vs. Major Lazer Vocal) Beyonce

 3) On The Floor (Relentless vs. Rockwell & Saki Vocal) Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

4) Moment For Life (DJ Klue Remix) Nicki Minaj featuring Drake

 5) Til The World Ends (Remix) Britney Spears featuring Nicki Minaj

 6) S&M (Remix) Rihanna featuring Britney Spears

 7) Where You At? (Dave Aude Remix) Jennifer Hudson

 8) The Time (Dirty Bit) (Relentless' Hyped Re-edit) Black Eyed Peas featuring Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes & Fatman Scoop

 9) Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX Remix) Adele

 10) Hello (Sidney Samson Remix) Martin Solveig featuring Dragonette

And my Flashback Track pick is "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot. And it was totally amazing to see the reaction when I dropped this track in the middle of my set at my weekly dance party, CLUB LITE at Crews & Tangos every Friday night.

 And here is a link to a free download of one of my latest mixes. 

Last week I returned from NYC. It was a great trip and my gigs as DJ Relentless and Jade Elektra went fantastic. It was so great to see a lot of my old friends. But upon my return, there was a snow storm and the news of several deaths. We lost a great AIDS activist and Hollywood royalty....Elizabeth Taylor. And one of the pioneers of Disco and House....Miss Loleatta Holloway. I had heard that Liz had been sick, but really didn’t know how bad it was. But the news of Loleatta seem to come out of nowhere.

And ironically, one of her struggles as an artist became one of mine when I returned to Toronto. Loleatta Holloway is one of the most sampled recording artists in the world. Her voice has been stolen and used on many House tracks. And in the Bitch Track genre that is definitely the case. Once the producers get your vocals, they basically can do whatever they want. So, needless to say, I have never made a dime off tracks like “Bitch You Look Fierce”, “How Do I Look” and “Trade”. The labels that put these tracks out have never paid me anything for my creativity or work. So, when I hear about my tracks being sold or given away free on the web, it really upsets me.

Well, my husband had told me a while ago that there was someone who had been stealing our music videos and reposting them with his website’s name on them. At first I didn’t pay it any attention because I thought- “It’s just a fan who loves my work”. But then on March 26th, he found a facebook page for the blog called “Circuit Party!” that actually had links to where you could download my music for free. Now, since I have registered my tracks with BMI and ASCAP at laest there is an agency that looks out for my best interest in collecting my money for my work. So, a war began. I spent most of that afternoon rallying my friends, fans and fellow artists to take this guy’s page down. In my search for information, I found out who was responsible. His name is Marc Gallemore. So, I wrote him and told him that I was upset and that I had informed my friends who are the other artists he was stealing music from. After a day or so of going back and forth, we finally came to an agreement and he removed my material.

The funny thing is, the other artists are dragging their feet in contacting him. If they don’t do something about it, their music will become public material. They will never see a dime for their work. When Blackbox stole Loleatta Holloway’s vocals to make the track, “Ride On Time” (which is a silly title because they producers were italian and did not understand the lyrics they stole which were “Right On Time”), she sued them and won. It amazes me that people think that they can just do whatever they want and no one is gonna do anything about it. So, I am glad that I stood up for myself. I hope that Harmonica Sunbeam, Franklin Fuentes and Joelapussy will do the same.

But I did have something wonderful happen when I returned. A friend of mine named Hector Alemany gave me a documentary about one of the authors of the first safe sex manuels, Richard Berkowitz called "Sex Positive". After watching it, I decided to write him on facebook and  thank him for all his hard work. I also sent him a copy of the track I recorded for World AIDS Day called “H-I-Vogue”. And believe it or not, he actually wrote me back and said he like my track. That was a major compliment for me to have someone of position in the fight against AIDS to recognize my work. Here’s what he wrote:

“H-I-Vogue is fantastic - there is no more important target audience than youth of color and the Madonna/Paris is Burning take is perfect for that. I cant believe the widespread self-deluding insanity of "DDF free, UB2" - on Craigslist and A4A - as if that's going to protect anyone from anything. You nailed it.”

I am still waiting to see if the AIDS Prevention Organization, BlackCAP is going to use the track as a fundraiser. I donated it to them and the New Jersey group, Our Youth. I hope that the sale of this single will help raise money for these very important organizations that work with gay youth. We definitely need to educate them and give them some guidance.