And your name is?

Everyday we going around signing papers and checks, dealing with awkward introductions and showing ID after ID. How much more fun would all this be if you had a really sweet name? If you could shake the hand of your slimy new manager, look him right in the eye and, say "Honey Puppy. Nice to meet ya" and then just stand there all like, "What? Something funny?". Or when you're being cool with the kids you could say, "Please, call me Honey. Mr. Puppy's my father's name". That would rock. Of course it would probably be spirit-crushing to have to carry such a name-burden throughout your school years, but I'm not here to think negatively people. And neither is Honey Puppy.

Dance Reaction- Honey Puppy is My Name

If you're anything like me, this songs gonna flip you out. Like catnip style.

Push It

This tasteless dedication goes out to my friend Rachel who's having a baby. Like right this second. Yowch!

Workin' Disco Magic

If you haven't heard Tommy Boy's recent "cosmic leather disco" mix, Tardust Discojus yet, not only are you missing out on a sweet intergalactic potpourri, but you're also falling behind. Keep up people! He's already got another mix out! Let's go listen to it together shall we?

TVOD

Soul To Soul

This one feels so odd yet so... comforting. It's like Chicago and Air Supply go Downy soft AM disco, blended together with Zager's Disney-esque touch. Then there's also this intense (well, in comparison) funky interlude that tricks you into thinking it's gonna be crazy dancemania once it breaks, but instead it just nonchalantly drops you right back off in soft rock territory, all like, wha' happen?

Michael Zager Band- Soul to Soul

Stay With Me

I think I like about two songs from the hitmaking songwriting/production team of Stock, Aitken and Waterman (SAW). Meaning their record with me is like... two for a billion. Seriously, whether or not this hit machine makes songs you like, you've got to respect the sheer numbers of their catalog. Yowsers.

So that brings me to Canton, an Italo group whose 1984 single Sleepwalking I hold so dear (check here for that). Despite this SAW produced collaboration working out splendidly, even the all powerful SAW team couldn't turn these snappy dressers into a hit group. I think the reason for their failure is the fact that they also had a song called Please Don't Stay. The mainstream public obviously disapproved of their inability to make a decision and stick to it. Or maybe it was just those awful jackets.

Canton- Stay With Me

For the curious, the other SAW song I like is Kylie Minogue's Got to Be Certain. Actually, make that three, I totally forgot about Rick Astley.

The Fist of God

10000 Watts

Just a little PSA to let everyone know that not only does ARAWA have a spiffy new easy-to-remember domain name, but thanks to my new hosting service, all tracks will now be available directly. For those that don't know how that works (yes you Jone) just right-click the song title and save. Ta dah! ARAWA.fm, same old site but just a wee bit easier.

And now for a totally unrelated song that happens to have the word radio in it...

Savage- Radio

Dream of Neon Cities

Fellow Jon Anderson lover and Sagittarian, Shermstixx emailed me recently to hip me not only to a super trippy Jon Anderson album (Olias of Sunhillow anyone?), but also his own album, Realms of the Electrohesher. It was done solely with two Juno's (D and a G) and beats from a Dr.202 and then recorded onto a 8 track. Old school! Spare drum arrangements, offset with layers and layers of synths, drifting and sparkling through space and time... It's lovely stuff. Think Glass Candy sans vocals, Kraftwerk and a touch of Vangelis with a bit more of a DIY feel. Its been on repeat around ARAWA headquarters and I'm sure you'll soon be enjoying it in your quarters as well.

Shermstixx- Dream of Neon Cities
Shermstixx- Alive Outside of Space and Time

You can download the entire album here for free and if you like it, go to Shermstixx' myspace or blog and donate some cash to the cause.

My Baby My

Here's a little slo-mo robo soul to start this week off right, straight out of Pete Belotte's extensive catalog. For those that don't know, Pete Belotte, was a prolific producer and was one of Giorgio Moroder's more frequent collaborator's, as the other half of Munich Machine and co-producer of some pivotal Moroder moments, including some song called I Feel Love. I've heard that one's pretty good. As for Sue Ann, she went on to do backup vocals for Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Bobby Brown, Rod Stewart and Cher. Which is cool too. Just in a different way.

Sue Ann- My Baby My

Sensus

Sometimes ARAWA sleeps too deeply and it's beyond my mere human strength to wake it. Luckily Sensus found me today and woke ARAWA, shining it's blacklight in the face of this gentle monster and inviting it skyward and beyond. Welcome to the year 2020.

Ooh. Dramatic.

Sensus- Sensus (12" Version)
Sensus- Sensus (Instrumental)